Songs That Tell Stories NUMBER TWO

Edgar'
...I have that on a CD, but I wasn't aware they were called the Robins..It seems like just about everything they did was a story. I never thought about that until tonite.

I have Smokey Joe's Cafe on a compilation vinyl and I have an old record of their greatest hits - Shopping For Clothes, Riot in Cellblock Number Nine, Little Egypt (it was banned from the radio in my town), Charlie Brown, Yackety Yak, Along came Jones, That is Rock 'N' Roll - more I can't think of. I agree they were more than just comedy.

Lash
I always enjoy Alice's Restaurant. I have vinyl albums of the movie soundtrack and Arlo's studio recording of that, along with I Don't Want a Pickle, Take Me Back and Try Me One More Time, Let's Get Santa Claus, among others.

Are the other Arlo songs you mentioned anything like "Alice's Restaurant"? Are they funny or satirical?

Arlo wrote all but one of the songs I mentioned. He took an old Ernest Tubb country song, "Take Me back -" and said "This is an old campaign song for Lyndon Johnson. I did'n have to rewrite it none. It's just the way it always was - (sings) Yes I know I've been untrue
And I have hurt you through and through Take pity on this heart of mine
Take me back and try me one more time."
The pickle song:
I don't want a pickle
I just want to ride on my motorcycle
I don't want to tickle
I just want to ride on my motorcycle
And I don't want to die
I'd rather ride on my motor cy
cle
Late one day in the middle of the week
My eyes was closed I was half asleep
Thought I'd go see my friend Ray
See what kind of words Ray would say -
(He shortly gets the audience to sing the refrain)
That was great. It wasn't enthusiastic though. Because of that lack of enthusiasm I'm gonna have to tell you how I come to write that song. It was about the time I went to see my friend Ray, riding on my motorcycle, eatin a pickle. Had my guitar on board. I wasn't payin attention - because the wind pressure on the box side was greater than the wind on the neck side. The wind blowed me off the road. Luckily I didn't hit the mountain. I went off the cliff. I was going a hundred miles an hour and coming down fast. I decided to write one last farewell song. I took out my pen and paper. Sat back and thought: I don't want a pickle, etc. Well, I knowed it wasn't the best song I ever wrote -

Santa Claus
Let's get Santa Claus cause
Santa Claus wears a red suit he's a communist
He has long hair and a beard must be a pacifist
What's that in the pipe he's smoking -

This is from memory - His delivery makes it all worth a listen.

SOLD!I love his delivery style, and am going out to try to find these next week.

I sing while I'm caged in the kitchen, washing dishes and I could use a laugh, obviously because I really hate washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.

Thanks for the info.

Edgar,
...Stoller is the other writers name,I said Strobe. Here are some more on myCD: Down in Mexico...Run Red Run...Poison Ivy...Young Blood-...Three Cool cats...Framed...the Idol With the golden Head. And I only mentioned the stories.

I have those too, Booman. Run Red Run is one I forgot all about - been a long time since I've listened to them.

A Walk in the Light Green.




Mum and Dad and Denny saw the passing-out parade at Puckapunyal
It was a long march from cadets.
The sixth battalion was the next to tour, and it was me who drew the card.
We did Canungra, Shoalwater before we left.

And Townsville lined the footpaths as we marched down to the quay
This clipping from the paper shows us young and strong and clean.
And there's me in my slouch hat with my SLR and greens.
God help me, I was only nineteen.

From Vung Tau, riding Chinooks, to the dust at Nui Dat
I'd been in and out of choppers now for months.
But we made our tents a home, VB and pinups on the lockers
And an Asian orange sunset through the scrub.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I stil can't get to sleep?
And night-time's just a jungle dark and a barking M16?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only ninteen.

A four week operation when each step could mean your last one on two legs
It was a war within yourself.
But you wouldn't let your mates down til they had you dusted off
So you closed your eyes and thought about something else.

Then someone yelled out "Contact!" and the bloke behind me swore
We hooked in there for hours, then a Godalmighty roar
Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon,
God help me, he was going home in June.

I can still see Frankie, drinking tinnies in the Grand Hotel
On a thirty-six hour rec leave in Vung Tau
And I can still hear Frankie, lying screaming in the jungle
Til the morphine came and killed the bloody row.

And the Anzac legends didn't mention mud and blood and tears
And the stories that my father told me never seemed quite real.
I caught some pieces in my back that I didn't even feel
God help me, I was only nineteen.

And can you tell me, doctor, why I still can't get to sleep?
And why the Channel Seven chopper chills me to my feet?
And what's this rash that comes and goes, can you tell me what it means?
God help me, I was only nineteen.

Never heard it before, Wilso. Who recorded it?

THE BLIZZARD

There's a blizzard comin on, How I'm wishin I was home
For my pony's lame and he can hardly stand
Listen to that northern sigh, If we don't get home we'll die
But it's only seven miles to Mary Ann's
It's only seven Miles to Mary Ann's

You can bet we're on her mind, For it's nearly suppertime
And I'll bet there's hot biscuits in the pan
Lord my hands feel like they're froze, And there's a numbness in my toes
But it's only five more miles to Mary Ann's

That wind's howling and does seem, Mighty like a woman's scream
And we'd best be moving faster if we can
Dan just think about that barn, With the hay so soft and warm
For it's only three more miles to Mary Ann's

Dan get up you ornery cuss, Or you'll be the death of us
I'm so weary but I'll help you if I can
All right Dan perhaps it's best, If we stop a while and rest
For it's still a hundred yards to Mary Ann's

Late that night the storm was gone, They found him there at dawn
He'd a made it but he just couldn't leave old Dan
Yes they found him there on the plains, Hands frozen to the reins
He was just a hundred yards from Mary Ann's He was just a hundred yards from Mary Ann's

Oz band called "Red Gum". Most of their material is 'social commentary'.

John Schumann's (composer) intro to the song
We've just put out a single called "I Was Only 19" or "A Walk in the Light Green" and, ah, it's a song about two mates of mine who went to Vietnam and came back Agent Orange victims. It's, ah, the title "A Walk in the Light Green" stems from the fact that, when the Australian soldiers in Vietnam were given their missions they looked at the areas that they'd be working in on the map, and if ah, it was sort of dark green on the map, there was cause for some consolation, 'cause dark green meant thick jungle, lots of cover and there were no mines. If they were working in areas that were light green on the map, that meant light jungle, not much cover and heaps of mines.

This is a song for Mick and Franky, it's called "A Walk in the Light Green."

I Would like to add...
I happen to have three very important song's. That of which I hold close to my heart. The first two are from Ben Harper "Excuse Me Mr" and "The Drugs Don't Work". The third comes from Willy Porter titled "Big Yellow Pine".
I listen to alot more all the way from classical to rap though these make me cry internal tears at the end....

KAW-LIGA by Hank Williams / Fred Rose

Kaw-liga was a wooden Indian standing by the door
He fell in love with an Indian maid over in the antique store
Kaw-liga just stood there and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no

He always wore his Sunday feathers and held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids and hoped someday he'd talk
Kaw-liga too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart was made of knotty pine

Poor old Kaw-liga he never got a kiss
Poor old Kaw-liga he don't know what he missed
Is it any wonder that his face is red
Kaw-liga that poor old wooden head

Kaw-liga was a lonely Indian never went nowhere
His heart was set on the Indian maid with the coal black hair
Kaw-liga just stood there and never let it show
So she could never answer yes or no

Then one day a wealthy customer bought the Indian maid
And took her oh so far away but old Kaw-liga stayed
Kaw-liga just stands there as lonely as can be
And wishes he was still an old pine tree

- Get Me to the Church on Time



Jamie, Harry, Friends There's just a few more hours.
That's all the time you've got. A few more hours
Before they tie the knot. Doolittle
There are drinks and girls all over London,
and I've gotta track 'em down in just a few more hours!
I'm getting married in the morning! Ding dong!
The bells are gonna chime. Pull out the stopper!
Let's have a whopper! But get me to the church on time!
I gotta be there in the mornin'
Spruced up and lookin' in me prime.
Girls, come and kiss me;
Show how you'll miss me.
But get me to the church on time!
If I am dancin' Roll up the floor.
If I am whistlin' Whewt me out the door!
For I'm gettin' married in the mornin'
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
Kick up an rumpus But don't lost the compass;
And get me to the church, Get me to the church,
For Gawd's sake, get me to the church on time!
Doolittle and Everyone I'm getting married in the morning
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
Doolittle Drug me or jail me, Stamp me and mail me.
All But get me to the church on time!
I gotta be there in the morning
Spruced up and lookin' in me prime.
Doolittle Some bloke who's able Lift up the table,
All And get em to the church on time!
Doolittle If I am flying Then shoot me down.
If I am wooin',
Get her out of town!
All For I'm getting married in the morning!
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
Doolittle Feather and tar me;
Call out the Army; But get me to the church.
All Get me to the church...
Doolittle For Gawd's sake, get me to the church on time!
Harry and Everyone Starlight is reelin' home to bed now.
Mornin' is smearin' up the sky. London is wakin'.
Daylight is breakin'. Good luck, old chum,
Good health, goodbye.
Doolittle I'm gettin' married in the mornin'
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime...
Hail and salute me Then haul off and boot me...
And get me to the church, Get me to the church...
For Gawd's sake, get me to the church on time!

Artist/Band: Robbins Marty
Lyrics for Song: El Paso
Lyrics for Album: Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
Music would play and Felina would whirl.

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;
I was in love but in vain, I could tell.

One night a wild young cowboy came in,
Wild as the West Texas wind.
Dashing and daring,
A drink he was sharing
With wicked Felina,
The girl that I loved.

So in anger I

Challenged his right for the love of this maiden.
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat;
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
Shocked by the foul, evil deed I had done.
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.

Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran,
Out where the horses were tied.
I caught a good one.
It looked like it could run.
Up on its back
And away I did ride,

Just as fast as I

Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the bad-lands of New Mexico.

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless.
Everything's gone in life; nothing is left.
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
My love is stronger than my fear of death.

I saddled up and away I did go,
Riding alone in the dark.
Maybe tomorrow
A bullet may find me.
Tonight nothing's worse than this
Pain in my heart.

And at last here I

Am on the hill overlooking El Paso;
I can see Rosa's cantina below.
My love is strong and it pushes me onward.
Down off the hill to Felina I go.

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys;
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
Shouting and shooting I can't let them catch me.
I have to make it to Rosa's back door.

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
A deep burning pain in my side.
Though I am trying
To stay in the saddle,
I'm getting weary,
Unable to ride.

But my love for

Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,
Though I am weary I can't stop to rest.
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle.
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.

From out of nowhere Felina has found me,
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
One little kiss and Felina, good-bye.

Songs to sing to cheer up
Here's a little known Colorado resident named Bill Fries aka C.W. McCall
that I sing to make the washing go faster.... Other songs of his in a similar vein are "Classified", "Black Bear Road", and "Lewis and Clark"

Song: Wolf Creek Pass

Me an Earl was haulin' chickens
ona Flat bed outta' Wiggins
And we 'as spent all night
on the uphill side
of 37 miles o' hell
called Wolf Creek Pass... Which is up on the Great Divide.
We was sittin' there suckin' toothpicks
Drinkin' Knee- highs an' onion soup mix,
An' I says Earl, let's mail a card to mother
and send them chickens on down t'other side,
Yeah let's giv'em a ride.

Chorus- Wolf Creek Pass
way up on the Great Divide
Truckin' on down the other side.

Well Earl put down his bottle
An' mashed his foot down on the throttle
Then a couple of boobs
and a thousand cubes
of a 1948 peterbuilt screamed alive.
We woke up the chickens.
We roared on off of that shoulder
sprayin' pinecones, rocks, and boulders,
and put 400 head
of them Rhode Island Red
and a couple of burned out roosters on the line.
Look out below cuz here we go.

Chorus

Well we commenced to truckin'
and them hens commenced to cluckin'.
Then Earl took out a match,
scratched his pants
and lit up the unused half of a dollar cigar
and took a puff, 'says
My ain't this pertty up here.
I says Earl this hill can spill us,
you better slow down,
you gonna' kill us.
Just make one mistake
an' it's the pearly gates
for them 85 crazy USDA approved cluckers.
You wanna' hit second?

Chorus

Well Earl grabed onto the shifter
and stabbed her into fifth gear.
Then the chromium-plated
fully illuminated
genuine accessory shift knob
come right off in his hand.
I says you wanna screw that thing back on Earl?
Well he was tryin to thread it back on
when the fire fell off of his cigar
and dropped on down
sorta rolled around
and lit the cuff of Earls pants
an' burned a hole in his sock.
Yeah sorta set him right on fire.
Well I looked on outta the window
an' started countin' phone poles
goin' by at the rate of 4 to the 7th power.
Well I put 2 and 2 together
and added 12 an' carried 5,
come up with 22,000 telephone poles an hour.
I looked at Earl and his eyes was wide
His lip was curled and his leg was fried
and his hand was froze to the wheel
like a tongue to a sled in the middle of a blizzard.
I says Earl I'm not the type to complain
but the time has come for me to explain
that you don't apply some brake real soon,
their gonna' have to pick us up with a stick and a spoon.
Well Earl rared back, cocked his leg,
stepped down as hard as he could on the brake,
pedal went clear to the floor
' stayed right there on the floor.
Said it was kinda like steppin' on a plum.
Well from there on down it just wasn't real pertty,
it was hairpin county and switchback city.
One of 'em looked like a can full of worms,
another one looked like malaria germs.
Right in the middle of the whole damn show
was a real nice tunnel now wouldn't you know.
The sign said clearance to the 12 foot line
but them chickens was stacked to 13-9.
Well we shot that tunnel at a hundred and ten
like gas throuugh a funnel and eggs through a hen.
We took that top row of chickens off slicker than scum off a Louisiana swamp.
Went down an' around an' around an' down
we ran outta ground at the edge of town
and bashed into the side of the feed store
in downtown Pagosa Springs.

Repeat Chorus

A long long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
So...

CHORUS:
Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my chevy to the levee
But the levee was dry
And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die

Did you write the Book of Love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so
Do you believe in rock 'n roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow

Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

I started singin'...

CHORUS

Now for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
But that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the King and Queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me

Oh, and while the King was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lennon read a book of Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died

We were singin'...

CHORUS

Helter Skelter in a summer swelter
The Byrds flew off with a fallout shelter
Eight miles high and falling fast
It landed foul out on the grass
The players tried for a forward pass
With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume
While the Sergeants played a marching tune
We all got up to dance
Oh, but we never got the chance
'Cause the players tried to take the field
The marching band refused to yield
Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died

We started singin'...

CHORUS

Oh, and there we were all in one place
A generation Lost in Space
With no time left to start again
So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick
Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
'Cause fire is the Devil's only friend

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage
My hands were clenched in fists of rage
No angel born in hell
Could break that Satan's spell
And as the flames climbed high into the night
To light the sacrifical rite
I saw Satan laughing with delight
The day the music died

He was singin'...

CHORUS

I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music woudn't play

And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

And they were singin'...

CHORUS

The Legend Of Tom Dooley

Performed by The Kingston Trio

Through out history
There have been many songs
Written about the eternal triangle
This next one tells the story of Mr. Grayson
A beautiful woman and a condemed man
Named Tom Dooley
When the sun rises tomorrow
Tom Dooley must hang

Hang down your head Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die

I met her on the mountain
There I took her life
Met her on the mountain
Stabbed her with my knife

This time tomorrow, reckon where I'll be
Hadn't it been for Grayson
I'd been in Tennesse

This time tomorrow, reckon where I'll be
Down in some lonesome valley
Hanging on a white oak tree