Songs That Tell Stories

"Walking in Memphis"

Marc Cohn

Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the
Delta Blues In the middle of the pouring rain
W.C. Handy - won't you look down over me
Yeah I got a first class ticket
But I'm as blue as a boy can be

Then I'm walking in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

Saw the ghost of Elvis
On Union Avenue Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered
'round his tomb
But there's a pretty little thing
Waiting for the King Down in the Jungle Room

[Chorus]

They've got catfish on the table
They've got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven't got a prayer
But boy you've got a prayer in Memphis

Now Muriel plays piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would - Do a little number
And I sang with all my might
And he said - Tell me are you a Christian child?
And I said Man I am tonight

[Chorus]

Put on my blue suede shoes
And i boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of te pouring rain.

Terrible song but great lyrics.


19 (Paul Hardcastle)

In 1965 Vietnam seemed like just another foreign war,
but it wasn't.
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting.
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was 26...
In Vietnam he was 19.
In Vietnam he was 19.

(TV announcer's voice)
The shooting and fighting of the past two weeks continued today
25 miles west of Saigon
I really wasn't sure what was going on (Vet's Voice)

Nineteen, 19, Nineteen 19
19,19,19,19

In Vietnam the combat soldier typically served a twelve month tour of duty but
was exposed to hostile fire almost everyday
Nine- 19 Nine- 19

Hundreds of Thousands of men who saw heavy combat in Vietnam were arrested since discharge Their arrest rate is almost twice that of non-veterans of the same age.
There are no accurate figures of how many of these men have been incarcerated.
But, a Veterans Administration study concludes that the greater of Vets
exposure to combat could more likely affect his chances of being arrested or convicted.

This is one legacy of the Vietnam War

All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen..
Destruction of men in their prime
whose average was 19
Destruction
Destruction
War, War
Destruction, War, War, War
Destruction
War, War

After World War II the Men came home together on troop ships, but the Vietnam
Vet often arrived home within 48 hours of jungle combat
Perhaps the most dramatic difference between World War II and Vietnam was coming home.. .
none of them received a hero's welcome
None of them received a heroes welcome,
none of them, none of them
None of them, none of them, none of them (etc...)
None of them received a hero's welcome
None of them received a hero's welcome

According to a Veteran's Administration study
Half of the Vietnam combat veterans suffered from what Psychiatrists call
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder
Many vets complain of alienation, rage, or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to Ten years after coming home almost eight-hundred-thousand men are still fighting the Vietnam War

Destruction

Nineteen, 19, Ni-nineteen 19
19,19,19,19
Nineteen, 19, Ni-nineteen 19
19,19,19,19

(Soldiers Voice)
When we came back it was different..
Everybody wants to know "How'd it happened to those guys over there.
There's gotta be something wrong somewhere.
We did what we had to do.
There's gotta be something wrong somewhere.
People wanted us to be ashamed of what it made us.
Dad had no idea what he went to fight and he is now
All we want to do is come home
All we want to do is come home
What did we do it for
All we want to do is come home
Was it worth it?

On a lighter note....


Bust a Move (Young MC)

This here's a tale for all the fellas
Try to do what those ladies tell us
Get shot down cause you're over zealous
Play hard to get an females get jealous
Ok smartie, go to a party
Girls are stancin the crowd is showin body
A chick walks by you wish you could sex her
But you're standin on the wall like you was Poindexter
Next days function, high class luncheon
Food is served and you're stone cold munchin'
Music comes on, people start to dance
But then you ate so much you nearly split your pants
A girl starts walkin, guys start gawkin'
Sits down next to you and starts talkin'
Says she wanna dance cus she likes the groove
So come on fatso and just bust a move

If you want it baby you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it
Just bust a move
If you want it baby you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it

You're on a mission and you're wishin'
someone could cure you're lonely condition
You're lookin for love in all the wrong places
Not fine girls just ugly faces
From frustration first inclination
Is to become a monk and leave the situation
But every dark tunnel has a lighter hope
So don't hang yourself with a celibate rope
New movie's showin... so you're goin
Could care less about the five you're blowin
Theatre gets dark just to start the show
When you spot a fine woman sittin in the front row
She's dressed in yellow, she says "Hello,
Come sit next to me you fine fellow"
You run over there without a second to loose
And what comes next, hey bust a move

If you want it you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it
Just bust a move
If you want it you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it

In the city ladies look pretty
Guys tell jokes so they can seem witty
Tell a funny joke just to get some play
Then you try to make a move and she says "no way"
Girls a fakin' ... goodness sakin'
They want a man who brings home the bacon
Got no money and you got no car
Then you got no woman and there you are
Some girls are sophistic... materialistic
Looking for a man makes them opportunistic
They're lyin on the beach perpetratin a tan
So that a brother with money can be their man
So on the beach you're strollin'... real high-rollin'
Everything you have is your's and not stolen
A girl runs up with somethin to prove
So don't just stand there, bust a move

If you want it you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it
Just bust a move
If you want it you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it

Break it down for me fellas..

Your best friend Harry has a brother Larry
In five days from now he's gonna marry
He's hopin you can make it there if you can
'Cause in the ceremony you'll be the best man
You say "neato"... check your libido
And roll to the church in your new tuxedo
The bride walks down just to start the wedding
And there's one more girl you won't be getting
So you start thinkin, then you start blinkin
A bride maid looks and thinks that you're winkin
She thinks you're kinda cute so she winks back
And now you're feelin really fine cus the girl is stacked
Reception's jumpin, bass is pumpin
Look at the girl and your heart starts thumpin
Says she wants to dance to a different groove
Now you know what to do g, bust a move

If you want it you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it
Just bust a move
If you want it you've got it
If you want it baby you've got it

She's Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina's
The Kinks

She's bought a hat like princess marina's
To wear at all her social affairs
She wears it when she's cleaning the windows
She wears it when she's scrubbing the stairs
But you will never see her at ascot
She can't afford the time or the fare
But she's bought a hat like princess marina's
So she don't care

He's bought a hat like anthony eden's
Because it makes him feel like a lord
But he can't afford a rolls or a bentley
He has to buy a secondhand ford
He tries to feed his wife and his family
And buy them clothes and shoes they can wear
But he's bought a hat like anthony eden's
So he don t care

Buddy can you spare me a dime
My wife is getting hungry
And the kids are crying
This poverty is hurting my pride
Buddy can you spare me, buddy can you spare me a dime

She's bought a hat like princess marina's
And her neighbors think it suits her a treat
But she hasn't any food in the larder
Nor has anybody else in the street
But to look at her you'd think she was wealthy
'cos she smiles just like a real millionaire
'cos she's bought a hat like princess marina's
So she don't care, she don't care, she don't care, she don't care

Love this one!

Dark Lady

Cher

The fortune queen of New Orleans,
Was brushing her cat in her black limousine
On the backseat were scratches from
The marks of men her fortune she had won
Couldn't see through the tinted glass,
She said "Home James" and he hit the gas
I followed her to some darkened room,
She took my money, she said "I'll be with you soon"

Dark Lady laughed and danced and lit the candles one by one
Danced to her gypsy music till her brew was done
Dark Lady played back magic till the clock struck on the twelve
She told me more about me than I knew myself

She dealt two cards, a queen and a three
And mumbled some words that were so strange to me
Then she turned up a two-eyed jack,
My eyes saw red but the card still stayed black
She said the man you love is secretly true
To someone else who is very close to you
My advice is that you leave this place,
Never come back and forget you ever saw my face

(Chorus)

So I ran home and crawled in my bed,
I couldn't sleep because of all the things she said
Then I remembered her strange perfume,
And how I smelled it was in my own room!
So I sneaked back and caught her with my man,
Laughing and kissing till they saw the gun in my hand
The next thing I knew they were dead on the floor,
Dark Lady would never turn a card up anymore

(Chorus)

(references the Civil War)
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

Jordan's river is chilly and cold, Hallelujah!
But it warms the human soul, Hallelujah!
This old world is a mighty big place, Hallelujah
It got Satan all over its face, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

They put Daniel in the lion's den, Hallelujah
And he walked right out again, Hallelujah
The reason them felines permitted that, Hallelujah,
Was that Daniel had no fat, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

Did you hear what old Jonah said, Hallelujah
When the world thought he was dead, Hallelujah
I was taking' me a ride, Hallelujah
In that big old whales inside, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

Old man Noah built an ark, Hallelujah
Worked from dawn 'til after dark, Hallelujah
When he left for foreign shores, Hallelujah
Had a big family but had no oars, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

They nailed Jesus to the Cross, Hallelujah
But his faith was never lost, Hallelujah
So Christian soldiers off to war, Hallelujah
Hold that line in Arkansas, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

Joshua at Jericho, Hallelujah
Alabama's next to go, Hallelujah
So Mississippi kneel and pray, Hallelujah
Some more buses on the way, Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah!

From the Civil War

Rally Round The Flag -George F. Root, 1862


Rallying Song

Yes, we'll rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom
We will rally from the hillside
We'll gather from the plains,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
Chorus:
The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
While we rally round the flag, boys
Rally once again
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

2. We are springing to the call
Of our borthers gone before,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
And we'll fill the vacant ranks
With a million freemen more,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
Chorus:

3. We will welcome to our numbers
The loyal, true and brave,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom
And altho' they may be poor
Not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
Chorus:

4. So we're springing to the call
From the East and from the West,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
And we'll hurl the Rebel crew
From the land we love the best,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!
Chorus:


Battle Song
We are marching to the field, boys,
We're going to the fight,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom,
And we bear the glorious stars
For the Union and the right,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
Chorus:
The Union forever!
Hurrah boys hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
For we're marching to the field, boys,
Going to the fight,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!

2. We will meet the Rebel host, boys,
With fearless heart and true,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom,
And we'll show what Uncle Sam has
For loyal men to do,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
Chorus:

3. If we fall amid the fray, boys,
We'll face them to the last,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
And our comrades brave shall hear us
As they go rushing past,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
Chorus:

4. Yes, for Liberty and Union
We're springing to the fight,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
And the vict'ry shall be ours
For we're rising in our might,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom.
Chorus:



This song was written as a rallying song for the Union and its supporters and was extremely popular up North. It was also known and sung down South by Confederate troops as well, who wrote their own verses.

Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine

"How old do you think I am," he said?
I said, well, I didn't know.
He said, "I turned 65 about 11 months ago."

I was sittin' in Miami, pouring blended whiskey down
When this old gray, black gentleman was cleaning up the lounge.

There wasn't anyone around, except this old man and me.
The guy who ran the bar was watching Ironside on TV.
Uninvited, he sat down and opened up his mind
On old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

"Ever had a drink of watermelon wine," he asked.
He told me all about it, though I didn't answer back.
"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

He said, "Women think about themselves, when men-folk ain't around.
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down."
He said, "I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime,
Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

"Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes.
God bless little children while they're still to young to hate."
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
About old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

I had to catch a plane up to Atlanta that next day.
As I left for my room I saw him picking up my change.
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime,
Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

Stagefright

Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did,
They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame,
Since that day he ain't been the same.

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
And he got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again.

I've got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me I might catch a death.
Said, You can make it in your disguise,
Just never show the fear that's in your eyes.

See the man with the stage fright,
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
He got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again.

Now if he says that he's afraid,
Take him at his word.
And for the price that the poor boy has paid,
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh ooh ooh.

Your brow is sweatin' and your mouth gets dry,
Fancy people go driftin' by.
The moment of truth is right at hand,
Just one more nightmare you can stand.

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
And he got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again, hmm hmm,

You wanna try it once again, hmm hmm,
Please don't make him stop, hmm hmm,
Let him take it from the top, hmm hmm,
Let him start all over again.

Once Upon a Time There Was a Tavern

Once upon a time there was a tavern,
Where we used to raise a glass or two.
Remember how we laughed away the hours,
And dreamed of all the great things we would do.
Refrain:
Those were the days my friend,
We'd thought they'd never end,
We'd sing and dance for-ever and a day,
We'd live the life we choose,
We'd fight and never lose,
For we were young and sure to have our way.
Lalala lah lala, lalala lah lala
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days.

Then the busy years when rushing by us.
We lost our starry notions on the way.
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern,
We'd smile at one another and we'd say:
Refrain:

Just tonight I stood before the tavern,
Nothing seemed the way it used to be.
In the glass I saw a strange reflection,
Was that lonely person really me.
Refrain:

Through the door there came familiar laughter.
I saw your face and heard you call my name.
Oh, my friend, we're older but no wiser,
For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Refrain:

Panzade - there was a lovely version of this by the Notting Hillbillies a few years back. I was glad to be reminded of it.

Everyone - I just caught up on the last few weeks of entries...much to my delight! Keep 'em coming.

Whatta ya know, Joe? Glad you're back.

Hi Edgar

Here's another one I've heard by the Notting Hillbillies...great stuff. Not the traditional 'story song' per se, but a story's told, nonetheless.

Bewildered


Bewildered
Lost in a dream of you
Where is the love that I once knew
Why did we part?
Bewildered
I'm helpless without you dear
Wishing your heart could hear
What's in my heart

Why must I have theses sleepless nights
And endless days
But love, you took my soul
Without a thought
I'm in the dark

Bewildered
I need your guiding hand
I will never understand
Why did you leave me bewildered

Why must I have theses sleepless nights
And endless days
But love, you took my soul
Without a thought
I'm in the dark

Bewildered
I need your guiding hand
I will never understand
How could you leave me bewildered

The Greatest Song I Ever Heard

Now the greenest green I've ever seen
Was the grass on which you laid
And the bluest blue was in my eyes
When you said you couldn't stay
And the biggest lost I ever took
Was losing what we've begun
And the greatest song I ever heard
Was the one we never sung

Now the reddest red I've always said
Is the sunset coming down
Soon the blackest night that kills the light
Is the only thing around
And the downest down I ever been
Is when I knew my race was run
And the greatest song I ever heard
Was the one we never sung

Time will kill the pain they say
And we'll live to love another day
If you wanna win you got to play the game
Now the greatest break came on the day
We were standing in the rain
And the hardest hurt I've ever know
Was when you tried to ease my pain
And the longest day in history
Was waiting till my crying's done
And the saddest song I ever heard
Was the one we finally sung

Happy Days Are Here Again

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let's sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again
Altogether shout it now
There's no one
Who can doubt it now
So let's tell the world about it now
Happy days are here again

Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let's sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again
Altogether shout it now
There's no one
Who can doubt it now
So let's tell the world about it now
Happy days are here again

Words & Music By: J. Yellen and M. Ager (1929)

Hey Joanne and Joe! Great to see you back in Edgar's Lair. Joanne, How did that song become the Democratic Convention theme song? I'm curious.
And Joe, I was reminded of Weapon of Prayer when I heard Jonathan Edwards' version back in the late 70's. It's off a great out of print album called: Sailboat. Worth looking for. Bless Mark Knopfler for picking up the song and for "Bewildered" which sounds so Tin-Pan Alleyish" Don't it?

Dust Storm Disaster - Woody Guthrie

On the fourteenth day of April of nineteen thirty five,
There struck the worst of duststorms that ever filled the sky:
You could see that dust storm coming the cloud looked deathlike black,
And through our mighty nation, it left a dreadful track.

From Oklahoma city to the Arizona line,
Dakota and Nebraska to the lazy Rio Grande,
It fell across our city like a curtain of black rolled down,
We thought it was our judgement, we thought it was our doom.

The radio reported, we listened with alarm,
The wild and windy actions of this great mysterious storm;
From Albuquerque and Clovis, and all New Mexico,
They said it was the blackest that ever they had saw.

From old Dodge City, Kansas, the dust had rung their knell,
And a few more comrades sleeping on top of old Boot Hill.
From Denver, Colorado, they said it blew so strong,
They thought that they could hold out, but didn't know how long.

Our relatives were huddled into their oil boom shacks,
And the children they was crying as it whistled through the cracks.
And the family it was crowded into their little room,
They thought the world had ended, they thought it was their doom.

This storm took place at sundown and lasted through the night,
When we looked out this morning we saw a terrible sight:
We saw outside our windows where wheat fields they had grown
Was now a rippling ocean of dust the wind had blown.

It covered up our fences, it covered up our barns,
It covered up our tractors in this wild and windy storm.
We loaded our jalopies and piled our families in,
We rattled down the highway to never come back again.

heard this for the first time today,

THE PILGRIM;CHAPTER 33
Kris Kristofferson

See him wasted on the sidewalk in his jacket and his jeans,
Wearin' yesterday's misfortunes like a smile--
Once he had a future full of money, love, and dreams,
Which he spent like they was goin' outa style--
And he keeps right on a'changin' for the better or the worse,
Searchin' for a shrine he's never found--
Never knowin' if believin' is a blessin' or a curse,
Or if the goin' up was worth the comin' down--

Chorus:
He's a poet, he's a picker--
He's a prophet, he's a pusher--
He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned--
He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.

He has tasted good and evil in your bedrooms and your bars,
And he's traded in tomorrow for today--
Runnin' from his devils, lord, and reachin' for the stars,
And losin' all he's loved along the way--
But if this world keeps right on turnin' for the better or the worse,
And all he ever gets is older and around--
from the rockin' of the cradle to the rollin' of the hearse,
The goin' up was worth the comin' down--

Chorus:
He's a poet, he's a picker--
He's a prophet, he's a pusher--
He's a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he's stoned--
He's a walkin' contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin' ev'ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home.
There's a lotta wrong directions on that lonely way back home.

Graham Parker - Short Memories

They took their kids in their teenage years
Fitted them out with combat gear,
Filled their hearts with mortal fear and sent them away
Some came home their pants in creases
Some came home in bits and pieces
The president made a lot of speeches and went fishing for the day

'cause they have short memories, they forget it all so quickly
They have short memories, now it's gone
They have short memories, it disappears just like quicksilver
They have short memories, now it's gone

My daddy was in nicosea, egypt and north korea
He came back to a good career, shovelling coal
I was just the village lout I never got my finger out
I never wanted for anything still I broke and entered and stole

[bridge]
You can't stop a train or catch the rain drops
As they come falling
Sure there'll be another war
Sure as sure the call-up will come calling

They took their kids in their teenage years
Gave them a God that they could fear
Said they could kill but not drink beer
And sent them away
Some came home in a body bag
Some came home wrapped in a flag
And on each toe there hung a tag saying there'll be more someday

'cause they have short memories, they forget it all so quickly
They have short memories, now it's gone
They have short memories, it disappears just like quicksilver
They have short memories, now it's gone

...now it's gone, now it's gone, now it's gone

LINDBERGH - Woody Guthrie

Mister Charlie Lindbergh, he flew to old Berlin,
Got 'im a big Iron Cross, and he flew right back again
To Washington, Washington.

Misses Charlie Lindbergh, she come dressed in red,
Said: "I'd like to sleep in that pretty White house bed
In Washington, Washington."

Lindy said to Annie: "We'll get there by and by,
But we'll have to split the bed up with Hoover, Clark, and Nye
In Washington, Washington."

Hitler wrote to Lindy, said "Do your very worst,"
So Lindy started an outfit that he called America First
In Washington, Washington.

All around the country, Lindbergh he did fly,
And the gasoline was paid for by Hoover, Clark, and Nye
In Washington, Washington.

Lindy said to Hoover: "We'll do the same as France:
Make a deal with Hitler, and then we'll get our chance
In Washington, Washington."

Then they had a meetin', and all the Firsters come,
Come on a-walkin', they come on a-runnin',
(Washington, Washington)

Yonder comes father Coughlin, wearin' the silver chain,
Cash on his stomach and Hitler on the brain.
(Washington, Washington)

Mister John L. Lewis would sit and straddle a fence,
'Cause his daughter signed with Lindbergh, and we ain't seen her since
(Washington, Washington)

Hitler said to Lindy: "Stall 'em all you can,
We're gonna bomb Pearl Harbor with the help of old Japan."
(Washington, Washington)

Then on a December mornin', the bombs come from Japan,
Wake Island and Pearl Harbor, kill fifteen hundred men.
(Washington, Washington)

Lindy tried to join the army, but they wouldn't let 'im in,
'Fraid he'd sell to Hitler a few more million men.
(Washington, Washington)

So I'm gonna tell you people: If Hitler's gonna be beat,
The common workin' people has got to take the seat
In Washington, Washington.

And I'm gonna tell you workers, 'fore you cash in your checks:
They say "America First," but they mean "America Next!"
In Washington, Washington.