Surf's up y'all -
California Girls by Beach Boys
Well East coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I'm down there
The Mid-West farmer's daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
The West coast has the sunshine
And the girls all get so tanned
I dig a french bikini on Hawaii island
Dolls by a palm tree in the sand
I been all around this great big world
And I seen all kinds of girls
Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back in the states
Back to the cutest girls in the world
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California
I wish they all could be California girls
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
I wish they all could be California
(Girls, girls, girls yeah I dig the)
Swimpy
The Charlie Rich sequel to DON'T TAKE YOUR GUNS TO TOWN was posted on earlier. It was recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis.
WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS VISITS LINCOLN PARK AND ESCAPES UNSCATHED
As I went out one evening to take the evening air
I was blessed by a blood red moon
In Lincoln Park the dark was turning
I spied a fair young maiden and a flame was in her eyes
And on her face lay the steel blue skies
Of Lincoln Park the dark was turning
Turning
They spread their sheets upon the ground just like a wandering tribe
And the wise men walked in their Robespierre robes
Through Lincoln Park the dark was turning
The towers trapped and trembling and the boats were tossed about
When the fog rolled in and the gas rolled out
From Lincoln Park the dark was turning
Turning
Like wild horses freed at last we took the streets of wine
But I searched in vain for she stayed behind
In Lincoln Park the dark was turning
I'll go back to the city where I can be alone
And tell my friend she lies in stone
In Lincoln Park the dark was turning
Turning
Sorry, Edgar. This thread's getting too long to browse.
Ramses II is Dead My Love
RamsesII is dead, my love
He's left from Memphis for Heaven
Ptah has taken him in the solar barque
And walked him to Nut's celestial shore
RamsesII is dead, my love
He's wandering the plains where the blessed live
Ptah and Ra and Sokaris too
Are taking him on the celestial boat
RamsesII RamsesII RamsesII
Is the savior
Walked him to his bier
Where his pylons did wave
With the flags of his victories
RamsesII is dead
He died and he lies in his boat
He's floating down those cool gray waters
To his tomb by the Nile's surging tide
Standing in the harsh harsh gray granite
Standing my Ramses forever
With a coffin of gold and the pretty pale carvings
Lifting you to Heaven
Heaven was waiting for RamsesII
He's gone to great Ptah's huge side
Ghost Riders in the Sky
An old cowpoke went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
Plowing through the ragged sky and up a cloudy draw
Yippie-i-ay yippie-i-o
Ghost herd in the sky
Their brands were still on fire and their hoofs were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry
Yippie-i-a yippie-i-o
Ghost riders in the sky
Their faces gaunt their eyes were blurred
Their shirts all soaked with sweat
They're riding hard to catch that herd but they ain't caught 'em yet
Cause they must ride forever on that range up in the sky
On their horses snorting fire as they ride on hear their cry
Yippie-i-a yippie-i-o
Ghost riders in the sky
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name
If you wanta save your soul from hell a riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Trying to catch the devil's herd across these endless skies
Yippie-i-a Yippie-i-o
Ghost riders in the sky
Tracey Chapman, titled "All That You Have Is Your Soul"
not one of her best known......but:
(AND WHO CARES IS THIS THREAD IS A TAD LONG ANYWHO?)
Oh my my mama told me
'Cause she say she learned the hard way
Say she wanna spare the children
She say don't give or sell your soul away
'Cause all that you have is your soul
Don't be tempted by the shiny apple
Don't you eat of a bitter fruit
Hunger only for a taste of justice
Hunger only for a world of truth
'Cause all that you have is your soul
I was a pretty young girl once
I had dreams I had high hopes
I married a man he stole my heart away
He gave his love but what a high price I paid
And all that you have is your soul
Why was I such a young fool
Thought I'd make history
Making babies was the best I could do
Thought I'd made something that could be mine forever
Found out the hard way one can't possess another
And all that you have is your soul
I thought thought that I could find a way
To beat the system
To make a deal and have no debts to pay
I'd take it all take it all I'd run away
Me for myself first class and first rate
But all that you have is your soul
Here I am waiting for a better day
A second chance
A little luck to come my way
A hope to dream a hope that I can sleep again
And wake in the world with a clear conscience and clean hands
'Cause all that you have is your soul
All that you have
All that you have
All that you have
All that you have
is your soul.
THE WITCH OF THE WEST-MER-LANDS
Archie Fisher
Pale was the wounded knight / that bore the rowan shield,
Loud and clear were the ravens' cries, / who feasted on the field,
Saying, "'Beck water, cold and clear, / will never clean your wound,
"There's none but the Maid of the Winding Mere / can make thee hale and sound."
"So course well my brindled hounds, / and fetch me the mountain hare
"Whose coat is as grey as the Westwater / or as white as a lily fair."
Who said, "Green moss and heather bands / will never staunch the flood,
"There is none but the Witch of the West-Mer-Lands / can save thy dear life's blood.
"So turn, turn your stallion's head / 'til his red mane flies in the wind,
"And the rider of the moon goes by / and the bright star falls behind."
And clear was the paley moon / when his shadow passed him by,
Below the hill was the brightest star / when he heard the houlet cry.
Saying, "Why do you ride this way, / and wherefore came ye here?"
"I seek the Witch of the West-Mer-Lands / that dwells by the Winding Mere."
"Then fly free your good grey hawk / to gather the golden rod,
"And face your horse into the clouds / above yon gay green wood."
And it's weary by Ullswater / and the misty brake fern way,
'Til through the cleft of the Kirkstand Pass / the winding water lay.
He said, "Lie down, my brindled hound, / and rest my good grey hawk,"
"And thee my steed, may graze thy fill, / for I must dismount and walk.
"But come when you hear my horn / and answer swift my call,
"For I fear 'ere the sun shall rise this morn / you will serve me best of all."
And down by the water's brim / he's borne the rowan shield,
And the golden rod he has cast in / to see what the lake might yield.
And wet rose she from the lake, and a-fast and a-fleet went she,
One half the form of a maiden fair, / with a jet-black mare's body.
And loud, long, and shrill he blew, / and his steed was by his side,
High overhead, the grey hawk flew, / and swiftly he did ride.
Saying, "Course well my brindled hound, / and fetch me the jet-black mare;
"Stoop and strike, my good grey hawk, / and bring me the maiden fair."
She said, "Pray, sheathe thy silvery sword, / lay down thy rowan shield,
"For I see by the briny blood that flows / you've been wounded in the field."
And she stood in a gown of the velvet blue, / bound round with a silver chain,
She's kissed his pale lips once and twice / and three times 'round again.
And she's bound his wounds with the golden rod, / full fast in her arms he lay.
And he has risen, hale and sound, / with the sun high in the day.
She said, "Ride with your brindled hounds at heel, / and your good grey hawk in hand.
"There's none can harm a knight who's lain / with the Witch of the West-Mer-Lands."
Archie Fisher
I think Garnett Rodgers (sp) did it also, but Archie wrote it.
It was raining it was cold
West Bethlehem was no place for a twelve year old
So he packed his bags and he headed out
To find out what the world's about
He went to France he went to Spain
He found love he found pain
He found stores so he started to shop
But he had no money so he got in trouble with a cop
Kids in trouble wiht the cops from Israel didn't have no home
So he cut his hair and moved to Rome
It was there he met his Irish bride
And they rented a flat on the lower east side
Of Rome
Italy that is
Music publishers, book binders, bible belters,
Swimming pools, orgies and lots of pretty Italian chicks
Charley bought some popcorn
Billy bought a car
Someone almost bought the farm
But they didn't go that far
Things shut down at midnight
At least around here they do
Cause we all reside down the block inside
At 23 skidoo
Wine was flowing so were beers
So Jesus found his missing years
He went to a dance and said This don't move me
So he hiked up his pants and he went to a movie
On his thirteenth birthday he saw Rebel Without a Cause
He went straight on home and invented Santa Claus
Who gave him a gift
And he responded in kind
He gave the gift of love and went out of his mind
You see him and the wife wasn't getting along
So he took out his guitar and he wrote a song
Called The Dove of Love Fell off the Perch
But he couldn't get divorced in the Catholic Church
At least not back then anyhow
Jesus was a good guy he didn't need this ****
So he took a pill with a Coca-Cola and he swallowed it
He discovered the Beatles
He recorded with the Stones
Once he even opened up a three way package
For old George Jones
The years passed by like sweet little days
With babies crying pork chops and Beaujolais
When he woke up he was seventeen
The world was angry the world was mean
Why the man down the street and the kid on the stoop
All agreed that life stank all the world smelled like poop
Baby poop that is the worst kind
So he grew his hair long and threw away his comb
And headed back to Jerusalem to find mom, dad and home
But when he got there the cupboard was bare
Except for an old black man with a fishing rod
He said, Whatcha gonna be when you grow up?
Jesus said God
Oh my God what have I gotten myself into?
I'm a human corkscrew and all my wine is blood
They're gonna kill me Mama they don't like me Bud
So Jesus went to heaven and he went there awful quick
All them people killed him and He wasn't even sick
So come and gather around me my contemporary peers
And I'll tell you all the story
Of Jesus ... the missing years
It was raining hard in Frisco - never mind - That one may already be posted.
Same Auld Lang Syne: Dan Fogelberg
Met my old lover in a grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
Stole behind her in the frozen foods
and I touched her on the sleeve
She didn't recognize the face at first
but then her eyes flew open wide
Tried to hug me and she spilled her purse
and we laughed until we cried
Took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totaled up and bagged
stood there lost in our embarrassment
as the conversation dragged
Went to have ourselves a drink or two
but couldn't find an open bar
Bought a six-pack at the liquor store
and we drank it in the car
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
Tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
She said she'd married her an architect
Kept her warm and safe and dry
She said she'd like to say she loved the man
but she didn't want to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
and that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record store
and that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly
but the traveling was hell
We drank a toast to innocence we drank a toast to time
We're living in our eloquence, another old lang syne
The beers were empty and our tongues grew tired
and running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out
and I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back in school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
the snow turned into rain
And some bytes.
My first memories of music are of Mom and Dad's collection of Marty Robbins and Roy Clark. I believe my enjoyment of songs that tell stories stems from Marty Robbins. The sequel to El Paso, El Paso City is also a story song with a surreal, reincarnation kind of vibe. I won't have to remind Edgar of other Robbins songs. He died my senior year of high school and I put the newspaper clipping in my senior scrapbook.
Someone here posted The Gambler, but what about Coward of the County?
And I saw a song about a mining accident. What about Big Bad John? And forty men scrambled from a would be grave, till there was only one left down there to save--Big John
Taxi and Same Auld Lang Syne have the same idea, choices, lost love, loneliness, nostalgia.
How about Turn The Page? Well you walk into a restaurant strung out from the road, and you feel the eyes upon you while you're shaking off the cold . . .
HI, injun. Welcome. I think I'm gonna enjoy having you around.
I am a fan of "The Frog Went A-Courtin'"; but I think my all around favorite story is the "Casey Jones" tale from John Hurt; it's made me weep and and I actually learned to see the folk -blues medium a powerful dramatic performance art. I taught myself many "traditionals".
Over ten years later I have become partial to songs that are tales of one person shooting another person. Not to sound morbid, but it harkens to the romanticized "Wild West" times for me; analogous to Western Movies; American Folk lore; and in each of these songs it is a crime of passion; something timeless and worth telling; (killing some one not senselessly, but out of a broken violated heart or cheating). This is a valid human emotion, it's fairly universal in it's psychologic nature, and so often these tales are told with a grain of humor that makes them entertaining.
There are dozens of versions of "Dehlia" shooting a lover, and getting shot, and reality-based versions of the "Stagger-Lee", the Bad Confederate who shot Billy DeLyons after loosing a card game. Of course there is old Dylan's tale of Willy O'Conley "who had 47 children but never had a wife" who got shot through the head when his opponent "believed' he cheated at cards. Pour the wiskey; deal the cards, don't cheat on your lover; Stay out of Dodge!
colorific
I like that sort of stuff too. Welcome to able2know.
Lord Franklin
Lord Franklin
The Pentangle
'Twas homeward bound one night on the beat,
swinging in my hammock I fell asleep.
I dreamed a dream, and I thought it true,
concerning Franklin, and his gallant crew
With a hundred seamen he sailed away
to the frozen ocean in the month of May
to seek a passage around the Pole
where we poor seamen do sometimes go.
Through cruel hardships they mainly strove.
Their ships on mountains of ice was thrown.
Only the eskimo in his skin canoe
was the only one that ever came through.
Interlude
From Baffin Bay where the whale fishes blow
the faith of Franklin no man may know.
The faith of Franklin no tongue can tell.
Lord Franklin alone with his sailors do dwell.
And now my burden it gives me pain
for long lost Franklin I would cross the main.
Ten thousand pounds I would freely give
to say on earth that my Franklin do live.
this thread now has an index at the beginning
Virgil Caine is my name and I drove on the Danville train
'til so much cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
In the winter of '65, we were hungry, just barely alive
I took the train to Richmond that fell
It was a time I remember, oh, so well
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na, .... "
Back with my wife in Tennessee
And one day she said to me,
"Virgil, Quick! Come see!
There goes Robert E. Lee."
Now I don't mind, I'm chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
Just take what you need and leave the rest
But they should never have taken the very best
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na, ..... "
Like my father before me, I'm a working man
And like my brother before me, I took a rebel stand
Oh, he was just 18, proud and brave
But a yankee laid him in his grave
I swear by the blood below my feet
You can't raise a Cane back up when he's in defeat
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringin'
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singin'
They went, "Na, na, na, na, na, na, ..... "
