thebes Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Hard times, scratchin for every dollar, the soup bones got no meat on it, I'm darning my socks, stuffin newspaper in the holes of my shoes. Goin to hop the rails, a little Mulligan Stew when the hobos get around the oil drum. Can't kneel down to praise the Lord cause my bare knees are showing threw my britches and it tears them up something fierce when they hit the gravel. Got a depression, got a recession, got the blues, got the hard time hollers. Got music though. Only need a jug, a tin whistle, harmonica, some 5 gallon buckets for drums, the brass is from the tin whistle when the bulls come a callin. Somebody's always got something with strings on it. the kids stomach's are swelling a bit, but some starch will put them right. Get clinkers from from the side of the coal yard rails and I'll build 'em a fire down in the gully out of the wind. When times are tough the folks gather where they can, the one thing they don't leave behind is the music to settle the soul, fire up the masses, claim a moment of escape, feed the yearning and rest the belly. Don't mater no how anyway, cause the sun will surely come up tomorrow and life, no matter how bad, is always good. Time to play me some hardscrabble tunes, and when the hurt eases a bit ,the voices will lift, the folks will take to dancin and there will be singin to beat the band. Got to be goin old timey tonight, folk, blue grass, maybe Shirley Temple will will show up to spread a smile and do a tap with good old Uncle Tom. I hear Woody's out in the field spickin along with the Okies, and Pete's sittin in solidarity with the miners while Peabody's scabs make thier morning run through the union gauntlet. Hard times, great music. Share please. "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime," lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931) They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob, When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead, Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread? Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time. Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime; Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum, Half a million boots went slogging through Hell, And I was the kid with the drum! Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum, Half a million boots went slogging through Hell, And I was the kid with the drum! Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time. Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I'd go with The Hag. "Think I'll Just Sit Here and Drink" is a classic for what ails ya. Shoot, my whole family knows the words to "Big City!" Not quite what you're looking for, with the line, "I'm tired of too much work, and never enough pay." Easily changed to "no work" and "no pay," though. Having too much fun with Dusty right now to change... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 Now Fini cheer yourself right up. Shirlye Templ's got a song for you: Oh I eat watermelon and I have for yearsSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayI like watermelon but it wets my earsSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayMaybe grass tastes good to a moo cows mouthSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayBut I like Chicken cos I'm from the SouthSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayFare thee well, Fare thee wellMr Gloom be on your wayIf you think you're gonna worryYou can stop it in a hurrySing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayOh the wood pecker pecks till he gets his fillSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayBut the woodpecker pays cos its on his billSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayOh I feed my pigs from molasses yamSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the daySo they should be sweeter than they really amSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayFare thee well, Fare thee wellMr Gloom be on your wayThough you haven't any moneyYou can still be bright and sunnySing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayOh, I hate to hear a chocolate dropSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayBut I like to hear a LollipopSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayEvery thing went wrong but it turned out rightSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayThe skies were grey but the future's brightSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the dayFare thee well, Fare thee wellMr Gloom Be on your wayNever listen to the devilSimply be a little rebelSing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day! ------A Polly is a parrot, we all know wellBut just what a Wolly is, I can't tellI wouldn't know a Doodle, if one came alongBut Polly Wolly Doodle, makes a darn good song Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Or, as dear old Dad used to sing: Passengers will please refrain from flushing toilets on the train while standing at the station, I love you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 this should give Fini a start: All that meat, and no potatoes Just ain't right, like green tomatoes Yeah, I'm waiting Palpatatin' But all that meat, and no potatoes All that meat, and no potatoes All that food, to the alligators, yeah Hold me steady I am ready With all that meat and no potatoes I don't think that peas are bad With me, most anything goes I look in the pot, I'm fit to fight 'Cause woman, you know that mess ain't right. All that meat, and no potatoes Just ain't right, like green tomatoes Yes, I'm steamin' I'm really screamin' All that meat and no potatoes. (Where's my fine hambone?!? Where is it?!?) Fats Waller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Damn bender! Fats Waller. You know it reads a lot like Zappa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Glenn Hughes I Don't Want to Live That way Again: I kiss the day, there can be no other answer Turn back the time and let me in I look away, as they stare and all their glances Now I can tell you where I've been All alone inside myself I guess I never knew which way to go The time has come to know yourself And I don't want to live that way again, Again, again, again. I'm miles away, as I look into the water And there's a tide that pulls me in The missing page where there'll be the sons and daughters I live and die it's hard to take Safe within, this higher ground The pleasure and the pain has come and gone I have been once lost now found And I don't want to live that way again There's a light in the distance And a voice that cries freedom There's a child in the mirror, Much too long he's been grievin' I have stumbled thru madness Now I've made my decision, And I don't want to live that way again So I pull down the shutters And I wave my resistance And I wait for the sirens That will ring thru my head I was cast as a leper Now I've replaced my religion And I don't want to live that way again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg928gts Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 mh, did you ever hear of a wish sandwich well that's the kind of a sandwich that is supposed to take two pieces of bread and wish you had some meat doo doo boooh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 A Great Depression favorite: Big Rock Candy Mountain One evening as the sun went down and the jungle fire was burning Down the track came a hobo hiking and he said boys I'm not turning I'm headin for a land that's far away beside the crystal fountains So come with me we'll go and see the Big Rock Candy Mountains In the Big Rock Candy Mountains there's a land that's fair and bright Where the handouts grow on bushes and you sleep out every night Where the boxcars are all empty and the sun shines every day On the birds and the bees and the cigarette trees Where the lemonade springs where the bluebird sings In the Big Rock Candy Mountains In the Big Rock Candy Mountains all the cops have wooden legs And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth and the hens lay soft boiled eggs The farmer's trees are full of fruit and the barns are full of hay Oh, I'm bound to go where there ain't no snow Where the rain don't fall and the wind don't blow In the Big Rock Candy Mountains In the Big Rock Candy Mountains you never change your socks And the little streams of alcohol come a-trickling down the rocks The brakemen have to tip their hats and the railroad bulls are blind There's a lake of stew and of whiskey too You can paddle all around 'em in a big canoe In the Big Rock Candy Mountains In the Big Rock Candy Mountains the jails are made of tin And you can walk right out again as soon as you are in There ain't no short handled shovels, no axes saws or picks I'm a goin to stay where you sleep all day Where they hung the jerk that invented work In the Big Rock Candy Mountains I'll see you all this coming fall in the Big Rock Candy Mountains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 *** bender! Fats Waller. You know it reads a lot like Zappa. OT, I takes my thrills where ever I can get them!!!! Nobody did it like Zappa though [] +itties and Beer, +itties and Beer, +itties and Beer, +itties and Beer, ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capo72 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Robert Johnson- Hellhound on my trail: I got to keep moving, I got to keep moving Blues falling down like hail, blues falling down like hail Mmm, blues falling down like hail, blues falling down like hail And the day keeps on remindin' me, there's a hellhound on my trail Hellhound on my trail, hellhound on my trail If today was Christmas eve, if today was Christmas eve And tomorrow was Christmas day If today was Christmas eve and tomorrow was Christmas day All I would need is my little sweet rider Just to pass the time away, to pass the time away You sprinkled hot foot powder, mmm, around my door All around my door You sprinkled hot foot powder, all around your daddy's door It keeps me with ramblin' mind rider Every old place I go, every old place I go I can tell the wind is risin', the leaves tremblin' on the tree Tremblin' on the tree I can tell the wind is risin', leaves tremblin' on the tree All I need is my little sweet woman And to keep my company, hey, hey, hey, hey, my company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 Can't forget the KIngfisher: Huey P. Long/Castro Carazo) Why weep or slumber America Land of brave and true With castles and clothing and food for all All belongs to you Ev'ry man a king, ev'ry man a king For you can be a millionaire But there's something belonging to others There's enough for all people to share When it's sunny June and December too Or in the winter time or spring There'll be peace without end Ev'ry neighbor a friend With ev'ry man a king Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmsummer Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 A TRIBUTE TO WOODY GUTHRIE, VOL. IIHighlights from Concerts at Carnegie Hall, 1968 and the Hollywood Bowl, 1970 Words and Music by Woody GuthrieVarious ArtistsWarner Bros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmsummer Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWjVaZ9kH_k&feature=related Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Stephen Foster (written 1854) Hard Times Come Again No More Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears, While we all sup sorrow with the poor; There's a song that will linger forever in our ears; Oh Hard times come again no more. Chorus: Tis the song, the sigh of the weary, Hard Times, hard times, come again no more Many days you have lingered around my cabin door; Oh hard times come again no more. While we seek mirth and beauty and music light and gay, There are frail forms fainting at the door; Though their voices are silent, their pleading looks will say Oh hard times come again no more. (Chorus) There's a pale drooping maiden who toils her life away, With a worn heart whose better days are o'er: Though her voice would be merry, 'tis sighing all the day, Oh hard times come again no more. (Chorus) Tis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave, Tis a wail that is heard upon the shore Tis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave Oh hard times come again no more. (Chorus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groomlakearea51 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 This thread makes me want to go listen to some Tom Waits.....[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,alive as you and me.Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead""I never died" said he,"I never died" said he."The Copper Bosses killed you Joe,they shot you Joe" says I."Takes more than guns to kill a man"Says Joe "I didn't die"Says Joe "I didn't die""In Salt Lake City, Joe," says I, Him standing by my bed, "They framed you on a murder charge," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead," Says Joe, "But I ain't dead." And standing there as big as lifeand smiling with his eyes.Says Joe "What they can never killwent on to organize,went on to organize"From San Diego up to Maine,in every mine and mill,Where working men defend their rights,it's there you find Joe Hill,it's there you find Joe Hill!I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,alive as you and me.Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead""I never died" said he,"I never died" said he. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,alive as you and me.Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead""I never died" said he,"I never died" said he. Best, most intense song at Woodstock, sung by Joan Baez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night,alive as you and me.Says I "But Joe, you're ten years dead""I never died" said he,"I never died" said he. Best, most intense song at Woodstock, sung by Joan Baez. I've been at union funerals a few times where that song is sung, including a brother in law who quit Wall Street to organize. It always breaks me up. By the way Marvel, excellent suggestion. Have you heard the Cowboy's Junkies version of "Hard Times". Simply killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Have you heard the Cowboy's Junkies version of "Hard Times". Simply killer. It is a great version. I also have a James Taylor version, with Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meter and Yo-yo Ma. The Nanci Griffith version is pretty interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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