Singalongs
with Neall Calvert
Popular, inspirational, traditional/folk, rock 'n' roll, musicals, Beatles
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| One-World Jewel (c) 2013 by Neall Calvert |
Campbell River, BC, Canada (250) 202-2202
SONGLIST
A
- All of Me
Amazing
Grace
Annie’s
Song
A
Perfect Day
A
Place in the Sun
Auld
Lang Syne
B
- Be-Bop-A-Lula
Bless
This House
Blue
Moon
Big
Rock Candy Mountain
Blue
Skies
Blowin’
In The Wind
Bony
Moronie
Bring
It On Home To Me
Brother
Jesus
Bye,
Bye, Blackbird
C
- Can’t Help Falling in Love
Consider
Yourself
D
- Danny Boy
Do
Lord
Down
In My Heart
E
- Edelweiss
F
- Forever Young
Four
Strong Winds
G
- Gentle On My Mind
Gonna
Build A Mountain
Greensleeves
Guardian
Angels
H
- Hello, Dolly
Henry
the Accountant
He’s
Got the Whole World...
Hey
Jude
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77
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How
Could Anyone
How
Great Thou Art
I
- I Can See Clearly Now
If
I Were A Rich Man
If
You Love Me
I
Love Myself the Way I Am
Imagine
In
My Life
In
The Garden
Isn’t
It A Pity
It’s
In Every One Of Us
I’ve
Got Peace Like A River
I
Walk The Line
J
- Jamaica Farewell
Jimmy
Crack Corn
K
- Kum-Bah-Yah
L
- Up A Lazy River
Let
It Be
Like
A Ship . . . (Lullaby)
Lilli
Marlene (English)
Lili
Marleen (German)
Look
For A Star
Love
Can Build A Bridge
Love
Me Tender
M
- May You Always
Maxwell’s
Silver Hammer
Memory
(Cats)
Morning
Has Broken
My
Love
O
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Octopus’s
Garden
Ode
To Joy
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Only
You
On
the Sunny Side of Street
Oh
Susanna
P
- People Get Ready
Pilgrim
(Enya)
Puff
(The Magic Dragon)
Put
a Little Love in Ur Heart
Put
Your Hand in the Hand
R
- Red Roses for Blue Lady
Rock
And Roll Music
Rock
Around the Clock
Roll
Out The Barrel
S
- Sailing
Sentimental
Journey
Shenandoah
Silly
Song
Sloop
John B
Smilin’
Through
Sometimes
When We Touch
Somewhere
Over the R’bow
Spanish
Eyes
Stand
By Me (rock)
Stand
By Me (gospel)
Sunrise,
Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof)
Sweet
Caroline
T
- That’ll Be The Day
That
Lucky Old Sun
That’s
All Right, Mama
The
Boxer
The
Glory of Love
The
Happy Wanderer
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The
Minstrel Boy
The
Rose
This
Land is Your Land
This
Little Light of Mine
Those
Were The Days
‘Tis
a Gift to be Simple
Today
True
Love
U
- Unchained Melody
Until
It’s Time for You To Go
V
- Voice in the Silence
W
- Walking in the Sunshine
Waltzing
Matilda
We’ll
Keep A Welcome [Wales]
We’re
Off to See the Wizard
We
Shall Overcome
What
a Wonderful World
When
I’m Sixty-Four
When
Irish Eyes Are Smiling
When
You Wish Upon A Star
Whiter
Shade of Pale
Who
Will Buy (Oliver)
Whole
Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Will
Ye Go, Lassie, Go
Wind
Beneath My Wings
With
A Little Help . . . Friends
Without
A Song
Y
- Yellow Submarine
You
Are So Beautiful
You
Must Have Been A B'ful Baby
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Music
is therapy, healing and play.
Singing gets everyone together on the same page.
Singing gets everyone together on the same page.
Choose
your favourites for a birthday or
special
occasion, then call Neall Calvert at 250-202-2202
* * *
S O N G B O O K
* * *
S O N G B O O K
THE
HAPPY WANDERER
Children's
song by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller, Germany, 1946; lyrics by Edith
Möller and Florenz Siegesmund ; popularized
by Obernkirchen Children's Choir, led by Edith Möller, 1950s. I
am grateful to the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia
for
being a source of material for these notes.
I
love to go a-wandering,
Along
the mountain track;
And
as I go, I love to sing,
My
knapsack on my back.
CHORUS:
Val-de-ri,
val-de-ra, val-de-ri,
Val-de-ra-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-de-ri,
val-de-ra,
1)
My knapsack on my back.
2) Come join my happy song.”
3) From every greenwood tree.
2) Come join my happy song.”
3) From every greenwood tree.
4)
As o’er the world we roam.
5)
Beneath God’s clear blue sky.
I
love to wander by the stream,
That
dances in the sun;
So
joyously it calls to me:
“Come
join my happy song!” CHORUS:
I
wave my hat to all I meet
And
they wave back to me;
And
blackbirds sing so loud and sweet
From
every greenwood tree. CHORUS:
High
overhead the skylarks wing,
They
never rest at home;
But
just like me, they love to sing,
As
o’er the world we roam. CHORUS:
Oh,
may I go a-wandering,
Until
the day I die;
And
may I always laugh and sing
Beneath
God’s clear blue sky. CHORUS:
SLOOP JOHN B
Traditional
West Indies folk song, popularized by The Beach Boys in 1966. Rolling
Stone magazine has listed the Beach Boys at #12 of the 100
Greatest Artists of All Time.
We come on the
sloop John B—
My grandfather and
me.
Round Nassau town
we did roam. . . .
Drinking all night
. . .
Got into a fight;
Well I feel so
broke up—I wanna go home.
CHORUS:
So hoist up the
John B’s sail,
See how the
mainsail sets;
Call for the
captain ashore,
Let me go home.
Let me go home . .
. I wanna go home.
Well I feel so
broke up—I wanna go home.
Well, the first
mate he got drunk,
Broke in the
captain’s trunk;
The constable had
to come and take him away.
Sheriff John
Stone,
Why don’t you
leave me alone?
Well I feel so
broke up—I wanna go home. CHORUS:
Well, the poor
cook he caught the fits,
And threw away all
of my grits;
And then he took
and he ate up all of my corn.
Let me go home . .
.
Why don’t they
let me go home?
This is the worst
trip I’ve ever been on.
CHORUS: then
repeat last line.
KUM-BAH-YAH
Spiritual
song from the 1930s; became a Scouting and campfire song, and was
much popularized during the folk revival of the 1960s. Originally a
song of harmony and spiritual unity, its being over-played has led to
“Kumbaya”
being used to refer to artificially covering up deep-seated
disagreements. To say "It's all Kumbaya" means a fake kind
of unanimity.
Kum-Bah-Yah, my
Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Kum-Bah-Yah, my
Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Kum-Bah-Yah, my
Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Oh, Lord,
Kum-Bah-Yah.
Someone’s
prayin’ Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Someone’s
prayin’ Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Someone’s
prayin’ Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Oh, Lord,
Kum-Bah-Yah.
Someone’s
cryin’, Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Someone’s
cryin’, Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Someone’s
cryin’, Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Oh, Lord,
Kum-Bah-Yah.
Someone’s
singin’, Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Someone’s
singin’, Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Someone’s
singin’, Lord, Kum-Bah-Yah,
Oh, Lord,
Kum-Bah-Yah.
MAY YOU ALWAYS
by
Larry Markes and Dick Charles, 1959; popularized by The McGuire
Sisters in the U.S. and by Joan Regan
in the U.K.
May you always
walk in sunshine,
Slumber warm when
night winds blow;
May you always
live with laughter,
For a smile
becomes you so.
May good fortune
find your doorway,
May the bluebird
sing your song;
May no trouble
travel your way,
May no worry stay
too long.
BRIDGE:
May your
heartaches be forgotten,
May no tears be
spilled;
May old
acquaintance be remembered,
And your cup of
kindness filled . . . and
May you always be
a dreamer,
May your wildest
dreams come true;
May you find
someone to love—
As much as I love
you.
May you always be
a dreamer,
May your wildest
dreams come true;
May you find
someone to love—
As much as I love
you.
SOMETIMES WHEN
WE TOUCH
Lyrics by Dan Hill, music by
Barry Mann, 1977. Has been popular for decades. “The famously soppy
song that won't go away.” Check Macleans magazine online for a
complete and quite amusing 35-year retrospective by Hill in 2010:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/01/14/sometimes-it%E2%80%99s-too-much/
You ask me if I
love you, and I choke on my reply;
I’d rather hurt
you honestly than mislead you with a lie.
And who am I to
judge you, on what you say or do?
I’m only just
beginning to see the real you.
CHORUS:
And sometimes when
we touch, the honesty’s too much,
And I have to
close my eyes and hide;
I wanna hold you
till I die, till we both break down and cry;
I wanna hold you
till the fear in me subsides.
Romance and all
its strategy leaves me battling with my pride;
But through the
insecurity some tenderness survives.
I’m just another
writer still trapped within my truth;
A hesitant prize
fighter, still trapped within my youth. CHORUS:
BRIDGE:
At times I’d
like to break you,
And drive you to
your knees;
At times I’d
like to break through
And hold you
endlessly . . .
At times I
understand you and I know how hard you’ve tried;
I’ve watched
while love commands you,
And I’ve watched
love pass you by.
At times I think
we’re drifters, still searching for a friend;
A brother or a
sister—but then the passion flares again. CHORUS:
JIMMY CRACK
CORN
(THE BLUE TAIL
FLY)
U.S. blackface minstrel song
from the 1840s; now a popular children's song.
CHORUS:
Jimmy crack corn
an’ I don’t care;
Jimmy crack corn
an’ I don’t care;
Jimmy crack corn
an’ I don’t care;
The master’s
gone away.
When I was young I
used to wait,
On my mas-ter and
bring him his plate;
And pass the
bottle when he got dry—
And
brush away the blue tail fly. CHORUS:
When he would ride
around the farm,
So numerous the
flies they all would swarm;
One chanced to
bite him on the thigh—
Oh,
the devil take the blue tail fly! CHORUS:
When he would ride
in the afternoon,
I would follow
with the hickory broom;
The pony began to
run and shy,
When
bitten by the blue tail fly. CHORUS:
The pony run, he
jumped, he pitched;
He threw my master
in the ditch.
And when he died
the jury wondered why—
The
verdict was the blue tail fly. CHORUS:
They buried him
under the ‘simmon tree,
His epitaph was
there to see:
“Upon this stone
I’m forced to lie—
Victim
of the blue tail fly.” CHORUS:
(SOMEWHERE)
OVER THE
RAINBOW
by
Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg; from the 1939 movie musical The
Wizard
of Oz. Ranked the top movie song of all time,
sung by Judy Garland
Somewhere over the
rainbow, way up high,
There’s a land
that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the
rainbow, skies are blue,
And the dreams
that you dare to dream really do come true.
Someday I’ll
wish upon a star
And wake up where
the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles
melt like lemon drops
Away above the
chimney tops—
That’s where
you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the
rainbow, bluebirds fly;
Birds fly over the
rainbow—why then, oh why, can’t I?
[PIANO . . .]
Somewhere over the
rainbow, bluebirds fly;
Birds fly over the
rainbow—why then, oh why, can’t I?
If happy little
bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why . . .
can’t . . . I?
THE BOXER
Written by Paul Simon, 1968;
sung by Simon and Garfunkel; RS's
#105 of top 500 songs ever.
I am just a poor boy, though my
story’s seldom told,
I have squandered my
resistance, for a pocketful of mumbles,
Such are promises—all lies
and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest, hmmm,
mmmm. . . .
When I left my home and my
family,
I was no more than a boy in the
company of strangers . . .
In the quiet of the railway
station, runnin’ scared;
Lying low, seeking out the
poorer quarters where the ragged people go,
Looking for the places only
they would know.
Li-la-li . . . li la-la-la
li-la-li, li-la-li . . . Li la-la-la li-la-li, la-la-li-la li . . .
Seeking only workman’s wages
I come looking for a job, but I
get no offers . . .
Just a come-on from the whores
on Seventh Avenue;
I do declare, there were times
when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there . . .
La la la, la la la la. . . .
Now the years are rolling by
me,
They are rockin’ even me, I
am older than I once was . . .
And younger than I’ll be,
that’s not unusual;
No it isn’t strange, after
changes upon changes,
We are more or less the same,
After changes we are more or
less the same.
Li-la-li . . . li la-la-la
li-la-li, li-la-li . . . Li la-la-la li-la-li, la-la-li-la li . . .
Li-la-li . . . li la-la-la
li-la-li, li-la-li . . . Li la-la-la li-la-li, la-la-li-la li . . .
And I’m laying out my winter
clothes,
Wishing I was gone, goin’
home . . .
Where the New York city winters
aren’t bleedin’ me . . .
Leadin’ me . . . to go home .
. .
In the clearing stands a boxer,
And a fighter by his trade and
he carries the reminder . . .
Of every glove that laid him
down or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame: “I
am leaving, I am leaving”—
But the fighter still remains,
yes he still remains . . .
Li-la-li . . . li la-la-la
li-la-li, li-la-li . . . Li la-la-la li-la-li, la-la-li-la li . . .
Li-la-li . . . li la-la-la
li-la-li, li-la-li . . . Li la-la-la li-la-li, la-la-li-la li.
THE MINSTREL
BOY
Early 19th
century Irish patriotic song written by Thomas Moore
in remembrance
of friends killed in the Irish Rebellion of 1798
The minstrel boy
to the war is gone,
In the ranks of
death you’ll find him;
His father’s
sword he hath girded on
And his wild harp
slung behind him.
“Land of Song!”
said the warrior bard.
“Tho’ all the
world betrays thee,
One sword, at
least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp
shall praise thee!”
The minstrel fell!
But the foeman’s chain
Could not bring
his proud soul under;
The harp he lov’d
ne’er spoke again,
For he tore its
chords asunder.
And said “No
chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love
and bra-ver-y;
Thy songs were
made for the pure and free,
They shall never
sound in sla-ver-y!”
YOU MUST HAVE
BEEN
A BEAUTIFUL
BABY
by Harry Warren
and Johnny Mercer, 1938;
popularized by
Bing Crosby, Tommy Dorsey and Bobby Darin
You must have been
a beautiful baby,
You must have been
a wonderful child;
When you were only
startin’
To go to
kindergarten,
I bet you drove
the little boys wild.
And when it came
to winning blue rib-bons,
You must have
shown the other kids how;
I can see the
judges’ eyes
As they handed you
the prize—
I bet you made the
cutest bow, oh,
You must have been
a beautiful baby,
‘Cause baby take
a look at you now.
REPEAT ALL:
BROTHER JESUS
Gospel song; source unknown
Brother Jesus, I
am weary, hot and dusty
From my journey
‘cross this Earth;
Brother Jesus, I
desire to return to
The waters of my
birth.
Lord, I cast my
spirit free,
As your arms
encircle me;
And my soul is
setting sail
Across yo-ur . . .
a-zure sea.
Yes my soul is
setting sail
Across yo-ur . . .
a-zure sea.
Brother Jesus, let
me lay my burning body
In your cool
embrace;
Brother Jesus, I’m
your child, grant me once again
Your soothing
grace.
Lord, I cast my
spirit free,
As your arms
encircle me;
And my soul is
setting sail
Across yo-ur . . .
a-zure sea.
Yes my soul is
setting sail
Across yo-ur . . .
a-zure sea.
HE’S GOT THE
WHOLE WORLD
IN HIS HANDS
Traditional
American spiritual first published in 1927
CHORUS:
He’s got the
whole world in His hands,
He’s got the
whole wide world in His hands,
He’s got the
whole world in His hands,
He’s got the
whole world in His hands.
He’s got the you
and me, brother, in His hands
He’s got the you
and me, sister, in His hands
He’s got the you
and me, children, in His hands
He’s got the
whole world in His hands.
CHORUS:
He’s got my body
and my soul in His hands,
He’s got my body
and my soul in His hands,
He’s got my body
and my soul in His hands,
He’s got the
whole world in His hands.
CHORUS:
THAT LUCKY OLD
SUN
by Haven
Gillespie and Beasley Smith, 1949; popularized by Frankie Laine;
also performed
by Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles and others
Up in the mornin’,
out on the job,
Work like the
devil for my pay;
But that lucky old
sun, got nothin’ to do,
But roll around
heaven all day.
Fuss with my
woman, toil for my kids,
Sweat till I’m
wrinkled and gray;
While that lucky
old sun, got nothin’ to do,
But roll around
heaven all day.
Dear Lord above,
can’t you know I’m pining,
Tears all in my
eyes;
Send down that
cloud with a silver lining,
Lift me to
Paradise . . .
Show me that
river, take me across,
Wash all my
troubles away;
Like that lucky
old sun, give me nothin’ to do,
But roll around
heaven all day.
[PIANO . . . ]
. . . Send down
that cloud with a silver lining,
Lift me to
Paradise . . .
Show me that
river, take me across,
Wash all my
troubles away;
Like that lucky
old sun, give me nothin’ to do—yeah!
But just roll
around heaven all day.
LOOK FOR A STAR
1960s popular song written
by Tony Hatch; featured in the film Circus
of Horrors; popularized by four different U.S. artists
simultaneously.
When life doesn’t
seem worth the living,
And you don’t
really care who you are;
When you feel
there is no one beside you—
Look for a star.
When you know
you’re alone and so lonely,
And your friends
have traveled afar;
There is someone
waiting to guide you—
Look for a star.
CHORUS:
Oh everyone has a
lucky star,
That shines in the
sky up above;
If you wish on a
lucky star,
You’re sure to
find someone to love . . .
A rich man, a poor
man, a beggar—
No matter whoever
you are;
There’s a friend
who’s waiting to guide you—
Look for a star.
[PIANO . . . ]
A rich man, a poor
man, a beggar
No matter whoever
you are;
There’s a friend
who is waiting to guide you—
Look for a star.
There’s a friend
who is waiting to guide you—
Look for a star.
BIG ROCK CANDY
MOUNTAIN
Written by hobo Harry
“Haywire Mac” McClintock; first published 1928 [this is the
sanitized version: soda water instead of alcohol, etc.]
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
ev’ry night.
Where the boxcars
are all empty,
And the sun shines
ev’ry day.
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.
CHORUS:
Oh, the buzzin’
of the bees in the peppermint trees,
Round the soda
water fountains;
Where the lemonade
springs and the bluebird sings—
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountains.
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountains
You never change
your socks;
And little streams
of lemonade
Come a-tricklin’
down the rocks.
The hoboes there
are friendly,
And their fires
all burn bright;
There’s a lake
of stew—and soda, too;
You can paddle all
around ‘em in a big canoe—
In the Big Rock
Candy Mountains. CHORUS: 2X
WE’LL KEEP A
WELCOME
IN THE
HILLSIDES
Traditional Welsh ballad;
perhaps by Mai Jones
INTRO:
Far away a
voice is calling,
Bells of memory
chime:
“Come home
again, come home again,”
They call
through the oceans of time.
We’ll keep a
welcome in the hillsides,
We’ll keep a
welcome in the vales;
This land you knew
will still be singing,
When you come home
again to Wales.
This land of song
will keep a welcome,
And with a love
that never fails,
We’ll kiss away
each hour of hiraeth*
When you come home
again to Wales.
REPEAT TO HERE:
SLOWLY:
We’ll kiss away
each hour of hir-aeth—
When you come home
again to Wales.
*Hiraeth:
pronounced “HEAR’-eye-th”: longing for home.
IN THE GARDEN
by C. Austin
Miles, 1913; appears in at least 193 hymnals
I come to the
garden alone,
While the dew is
still on the roses;
And the voice I
hear, falling on my ear,
The One of All
discloses . . .
CHORUS:
And He walks with
me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I
am His own;
And the joy we
share as we tarry there,
None other has
ever known.
He speaks, and the
sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the
birds hush their singing;
And the melody,
that He gave to me,
Within my heart is
ringing . . .
CHORUS:
I’d stay in the
garden with Him,
Tho’ the night
around me is falling;
But He bids me go,
through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is
calling . . .
CHORUS:
THIS LAND IS
YOUR LAND
by Woody
Guthrie, 1940; Canadian lyrics by The Travellers, 1955
CHORUS:
This land is your
land. This land is my land.
From Bonavista to
Vancouver Island.
From the Arctic
Circle to the Great Lake waters—
This land was made
for you and me.
As I was walking
that ribbon of highway,
I saw above me
that endless skyway;
I saw below me
that golden valley—
This land was made
for you and me. CHORUS:
I’ve roamed and
rambled, and I followed my footsteps,
To the fir-clad
forests of our mighty mountains,
And all around me
a voice was sounding—
This land was made
for you and me. CHORUS:
When the sun comes
shining and I was strolling,
And the wheat
fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling;
As the fog was
lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made
for you and me. CHORUS:
DOWN IN MY
HEART
by George
Willis Cooke, 19th century U.S. Unitarian minister
I’ve got the
joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the
joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart—
Down in my heart
today!
I’ve got the
light, light, light, light
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the
light, light, light, light
Down in my heart—
Down in my heart
today!
I’ve got the
peace, peace, peace, peace
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the
peace, peace, peace, peace
Down in my heart—
Down in my heart
today!
I LOVE MYSELF
THE WAY I AM
New
Thought song by Jai Michael Josefs;
inspired by the teachings of the late Ken Keyes Jr., author of many
books including The
Handbook to Higher Consciousness
I
love myself the way I am,
There’s
nothing I need to change;
I’ll
always be the perfect me,
There’s
nothing to rearrange.
I’m
beautiful and capable,
Of
being the best me I can,
And
I love myself just the way I am.
– I
love you the way you are,
There’s
nothing you need to do;
When
I feel the love inside myself
It’s
easy to love you.
Behind
your fears, your rage and tears
I
see your shining star,
And
I lo-ove you just the way you are.
I
love the world the way it is
‘Cause
I can clearly see,
That
all the things I judge are done
By
people just like me.
So
till the birth of peace on earth,
That
only love can bring;
I’ll
help it grow, by loving everything.
I
love myself the way I am,
And
still I want to grow;
But
change outside can only come,
When
deep inside I know,
I’m
beautiful and capable,
Of
being the best me I can;
And
I love myself just the way I a-a-a-am;
Yes,
I love myself just the way I a-a-a-am;
I
love myself—just the way I am!
HOW GREAT THOU
ART
Christian
hymn based on a poem by Carl Gustav Boberg and a Swedish folk melody,
put together in 1888; translation by British missionary Stuart K.
Hine, 1931.
O Lord my God,
when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the
worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I
hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power
throughout the universe displayed . . .
CHORUS:
Then sings my
soul, my Saviour, God, to thee,
How great Thou
art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my
soul, my Saviour, God, to thee,
How great Thou
art, how great Thou art!
When through the
woods and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds
sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the
brook, and feel the gentle breeze . . .
CHORUS:
When Christ shall
come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home,
what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow,
in humble adoration,
And then proclaim:
“My God, how great Thou art!”
CHORUS:
IT’S IN EVERY
ONE OF US
Written by
David Pomerantz, 1973; popularized by The Muppets
It’s in every
one of us, to be wise;
Find your heart,
open up both your eyes.
We can all know
everything
Without ever
knowing why . . .
It’s in every
one of us,
You and I.
It’s in every
one of us, to be free;
Find your self,
open your eyes and see.
We can all have
everything
Without ever
knowing how . . .
It’s in every
one of us,
Here and now!
WALKING IN THE
SUNSHINE
Written and performed by
Roger Miller, 1967
Walking in the
sunshine, sing a little sunshine song,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh;
Put a smile upon
your face as if there’s nothing wrong,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh;
Think about a good
time you had a long time ago,
Think about
forgettin’ about your worries and your woes!
Walking in the
sunshine, sing a little sunshine song,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh.
La-la, la-la,
la-dee-oh,
Whether the
weather be rain or snow;
Pretending can
make it real—
A snowy pasture, a
green and grassy field . . .
Walking in the
sunshine, sing a little sunshine song,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh;
Put a smile upon
your face as if there’s nothing wrong,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh;
Think about a good
time you had a long time ago,
Think about
forgettin’ about your worries and your woes,
Walking in the
sunshine, sing a little sunshine song,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh;
Walking in the
sunshine, sing a little sunshine song,
Doot ‘n’ dooh,
doot ‘n’ dooh-dooh-dooh;
Walking in the
sunshine, sing a little sunshine song!
AMAZING GRACE
Christian hymn; words by
John Newton, 1779;
estimated to be played 10
million times annually.
Amazing grace, how
sweet the sound,
That saved a soul
like me!
I once was lost,
but now I’m found;
Was blind, but now
I see!
‘Twas grace that
taught my heart to feel,
And grace my fears
relieved;
How precious did
that grace appear,
The hour I first
believed.
Through many
dangers, toils and snares,
I have already
come;
‘Tis grace that
brought me safe thus far,
And grace will
lead me home.
When we’ve been
there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as
the sun;
We’ve no less
days to sing God’s praise,
Than when we first
begun.
Amazing grace, how
sweet the sound,
That saved a soul
like me!
I once was lost,
but now I’m found,
Was blind, but now
I see!
WILL YE GO,
LASSIE, GO
Also known as “Purple
Heather” and “Wild Mountain Thyme.” Folk song by
Francis McPeake; lyrics are a variant of the song "The Braes of
Balquhither" by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (1774-1810).
First recorded 1957 by McPeake's nephew.
O the summer time
is comin’,
And the trees are
sweetly bloomin’;
And the wild
mountain thyme,
Grows around the
bloomin’ heather,
Will ye go,
lassie, go?
CHORUS:
An’ we’ll all
go together,
To pluck wild
mountain thyme;
All around the
bloomin’ heather,
Will ye go,
lassie, go?
I will build my
love a bower,
Near yon pure
crystal fountain;
And on it I will
pile
All the flowers of
the mountain,
Will ye go,
Lassie, go? CHORUS:
If my true love,
she were gone,
I would surely
find another;
Where wild
mountain thyme,
Grows around the
bloomin’ heather.
Will ye go,
lassie, go? CHORUS:
O the summer time
is comin’,
And the trees are
sweetly bloomin’;
And the wild
mountain thyme,
Grows around the
bloomin’ heather,
Will ye go,
lassie, go? CHORUS:
ROCK AROUND THE
CLOCK
by Max C. Freedman and James
E. Myers. Recorded by Bill Haley and the Comets, 1954. Credited as
the song that brought rock 'n' roll to mainstream culture.
One, two, three
o’clock, four o’clock rock!
Five, six, seven
o’clock, eight o’clock rock!
Nine, ten, eleven
o’clock, twelve o’clock rock!
We’re gonna rock
around the clock tonight!
Put your glad rags
on and join me, hon’,
We’ll have some
fun when the clock strikes one,
CHORUS: We’re
gonna rock around the clock tonight;
We’re gonna
rock, rock, rock till broad daylight;
We’re gonna
rock, gonna rock,
Around the clock
tonight!
When the clock
strikes two and three and four,
If the band slows
down we’ll yell for more, CHORUS:
When the chimes
ring five and six and seven,
We’ll be rockin’
up in seventh heaven, CHORUS:
When it’s eight,
nine, ten, eleven too,
I’ll be going
strong and so will you, CHORUS:
When the clock
strikes twelve, we’ll cool off, then
Start rockin’
round the clock again, CHORUS:
SENTIMENTAL
JOURNEY
1940s popular song by Les
Brown and Ben Homer, lyrics by Bud Green.
INTRO:
Every rolling
stone gets to feel alone,
When home sweet
home is far away;
I’m a rolling
stone who’s been so alone—
Until today.
Gonna take a
sentimental journey,
Gonna set my heart
at ease;
Gonna make a
sentimental journey,
To renew old
memories.
Got my bag, I got
my reservation,
Spent each dime I
could afford;
Like a child in
wild anticipation,
Long to hear that,
“All aboard!”
Seven, that’s
the time we leave, at seven;
I’ll be waiting
up for heaven;
Countin’ every
mile of railroad track that takes me back;
Never thought my
heart could be so “yearny”;
Why did I decide
to roam?
Gotta take this
sentimental journey,
Sentimental
journey home.
Seven, that’s
the time we leave, at seven;
I’ll be waiting
up for heaven;
Countin’ every
mile of railroad track that takes me back;
Never thought my
heart could be so “yearny”;
Why did I decide
to roam?
Gotta take this
sentimental journey,
Sentimental
journey home.
SHENANDOAH
Traditional American folk
song of uncertain origin, dating to early 19th century.
Shenandoah is the name of both a river and an Indian chief; perhaps
the two became conflated during constant repetition when sung on
American whaling boats.
O Shenandoah, I
long to hear you,
Way hay, my
rolling river!
Oh, Shenandoah, I
can’t be near you,
Way hay, I’m
bound away,
‘Cross the wide
Missouri.
O Shenandoah, I
love your daughter,
Way hay, my
rolling river!
She lives across
the stormy water,
Way hay, I’m
bound away,
‘Cross the wide
Missouri.
O Shenandoah, I’m
bound to leave you,
Way hay, my
rolling river!
Oh, Shenandoah,
I’ll not deceive you,
Way hay, I’m
bound away,
‘Cross the wide
Missouri;
‘Cross the wide
Missouri.
IF I WERE A
RICH MAN
from Fiddler
on the Roof, by
Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick; original Broadway production 1964
If
I were a rich man, daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, digguh, deedle,
daidle, dum.
All
day long I’d biddy, biddy bum, if I were a wealthy man!
Wouldn’t
have to work hard,
Daidle,
deedle, daidle, digguh, digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.
If
I were a biddy, biddy rich, digguh, digguh, deedle, daidle man.
I’d
build a big tall house with rooms by the dozen,
Right
in the middle of the town;
A
fine tin roof with real wooden floors below.
There
would be one long staircase just going up
And
one even longer coming down;
And
one more going nowhere just for show.
I’d
fill my yard with chicks and turkeys and geese
And
ducks for the town to see and hear; squawking just as noisily as they
can.
And
each loud quack and cluck and gobble and honk
Will
land like a trumpet on the ear;
As
if to say, here lives a wealthy man—Sigh!
I
see my wife, my Golde,
Looking
like a rich man’s wife with a proper double chin;
Supervising
meals to her heart’s delight.
I
see her putting on airs and strutting like a peacock,
Oy!
What a happy mood she’s in,
Screaming
at the servants day and night.
The
most important men in town will come to fawn on me;
They
will ask me to advise them, like Solomon the wise.
“If
you please, Reb Tevye; pardon me, Reb Tevye.”
Posing
problems that would cross a rabbi’s eyes;
Boi-boi-boi;
boi-boi-boi; boi-boi-boi—
And
it won’t make one bit of diff’rence if I answer right or wrong,
When
you’re rich they think you really know.
If
I were rich, I’d have the time that I lack,
To
sit in the synagogue and pray;
And
maybe have a seat by the eastern wall.
And
I’d discuss the holy books with the learned men seven hours ev’ry
day;
This
would be the sweetest thing of all—Sigh!
If
I were a rich man, daidle, deedle, daidle, digguh, digguh, deedle,
daidle, dum.
All
day long I’d biddy, biddy bum, if I were a wealthy man.
Wouldn’t
have to work hard,
Daidle,
deedle, daidle, digguh, digguh, deedle, daidle, dum.
Lord,
who made the lion and the lamb, you decreed I should be what I am;
Would
it spoil some vast eternal plan, if I were a wealthy man?
LULLABY
by Cris
Williamson, appeared on her 1985 album Snow
Angel (also wrote “Song of the Soul”)
Like a ship in the
harbour,
Like a mother and
child;
Like a light in
the darkness,
I’ll hold you
awhile.
We’ll rock on
the water,
I’ll cradle you
deep;
And hold you while
angels,
Sing you to sleep.
REPEAT
REPEAT AGAIN,
singing la-la's for first half
TRUE LOVE
Cole
Porter song from the 1955 movie High
Society
I give to you and
you give to me,
True love, true
love.
And on and on it
will always be,
True love, true
love.
For you and I have
a guardian angel
On high with
nothing to do;
But to give to me
and to give to you,
Love forever true.
I give to you and
you give to me,
True love, true
love.
And on and on it
will always be,
True love, true
love.
For you and I have
a guardian angel
On high with
nothing to do;
But to give to me
and to give to you,
Love forever true.
For you and I have
a guardian angel
On high with
nothing to do;
But to give to me
and to give to you,
Love forever true;
Love forever true.
WITHOUT A SONG
by
Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose and Edward Eliscu. Used in the 1929
musical play Great
Day. Recorded
by many famous artists from 1951 to 2011. Original words in verse two
read “a darkie's born.”
Without a song,
the day would never end,
Without a song,
the road would never bend;
When things go
wrong, a man ain’t got a friend
—without a song.
That field of corn
would never see a plow;
That field of corn
would be deserted now;
A man is born, but
he’s no good no how
—without a song.
I got my trouble
and woe,
But sure as I know
the Jordan will roll;
I’ll get along,
as long as a song is strong in my soul!
I’ll never know
what makes the rain to fall;
I’ll never know
what makes the grass so tall;
I only know there
ain’t no love at all
—without a song.
SMILIN’
THROUGH
Best-known tune of British
composer of
light musical theatre,
Arthur A. Penn; about 1910
There’s a little
brown road windin’ over the hill
To a little white
cot by the sea;
There’s a little
green gate
At whose trellis I
wait,
While two eyes o’
blue
Come smilin’
through—
At me!
There’s a gray
lock or two in the brown of the hair,
There’s some
silver in mine, too, I see;
But in all the
long years
When the clouds
brought their tears,
Those two eyes o’
blue
Kept smilin’
through—
At me!
LOVE ME TENDER
Sung
by Elvis Presley in the 1956 movie Love
Me Tender. Adapted
from the tune “Aura Lee,” a sentimental Civil War ballad.
Love me tender,
love me sweet,
Never let me go;
You have made my
life complete,
And I love you so.
CHORUS:
Love me tender,
love me true,
All my dreams
fulfill;
For my darlin’ I
love you,
And I always will.
Love me tender,
love me long,
Take me to your
heart;
For it’s there
that I belong,
And we’ll never
part. CHORUS:
Love me tender,
love me dear,
Tell me you are
mine;
I’ll be yours
through all the years,
Till the end of
time. CHORUS:
When at last my
dreams come true,
Darling this I
know;
Happiness will
follow you,
Everywhere you go.
CHORUS:
IF YOU LOVE ME
Original French lyrics by
Edith Piaf, music by Marguerite Monnot; first performed by Piaf in
New York in 1949. Well-known as a Japanese hit; also in Great
Britain.
If the sun, should tumble from the sky,
If the sea, should suddenly run dry;
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen, I won’t care!
If it seems that ev’rything is lost,
I will smile and never count the cost;
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen, darling, I won’t care!
Shall I catch a shooting star?
Shall I bring it where you are?
If you want me to, I will;
You can set me any task,
I’ll do anything you ask,
If you’ll only love me still!
When at last our life on earth is through,
I will share eternity with you;
If you love me, really love me,
Then whatever happens, I won’t care!
CAN’T HELP
FALLING IN LOVE
Lyrics by Peretti, Creatore
and Weiss to the melody “Plaisir d'Amour” (France, 1784). 1960s
popular song performed by Elvis Presley, often used as his
show-closer; also 1990s by UB40
Wise men say,
Only fools rush
in;
But I can’t help
Falling in love
with you.
Shall I stay,
Would it be a sin,
If I can’t help
Falling in love
with you.
CHORUS:
Like a river
flows,
Surely to the sea,
Darling, so it
goes,
Some things are
meant to be.
Take my hand,
Take my whole life
too,
For I can’t help
Falling in love
with you. CHORUS:
Take my hand,
Take my whole life
too,
For I can’t help
Falling in love
with you;
For I can’t help
Falling in love
with you.
BE-BOP-A-LULA
Sung by Gene Vincent;
reached #7 on the pop charts in 1956. Also covered by John Lennon on
his 1975 album Rock ‘n’
Roll, and many others
W-e-l-l,
be-bop-a-lula she’s my baby,
Be-bop-a-lula
I don’t mean maybe;
Be-bop-a-lula
she’s my baby,
Be-bop-a-lula
I don’t mean maybe;
Be-bop-a-lula
she-e-e’s my baby love,
My
baby love, my baby love . . .
Well,
she’s the girl in the red blue jeans;
She’s
the queen of all the teens;
She’s
the one—that I know;
She’s
the one that loves me so!—Say . . .
Be-bop-a-lula
she’s my baby,
Be-bop-a-lula
I don’t mean maybe;
Be-bop-a-lula
she-e-e’s my baby love,
My
baby love, my baby love . . .
Well,
she’s the one that’s got that beat;
She’s
the one with the flyin’ feet;
She’s
the one that walks around the store;
She’s
the one that gets more, more, more!—Say . . .
Be-bop-a-lula
she’s my baby,
Be-bop-a-lula
I don’t mean maybe;
Be-bop-a-lula
she-e-e’s my baby love,
My
baby love, my baby love . . .
REPEAT
VERSE 1:
WHEN YOU WISH
UPON A STAR
by Leigh
Harline and Ned Washington for Walt Disney's 1940 animated film
Pinocchio. Winner of
1940 Best Song Academy Award. Representative song of the Walt Disney
company. Known around the world; in some countries it is a Christmas
song, referring to the Star of Bethlehem.
When you wish upon
a star,
Makes no
difference who you are;
Anything your
heart desires
Will come to you.
If your heart is
in your dream,
No request is too
extreme;
When you wish upon
a star
As dreamers do.
Fate is kind;
She brings to
those who love
The sweet
fulfillment of
Their secret
longing.
Like a bolt out of
the blue
Fate steps in and
sees you through;
When you wish upon
a star
Your dreams come
true.
GENTLE ON MY
MIND
Written and performed by
John Hartford, it was Glen Campbell's first big hit song; winner of
two Grammys in 1968. Hartford wrote it in 15 minutes, in an inspired
state after watching the movie Dr.
Zhivago.
It’s knowing
that your door is always open
And your path is
free to walk,
That makes me tend
to leave my sleeping bag
Rolled up and
stashed behind your couch.
And it’s knowing
I’m not shackled by forgotten words and bonds,
And the ink stains
that have dried upon some line,
That keeps you in
the back roads by the rivers of my memory,
And keeps you ever
gentle on my mind.
It’s not
clinging to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their
columns now that binds me,
Or something that
somebody said
Because they
thought we fit together walkin’.
It’s just
knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along
some railroad track and find,
That you’re
moving on the back roads by the rivers of my memory,
And for hours
you’re just gentle on my mind.
Though the wheat
fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards
and the highways come between us,
And some other
woman’s crying to her mother
‘Cause she
turned and I was gone.
I still might run
in silence, tears of joy might stain my face,
And the summer sun
might burn me till I’m blind,
But not to where I
cannot see you walkin’ on the back roads,
By the rivers
flowing gentle on my mind.
I dip my cup of
soup back
From the gurglin’,
crackling cauldron in some train yard;
My beard a
rough’ning coal pile
And a dirty hat
pulled low across my face;
Through cupped
hands ‘round a tin can,
I pretend I hold
you to my breast and find,
That you’re
wavin’ from the back roads
By the rivers of
my memory,
Ever smilin’,
ever gentle on my mind. . . .
THE ROSE
by Amanda McBloom; first
performed and made famous by Bette Midler,
in the 1979 film The
Rose. There are many cover versions.
Some say love, it
is a river that drowns the tender reed;
Some say love, it
is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed;
Some say love, it
is a hunger, an endless aching need;
I say love, it is
a flower and you can sow the seed.
It’s the heart
afraid of breaking that never learns to dance;
It’s the dream
afraid of waking that never takes the chance;
It’s the one who
won’t be taken, who cannot seem to give;
And the soul
afraid of dying that never learns to live.
When the night has
been too lonely, and the road has been too long;
And you think that
love is only for the lucky and the strong;
Just remember in
the winter, far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed that
with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.
BLOWIN’ IN
THE WIND
Words and music by Bob
Dylan; anthem of the 1960s civil-rights and anti-war movements
How many roads
must a man walk down
Before you call
him a man?
Yes, ‘n’ how
many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps
in the sand?
Yes, ‘n’ how
many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re
forever banned?
The answer, my
friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is
blowin’ in the wind.
How many times
must a man look up
Before he can see
the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how
many ears must one man have
Before he can hear
people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how
many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many
people have died?
The answer, my
friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is
blowin’ in the wind.
How many years can
a mountain exist
Before it’s
washed to the sea?
Yes, ‘n’ how
many years can some people exist
Before they’re
allowed to be free?
Yes, ‘n’ how
many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just
doesn’t see?
The answer, my
friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is
blowin’ in the wind.
The answer, my
friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is
blowin’ in the wind.
FOUR STRONG
WINDS
Written by Ian Tyson early
1960s. Recorded by a wide range of famous singers. In 2005, chosen by
CBC listeners as greatest Canadian folk song of all time.
CHORUS:
Four strong winds
that blow lonely, seven seas that run high,
All those things
that don’t change, come what may;
But our good times
are all gone, and I’m bound for moving on,
I’ll look for
you if I’m ever back this way.
Think I’ll go
out to Alberta, weather’s good there in the fall,
Got some friends
that I could go to working for,
Still I wish you’d
change your mind, if I asked you one more time,
But we’ve been
through that a hundred times or more.
CHORUS:
If I get there
before the snow flies, and if things are going good,
You could meet me
if I sent you down the fare.
But by then it
would be winter, nothing much for you to do,
And those winds
sure can blow cold away out there.
CHORUS:
EDELWEISS
One of the
best-loved songs from the 1959 Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The
Sound of Music, and the last song the musical duo wrote
together. The Edelweiss, a white flower that grows high in the Alps,
symbolized the Von Trapp family's love of their homeland of Austria
during a time when it was threatened by the Nazi annexation.
Edelweiss,
Edelweiss,
Ev’ry morning
you greet me.
Small and white,
clean and bright,
You look happy to
meet me.
Blossom of snow,
may you bloom and grow,
Bloom and grow
forever.
Edelweiss,
Edelweiss,
Bless my homeland
forever.
REPEAT ALL:
JAMAICA
FAREWELL
Lyrics by
Irving Burgie, Lord Burgess, mid-1950s, to a tune well known in the
West Indies. Popularized by Harry Belafonte and the Kingston Trio.
Down the way where
the nights are gay,
And the sun shines
daily on the mountain tops
I took a trip on a
sailing ship,
And when I reached
Jamaica I made a stop.
CHORUS:
But I’m sad to
say, I’m on my way,
Won’t be back
for many a day.
My heart is down,
my head is turning around,
I had to leave my
little girl in Kingston town.
Sounds of laughter
everywhere,
And the dancing
girls swaying to and fro.
I must declare my
heart is there,
Though I’ve been
from Maine to Mexico.
CHORUS:
Down at the market
you can hear,
Ladies cry out
while on their heads they bear,
Ackey rice, salt
fish are nice,
And the rum is
fine any time of year.
CHORUS:
WE SHALL
OVERCOME
From
an early gospel song; published in 1947; anthem of the U.S.
civil-rights movement (1955–1968); popularized by Joan Baez and
Pete Seeger.
We shall overcome,
we shall overcome,
We shall overcome
some day;
Oh, deep in my
heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome
some day.
We’ll
walk hand in hand [3X]. . .
We are not afraid
[3X] . . . today . . .
REPEAT 1ST
VERSE:
LILLI MARLENE
Underneath the
lantern, by the barrack gate,
Darling I remember
the way you used to wait;
'Twas there that
you whispered tenderly,
That you lov'd me,
you'd always be,
My Lilli of the
lamplight,
My own Lilli
Marlene.
Time would come
for roll call, time for us to part;
Darling I'd caress
you and press you to my heart.
And there 'neath
that far-off lantern light
I'd hold you
tight, we'd kiss goodnight,
My Lilli of the
lamplight,
My own Lilli
Marlene.
Orders came for
sailing somewhere over there,
All confined to
barracks was more than I could bear;
I knew you were
waiting in the street,
I heard your feet,
but could not meet,
My Lilli of the
lamplight,
My own Lilli
Marlene.
Resting in a
billet just behind the line,
Even tho' we're
parted your lips are close to mine;
You wait where
that lantern softly gleams,
Your sweet face
seems to haunt my dreams,
My Lilli of the
lamplight,
My own Lilli
Marlene.
LILI
MARLEEN
A poem written by Hans Leip
of Germany in 1915 was turned into this song by Norbert Schultze in
1938, part of his successful musical “Girl Under the Lantern.” It
became a favourite of German soldiers in WW II; its popularity spread
to the Allied troops and soon became their favourite as well, a
curious example of song transcending the hatreds of war. American
troops particularly liked Lilli Marlene as sung by the German-born
actress and singer, Marlene Dietrich. It has resurrected as a hit
song several times since then, in several countries.
Vor
der Kaserne, vor dem grossen Tor,
Stand
eine Laterne, und steht sie noch davor,
So
woll’n wir uns da wiederseh’n,
Bei
der Laterne, woll’n wir steh’n,
Wie
einst, Lili Marleen, wie einst, Lili Marleen.
Unser
beiden Schatten sah’n wie einer aus;
Dass
wir so lieb uns hatten, das sah man gleich daraus.
Und
alle Leute soll’n es sehn,
Wenn
wir bei der Laterne steh’n,
Wie
einst, Lili Marleen, wie einst, Lili Marleen.
Schon
rief der Posten: sie blasen Zapfenstreich;
Es
kann drei Tage kosten—Kam’rad, ich komm ja gleich!
Da
sagten wir auf Wiederseh’n;
Wie
gerne wollt ich mit dir geh’n,
Mit
dir, Lili Marleen! Mit dir, Lili Marleen!
Deine
Schritte kennt sie, deinen zieren Gang,
Alle
Abend brennt sie, doch mich vergass sie lang,
Und
sollte mir ein Leids gescheh’n;
Wer
wird bei der Laterne steh’n,
Mit
dir, Lili Marleen! Mit dir, Lili Marleen!
Aus
dem stillen Raume, aus der Erde Grund,
Hebt
mich wie im Traume dein verliebter Mund.
Wenn
sich die späten Nebel drehn,
Werd’
ich bei der Laterne stehn,
Wie
einst, Lili Marleen, wie einst, Lili Marleen.
HELLO, DOLLY!
The
plot of the 1964 musical Hello,
Dolly!, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, originated in an
1835 English play, A Day Well
Spent, that experienced many incarnations before becoming
the iconic Broadway show of the late Sixties that ran for 2,844
consecutive performances.
Hello Dolly! Well,
hello Dolly!
It’s so nice to
have you back where you belong.
You’re looking
swell, Dolly, we can tell Dolly,
You’re still
glowin’, you’re still crowin’,
you’re
still—goin’ strong!
We felt the room
swayin’, for the band’s playin’,
One of your old
favourite songs from way back when—so . . .
Take her wrap,
fellas, find her an empty lap, fellas,
Dolly’ll never
go away again!
Hello Dolly! Well,
hello Dolly!
It’s so nice to
have you back where you belong.
You’re looking
swell, Dolly, we can tell Dolly,
You’re still
glowin’, you’re still crowin’,
you’re
still—goin’ strong!
We felt the room
swayin’, for the band’s playin’,
One of your old
favourite songs from way back when—so . . .
Golly gee, fellas,
find her an empty knee, fellas,
Dolly’ll never
go away,
Dolly’ll never
go away,
Dolly’ll never
go away again!
OH! SUSANNA
A minstrel song
by famous U.S. composer Stephen Foster, first published 1848. One of
the most popular American songs ever written.
I came from
Alabama wid my banjo on my knee,
I’m g’wan to
Louisiana, my true love for to see.
It rained all
night, the day I left, the weather it was dry,
The sun so hot I
froze to death, Susanna, don’t you cry.
CHORUS:
Oh, Susanna, don’t
you cry for me,
I’ve come from
Alabama wid my banjo on my knee.
I had a dream the
other night, when everything was still,
I thought I saw
Susanna, a-coming down the hill,
The buckwheat cake
was in her mouth, the tear was in her eye,
Say I, I’m
coming from the south, Susanna, don’t you cry.
CHORUS 2X:
VOICE IN THE
SILENCE
© Copyright 1997 by Neall
Calvert
It makes no
difference who you are
Or the years and
the miles you have roamed;
Sooner or later we
all have to start
On the journey
that leads back home;
Even for you there
exists a way
Though there isn’t
a clue where to start;
When it’s dark
as the night and you can’t find the light,
The way out’s
the way in
to your heart.
CHORUS:
There’s a voice
in the silence whispering
To those who are
willing to hear:
“Turn ‘round
and walk the other way,
Your saving grace
is near.”
There’s a voice
in the silence whispering
The words ring out
quiet and clear:
“Turn ‘round,
real life's the other way
With saving grace
that's dear.”
You may think that
life is an easy path
Through meadows
and you cannot fail;
Suddenly there
shines a brighter light—
You’re high on a
perilous trail;
Still you must
keep on walking,
Each soul has its
own destiny;
And when you’re
ready to step from the mind of the crowd,
The Eternal One
sings in your key. CHORUS:
But to live from
your truth is not easy,
For the world is
still waiting to hear,
That the path with
a heart leads to victory
And there can be
an end to fear;
So I say to you,
brothers and sisters,
From someone who’s
been through the dark:
Take body and soul
ever seriously,
The rest you can
treat as a lark. CHORUS:
A PLACE IN THE
SUN
by Ronald Miller and Bryan
Wells; a 1966 soul single by Motown star Stevie Wonder
Like a long,
lonely stream
I keep runnin’
towards a dream,
Movin’ on,
movin’ on;
Like a branch on a
tree
I keep reachin’
to be free,
Movin’ on,
movin’ on.
CHORUS:
‘Cause there’s
a place in the sun
Where there’s
hope for ev’ryone,
Where my poor
restless heart’s gotta run;
There’s a place
in the sun
And before my life
is done
Gonna find me a
place in the sun.
Like an old dusty
road
I get weary from
the load,
Movin’ on,
movin’ on;
Like this tired,
troubled earth
I’ve been
rollin’ since my birth,
Movin’ on,
movin’ on. CHORUS:
[PIANO . . . ]
There’s a place
in the sun
Where there’s
hope for ev’ryone,
Where my poor
restless heart’s gotta run;
There’s a place
in the sun
And before my life
is done,
Gonna find me a
place in the sun.
WHOLE
LOTTA SHAKIN’ GOIN’ ON
Origins disputed, but
credited to Sunny David & Dave Williams. Made Jerry Lee Lewis,
who radically altered the original, an instant sensation in 1957; he
convinced audiences that rock 'n' roll could come from a piano rather
than just guitars. Lewis's version rated by Rolling
Stone magazine #61 top song of all time. In 2005,
permanently preserved at the Library of Congress.
Well, come on over
baby, a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on;
I said, come on
over baby, baby you can’t go wrong;
I ain’t fakin’,
I got a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.
Come on over baby,
we got chicken in the barn . . .
I said, come on
over baby, really got the bull by the horns—ah-hah!
I ain’t fakin, I
got a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.
I said shake it,
baby, shake it;
I said shake it,
baby, shake it;
I said shake,
don’t you let it break, now,
Shake it, shake
it, shake it;
Come on over, a
whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on. [PIANO . . . ]
Come on over,
baby, we got chicken in the barn
Whose barn, what
barn, my barn;
Come on over baby,
really got the bull by the horns—ah-hah!
I ain’t fakin’,
I got a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.
(QUIETER:)
I said shake it, baby, shake it;
I said shake it,
baby, shake it;
I said shake,
don’t you let it break, now,
Shake it, shake
it, shake it;
Come on over,
whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.
(LOUDER:)
Well shake it, baby, shake it;
I said shake it,
baby, shake it;
I said shake,
don’t you let it break now,
Shake it, shake
it, shake it;
Come on over,
whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.
WHO WILL BUY?
Music and lyrics by Lionel
Bart, from the musical Oliver!,
based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver
Twist, that debuted in London's West End in 1960
Who will buy this
wonderful morning?
Such a sky you
never did see.
Who will tie it up
with a ribbon,
And put it in a
box for me?
So I can see it at
my leisure,
Whenever things go
wrong;
And I would keep
it as a treasure
To last my whole
life long.
CHORUS:
Who will buy this
wonderful feeling?
I’m so high, I
swear I could fly.
Me oh my, I don’t
want to lose it,
So what am I to
do,
To keep the sky so
blue?
There must be
someone who will buy.
Who will buy this
wonderful morning?
Such a sky you
never did see.
Who will tie it up
with a ribbon,
And put it in a
box for me?
There’ll never
be a day so sunny,
It could not
happen twice.
Where is the man
with all the money?
It’s cheap at
half the price! CHORUS:
Who will buy this
morning of mornings?
Makes you feel
you’re walking on air.
Ev’ry tree and
flower is singing:
How fortunate are
we,
To be alive to
see,
The dawning of a
day so fair!
WHEN IRISH EYES
ARE SMILING
Words by Olcott and Graff,
Jr.; music by Ball; for the musical The
Isle O'Dreams. Published in 1912, a time when many songs
romanticizing Ireland appeared in Great Britain and the U.S. This is
the chorus.
When Irish eyes
are smiling,
Sure it’s like a
morn in spring;
In the lilt of
Irish laughter
You can hear the
angels sing.
When Irish hearts
are happy,
All the world
seems bright and gay;
And when Irish
eyes are smiling,
Sure they steal
your heart away.
TODAY
Written in 1964
by Randy Sparks, founder of The New Christy Minstrels; also
popularized by John Denver.
CHORUS:
Today while the
blossoms still cling to the vine,
I’ll taste your
strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine;
A million
tomorrows shall all pass away,
‘Ere I forget
all the joy that is mine today.
Oh, I’ll be a
dandy and I’ll be a rover,
You’ll know who
I am by the song that I sing;
I’ll feast at
your table, I’ll sleep in your clover;
Who cares what the
morrow shall bring?
CHORUS:
I can’t be
contented with yesterday’s glory,
I can’t live on
promises, winter to spring;
Today is my moment
and now is my story;
I’ll laugh and
I’ll cry and I’ll sing.
CHORUS:
THE GLORY OF
LOVE
Written
in 1936 by Billy Hill; covered by many famous singers, including
Bette Midler in the 1988 movie Beaches
You’ve got to
give a little, take a little,
And let your big
heart break a little;
That’s the story
of, that’s the glory of love.
You’ve got to
laugh a little, cry a little,
Before the clouds
roll by a little;
That’s the story
of, that’s the glory of love.
As long as there’s
the two of us,
We’ve got the
world and all its charms;
And when the world
is through with us,
We’ve got each
other’s arms;
You’ve got to
win a little, lose a little,
And sometimes have
the blues a little;
That’s the story
of, that’s the glory of love.
REPEAT:
“As long as . . .”
SWEET CAROLINE
Written and performed by
Neil Diamond; released in 1969. In 2007, Diamond revealed the
inspiration for the song was a photo of President John F. Kennedy's
daughter Caroline on horseback at age 11. He performed it for her on
her fiftieth birthday in 2007.
[PIANO . . . ]
Where it began . .
. I can’t begin to knowin’,
But then I know
it’s growin’ strong . . .
Was in the spring
. . . and spring became the summer,
Who’d have
believed you’d come along? . . .
Hands . . .
touchin’ hands . . .
Reachin’ out . .
. touchin’ me . . . touchin’ you . . .
Sweet Caroline . .
. good times never seemed so good . . .
I’ve been
inclined . . . to believe they never would,
But . . . now . .
. I . . .
Look at the night
. . . and it don’t seem so lonely,
We fill it up with
only two;
And when I hurt .
. . hurtin’ runs off my shoulders,
How can I hurt
when I’m with you? . . .
Warm . . .
touchin’ warm . . .
Reachin’ out . .
. touchin’ me . . . touchin’ you . . .
Sweet Caroline . .
. good times never seemed so good . . .
I’ve been
inclined . . . to believe they never would,
Oh . . . no . . .
no . . .
Sweet Caroline . .
. good times never seemed so good . . .
I’ve been
inclined . . . to believe they never would.
[PIANO . . . ]
PUT A LITTLE
LOVE
IN YOUR HEART
Written by
Jackie DeShannon and her brother, Randy Myers, and Jimmy Holiday;
originally performed by DeShannon in 1968, it was a major hit for
her, along with her “What the World Needs Now is Love”; covered
extensively.
Think of your
fellow man, lend him a helping hand,
Put a little love
in your heart.
You see it’s
getting late, oh please don’t hesitate,
Put a little love
in your heart.
CHORUS:
And the world will
be a better place,
And the world will
be a better place,
For you, and me,
you just wait and see . . .
Another day goes
by, and still the children cry,
Put a little love
in your heart.
If you want the
world to know, we won’t let hatred grow,
Put a little love
in your heart. CHORUS:
Take a good look
around, and if you’re looking down,
Put a little love
in your heart.
I hope when you
decide, kindness will be your guide,
Put a little love
in your heart. CHORUS:
ENDING:
Put a little love
in your heart.
Put a little love
in your heart.
Put a little love
in your heart.
Put a little love
in y-o-u-r . . . hea-rt!
SILLY SONG
by Geof Morgan,Washington
State folk singer of the 1960s and 1970s
CHORUS:
I’m gonna be
silly . . . take it all willy-nilly;
I’m gonna be a
fool, throw away the rules,
I’m gonna laugh,
when I don’t know.
Yes, I’m gonna
be silly; maybe go dancing on a lily,
And I’m gonna be
laughing with both hands clapping
When it comes my
time to go.
I’m tired of
planning . . . my whole life away;
Be quiet in class!
Keep off the grass!
And you can retire
someday.
That’s a bunch
of baloney—I’m retiring right now;
I’m gonna be a
clown, laugh much too loud,
I’m gonna roll
in the grass with the cows . . . yecchh!
CHORUS:
It’s time for
recess; time to go out and play;
I want to watch a
sunrise, send an Eskimo pies;
Forget about
making it rhyme—who cares!
I’ve swallowed
that time clock, and punched out myself;
I’m gonna Push
on Pull doors, wear chartreuse underdrawers
And give that sad
face to somebody else!
CHORUS: Repeat
last two lines.
SAILING
Written by Gavin Sutherland
in 1972; best performed by Rod Stewart
I am sailing, I am
sailing,
Home again, ‘cross
the sea;
I am sailing,
stormy waters,
To be near you, to
be free.
I am flying, I am
flying,
Like the bird,
‘cross the sky;
I am flying,
passing high clouds,
To be near you, to
be free.
Can you hear me,
can you hear me,
Through the dark
time, far away;
I was crying,
forever trying,
To be near you,
who could say.
[PIANO . . . ]
We are sailing, we
are sailing,
Home again, ‘cross
the sea;
We are sailing,
stormy waters,
To be near you, to
be free;
To be near you, to
be free.
PUT YOUR HAND
IN THE HAND
Written in the early 1970s
by Gene McLellan (also wrote “Snowbird”); first recorded by Anne
Murray; also popularized by the band Ocean.
CHORUS:
Put your hand in
the hand
Of the man who
stilled the water;
Put your hand in
the hand
Of the man who
calmed the sea.
Take a look at
yourself
And-a you can look
at others diff’rently,
By puttin’ your
hand in the hand
Of the man from
Galilee.
Ev’ry time I
look into the holy book
I wanna tremble
(tremble).
When I read about
the part
Where the
carpenter cleared the temple (temple);
For the buyers and
the sellers
Were no diff’rent
fellas
Than what I
profess to be;
And it causes me
pain to know
I’m not the one
I want to be.
CHORUS: Then
repeat last two lines 2X
MY LOVE
Written by Tony Hatch; 1975
international pop hit sung by Petula Clark; translated into and sung in
many languages.
CHORUS:
My love is warmer
than the warmest sunshine,
Softer than a
sigh;
My love is deeper
than the deepest ocean,
Wider than the
sky.
My love is
brighter than the brightest star
That shines every
night above;
And there is
nothing in this world
That can ever
change my love.
Something happened
to my heart the day that I met you;
Something that I
never felt before;
You are always on
my mind no matter what I do;
And every day it
seems that I want you more.
CHORUS:
Once I thought
that love was meant for anyone else but me;
Once I thought
you’d never come my way;
Now it only goes
to show, how wrong we all can be;
For now I have to
tell you every day.
CHORUS 2X,
second time slower:
LOVE CAN BUILD
A BRIDGE
A country ballad by American
mother/daughter singing duo The Judds that became a top country hit
in 1991.
I’d gladly walk
across the desert
With no shoes upon
my feet,
To share with you
the last bite
Of bread I had to
eat;
I would swim out
to save you
In your sea of
broken dreams;
When all your
hopes are sinking,
Let me show you
what love means—
CHORUS:
Love can build a
bridge,
Between your heart
and mine;
Love can build a
bridge—
Don’t you think
it’s time,
Don’t you think
it’s time.
I would whisper
love so loudly
Every heart would
understand,
That love and only
love,
Can join the
tribes of man;
I would give my
heart’s desire,
So that you might
see,
The first step is
to realize,
That it all begins
with you and me—CHORUS:
BRIDGE:
When we stand
together,
It’s our finest
hour;
We can do
anything—anything!
If we keep
believing in the power!
CHORUS: (Repeat
. . . )
DO LORD
Traditional spiritual; verse
lyrics by Alan Magee, late of Vancouver
CHORUS:
Do Lord, oh do
Lord, oh do remember me;
Do Lord, oh do
Lord, oh do remember me;
Do Lord, oh do
Lord, oh do remember me;
Look away beyond
the blue.
I’ve got a song
within my heart
That heaven gave
to me (repeat
1st two lines X3)
Look away beyond
the blue. CHORUS
I will sing my
song for you
If you’ll sing
yours for me (X3)
Look away beyond
the blue. CHORUS
I will sing both
loud and long
‘Cause music
sets me free (X3)
Look away beyond
the blue. CHORUS
I’VE GOT
PEACE LIKE A RIVER
African-American spiritual;
lyrics expanded by Alan Magee, late of Vancouver
SLOW GOSPEL
STYLE, 1st VERSE:
I’ve got peace
like a river,
I’ve got peace
like a river,
I’ve got peace
like a river in my soul;
I’ve got peace
like a river,
I’ve got peace
like a river,
I’ve got peace
like a river in my soul.
I’ve got faith
like a mountain, etc.
I’ve got thanks
overflowing, etc.
I’ve got love
like a fountain, etc.
I’ve got praise
like a fire, etc.
I’ve got joy
never-ending, etc.
Sing one line
of each verse above
SLOWLY:
I’ve got peace
like a river, etc.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
Released by American country
music duo The Judds in 1990; lyrics adapted by N.C. to honour his own
grandparents
A fifty-year-old
photograph stares out from a frame;
And if you look
real close you’ll see our eyes are just the same;
I never met them
face to face, but I still know them well,
From the stories
that my uncles would tell.
Cornelius was a
farmer, he knew how to make things grow;
Johanna vowed
she’d follow him wherever he would go;
As things turned
out they raised seventeen
on a big
Saskatchewan farm;
Well he kept . . .
her . . . fed—and she kept him warm.
CHORUS:
They’re my
guardian angels, and I know they can see
Every step I
take—they are watching over me;
I know where I’m
goin’ cause I know where I come from;
They’re my
guardian angels . . . and I’m their special one.
Sometimes when I’m
tired I feel Cornelius take my arm;
He says, “Keep
a-goin’, music never did a body harm”;
And when I’m
feeling troubled and I don’t know what to do,
Then he whispers,
“Just do your best—we’re awful proud of you.”
CHORUS:
A fifty-year-old
photograph stares out from a frame . . .
And if you look
real close you’ll see, our eyes are just the same.
UNCHAINED
MELODY
Written
by Alex North and Hy Zaret for the 1955 prison film Unchained
(hence the title). Has been recorded hundreds of times, most notably
by the Righteous Brothers in 1965, whose version became a jukebox
standard for the rest of the 20th century.
Oh, my love, my darling,
I’ve hungered for your touch a long, lonely time.
Time goes by so slowly,
And time can do so much . . . are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love,
God speed your love to me!
Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea,
To the open arms of the sea.
Lonely rivers sigh, “Wait for me, wait for me!”
I’ll be coming home, “Wait for me!”
Oh, my love . . . (as above)
Lonely mountains gaze at the stars, at the stars,
Waiting for the dawn of the day.
All alone I gaze at the stars, at the stars,
Dreaming of my love far away.
Oh, my love . . . (as above)
FOREVER YOUNG
Written by Bob Dylan eight
years after he stopped touring and had become a father; appeared on
his 1974 Planet Waves
album; also memorably sung by Joan Baez
May God bless and
keep you always,
May your wishes
all come true;
May you always do
for others
And let others do
for you.
May you build a
ladder to the stars
And climb on every
rung;
May you stay . . .
forever young.
CHORUS:
Forever young,
forever young,
May you stay . . .
forever young.
May you grow up to
be righteous,
May you grow up to be true;
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong;
May you stay forever young. CHORUS:
May you grow up to be true;
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong;
May you stay forever young. CHORUS:
May your hands
always be busy,
May your feet
always be swift;
May you have a
strong foundation
When the winds of
changes shift.
May your heart
always be joyful,
May your song
always be sung;
May you stay . . .
forever young. CHORUS:
[PIANO . . . ]
CHORUS:
HENRY THE
ACCOUNTANT
© by Paul Kaplan, Victoria
(to the tune of “John Henry”)
Henry
was an accountant,
He
worked with a pencil in his hand;
If
you had something that you needed added up,
Then
Henry the Accountant was your man, Lord, Lord,
Henry
the Accountant was your man.
I
said Henry the Accountant was your man, Lord, Lord,
Henry
the Accountant was your man.
When
Henry was a little baby,
He
was sitting on his daddy’s knee;
He
picked up a crayon and a little piece of paper
He
said, “Two plus one equals three, Lord, Lord;
Two
plus one equals three.
Two
plus one equals three, Lord, Lord,
Two
plus one equals three.”
Now
the man who bought the first calculator,
He
thought he was mighty fine.
He
walked up to Henry with a sneer on his lip,
He
said, “Your job is gonna be mine, Lord, Lord,
Your
job is gonna be mine.”
He
said, “Your job is gonna be mine, Lord, Lord
Your
job is gonna to be mine.”
So
Henry stood up and drew his weapon;
He
said, “A man ain’t nothing but a man.
We’ll
have ourselves a race, and I’ll put you in your place,
Or
I’ll die with this pencil in my hand, Lord, Lord,
I’ll
die with this pencil in my hand”
“Oh
I’ll die with this pencil in my hand, Lord, Lord
I’ll
die with this pencil in my hand.”
So each man
grabbed a fifty-pound ledger,
And Henry went to
work with all his might;
Though his hand
was getting cramped, and his shirt was getting damp
He swore he would
not give up the fight, Lord, Lord
He swore he would
not give up the fight.
He swore he would
not give up the fight, Lord, Lord
He swore he would
not give up the fight.
After three long
hours in the battle,
The man with the
machine had moved ahead;
He had Henry beat,
until on the final sheet,
Suddenly his
batteries went dead, Lord, Lord,
Suddenly his
batteries went dead.
When suddenly his
batteries went dead, Lord, Lord,
Suddenly his
batteries went dead.
Henry beat that
calculator,
Now his powers
could never be denied.
But the terrible
strain had been too much for his brain,
And he laid down
his glasses and he died, Lord, Lord;
He laid down his
glasses and he died.
He laid down his
glasses and he died, Lord, Lord
He laid down his
glasses and he died.
They buried Henry
in the graveyard
With his trusty
pencil and his pad.
And when the
cheques don’t clear, they always shed a tear
For the last human
being who could add, Lord, Lord
The last human
being who could add.
The last human
being who could add, Lord, Lord
The last human
being who could add.
Henry was an
accountant,
He worked with a
pencil in his hand.
If you had
something that you needed added up
Then Henry the
Accountant was your man, Lord , Lord,
Henry the
Accountant was your man. . . . SLOWER:
I said Henry the
Accountant was your man, Lord , Lord,
Henry the
Accountant was your man.
GREENSLEEVES
Traditional
English folk song and tune, first registered in London in 1580.
Well-known in Shakespeare's time (Merry
Wives of Windsor, 1602). Commonly believed to be, but
definitely not written by, King Henry VIII.
Alas, my love, you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously
For I have loved you well and
long
Delighting in your company.
CHORUS: Greensleeves was
all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight
Greensleeves was my heart of
gold
And who but my Lady
Greensleeves?
Your vows you’ve broken, like
my heart
Oh, why did you so enrapture
me?
Now I remain in a world apart
But my heart remains in
captivity.
I have been ready at your hand
To grant whatever you would
crave
I have both wagered life and
land
Your love and good-will for to
have.
If you intend thus to disdain
It does the more enrapture me
And even so, I still remain
A lover in captivity.
My men were clothèd all in
green
And they did ever wait on thee
All this was gallant to be seen
And yet thou wouldst not love
me.
Thou couldst desire no earthly
thing
But still thou hadst it
readily.
Thy music still to play and
sing
And yet thou wouldst not love
me.
Well, I will pray to God on
high / That thou my constancy mayst see
And that yet once before I die
/ Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me.
Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell,
adieu / To God I pray to prosper thee
For I am still thy lover true /
Come once again and love me.
PUFF (The Magic
Dragon)
Written by Leonard Lipton
and Peter Yarrow. Lipton was inspired by an Ogden Nash poem, “Custard
the Dragon.” Recorded by Peter's group Peter, Paul & Mary in
1963. Has achieved worldwide popularity. Has had to be frequently
defended regarding drug-reference lyrics. There are none.
Puff, the magic
dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in
the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee;
Little Jackie
Paper loved that rascal Puff,
And brought him
strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff—Oh!
CHORUS: Puff,
the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in
the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee;
Puff, the magic
dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in
the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.
Together they
would travel on a boat with billowed sail;
Jackie kept a
lookout perched on Puff’s gigantic tail,
Noble kings and
princes would bow whene’er they came,
Pirate ships would
lower their flag when Puff roared out his name. Oh!
CHORUS:
A dragon lives
forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and
giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it
happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that
mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.
His head was bent
in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer
went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his
life-long friend, Puff could not be brave,
So Puff that
mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. Oh!
CHORUS: FIRST
HALF SOFTLY, then LOUDLY . . .
ROCK AND ROLL
MUSIC
1957 hit single written and
recorded by rock 'n' roll icon Chuck Berry. Covered by The Beatles
(John Lennon singing), the Beach Boys, and many others. #128 on
Rolling Stone
magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. One of the songs that
shaped rock and roll.
[PIANO . . .]
CHORUS:
Just let me hear
some of that
Rock And Roll
Music,
Any old way you
choose it;
It’s got a back
beat, you can’t lose it,
Any old time you
use it.
It’s gotta be
Rock And Roll Music,
If you want to
dance with me,
If you want to
dance with me.
I’ve got no kick
against modern jazz,
Unless they try to
play it too damn fast;
And change the
beauty of the melody,
Until they sound
just like a symphony.
That’s why I go
for that Rock And Roll Music... CHORUS:
I took my loved
one over ‘cross the tracks
So she can hear my
man a-wail a sax;
I must admit they
have a rockin’ band,
Man they were
going like a hurricane,
That’s why I go
for that Rock and Roll Music...
CHORUS:
Don’t care to
hear ‘em play a tango,
I’m in the mood
to dig a mambo;
It’s way to
early for a congo,
So keep a rockin’
that piano,
So I can hear some
of that Rock And Roll Music...
CHORUS:
THAT’LL BE
THE DAY
Written by Buddy Holly and
Jerry Allison in 1956. The title comes from the phrase they heard
used repeatedly by actor John Wayne in a world-weary way in the movie
The Searchers.
Recorded by The Quarrymen (precursor to The Beatles) as a 'demo disc
only' in 1958; that's now considered one of the most valuable
recordings ever.
CHORUS:
Well, that’ll be
the day, when you say good-bye,
Yes, that’ll be
the day, when you make me cry.
Ah, you say you’re
gonna leave—you know it’s a lie,
‘Cause that’ll
be the day . . . when I die!
Well, you give me
all your lovin’ and your . . . turtle dovin’, all
Your hugs and
kisses and your money too,
Well, you know you
love me baby, until you tell me, maybe,
That some day,
well, I’ll be through . . . CHORUS
When Cupid shot
his dart, he shot it at your heart,
So if we ever part
and I leave you
You say you told
me and you . . . told me boldly—
That someday,
well, I’ll be through . . . CHORUS
2X
YELLOW
SUBMARINE
Written in 1966 by Paul
McCartney as a children's song to be sung by Ringo Starr. John Lennon
and Donovan helped with the lyrics, and many others helped with the
sound effects. An animated film followed in 1968.
In the town where
I was born
Lived a man who
sailed the sea;
And he told us of
his life
In the land of
submarines.
So we sailed up to
the sun
Till we found the
sea of green;
And we lived
beneath the waves
In our yellow
submarine.
CHORUS:
We all lived in a
yellow submarine,
A yellow
submarine, a yellow submarine;
We all lived in a
yellow submarine,
A yellow
submarine, a yellow submarine.
And our friends
are all aboard;
Many more of them
live next door.
And the band
begins to play [PIANO]
.
. . CHORUS:
As we live the
life of ease
Everyone of us has
all we need;
Sky of blue and
sea of green,
In our yellow
submarine.
CHORUS (2X):
HEY JUDE
Written in 1968 by Paul
McCartney for John Lennon’s first son, Julian; he wrote it while on
a motor trip to visit John's ex-wife, Cynthia, and Julian, to keep in
touch during the divorce proceedings that led out of John's affair
with Yoko Ono. The top-selling single of the 1960s; #8 on Rolling
Stones magazine's Top 500 Songs. John considered it Paul's
masterpiece.
Hey Jude, don’t
make it bad.
Take a sad song
and make it better.
Remember to let
her into your heart,
Then you can start
to make it better.
Hey Jude, don’t
be afraid.
You were made to
go out and get her.
The minute you let
her under your skin,
Then you begin to
make it better.
And anytime you
feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain,
Don’t carry the
world upon your shoulders.
For well you know
that it’s a fool who plays it cool
By making his
world a little colder.
Hey Jude, don’t
let me down.
You have found
her, now go and get her.
Remember to let
her into your heart,
Then you can start
to make it better.
So let it out and
let it in, hey Jude, begin,
You’re waiting
for someone to perform with.
And don’t you
know that it’s just you, hey Jude, you’ll do,
The movement you
need is on your shoulder.
Hey Jude, don’t
make it bad.
Take a sad song
and make it better.
Remember to let
her under your skin,
Then you’ll
begin to make it
Better, better,
better, better, better, better, ahhhhh!
Da,da, da,
da-da-da-da—da-da-da-da, hey Jude . . . .
WALTZING
MATILDA
Written in 1895 by
Australian poet and nationalist Banjo Paterson. To go“Waltzing
Matilda” means to go travelling on foot with one's goods wrapped in
a Matilda or bag and carried over the shoulder. There are more
recordings of this than any other Australian song. Not the Australian
national anthem, but it almost was. However, unofficially it is used
as such, and is a fixture at Australian sporting matches.
Once a jolly
swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of
a coolibah tree,
*And he sang as he
sat and waited while his billy boiled,
You’ll come
a-waltzing Matilda with me.
CHORUS:
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
You’ll come
a-waltzing Matilda with me.
(*Repeat last two
lines of verse.)
Down came a
jumbuck to drink at the billabong,
Up jumped the
swagman, grabbed him with glee,
*And he sang as he
shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag:
You’ll come
a-waltzing Matilda with me. CHORUS
Down came the
squatter mounted on his thoroughbred,
Up came the
troopers—one, two, three!
*Where’s that
jolly jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker bag?
You’ll come a
waltzing Matilda with me. CHORUS
Up jumped the
swagman, sprang into the billabong,
You’ll never
catch me alive! said he.
*And his ghost may
be heard as you pass by that billabong:
You’ll come
a-waltzing Matilda with me. CHORUS
GLOSSARY:
swagman: tramp;
billabong:
waterhole; coolibah:
Australian tree; billy:
can to heat water for tea; waltzing
Matilda: slang for
carrying a blanket roll; jumbuck:
sheep; tuckerbag:
knapsack; squatter:
rancher; trooper:
sheriff.
THOSE WERE THE
DAYS
Lyrics by Gene Raskin in the
early 1960s, set to a classic Russian folk tune; made famous by the
Limeliters and then Mary Hopkin in 1968, produced by Paul McCartney
on The Beatles' Apple label. Mary Hopkin was still singing and
recording in 2011. Lyrics slightly altered by N.C. to give a more
hopeful tone.
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 think of all
the great things we would do . . .
CHORUS: Those
were the days, my friend,
We thought they’d
never end,
We’d sing and
dance forever 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.
Then the busy
years went 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 . . . CHORUS:
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 lovely
woman really me? CHORUS:
Through the door
there came familiar laughter;
I saw your face
and heard you call my name;
Oh, my friend,
we’re older but much wiser,
And in our hearts
the dreams are still the same . . .
CHORUS: . . .
(replace last line):
Those were the
days—oh yes, those were the days!
DANNY BOY
Written by
English songwriter Frederic Weatherley in 1910 and set to the Irish
tune “Londonderry Air” three years later. Became famous very
quickly; first recorded in 1915; then by many well-known singers into
present day. Unofficial anthem of the Irish diaspora in Canada and
the U.S.A.
Oh, Danny boy, the
pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen
and down the mountainside;
The summer’s
gone, and all the roses falling;
It’s you, it’s
you . . . must go and I must bide.
But come ye back
when summer’s in the meadow;
Or when the
valley’s hushed and white with snow . . .
It’s I’ll be
here, in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh Danny boy, oh
Danny boy, I love you so!
But when ye come,
and all the flow’rs are dying,
If I am dead, as
dead I well may be;
Ye’ll come and
find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say
an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear,
though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave
will warmer, sweeter be;
For you will bend
. . . and tell me that you love me,
And
I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.
ODE
TO JOY
Written
by German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller in 1785;
best known as the lyrics to the final movement of Ludwig van
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, written in 1815. Adopted as the anthem of
the Council of Europe / European Union in 1972.
Brothers sing your
country's anthem,
Shout your land's
undying theme;
Light the wondrous
tale of nations
With your people's
golden dream.
Tell your father's
noble story,
Raise on high your
country's sign;
Join them in the
lasting glory,
Brother lift your
flag with mine.
Build the road of
peace before us,
Build it wide and
deep and long;
Speed the slow and
check the eager,
Help the weak and
claim the strong.
None shall push
aside another,
None shall let
another fall—
March beside me,
oh my brothers,
All for one and
one . . . for . . . all!
BONY MORONIE
Written in 1957 and
performed by Larry Williams; covered by many other artists.
I’ve got a girl
named Bony Moronie . . .
She’s as skinny
as a stick of macaroni . . .
You ought to see
her dancing with her blue jeans on . . .
She’s not very
fat, just skin and bone . . .
CHORUS:
Well now, I love
her, and she loves me,
Oh, how happy now
we’re gonna be
Makin’ love
underneath the apple tree.
Well I told her
momma and her papa, too . . .
Just exactly what
I’m gonna do . . .
I’m gonna get
married on a night in June . . .
Rock
‘n’ roll by the light of the silvery moon . . . CHORUS
[PIANO . . . ]
Well she’s my
one and only she’s my heart’s desire . . .
She’s a real
upsetter, she’s a real live wire . . .
Everybody’s
watchin’ when my baby walks by . . .
She’s
so good lookin’ really catches the eye . . . CHORUS,
2X
BRING IT ON
HOME TO ME
1962
soul song written and recorded by R & B singer Sam Cooke. Covered
by many top artists. Considered by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to
be one of the 500 songs that formed rock and roll.
Well, if you ever
change your mind
About leaving,
leaving me behind;
Oh-oh, bring it to
me, bring your sweet loving,
Bring it on home
to me, oh yeah, oh yeah . . .
You know I
laughed, when you left,
But now I know
I’ve only hurt myself;
Oh-oh, bring it to
me, bring your sweet loving,
Bring it on home
to me, oh yeah, oh yeah . . .
I’ll give you
jewelry, money too,
And that’s not
all, all I’ll do for you;
Oh-oh, bring it to
me, bring your sweet loving,
Bring it on home
to me, oh yeah, oh yeah . . .
[PIANO . . . ]
Well, if you ever
change your mind
About leaving,
leaving me behind;
Oh-oh, bring it to
me, bring your sweet loving,
Bring it on home
to me, oh yeah, oh yeah. . . .
CONSIDER
YOURSELF
Written and composed by
Lionel Bart (who could neither read nor write music), from the 1960
musical Oliver!,
based on the Charles
Dickens novel Oliver Twist. First British musical to successfully
translate to Broadway. Became the standard musical produced in
British schools. Maintains its popularity to the present day.
Consider yourself
at home, consider yourself one of the family;
I’ve taken to
you so strong—it’s clear we’re going to get along!
Consider yourself
well in, consider yourself part of the furniture;
There isn’t a
lot to spare,
Who cares? What .
. . ever we’ve got we share!
If it should
chance to be we should see some harder days,
Empty larder
days—why grouse?
Always a chance
we’ll meet somebody to foot the bill,
Then the drinks
are on the house!
Consider yourself
our mate, we don’t want to have no fuss;
For after some
consideration, we can state:
Consider
yourself—one of us!
Consider yourself
at home, consider yourself one of the family;
I’ve taken to
you so strong, it’s clear we’re going to get along!
Consider yourself
well in; consider yourself part of the furniture.
There isn’t a
lot to spare,
Who cares?
What-ever we’ve got we share!
Nobody tries to be
lah-di-dah and uppity,
There’s a cup of
tea for all.
Only it’s wise
to be handy wiv a rolling pin,
When the landlord
comes to call!
Consider yourself
our mate, we don’t want to have no fuss;
For after some
consideration, we can state:
Consider
yourself—one of us!
BLUE SKIES
Composed
by Irving Berlin in 1926 as a last-minute addition to the Rodgers &
Hart musical Betsy.
The musical lasted just 39 performances, but this song, by audience
demand, received 24 encores on opening night. On the last repetition,
the performer forgot the words and Irving Berlin, sitting in the
front row of the audience, took over.
Blue skies smiling
at me,
Nothing but blue
skies, do I see.
Bluebirds singing
a song,
Nothing but
bluebirds all day long.
Never saw the sun
shining so bright,
Never saw things
going so right;
Noticing the days
hurrying by,
When you’re in
love, my how they fly
Blue days, all of
them gone,
Nothing but blue
skies from now on.
REPEAT ALL,
then last two lines once again.
WONDERFUL
WORLD
Written
by Bob Thiele & George David Weiss in the 1960s to help ease
tensions during the Vietnam War and the civil-rights struggles in the
U.S. First recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967 (that recording was
inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999). Covered by many top
artists.
I see trees of
green, red roses too;
I see them bloom
for me and you;
And I think to
myself . . . what a wonderful world!
I see skies of
blue, and clouds of white;
The bright blessed
day, the dark sacred night;
And I think to
myself . . . what a wonderful world!
The colours of the
rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the
faces of the people goin’ by;
I see friends
shakin’ hands, sayin’ “How do you do.”
They’re really
sayin’, “I love you.”
I hear babies cry;
I watch them grow;
They’ll learn
much more than I’ll ever know;
And I think to
myself . . . what a wonderful world!
The colours of the
rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the
faces of the people goin’ by;
I see friends
shakin’ hands, sayin’: “How do you do.”
They’re really
sayin’, “I love you.”
I hear babies cry;
I watch them grow;
They’ll learn
much more than I’ll ever know;
And I think to
myself . . . what a wonderful world!
Yes, I think to
myself . . . what a wonderful world!
I
CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
Written
and recorded by Johnny Nash in 1972. #1 hit song covered by many
artists throughout the years, including Jamaican reggae star Jimmy
Cliff in 1993 for Cool Runnings,
a film about the Jamaican bobsled team at the 1988 Calgary Winter
Olympics.
I
can see clearly now the rain is gone;
I
can see all obstacles in my way;
Gone
are the dark clouds that had me blind;
It’s
gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.
Oh
yes I can make it now the pain has gone;
All
of the bad feelings have disappeared;
Here
is the rainbow I’ve been praying for;
It’s
gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day;
CHORUS:
Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies;
Look
straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies . . .
I
can see clearly now the rain is gone;
I
can see all obstacles in my way;
Here
is the rainbow I’ve been praying for;
It’s
gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day.
CHORUS:
Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies;
Look
straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies . . .
I
can see clearly now the rain is gone;
I
can see all obstacles in my way;
Here
is the rainbow I’ve been praying for;
It’s gonna be a
bright, bright sunshiny day;
It’s gonna be a
bright, bright sunshiny day.
It’s gonna be a
bright, bright sunshiny day;
It’s gonna be a
bright, bright sunshiny day.
STAND BY ME
Originally
recorded by Ben E. King; written by King and Jerry Leiber and Mike
Stoller, who wrote many of Elvis Presley's first hits. Has been
covered more than 400 times. #122 on Rolling
Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Hits of All Time. The
fourth-most-performed song of the 20th
century, according to BMI.
[PIANO . . .]
When the night has
come—and the land is dark,
And the moon is
the only light we see;
No I won’t be
afraid, no I won’t be afraid,
Just as long as
you stand, stand by me.
CHORUS:
And darlin’,
darlin’, stand by me,
Oh now, now stand
by me;
Stand by me, stand
by me, stand by me.
If the sky, that
we look upon—should tumble and fall,
And the mountains
should crumble to the sea;
I won’t cry, I
won’t cry, no I won’t shed a tear,
Just as long as
you stand, stand by me.
CHORUS:
[PIANO . . .]
Whenever you’re
in trouble you can stand by me;
Oh now, now stand
by me,
Stand by me, stand
by me, stand by me.
CHORUS:
IMAGINE
John Lennon's most iconic
composition, written at his home in 1971, inspired by poems by Yoko
Ono and a Christian prayer book given him by entertainer Dick
Gregory. One of the most played songs of the 20th century;
#3 on Rolling Stone
magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Times. (#1 is Bob Dylan's “Like
A Rolling Stone” and #2 is The Rolling Stones' (I Can't Get No)
Satisfaction.)
Imagine there’s
no heaven; it’s easy if you try.
—No hell below
us; above us only sky.
Imagine all the
people, living for today,
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah . .
.
Imagine there’s
no country; it isn’t hard to do.
Nothing to kill or
die for, and no religion too.
Imagine all the
people living life in peace,
You-ou-ou-ou-ou .
. .
CHORUS:
You might say I’m
a dreamer,
But I’m not the
only one.
And I hope someday
you’ll join us,
And the world will
be as one.
Imagine no
possessions, I wonder if you can.
No need for greed
or hunger; a brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the
people sharing all the world,
You-ou-ou-ou-ou .
. .
CHORUS:
(HUM FIRST HALF
OF VERSE)
Imagine all the
people, sharing all the world.
You-ou-ou-ou-ou .
. .
CHORUS:
A WHITER SHADE
OF PALE
Written
to a Bach-inspired melody by Matthew Fisher, Keith Reid and Jerry
Brooker; recorded by their band, Procol Harum, in 1971 and
immediately became a #1 hit. One of the most played songs in Britain.
More than 1,000 recorded cover versions are known. #57 on Rolling
Stone magazine's Greatest 500 Songs of All Time.
[PIANO . . .]
We skipped the
light fandango
Turned cartwheels
‘cross the floor
I was feeling kind
of seasick . . .
But the crowd
called out for more.
The room was
humming harder
As the ceiling
flew away
When we called out
for ano-ther dri-i-ink
The waiter brought
a tray.
And so it was that
la-a-ater
As the miller told
his tale—
That her face, at
first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter
shade of pale. [PIANO . . . ]
She said, “There
is no reason
And the truth is
plain to see,”
But I wandered
through my playing cards
And would not let
her be
One of sixteen
vestal virgins—
Who were leaving
for the coast.
And although my
eyes were open
They might just as
well’ve been closed
And so it was that
la-a-ater
As the miller told
his tale—
That her face, at
first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter
shade of pale. [PIANO . . .]
And so it was . .
.
LET IT BE
Written
by Paul McCartney, released by The Beatles in 1970. Inspired by a
dream Paul had during the tense times recording the White Album. In
the dream, he had a conversation with his mother, Mary, who had died
when he was 14; “It will be all right; just let it be,” she had
said, he later reported. It's the favourite Beatle song of fans,
winner of Grammy and Academy Awards, and widely considered to be one
of the greatest songs of all time (though John Lennon didn't like it
much). Rolling Stone:
#20 of top 500.
When
I find myself in times of trouble
Mother
Mary comes to me,
Speaking
words of wisdom: Let it be.
And
in my hour of darkness
She
is standing right in front of me,
Speaking
words of wisdom: Let it be.
Let
it be, let it be, let it be, let it be;
Whisper
words of wisdom: Let it be.
And
when the broken-hearted people
Living
in the world agree,
There
will be an answer: Let it be.
For
though they may be parted
There
is still a chance that they will see,
There
will be an answer: Let it be.
Let
it be, let it be, let it be, let it be;
Yeah,
there will be an answer: Let it be.
Let
it be, let it be, let it be, let it be;
Whisper
words of wisdom: Let it be.
And
when the night is cloudy
There
is still a light that shines on me;
Shine
until tomorrow: Let it be;
I
wake up to the sound of music,
Mother
Mary comes to me,
Speaking
words of wisdom: Let it be.
Let
it be, let it be, let it be, let it be;
Oh,
there will be an answer: Let it be.
Let
it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be;
Whisper
words of wisdom: Let it be.
Sunrise, Sunset
From the 1964 musical (and 1971 film) Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, based on life in Tsarist Russia in the 1894 book Tevye and His Daughters by Sholom Aleichem. First Broadway musical to surpass 3,000 performances; winner of nine Tony awards. The Fiddler (based on a Marc Chagall painting), is a metaphor for survival in uncertain times through (Jewish) tradition and joyfulness.
Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don’t remember growing older, when did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn’t it yesterday when they were small?
CHORUS:
Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset;
Swiftly flow the days;
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflow’rs,
Blossoming even as we gaze.
Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset;
Swiftly fly the years;
One season following another,
Laden with happiness and tears.
Now is the little
boy a bridegroom;
Now is the little
girl a bride;
Under the canopy I
see them, side by side.
Place the gold
ring around her finger;
Share the sweet
wine and break the glass;
Soon the full
circle will have come to pass.
CHORUS:
HOW COULD
ANYONE
This song –
words and music by Libby Roderick, 1988 – has been translated
into many languages, reprinted in numerous books (including Hometown
by Pulitzer Prize–winner Tracy Kidder), sung at a UN Conference in
Beijing by thousands of NGO representatives, and used in every
conceivable format in hospitals, prisons, kindergartens, marches,
peace gatherings, weddings, funerals and shelters. In 2005, CNN
newsman Anderson Cooper did a special segment on Libby and the
worldwide healing impact of the song. Turtle Island Records receives
hundreds of letters from listeners describing healing uses of the
song worldwide.
[ From www.libbyroderick.com/cd_new.html ]
[ From www.libbyroderick.com/cd_new.html ]
How could anyone
ever tell you,
You were anything
less than beautiful;
How could anyone
ever tell you
You were less than
whole;
How could anyone
fail to notice
That your loving
is a miracle—
How deeply you’re
connected to my soul.
REPEAT:
[PIANO . . . ]
REPEAT:
THIS LITTLE
LIGHT
OF MINE
Gospel
children's song written by Harry Dixon Loes, 1920. Based on words
from the New Testament: “You are the light of the world” and “Let
your light shine before men.”
This little light
of mine, I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let
it shine, let it shine!
Everywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let
it shine, let it shine!
Put it under a
bushel?—no! I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let
it shine, let it shine!
Ain’t nobody
gonna “whoof” it out, I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let
it shine, let it shine!
SLOWER:
Monday, he gave
the gift of love;
Tuesday, peace
came from above;
Wednesday, told me
to have more faith;
Thursday, gave me
a little more grace;
Friday, told me to
watch and pray;
Saturday told me
just what to say;
Sunday, gave me
the power divine
To let my little
light shine!
This little light
of mine, I’m gonna let it shine (3X)
Let it shine, let
it shine, let it shine!
Let it shine, let
it shine, let it shine!
ANNIE’S SONG
Recorded by
singer-songwriter John Denver in 1974,“Annie's Song” immediately
became a #1 hit in the U.S. According to Denver, he had just skied
down a difficult run at Aspen and was immersed in the beauty and
colours of the world around him as he sat on the chairlift, and wrote
it in about ten minutes. Annie, his wife at that time, for whom it
was written, said, “John
and I had gone through a pretty intense time together and things were
pretty good for us. He left to go skiing and he got on the Ajax chair
and the song just came to him.”
You fill up my
senses, like a night in a forest,
Like the mountains
in spring time, like a walk in the rain.
Like a storm in
the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean,
You fill up my
senses, come fill me again.
Come let me love
you, let me give my life to you,
Let me drown in
your laughter, let me die in your arms.
Let me lay down
beside you, let me always be with you,
Come let me love
you, come love me again.
You fill up my
senses, like a night in a forest,
Like the mountains
in springtime, like a walk in the rain.
Like a storm in
the desert, like a sleepy blue ocean,
You fill up my
senses, come fill me again.
BLUE MOON
Written by Rodgers and Hart
in 1934, on Hart's third complete new attempt at lyrics for this
tune. Covered by many great artists through the years including
Billie Holiday, Mel Torme, Elvis Presley (on his first album) and Bob
Dylan. The 1961 doo-wop version by the Marcels made it to the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped rock and
roll.
Blue moon, you saw
me standing alone
Without a dream in
my heart
Without a love of
my own.
Blue moon, you
knew just what I was there for
You heard me
saying a prayer for
Someone I really
could care for.
And then there
suddenly appeared before me
The only one my
arms will ever hold
I heard somebody
whisper, “Please adore me,”
And when I looked,
the moon had turned to gold!
Blue moon, now I’m
no longer alone
Without a dream in
my heart,
Without a love of
my own.
REPEAT ALL:
THE WIND
BENEATH MY
WINGS
Written by Jeff
Silbar and Larry Henley, 1982. Became a top country hit for Gary
Morris in 1983, then a contemporary hit for Bette Midler in 1989 as a
single from the soundtrack for the film Beaches;
won two Grammy Awards in 1990. An international top-seller covered by
many artists.
It must have been
cold there in my shadow—
To never have
sunlight on your face;
You’ve been
content to let me shine;
You always walked
one step behind.
I was the one with
all the glory;
While you were the
one with all the strength;
Only a face
without a name;
I never once heard
you complain . . .
CHORUS:
Did you ever know
that you’re my hero;
And everything I’d
like to be?
I can fly higher
than an eagle—
‘Cause you are
the wind beneath my wings.
It might have
appeared to go unnoticed,
That I’ve got it
all here in my heart;
I want you to know
I know the truth—
I would be nothing
without you . . .
CHORUS, then
add:
You are the wind
beneath my wings.
BYE, BYE,
BLACKBIRD
Mort Dixon and
Ray Henderson, 1926. Several commentators state that the lyrics are
about a prostitute leaving the business to go home to her mother.
Covered throughout the years by many top artists, more recently by
Diana Krall (movie Public
Enemies, 2009), Ringo Starr (Sentimental
Journey, 1970) and Paul McCartney (Kisses
on the Bottom, 2012).
Pack up all my
care and woe,
Here I go, singing
low;
Bye, bye
blackbird.
Where somebody
waits for me,
Sugar’s sweet,
so is she—
Bye, bye
blackbird.
No one here can
love and understand me,
Oh, what hard-luck
stories they all hand me;
Make my bed and
light the light,
I’ll arrive late
tonight—
Blackbird . . .
bye bye.
REPEAT ALL:
MORNING HAS
BROKEN
Christian hymn, lyrics by
Eleanor Farjeon, 1931; made famous by Cat Stevens, 1971. Familiar
piano arrangement is by Rick Wakeman of later Yes fame, who was not
credited or paid till decades afterwards. Covered by many top artists
including Judy Collins, Roger Whittaker, Kenny Rogers, and the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir.
Morning has
broken, like the first morning;
Blackbird has
spoken, like the first bird;
Praise for the
singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for them
springing, fresh from the word.
Sweet the rain’s
new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first
dewfall, on the first grass;
Praise for the
sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in
completeness, where his feet pass.
Mine is the
sunlight, mine is the morning;
Born of the one
light, Eden saw play;
Praise with
elation, praise ev’ry morning,
God’s
re-creation of the new day.
[PIANO . . .]
Morning has
broken, like the first morning;
Blackbird has
spoken, like the first bird;
Praise for the
singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for them
springing, fresh from the word.
‘TIS A GIFT
TO BE SIMPLE
Shaker dance
song composed by Elder Joseph Brackett, 1848; popularized by American
composer Aaron Copland in his ballet and orchestral suite Appalachian
Spring, 1944. Ballet music was winner of the 1945 Pulitzer
Prize for Music.
Tis a gift to be
simple, tis a gift to be free,
Tis a gift to come
down where we ought to be;
And when we find
ourselves in the place that is right
It will be in the
valley of love and delight.
When true
simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend
we shall not be ashamed;
To turn, turn,
turn will be our delight
Till by turning,
turning we come ‘round right.
MAXWELL’S
SILVER HAMMER
Released on the Abbey
Road album in
1969 by The Beatles. A crotchety Paul McCartney coyly has his
character Maxwell bash in the heads of anyone who disagrees with him.
“The
song merely epitomizes the downfalls of life,” said Sir Paul much
later. “It's my analogy for when something goes wrong out of the
blue, as it so often does, as I was beginning to find out at that
time in my life. I wanted something symbolic of that.”
Joan was
quizzical, studied metaphysical
Science in the
home; late nights all alone with a test-tube
Ohh-oh-oh-oh. . .
.
Maxwell Edison
majoring in medicine
Calls her on the
phone
“Can I take you
out to the pictures, Jo-o-o-oan?”
But as she’s
getting ready to go,
A knock comes on
the door . . .
Bang, bang,
Maxwell’s silver hammer / Came down upon her head;
Bang, bang,
Maxwell’s silver hammer / Made sure that she was dead.
Back in school
again, Maxwell plays the fool again
Teacher gets
annoyed
Wishing to avoid
an unpleasant sce-e-e-ene;
She tells Max to
stay when the class has gone away
So he waits
behind,
Writing 50 times
“I must not be so-oh-oh-oh . . .”
But when she turns
her back on the boy,
He creeps up from
behind . . .
Bang, bang,
Maxwell’s silver hammer
Came down upon her
head;
Bang, bang,
Maxwell’s silver hammer
Made
sure that she was dead. . . [PIANO]
. . .
B.C. Thirty-One
said, “We caught a dirty one.”
Maxwell stands
alone,
Painting
testimonial pictures ohh-oh-oh-oh;
Rose and Valerie
screaming from the gallery
Say he must go
free;
The judge does not
agree and he tells them so-o-o-oo . . .
But as the words
are leaving his lips, / A noise comes from behind . . .
Bang, bang,
Maxwell’s silver hammer / Came down upon his head;
Bang, Bang,
Maxwell’s silver hammer / Made sure that he was dead.
OCTOPUS’S
GARDEN
By The Beatles, from Abbey
Road, released in 1969. Written by Richard Starkey (Ringo
Starr), his last song to be recorded by The Beatles. The idea came
while Ringo was at Sardinia on Peter Sellers' sailboat. After a meal
of squid and chips, the captain explained how octopuses gather up
stones and shiny objects from the sea bed, with which they make
gardens.
I’d like to be
under the sea
In an octopus’s
garden in the shade;
He’d let us in,
knows where we’ve been
In his octopus’s
garden in the shade.
I’d ask my
friends to come and see
My octopus’s
garden with me.
I’d like to be
under the sea
In an octopus’s
garden in the shade.
We would be warm
below the storm
In our little
hideaway beneath the waves;
Resting our head
on the sea bed
In an octopus’s
garden near a cave;
We would sing and
dance around
Because we know we
can’t be found.
I’d like to be
under the sea
In an octopus’s
garden in the shade.
We would shout and
swim about
The coral that
lies beneath the waves;
Oh what joy for
every girl and boy
Knowing they’re
happy and they’re safe.
We would be so
happy you and me
No one there to
tell us what to do.
I’d like to be
under the sea
In an octopus’s
garden with you.
In an octopus’s
garden with you.
In an octopus’s
garden with you.
WHEN I’M
SIXTY-FOUR
Written by Paul McCartney
when he was 16, but not released until the Sgt
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
album in 1967. “Paul
wrote it in the Cavern
days,” said John Lennon. “We just stuck a few more words on it
like 'grandchildren on your knee' and 'Vera, Chuck and Dave'.”
Paul's father's 64th
birthday in '67 may have triggered its release. Paul's children
recorded the song at Abbey Road Studios and presented it to him on
his own 64th
birthday.
When
I get older losing my hair, / Many years from now.
Will
you still be sending me a valentine,
Birthday
greetings bottle of wine?
If
I’d been out till quarter to three,
Would
you lock the door?
Will
you still need me, will you still feed me,
When
I’m sixty-four. . . .
I
could be handy, mending a fuse
When
your lights have gone.
You
can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday
mornings go for a ride.
Doing
the garden, digging the weeds,
Who
could ask for more?
Will
you still need me, will you still feed me,
When
I’m sixty-four.
Every
summer we can rent a cottage
In
the Isle of Wight, if it’s not too dear;
We
shall scrimp and save . . .
.
. . Grandchildren on your knee: Vera, Chuck and Dave. [PIANO]
. . .
Send
me a postcard, drop me a line, / Stating point of view;
Indicate
precisely what you mean to say:
Yours
sincerely, wasting away.
Give
me your answer, fill in a form, / Mine forever more.
Will
you still need me, will you still feed me,
When
I’m sixty-four.
Will
you still need me, will you still feed me,
When
I’m sixty-four. . . . Hooh!
WITH
A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
By Lennon–McCartney, 1967,
on Sgt Pepper. Written
for Ringo to sing, thus with limited vocal range. Famous slow version
sung by Joe Cocker, including at Woodstock. Rolling
Stone: #311 of top 500.
What
would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would
you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend
me your ears and I’ll sing you a song,
And
I’ll try not to sing out of key.
Oh,
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Ooh,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Ooh,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
What
do I do when my love is away?
(Does
it worry you to be alone?)
How
do I feel by the end of the day?
(Are
you sad because you’re on your own?)
No,
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Ooh,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Ooh,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do
you need anybody?
I
need somebody to love.
Could
it be anybody?
I
want somebody to love.
Would
you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes
I’m certain that it happens all the time.
What
do you see when you turn out the light?
I
can’t tell you, but I know it’s mine.
Oh,
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Ooh,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Oh,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do
you need anybody?
I
just need someone to love,
Could
it be anybody?
I
want somebody to love.
Oh,
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Ooh,
gonna try with a little help from my friends,
Oh,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Yes,
I get by with a little help from my friends
With
a little help from my frie - - - nds!
BEER BARREL
POLKA
(ROLL OUT THE
BARREL)
Chorus to a song originally
written in Czechoslovakian
as “Skoda
Lasky“ (Unrequited
Love), 1934.
Roll out the
barrel,
We’ll have a
barrel of fun;
Roll out the
barrel,
We’ve got the
blues on the run.
Zing! Boom!
Tararrel,
Ring out a song of
good cheer;
Now’s the time
to roll the barrel,
For the gang’s
all here!
REPEAT ALL:
IN MY LIFE
Lyrics by Lennon, music by
McCartney; released in 1965 on the album Rubber
Soul. Song originated in a suggestion by a journalist that
Lennon should write about his childhood. Many revisions later, it
became Rolling Stone's
#23 of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and Mojo
magazine's top song of all time, second on CBC's top 50 tracks.
There are places
I’ll remember
All my life though
some have changed;
Some forever not
for better
Some have gone and
some remain.
All these places
have their moments
With lovers and
friends I still can recall;
Some are dead and
some are living—
In my life I’ve
loved them all.
But of all these
friends and lovers
There is no one
compares with you;
And these memories
lose their meaning
When I think of
love as something new.
Though I know I’ll
never lose affection
For people and
things that went before;
I know I’ll
often stop and think about them—
In my life I love
you more.
Though I know I’ll
never lose affection
For people and
things that went before;
I know I’ll
often stop and think about them—
In my life I love
you more;
In my life I love
you more.
PEOPLE GET
READY
Written by Curtis Mayfield,
recorded by The Impressions in 1965. Considered by many in the music
industry to be one of the top ten songs of all time. Covered by many
top singers and groups. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in
1998. “I must
have been in a very deep mood of . . . religious inspiration when I
wrote that song,” Mayfield said.
People get ready
There’s a train
a-comin’;
You don’t need
no baggage—
Just get on board.
All you need is
faith
To hear the
diesels hummin’;
You don’t need
no ticket—
Just thank the
lord.
People get ready
For the train to
Jordan;
It’s pickin’
up passengers
From coast to
coast.
Faith is the key
Open the doors and
board on;
There’s room for
all
Amongst who loves
the most.
[PIANO . . . ]
REPEAT VERSE 1:
OB-LA-DI,
OB-LA-DA
Credited to Lennon–McCartney
but written by McCartney (Lennon called it “more of Paul's 'granny'
music”); appeared on the White Album in 1968; released as a single
in 1976. Influenced by reggae: “Desmond” refers to Jamaican ska
and reggae performer Desmond Dekker, who had made a tour through the
U.K. On one online poll, considered the 'worst song ever.'
(Over-played, perhaps, but that's undeserved).
Desmond has a
barrow in the marketplace,
Molly is the
singer in a band;
Desmond says to
Molly, “Girl I like your face,”
And Molly says
this as she takes him by the hand:
“Ob-la-di,
ob-la-da, life goes on—bra-a-a,
La-la how the life
goes on;
Ob-la-di,
ob-la-da, life goes on—bra-a-a,
La-la how the life
goes on.”
Desmond takes a
trolley to the jeweller’s store,
Buys a
twenty-carat golden ring;
Takes it back to
Molly waiting at the door,
And as he gives it
to her she begins to sing:
“Ob-la-di,
ob-la-da, life goes on—bra-a-a,
La-la how the life
goes on;
Ob-la-di,
ob-la-da, life goes on—bra-a-a,
La-la how the life
goes on.”
In a couple of
years they have built a home,
Sweet home . . .
[PIANO]
. . .
With a couple of
kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and
Molly Jones—ha-ha-ha-ha
Happy ever after
in the marketplace
Desmond lets the
children lend a hand;
Molly stays at
home and does her pretty face,
And in the evening
she’s a singer with the band.
“Ob-la-di,
ob-la-da, life goes on—bra-a-a,
La-la how the life
goes on;
Ob-la-di,
ob-la-da, life goes on—bra-a-a,
La-la how the life
goes on.”
And if you want
some fun . . .
Sing
Ob-la-di-bla-da!
A PERFECT DAY
Words
and music by Carrie Jacobs-Bond, 1909, written at the Mission Inn in
Riverside, CA. This kind of sentimentality
was popular in the late Victorian era, but has withstood the test of
time. Phenomenally successful: 8 million sheet music and 5 million
recordings sold in the first year; 25 million sheet music in
Jacobs-Bond's lifetime, to make her the first woman with a career in
composing. Covered by some of the greats, including Paul Robeson and
Lawrence Welk.
When you come to
the end of a perfect day,
And you sit alone
with your thought,
While the chimes
ring out with a carol gay,
For the joy that
the day has brought,
Do you think what
the end of a perfect day
Can mean to a
tired heart,
When the sun goes
down with a flaming ray,
And the dear
friends have to part?
Well, this is the
end of a perfect day,
Near the end of a
journey, too;
But it leaves a
thought that is big and strong,
With a wish that
is kind and true.
For mem’ry has
painted this perfect day
With colours that
never fade,
And we find, at
the end of a perfect day,
The soul of a
friend we’ve made.
We’re
Off To See
The
Wizard
By
Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg; from the 1939 fantasy adventure film
The Wizard Of Oz
(based on the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum); considered one of the ten
best films of all time.
We’re
off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
You’ll
find he is a whiz of a Wiz, if ever a Wiz there was.
If
ever oh ever a Wiz there was, the Wizard of Oz is one because
Because,
because, because, because, because . . .
Because
of the wonderful things he does—
We’re
off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
WHISTLE
once through, slowly,
then
REPEAT ALL:
STAND
BY ME
(Gospel
song)
Spiritual
by Charles A. Tindley, arranged by Elvis Presley; lyrics altered by
N.C.
When
the storms of life are raging
Stand
by me [Echo:
Stand by me].
When
the storms of life are raging
Stand
by me [Stand by me].
When
the world is tossing me
Like
a ship out on the sea;
Thou
who rulest wind and water,
Stand
by me [Stand by me].
When
I’m standing all alone
Stand
by me [Stand by me].
When
I’m standing all alone
Stand
by me [Stand by me].
When
I do the best I can
And
my friends misunderstand;
Thou
who never lost a battle,
Stand
by me [Stand by me].
Thou
who never lost a battle,
Stand
by me [Stand by me].
Gonna Build a Mountain
From
the 1961 West End musical Stop
the World–I Want to Get Off
by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Became a Broadway show and a
movie. Sung famously by Sammy Davis Jr.
Gonna
build a mountain from a little hill;
Gonna
build me a mountain ‘least I hope I will.
Gonna
build a mountain, gonna build it high;
I
don’t know how I’m gonna do it,
I
only know I’m gonna try.
Gonna
build me a daydream from a little hope;
Gonna
push that daydream up the mountain slope.
Gonna
build a daydream, gonna see it through;
Gonna
build a mountain and a daydream,
Gonna
make them both come true.
Gonna
build a heaven from a little hell;
Gonna
build me a heaven and I know darn well
If
I build my mountain with a lot of care;
And
take my daydream up the mountain
And
heaven will be waiting there.
REPEAT
FIRST VERSE, THEN ITS LAST 2 LINES
PILGRIM
By Irish musician Enya from
her album A Day
Without Rain, winner
of the 2002 Grammy Award for Best New Age Album, which has sold 15
million copies.
Pilgrim,
how you journey
On
the road you chose,
To
find out why the winds die,
And
where the stories go;
All
days come from one day,
That
much you must know;
You
cannot change what’s over,
But
only where you go. . . .
One
way leads to diamonds,
One
way leads to gold;
Another
leads you only
To
everything you’re told.
In
your heart you wonder
Which
of these is true:
The
road that leads to nowhere,
The
road that leads to you.
Will
you find the answer
In
all you say and do?
Will
you find the answer—in you? . . .
Each
heart is a pilgrim,
Each
one wants to know,
The
reason why the winds die,
And
where the stories go;
Pilgrim,
in your journey,
You
may travel far,
For
pilgrim it’s a long way
To
find out who you are.
Pilgrim
it’s a long way
To
find out who you are . . . [REPEAT
last two lines]
UNTIL
IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO GO
Words & music by
Canadian First Nations singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, from her
1965 Many A Mile
album. Covered by top singers including Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond,
Barbra Streisand and many others. According to Sainte-Marie: “The
song popped into my head while I was falling in love with someone I
knew couldn't stay with me.”
You’re not a
dream
You’re not an
angel
You’re a woman;
I’m not a king,
I’m a man,
Take my hand;
We’ll make a
space
In the lives that
we planned;
And here we’ll
stay
Until it’s time
for you to go.
Yes, we’re
diff’rent, worlds apart
We’re not the
same;
We laughed and
played / At the start like in a game;
You could have
stayed outside my heart
But in you came; /
And here you’ll stay
Until it’s time
for you to go.
Don’t ask why of
me,
Don’t ask how of
me;
Don’t ask
forever,
Love me, love me
now.
This love of mine
Had no beginning,
it has no end;
I was an oak, now
I’m a willow,
Now I can bend; /
And tho’ I’ll never
In my life see you
again—
Still I will stay
Until it’s time
for you to go.
ISN’T
IT A PITY
Written
and performed by ex-Beatle George Harrison, who was known for, among
other things, his use of the diminished
chord in popular music, as in this piece. Rejected by The Beatles,
the song became the emotional and musical centrepiece of his 1970
solo album All Things Must Pass,
with much acclaim. Covered by top artists.
[PIANO]
. . .
Isn’t
it a pity, now isn’t it a shame,
How
we break each other’s hearts
And
cause each other pain.
How
we take each other’s love
Without
thinking any more
Forgetting
to give back
—Isn’t
it a pity.
Some
things take so long
But
how do I explain?
When
not too many people
Can
see we’re all the same.
And
because of all their tears
Their
eyes can’t hope to see.
The
beauty that surrounds them
—Isn’t
it a pity. . . . [PIANO]
Isn’t
it a pity; isn’t it a shame.
How
we break each other’s hearts
And
cause each other pain.
How
we take each other’s love
Without
thinking any more.
Forgetting
to give back—isn’t it a pity.
Forgetting
to give back—isn’t it a pity.
Forgetting
to give back
Now,
isn’t it a pity. . . . [PIANO]
Isn’t
it a pity!
RED
ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY
Words and music by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennet. Performed most notably by Wayne Newton starting in 1965; his most popular song.
I want some red
roses for a blue lady;
Mister florist,
take my order please.
We had a silly
quarrel the other day;
Hope these pretty
flowers chase her blues away.
Wrap up some red
roses for a blue lady;
Send them to the
sweetest gal in town;
And if they do the
trick, I’ll hurry back to pick
Your best white
orchid for her wedding gown!
REPEAT ALL:
SPANISH EYES
Words by Eddie Snyder and
Charlie Singleton. Music previously an instrumental titled “Moon
Over Naples” by Bert “Wonderland By Night” Kaempfert. Made
popular by Al Martino in 1966. Covered by Elvis Presley, Julio
Iglesias, Willie Nelson and others.
Blue Spanish eyes,
teardrops are falling from your Spanish eyes;
Please, please
don’t cry, this is just “adios” and not “goodbye.”
Soon I’ll
return, bringing you all the love your heart can hold;
Please say “Sí,
sí,” say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me.
Blue Spanish eyes,
prettiest eyes in all of Mexico;
True Spanish eyes,
please smile for me once more before I go.
Soon I’ll
return, bringing you all the love your heart can hold;
Please say “Sí,
sí,” say you and your Spanish eyes will wait for me;
You and your
Spanish eyes will wait for me;
You and your
Spanish eyes will wait for me.
ALL OF ME
Lyrics
and music by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks,
Marlong
Music, circa 1931. One of the most recorded songs of its era (Bing
Crosby, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Louis
Armstrong, Count Basie); more recently by Michael Bublé.
Features prominently in the 1984 film of the same name, starring
Steve Martin.
All
of me, why don’t you take all of me;
Can’t
you see, I’m no good without you.
Take
my lips, I want to lose them,
Take
my arms, I’ll never use them.
Your
goodbye, left me with eyes that cry;
How
can I, go on, dear, without you?
You
took the part that held my heart,
So
why not take all of me!
REPEAT
ALL, scat singing up to
“You
took the part…” then repeat last line.
LAZY RIVER
Lyrics
by Sidney Arodin, music by Hoagy Carmichael, 1931. Considered a jazz
and pop standard. Covered by hundreds of top artists, from Acker Bilk
to Harry Connick Jr to The Platters to Michael Bublé.
Well,
it’s . . . up a lazy river by the old mill stream,
That
lazy, hazy river where we both can dream;
You
can linger in the shade of an old oak tree,
Throw
away your troubles, baby, dream a dream with me;
Well,
up a lazy river where the robin’s song
Wakes
up in the mornin’ as we roll along;
Blue
skies up above—everyone’s in love,
It’s
up a lazy river, how happy we will be, now,
Up
a lazy river with me. [PIANO . . . ]
Up
a lazy river by the old mill run,
That
lazy, lazy river in the noonday sun;
You
can linger in the shade of that fine ole tree,
Throw
away your troubles, baby, dream with me;
Well,
up a lazy river where the robin’s song
Wakes
a brand new mornin’ as we roll along
There
are blue skies up above and as long as we’re in love
It’s
up a lazy river, how happy we could be
Up
a lazy river with me.
BLESS THIS HOUSE
Published
in 1927, written by Helen Taylor, an English poet, who originally
titled it “Bless The House.” Her friend Mary Brahe composed the
music. The song caught the attention of the world-famous Irish tenor
John McCormack, who changed the title to “Bless This House,” made
minor revisions in the lyrics and included it as a highlight of his
repertoire. It became one of his best-selling recordings. Still
widely heard from modern-day classical-style singers like Bryn
Terfel.
Bless
this house O Lord we pray;
Make
it safe by night and day;
Bless
these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping
want and trouble out:
Bless
the roof and chimneys tall,
Let
thy peace lie over all;
Bless
this door, that it may prove
ever
open to joy and love.
Bless
these windows shining bright,
Letting
in God’s heav’nly light;
Bless
the hearth a-blazing there,
With
smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless
the folk who dwell within,
Keep
them pure and free from sin;
Bless
us all that we may be
Fit,
O Lord, to dwell with thee;
Bless
us all that one day we
May
dwell, O Lord, with thee.
ON THE SUNNY SIDE
OF THE STREET
Music by Jimmy McHugh,
lyrics byDorothy Fields, 1930. Covered by many top artists, including
Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald. Arguably the best version is
the 1945 recording by Tommy Dorsey and the Sentimentalists.
Grab
your coat and get your hat,
Leave
your worries on the doorstep;
Life
can be so sweet
On
the sunny side of the street.
Can’t
you hear the pitter-pat?
And
that happy tune is your step;
Life
can be complete
On
the sunny side of the street.
I
used to walk in the shade
With
those blues on parade;
But
I’m not afraid
‘Cause
this rover, crossed over!
And
if I never had a cent
I’d
be rich as Rockefeller,
With
gold dust at my feet
On
the sunny side of the street. [PIANO . . .]
I
used to walk in the shade
With
those blues on parade;
But
I’m not afraid
‘Cause
this rover crossed over!
And
if I never had a cent
I’d
be rich as Rockefeller,
With
gold dust at my feet
On
the sunny side of the street.
THAT’S ALL RIGHT, MAMA
Composed
and recorded by Arthur Crudup, 1946; version recorded by Elvis
Presley in 1956 is considered by Rolling
Stone magazine to be the first-ever rock 'n' roll record.
CHORUS:
Well,
that’s all right, Mama, that’s all right for you;
That’s
all right, Mama, just any way you do,
Well,
that’s all right, that’s all right;
That’s
all right, now Mama, any way you do.
My
Mama, she done told me, Papa done told me too,
Son,
that gal you’re foolin’ with, she ain’t no good for you,
But
that’s all right, that’s all right;
That’s
all right, now Mama, any way you do.
I’m
leavin’ town tomorrow, leavin’ town for sure,
They
you won’t be bothered with me hangin’ round your door,
But
that’s all right, that’s all right;
That’s
all right, now Mama, any way you do.
I
oughta mind my Papa, guess I’m not too smart;
If
I was I’d leave you, go before you break my heart,
But
that’s all right, that’s all right;
That’s
all right, now Mama, any way you do. CHORUS:
ONLY YOU
Composed
by Buck Ram; most successfully performed by The Platters in 1955, who
came up with their hit arrangement after practising while driving in
a car and going over a bump, which created the dynamic jump in the
word “Only”.
Only
you, can make this world seem right;
Only
you, can make the darkness bright;
Only
you, and you alone, can thrill me like you do;
And
fill my heart with love for only you! . . .
Only
you, can make this change in me;
For
it’s true, you are my destiny;
When
you hold my hand, I understand,
The
magic that you do,
You’re
my dream come true,
My
one and only you . . .
REPEAT ALL: Add
after last line:
.
. . Only you.
AULD LANG SYNE
Robert
Burns wrote most of the poetry for this traditional Scottish tune in
1788. Note that the “S” in “Syne” is pronounced as in “sign”
and not “zyne”.
Should
auld acquaintance be forgot
And
never brought to mind?
Should
auld acquaintance be forgot
And
days of auld lang syne.
And
days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And
days of auld lang syne;
Should
auld acquaintance be forgot
For
days of auld lang syne.
We
twa hae run aboot the braes
And
pu’d the gowans fine.
We’ve
wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin’
auld lang syne.
Sin’
auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin’
auld lang syne,
We’ve
wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin’
auld ang syne.
We
twa hae sported i’ the burn,
From
morning sun till dine,
But
seas between us braid hae roared
Sin’
auld lang syne.
Sin’
auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin’
auld lang syne.
But
seas between us braid hae roared
Sin’
auld lang syne.
And
ther’s a hand, my trusty friend,
And
gie’s a hand o’ thine;
We’ll
tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For
auld lang syne.
For
auld lang syne, my dear,
For
auld lang syne,
We’ll
tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,
For
auld lang syne.
Memory
From
the 1981 musical Cats
by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum’s
Book of Practical Cats, by T.S. Eliot.
“Memory” is the climax of the musical and by far its most popular
tune. Covered by many top artists.
Midnight,
not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan.
Has the moon lost her memory
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan.
Memory,
all alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again.
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again.
Every
street lamp seems to beat
A fatalistic warning . . .
Someone mutters and the street lamp gutters
And soon it will be morning . . .
A fatalistic warning . . .
Someone mutters and the street lamp gutters
And soon it will be morning . . .
Daylight,
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I mustn’t give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin.
I must think of a new life
And I mustn’t give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin.
Burnt
out ends of smoky days
The still cold smell of morning . . .
A street lamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning . . .
The still cold smell of morning . . .
A street lamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning . . .
Touch
me, it’s so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me,
You’ll understand what happiness is
Look, a new day has begun.
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me,
You’ll understand what happiness is
Look, a new day has begun.
I
Walk The Line
Written
and recorded by Johnny Cash in 1956. His first #1 hit single, it sold
over 2 million copies. Uses the “freight train” rhythm common to
many of Cash's songs. He hummed before each verse to get his pitch:
the original version contained five key changes and ended up an
octave lower than it starts. Cash wrote the words in 20 minutes in an
outburst of devotion to his new wife, Vivian. “The lyrics came as
fast as I could write,” he said.
Hmmm
. . . I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line.
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line.
I
find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I’ll admit that I’m a fool for you
Because you’re mine, I walk the line . . . Hmmm . . .
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I’ll admit that I’m a fool for you
Because you’re mine, I walk the line . . . Hmmm . . .
As
sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I’ve known proves that it’s right
Because you’re mine, I walk the line.
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I’ve known proves that it’s right
Because you’re mine, I walk the line.
You’ve
got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can’t hide
For you I know I’d even try to turn the tide
Because you’re mine, I walk the line . . . Hmmm
You give me cause for love that I can’t hide
For you I know I’d even try to turn the tide
Because you’re mine, I walk the line . . . Hmmm
I
keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line.
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line.
Because
you’re mine, I walk the line.
Because
you’re mine, I walk the line . . .
YOU
ARE SO BEAUTIFUL
Composed
by Bruce Fisher, Billy Preston and Dennis Wilson; performed most
notably by Joe Cocker; piano arrangement by N.C.
[PIANO
. . . ]
You
are so beautiful to me
You
are so beautiful to me
Can’t
you see
You’re
everything I hoped for
You’re
everything I need
You
are so beautiful to me.
Such
joy and happiness you bring
Such
joy and happiness you bring
Like
a dream
A
guiding light that shines in the night
You’re
heaven’s gift to me
You
are so beautiful to me. [PIANO
. . .]
REPEAT
FIRST VERSE
[PIANO
. . . ]
*
When
you wish upon a star
Your
dreams come true.

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