The Ol' Tunes
YOU kin talk about yer anthems
An' yer arias an' sich,
An' yer modern choir-singin'
That you think so awful rich;
But you orter heerd us youngsters
In the times now far away,
A-singin' o' the ol' tunes
In the ol'-fashioned way.
There was some of us sung treble
An' a few of us growled bass,
An' the tide o' song flowed smoothly
With its 'comp'niment o' grace;
There was spirit in that music,
An' a kind o' solemn sway,
A-singin' o' the ol' tunes
In the ol'-fashioned way.
I remember oft o' standin'
In my homespun pantaloons—
On my face the bronze an' freckles
O' the suns o' youthful Junes—
Thinkin' that no mortal minstrel
Ever chanted sich a lay
As the ol' tunes we was singin'
In the ol'-fashioned way.
The boys 'ud always lead ,as,
An' the girls 'ud all chime in,
Till the sweetness o' the singin'
Robbed the list'nin' soul o' sin;
An' I used to tell the parson
'Twas as good to sing as pray,
When the people sung the ol' tunes
In the ol'-fashioned way.
How I long ag'in to hear 'em
Pourin' forth from soul to soul,
With the treble high an' meller,
An' the bass's mighty roll;
But the times is very diff'rent,
An' the music heerd to-day
Ain't the singin' o' the ol' tunes
In the ol'-fashioned way.
Little screechin' by a woman,
Little squawkin' by a man,
Then the organ's twiddle-twaddle,
Jest the empty space to span, —
An' ef you should even think it,
'T isn't proper fur to say
That you want to hear the ol' tunes
In the ol'-fashioned way.
But I think that some bright mornin',
When the toils of life air o'er,
An' the sun o' heaven arisin'
Glads with light the happy shore,
I shall hear the angel chorus,
In the realms of endless day,
A-singin' o' the ol' tunes
In the ol'-fashioned way.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Related quotes
Twenty-four Hours A Day
Arthur swanstrom / hanley
Like a little old fashioned music box
With just one tune to play
My heart keeps singin I love you
Twenty four hours a day
Like a little old fashioned music box
That skips a note or two
My heart keeps missin a heart beat
Singin its song about you
And although the song we know is old
Its still the sweetest story ever told
song performed by by Billie Holiday
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Deacon Jones' Grievance
I'VE been watchin' of 'em parson,
An' I'm sorry fur to say
'At my mind is not contented
With the loose an' keerless way
'At the young folks treat the music;
'Tain't the proper sort o' choir.
Then I don't believe in Christuns
A-singin' hymns for hire.
But I never would 'a' murmured
An' the matter might 'a' gone
Ef it wasn't fur the antics
'At I've seen 'em kerry on;
So I thought it was my dooty
Fur to come to you an' ask
Ef you wouldn't sort o' gently
Take them singin' folks to task.
Fust, the music they're be'n singin'
Will disgrace us mighty soon;
It's a cross between a opry
An' a ol' cotillion tune.
With its dashes an' its quavers
An' its hifalutin style —
Why, it sets my head to swimmin'
When I'm comin' down the aisle.
Now it might be almost decent
Ef it wasn't fur the way
'At they git up there an' sing it,
Hey dum diddle, loud and gay.
Why, it shames the name o' sacred
In its brazen worldliness,
An' they're even got 'Ol' Hundred'
In a bold, new-fangled dress.
You'll excuse me, Mr. Parson,
Ef I seem a little sore;
But I've sung the songs of Isr'el
For threescore years an' more,
An ' it sort o' hurts my feelin's
Fur to see 'em put away
Fur these harum-scarum ditties
'At is capturin' the day.
There's anuther little happ'nin'
'At I'll mention while I'm here,
Jes' to show 'at my objections
All is offered sound and clear.
It was one day they was singin'
An' was doin' well enough —
Singin' good as people could sing
Sich an awful mess o' stuff —
When the choir give a holler,
An' the organ give a groan,
An' they left one weak-voiced feller
A-singin' there alone!
But he stuck right to the music,
Tho' 't was tryin' as could be;
An' when I tried to help him,
Why, the hull church scowled at me.
You say that's so-low singin',
Well, I pray the Lord that I
Growed up when folks was willin'
To sing their hymns so high.
Why, we never had sich doin's
In the good ol' Bethel days,
When the folks was all contented
With the simple songs of praise.
Now I may have spoke too open,
But 't was too hard to keep still,
An' I hope you'll tell the singers
'At I bear 'em no ill-will.
'At they all may git to glory
Is my wish an' my desire,
But they'll need some extry trainin'
'Fore they jine the heavenly choir.
poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Passion
The keys to notes play tunes of loss,
Tunes of longing, tunes of blues.
'Til metal enshrouding the air does trump with
Tunes of longing, tunes of blues.
Wood and string provide a base for
Tunes of longing, tunes of blues.
Encased in brass belong the bones of
Tunes of longing, tunes of blues.
Emblems and traps do kick and swear by
Tunes of longing, tunes of blues.
Until laughter disturbs this sweet eden,
My tortured soul lies bare.
I leave my emotions encapsulated
In sonic vibrations of air.
The tunes of longing and tunes of blues
Are played until the eve
When players no longer respect their tears
And thus, themselves, deceive.
poem by Liam O'Brien
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L.u.v.
Guilty 'till proven innocent.
I'm thinking about the government
Wondering where the money went.
Into outer space, I guess.
Lying cs's everywhere.
Pretty boys in their underwear.
Statue of Liberty.
Who really cares
About freedom.
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Throw up, throw down.
Get yourself a better town.
All these towns look the same
Self pity, number one recreation.
We're dying in the USA.
Preacher man, he keeps
Preachin'
While he covets your wife.
I ain't sayin' what's good
I ain't sayin' what's right.
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Wait a minute, let me check my tan.
Am I the same color as Superman?
Helter skelter in a foreign land.
Monkeys versus dogs,
Lying under a big palm tree
With cream and bananas all over me.
That's the way it's supposed to be
Here in the Garden of Eden.
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
Singin' about l-u-v baby, luv
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I'm Old Fashioned
I am not such a clever one
About the latest fads
I admit I was never one
Adored by local lads
Not that I ever try to be a saint
I'm the type that they classify as quaint
Im old fashioned
I love the moonlight
I love the old fashioned things
The sound of rain
Upon a window pane
The starry song that april sings
This years fancies
Are passing fancies
But sighing sighs holding hands
These my heart understands
I know I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me
(bridge)
I'm old fashioned
But I don't mind it
That's how I want to be
As long as you agree
To stay old fashioned with me
Oh won't you stay old fashioned with me
Oh please stay old fashioned with me
song performed by by Ella Fitzgerald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Singin' With The Big Bands
If I wrote history
And could pocket a moment for me
It would be
Singin' with the big bands
I would turn back the clock
For the time we'll be in for a shock
Hearin me singin' with the big bands
If I had me a genie inside Aladdin's lamp
I'd tell him do your thing
And like that I would be
At the Paramount in '43
And I sing
Ringin' in the good times
Swingin' with the big boys
Singin' with the big bands
Singin' with the big bands
If I had me a genie inside Aladdin's lamp
I'd tell him Mr. Genie go on and do your thing
And like that I would be
At the Paramount in '43
And I sing
Ringin' in the good times
Singin' with the big boys
Wingin' it in swing time
Bringing back the big nose
I'm jumpin with the Duke
Stoppin with the King
Cooler than the Kid
Swinging everything
I'm singin' with the big bands
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Born To Move
Evry day Im gonna strut that stuff.
When the musics loud I cant get enough.
Singin hi, singin hi,
Come on feet, teach yourself to move.
People shufflin up and down again.
Unhappy faces aint gonna get you in.
Singin hi, singin hi,
Come on people, teach yourself to move.
Hey, hey! hey, all right!
Spread the news, were goin have some fun.
Let it go, movin son-of-a-gun.
Singin hi, signin hi,
Come on feet, we was born to move.
Hey, hey, lord! come on, move it, now boy!
song performed by by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Ball Of Kerrymuir
Four-and-twenty virgins come down from Inverness,
And when the Ball was over, there were four-and-twenty less,
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all..
There was doin' in the parlor, there was doin' on the stones,
But ya couldn't a hear the music for the wheezin' and the groans,
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all.
The undertaker, he was there, all wrapped up in a shroud,
Swingin' from the chandelier, and peein' on the crowd,
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all.
The village cripple, he was there, ah he could not do much,
So he lined the ladies against the wall, and he did 'em with his crutch,
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all.
Miss Mary McPherson was standin' way up front,
Some posies in her hand, and a carrot in her(unintelligible mumble),
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all.
The Village postman, he was there, but the poor man had the pox,
He could not do the lassies, so he did the letter box,
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all.
The Village Magician, he was there, he gave us all a laugh,
He pulled his foreskin over his head, and he vanished up his ass,
Singin' balls to your partner, your ass against the wall,
If ya never been had on a Saturday night, ya never been had at all.
song performed by by Jim Croce
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Thats Love
(myles goodwyn)
Published by mfg sing sing music/socan - ascap
There aint no way around it
Im confused, and the words come out wrong
Yeah, Im actin like some kind of school boy
Like a puppy, I just tag along, huh, sayin
It feels right, shes outta sight
I do just what she wants me to
Ive never done nothin like this here before
Im bein used, Im bein used
Lord singin ooh, baby thats love
Singin ooh, baby thats love
Well Ive been thinkin about it
Its crazy how I carry on
Yeah, my friends can hardly believe it
They say Im actin like some kind of clown, huh, sayin
It feels right, shes outta sight
I do just what she wants me to
Ive never done nothin like this here before
Im bein used, Im bein used
Lord singin ooh, baby thats love
Singin ooh, baby thats love
Good lord, hey thats love
I could give you, good advice
Dont look back now, dont think twice
Just keep on rockin, dont sit still
If youre lookin to find love, you will, huh, sayin
It feels right, shes outta sight
I do just what she wants me to
Ive never done nothin like this here before
Im bein used, Im bein used
Im singin ooh, baby thats love
Singin ooh, baby thats love
Singin ooh, baby thats love
Singin ooh, baby thats love
Good lord, thats love, yeah, alright
My my my my my my, yeah
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I do very few standards. Hardly any. Other people's tunes that I do are usually obscure tunes, for the most part, although I do a couple of Duke Ellington tunes that are well known.
quote by Mose Allison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cowboy Blues
(mike geiger/michael huffman/george mccorkle)
Well theres a lonesome feelin that comes over me
When I hear that highway moan
I know its where the good lord meant for me to be
A dreamin drifter far from home
I roam from town to town out on the interstate
Im always only passin through
I need my womans lovin shes so far away
Im singin the cowboy blues
Stranger dont you know Id like to be your friend
If I had the time to stay
But Im a tumbleweed a blowin in the wind
Ive got to catch another stage
I strap on my guitar just like a .45
I pray each night my aim is true
Im shootin for the heart a lookin in your eyes
Singin the cowboy blues
Sometimes I get to thinkin bout settlin down
Fade off into a memory
Every night that I step out to face the crowd
I know this is the life for me
I strap on my guitar just like a .45
I pray each night my aim is true
Im shootin for the heart a lookin in your eyes
Im singin the cowboy blues
Singin the cowboy blues
Singin the cowboy blues
song performed by by Gary Allan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hymn
I got holy children to show me the light
Singing hallelujah, brother how bout you.
Yeah, we got a holy scriptures here that prove us to be right,
In believing out loud what we wish to be true.
I got stoned out neighbors to take me in tow
Singin close your eyes, singin open wide.
Watch the world fall away below, let the winter wind blow;
And where will we hide when it comes from inside?
Oh, hear me now, hear me now, hear me now,
Hear me now, hear me now, hear me now,
Hear me now, listen I got sweet, sweet music inside.
Is a child inside me was alone in the night
Now has come to me, love has set my soul free.
Is a man and a woman stand alone in the night;
Here is reason to be like sun on the sea.
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Tree-Toad
''Scurious-like,' said the tree-toad,
'I've twittered far rain all day;
And I got up soon,
And I hollered till noon--
But the sun, hit blazed away,
Till I jest clumb down in a crawfish-hole,
Weary at heart, and sick at soul!
'Dozed away far an hour,
And I tackled the thing agin;
And I sung, and sung,
Till I knowed my lung
Was jest about give in;
And then, thinks I, ef hit don't rain now.
There're nothin' in singin', anyhow!
'Once in awhile some
Would come a drivin' past;
And he'd hear my cry,
And stop and sigh--
Till I jest laid back, at last,
And I hollered rain till I thought my th'oat
Would bust right open at ever' note!
'But _I fetched_ her! O _I fetched_ her!--
'Cause a little while ago,
As I kindo' set,
With one eye shet,
And a-singin' soft and low,
A voice drapped down on my fevered brain,
Sayin',--' Ef you'll jest hush I'll rain!''
poem by James Whitcomb Riley
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The Tin-Whistle Player
'Tis long since, long since, since I heard
A tin-whistle played,
And heard the tunes, the ha'penny tunes
That nobody made!
The tunes that were before Cendfind
And Cir went Ireland's rounds
That were before the surety
That strings have given sounds!
And now is standing in the mist,
And jigging backward there,
Shrilling with fingers and with breath,
A tin-whistle player!
He has hare's eyes, a long face rimmed
Around with badger-grey;
Aimless, like cries of mountain birds
The tunes he has to play
The tunes that are for stretches bare,
And men whose lives are lone
And I had seen that face of his
Sculptured on cross of stone,
That long face, in a place of graves
With nettles overgrown.
poem by Padraic Colum
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Elijah's Song
Got a rock and roll ditty
From the heart of the city
To a country lane far away
Drums are beatin'
And the bass repeatin'
And it rocks you to sleep just the same
Sleep, safe and warm
Dream cares be gone
You know that it won't take long
We'll be singin' Elijah's song
Singin' Elijah's song
Ya' got a rock and roll daddy
And you make him so glad
He's got a smile
A mile across his face
Movie star mom
Gonna keep you safe from harm
And she'll do it with style and grace
Sleep, safe and warm
Dream cares be gone
You know that it won't be long
We'll be singing Elijah's song
Singin' Elijah's song
Little bitty child when you laugh
I smile
It's a feelin' I won't ever forget
Far from now
When you're wanderin' 'round
There's a song that I left in your head
Dream, that's what you do
Dream, 'cause dreams come true
Someday when you're big and strong
You'll remember Elijah's song
Remember Elijah's song
Remember Elijah's song
Remember Elijah's song
song performed by by Neil Diamond
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Singin' In Your Sleep
Got your tape and it changed my mind
Heard your voice in between the lines
Come around from another time
Where nobody ever goes
All alone on the overpass
Wired in phone to a heart of glass
Now I'm falling in love too fast
With you or the songs you chose
And all the stars
Prayed for me
Say the promise you long to keep
I can hear you singin' to me in my sleep
I can hear you singin' to me in my sleep
I've been living in your cassette
It's the modern equivalent
Singing up to a Capulet
On a balcony in your mind
In the city the lion sleeps
Pray to Sony my soul to keep
Were you ever so bright and sweet
Did you ever look so nice
And all the sounds dreamed for me
Mmm hmm
song performed by by Semisonic from Feeling Strangely Fine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Woman
Eve
Priceless diamond
Bezel of Adam’s wedding ring
She has that look in her eyes
Of high-
Spirited balloons
Soft hands like cotton
Slender fingers-two guitars
Fashioned for old love tunes
Hair like
Dark bedrooms
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Tomorrow Is Now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
You think the past is behind you
But baby whats that on your back
It looks to me like youre draggin it around
Like a heavy pack
Now we dont live in the present
Were to busy hangin on
To whats been and gone so it comes again
Singin the same old song
Singin na na-na na na
Let it go oh oh
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
What are you going to ask for
What are you going to create
Its in you hands to build your own world
Forget about fate
And I dont need to remind you
Life is short and life is sweet
And before you even know it
Past and future gonna meet
Oh, every day and every way
Good to go oh oh
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Not much to say
Its all been said, anyway
Not much to think about
Just let go of yesterday
Singin na na-na na na
Singin na na-na na na
Let it go oh oh
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
Tomorrow is... tomorrow is now
song performed by by Howard Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Its About Time
I used to be a famous artist
Proud as I could be
Struggling to express myself
For the whole world to see
I used to blow my mind sky high
Searching for the lost elation
Little did I know the joy I was to find
In knowing I am only me
Im singin in my heart
Im singin in my heart
Im singin love to sing
I love to sing it from my heart
Oh the creation yeah
Of a good time doin my part
With an open-hearted laugh of realization in my mind
And now Im but a child who art
Erect in humility
Serving out a love for everyone I meet
In truth who are really me
Im singin in my heart
Im singin in my heart
Im singin love to sing
I love to sing it from my heart
No-no-no no no
Hoo no hey yeah no-no-no-no
Its about time now its about time now
Its about time now dont you know now
Its about time now its about time now
Its about time now dont you know now
Its about time we get together
To be out front and love one another
Brothers sisters everybody
We better start to help each other now
We need it now
When were sharin our love brother
Thats when we know we can shape another world
Lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord lord
Oooh lord
Lord lord lord lord lord oh oh
Oh no lord no no oh
song performed by by Beach Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Brooklyn Blues
Words by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman
Music By Barry Manilow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See I flew in from the West Coast
Just the other day.
Yes, I flew in from the West Coast
and we circled J.F.K.
The movie ended and I pulled up the shade,
looked out the window while the Muzak played.
But in my head I'm singin',
singin' the Brooklyn Blues.
Oh, yea.
When you're growin' up in Brooklyn
the Bridge is like a friend.
Said when you're growin' up in Brooklyn
that Bridge is sure your friend.
Because that river, looks a hundred miles wide
when all your dreams are on the other side,
and th at can start you singin'
singin' the Brooklyn Blues.
Oh, yea.
Now I've got myself some money
a mansion in Bel-aire.
Yes I've spent a lot of money
and I"ve been most ev'ry-where.
But still there's somethin' missin' I"ve got to find,
a part of me I must've left behind,
that makes a guy start feelin',
feelin' those Brooklyn Blues.
My my.
I've sung love songs to a princess
more than once or twice.
I"ve sung rock 'n' roll in Paris,
jazz in paradise.
But there's a song of mine I couldn't have sung,
a tune I started back when I was young.
Now I've come home to finish,
finish my Brooklyn Blues.
My Brooklyn Blues.
song performed by by Barry Manilow
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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