Birmingham
Got a wife, got a family
Earn my livin with my hand
Im a roller in a steel mill
In downtown birmingham
My daddy was a barber
And a most unsightly man
He was born in tuscaloosa
But he died right here in birmingham
Chorus
Birmingham, birmingham
The greatest city in alabam
You can travel cross this entire land
But theres no place like birmingham
Wifes named mary
But shes called marie
We live in a three room house
With a pepper tree
I work all day in the factory
Thats alright with me
Got a big black dog
Whose name is dan
Lives in my backyard in birmingham
He is the meanest dog in alabam
Get em dan
Chorus
song performed by by Randy Newman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Birmingham Blues
Working on the road across this great big world
Ive been rolling like a stone, I never get back home
Yes, Ive been long-gone
And boy, Ive got the birmingham blues.
Been across the ocean to the south sea isles
Yeah, I travelled to the east and west for mile and miles and miles
And Ive been long-gone
And boy, Ive got the birmingham blues.
Chorus:
Across the world Ive seen
People and places
Could be the same
But with a different name.
I wouldnt change the things I do for anything
But Id just like to hear the message of the streets again
Give me a ticket
Cause boy, Ive got the birmingham blues.
It may be kind of homely but it sure is sweet
Industrial revolution put it on its feet
But its a long, long way
Boy, Ive got the birmingham blues.
Repeat chorus
Ill go and stay awhile and all the folks I meet
Theyll say you wont stay long, you got them travelling feet
Youll soon be long-gone
cos boy, you got the rest of the world blues!
Repeat chorus
Repeat chorus
song performed by by Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bethlehem In Birmingham
Christmas Eve in Birmingham
It's a long, long way from Bethlehem
Mary and Joe live outside of town
On an old, run-down farm
Mary says, Joe, you'd better get the car
My contractions ain't that far apart
But that Falcon stalled after sixty yards
Out behind the barn
So away to the stables go Mary and Joe
Now, it's not much shelter, but it keeps them from the cold
Mary's hurtin', Joe prays to God for a helping hand
They need a Bethlehem miracle tonight in Birmingham
A kerosene lantern is the only light
Joe says, Mary, don't give up the fight
She's gonna keep pushin' till the baby cries
If it takes her last breath
And as the dawn begins to break
Across the fields, valleys and the lakes
A baby's cry greets the light of day
Merry Christmas and God bless
So away in the stables lay Mary, the baby and Joe
It's not much shelter, but it keeps them from the cold
Mary's cradles her baby, Joe thanks God for the helping hand
There was a Bethlehem miracle last night in Birmingham
A Bethlehem miracle last night in Birmingham
song performed by by Toby Keith
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When Jesus Left Birmingham
When jesus left birmingham
All the disciples went crazy
When jesus left birmingham
All the people went completely nuts
They all busted out on a wild night
Riding high on a golden calf
When jesus left birmingham
All the people had themselves a big long laugh
Well my girl, shes a walker
And she can talk herself out of any mess
My girl, she dont pray
But somehow she seems still to be blessed
And when those crazy nights come callin
Man, shell dance on the tables
Like all of the rest
When my girl left birmingham
She was doing what she thought was best
Its all free on the inside
I passed a very uncomfortable feeling last night
Save us right now, we need you...
To hell with all the lies and liars
Recovery, recovery, I dont know about any recovery
Inside, gotta get inside
Inside
I see myself with a rosary
Im in a garden and Im talking to myself
I aint sayin much worth repeating
Just askin for forgiveness and all of his best
When those crazy nights come callin
Man, Im just as human as I can be
When jesus left birmingham
He left it there for you and me
When jesus left birmingham
He left it there for you and me
So let it rock, let it roll
Let the Bible belt come and save my soul
(repeat out.)
song performed by by John Mellencamp
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Black Betty
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-ba-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-ba-lam)
Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam)
Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty bam-ba-lam
She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Black betty had a child (bam-ba-lam)
and she swears it's mine (bam-ba-lam)
she must be outta mind (bam-ba-lam)
she must think im blind (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
oh, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
monday she got me arrested.
on tuesday up in chain.
on wednesday my trial was tested.
thursday she posted my bail.
friday we went walking.
saturday i out my door.
on sunday we was talking,
back on monday she pawned all my cloths.
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
She's from birmingham (bam-ba-lam)
Way down in alabam' (bam-ba-lam)
Well, she's shakin' that thing (bam-ba-lam)
Boy, she makes me sing (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty )bam-ba-lam)
She really gets me high (bam-ba-lam)
You know that's no lie (bam-ba-lam)
She's so rock steady (bam-ba-lam)
And she's always ready (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, black betty (bam-ba-lam)
song performed by by Tom Jones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Promised Land
Left my home in Norfolk, Virginia
California on my mind
Straddled that Greyhound
And rode it into Raleigh
And on across Caroline
We stopped in Charlotte
But we bypassed Rockhill
We never was a minute late
We were ninety miles out of Atlanta by sundown
Rolling out of Georgia state
Had some motor trouble
That turned into a struggle
Half way 'cross Alabam
That hound broke and left us
All stranded in downtown Birmingham
So right away I bought me a through train ticket
Right across Mississippi clean
And I was on that Special Flyer
Out of Birmingham
Smoking into New Orleans
Someone's got to help me get out of Louisiana
Just to help me get to Houston town
There's an uncle there who cares a little about me
And he won't let the poor boy down
Sure as you're born
He bought me a silk suit
Put some luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over Albuquerque
On a jet to the Promised Land
Working on a T-Bone steak
A la carte
Flying over to the Golden State
When the pilot told us that in thirteen minutes
He would have us at the terminal gate
Swing down chariot
Come down easy
Taxi to the terminal dome
Cut your engines
And cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Los Angeles give me Norfolk, Virginia
Tidewater four-ten-O-nine
Tell the folks back home
This is the Promised Land calling
And the poor boy is on the line
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Promised Land
Left my home in norfolk, virginia
California on my mind
Straddled that greyhound
And rode it into raleigh
And on across caroline
We stopped in charlotte
But we bypassed rockhill
We never was a minute late
We were ninety miles out of atlanta by sundown
Rolling out of georgia state
Had some motor trouble
That turned into a struggle
Half way cross alabam
That hound broke and left us
All stranded in downtown birmingham
So right away I bought me a through train ticket
Right across mississippi clean
And I was on that special flyer
Out of birmingham
Smoking into new orleans
Someones got to help me get out of louisiana
Just to help me get to houston town
Theres an uncle there who cares a little about me
And he wont let the poor boy down
Sure as youre born
He bought me a silk suit
Put some luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land
Working on a t-bone steak
A la carte
Flying over to the golden state
When the pilot told us that in thirteen minutes
He would have us at the terminal gate
Swing down chariot
Come down easy
Taxi to the terminal dome
Cut your engines
And cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Los angeles give me norfolk, virginia
Tidewater four-ten-o-nine
Tell the folks back home
This is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Promised Land
I left my home in norfolk virginia, california on my mind.
Straddled that greyhound, it rode me past raleigh, and on across caroline.
Stopped in charlotte and bypassed rock hill, and we never was a minute late.
We was ninety miles out of atlanta by sundown, rollin cross the georgia state.
Had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, half way cross alabam,
The hound broke down left us all stranded in downtown birmingham.
Straight off bought me a through train ticket, right across mississippi clean
And I was on the midnight flyer out of birmingham
Smoking into new orleans.
Somebody help me get out of louisiana
Just help me get to houston town.
People are there who care a little bout me
And they wont let the poor boy down.
Sure as she bore me, she bought me a silk suit, put luggage in my hands,
And I woke up high over albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land.
Workin on a t-bone steak a la carte,
Flying over to the golden state;
When the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
Wed be headin in the terminal gate.
Swing low sweet chariot, come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone;
Cut your engines, cool your wings,
And let me make it to the telephone.
Los angeles give me norfolk virginia,
Tidewater four ten on nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin
And the poor boys on the line.
song performed by by Grateful Dead
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bus To Birmingham
(Jess Brown/Tony Lane)
She didn't see me see her cryin'
As she sat there by the window
On a southbound Greyhound leavin' town
The hardest thing I've ever done
Was to walk away and let that woman go
'Cause she came close to turnin' me around
Now I know she missed her mama
'Cause that's the kind of life she comes from
Ain't no kind of life I'm ever gonna have
She said she'd call me from the station
But I'll be gone before she gets there
And I'll see her every time I'm lookin' back
Heaven knows I ain't no angel
And I don't always do the right thing
And right now I know that she don't understand
But I'll sleep better knowin'
The only thing I ever loved
Is on that bus to Birmingham
Tonight I'll slip back in the shadows
And I'll sip a glass of whiskey
And I'll try to keep from whisperin' her name
But there's some highways I ain't driven
And there's some towns that I ain't lived in
And there's some times that I can't get out of the rain
And Lord I can't bear to break
Another promise that I made her
So I made out like I wanted her to go
And I'm better off believin'
That she's better off without me
'Cause I don't want her to see me do her wrong
Heaven knows I ain't no angel
And I don't always do the right thing
And right now I know that she don't understand
But I'll sleep better knowin'
The only thing I ever loved
Is on that bus to Birmingham
Heaven knows I don't always to the right thing
And right now I know that she don't understand
But I'll sleep better knowin'
The only thing I ever loved
Is on that bus to Birmingham
song performed by by John Michael Montgomery
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tuxedo Junction
Feelin low
Rockin slow
I want to go
Right back where I belong
Way down south in birmingham
I mean south in alabam
Theres an old place where people go
To dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get jive that southern style
Its an old jive that makes you want
To dance till break of day
Its a junction where the town folks meet
At each function in a tux they greet you
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, youll find me there
So long town, Im heading for
Tuxedo junction now
Feelin low
Rockin slow
I want to go
Right back where I belong
Way down south in birmingham
I mean south in alabam
Theres an old place where people go
To dance the night away
They all drive or walk for miles
To get jive that southern style
Its an old jive that makes you want
To dance till break of day
Its a junction where the town folks meet
At each function in a tux they greet you
Come on down, forget your care
Come on down, youll find me there
So long town, Im heading for
Tuxedo junction now
Tuxedo junction now
song performed by by Joe Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I played with the Birmingham Black Barons. I was making 500 at 14. That was a lot of money in those days.
quote by Willie Mays
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It's not like, I don't know, if Madonna has a new record out, then everybody from Bangkok to Birmingham knows what its called and can buy it the same week. But our stuff is not in that mass market.
quote by Evan Parker
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When I was in Birmingham I used to go to a place called Redwood Field. I used to get there for a two o'clock game. Where can you make this kind of money playing sports? It was just a pleasure to go out and enjoy myself and get paid for it.
quote by Willie Mays
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Promised Land
Promised land
(words & music by chuck berry)
I left my home in norfolk virginia
California on my mind
I straddled that greyhound
And rode into raleigh
And on across caroline
We had motor trouble that turn into a struggle
Halfway across alabam
And that hound broke down and left us all stranded
In downtown birmingham
Right away I brought me a through train ticket
Ridin across mississippi clean
And I was on that midnight flyer out of birmingham
Smoking into new orleans
Somebody help me get out of louisiana
Just to help me get to houston town
There are people there who care a little about me
And they wont let the poor boy down
Sure as youre born brought me a silk suit
Put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over alburquerque
On a jet to the promised land
Working on a t-bone steak a la carte
Flying over to the golden state
Ah when the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate
Swing low chariot come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Los angeles give me norfolk virginia
Tidewater four ten o nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line
Working on a t-bone steak a la carte
Flying over to the golden state
Ah when the pilot told us in thirteen minutes
He would set us at the terminal gate
Swing low chariot come down easy
Taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings
And let me make it to the telephone
Los angeles give me norfolk virginia
Tidewater four ten o nine
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land calling
And the poor boy is on the line
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Promised Land
I left my home in norfolk, virginia, california on my mind
I straddled that greyhound and rode him into raleigh, and on across caroline
I had motor trouble that turned into a struggle, halfway across alabama
And that hound broke down and left me all stranded in downtown birmingham
Right away I bought me a through train ticket, ridin across mississippi clean
And I was on the midnight flyer out of birmingham, smokin into new orleans
Somebody helped me get out of louisiana, just to help me get to houston town
There are people there who care a little bout me
And they wont let a poor boy down
Sure as youre born, they bought me a silk suit, they put luggage in my hand
And I woke up high over albuquerque on a jet to the promised land
Workin on a t-bone steak, I had a party flyin over to the golden state
When the pilot told me in thirteen minutes
He would get us at the terminal zone
Swing low, chariot, come down easy, taxi to the terminal zone
Cut your engines and cool your wings, and let me make it to the telephone
Los angeles, give me norfolk, virginia, tidewater 41009
And tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin
And the poor boys on the line
(repeats 2x)
And tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin
And their big boys on the line
song performed by by Meat Loaf
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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This kind of music was just hitting England, so we were getting this following in clubs in Birmingham just cause we were trying to do something different.
quote by Jim Capaldi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shes So Strange
Shes so strange
And she wore a black moustache
And she pilfered all the petty cash
She went to birmingham
Shell soon be in the can
Shes so cruel
And she knew just what to do
And while the cats were all sniffing glue
They played their silly games
And now theyll take the blame
What shed done
And she didnt know quite what she did
And they told her that she better had
So now she starts to cry
Without a reason why
Shes so poor
And only now shes looking back
She sees her story on a paperback
What will become of her
Theres not much left for her
song performed by by Travis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Martin Luther King in Letter from Birmingham Jail (16 April 1963)
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Wabash Cannonball
(alvin pleasant carter)
Oh, from the great atlantic ocean to the wide pacific shore,
From the green ol glowing mountains to the hills of labrador
Shes long and tall and handsome, shes known quite well by all,
Shes the combination called the wabash cannonball.
She pulled in from birmingham one cold december day,
Pulled into the station, you could hear the people say,
theres a girl on there from tennessee, shes long and shes tall,
She come in from birmingham on the wabash cannonball.
Oh, listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore.
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hoboes call
Riding through the jungles on the wabash cannonball.
Whew-ew!
Now eastern states are dandy, so the western people say,
From new york to chicago, st. louis by the way
And up in minnesota where the rippling waters fall
No chances can be taken on the wabash cannonball.
Heres to daddy claxton, may his name forever stand,
May it always be remembered throughout all the land
His earthly race is over and the curtains round him fall
But well carry him home to victory on the wabash cannonball.
Oh, listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland through the hills and by the shore.
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear the lonesome hoboes call
Riding through the jungles on the wabash cannonball.
Whew-ew!
song performed by by Kinky Friedman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When I was Young and Ignorant
When I was young and ignorant I loved a Miss McDougall,
Our days were spent in happiness, although our means were frugal;
We did not sigh for worldly wealth, for vain and tawdry treasures,
We were a simple country pair with simple country pleasures.
Beneath the village chestnut-tree it was our joy to meet once;
We used to tread the dewy fields with wonder-waking feet once;
We wandered once in leafy lanes and walked in Woodlands shady;
But now she's gone to Birmingham to be a Bearded Lady
I loved her as I loved my life when I was young and tender,
And happily our time was spent although our means were slender.
We used to pass the golden days in countrified pursuits once;
We walked through simple country bogs in simple country boots once.
High hopes of happiness I had, but now my hopes are zero,
Alas! My love has left me now to carve her own career O;
Not all the hopes of her I had of her are worth a maravedi;
My love has gone to Birmingham to be a Bearded Lady.
My love now dwells in circus halls with clowns and tight-rope dancers,
Where dromedaries play bassoons and sea-lions do the lancers;
She moves amongst trick-bicyclists, buffoons and comic waiters,
With elephants and acrobats and prestidigitators.
No longer daily by my side she wanders through the hay now,
The glamour of the public eye has lured are far away now.
Remorseless Fates, my tender hopes how cruelly betrayed ye!
My love has gone to Birmingham to be a Bearded Lady.
When I was young and ignorant I loved a Miss McDougall;
But that was e'er she heard the call of Fame's imperious bugle.
I thought her kind as she was fair, but I was green and calfish;
My love, though brighter than a star, was colder than a starfish.
High hopes of happiness I had when I was young and tender;
But time and tide have falsified my juvenile agenda.
Farewell, my castle is in the air! Phantasmal mansions, fade ye!
My love has gone to Birmingham to be a Bearded Lady.
poem by Patrick Barrington
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons, so I really came very quickly in all sports.
quote by Willie Mays
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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