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Short and Tall Tales webworks in full, latest on top
Page 2 of 9, tall tales 6 - 10 of 42
I started out with some short, simple cartoonish lyrics.
I had tunes in mind to go with the lyrics.
So I picked up instruments and learned to write crude musical notation, which didn't really convey the tunes.
So I started playing and recording the songs, so my intended tunes could be heard.
I started out as a lyricist, became a composer, then a performer, all the while still mainly thinking of myself as a cartoonish lyricist.
Over decades, some songs held up better than others. Lyrics about which I was so serious came to seem to me overly serious, subtle turns of phrase became what did I mean by thats.
Some tired old songs, I do my best to be serious and give them a good performance.
Other songs, I just can't bring myself to sing them.
This is one of those. It was intended as a kind of post-nuclear war lament and encouragement to rebuild. I was probably trying to do something like Jefferson Airplane's "Wooden Ships."
Crosby & Nash with Grace Slick - Wooden Ships
I may publish the lyrics, some day, at least to show how the chord notations are supposed to be paced, but for now, I'm just posting this page as a place-holder for the song.
Performed, instrumental, in Mindful Webworkshop #12, 2016 Oct 28.
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1.
C Bb F
By the time I was caught in the trap
C Am G
It was already too late
C Bb F
By the time I discovered my error
C Am G
Too much had been done
C Bb
By the time I got out
F C Am G
The damage was pretty well total
C Bb F
By the time I convince you in words
C
He could have everyone.
Am G
Listen to me!2.
C Bb F
If we all turn away pretty soon
C Am G
You will all know what I do
C Bb F
If we all just pretend we will have
C Am G
No more places to hide
C Bb F
If we all stop and think we can see
C Am G
What we were just isn't anymore
C Bb F
If we talk to each other we'll know
C
the Wizard has lied.
Am G
Why won't you listen to me?From the musical "The Mad Wizard."
Performed in Mindful Webworkshop #12, 2016 Oct 28.
Performed in Mindful Webworkshop #12, 2016 Oct 28.
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G
I'm only half crazy
Em
The other half's fine
C
You'd half, too, be crazy
D
With a life like mine.
G
I'm off on a tangent
Em
Where do I cosine?
C
This song is half there
G
Like this line
Performed in Mindful Webworkshop Episode #10, 2016 Oct 14.
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1.
F
Big dead cadavers rotissin' in the winda
Bb7
Ten-point buck tied onto the fenda
F
Got drunk and shot off muh toe on a benda
C7
But don't take my bullets and beef2.
F
Bullets & Beef, Bullets & Beef
Bb7
I suppose they mighta caused a little bit o' grief
F
But its a free country & ya better believe
C7
I'll be guardin' my freezer with my shotgun3.
F
Bullets & Beef, Bullets & Beef
Bb7
I gotta warnin' for the po-tential thief
F
I gotta itchy trigger finger, it'd be a relief t' me
C7
T' finally say that I shot one!4.
F
(You'd be) One more cadaver rotissin' in my winda
Bb7
Ten points for Commies tied onto the fenda
F
Give it to me raw or burn it to a cinder
C7
Just don't take muh bullets & beef!5.
F
Bullets & Beef, Bullets & Beef
Bb7
Don't need no heroin, cocaine, or reef'
F
I want a pistol-packin' President commander-in-chief
C7
Won't but a ballot in the box if he's not one!6.
F
Big dead cadavers rotatin' in my belly
Bb7
Breathin' sweatin' fartin' eatin' flesh can make yuh smelly
F
Pull the trigger on the bottle and blow my brains to jelly
C7
Just don't take muh bullets and beef!F Bullets & Beef, Bullets & Beef (fade)
Performed in Mindful Webworkshop Episode #10, 2016 Oct 14.
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A G
This light just takes forever
D A
and never seems to change
A G
I've been sitting here for weeks
D A
And don't you think it's strange
A G
Since I got here the snow has gone
D A
and now there's fresh green grass
A G
I've been here so long three times
D A
I've had to go for gasPerformed in Mindful Webworkshop #8, 2016 Sep 30
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