Obit: Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)

Subject: Shel Silverstein
From: rich r
Date: 10 May 99 - 10:52 PM

Shel Silverstein, author of such acclaimed children's books as "A Light in the Attic" and "Where the Sidewalk Ends," was found dead in his home early Monday. He was 66.

Mr. Silverstein was born in Chicago and began his career as a writer and cartoonist for Playboy in 1952. He later served in the U.S. military in Japan and Korea, where he was a cartoonist for the Pacific Stars and Stripes. But he was best known for his light and irreverant children's poetry -- packed with colorful characters like walruses with braces and camels in brassieres -- and humorous illustrations.

Mr. Silverstein won numerous awards for his work, including the Michigan Young Readers Award for "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1981). His other books include "The Giving Tree" (1964), "Falling Up" (1981), "A Light in the Attic" (1981), "The Missing Piece" (1982) and "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O" (1982).

He was also was a celebrated lyricist, publishing numerous songs including Johnny Cash's "A Boy named Sue," Loretta Lynn's "One's on the Way" and the folk songs "Unicorn" and "25 Minutes to Go."

Text from Salon Magazine.

rich r

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: campfire
Date: 10 May 99 - 10:58 PM

Thank you for the news - I hadn't heard.

I believe he also wrote a hilarious song about a "Three legged man with a two legged woman being chased around the world by a one legged fool" - A friend of mine performs that often.

campfire

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 10 May 99 - 11:37 PM

Sorry to hear about Shel Silverstein. A man with a great sense of humor.

Anyone interested in his songs should try to locate a song book called DIRTY FEET, A Collection of Songs by Shel Silverstein. It contains a great number of interesting songs such as Bury Me In My Shades, The Three Legged Man, A Boy Named Sue, The Unicorn, Boa Constrictor (I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor) the kids really get a kick out of that one.

The list goes on, probably around 135 of his songs. My book has a copyright date of l969 by Hollis Music, Inc., New York, NY.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 May 99 - 11:49 PM

Here's a little more from the Washington Post (I cut out the duplicated parts):

Kid's Author Shel Silverstein Dies Monday, May 10, 1999; 9:46 p.m. EDT

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) -- Shel Silverstein, the author of such acclaimed children's books as ``A Light in the Attic'' and ``Where the Sidewalk Ends,'' was found dead Monday morning of a heart attack. He was 66.

Silverstein had severe coronary artery disease. Friends said he had recently complained of an upset stomach and ``didn't feel quite right,'' said Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Eicher.

Two cleaning women discovered Silverstein's body in the bedroom of his home Monday. Eicher said he could have died Sunday or Monday.

``It's a devastating loss,'' said his longtime friend and lawyer Sheldon Vidibor of Los Angeles. ``I'm numb.''

Vidibor described him as ``the sweetest brightest man that I know, good to everybody, loyal, loving. He's a wonderful person, a wonderful human being. It goes without saying incredibly talented.''

Silverstein's characters in ``A Light in the Attic'' include Mrs. McTwitter, the Gink and the Dragon of Grindly Grun. Mrs. McTwitter is the baby sitter, who's ``a little bit crazy. She thinks a baby sitter's supposed to sit upon the baby.''

The quick-digesting Gink is a giant lizard who swallows some children, and the fire-breathing dragon complains that ``lunches aren't very much fun. For I like my damsels medium rare and they ALWAYS come out well done.''

The Giving Tree celebrates 35 years in publication this fall. Silverstein won numerous awards for his work including the Michigan Young Readers Award for ``Where the Sidewalk Ends.''

In the poem ``Hug O' War,'' from ``Where the Sidewalk Ends,'' Silverstein describes his favorite game:

``I'd rather play at hug o' war,

Where everyone hugs

Instead of tugs,

Where everyone giggles

And rolls on the rug,

Where everyone kisses,

And everyone grins,

And everyone cuddles,

And everyone wins...''

Children find his poems ``exciting and fun -- they're silly,'' said Jaime Johnson, children's librarian at the Coral Gables Library. ``He was different than Dr. Seuss. It had to do more with reality ... he used things kids knew.''

Before turning to children's poetry, Silverstein wrote verse for adults only. His career began as a writer and cartoonist for Playboy magazine in 1952.

Survivors include his 15-year-old son, Mathew.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: John Hindsill
Date: 11 May 99 - 12:01 AM

One of my favorite SS songs was "What Do Ya Do If You're Young, and White & Jewish" about a boy who wants to become a folk singer and the only levee he knows is the Levy who lives down the block.
I'll miss his wit. And soo young.

Subject: OBIT: Shel Silverstein has died
From: ddw in windsor
Date: 11 May 99 - 12:12 AM

The world is a poorer place. I was just checking the news wires and found an obit for Shel Silverstein, who was found dead in his Key West digs Monday. He was 66.

For the two or three of you who may not know Shel under one of his many hats, the was a person who brought joy to millions, even if some of them never knew he was the source.

Shel started as a writer and cartoonist for Playboy in 1952 when — despite what many of us think of that whole scene now — was at the time the home of some of the best talents in the land.

Shel went on to write hundreds of songs -- mostly with a humorous twist such as The Unicorn, A Boy Named Sue, The Jogger, Waitin' for Liz, and, from the DT, Beans Taste Fine. He also wrote one of the finest prison songs I've ever heard -- Back Home In Huntsville Again, recorded by his friend Bobby Bare.

But Shel's talents also ran to poetry, first for adults and then for children, almost all of it first-class stuff.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I knew there would be people in this community who would want to know.

If I were religious, he's a man I would say a prayer for. I'm not, but I'll at least keep his memory alive because of his work that has always given me such pleasure.

ddw

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: ddw in windsor
Date: 11 May 99 - 12:18 AM

didn't mean to duplicate threads... It looks like I was typing mine while Rich was filing his. Shel Silverstine is truly a loss.

ddw

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: gargoyle
Date: 11 May 99 - 12:24 AM

One of my favorites ... recited by a young friend:

There's too many kids in the tub
There's too many elbows to scrub
I just washed a behind
I'm sure wasn't mine,
There's too many kids in the tub

His contributions are GREAT.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Helen
Date: 11 May 99 - 01:22 AM

A friend of mine got me interested in Shel's songs (for adults) and one of my favourites is the one about the lonely man who invents or gets a mechanical woman. Everything goes well for a while (the perfect woman, perfect housekeeper etc) but after that she starts getting more personality, and becomes less "perfect" in the man's estimation.

The line I like is:

"She never does what she's 'sposed-ter (supposed to) and now she's run off with the toaster"

Sorry to hear of his passing, and it is only here that I have found out about his other talents. Helen

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Barbara
Date: 11 May 99 - 02:28 AM

Rudy Felch knew how to belch
Better than anyone ever did
My sister says that Rudy Felch
is an ugly vulgar nasty kid
And when he dies will go to hell
or China or somewhere. Now
every night I pray that before he dies
he'll show me how.

Or something like that, the book's in the house, and I'm not.
Blessings,
a frantically sewing and glueing Barbara
we open the 14th.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein has died
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 11 May 99 - 03:12 AM

He did some wonderful stuff, all right. One of my favorites was his "childrens' book," Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book. --seed

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Rasta
Date: 11 May 99 - 03:18 AM

Its earlyl tues. morning I was pickin in a bar with some friends and one of em dedicatated a song to him n thats how I found out about Shel.---correct me If Im wrong but I belileve he also wrote (Hey Nelly Nelly ) a song bout the Civil war and Honest Abe. and Im bein eatin by a Boa Constirctor. I remember seeing him on tv from time to time all I can say is I liked him, he was part of my growing up ---Heres to Shel--- Long may he run -----Rastaaaaa

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: JB3
Date: 11 May 99 - 03:18 AM

Shel Silverstein wrote the song, "In the Hills of Shiloh" about a bride-to-be who keeps searching for her lover killed in the Civil War. It's in the database. Haunting.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: SeanM
Date: 11 May 99 - 04:12 AM

As I sit here quietly crying my eyes out, I can only hope to say that he's already missed.

The world has lost a truly unique person...

Godspeed or whatever best wishes are appropriate.

M

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Tony Burns
Date: 11 May 99 - 08:44 AM

In a pad with no heat, up on Sullivan Street,
The last of the hipsters lay dyin,'
Wearin' his shades, so like no one could tell
Like whether or not he was cryin.'
All the junkies and loners
An' coffeeshop owners
Were all gathered 'round his bed.
He took one last puff
Of some imported stuff
And this are the last words he said.

He said, "Send my sandals home to Mom,
Hang my T-shirt away.
Burn my guitar
In Washington Squar',
'Cause I never learned how to play.
Give my pad
To some needy lad
And tell him the rent is all paid.
Keep my cash,
An' my stash,
An' my hash,
But bury me in my shades.

Bury me in my shades, boys,
Bury me in my shades.
Burn my guitar
In Washington Squar',
But bury me in my shades."

He said, "Give my Brooklyn chicks away
To anyone who needs 'em.
Give all of my poems away
To anyone who'll read 'em.
Dig me a grave 'neath the coffeeshop
And let a sad folksong be played.
Get everyone high
On the moment I die,
Bury me in my shades.

Bury me in my shades, boys,
Bury me in my shades.
Burn my guitar
In Washington Squar',
But bury me in my shades."

We threw his sandals out in the hall,
We left his T-shirt lay.
We sold his guitar
At the corner bar
To someone who knew how to play.
We smoked all his stash,
And spent all his cash,
And threw all his poems away.
And Bob got his records,
And Ed got his books,
And I got the poor beatnik shades.

"Bury me in my shades, boys," he said,
Bury me in my shades.
Burn my guitar
In Washington Squar',
But bury me in my shades."

So long Shel. :-(

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Cara
Date: 11 May 99 - 09:19 AM

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child, Listen to the DON'TS. Listen to the SHOULDN'TS, the IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS. Listen to the NEVER HAVES, then listen close to me; ANYTHING can happen, child, Anything can be.

Vaya con Dios.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 May 99 - 09:56 AM

Sept. 20, 1996 was the last time I saw Shel.It was at Bob Gibson's "farewell party" in Chicago (Bob died a week later.) Shel sang a great song about a clam waitin' for a train. Nobody believed him, but finally the train came, picked him up, & he was last seen waving from the platform. He used my guitar to do the song and he made several jokes about the strange capo that was on it. Bob & Shel wrote many songs together. Indeed, Bob's last CD was of Shel's songs---Shel could be heard on several choruses. It wasn't always PC, but funny as hell & amazing for sure. Those old days of Shel & Bob (Gibson & Camp) and Lenny & so many others at the Gate of Horn folk club in Chicago will stay with me as long as I'm here and remembering those heady times.

Onward Shel!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Mike Billo
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:38 AM

His classic album "Freakin' at the Freakers Ball" is an all-time classic. He was a truly unique man.

Subject: Lyr Add: SING FOR THE SONG (Shel Silverstein)
From: Frank of Toledo
Date: 11 May 99 - 11:50 AM

Shel did some great songs with Bob Gibson, but lest we miss some of his finest moments, don't ever forget his teaming up with Bobby Bare through the 70's and early 80's. The "Hills of Shiloh" came out of "Lullabies, Legends and Lies." This is one of my favorites:

Sometimes you sing for the money.
Sometimes you sing for the song.
Sometimes you sing for the dewy-eyed darlin'.
You can still make em' cry, don't you know.
Sometime you sing for the glory,
But glory don' last very long.
And in the haze of the stage, do you remember the days
When you used to sing for the song?

Sing for the song, boys,
Just like you did when you stood on the corner
And didn't even feel the rain.
Sing for the song, boy,
Just like you did before all of them fast-talkin' ladies got hold of you soul.
Sing for the song...

And you never did make too much money,
But you always put on a good show.
And those dewy-eyed darlin's next week will be cryin'
For somebody else, don't you know;
But your music's become your tradition,
Though the words are all twisted and wrong,
And the hits that they sell just don't taste very well,
Like when you used to sing for the song.

SING FOR THE SONG...done in 1978 by Bobby Bare

God bless you, Shel...

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 11 May 99 - 06:14 PM

I was shocked to read about Shel Silverstein's death. To me, Shel was a true Renaissance man. I first encountered him in Playboy magazine where he drew and wrote about a very different way of life from mine.

Then I heard Dr. Hook doing "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone" and saw that very familiar name as writer. As I helped bring two kids into the world I found out that Shel wrote children's books. Not very PC at times (nearly taboo subjects at times), but always from a very good heart and a true love of children and their wonder of the world.

I was getting to be an old fart when I found out Shel had been writing songs that I sang during the "folk scare" of the '60's.

Later on I found out he was quite a prolific song writer with a perverse sense of humor (my favorite kind). Went to a close out sale at a record store and found "Bob Gibson sings Shel Silverstein", definitely a favorite of mine. I expect Bob already knew he was ill and a few of the songs seemed to "laugh in the face of death". Quite a touching selection since I found the tape after Bob had died.

Shel was not a star in the Pantheon, but he was incredibly creative in the background of my entire adult life. I, too, will miss him and will learn a song in his honor.

I knew the Mudcat would be the only place I could talk about this with others who would understand. Thanks guys and gals.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: RandyS
Date: 11 May 99 - 07:39 PM

My favorites of his were "Cover of the Rolling Stone" and "The Tale of the Mermaid".

What were yours?

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein has died
From: TequilaRon
Date: 11 May 99 - 07:52 PM

Shel Silverstein wrote one of the best anti-war Folk songs I have ever heard. It's called The Hills Of Shiloh. I haven't done it in years, but if memory serves here are a few verses:

Have you seen Amanda Blaine> In the hills of Shiloh> Wandering In the morning Rain> In the hills of Shiloh>

Have you heard Amanda Sing> In the hills of Shiloh> Whispering to her wedding ring> In the hills of Shiloh>

Have you seen her Running Down> Searching through the sleeping town> In her yellowed wedding gown> In the hills of Shiloh>

Have you seen her standing there> In the hills of Shiloh> Wind a-blowing through her hair> In the hills of Shiloh>

Listening for the sound of drums > and a man who never comes> to the hills of Shiloh> Poor Amanda, doesn't know> It was over twenty years ago> In the hills of Shiloh>

Well this isn't right, but as we use to say at the University of South Florida its close enough for folk music. Ron

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Alex
Date: 11 May 99 - 09:18 PM

I once heard Bob Gibson do a recitation of "The Perfect High" which I believe was one of Shel's. It's a poignant tale of a fellow called Roy who gives his all in the search for the "Perfect High". I'd appreciate if someone could post the words. Like Art, I last saw Shel at Gibson's "wake".

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Alex
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:02 PM

Well, after a bit of surfing, I found a site with a huge amount of info on Shel's adult works, including his song lyrics - go to www.banned-width.com (sorry - I've had less than spectacular success with blue clicky thingys).

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein has died
From: Tucker
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:03 PM

I had the fortune to see Shel one day in Salsalito Ca, 1969. Hippy though I was/believe it or not soldier too, I left the man alone, I knew his work from the really great playboy years, his art (cartooning, interviews) and later his songs. I was sitting by the fountain there, and Shel was coming across the street from the Trident. I wanted to BS, but I figured hey Celebs need some time to be free. I waved, said "hey Shel, I've love'd your work". He smiled, seemingly genuinely, and said thanks. Only Contact. But I could see it made him happy and it made me happy, to see one of my favorite cartoonist.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Alice
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:22 PM

Here is The Perfect High, with a link to more Silverstein poetry. click
It's on the website of Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Alice
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:25 PM

The Perfect High is very long, so I won't copy and paste it all here (see the link before), but here are the first lines:

The Perfect High - by Shel Silverstein

There once was a boy named Gimme-Some-Roy...
He was nothin' like me or you,
'cause laying back and getting high was all he cared to do.

As a kid, he sat in the cellar...sniffing airplane glue.
And then he smoked banana peels, when that was the thing to do.
He tried aspirin in Coca-Cola, he breathed helium on the sly,
and his life became an endless search to find the perfect high.
.....

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Alice
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:28 PM

Here is a link to "Celebrating the Adult Works of Shel Silverstein" click here

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Tucker
Date: 11 May 99 - 10:50 PM

I was sitting in the center of Salsalito, by the fountain. I really never thought much about anything going on, but Shel was a favorite cartoonist of mine (like Vargas/Larson/genre/. He also had a lot of rational things to say in Playboy when it was a kick ass mag. Anyway, Shel goes flowing by. Hell, I'm not going to bother him. I had invisioned myself a star/icon, and decided that I would leave my gods/goddesses alone if I ever met them. Anyway, Shel is toolin' across by the hippie Jewelry store, and looks my way. Well things were cool in Salsalito then. I said Shel, love your stuff. Smile.....beat it on down the street. Smiling, Slowly, like we used to do then.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Bri
Date: 11 May 99 - 11:36 PM

Well, I'm sad now!! I loved his pomes, tho I never knew he wrote songs..I'll have to find some now...:o(

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: gargoyle
Date: 12 May 99 - 12:12 AM

Tony - what is the source of "Bury Me In My Shades?"

THANX

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Bri
Date: 12 May 99 - 12:19 AM

'scuse me... poems...so i can't spell?? it's late!

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: dwditty
Date: 12 May 99 - 05:51 AM

Fred Koller, on his "The Night Before" cd collaborated with Shel on "This Guitar is for Sale" and "Little Green Buttons" - two of my favorites. Little Green Buttons is a real crowd pleaser:

Little Green Buttons

The honeymoon ended a decade ago
Now if he still loves her he don't say so
So she's taking her blues to the House of Tattoos
And getting little green buttons on her birthday suit

Chorus: Little Green Buttons, All in a row
From her face to the place they ain't never gonna show
It might sound crazy, but they sure look cute
Little Green Buttons on her birthday suit

She had supper in the oven when he got home
Now he's snoring on the sofa to the late late show
It was ten days later before he knew
About those little green buttons on her birthday suit

Chorus

Now she's living in a house of love
She's got his attention, now he can't get enough
He spends every evening trying to undo
The little green buttons on her birthday suit

Chorus

DW

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: hank
Date: 12 May 99 - 08:40 AM

The crocodile went to the dentist
And he sat down onto the chair,
And the dentist said, "Now tell me, sir,
Why does it hurt and where?"

And the crocodile said, "I'll tell you the truth
Of a terrible, terrible ache in my tooth."
And he opened his jaws so wide, so wide,
The dentist he climbed right inside.

The dentist laughed, "Oh, isn't this fantasy!"
As he pulled the teeth out one my one.
And the crocodile cried, "You're hurting me so!
Please put down your pliers and let me go!"

But the dentist just laughed with a "ho, ho, ho!"
He said, "I still have twelve more to go.
Oops! That's the wrong one, I confess,
But what's one crocodile tooth more less?"

And then suddenly the jaws went SNAP!
The dentist was gone right off the map.
And where he went, no one could guess,
To north or south, east or west?

But...
What's one dentist more less?

So long, Shel. Hope your stay in the crocodile's belly is good. I memorised that little song years ago, and I still pull it out at times.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Len N (inactive)
Date: 12 May 99 - 07:46 PM

I told my robot to do my biddin'. He yawned and said, "You must be kiddin'." I told my robot to cook me stew. He said, "I got better things to do." I told my robot to sweep my shack. He said,"You want me to strain my back?" I told my robot to answer the phone. He said, "I must make some calls of my own," I told my robot to brew me some tea. He said, "Why don't you make some for me?" I told my robot to boil me an egg. He said, "First lemme hear you beg." I told my robot, "There's a song you can play me." He said, "How much are you going to pay me?" So I sold that robot, 'cause I never knew Exactly who belonged to who.

For years, this has been my eight year old daughter's favorite poem and she does a good job of reading it... ... with feeling. A couple of years ago, (age six at the time), she climbed up into the spotlight and read it in the middle of my set at a coffee house where I was playing.... Needless to say, she and Shel stole the show.

Len

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Tony
Date: 12 May 99 - 07:50 PM

"Bury me in my Shades" was on "Inside Folksongs" a 1962 Atlantic lp

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Ronn
Date: 12 May 99 - 09:46 PM

Beans Taste Fine, Have Another Espresso, The Ugliest Man In Town, Never Bite A Married Woman On The Thigh, You're Always Welcome At Our House, It Does Not Pay To Be Hip, Blue Eyes...sleep well, Shel. You earned it.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: northfolk/al cholger
Date: 12 May 99 - 10:50 PM

There is nothing I can add to this link, but the folk fabric is quality cloth, and Shel was a golden thread woven through it. I became aware of him, because of his iconoclastic work...the kind that gets me through the day.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From:
Date: 12 May 99 - 11:55 PM

Alice--

Thanks for the links to the Shel Silverstein stuff at www.banned-width.com/shel.html

I was sad at first because the author of some songs I loved, like "The Unicorn" and "I'm Being Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor," had died. Then I visited that site and discovered what a genius Shel Silverstein was in ways I had never imagined. After reading the original "Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book" (as published in Playboy) and "Uncle Shelby's Scout Handbook," I'm much sadder that the world has lost a wonderful wit, but I'm laughing so hard you'll have a hard time detecting my sadness.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: leprechaun
Date: 13 May 99 - 12:00 AM

This morning I got on my horse and went out for a ride and some wild outlaws chased me and they shot me in the side, so I crawled into a wildcat's cave to find a place to hide but some Indians found me sleeping there and soon they had me tied to a pole and built a fire under me I almost cried, but a mermaid came and cut me loose and begged to be my bride so I said I'd be back Wednesday but I must admit I lied, then I ran into a jungle swamp but I forgot my guide and I met a group of cannibals who planned to have me fried, but an eagle came down and swooped me up and through the air we flied but he dropped me in a boiling lake a thousand miles wide and you'll never guess what I did then...I died. True Story thanks Shel

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 13 May 99 - 06:41 PM

It's open mic tomorrow night at Crofton City Limits. I'm gonna sing "Little Green Buttons" and "Put Another Log on the Fire" and probably cry while I do it. Thanks Shel!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Frank Of Toledo
Date: 14 May 99 - 06:40 PM

Sure hate to see this one go by the wayside; so I'll give it my ol' what the hell one more good shot for Shel: "WATCHING THE FLIES IN THE KITCHEN OF THE MAN WITH THE YARD FULL OF RUSTY CARS......... HOLE IN THE SCREEN DOOR WHERE THE DOGS CRAWL IN AND OUT.....CAREFUL O' THAT SOUP SON, IT'LL BURN A HOLE IN YOUR MOUTH......SOUP AND LIFE, YOU GOTTA WAIT EM' OUT...SAYS THE MAN WITH THE YARD FULL OF RUSTY CARS....................... '

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: DoRay
Date: 15 May 99 - 12:33 PM

No one mentioned what I consider to be Shel's best song: "Me and Jimmie Rodgers." Art Thieme is the only person I have heard do it. I think you have to be in a certain age group to fully appreciate this song.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 15 May 99 - 12:40 PM

Does anyone know for sure whether Put Another Log On the Fire was by Shel or bu Tompall Glazer? I've seen both attributions.

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Frank Of Toledo
Date: 15 May 99 - 02:27 PM

It was on an RCA Victor album called Oulaws and TomPaul Glaser got credit on that album.... I haven't heard "Jimmie Rodgers and Me". In fact I had not heard of it before this thread; would sure like to find out where it's from. Did you record it Art? I have your Waterbug CD and one Folk Legacy tape. If you could help me locate it I would sure be grateful. Have you hear his Musical recitation of "Man With The Yard Full Of Rusty Cars"?.............

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 15 May 99 - 04:16 PM

Dick,

The song is on the Shel Silverstein site mentioned earlier. Shel's site I suspect if Tompall Glaser wrote it, it would have no reason to be there. It could be that it was co-written.

Roger in Baltimore (not quite on vacation, yet)

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Frank Of Toledo
Date: 15 May 99 - 05:00 PM

I believe you're right Roger, because there are a few more songs on the album by Tompall that Shel had written, and also on the same album were some Willie Nelson and Waylong Jennings. Have you heard Bob Gibson's "Living Legend". Another great Shel song. I've been sitting here for nearly 5 days redoing all the Shel songs that I know and there are a lot. .............. I haven't seen much mention of the Dr Hook in this thread..............

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 15 May 99 - 05:58 PM

Frank, I love the line "even living ledgends have to live."
Rick

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 15 May 99 - 09:40 PM

Dick, there was another thread on Put Another Log last September, and one Dick Greenhaus wrote:
"Shel DIDN'T write Put another Log on the Fire -- that's Tompall Glazer."
What has made you doubtful? I thought you knew, and changed the entry in the database accordingly ... - Sadly, Susanne

Subject: RE: Shel Silverstein
From: Art Thieme
Date: 15 May 99 - 11:38 PM

"Living Legend" was written by Shel for Bob. Any who know Bob's "story" will know that instantly. Bob's fame was mainly in the early & mid sixties. Then bad drug years & many of lesser "fame" that Bob struggled through. He used the drugs but he became a user of people too. Made many friends and some enemies---something like us all I suspect. Later, when he was so ill, we put the crap on the back burner and sought to recall only what a fine folksinger he was in those early years and in many instances later too. Those of us who were there in the earlier times were always exhilerated to see the flaring up of the flame once in a while.

Art