Songs That Speak Truth

Subject: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: GUEST,TedDanson'sTVDinners
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 12:16 AM

What songs speak truth to you?

For me:
Grinnin' In Your Face - Son House

John Hurt - Lonesome Valley

Working on a project to help young people. Right now, it involves teaching young teens about truth...through music. Open to any and all recommendations, from any genre, time period, etc.

For instance, this song is more current, and speaks truth, I think.
Blind Melon - Change

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Ron Davies
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 08:53 AM

There's a great country song, sung by Lynn Morris which goes in part, after saying how the singer tells us how much she loves her man, that after he left her:




Chorus:


Was I to walk the floor and worry
Over endless days to come
And cry and plead down on my knees for you?
I couldn't stand to be alone
You left me nothing else to choose
So I found someone to take your place
What was I supposed to do?


Perhaps that's not the kind of uplifting song you're looking for. But I think it's great.

And you did say "truth".

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 08:59 AM

"Mary Ellen Carter" by Stan Rogers.
"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" by Eric Bogle.
"I need me to be for me" by PP&M.
"McDonnel on the Heights" by Stan Rogers.

There are others....

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Bobert
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 09:34 AM

Yes, Son House's "Grinnin' in Your Face" comes to mind although a lot of people really might not actually get what he is saying...

"The Rat and The Snake" by Mark Germino pretty much lays out what is wrong with American capitalism...

Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" certainly hit the nail on the head...

A lot of Bob Dylan's earlier songs were all over the truth...

Jim Page, a current but little known singer-songwriter get it right...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Amos
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:03 AM

One vote, anyway, for Angel from Montgomery.
John Prine has a deal of truth in him.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Midchuck
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:07 AM

Would give an "Amen" on Rap's two Stan offerings.

"After the Hangover's Over" as done by Homer and Jethro. (Just kidding! Don't let my wife see this!)

Peter

Subject: Lyr Add: WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT (Si Kahn
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:20 AM

From Si Kahn.

You must know someone like him
He was tall and strong and lean
With a body like a greyhound
And a mind so sharp and keen
But his heart, just like a laurel,
Grew twisted round itself
Till almost every thing he did
Caused pain to someone else

It's not just what you're born with
It's what you choose to bear
It's not how big your share is
But how much you can share
And it's not the fights you dreamed of
But those you really fought
It's not what you've been given
It's what you do with what you've got

Now what's the good of two strong legs
If you only run away?
And what use is the finest voice
If you've nothing good to say?
And what good is strength and muscle
If you only push and shove?
And what's the use of two good ears
If you can't hear those you love?

Between those who use their neighbours
And those who use a cane
Between those in constant power
And those in constant pain
Between those who run to evil
And those who cannot run
Tell me which ones are the cripples
And which ones touch the sun?

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Ed T
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 10:52 AM

Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 04:00 PM

Anything by Prine, "Hello in There" is awesome.
Anything by Hank Williams, not tea party crazy Hank, his talented father, especially the "Luke the Drifter" stuff.
Woody Guthrie's protests, Jim Croce's love songs
Then there are the spirituals and hymns,
"I am a Pilgrim"
"Softly and Tenderly"
"In the Garden"
"Amazing Grace"
"Will the Circle be Unbroken?"

There are so many depending upon where your truth lies.

Long Gone Lonesome Blues has held some truth for me sometimes

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 04:06 PM

Great topic. The truth is, EVERY SONG I SING speaks the truth to me.

I never was one for music as wallpaper.

so here's a few that I've played this week, just for the sake of the thread

Make Me Down A Pallet On Your Floor- Mississippi John Hurt

Goodnight New York Nanci Griffith

Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues- Bob Dylan

Orphan Girl - Gillian Welch

Your Long Journey- Doc Watson

Bright Morning Stars

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: TheSnail
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 05:54 PM

Burn's A Man's A Man For A' That

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Elmore
Date: 26 Dec 12 - 06:53 PM

"Brother (or Buddy) Can You Spare a Dime?" written in 1931 by Harburg and Gorney.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 03:46 PM

**UPDATE**

I've created a website. So many songs to choose from (I had nearly 100 songs at one point). It's down to 12 now, and the list won't please everyone. But that's okay!

The OP says it's about teaching young people about truth through music. I've since broadened it to Life in general...truth a sub-category. I'm not interested in owning the title name, trademarking, rights reserved, and all that or making any money. I'm doing this just because, and it's for anyone who might benefit from it.

I have paper copies of the booklets, with my artwork/doodles that I send out locally and just to friends. Since I can't do this for everyone, I've created this site.

What do you guys think? Comments and suggestions are most welcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 03:59 PM

Posting the link would help.

http://www.songsaboutlife.info/

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Ron Davies
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 08:11 AM

Truth:


Here's one:

"Oh baby, what I couldn't do
With plenty of money and you
In spite of the worry that money brings
A little filthy lucre buys a lot of things."

Can't remember how the rest of the song goes, but it's a good one.

Subject: Lyr Add: WITH PLENTY OF MONEY AND YOU (D Powell)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 08:31 AM

WITH PLENTY OF MONEY AND YOU as sung by Dick Powell

I have never envied folks with money.
Millionaires don't get along so well.
I have you but haven't any money.
Still the combination would be swell.

Oh, baby what I couldn't do
With plenty of money and you!
In spite of the worry that money brings,
Just a little filthy lucre buys a lot of things.
And I could take you to places you'd like to go
But outside of that I've no use for dough.
It's the root of all evil,
of strife and upheaval,
But I'm certain honey
That life could be sunny
With plenty of money and you.

RPT Stanza two.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 11:05 AM

Truth can be very subjective.

Rod Stewart's Maggie May came to mind when I woke up next to one girlfriend s few years ago.

"The morning sun when it's in your face,
Really shows your age. "

I assume she was thinking nice lyrics about me...

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: GUEST,999
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 11:12 AM

Of course, Musket.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 12:03 AM

Dave Carter's song Kate and the Ghost of Lost Love, also his song Mother I Climbed that Tracy Grammer recorded.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: Ron Davies
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 11:37 PM

Thanks, 999.    That really is an excellent song, just the kind of wry attitude I treasure---I'd better learn it.

Subject: RE: BS: Songs That Speak Truth
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 11:43 PM

Love to hear it when you do, Ron.