Lyr Req: Honor of Your Company (Tom Paxton)

Subject: Tom Paxton song
From: kendall
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 07:36 PM

can someone help with finding the lyrics to a Tom Paxton song? Dont know the name, but, some of the lyrics are: thanks for the company, thanks for the harmony, I'm here to say the honor was all mine..

Subject: ADD: The Honor of Your Company (Paxton)
From: raredance
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 12:06 AM

The song is "The Honor of Your Company". It is on Tom's "Live For The Record" CD and I think it is also on his "Wearing The Time" CD, but the latter is in my offic so I can't verify it. The melody and lyrics were also published in Sing Out! 2-3 years ago.

THE HONOR OF YOUR COMPANY

words & music by Tom Paxton

When I find myself with a song to write,
I remember candles in the night.
Voices raised in ragged harmony,
Singing this land was made for you and me.
Some of those voices are silent now and gone;
I'm glad to see how you've been keeping on.
I remember the songs that pulled us through,
And when I hear those songs, I think of you.

Chorus:
So, thank you for the honor of your company.
The music was as sweet as the good red wine.
Thanks for the company,
And thanks for the harmony,
I'm here to say the honor was all mine.

Back when times were tough and the news was bad,
Faith and a couple of songs was all we had.
Songs we rearranged and made our own;
Songs it sometimes seemed we'd always known.
We've been toghether now for a long long time,
And if ever I was the poet, you were the rhyme.
It was always the music that kept us strong.
And, if ever I was the singer, you were the song.

Chorus

Decade after decade, year by hear,
Season after season, we're still here,
And it does not take a crystal ball to know
We're gonna go out singing when we go.
A five-string banjo and a steel string guitar
Just a couple of the reasons why we've come this far,
Singing like we always have and will,
Knowing the circle is unbroken still.

Chorus

rich r

Subject: RE: Help: Tom Paxton song
From: kendall
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 09:05 AM

Thanks guys..I have that tape somewhere but, cant find it. This is one of the songs that tears me up,but I'm going to try to sing it anyway. It took me ten years to get to where I could do The Band Played Waltzing Matilda in public.

Subject: RE: Help: Tom Paxton song
From: the Catter with no name (til this afternoon)
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 12:47 PM

Kendall, I guess it was emotion that kept you from singing Bogle's song for so long. I've done the same, but for different reasons. I learned a song of Michael Smith's called "This Here Mandolin" about 20 years ago, but never sang it in public, 'cause I just "hadn't got it" yet. One day a few months ago, it popped out on stage..and felt good. Whatever the reason..it was "ready".
Rick

Subject: RE: Help: Tom Paxton song
From: kendall
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 03:26 PM

Is that THIS OLD MANDOLIN? is made out of pine..given to me by a hobo down the line..etc??

Subject: RE: Help: Tom Paxton song
From: kendall
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 03:31 PM

I kid you not, I've seen grown men cry unashamed when I sang The Band played Waltzing Matilda.In fact I did that once at a bluegrass festival in an open field, and you could hear a pin drop. Having spent much time at sea, I find that songs like Wreck of the Jeannie C. rips me apart too.

Subject: RE: Help: Tom Paxton song
From: Tiger
Date: 20 Nov 99 - 04:44 PM

Kendall - you old softie. It only took me five years

Subject: RE: Help: Tom Paxton song
From: wildlone
Date: 21 Nov 99 - 11:42 AM

Just got back from a car boot sale bought 3 vinyl lps
Tom Paxton-aint that news.
Alex Campbell-at his best.
and a Topic sampler no7 Sea Songs and Shanties.
all in very good condition for £2 the 3.
sorry had to tell someone, cheers wl.