How many fallen women does it take? (songs)

Subject: Lyr Add: NOBODY'S SWEETHEART (Kahn/Erdman/Meyers..
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Feb 19 - 02:16 PM

Lyrics below are from the sheet music at York University.

NOBODY’S SWEETHEART
Words and music by Gus Kahn, Ernie Erdman, Billy Meyers & Elmer Schoebel, ©1924.

1. You were ev’rybody’s sweetheart, not so long ago,
And in our home town each boy around
Longed to be your beau;
But things are diff’rent today,
I’m mighty sorry to say:

CHORUS: You’re nobody’s sweetheart now.
They don’t baby you somehow.
Fancy hose, silken gown—
You’d be out of place in your own home town.
When you walk down the avenue,
I just can’t believe that it’s you—
Painted lips, painted eyes,
Wearing a bird of paradise.
It all seems wrong somehow,
That you’re nobody’s sweetheart now.

2. In a simple gown of gingham, I can see you still
As you went your way at close of day,
Past the old red mill.
You’re dressed in satins today,
But still your eyes seem to say: CHORUS


* * *
Tampa Red recorded this song in 1934, under the title NOBODY’S SWEETHEART NOW. He sang only the chorus, and his words were slightly different, posted here. There were many other recordings, including one by Vernon Dalhart with a dance orchestra.

Subject: Lyr Add: IF YOU KNEW HER SIDE OF THE STORY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 05:05 PM

I only heard of this song because it was advertised in the sheet music of IT’S A MAN, EV’RY TIME, IT’S A MAN – see above. I can’t find any evidence that it’s ever been recorded.

Lyrics below are from the sheet music at Baylor University:


IF YOU KNEW HER SIDE OF THE STORY
Words by Al Dubin, music by Joe Burke and Jimmy McHugh, ©1923.

1. There’s so much bad in the best of us all,
Why should we talk when the rest of us fall?
Poor little girl, just because someone lied,
Shunned by the world, I know how she has cried;
But there are two sides to a story, they say,
So why should you treat her this way?

CHORUS: If you knew her side of the story,
Then maybe you’d let her alone.
Those who live in glass houses should never throw stones,
But I’m telling you that they always do.
If you only knew what she’s gone through,
You’d learn how to live and let live;
And if you knew her side of the story,
I know you’d forget and forgive.

2. Gossiping lips fill the whole world with tears,
Shatter the dreams you’ve been weaving for years.
Poor little girl, you are old though you’re young,
Scorned by the world through a gossiping tongue;
But there are two sides to a story, I know,
So tell them wherever you go:—CHORUS

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST A GIRL THAT MEN FORGET
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 12:17 PM

These lyrics are from the sheet music at York University:


JUST A GIRL THAT MEN FORGET
Words and music by Al Dubin, Fred Rath, and Joe Garren, ©1923.

1. Dear little girl, they call you a vamp,
A flapper with up-to-date ways.
You may shine brightly, but just like a lamp,
You’ll burn out one of these days.
Then your old-fashioned sister will come into view,
With a husband and kiddies, but what about you?

CHORUS: You’re the kind of a girl that men forget,
Just a toy to enjoy for a while,
For when men settle down, they always get
An old-fashioned girl with an old-fashioned smile;
And you’ll soon realize, you’re not so wise,
When the years bring you tears of regret,
When they play “Here comes the bride,” you’ll be standing outside,*
Just a girl that men forget.

2. Wallflower girl, now dry all those tears,
For you won’t be left all alone.
Someday you’ll find yourself upon a throne,
Queen of a sweet little home,
And, you gay little flapper, you’ll live and you’ll learn,
When you’ve gone down the pathway that has no return.


* Most singers sing: “You’ll stand outside.”
* * *
The Internet Archive has recordings by:
Billy Jones, 1923
Charles Hart, 1923
George Beaver, 1923
Henry Burr, 1923
Irene Audrey and Emily Earle, 1923
Jim Doherty, 1923
Lewis James, 1923
Vernon Dalhart, 1923
Jimmie Davis, 1937
Fran Warren and Lisa Kirk, 1950
Sammy Kaye and his Swing and Sway Orchestra, n/d

Various discographies list lots more recordings by various artists.

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S A MAN EVERY TIME IT'S A MAN (Dalhart
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 19 - 10:53 AM

Lyrics below are from the sheet music, which you can see at the University of Maine.


IT’S A MAN, EV’RY TIME, IT’S A MAN
Words and music by Al Dubin, Jimmy McHugh, and Irwin Dash, ©1923.

1. They call her a girl that men forget, but why should she have to pay
A debt, I know, that she doesn’t owe, while the man goes on his way?

CHORUS: For who breaks her heart like a child breaks a toy?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.
And who brings her sorrow and takes all her joy?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.
If he makes a blunder, the whole world forgives,
But she has to suffer as long as she lives,
And who is to blame if her head hangs in shame?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.

2. This life is a game we have to play, and hearts are sometimes the stakes,
But why are men so quick to condemn the mistakes a woman makes?

* * *
[You can hear Vernon Dalhart’s 1924 recording of this song at the Internet Archive. He omits verse 2 and inserts this recitation over orchestral accompaniment, which is not in the sheet music:]

There is good in the worst of us, bad in the best,
And at judging a woman, we are just like the rest.
We’ll say, for example, a mistake has been made.
It’s the way of the world that a price must be paid.
The man is forgiven, yes, time after time,
But what she pays is greater by far than the crime;
And though she may repent, still she hasn’t a friend,
And the finger of scorn points her out till the end;
And though it is only wild oats that he sowed,
The rest of her life is a long dreary road;
For the standard of morals for woman and man
Has made it a rule that she can’t though he can.

[Then he sings:]

So who is to blame if her head hangs in shame?
It’s a man, ev’ry time; it’s a man.

* * *
The Internet Archive has the following additional recordings:
Lewis James, 1924.
Henry Scott, 1924.

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: GUEST,eldergirl
Date: 14 Aug 13 - 08:26 AM

There's a song with a great tune, and last verse (I think) is;

Now all you young men who go courting
Do leave all those flash girls alone
For they'll go off and leave you,
Cruelly deceive you
Leave you with a baby that's none of your own.

Can't remember title or other verses.

Subject: Lyr Add: YOU MAKE LOVE TO EVERYONE (Webb Pierce)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Aug 13 - 10:09 PM

Ebbie mentioned this song back on 19-Dec-2000:


YOU MAKE LOVE TO EVERYONE.
As sung by Webb Pierce on "Walking the Streets"

You make love to everyone.
That's what you've always done.
You've always had your fun,
While I sit here and yearn.

Will it always be this way?
Must I always be your slave?
Or will you change someday,
And make love to only one?

Many times I said that we're through.
Then you're gone; I'm lonely for you,
So I'd rather have you make me blue
Than take a chance with someone new.

Even though you're seldom mine,
I'm happy part of the time.
I'll pretend that I don't mind
While you make love to everyone.

Subject: Lyr Add: VENOM WEARIN' DENIM (Junior Brown)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Aug 13 - 01:31 PM

GUEST,Frankie and Mbo both mentioned this song back on 25-Apr-2000:


VENOM WEARIN' DENIM
As sung by Junior Brown on "Greatest Hits"

CHORUS: She's just venom wearin' denim; she's a viper dressed in blue.
Tight fittin' jeans are all she needs to put the bite on you.
She's pretty but she's poison, like a copper-headed queen.
She's just venom wearin' denim; she's a nightmare, not a dream.

1. She slithers when she walks and there's no tellin' where she's been.
She'll coil up beside you tryin' to shed her denim skin.
Once she strikes, a deadly bite, and there's no antidote,
She's just venom wearin' denim, boys; she'll go right for your throat.

2. She'll start hissin' when she's kissin', sayin' you're the only one.
She'll tell you lies with beady eyes on a big long forkéd tongue.
If you give that gal a diamond ring, you'll get a diamondback.
She's just venom wearin' denim, boys; she's always makin' tracks.

Subject: Lyr Add: TIJUANA (Jim Ringer)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Aug 13 - 12:55 PM

Jofield mentioned this song on 26-Apr-2000.

This is my transcription from a recording at YouTube. Although the "video" shows the cover of the album "The Best of Jim Ringer: The Band of Jesse James," the track list at AllMusic.com doesn't include this song.

The song has an unusual pattern of internal rhymes. To clarify the structure, I have place all the rhyming words at the ends of lines, although this leaves some leftover short lines that don't rhyme anything. So be it.


TIJUANA
Jim Ringer

L.A.'s such a big town,
I thought I might go down
To Tijuana.
L.A. would never miss me while I'm gone.
I heard a mariachi band.
Tequila helped me understand
Their music,
And a dark-eyed senorita asked me home.

I asked her where she come from.
She told me she was born
In Cincinnati,
But her mama had been Mexican by birth.
She got led off by someone's lies,
But TJ'd opened up her eyes
Completely,
And now she realized what home was worth.

She said she'd been a flower child,
Grown weary from the many miles
She'd traveled since she left her dad and mama.
She never did intend to stay,
But found it hard to get away.
Well, that happens ev'ry day in Tijuana.

I woke up the next day,
Thinkin' I might stay
In Tijuana.
There was no one waitin' for me in L.A.
I felt her body start to stir.
I woke her up by kissin' her
And told her
It was time for us to meet another day.

She said she had some bills to pay,
And maybe I could see my way
To help her.
Everything she owed was comin' due today.
I told that I guessed I could,
And that I really understood
Her problem,
So I gave her twenty, then went on my way.

And now L.A. seems a smaller town,
And I get tired o' hangin' round
The beaches and the bars and Cinerama.
I wonder if I could 'a' stayed.
Well, wond'rin's no good, 'n' anyway,
That happens ev'ry day in Tijuana.

- - -
The story reminds me of a scene in, IIRC, Rabbit Run by John Updike, which I read a long time ago: a woman who didn't seem to be a prostitute asks the narrator for money after sex, in a manner that allows them both to save face. I wonder if this is a common occurrence--or did Ringer read the same novel?

Subject: Lyr Add: DON'T PUT HER DOWN YOU HELPED PUT HER...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Aug 13 - 11:54 AM

Ebbie: thanks for suggesting this.


DON'T PUT HER DOWN; YOU HELPED PUT HER THERE.
As sung by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard on the various-artists collection "The Rounder Records Story" (2010)

1. You pull the string.
She's your plaything.
You can make her or break her; it's true.
You abuse her, accuse her,
Turn around and use her,
Then forsake her any time it suits you.

CHORUS: Well, there's more to her than powder and paint,
Than her p'roxided bleached-out hair.
Well, if she acts that way,
It's 'cause you've had your day.
Don't put her down; you helped put her there.

2. She hangs around
Playin' the clown
While her soul is aching inside.
She's heartbreak's child
'Cause she just lives for your smile
To build her up in a world made by men. CHORUS

3. At the house down the way,
You sneak and you pay
For her love, her body, or her shame,
Then you call yourself a man.
You say you just don't understand
How a woman could turn out that way.

LAST CHORUS: Well, there's more to her than powder and paint,
Than the men she picks up at the bar.*
Well, if she acts that way,
It's 'cause you've had your day.
Don't put her down; you helped put her there.*

Well, if she acts that way,
It's 'cause you've had your day.
Don't put her down; you helped put her there.


[* In Hazel Dickens' accent, "bar", and "there" are approximate rhymes.]

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Aug 13 - 03:43 AM

Hazel Dickens: 'Don't put her down; you helped put her there..."

Subject: Lyr Add: DEVIL WOMAN (Marty Robbins)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Aug 13 - 11:08 AM

This one is a sort of pseudo-calypso.

Mentioned by Crazy Eddie on 26-Dec-2000 and again by eldergirl on 31-Jul-2013:


DEVIL WOMAN
Marty Robbins

1. I told Mary about us; I told her about our great sin.
Mary cried and forgave me and Mary took me back again,
Said if I wanted my freedom, I could be free evermore,
But I don't want to be, and I don't want to see Mary cry anymore.

CHORUS: Oh, devil woman, devil woman, let go of me.
Devil woman, let me be,
And leave me alone.
I want to go home.

2. Mary is waitin' and weepin' down in our shack by the sea.
Even after I've hurt her, Mary's still in love with me.
Devil woman, it's over, trapped no more by your charms,
'Cause I don't want to stay; I want to get away; woman, let go of my arm. CHORUS

3. Devil woman, you're evil, like the dark coral reef.
Like the winds that bring high tides, you bring sorrow and grief.
You made me ashamed to face Mary, barely had the strength to tell.
Skies are not so black; Mary took me back; Mary has broken your spell. CHORUS

4. Runnin' along by the seashore, runnin' as fast as I can,
Even the seagulls are happy, glad I'm comin' home again.
Never again will I ever cause another tear to fall.
Down the beach I see what belongs to me, the one I want most of all.

LAST CHORUS: Oh, devil woman, devil woman, don't follow me.
Devil woman, let me be,
And leave me alone.
I'm going back home.

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: Andrez
Date: 12 Aug 13 - 08:56 AM

Sorry Joe, but I'm with Leenia on this one. That story she quoted from the NY Times should be an instant reality check for anyone reading this thread.

Sadly I dont think we can say that this thread let alone others actually explore what prostitution or racism, or murder, or incest are really about especially as these refer to the lived experience of women across cultures, countries and time.

I'd like to see a thread that focuses on songs that highlights the strengths and bravery of women in the face of repression and oppression or one that list the songs that show the men carrying out all this crap for the pathetic examples of humanity that they are.

I'll bet there are bugger all of the latter, why am I not surprised

Cheers,

Andrez
(Former child protection worker, 14 years)

PS: That poor. poor child, I hope something positive has happened in her life since she managed to escape and where the f*** where her parents/family?

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'LL COME A TIME (Charles K. Harris)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 11:41 PM

This song was mentioned by Bob Clayton on 20-Dec-2000.

You can see the sheet music at Indiana University.


THERE'LL COME A TIME
Words and music by Charles K. Harris, ©1895.

1. "Why are you sad, Papa, my darling?
Why are those tears falling today?
Why do you look at me so strangely?
Have I done wrong? Tell me, I pray."
"No, no, my child; you are an angel.
There's not a heart purer than thine.
Yet I've a fear, someday you'll leave me.
Just as your mother did; there'll come a time."

CHORUS: "There'll come a time, some day,
When I have passed away.
There'll be no father to guide you from day to day.
Think well of all I've said.
Honor the man you wed.
Always remember my story: there'll come a time."

2. "Let me know all, Papa, my darling.
Tell me I pray, of Mother dear.
Where has she gone? Why did she leave us?
Why is her name never heard here?
I never felt her arms about me,
Nor her sweet lips prest close to mine.
I'd give my life, only to see her.
Tell me, dear Papa, will there come a time?"

3. "Some years ago—well I remember—
Your mother, child, left home one night.
She fled, alas, fled with another—
'Tis the old tale—vanished from sight.
'Twas but a year; back to the old home
She came to die, yes, baby mine.
That's why I fear, some day you'll leave me,
Just as your mother did; there'll come a time.


[Recorded by Charlie Poole's North Carolina Ramblers (1926), The Blue Sky Boys (1936), Grandpa Jones, Jim Eanes, Jolly Boys of Lafayette, Monica Grabin, Don Reno & Red Smiley.

[There are other songs with the same title.]

Subject: Lyr Add: WAS I? (Charlie Farrell & Chick Endor)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 01:41 PM

This song was mentioned by Bat Goddess on 26-Apr-2000 (who may not have known how old the song was):


WAS I?
Written by Charlie Farrell & Chick Endor, ©1931.
As recorded by Elliott Everett and his Orchestra, with vocalist Peggy Hill (1932)

A sweet young thing of sixteen thought that she'd step out one night,
Alone to get the thrills in life she'd missed.
She met a youth, a bit uncouth; although he seemed all right,
She'd known him but a moment when they kissed.
When she got home next day with swollen head,
And a girlfriend asked, "Did you have fun?" she said:

Was I drunk? Was he handsome? And did my ma give me hell?
Did I get a thrill? And am I still aquiver?
Was he rough? And did I care? Am I glad now that I fell?
Every time I think about him, do I shiver?
Was he hot? And was I?
And would he stand for maybe?
He would not! Did I lie?
Does he still think I'm a baby?
If I was, am I still?
Do I care? Don't be sill'!
Was I drunk? Was he handsome? And did my ma give me hell?

Was I drunk? Was he handsome? And did my ma give me hell?
Were his hands loose as no use refusing?
Did he fight? Do I bruise? I'm almost shamed to tell!
I don't know yet the system he was usin'.
I said, "Stop! Please behave!
What's the use of raving?"
He said, "Give," so I gave.
After all, what was I saving?
Am I glad? Holy gee!
Have I had, you're askin' me?
Was I drunk? Was he handsome? And did my ma give me hell?


Later recordings were by Georgia White (under the title WAS I DRUNK? In 1936), and by Madeleine Peyroux on "Dreamland" (1996).

Changes in these versions:
1. The entire first verse is changed to a first-person narrative by changing pronouns.
2. "My ma" is changed to "Mama" throughout.
3. "Do I bruise?" is changed to "Was I blue?" probably to make the story seem less like a description of a date rape!

Subject: Lyr Add: SISTER'S COMIN' HOME (Willie Nelson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 11:14 AM

Mentioned by Pixie back on 26-Dec-2000:


SISTER'S COMIN' HOME/DOWN AT THE CORNER BEER JOINT
As sung by Willie Nelson on "Phases and Stages" (2005)

Sister's comin' home.
Mama's gon' let her sleep the whole day long,
Oh, Lord, the whole day long.
My sister's comin' home.
Mama gon' let her sleep the whole day long.

My sister's comin' home.
Mama don't like the man that done her wrong.
Lord, he done her wrong.
My sister's comin' home.
Mama don't like the man that done her wrong.

Sister's comin' home.
Mama's gon' let her sleep the whole day long,
Oh, Lord, the whole day long.
My sister's comin' home.
Mama gon' let her sleep the whole day long.
The mirror's gonna tell her just how long she's been gone.

Down at the corner beer joint, dancin' to the rock and roll,
Sister likes to do it, Lord; sister likes to move her soul.
Down at the corner beer joint, dancin' on a hardwood floor,
Her jeans fit a little bit tighter than they did before.

Than they did before, than they did before,
Lord, her jeans fit a little bit tighter than they did before.
Than they did before, than they did before,
Lord, her jeans fit a little bit tighter than they did before.

Down at the corner beer joint, dancin' to the rock and roll,
Sister likes to do it, Lord; sister likes to move her soul.
Down at the corner beer joint, dancin' on a hardwood floor,
Well, her jeans fit her little bit tighter than they did before,

Than they did before, than they did before,
Her jeans fit a little bit tighter than they did before.
She likes to move her soul, likes to move her soul,
Sister likes to do it, Lord; sister likes to move her soul.

Subject: Lyr Add: RITA BALLOU (Guy Clark)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 10:31 AM

Mentioned by SDShad on 26-Apr-2000:


RITA BALLOU
As recorded by Guy Clark on "The South Coast of Texas"

She could dance that slow bandera,*
Shuffle to some cowboy hustle.
How she made them trophy buckles shine, shine, shine!
Wild-eyed and Mexican silvered,
Trickin' dumb old cousin Willard
Into thinkin' that he got her this time.

CHORUS: Hill-country honky-tonkin' Rita Ballou,
Ever' beer joint in town has played a fool for you.
Backslidin' barrel-ridin' Rita Ballou,
Ain't a cowboy in Texas would not ride a bull for you.

She's a rawhide-rope-and-velvet mixture,
Walkin', talkin', Texas-texture,
High-timin', barroom-fixture kind of a girl.
She's the queen of the cowboys.
Look at old Willard grinnin' now, boys.
You'd 'a' thought there's less fools in this world. CHORUS

So good luck, Willard, and here's to ya,
And here's to Rita, and I hope she'll do ya
Right all night.
Lord, I wish I was the fool in your shoes. CHORUS TWICE


[* I don't know what a bandera is, but I suspect it comes from Bandera, Texas.]

Subject: Lyr Add: RAISED ON ROBBERY (Joni Mitchell)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 02:00 AM

This song was mentioned by GUEST,JAZE on 19-Dec-2000:


RAISED ON ROBBERY
As recorded by Joni Mitchell on "Court and Spark" (1974)

He was sitting in the lounge of the Empire Hotel
He was drinking for diversion; he was thinking for himself,
A little money riding on the Maple Leafs.
Along comes a lady in lacy sleeves.

She says: "Let me sit down; you know, drinkin' alone's a shame. (It's a shame; it's a crying shame.)
Look at those jokers glued to that damn hockey game.
Hey, honey, you've got lots of cash.
Bring us round a bottle and we'll have some laughs.
Gin's what I'm drinking; I was raised on robbery.

"I'm a pretty good cook; I'm sitting on my groceries.
Come up to my kitchen; I'll show you my best recipe.
I try and I try but I can't save a cent.
I'm up after midnight cooking, trying to make my rent.
I'm rough but I'm pleasin'; I was raised on robbery.

"We had a little money once; they were pushing through a four lane highway.
Government gave us three thousand dollars; you should have seen it fly away.
First he bought a '57 Biscayne; he put it in the ditch.
He drunk up all the rest, that son of a bitch.
His blood's bad whiskey; I was raised on robbery.

"You know you ain't bad looking; I like the way you hold your drinks.
Come home with me, honey; I ain't asking for no full-length mink.
Hey, where you going? Don't go yet.
Your glass ain't empty and we just met.
You're mean when you're loaded; I was raised on robbery."

Subject: Lyr Add: PRODIGAL SON (COTTON-EYED JOE) (MShocked)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 10:32 PM

Les from Hull mentioned this song on 21-Dec-2000.

I found these lyrics at AllMusic.com. (Who knew they had lyrics? I wonder if we can trust them to be reliable?) I haven't heard a complete recording, so I haven't checked them.


PRODIGAL SON (COTTON-EYED JOE)
Michelle Shocked

What's to be done with a prodigal son?
Welcome him home with open arms
Throw a big party, invite your friends
Our boy's come back home

When a girl goes home with the oats he's sown
It's draw your shades and your shutters
She's bringing such shame to the family name
The return of the prodigal daughter
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe

Went to see a doctor and I almost died
When I told my mama, Lordy, how she cried
Me and my daddy were never too close
But he was there when I needed him most

Look, here comes a prodigal son
Fetch him a tall drink of water
But there's none in the cup 'cause he drank it all up
Left for a prodigal daughter
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe

Oh, Cotton Eyed Joe, oh, Cotton Eyed Joe
Had not have been for the Cotton Eyed Joe
I'd have been married a long time ago
Oh, I'd have been married a long time ago

Out in the cornfield
I stubbed my toe
I called for the doctor, Cotton Eyed Joe
I called for the doctor, Cotton Eyed Joe

Look, here comes a prodigal son
Fetch him a tall drink of water
But there's none in the cup 'cause he drank it all up
Left for a prodigal daughter

Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe

Subject: Lyr Add: ROBERTA (Billy Joel)
From: GUEST,MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 08:36 PM

ROBERTA
(Billy Joel)

Roberta, you say you know me
But I see only what you're paid to show me
Oh, I wish you had the time
Oh, I wish you had the time

Oh, Roberta, I understand you
I know you need to move in other circles too;
It's tough for me, it's tough for you

Roberta, how I've adored you
I'd ask you over but I can't afford you
Oh, I wish you'd take the time
Oh, I wish you'd take the time

Oh, Roberta, the night goes slowly
I know you're workin' but you must get lonely too;
It's tough for me, ah, it's tough for you

And I'm in a bad way and wanna make love to you, ooh, ooh

Oh, I wish you had the time
Oh, I wish you had the time
Oh, Roberta, I really need you
But I suppose that my small change won't see you through;
It's tough for me, ah, it's tough for you

From 'Streetlife Serenade'(1974)
source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/roberta-lyrics-billy-joel.html

Subject: Lyr Add: PENICILLIN PENNY (Shel Silverstein)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 07:40 PM

"John Gray / Australia" mentioned this song on 26-Apr-2000:


PENICILLIN PENNY
Words and music by Shel Silverstein
As recorded by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show on "Belly Up!" (1973)

Penicillin Penny, she's the queen of the Sunset Strip.
If she ever give you any, then you better see your doctor real quick.
From the back seat of Cadillac cars,
To the floor of men's-room bars,
She's Penicillin Penny and her future's written in the stars.

She's Penicillin Penny, and ever since the day she came,
They say she's had so many, she gives them all numbers, not names.
I always called her "Hon,"
But she calls me "One-Thousand-and-One,"
And Penicillin Penny starts to boogie when the day is done.

She's Penicillin Penny; if you ever see her passin' through,
Better run into your house 'fore she stops and lays a little on you.
If you ever let her in your door,
It takes twenty million units or more
To cure the love that Penicillin Penny's gonna lay on you.

Subject: Lyr Add: PAPA LOVED MAMA (Garth Brooks)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 06:32 PM

Grab mentioned this on 26-Apr-2000:


PAPA LOVED MAMA
Garth Brooks

Papa drove a truck nearly all his life.
You know it drove Mama crazy bein' a trucker's wife.
The part she couldn't handle was the bein' alone.
I guess she needed more to hold than just a telephone.

Papa called Mama each and every night
Just to ask her how she was and if us kids were all right.
Mama would wait for that call to come in,
And when Daddy'd hang up, she was gone again.

Mama was a looker; Lord, how she shined!
Papa was a good 'un but the jealous kind.
Papa loved Mama; Mama loved men.
Mama's in the graveyard; Papa's in the pen.

Well, it was bound to happen; one night it did.
Papa came home and it was just us kids.
He had a dozen roses and a bottle o' wine.
If he was lookin' to surprise us, he was doin' fine.

I heard him cry for Mama up and down the hall,
Then I heard a bottle break against the bedroom wall.
That old diesel engine made an eerie sound
When Papa fired it up and headed into town.

Oh, the picture in the paper showed the scene real well:
Papa's rig was buried in the local motel.
The desk clerk said he saw it all real clear.
He never hit the brakes and he was shiftin' gears.

Mama was a looker; Lord, how she shined!
Papa was a good 'un but the jealous kind.
Papa loved Mama; Mama loved men.
Mama's in the graveyard; Papa's in the pen.

Subject: Lyr Add: LOVE FOR SALE (Cole Porter)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 05:51 PM

This was mentioned by Frivolous Sal on 08-Sep-2003:


LOVE FOR SALE
Words and music by Cole Porter, from the musical "The New Yorkers" (1930)
As recorded by Libby Holman (1931—the first recording)

Love for sale!

When the only sound in the empty street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop,
I open shop.

When the moon so long has been gazing down
On the wayward ways of this wayward town,
That her smile becomes a smirk,
I go to work.

Love for sale!
Appetizing young love for sale!
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled;
Love that's only slightly soiled;
Love for sale!

Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who'd like to pay the price
For a trip to paradise?
Love for sale!

Let the poets pipe of love
In their childish way.
I know every type of love
Better far than they.
If you want the thrill of love,
I've been through the mill of love:
Old love, new love,
Every love but true love.

Love for sale!
Appetizing young love for sale!
If you want to buy my wares,
Follow me and climb the stairs.
Love for sale!

Love for sale!

Subject: Lyr Add: LOST HIGHWAY (Hank Williams)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 05:13 PM

Ely mentioned this song on 26-Apr-2000, and said it "could apply to a woman just as easily if you switched a few words."


LOST HIGHWAY
As recorded by Hank Williams

I'm a rollin' stone all alone and lost.
For a life of sin I have paid the cost.
When I pass by, all the people say:
"Just another guy on the lost highway."

Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine
And a woman's lies makes a life like mine.
Oh, the day we met, I went astray.
I started rollin' down that lost highway.

I was just a lad, nearly twenty-two,
Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you,
And now I'm lost, too late to pray.
Lord, I paid the cost on the lost highway.

Now, boys, don't start your ramblin' around
On this road of sin are you sorrow bound.
Take my advice or you'll curse the day
You started rollin' down that lost highway.

Subject: Lyr Add: NO LONGER A SWEETHEART OF MINE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 03:13 PM

This was mentioned by Jofield back on 26-Apr-2000:


NO LONGER A SWEETHEART OF MINE*
As sung by Don Reno and Red Smiley (1957)

We are saying goodbye, dear, forever.
I'm leavin' your false love behind.
Ev'ry promise you made has been broken.
You're no longer a sweetheart, I find.

I wanted someone true and faithful,
For that's the way it had to be
You wanted your honky-tonk life, dear.
You're no longer a sweetheart to me.

Go back to the bar down the street, dear,
And stay with your honky-tonk kind.
Go back to the life you've been livin'.
You're no longer a sweetheart of mine.

from a bottle to a ride in the moonlight
in the arms of the first man you see
another victim added to your list, dear
you're no longer a sweetheart to me

I will never pretend to be happy
Until a true love I shall find,
For you lived a lie from the start, dear.
You're no longer a sweetheart of mine.

Go back to the bar down the street, dear,
And stay with your honky-tonk kind.
Go back to the life you've been livin'.
You're no longer a sweetheart of mine.

[* Sometimes recorded as NO LONGER A SWEETHEART or YOU'RE NO LONGER A SWEETHEART OF MINE.]

Subject: Lyr Add: TOO MANY PARTIES AND TOO MANY PALS
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Aug 13 - 02:30 PM

Sinsull mentioned this song back on 15-Apr-2000:


TOO MANY PARTIES AND TOO MANY PALS
As sung by Hank Williams

[SUNG:] Too many parties and too many pals
Will break your heart someday.
Too many boyfriends and sociable sounds
Will drive your sweetheart away.

[SPOKEN:] "Gentlemen of the jury," the judge's speech began—
The scene was a crowded courtroom and the judge a sterned [sic] old man—
"This prisoner here before you is a social enemy,
A lady of the evening, and you know the penalty.
Her eyes reflect the night life; her cheeks they're red with paint;
But I knew her mother, gentlemen; why, her mother was a saint.
Now I know that she's not like her, and yet she might have been,
If it hadn't been for pettin' parties, cigarettes, and gin.
We took the night life off the streets and brought into our own homes,
While girls beat time with lipstick and the shrieks of saxophones.
We opened up the underworld to the ones we loved so well.
So tell me, gentlemen, is it right to send her to a cell?
If she drinks, why, you taught her, and if she smokes, you showed her how.
So, gentlemen, do you think it's right to go and condemn her now?
And when you're in that jury room, just remember there and then,
That for every fallen woman, why, there's a hundred fallen men;
And before you render a verdict on what this girl has done,
Just remember there's a man to blame, and that man might be your son.
Now, gentlemen, that's my story; my testimony stands.
This girl is my own daughter, and the case is in your hands."

[SUNG:] Those Broadway Roses and Frivolous Sals
Had too many parties and too many pals.

Subject: Lyr Add: A SONG YOU COULD CRY FOR (Freakwater)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Aug 13 - 09:11 AM

Ely mentioned this back on 26-Apr-2000:


A SONG YOU COULD CRY FOR
As recorded by Freakwater on "Dancing under Water" (1991)

Desperately seeking more and more confusion,
You sink your nails into the back of an illusion.
The sun in the morning comes as such an intrusion,
Banging at your door,
Glaring down at that whore
You thought you drowned the night before.

There's something you were trying to forget
As you light the wrong end of your cigarette,
And you're laughing at a joke you didn't get,
Clinging to some man that you just met.

Desperately hoping for a love you would die for,
You play one more quarter to hear a song you could cry for,
Till the end of the world is all you've got time for,
To find someone who'll do all right,
And keep your demons out of sight,
As you fumble through the night.

It won't feel so tight when you dance,
And the air is filled with smoke and romance.
When you stumble, it will still give him a chance.
It's your beauty that has put him in this trance.

Desperately seeking more and more confusion,
You sink your nails into the back of an illusion.
The sun in the morning comes as such an intrusion,
Banging at your door,
Glaring down at that whore,
You thought you drowned the night before.

Banging at your door,
Glaring down at that whore,
You thought you drowned the night before.

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 03 Aug 13 - 11:22 AM

I've always thought that the following joke could be expanded in to a song.

A man goes to his local Salvation Army and asks, "Do you save fallen women"
"We certainly do" comes the reply.
"Well,then", says the man, "Save one for me",

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Aug 13 - 04:45 AM

I appreciate your compassion, Leeneia. And yes, many songs, especially traditional songs, make light of prostitution and the suffering it causes. But would it be right for a folk music forum NOT to explore songs about prostitution? Or racism, or murder, or incest, or any number of unseemly topics?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Aug 13 - 11:44 AM

Oh, God, ENOUGH! This thread was started 13 years ago. Haven't y'all learned anything about human trafficing in 13 years?

Write a song about this, because this is a truer picture of prostitution today:

In November, a terrified 13-year-old girl pounded on an apartment door in Brooklyn. When a surprised woman answered, the girl pleaded for a phone. She called her mother, and then dialed 911.

The girl, whom I'll call Baby Face because of her looks, frantically told police that a violent pimp was selling her for sex. He had taken her to the building and ordered her to go to an apartment where a customer was waiting, she said, and now he was waiting downstairs to make sure she did not escape. She had followed the pimp's directions and gone upstairs, but then had pounded randomly on this door in hopes of getting help.

Baby Face said she hurt too much to endure yet another rape by a john. She told prosecutors later that she was bleeding vaginally and that her pimp had recently kicked her down a stairwell for trying to flee...

(from the New York Times)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE JOLLY MILLER (from D'Urfey)
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Aug 13 - 01:33 PM

THE JOLLY MILLER - Trad. from Thomas D'Urfey's "Songs of Wit and Mirth" (1719)

The old wife she sent to the miller her daughter
to grind her grist quickly and so return back;
The miller so work'd it that in eight months after
her belly was filled as full as her sack.
Young Robin so pleas'd her that when she came home
she gap'd like a stuck pig and star'd like a mome;
She hoyden'd, she scamper'd, she holler'd, she hoop'd.
and all the day long, this, this was her song;
Was ever a maiden so lericompoop'd?

"O Nelly," cried Celie, "thy clothes are all mealy,
both backside and belly are rumpled all o'er.
You mope now and flabber, why, what a pox all you?
I'll go to the miller and know all, ye whore."
She went; and the miller did grinding so ply
she came cutting capers a foot and half high,
She waddled, she straddled, she hollered, she whooped,
and all the day long this, this was her song:
Hoy, were ever two sisters so lericompoop'd?

The Mary o' the dairy, a third of their number
would fain know the cause they so jigged it about
The miller her wishes long would not encumber
but in the old manner the secret found out.
Thus Celie and Nelly and Mary the mild
where just about harvest-time all big with child
They danced in the hay, they hallowed and whooped,
and all the day long this, this was their song:
Hoy, were ever three sisters so lericompoop'd?

And when they were big they did stare at each other
and crying: "O sisters, what shall we now do?
For all our young bantlings we have but one father
and they in one month will all come to town too.
O why did we go in such haste to the mill,
to Robin, who always the toll-dish would fill,
He bump'd up our bellies then hallowed and whooped."
then all the day long this, this was their song:
Hoy, were ever three sisters so lericompoop'd?

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 01 Aug 13 - 12:16 PM

Three Drunken Nights? (Or four, or five, depending on your version) Not so much fallen as never got off her back...

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: Joe_F
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 09:39 PM

Elsa Lanchester's Bawdy Cockney Songs record describes a number of ladies who, as the saying goes, know what it's for.

More vulgarly, one might also mention RING DANG DOO.

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: Rumncoke
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 10:23 AM

no one seems to have mentioned FANLIGHT FANNY the frowsy night club queen, or that dirty robbing no good MAGGIE MAY

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take? (songs)
From: GUEST,eldergirl
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 05:53 AM

DEVIL WOMAN was by Marty Robbins, wasn't it?

The girl in RERES HILL was brought down on purpose, so maybe she doesn't count, since she wound up married to the laddie wot done it, but she hadn't much choice in the matter: an unwanted husband, or condemnation from her nearest and dearest and the rest of society too.
For that matter,
How many root beers can one man down
Before he goes off with a bang?
e ;D

Subject: Lyr Add: TAKE BACK YOUR GOLD (Pritzkow/Rosenfeld)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 07:31 PM

This song was mentioned in the thread 'Mother Songs' of the tear-jerker variety but it's not really appropriate there because it doesn't mention a mother. The woman in this story isn't exactly a "fallen" one either, but she seems to be trying to avoid becoming one:


TAKE BACK YOUR GOLD
Words by Louis W. Pritzkow; music by Monroe H. Rosenfeld; ©1897.

1. I saw a youth and maiden on a lonely city street,
And thought them lovers at their meeting place,
Until, as I drew near, I heard the girl's sad voice entreat
The one who heeded not her tear-stained face:
"I only ask you, Jack, to do your duty, that is all.
You know you promised that we should be wed."
And when he said, "You shall not want, whatever may befall,"
She spurned the gold he offered her and said:

CHORUS: "Take back your gold, for gold can never buy me.
Take back your bribe, and promise you'll be true.
Give me the love, the love that you'd deny me.
Make me your wife; that's all I ask of you!"

2. He drew her close unto him, and to soothe her then he tried,
But she in pride and sorrow turned away,
And as he sought to comfort her, she wept and softly sighed:
"You'll rue your cruel actions, Jack, someday."
"Now, little one, don't cry," he said, "for though tonight we part,
And though another soon will be my bride,
This gold will help you to forget," but with a breaking heart,
She scorned his gift and bitterly replied: CHORUS

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 10:03 PM

"Gorilla-my-dreams, I adore you..."

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Don Firth
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 09:49 PM

Gives the expression "going ape" a whole new significance.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 09:17 PM

I spoke to a fallen woman today, just to get a fair and balanced viewpoint by hearing from both sides. In regards to Chongo's comment earlier on this thread she grimaced and said: "One goddamn chimp is enough for a lifetime!"

I think they may know each other.

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: ollaimh
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 05:54 PM

i like lily of the west and sing it all the time, but i am not sure flora was actually faithless. there's nothing in the song to show she ever returned his affections. i think he was just a stalker!for all we know flora had no interest in him at all.

but "SPANISH PIPEDREAM (BLOW UP YOUR TV)" by john prine starts with the great verse

she was a level headed dancer
on the road to alcohol
and i was just a sailor
on my way to montreal

but the fallen woman , takes him to the country to be a tv less hippie with kids and a garden--so i guess that's redemption

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 07:55 PM

I asked Chongo about this. He said, "It only takes one. Trust me on this."

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: frogprince
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 05:20 PM

...as long as you're down there, darlin'...

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 05:07 PM

I suspect that some of them didn't fall.....they jumped!

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 03:46 PM

I may have missed this but has anyone mentioned "Amelia Earhart"?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Don Firth
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 02:23 PM

. . . to screw in a light bulb?

Well, they wouldn't be fallen women if they had used a sturdier ladder.

(sorry!)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: GUEST,CaroleT
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 12:58 PM

My husband and I just bought a new bed yesterday -- after testing out countless variations on this theme. I kept making up lyrics to a song a friend from high school used to sing about a "Beautyrest tester." So this morning I Googled "Beautyrest tester" and this is THE ONLY PAGE WHICH CAME UP. I am, quite frankly, both grateful to you that I'm not the only one who remembers this ditty and disappointed that there isn't a YouTube video of someone singing some variant.

...and I'd have to say that I enjoyed virtually meeting folks with the same twisted sense of humor. Crestfallen. Tee hee!

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 26 Jun 11 - 07:15 PM

"FAN ME SOLJA MAN" is a Jamaican traditional song about a girl who becomes a camp follower. "IRON BAR", a song about a drunk which had its tune borrowed for "Jamaica Farewell", has the line "Mi no wan dutty gyal come fingle mi."

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: LadyJean
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 10:13 PM

Then of course there's Gang Bang Lulu, but it isn't one of my favorites. The most printable verse is:
      Rich girl's pants are made of silk
      Poor girl's of chambray.
      Lulu wears no pants at all, says they just get in the way.

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Joe_F
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 06:44 PM

Schantieman: Naw, she's a *Beautyrest tester*.

Likewise:

I know a lady dressed in blue.
She's always good for a screw.
She's a lathe operator....

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LADY MECHANIC
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 05:33 PM

Steve-

You know I started a thread here on "The Lady Mechanic" and got hardly a nibble. Here's the verses the way I recall them:

The Lady Mechanic

G
I know a lady dressed in black,
-------------------------G7
She makes her living on her back –
-------------------C
She's a lady me-chanic,
-------------------G
She's a lady me-chanic,
---------D----------------------D7------------G
She's a lady mechanic and I love her any-how.

I know a lady dressed in red,
She makes her living going from bed to bed –
She's a registered nurse…

I know a lady dressed in green,
She makes her living pounding meat lean –
She's a lady butcher…

I know a lady dressed in brown,
She makes her living going up and down –
She's an elevator operator…

I know a lady lives on a hill,
Every night she gets her fill –
She's a blueberry picker…

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: How many fallen women does it take?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 11:23 AM

Ha! Ha! Oh, the temptations that beset the fair maiden upon all sides! Those who wish not to be ruined had best hie themselves to the nearest nunnery posthaste.