Lyr Add: The Old Dance

Subject: The Old Dance
From: Susan A-R
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 10:09 PM

Bat goddess asked about this one. I have just tried visiting the Oyster Band site,(I learned this one from a tape of theirs, which I have subsequently lost. Um Turtle, any ideas?) It may be by Ian Telford,but I'm not entirely sure. Anyway, here it is.

The Old Dance

"Eve!" said God. "Listen to me.
"Keep your hands off the apple tree."
Eve and Adam wondered why,
Made some cider and gave it a try.
God came back and he made a row.
"Go and toil by the sweat of your brow."
The snake said "To hell with the daily bread."
Taught 'em how to do the latest dance instead

Chorus
It's the old dance, and a crooked dance too
When you step outside the law
Play your tune on your damned old fiddle
It'll burn you up like straw

God drove up in a big black car
Took a drag on a fat cigar
Sayin' "break the law and you pay the price
"OUt you go from Paradise."
Stuck a sign on every tree;
"This is private property."
The Snake said "Property is theft.
"Never mind, there's always one thing left."

Chorus
God sends thunder, God sends hail
Spills and chills and bills in the mail,
Plagues on the sly and the innocent.
Frogs and boils and government.
Take your partner in your spite.
Try and dance all through the night (with your hands all round)
Whatcha gonna do when the sky falls down

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Dance
From: GeorgeH
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 09:33 AM

As I recall it would be Ian Telfer, not Telford?? Anyway, this is one of the Oyster songs we've got; I'll try to remember to look up who they credit it . .

(We prefer "pre-drums" Oysters . . )

Now - does anyone have the words for "The invasion of the French Boyfriends" aka "On Your Bicyclette, Pierre" . .

G.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Dance
From: Turtle
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 10:35 AM

Yes, Telfer is right, although I don't remember whether he wrote that one or not. And yes, Susan, I have that tape--I *think* you gave it to me, but I suppose I could just have borrowed it for a REALLY LONG time . . . :o)

Turtle

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Dance
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 11:48 AM

Thanks, Susan!! Now if we can work out something (with Jeri) about getting the tune...

I'm looking forward to learning it!

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Dance
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Nov 23 - 06:07 PM

http://www.oysterband.co.uk/lyrics/songs/The_old_dance.html

OLD DANCE, THE
Ian Telfer
Complete Music Ltd 1986
First released on: Step Outside, 1986

   
oy said God, listen to me
keep your hands off the apple tree
Eve and Adam wondered why
made some cider and gave it a try
God came back and he made a row
go and toil by the sweat of your brow
the snake said the hell with the daily bread
he showed them how to do the latest dance instead
and it's
        
the old dance and a crooked dance too
step outside the law
play the tune on your damned old fiddle
it'll burn you up like straw

God rolled up in a big black car
took a drag on a fat cigar
break the law and you pay the price
out you go from paradise
he stuck a sign on every tree
this is private property
the snake said property is theft
never mind there's always one thing left

God sends thunder, God sends hail
chills and spills and bills in the mail
plagues on the sly and the innocent
frogs and boils and the government
take your partners in despite
try to dance away the night
with your hands all round
what'll we do when the sky falls down?
we'll do

the old dance and a crooked dance too
step outside the law
play the tune on your damned old fiddle
it'll burn you up like straw

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Old Dance
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Nov 23 - 06:07 PM

http://www.oysterband.co.uk/lyrics/songs/The_old_dance.html

OLD DANCE, THE
Ian Telfer
Complete Music Ltd 1986
First released on: Step Outside, 1986

   
oy said God, listen to me
keep your hands off the apple tree
Eve and Adam wondered why
made some cider and gave it a try
God came back and he made a row
go and toil by the sweat of your brow
the snake said the hell with the daily bread
he showed them how to do the latest dance instead
and it's
        
the old dance and a crooked dance too
step outside the law
play the tune on your damned old fiddle
it'll burn you up like straw

God rolled up in a big black car
took a drag on a fat cigar
break the law and you pay the price
out you go from paradise
he stuck a sign on every tree
this is private property
the snake said property is theft
never mind there's always one thing left

God sends thunder, God sends hail
chills and spills and bills in the mail
plagues on the sly and the innocent
frogs and boils and the government
take your partners in despite
try to dance away the night
with your hands all round
what'll we do when the sky falls down?
we'll do

the old dance and a crooked dance too
step outside the law
play the tune on your damned old fiddle
it'll burn you up like straw