Subject: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Bennet Zurofsky Date: 04 Jan 02 - 01:21 PM As a lawyer I am interested in songs which have lawyers in them or that are about legal issues, trials, etc. Does anybody have any favorites out there? Does anybody have any that portray lawyers in a favorable light? Some of the ones I am already familiar with include "Legal/Illegal" by Ewan MacColl, "My Attorney Bernie" by Dave Frishberg (?), a whole bunch by Bob Dylan, such as "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol," "Hurricane," and "Everything Is Broken;" Arlo's "Alice's Restaurant," his Dad's "Philadelphia Lawyer," "Talkin' Constitution," and "Do Re Mi;" traditional songs like "Sam Hall," Bessie Smith's "Electric Chair Blues (Send Me to the Electric Chair)." I am not looking for songs which simply describe illegal activity, such as murder, rape, or drug use, nor am I looking for songs which merely talk about policemen or the like, I am interested in songs which either relate to the system, the merits of various laws, or lawyers, trials and judges. Thank-you in advance to all responders. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: catspaw49 Date: 04 Jan 02 - 01:27 PM Looks like you're off to a great start......Dylan's "Percy's Song" also comes to mind. Spaw |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Wolfgang Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:04 PM Lawyer outwitted Wolfgang |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Midchuck Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:08 PM Tom Paxton's One Million Lawyers, of course. P. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Wolfgang Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:08 PM Fanny Blair Wolfgang |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: MMario Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:09 PM 'Long Black Veil'? |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Gareth Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:11 PM Try the Gilbert & Sullivan light oparetta.
"Iolanthe" Gareth |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Grab Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:13 PM Don Maclean - "Respect". Tom Paxton has an album called "1 million lawyers and other disasters" (IIRC) featuring the title song. Graham.
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Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Wolfgang Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:21 PM Na Connerys (if I only could find the English lyrics I'm sure I have seen on the web) Wolfgang |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Grab Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:22 PM Nearly forgot, there's a song where Dick Turpin robs a lawyer in the DT here. Not too unfavourable - better than most you'll find! :-) Although I've heard there's versions where Turpin "robbed him of his store/ because he knew he'd lie for more". Graham. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Robby Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:24 PM Then too, there is The Very Unfortunate Man, as performed by the Chad Mitchell Trio, for those who don't mind poking fun at the legal profession. Robby |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Gern Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:41 PM I suggest Woody Guthrie's "Philadelphia Lawyer," Dylan's "Drifter's Escape", and the Who's "Legal Matter." |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: sc Date: 04 Jan 02 - 03:04 PM HUAC should have spawned a few little songs in the fifties - but can't think of anything - Pete wouldn't have let that get by so easy, would he? How about the Chicago Seven Trial - Seems like someone would have written about that (Arlo maybe)? Is there a Song for Clarence Darrow? Oughta be! Or Mo Dees? Sorry not any help from me. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Deda Date: 04 Jan 02 - 03:09 PM Jackson Browne's "Lawyers in Love". An old jukebox number called "Will your lawyer talk to God for you?" (Amos knows all the words, he picked it up on a jukebox in Maine sometime in the early 60s, I think, and I've never heard it anywhere else except by Amos.) |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: JedMarum Date: 04 Jan 02 - 03:18 PM ... and ya can't forget the old Jimmy Driftwood classic The Very Unfortunate Man. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,mkebenn@work Date: 04 Jan 02 - 03:35 PM Warren Zevon's "Lawyers, Guns and Money" |
Subject: Lyr Add: LADIES, DON'T GO THIEVIN' From: lamarca Date: 04 Jan 02 - 03:47 PM This fun little song was discussed on Mudcat a couple years ago here, but the posted lyrics don't look quite right to me. I learned this from the Banddogs album, but I think it was another broadside that Nic Jones set to music when he was with Halliard. It's a nice comparison of the difference in "justice" for the wealthy vs. the poor in the 1800's - some things never change... LADIES, DON'T GO THIEVIN' Chorus
You scarce could be believing When Frenchmen fight, aye, and emperors die, And ladies go a-thieving
1. A beauty from the West End went, Chorus
2. Oh, thieving is a wicked trade, Chorus
3. He'd get six months all in Newgate jail, Chorus
4. The shopman he appoaches her, Chorus
5. Her husband when he heard the news Chorus
6. Oh thieving is a wicked trade,
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Subject: Lyr Add: WILL YOUR LAWYER TALK TO GOD FOR YOU? From: Amos Date: 04 Jan 02 - 03:59 PM ^^ WILL YOUR LAWYER TALK TO GOD FOR YOU? (Harlan Howard - Richard Johnson) Copyright '64 Wilderness Music Performed by Kitty Wells: “Especially For You” (Decca DL 74493) '64 The lawyer called to say he had the papers all prepared. Just to sign my name was all I had to do. Well, he's seen the judge, and he's seen me. There's only one thing left to see. Will your lawyer talk to God for you? CHORUS: Will your lawyer talk to God, plead your case up on high, And defend the way you broke my heart in two? Man-made laws have set you free on earth, but is God satisfied? Will your lawyer talk to God for you? We must all face final judgment, and it's mighty strict, they say. When your turn comes, I wonder what you'll do. Will you hang your head in shame, or will you turn your face away? Will your lawyer talk to God for you? CHORUS |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Bennet Zurofsky Date: 04 Jan 02 - 04:25 PM These are great, please keep 'em coming! With the links provided or my own resources I think I can find them all, except I am completely unfamiliar with the Don McLean song "Respect" mentioned by Grab, can I get some more help with that one? Certainly, somewhere, there must be some songs that say something nice about us lawyers (other than perhaps sympathy as victims of Mr. Turpin)? |
Subject: Lyr Add: JUSTICE EN LIEU From: Charley Noble Date: 04 Jan 02 - 05:04 PM Ewan MacColl had a song called "Legal-Illegal" on HOT BLAST (Folkways Records FW8710), one verse of which runs: It's illegal to kill off as landlord Or to trespass upon his estate; But to charge a high rent for a slum is OK, To condemn two adults and three children to stay In a hovel that's rotten with damp and decay Is a thing that is perfectly legal. Then there's one that I penned a few years back to celebrate an embarrassing situation for one of our district judges in Maine: JUSTICE EN LIEU (Words by Charlie Ipcar © 1993 Inspired by an Associated Press story – 9/9/93 Tune 19th Century Irish Music Hall: "I Wish They'd Do It Now") C-----G—C----------------G-C-----------G—C---------F---C There are trials and trib-u-la-tions as in life we make our way, ----F------------------C------------------D-----------------G Of-ten there's lit-tle jus-tice, you can hear the peo-ple say; -------------------C-------------G---C-G—C--------------F------C Now comes the Ci-ty of Ma-chi-as, on Maine's rock-bound shore, ----F-------------C-------------G-----C--------G7---C Jus-tice was all con-found-ed at the Court-house bath-room door. 'Twas in the year of '93, September the eighth day, Judge Marsano left his chambers, or so the papers say; He entered his private bathroom, his duty to pursue, How could he have imagined – fourteen hours en lieu? When he tried to leave the bathroom, he found it was no go; The lock had jammed, his staff had left, no one could hear his woe; So this Justice was confounded – his story will endure – By the push-button locking system on the Courthouse bathroom door. C--G7-C On the Courthouse bathroom door, ---G7-C------------------G On the Courthouse bathroom door, -----------C-------------F--C By the push-button locking sy-stem ------G-----C---------G7---C On the Court-house bath-room door. First he tried to force the lock, but 'twas to no avail, If he'd only had a bucket, he might have gotten out on bail; Next he removed the hinge pins, but that door refused to budge, There seemed to be no earthly way to win early release for the Judge. If he'd only brought some lawbooks, he might have shown more zeal, He could have drafted a petition and gotten out on appeal; But this Justice was confounded – his story will endure – By the push-button locking system on the Courthouse bathroom door. On the Courthouse bathroom door, On the Courthouse bathroom door, By the push-button locking system On the Courthouse bathroom door.
So early the next morning, his staff was surprised to hear |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Paul from Hull Date: 04 Jan 02 - 05:46 PM Can't think of anything that fits the folk idiom (& havent heard of even HALF of the stuff listed above) but just for a giggle, what about "Good Morning Judge" by 10cc? Best wishes Paul |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Susanne (skw) Date: 04 Jan 02 - 07:08 PM Does Ewan MacColl's Go Down, Ye Murderers, Go Down count? There is another version, called The Ballad of Tim Evans. (Incidentally, in the last verse of the latter version, the name should be Christie, not Christy. John Christie was the mass murderer whose victims Tim Evans' wife and daughter became. He was hanged for his other crimes in 1953. Tim Evans' judicial murder contributed to the abolition of capital punishment in Britain, but it wasn't till many years later that he was formally declared innocent. |
Subject: Lyr Add: UNCLE FRED (Bernard Bolan) From: Stewie Date: 04 Jan 02 - 07:52 PM My favourite is one from the pen of Bernard Bolan who has written loads of amusing songs. Oz references: 'Waltons' is a firm that supplies vehicles and farming machinery; 'Torrens title' is a system of land title; and 'Long Bay' is a jail. Bernard is a lawyer.
UNCLE FRED --Stewie.
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Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird) Date: 04 Jan 02 - 08:14 PM Here are some songs dealing with issues related to U.S. copyright law: Also, Here (pdf) is a paper by James Boyle which begins by quoting the following humorous lyric:
The law locks up the man or woman
The law demands that we atone
The poor and wretched don't escape The law locks up the man or woman Who steals the goose from off the common And geese will still a common lack Till they go and steal it back T. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Charley Noble Date: 05 Jan 02 - 12:38 PM Stewie - your Bolan ditty is most certainly a fine one! |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: breezy Date: 05 Jan 02 - 01:45 PM O.K try this one , La Gorille, as sung by Jake Thakeray about a gorilla that shags a Judge!!! but only a petty sessions one,I'. Brother gorri-i-i-i-i-lla , I've got the words but not the inclination at the moment.I'll check back to see if you get it. Where are you? cos Thaks is England. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: breezy Date: 05 Jan 02 - 01:53 PM and'' Judge Judge send me to th' 'lectric chair'' as I've heard sung by Mick Pearce who'll be guesting on Fri 18th. Jan 2002 at the Silver Cup, Harpenden, Herts., Eng..along with other great songs from his rep.Doors open 8.15 £4. $6.50, 45 old francs etc oh shut upI'm ramblin |
Subject: Lyr Add: RESPECT (Don Maclean) From: Grab Date: 05 Jan 02 - 07:52 PM "Respect" is a simple three-chord exercise, and I guess it's basically a more modern version of the Boyle story. I wonder if this is worth a cross-posting to the "seriously pissed-off" thread...?
RESPECT
Well it ain't so easy is it? You almost lost your place,
Well if the truth can free the guilty while the innocent must die
Well you talk of human justice and you drive on fancy wheels,
Well if that's the kind of justice that our halls of justice claim
And most cruelly they caught you and they asked you to obey,
Well if the living is what matters, though you lie with every breath,
And you won your case most easily and soon you shall be free,
For they had not friends to call on and they could not raise their bail, |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,hrothgar Date: 05 Jan 02 - 08:08 PM Look up "Crows in the Garden" in DT. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Deda Date: 05 Jan 02 - 09:31 PM This isn't a song lyric but a wonderful bit from the master of whimsy, Lewis Carroll:
"You are old," said the youth, "and your jaw is too weak
"In my youth," said the old man, "I took to the law, |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: 53 Date: 05 Jan 02 - 11:45 PM this is not about lawyers but is about della and the dealer and a dog named jake and a cat named kalamazoo, pretty damn good song by hoyt axton, you should listen . BOB |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Haruo Date: 06 Jan 02 - 12:36 AM Gareth pointed towards Gilbert & Sullivan, which was also what I first thought of when I saw this thread. The songs that came to mind before I even started reading this were The Law Is the True Embodiment and When I Went to the Bar As a Very Young Man, both I believe from Iolanthe. I'll see if I can get you some lyrics here in a minute. Okay, here's SONG--LORD CHANCELLOR.The Law is the true embodiment ALL.LORD CHANCELLOR.But though the compliment implied ALL.LORD CHANCELLOR.And every one who'd marry a Ward ALL.There's that one. The other is SONG--LORD CHANCELLOR.When I went to the Bar as a very young man,(Said I to myself--said I), I'll work on a new and original plan, (Said I to myself--said I), I'll never assume that a rogue or a thief Is a gentleman worthy implicit belief, Because his attorney has sent me a brief, (Said I to myself--said I!). Ere I go into court I will read my brief through (Said I to myself--said I), And I'll never take work I'm unable to do (Said I to myself-said I), My learned profession I'll never disgrace By taking a fee with a grin on my face, When I haven't been there to attend to the case (Said I to myself--said I!). I'll never throw dust in a juryman's eyes (Said I to myself--said I), Or hoodwink a judge who is not over-wise (Said I to myself--said I), Or assume that the witnesses summoned in force In Exchequer, Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, or Divorce, Have perjured themselves as a matter of course (Said I to myself--said I!). In other professions in which men engage (Said I to myself said I), The Army, the Navy, the Church, and the Stage (Said I to myself--said I), Professional licence, if carried too far, Your chance of promotion will certainly mar-- And I fancy the rule might apply to the Bar (Said I to myself--said I!). The Gilbert & Sullivan Archive pages I linked to have MIDI files available for listening or download. Liland |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Canuck Date: 06 Jan 02 - 01:40 AM The courtroom was crowded, the judge waited there My mother was cryin' as I left my chair. The sentence was sharp, folks, it cut like a knife, For ninety-nine years [unintelligible] is almost for life. Artist ???? Title [99 years?]?? [in my mind's ear I hear Flatt & Scruggs ~ certainly the high lonesome sound is there ~ ??? Forget the time or place, 50s. My lawyer friend, especially when we're doing a literacy event, likes to do "Between the lines" by Steve Goodman, which begins
The day you're born they sign a piece of paper |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Mr Red Date: 06 Jan 02 - 08:44 AM Bennet Zurofsky I wrote one that goes "I'm a solicitor, & I'm OK" a la "Lumberjack". I usually ask if there are any solicitors in the audience and occasionally I have to comment that it is really about barristers **BG**. favourable light? er not in as many words **BG** actually it is mostly a dig at my ex-wife by proxy but not a bit personal, and a re-hash of an old Marx bros joke. I can post if you wish. (In fee simple without prejudice, caveat emptor) |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: BlueFolk Date: 06 Jan 02 - 12:45 PM The File, by Bob Luman. A single on Hickory, from 1964. 'That crooked lawyer, that son of a gun...' et cetera! |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Bennet Zurofsky Date: 07 Jan 02 - 10:18 AM Ah well, except for the occasional ballad written by the relation of the accused, there do not seem to be any songs with nice things to say about us attorneys or the law. I am certainly enjoying the ones being forwarded to this thread however. I suppose its like Tolstoy says at the beginningt of Anna Karenina, "all good lawyers are alike (and uninteresting) all bad lawyers or laws are bad in different ways (and therefore make interesting songs). Keep 'em coming! In response to the inquiry above, my law practice is in Newark, NJ, USA |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,LynnT Date: 07 Jan 02 - 11:30 AM There's a madrigal called "Two Lawyers" sung by Clam Chowder: on completing a law case on opposing sides, the two lawyers saunter off to lunch together. The client of the first lawyer is shocked to see this, but the client of the other replies that it shouldn't be surprising, for two lawyers are like a pair of shears: they never cut each other, just what lies between. Sorry I haven't more details, but the image is a nice one. Lynn |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,LynnT Date: 07 Jan 02 - 11:34 AM There's a madrigal called "Two Lawyers" sung by Clam Chowder: on completing a law case on opposing sides, the two lawyers saunter off to lunch together. The client of the first lawyer is shocked to see this, but the client of the other replies that it shouldn't be surprising, for two lawyers are like a pair of shears: they never cut each other, just what lies between. Sorry I haven't more details, but the image is a nice one. Lynn |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Deda Date: 07 Jan 02 - 04:45 PM Another famous G&S song makes reference to the law:
When I was a lad I served a term
He polished up the handle on the big front door
I polished the handle so carefully
He polished the handle so carefully There were several more verses about how this clerk who had never been to sea came to run the navy -- ridiculing the actual Naval commander of the time. Only very tangentially about lawyers. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: dick greenhaus Date: 07 Jan 02 - 09:59 PM Bennett- a Digitrad search for @law* --- the @ indicates a keyword and the * is a wildcard taking care of "law", "lawyer" and "lawyers" in one swell foop---results in 19 hits. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Dan Schatz Date: 08 Jan 02 - 01:42 AM The ballad "Hiram Hubbard" talks about Hubbards execution and about him not being guilty, but I don't know of a version that goes into much detail about the trial. (The version I know does talk about his making out a will, though - perhaps he had an attorney's assistance for that?) Also - one that portrays lawyers in a positive light, although briefly: "Mommas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" (Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such.) Gordon Bok sings "Broken Down Squatter" which talks about the bigwigs being brought to the bankruptcy court. The Young Tradition recorde a ballad called Ratcliffe Highway which talks about a court martial and sentencing. The Unitarian Universalist hymnal has a hymn with the word "notwithstanding" in it. Does that count? Dan |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Mark Cohen Date: 08 Jan 02 - 04:34 AM It's not exactly flattering, but in Charlie King's "Two Good Arms", about the Sacco and Vanzetti case: Who will remember Judge Webster Thayer One hand on the gavel, the other resting on his chair Who will remember the hateful words he said Speaking to the living in the language of the dead Don't worry, Bennett, we doctors don't do all that well in folk songs, either! Aloha, Mark |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Ebbie Date: 08 Jan 02 - 01:10 PM "The judge said, Son, what is your alibi? For if you were somewheres else, then you don't have to die." Kind of a reach, I guess, but it's the only one I can think of- and it implies an upstanding, non-corrupt judge. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Susanne (skw) Date: 08 Jan 02 - 06:30 PM There is also Brian McNeill's Any Mick'll Do about the British judiciary system and its attitude to the Irish (e.g. Guildford Four, Birmingham Six). Well, actually about racism all over the world. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Desdemona Date: 08 Jan 02 - 06:34 PM I'm put in mind of a favourite verse: "You are old," said the youth, "and your jaws are too weak For anything tougher than suet; Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak -- Pray, how did you manage to do it?" "In my youth," said his father, "I took to the law, And argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw, Has lasted the rest of my life."
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Subject: Lyr Add: POOR NELL AND THE CHIMNEY SWEEP From: Herga Kitty Date: 08 Jan 02 - 07:49 PM Sharp, no 221, collected from Captain Lewis, Minehead, August 1905: (about taking the law into your own hands, really): POOR NELL AND THE CHIMNEY SWEEP It’s of a wealthy lawyer, in Southwark he did dwell. He had a handsome housekeeper and she was called Nell. He hugged and kissed her o’er and o’er, as I for truth do tell, Till her apron grew too short before, saying “Oh, poor Nell!” It happened on a certain night as they were lying in bed, She wept, she wailed, she wrung her hands and furthermore she said: “My virgin rose you stole away. Oh, wed me, Sir,” said she, “Or I like unto other poor girls say, ‘Oh, poor me!’ ” He took her by the lily-white hand and said, “My own sweetheart, Since you and I together have met, I hope we never shall part; And if ever I offer to break my vow, as sure as hell is hell, I hope the devil will fetch me, and carry me to his cell.” So then with joys and pleasing toys they passed away the time Till seven months were gone and past, and two left out of nine. He turned her out of his service quite, as I for truth do tell. All for the sake of a lady bright, he left poor Nell. One day as she was all alone, lamenting her sad fate, A curious frolic came in her head, which made her laugh outright. Says she, “I’ll dress myself as any devil in Hell. I’ll wait some night for his coming home, saying ‘Oh, poor Nell!’ ” She straight to a chimney sweeper went and there a bargain made, All for to have his sweeping clothes and furthermore she said, “If thou for me my counsel keep, here’s a guinea I’ll give to thee; And let thy little sweeping boy to go along with me.” She straightway learned the boy his tale, these words to him did say: “If thou wilt act thy part right well, here is a crown for thee.” With a pair of ram’s horns on her head, in a lonesome place stood she, And as for black the sweeping boy sat under a tree. Between the hours of twelve and one, as you for truth shall hear, This lawyer he came trudging home from the courting of his dear. In stepping o’er to shun the dirt, as I for truth do tell, She nimbly caught him by the skirts, crying “Oh, poor Nell!” And with a doleful hollow voice these words to him did say: “According to the promise you made, I’m come to take you away. You must away along with me down to my gloomy cell, Or else tomorrow by break of day you wed poor Nell.” With this, the little sweeping boy set fire to a train Which wrapt and cracked about his legs, and made him roar amain. “Oh, master devil! Spare me now, and mark what I do tell: Tomorrow by the break of day, I’ll wed poor Nell.” “See that you do,” the devil he said, “and mark well what I say: You see my little devil sitting under yonder tree? And if ever you offer to break your vow, as sure as hell is hell, That little devil shall fetch you and carry you to his cell.” The lawyer he went home in a most dreadful fright, And early the next morning as soon as it was light, With staring eyes and trembling limbs, he looked most wondrous pale. He went to her with a humble voice: “Good morning, dear Nell.” With kisses and with compliments, he gained her consent, And having got the licence, unto the church they went. There he made her his lawful bride, as I for truth do tell, And ever since lived a happy life, saying, “Oh, brave Nell!” She never told nor friend nor foe the project she had played, Till nine months were gone and past, and she’d been put to bed. She told it to her gossipers, which pleased them right well. The husband laughed, and smiling said, “Well done, brave Nell!” |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Gaffer Date: 08 Jan 02 - 08:03 PM The judge is the good guy in "Maggie May" - sends the thieving tart off to New South Wales. It is interesting to note that in general, folk song in England and Ireland tends to favour the criminal only if the victim is not a sailor! (Generalisations are always widely inaccurate but it's much quicker to make one and wait for the uproar than to keep your mouth shut until you've done all the research!) |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Gaffer Date: 08 Jan 02 - 08:05 PM Hey - I'm a guest again - summat must have cooked my cookie! |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Gaffer Date: 08 Jan 02 - 08:22 PM My cookie's back! The Wild Colonial Boy robbed Judge MacEvoy - at least part of the motive for this dreadful criminal act was that His Worship was unfortunate enough to rhyme with "Wild", "Colonial" or "Boy". In the "Dublin Jack of all trades" version I have, yer man became, in Green Street, not only a lawyer but "an honest lawyer" at that! |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Mark Cohen Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:40 PM In other words, a remarkable anomaly! Aloha, Mark |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Mark Cohen Date: 09 Jan 02 - 01:19 AM Y'all know there was supposed to be one of those little grinning faces after that...right? |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: mack/misophist Date: 09 Jan 02 - 11:33 AM I don't think I saw THE BLACK VELVET BAND mentioned above. It's about being transported to Van Dieman's Land for unwittingly receiving stolen goods. HUAC was mentioned, however. The only HUAC song I know of is HOUSE UNAMERICAN ACTIVIES BLUES DREAM by Richard Farina who was Joan Baez's brother-in-law. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Charley Noble Date: 09 Jan 02 - 05:18 PM Well, I'm scrapping the bottom of the barral but that's where you find this kind of verse. Some time ago in a former life, I composed this new verse for "When Jones' Ale Was New." The next came in was an attorney, Who'd returned from an arduous journey, Who'd returned from an arduous journey, For to join in the jovial crew; He'd traveled the whole wide world around, He'd searched through cities, he'd searched through towns, There was no justice to be found, When Jones's Ale was new, me boys, When Jones's Ale was new!
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Subject: Lyr Add: LAWYERS IN LOVE (Jackson Browne) From: Little Hawk Date: 09 Jan 02 - 05:48 PM The Jackson Browne song was a beauty, and suited the time (1983) perfectly. Reagan was arming enthusiastically for Armageddon, with full faith in "the rapture", and Russia was 6 years away from either a final and suicidal war...or the peaceful collapse of the Communist system. Fortunately, Gorbachev was neither stupid nor insane... LAWYERS IN LOVE I can't keep up with what's been going on. I think my heart must just be slowing down. Among the human beings in their designer jeans, Am I the only one who hears the screams, And the strangled cries of lawyers in love? God sends his spaceships to America, the beautiful. They land at six o'clock and there we are, the dutiful, Eating from TV trays, tuned into to Happy Days, Waiting for World War III while Jesus slaves To the mating calls of lawyers in love. Last night I watched the news from Washington, the capitol. The Russians escaped while we weren't watching them, like Russians will. Now we've got all this room. We’ve even got the moon, And I hear the U.S.S.R. will be open soon, As vacation land for lawyers in love. (c) 1983 Night Kitchen Music ASCAP, by Jackson Browne |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Mr Red Date: 10 Jan 02 - 10:23 AM Black Velvet Band and Jim Jones mention Judges ever hear the one about the two farmers arguing over a cow, one pulling the horns and the other tugging on the tail. The lawyer is sitting on the milking stool squeezing the teats. I think that originated as a cartoon in Punch a long while back but I've seen several versions including one cast in brass. Should be carved in stone methinks. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,steve Date: 19 Oct 04 - 09:38 AM I have a song out there called "lullaby for lawyers". However it does not view lawyers in an altogether favourable light. Check out: lullaby for lawyers Steve. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Joe_F Date: 19 Oct 04 - 11:09 PM The verse in the Alice books, including "You are old, father William", has in fact been set to music many times. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: John in Brisbane Date: 20 Oct 04 - 07:24 AM Was told by our corporate counsel that there's a new Japanese restaurant specifically targeting the legal profession - it's called 'SOSUMI'. John |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Clara Date: 20 Oct 04 - 05:30 PM Great stuff! I was looking for similar songs myself being a law student who loves folk. Had already found the lawyer outwitted. Bennet Zurofsky...... does your firm have training contracts? nudge nudge wink wink. Going crazy trying to find one, and have never met another folky lawyer. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Folkster Date: 20 Oct 04 - 05:57 PM For something modern and whimsical check out Chuck Brodsky's "Talk to my Lawyer," |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Richard Bridge Date: 20 Oct 04 - 06:03 PM Plenty folky lawyers. Me to start with. Some would say that was plenty anyway. Robin Bynoe, at Charles Russell, London (flute, whistle). A morris woman at Maidstone Borough Council A couple of other members of the Performer Lawyer Group (do a google) And I know a VP of legal affairs at Paramount who is a flatpicker. But does anyone know a folksong in which a lawyer is a hero? Or is a lawyer never a hero until you need one? |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAWSUIT From: PennyBlack Date: 20 Oct 04 - 08:22 PM Two farmers met at a fair and between 'em bought a cow, They both wanted to take it 'ome, but couldn't agree somehow. They met a Lawyer on the way, who tried to square the case, And how they carried on that day, you'd say t'was a disgrace. One Farmer pulled it's head and the other one pulled it's tail, And over it they had a jolly row, hello, And both to law they went, and all their money spent, Whilst the Lawyer kept a milking of the cow, cow, cow, Whilst the Lawyer kept a milking of the cow. Said Brown unto the Lawyer, "Just list to what I say, We bought the cow between us, Jones had no money to pay. He said 'He'd give me an I.O.U.' but I didn't think that was straight, If you tell me how to keep the cow, I'll give you six and eight." --chorus-- Said Farmer Jones, "Now make no bones, that cow belongs to me We bought the cow between us, but I first the cow did see, Brown knows we made a bargain, and now he wants to row, But I mean to fight, with all my might, till he gives me half that cow." --chorus-- So, Brown and Jones to law they went and what with fees and costs, They at each other cursed and swore, till all their money was lost. The Judge at last dismissed the case, and costs would not allow, I'm sorry to say, that neither could pay, so the Lawyer kept the cow. --chorus-- seen Pictures, Jokes and statues on the same topic but we've never been able to trace the song origin. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Jim Dixon Date: 25 Jul 07 - 12:31 AM Here's MY ATTORNEY BERNIE by Dave Frishberg. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Amos Date: 25 Jul 07 - 12:54 AM ANd let us not forget :The Very Unfortunate Man" about the poor lawyer who married without getting a warranty deed. A |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:02 AM Got a song somewhere called 'Aint no lawyers in heaven' but am at work so will search for it later. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Jim Carroll Date: 25 Jul 07 - 03:52 AM A London broadside ballad called 'The Lawyer's Lament For Charing Cross', which begins: 'Undone, undone, the lawyers cry as they march up and down, We know not the way to Westminster now Charing Cross is down. So fare thee well old Charing Cross, fare thee well old stump, Thou wert a thing put up by a king and so pulled down by The Rump.' Jim Carroll |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Genie Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:36 AM Then there's the line in "The Lady Came From Baltimore" that goes "The lady's name was Susan Moore, Her daddy worked the law. She didn't know that I was poor, Lived outside the law." |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Chris Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:15 AM |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Chris Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:18 AM (Whoops - hit the wrong key)!! Coope Boyes & Simpsons "Funny Old World" is a scathing sideswipe at the British justice system. Another one of theirs, Rufford Park Poachers, also brings a courtroom trial into the song. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Mr Red Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:58 AM I wrote one - you may not like it. I will post when I am home. |
Subject: Lyr Add: ONE MILLION LAWYERS (Tom Paxton) From: Rapparee Date: 26 Jul 07 - 09:15 AM Oh, fer...how can anyone forget? ONE MILLION LAWYERS by Tom Paxton Humankind has survived some disasters, I'm sure. Like locusts and flash floods and flu. There's never a moment when we've been secure From the ills that the flesh is heir to. If it isn't a war, it's some gruesome disease. If it isn't disease, then it's war. But there's worse still to come, and I'm asking you please How the world's gonna take any more? (CHORUS:) In ten years we're gonna have one million lawyers, One million lawyers, one million lawyers. In ten years we're gonna have one million lawyers. How much can a poor nation stand? The world shook with dread of Atilla the Hun As he conquered with fire and steel, And Genghis and Kubla and all of the Kahns Ground a groaning world under the heel. Disaster, disaster, so what else is new? We've suffered the worst and then some. So I'm sorry to tell you, my suffering friends, Of the terrible scourge still to come. (CHORUS) (BREAK:) Oh, a suffering world cries for mercy As far as the eye can see. Lawyers around every bend in the road, Laywers in every tree, Lawyers in restaurants, lawyers in clubs, Lawyers behind every door, Behind windows and potted plants, shade trees and shrubs, Lawyers on pogo sticks, lawyers in politics! (CHORUS) In spring there's tornadoes and rampaging floods, In summer it's heat stroke and draught. There's Ivy League football to ruin the fall, It's a terrible scourge, without doubt. There are blizzards to batter the shivering plain. There are dust storms that strike, but far worse Is the threat of disaster to shrivel the brain, It's the threat of implacable curse. In ten years we're gonna have one million lawyers, One million lawyers, one million lawyers. In ten years we're gonna have one million lawyers. How much can a poor nation stand? How much can a poor nation stand? |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Richard Bridge Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:27 PM About time we had one about a good lawyer..... Pencil sharpening time..... |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: MGM·Lion Date: 18 Mar 11 - 09:20 AM "Adieu to all judges and juries, Justice & Old Bailey too..." |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Jim Knowledge Date: 18 Mar 11 - 02:22 PM I `ad this "brief" in my cab the other day. `e was done up in his black gown and his wig, all fraying and grey, was a bit cock-eyed on `is napper. `e looked like `e just lost a case and `ad the damages awarded against `im. I said, " Whassup Judge?. Was it Jury-one, you-nil?" `e said , "Nah Jim. It`s all them on that Mudcat thread about lawyers and the law. Not a good word about us from anyone." I said, "Well, you bring it all down on your own `ead. That case the other day, f`rinstance. A bill of £9000 for some jobsworth just to open the letters. You`re `aving a laugh." `e said, "Seems fair to me. If `e brought an action against the practise for Repetetive Strain Injury w`ed be up the Swanee!!" Whaddam I Like?? |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Guest Date: 21 Mar 11 - 07:00 PM The Don McLean song is called Respectable and it's from his first album, called Tapestry. Excellent song, excellent album. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Dad Perkins Date: 22 Mar 11 - 01:17 PM 'Lawyers Guns and Money' by Warren Zevon of course. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Dad Perkins Date: 22 Mar 11 - 01:20 PM also 'Lilly of the West' as sung by Dylan at least, has a pretty lengthy trial sequence toward the end. It's a murder ballad and it's on the covers record 'Dylan' which is an oft' overlooked gem. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Guest Date: 22 Mar 11 - 01:55 PM There is always "When Lawyers Take Viagra They Get Taller" by the Canadian duo Bowser and Blue. I believe they have it posted on youtube. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Bev and Jerry Date: 22 Mar 11 - 11:25 PM From "The Universal Songster", London, Grorge Routledge & Sons. Date unkonwn. Acquired by the Cleveland Public Library in 1907 and collected from there by us in 1989. Letters under the lyrics indicate the tune we made up for it but it's no better than the tune you can make up! HE WHO MATCHES A LAWYER HAS ONLY ONE MORE A lawyer, quite famous for making a bill, G C C C E C E F G A G And who in good living delighted F E D C C B C D G To dinner one day, with a hearty good will, F E D C C B C D E F G Was by a rich client invited; F E F G C D E D C But he charged six-and-eightpence for going to dine, C D E D C D E F E D C D Which the client he paid, though no ninny; G F E D C D E F E E And, in turn, charged the lawyer for dinner and wine, C D E D C D E F E D C D One a crown and the other a guinea! G G G D E F E D C C cho: But gossips, you know, have a saying in store, C F F F F G A G G G E He who matches a lawyer has only one more. G G G D E F E D C C D C The lawyer he paid it, and took a receipt, While the client stared at him with wonder; But gave to his friends, with the produce, a treat, Though the lawyer soon made him knock under, That his client sold wine, information he laid, Without license; and , in spite of his storming, The client a good thumping penalty paid, And the lawyer got half for informing. Bev and Jerry |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,OLD TIMER Date: 23 Mar 11 - 04:10 PM Any one mention Woody Gutheries" Philadelphia Lawyer" |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Bounty Hound Date: 24 Mar 11 - 03:40 PM It's been mentioned earlier in this thread, but that was in 2004! Chuck Brodsky, 'Talk to my Lawyer' Had the pleasure of meeting Chuck backstage at Shrewsbury last year, lovely man, and thoroughly engaging performer. John |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,Seonaid Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:07 PM The Beers Family recorded a song called, I believe, "A Farmer Boy For Me," in which the girl compares her lad of the land to various less attractive professionals. One verse runs, "I would not marry a lawyer man; He tells too many lies. I'd rather work with my farmer boy Beneath the open skies." Sorry 'bout that! (P.S. -- I edit law books in my spare time; bless you all....) |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,JAM Date: 24 Mar 11 - 04:53 PM A 1920 (1919?) song is Snoops the Lawyer. Google it up for recordings and You Tube. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: katlaughing Date: 24 Mar 11 - 06:18 PM This one didn't show up in a search within this thread: Video and lyrics from HERE I FOUGHT THE LAW The Bobby Fuller Four (Sonny Curtis) (A') Breakin' rocks in the ... hot sun I Fought the Law and the ... law won I Fought the Law and the ... law won I needed money, 'cause I ... had none I Fought the Law and the ... law won I Fought the Law and the ... law won I left my baby and I feel so bad I guess my race is run Well, she's the best girl ... I've ever had I Fought the Law and the ... law won I Fought the Law and the ... law won (Instrumental Break) Robbin' people with a . . . SIX gun I Fought the Law and the ... law won I Fought the Law and the ... law won I miss my baby and the ... good fun I Fought the Law and the ... law won I Fought the Law and the ... law won I left my baby and I feel so bad I guess my race is run But, she's the best girl ... I've ever had I Fought the Law and the ... law won I Fought the Law and the ... law won lyrics submitted by The Wordman lyrics corrected by Brad on 23-01-2007 |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: GUEST,henryp Date: 25 Mar 11 - 09:01 AM A 17th century protest against the enclosure of common land in England; The law locks up the man or woman Who steals the goose from off the common But leaves the greater villain loose Who steals the common from off the goose. The law demands that we atone When we take things we do not own But leaves the lords and ladies fine Who take things that are yours and mine. The poor and wretched don't escape If they conspire the law to break; This must be so but they endure Those who conspire to make the law. The law locks up the man or woman Who steals the goose from off the common And geese will still a common lack Till they go and steal it back. John Clare also wrote many verses opposing enclosure; There once were lanes in nature's freedom dropt, There once were paths that every valley wound - Enclosure came, and every path was stopt; Each tyrant fixed his sign where paths were found, To hint a trespass now who crossed the ground: Justice is made to speak as they command; The high road now must be each stinted bound: Enclosure, thou'rt curse upon the land, And tasteless was the wretch who thy existence planned. |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Fkoll Date: 22 Apr 11 - 06:58 AM Circumstantial Evidence recoded by Jerry Lee Lewis I Get The Picture. Recorded by Keith Whiley |
Subject: RE: Songs About Lawyers or the Law From: Ron Davies Date: 22 Apr 11 - 07:35 AM It's a bit amazing that it's been left out, but I don't think I "Pretty Boy Floyd" mentioned--"...Some will rob you with a fountain pen." |
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