ADD: The Dolphins (Fred Neil)

Subject: Lyr Req: Searchin for Dolphins (F Neil)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 11:16 AM

The recent discussion of "Four in the Mornin" got me thinking about other semi-forgotten songs from that era, which was just about the time I became interested in folk music and first picked up the guitar.

Fred Neil was a songwriter hero known only among the innermost of the in-crowd, the most tragically hip. I was really too young and too wet behind the ears at the time to learn very much about him, except that one song very popular among many of the better amateur performers was his "Searching for the Dolphins in the Sea." (That may not be the exact title.) Not a fingerpicker's show-off piece like "4 in the Morning," but more of a haunting-ballad kinda slow tune.

Fred Neil achieved huge but belated commerical success several years later when his "Everybody's Talkin'" -- not his own recording, but as sung by someone else (Harry Neilson?) -- was used as the the theme song for the movie "Midnight Cowboy." If I'm not mistaken, Neil didn't live long enough to capitalize on his "rediscovery" -- if, indeed, he would have wanted to; his aversion to the limelight was part of his legend.

Actually, in addition to lyrics, I's be glad to see chords, tabs, etc., as well as any information, reminiscences, etc., about the mysterious Mr. Fred Neil.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 11:30 AM

Poppa, a discussion of him and his death can be found in this thread, but the lyrics you want aren't in it. I'll see what I can find.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 11:31 AM

Aha! Click here for tab/chords/lyrics

Subject: Lyr Add: The Dolphins
From:
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 11:32 AM

From http://w1.871.telia.com/~u87125666/lyrics/dolphins.htm

The Dolphins
Words and Music by Fred Neil

This old world may never change the way it's been
And all the ways of war can't change it back again
I'm searching for the dolphins in the sea
Sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me
 
I'm not the one to tell this world how to get along
I only know that peace will come when all hate is gone
I'm searching for the dolphins in the sea
Sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me
 
Sometimes I think about Saturday's child
And all of the happy times when we were running wild
Oh I'm searching for the dolphins in the sea
Yea and sometimes I wonder do you ever think of me
 
Sometimes I wonder, sometimes I wonder
I wonder do you ever think of me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 11:35 AM

Everybody's Talkin' at Olga.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: Mudlark
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 12:47 PM

I treasure the one vinyl recording of Fred Neil I own...I think it was his first and have had it forever. Thanks for reminding me of that other thread on him, and thanks Sorcha for the lyrics/chords. Don't know that I could ever attempt that song myself, as I can hear Neil singing it--in that great sad smoky voice--in my head.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 01:29 PM

Thanks, especially to Sorcha, for the **quick** responses. Pretty much everything I had hoped for (except that the "tab" page seems to provide just chords and lyrics, no tablature -- am I missing something?) The thread from the time of Fred's passing provided some very nice reading.

George, I hadn't been aware of Belafonte's recording -- interesting.

Mudlark: Since I first heard "The Dolphins" performed by imitators/amateurs before ever hearing the original, I would hope not to feel the same reluctance to take a stab at my own interpretation. (I eventually *did* hear Fred's own recording, and of course it was wonderful.)

Unfortunately, in my mind's ear, I can only hear the refrain (lines 3 & 4 of each verse), and don't feel sure about how the other lyrics fit the meter. I'd have to track down an actual recording and listen carefully before I could give it a shot -- and maybe listening to the man himself would leave me too humbled and intimidated to proceed!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From:
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 01:32 PM

Glad we could help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: harpgirl
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 01:32 PM

pg...I'll send you a tape of the record if you pm me your address. hg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 05:26 PM

I have this song on a Tim Buckley album. I think it is Sefronia.

Lovely song.

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: Melani
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 10:41 PM

I had the privilege of seeing him live once, at the Gaslight in Coconut Grove, Florida. Really amazing--local hero. Every teenager for miles around was trying to play and sing like him.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 28 Apr 25 - 12:42 PM

This is another Fred Neil song;
the thread title could be more cleaned up than it is?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Apr 25 - 01:29 PM

Here's Fred doing his song in his inimitable way. With bouzouki by Cyrus Faryar (I think).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Searchin for the Dolphins in th
From: gillymor
Date: 28 Apr 25 - 01:30 PM

forgot to add the link

The Dolphins