Lyr Req: Talking Cancer Blues (Dave Van Ronk)

Subject: Lyr. req. Talking cancer blues
From: GUEST,german non member Bertie
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 11:26 AM

Having an old vinyl with the song, but I'm not understanding half of the words, what Dave van Ronk is singing here. I think he wrote the song himself?!
I would be glad to hear more about this song, thanks....
Bertie

Subject: RE: Lyr. req. Talking cancer blues
From: dwditty
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 04:01 PM

Hi Bertie,

I just received your transcription of Somebody Else, Not Me. Thank you so much.

TALKING CANCER – Dave Van Ronk

I was sitting in the back yard sucking on a Good Humor
Along comes a Doc, says my wife has a tumor
And it was malignant

Now the AMA and the medical highers
They don't agree with Liggette & Meyers
They say smoking is bad for you
Hell of a cough, too

Well, there is cancer of the liver; there is cancer of the lung
Cancer of the lip, the throat, the tongue
There's 17 malignant tumors in one filter tip king size
Now light up

Well, a cigarette was needed that was relatively clean
They come out with filters, low tar & nicotine
All that research gone to waste
No harmful ingredient, no cigarette taste

Well, the companies panicked, they had to find an answer
They increased the tobacco strain and everybody's getting cancer
Look what I got free with these cigarette coupons
A chest X-ray

Well, the hashish interest in Mexico
Has found a way to redouble their dough
Let's all get the habit, marijuana's here to stay
So if you want a treat and you don't mind the treatment
Smoke pot! It's the thinking man's cigarette


dw

Subject: RE: Lyr. req. Talking cancer blues
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 Nov 03 - 07:49 PM

I did a bit of research on Dave April before last, to produce one of a series of short radio spots on musicians who had died the previous year. I came across a story about this song; I'm afraid I can't find it right now, or remember as well as I would like.

I'll keep looking for something more specific; I'm at home right now, and the research material is on my machine at work. In the meanwhile, here's a link to the Dave Van Ronk Unauthorized home page, from which you can jump to just about everything on the internet about Dave:

Dave Van Ronk Unauthorized

Subject: RE: Lyr. req. Talking cancer blues
From: GUEST,Bertie
Date: 11 Nov 03 - 02:23 AM

Hi DW!
You gave to me what I was looking for, nice to know you!
Thanks,
Bertie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Talking cancer blues
From: GUEST,Bertie
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 04:02 AM

Hi PoppaGator!
Still waiting for the results of your search on your maschine at work.
I think, you`re on vacancy now and I hope, it will last long. But think of me afterwards...
Greetings
Bertie

Subject: Lyr Add: TALKING CANCER BLUES (Dave Van Ronk)
From: GUEST,Ray Paquette
Date: 04 Nov 12 - 10:33 AM

TALKING CANCER BLUES– Dave Van Ronk

I was sitting in the back yard sucking a Good Humor
Along comes a Doc, says my wife has a tumor
And it was malignant

Now the AMA and the medical hires
They don't agree with Liggett & Meyers
They say smoking is bad for you
It'll give you cancer
Hell of a cough, too

Well, there is cancer of the liver; there is cancer of the lung
Cancer of the lip, the throat, the tongue
There's 17 malignant tumors in one filter tip king size
Light up

Well, a cigarette was needed that was relatively clean
They come out with filters, no tars or nicotine
Pretty low on sales too
All that research gone to waste
No harmful ingredients, no cigarette taste

Well, the companies panicked, they had to find the answer
They increased the tobacco strain
Everybody's getting cancer
Look what I got free with these cigarette coupons
A chest X-ray

Well, the hashish interest in Mexico
Has found a way to redouble their dough
They got a weed has no tars so they say
Let's all get the habit, marijuana's here to stay
So if you want a treat and you don't mind the treatment
Smoke pot! That's a thinking man's cigarette

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Talking Cancer (Dave Van Ronk)
From: GUEST,C. Ham
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 10:25 AM

I really wish Dave had heeded the warnings in that song. He might still be with us.