Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)

Subject: lyrics req. The Idiot (stan rogers)
From:
Date: 22 Feb 97 - 05:44 PM

If anyone has the lyrics to Stan Roger's The Idiot could you please send me a copy

Thanks....

Subject: RE: lyrics req. The Idiot (stan rogers)
From:
Date: 24 Mar 97 - 10:05 AM

try this log.on.ca/summerfolk/srmain.htm if it's not there, i don't know where it would be. lenny

Subject: Lyr Add: THE IDIOT (Stan Rogers)
From: bo vandenberg
Date: 24 Mar 97 - 11:08 AM

Cheers, Bo

THE IDIOT
Words and music by Stan Rogers, Pro Canada, published 1981
By Fogarty's Cove Music, Inc. Source: Stan Rogers, Songs from Fogarty's Cove p102

I often take these night shift walks when the foreman's not around
I turn my back on the cooling stacks and make for open ground
Far out beyond the tankfarm fence where the gas flare makes no sound
I forget the stink and I always think back to that eastern town.

I remember back six years ago, this Western life I chose,
And every day, the news would say some factory's going to close.
Well I could have stayed to take the dole, but I'm not one of those.
I take nothing free, and that makes me an idiot, I suppose.

CHO: I bid farewell to the eastern town I never more will see
But work I must so I eat this dust and breath refinery,
Oh I miss the green and the woods and streams and I don' like cowboy clothes
But I like being free and that makes me an idiot I suppose.

So come all you fine young fellows who've been beaten to the ground.
This western life's no paradise, but its better than lying down.
Oh, the streets aren't clean, and there's nothing green, and the hills are dirty brown
But the government dole will rot your soul back there in your hometown.

CHO: So bid farewell to the eastern town you never more will see.
There's self-respect and a steady cheque in this refinery.
You will miss the green and the woods and streams and the dust will fill you nose.
But you'll be free, and just like me, an idiot, I suppose.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From:
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 12:09 PM

Do you have the chords to this song? Thanks very much!

Subject: Chords Add: THE IDIOT (Stan Rogers)
From: Willie-O
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:27 PM

(D)I often take these (A) night shift (D)walks when the (G)foreman's not a(Bm)round
I (G)turn my back on the (D)cooling stacks and make for (E7)open
(A)ground
Far (D)out beyond the (A)tankfarm (D)fence where the (G)gas flare makes no (Bm)sound
I for(G)get the stink and I (D)always think back to that (A)eastern (D)town.


CHO: I (G)bid farewell to the (D)eastern town I never (G)more will (D)see
But (G)work I must so I (D)eat this dust and breath re(Em)finer(A)y,
Oh I (D)miss the green and the (A)woods and (D)streams and I (G)don't like cowboy (Bm)clothes
But I (G)like being free and (D)that makes me an (D)idiot (A)I sup(D)pose.


Note: chords are played with a very strong downbeat--chord symbols are shown directly in front of the lyric beat they fall on. Stan described the tune as "delightfully goofy Morris dance rhythm" if that is any help to you--cheers.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:33 PM

Actually Stan described it as a "Knuckle-dragging Neanderthal beat... like Morris dancing"

heh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:50 PM

,,,which is why there actually is a Morris dance written to the tune...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:52 PM

I'm sure Stan'd be SOOOO proud...

*rolls eyes*

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 01:59 PM

There is a midi at thidiot.mid on the mudcat midi page

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 02:26 PM

Thanks for this one catter critters. I'm trying to think if it is in my music book Songs from Fogerty's Cove. If you know someone with that book, you'll also get the fake notes and can play the tune as well. If it is in there. Memory doesn't work very well on Ocycontin.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 02:30 PM

Yes.. it's in Songs From Fogarty's Cove...

Page 102

As a matter of fact, I'm gonna dig it up to correct the chords already submitted....

Subject: Chords Add: THE IDIOT (Stan Rogers)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 02:37 PM

The Idiot ("Official" chords... whatever that's worth)

I (D)often (A)take these (Bm) night shift (D)walks when the (G)foreman's not a(Bsus4)round
I (G)turn my back on the (D)cooling (G)stacks and (D)make for (Em)open
(A)ground
Far (Bm)out bey(G)ond the (A)tankfarm (D)fence where the (G)gas flare makes no (Bsus4)sound
I for(G)get the stink and I (D)always (G)think back (D)to that (A)eastern (D)town.


CHO: I (G)bid fare(A)well to the (D)eastern town I (Bm)never (A)more will (D)see
But (G)work I (A)must so I (D)eat this dust and (Bm)breath re(Em)finer(A)y,
Oh I (Bm)miss the (G)green and the (A)woods and (D)streams and I (G)don't like cowboy (Bsus4)clothes
But I (G)like being free and (D)that makes (G)me an (D)idiot (A)I sup(D)pose.

Bsus4 = 024400

:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 30 Dec 03 - 02:42 PM

Thanks Clint. I knew someone out there would know. I'm 'paper trained' and often will play the melody while others chord while singing a song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: GUEST,Jake
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 04:19 PM

Does anyone know what the Bsus4 chord should look like here? I'm getting a ton of different fingerings from my google search.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: WindhoverWeaver
Date: 20 Aug 12 - 08:46 AM

Jake, check out the post 2 above yours--its given at the end!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Idiot (Stan Rogers)
From: Acorn4
Date: 20 Aug 12 - 12:39 PM

I've played this song and the sus chord isn't vital - a b minor will sound OK - the fingering given doesn't actually involve a sustained note but is just a b chord with the third interval missing meaning it's ambiguous whether it's major or minor - Stan's style had nothing particuarly complex about it but was a very effective style for accompanying his singing.