Songs that Move Powerfully

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Paul D.
Date: 04 Feb 13 - 10:16 PM

Deanbo - you said that you have a record of "Father, it's one of your children again". Is there any information on who wrote or sang it? Any chance you could sample the record and post it somewhere? If not, I could help facilitate that. There seem to be a few people online that remember this song. Thanks for the info thus far!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Deanbo
Date: 21 Dec 12 - 03:08 PM

I have a record I bought in the 1970s

             Father

Father, it's one of your children again
asking that you would hear.
I've only a few simple words to speak
but I guess you might call it a prayer.
First, I want to thank You for this day
for the sun that shines that way,
for the green against the blue.
I wonder what all the people do
who feel greatfull for all this,
and don't know how to thank You.

Father, there's someone dear to me,
I know He's dear to You.
He's called the Lord of the universe,
He is Light, He is life, He is true.
Lord, I want to thank You for Your Son,
for the beautiful things He is,
for the marvelous things He's done.
It takes all my faith to understand
how He who guides the stars
cares to guide me by His hand.

Farther, what are these warm tears
that I feel on my cheek?
I guess they express as my words never could
how I feel as I sit at your feet.
I feel just like a once lost child
who wandered in the dark
not knowing all the while-
That there was someone waiting for me
until I came home to the light of Your smile.

Father, before I go to sleep
I have just one request.
Let me forever be where You are
I'll forget the rest.
I don't need riches or fame
all happiness is mine if I can own Your name.
For living is joy, death will be gain-
to me it's all the same
for Your child I remain, I remain.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Iain
Date: 15 Jan 06 - 01:51 PM

I remember that one and it is to the tune of the hymn 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus' so I did follow some searches on it but a dead end I am afraid.

The only words I remember are;
Apres la guerre finis
Ecossais soldat partie...

Iain

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Jan 06 - 05:57 AM

There was a WWII song, "When this bloody war is over". Could that be related to the French song? I mention this, because it could be a route to tracking it down.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Guest Iain
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 09:03 PM

Two songs that always moved me were sung by my father. He was in the 51st Highlanders and after the fall of St Valery they made their way to Cherbourg and caught the last boat from France. The two songs he brought with him;
Apres La Guerre Finis (to the tune of Under the Bridges of Paris)
and
St Valery (don't know if that is the title)

I made the mistake of not learning the words from him and with his passing (to me) the songs are also gone.

Iain

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 13 Dec 05 - 01:31 PM

I am always moved by "The Cliffs of Baccalieu", especially as sung by Anita Best. It's a description of what must have been a pretty common experience in the life of sailors and fishermen, especially in the days before engines. I shiver every time I hear
" with our lee rails 3 feet under
And two hands at the wheel
Sure we hauled her from the rocks at Baccalieu"

My husband, who fished under sail, used to say that there was nothing romantic about it -- just hard work and danger. That song really evokes that reality for me.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: saulgoldie
Date: 11 Dec 05 - 09:24 AM

Oh, I forgot this one:
There Are No Words/Kitty Donohoe, a 9-11 song.

Subject: Lyr Add: LET THE BAND PLAY DIXIE (Bob Gibson)
From: saulgoldie
Date: 10 Dec 05 - 04:51 PM

Sunny,
Here you go. Lemme know (PM) if you want a sound clip of it to see how it sounds:


        LET THE BAND PLAY DIXIE

C                        Am                   F                G
The news was run from Richmond in that fading April Sun;
C                    Am                               F                       G
That Lee had handed Grant his sword, the war was finally won.
Am
Into the streets the people spilled,
D7
Feeling the excitement build,
            F
And the crowd around the Whitehouse milled,
                                G
Asking is it true, it's finally done?

Inside the White House Lincoln heard them calling out his name.
He sat there wondering what to say to ease their years of pain.
Someone yelled, "Come out the door, tell us what you have in store
For the rebels who've lost the war," so out upon the porch Abe Lincoln came.

He said, "We are gathered not in anger, but in celebration.
Let's be grateful we are once again a single nation.
Let's stand together reassured, now that peace has been secured,
Our nation's illness can be cured, and I suggest the overture for this occasion...
(cho.)
C                
Let the band Play Dixie,
Am                                                  G
Play that tune that holds its head up high and proud,
        F                G                C                 Am
And let our nation once divided, bloodied but unbowed,
F                        G                        C              Am
Take the swords of war and beat them back into a plow."
        F                        G                C                 Am        F/G
On the day that Lee surrendered, Mr. Lincoln told the crowd,
                        C        
"Let the band play Dixie!"

A tired Union soldier hobbled on his only limb,
Filled with bitter memories the war had left with him.
Dragged his wooden leg and cane, his face was set and creased with pain,
He stumbled, fell, and rose again, and he wondered what the future held for him.

He spied a Black child kneeling there in humble gratitude.
He knelt down right beside her to share her thankful mood.
Grateful words were raised in prayer, God in your sweet loving care,
Our broken lives now please repair, let our wounded nation be renewed. And...

cho (with dramatic ending)

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Chanteyranger
Date: 10 Dec 05 - 01:40 PM

What am I, the Doublemint twins? It's enough being one Chanteyranger.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 10 Dec 05 - 04:41 AM

There are some traditional songs that have a great emotionaql impact on me when linked to a particular singer. Kate Rusby's singing, and the brilliant arrangements crafted by her and her husband John McCusker give those songs a special emotional pull. Her renditions of "The Unquiet Grave," "Some Tyrant," and "I Wonder What Is keeping My True love Tonight" stand out for me.

Singer/Songwriter Bob Franke's "The Great Storm Is Over," written for a friend's child who was seriously ill and survived, comes to mind.

Silly Wizard's live recording with Andy M. Stewart singing lead on "The Valley of Strathmore."

Bernstein/Sondheim's "Tonight," and "One Hand/One Heart" from West Side Story. It has always been more than a broadway show for me. I love this musical; the collaboration between composer, lyricist, and choreographer that came together so perfectly.

Two songs, though, are at the top of my list for emotional power. "We Shall Overcome," and Robert Burns's "A Man's A Man for A' That" speak to the soul. They are true anthems for humanity. The one performance of A Man's A Man that always moves me, is an arrangement by the Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser for Ed Miller's singing, backed by 150 fiddlers and other instrumentalists, at a concert several years ago. Ed taught Scottish songs at Alasdair's music camp, and sang this at the end of camp concert in Santa Cruz. For me, it set the standard for this song. I'm totally spoiled on it. No other rendition of that song does it for me like this one. Fortunately, the concert was recorded and sent to the campers. I would urge them to do the same arrangement on a commercial recording.

I haven't heard Eric Bogle, either. Something to look forward to.

Chanteyranger

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 01:36 PM

What have they done to the rain.....about nuclear fallout...pretty powerful eh?

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Dec 05 - 01:08 PM

He seems to do the States every three years. We were lucky enough to catch him in Maine a few weeks ago and he was great.

He and his accompanist, John Munroe, will stand and talk for ages during interval and after the show, much to the delight of a friend who is a real Bogle fan. I just happened to find out about his tour on the website in time to get there. We drove 100 miles each way but it was well worth it.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: SunnySister
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 02:52 PM

Thanks Jacqui! I have already checked out his website and darned if he hadn't passed through the bay area without me realizing who he was... urgh! I hope there's a "next time."

Here's his website to any who haven't heard of him like me:
http://ericbogle.net/index.htm

Until then I'll be getting some of his CD's especially looking for the songs shared on this thread.

Again- much appreciated to all of you Mudkittens- I mean Mudcats (sorry, getting a little sentimental there...),

--SunnySister

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 02:01 PM

SunnySister

Eric Bogle is a Scot who emigrated to Australia in 1969. He is a singer songwriter who runs the gamut from some of the saddest songs to some of the funniest.

If you Google his name you'll find his website. I think that he may still be finishing a USA tour and I believe that he is in the UK next year. If you can get any of his albums I'm sure that you won't be disappointed and if you can get to see him perform.......

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: SunnySister
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 01:01 PM

Glad this thread has continued- I've learned of a some songs that I am anxious to hear more of.

I've also heard of a songwriter over and over which makes me incredibly curious: Eric Bogle. Sad to say he's a new artist to me (hopefully not for long!).


Saul, I've never heard of "Let The Band Play Dixie" by Bob Gibson. Would love to see the lyrics if they are easy to share here.

Many thanks everyone for sharing these songs-
SunnySister

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 07:27 AM

Miner's Lullabye - Utah Phillips

It's as if he Knows - Eric Bogle

The Reason For it All - Eric Bogle

First Time Ever I Swa Your Face Ewen MacColl - sung by Roberta Flack

No Man's Land - Eric Bogle

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Terry K
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 03:16 AM

Hank Williams "First Fall of Snow" is probably the most effective for me. The final line, which really is the punch line of the song,

"......cos he didn't know, that we lost our baby, at the first fall of snow"

seems almost to come as a shock every time I hear it - even though I know it from several thousands of listenings.

More recently, what about "Dry Your Eyes, Mate" from Mike Skinner.

I think I must have that special quality too, as most people seem to end up in tears when I sing........

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: saulgoldie
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 02:52 PM

Gotta repeat some:

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Silent Night
and Silent Night/the news by S & G
Cats in the Cradle
One Tin Soldier
Chistmas in the Trenches

Cranes Over Hiroshima by Fred Small (as sung by Two of a Kind)
Where Have All The Flowers Gone
Hard Times by Stephen Foster
How Can I Keep From Singing
Let The Band Play Dixie by Bob Gibson (which, BTW, I can provide the chords and lyrics). Am I the only one here who knows this song?

Great thread! Thanks for starting it, Mutt.

Saul

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 01:11 PM

The Foggy Dew sung by Luke Kelly. Skibereen, The Croppy Boy, and The Cod Liver Oil song, proved to be moving.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 10:21 AM

Interesting that many WW1 songs have been mentioned.
I too would have chosen Home Lads Home, and also perhaps Dancing At Whitsun.
For a poignantly sad song, The Red Headed Anne.
Keith.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 09:15 AM

For me, the chorus of 'Home Lads Home' does it every time. Any song which is the last one sung at the last festival of the year and Rod Shearman's 'Here's to Friends'. In 'Unsung Heroes' I sing 'The Lament for the Oaks' (jon heslop)where mother earth laments the cutting down of her 300 year old oak trees for the navy and says farewell to them as her brothers, children and lovers and you can guarantee that there are tears from quite a few of the audience before I finish that song ~ and it's not just my bad singing! At one performance we had people sobbing before I had even started it as they knew the song. Perhaps we should have Cornwall Songwriters tissues available!!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Dec 05 - 12:46 AM

Suzanne Thomas singing 'Leaving this Land'. It's about a mother and (grown) daughter having to give up on their parched farm and move away. You get the feeling that if it were just her (the daughter) she'd stay but that she has to leave because her mother needs to get free.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: leftydee
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 06:57 PM

"Forgiveness" by Luka Bloom gets me every time. So does "Natives" by his brother, Christy Moore.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 02:27 PM

I'm a callous git, but I almost get rattled when I'm standing in the cold & wet of November 11 and the bugler plays Last Post.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: alanabit
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 01:48 PM

I enjoyed that. I thought it was sentimental, but without being cringing. Hope it does well.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Gervase
Date: 06 Dec 05 - 01:20 PM

Daft I know, but I found myself sniffling like a good 'un when I heard the JCB song that's being virally marketed by a band on the Folk'n Deadly label, Nizlopi.
It's a simple, sentimental number, and there's a huge groundswell of support to get it to the No 1 position in the UK music charts this Christmas - and I for one would like to see it there in place of the plastic pap that so often makes it.
It's maybe not to everyone's taste, but the lead singer's dad, Kieran Concannon, does play uillean pipes on it, so there's definitely a folk connection. And I thought it was great.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 07:40 AM

And 'Ghost In This House' (Alison Krauss/Union Station).

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 02:19 AM

"Even something so seemingly innocuous such as "Rock a bye baby" the nursery rhyme can have an effect when one considers a cradle complete with baby falling out of a tree." I'm sure it can for the unlucky sod, who is walking underneath it at the time!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Muttley
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 01:33 AM

Couple more that have (and still) get to me on occasion

One Tin Soldier

and

Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle"

Mutt

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: number 6
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:36 PM

"River Man" ... by the late Nick Drake

sIx

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 11:22 PM

Fred Small's "Leslie is Different" and "Cranes Over Hiroshima". I first heard "Leslie" sung by the 6-year old daughter of a fellow filker about the time I was getting into the filk community. Melted your heart to hear her. As for "Cranes", a trio called Musical Chairs used to perform it with one member signing. Never a dry eye in the house with that one either.

Also Bob Franke's "Healing In This Night". A number of friends (also from the filk community) had adopted the song as an anthem during a time several of them had lost parents or other relatives and were leaning on each other. A few months later I lost a grandfather while at a convention and wound up crying on their shoulders myself. So the song now recalls my own experience.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Auggie
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 07:27 PM

Dave's Wife- those were great Iris Dement lyrics.

Add
Michael Smith's   "I Brought My Father With Me"
Janis Ian's       "At Seventeen"
Bruce Cockburn's "No Footprints"

to the list.

Muttley nailed my all time favorite tho- "Mary Did You Know"
The Kathy Mattea version is sooo powerful.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: danensis
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 05:38 PM

The song recently which had the most impact for me Colvin Quarmby's "House of the Setting Sun".

I also like the Strawbs "Another Day begins" and the Harry Chapin song about the 'cello player. Very often its the context which makes these songs special. "Factory Girl" by Raplh McTell is another one, as is "Prospect Providence" by Cockersdale.

Subject: Lyr Add: MANYURA MANYAH (Matt McGinn)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 05:11 PM

This song truly moves powerfully ..

Manyura Manyah
by Matt McGinn

I've heard men complain o' the jobs that they're dain'
When they're hawkin' the coal or diggin' the drain
But whatever they are, there's none that compar'
Wi' a man that's at shovellin' manyura, manyah!
Wi' manyura manyah, wi' manyura manyah!
Wi' manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!

Oh the streets o' the toon were all kivvered aroon
Wi' stuff that was beautiful gowden and broon
It was put there o' course by a big Clydesdale horse
And its name was manyura, manyura manyah!

I ha' followed its track wi' me shovel and sack
And often as no wi' a pain in me back
It was a' for the rent and the beautiful scent
Of manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!

But I'm feelin' so sore for my job's been took o'er
And everything noo is mechanical power
And there's nought left for me but the sweet memory
Of manyura, manyura, manyura manyah!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 05:03 PM

Even something so seemingly innocuous such as "Rock a bye baby" the nursery rhyme can have an effect when one considers a cradle complete with baby falling out of a tree.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Dave'sWife
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 06:11 AM

My mother used to sing 'the prisoner's song' (if I had the wings of an angel) to me when I was small. Sometimes when I hear it in a movie or on soundrtack, it makes me so lonesome I could cry (oh wait, that's another song, right? hehe)

Nevermind that it's a horribly morbid song to sing to a child! Sing it she did!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 03:37 AM

Steve Earle's 'Billy Austin'

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 12:22 AM

Gee, many powerful songs out there - wish I could sing em' all, such as:
The Jeannie C - Stan Rogers
Watercolor Ponies - Wayne Watson
Broom Of Cowdeknowes - Brendan Nolan
Singing The Spirit Home - Eric Bogle
Christmas Is All In The Heart - Steven Curtis Chapman

Geez, I've been performing songs all of my adult life - this list is too long to continue; having said that, I guess the song that still moves me the most, and I'll stop with it is:

The Notre Dame Victory March - still puts goose-bumps all over me
                               whenever I hear it played. GO IRISH!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: bobad
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:24 PM

Some songs that touch me :

"Strange Fruit" sung by Billie Holiday

"He Was a Friend of Mine" sung by anybody

The piece on Dave van Ronk by Tom Russell on his album "Hotwalker" makes me blubber everytime I listen to it.

Subject: Lyr Add: OUR TOWN (Iris DeMent)
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife w/out cookie
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:06 PM

Iris Dement has a wonderful song called "Our town" which seems to be about someone either leaving a town she has lived in all her life or, maybe staying in a town that itself is dying.

My Mom's Hometown is a tiny little thing that has been dying for decades. They closed the catholic church recently because of a priest shortage and they all have to shuffle to a nearby town where they only get a borrowed priest once a week. The Paper Mill has closed and re-opened a few times but died for good about 8 years ago and the various mines in the area closed shortley after I was born. It was once a vibrant small town with a post office, a grocery, a small hotel, The Mill, the mines, some orchards and some other businesses.

All her relatives are there but their kids are moving away. Anyway.. she cires when she listens to Our Town. It has a great fiddle accompianment too.


Our Town lyrics

And you know the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.

Up the street beside that red neon light,
That's where I met my baby on one hot summer night.
He was the tender and I ordered a beer,
It's been forty years and I'm still sitting here.

But you know the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.

It's here I had my babies and I had my first kiss.
I've walked down Main Street in the cold morning mist.
Over there is where I bought my first car.
It turned over once but then it never went far.

And I can see the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.

I buried my Mama and I buried my Pa.
They sleep up the street beside that pretty brick wall.
I bring them flowers about every day,
but I just gotta cry when I think what they'd say.

If they could see how the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
'Cause your heart's bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can't you see the sun's settin' down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.


Now I sit on the porch and watch the lightning-bugs fly.
But I can't see too good, I got tears in my eyes.
I'm leaving tomorrow but I don't wanna go.
I love you, my town, you'll always live in my soul.

But I can see the sun's settin' fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on, I gotta kiss you goodbye,
But I'll hold to my lover,
'Cause my heart's 'bout to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to my town, to my town.
I can see the sun has gone down on my town, on my town,
Goodnight.
Goodnight.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 07:47 PM

The Greenfields of France is a powerful song that rouses all kinds of emotion as does one I used to sing when the troubles in Ireland were at their height...It was called "The Town I Love so Well" and the fourth verse particularly draws a vivid picture of the Brit army 'installed' in Derry.....the whole song speaks of life and truth.
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 03:36 PM

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Gervase
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 07:28 AM

I find they come and go, the moving songs. Songs like "And the Band Played..." and "The Green Fields of France" used to choke me up, but then I did them to death and their power faded. Similarly, and sadly, with "Home Lads Home"; when I first started singing that it was hard to get through without choking up, but these days it's just another one in the repertoire.
Over the past few years some memorable chokers have been "Didn't I Dance?", "Rosemary's Sister", Maggie Holland's "A Proper Sort of Gardener", Roy Bailey's version of "New Year's Eve", Martyn Wyndham-Read's "Do You Think I Do Not Know?", Coope, Boyes & Simpson's "Only Remembered" and Wak Maar Proper's "Zenzenina" and, of course, many others in singarounds and sessions that seemed almost effortlessly to pluck at the strings of the soul and evoke feelings of wistfulness, loves lost or simply the sheer wonder of life.
And that is great thing about folk - that there are always surprises awaiting around the corner. Every so often I come across a song that, on the page, seems unprepossessing but which when sung with passion by someone in the same room takes on an extraordinary power and raises the hairs on the back of the neck.
Many of the popular tear-jerkers leave me cold, though. Often it's because they seem too obvious and unsubtle in the way they're crafted to appeal to our emotions; as if the writers are trying too hard. More than a few of the songs written about the Great War fall into that trap for me; I can appreciate "Christmas 1914", but it doesn't move me, while "Christmas in the Trenches" merely irritates as a catchpenny attempt to ensnare sentiment, maybe because it's written in the first person and neither John McCutcheon nor John McDermott sounds remotely Liverpudlian!

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Muttley
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 06:48 AM

Another lovely "hymn" - though I'm not certain that the purists will regard it so:

"Mary Did You Know?"

What a wondefully moving song: best version I've heard was by (I think) Kenny Rodgers (I'd have LOVED to have heard what Johnny Cash could've done to lines like the segue / bridge which goes:

"The blind will see, the deaf will hear the dead will
   live a-gain;   
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of
   the Lamb."

I have to actually alter my voice to get a kind of 'growly / echoey / hollow sound (doesn't adequately describe it - but it's close enough) in order to get through those two lines EVERY TIME !!!

Mutt

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: Hawker
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 04:56 AM

I Love, but well with a tear at Christmas 1914 by Cormac McConnell - a superbly written song about that Christmas truce.....

Regards, Lucy

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife wihtout cookie
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 12:59 AM

Muttley - 'Be Not Afraid' is an excellent choice. Evn though songs like that are often chided by purist Cahtolic musicians, I always loved it. That and Gregory Norbet's 'Hosea'

Subject: Lyr Add: OLD COYOTE TOWN (Bob McDill)
From: GUEST,Bernie
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 01:45 PM

OLD COYOTE TOWN
Bob McDill

He's got a US flag on the front porch to remind everyone where he lives.
Upstairs in the attic are papers that prove the old place is finally his.
After 45 years, the grass still won't grow on that rock-hard west Texas ground,
But my old dad still clings to his old coyote town.

    Like horses, the pickups are parked out in front
    Of a café that don't need a name,
    As old men rock and tumbleweeds roll
    Past the boarded-up windows on Main.

Waist-high weeds hide a "for-sale" sign, at the drive-in where my innocence died.
A rusty advertisement hangin' from a nail says, "Popcorn and Pepsi for a dime,"
And down at the depot, where I left for good, sits a hobo with his three-legged hound
Waitin' for a train that no longer comes to this old coyote town.

    And the interstate rumbles like a river of steel,
    To a rhythm that won't ever slow down,
    As cars and trucks and time pass by
    That old coyote town.

Daddy falls asleep in the living room, on the sofa, with the TV on.
Sometimes he waits for a call from me. Sometimes he waits too long,
But I still think of those people and that place that they love.
How much longer will they be around
Till it's "ashes to ashes, dust to dust," for their old coyote town?

Hard to believe this was a top country hit for Don Williams twenty years ago, one of several McDill songs that found their way through the sludge for a brief moment in time. I'm a long way from Texas and tumbleweeds, but that song tells the story of me, my birthplace, and my father as well as if I'd written it myself. It's ten years now since we had to bulldoze the house, and I still can't bear to drive up the lane, much less try to sing the song.

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: GUEST,Arne
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 11:00 AM

Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD MAN (Phil Coulter)
From: GUEST,Old Folkie
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 08:26 AM

For me, I only sing a song if it means something deep to me - and they number around 60 now - too many to mention individually here. A lot of the time, the words of the song conjure up various images, which probably helps me to put real feeling into them.

Agreeing with many of you, as a Bogle fan, No Man's Land and Band Played Waltzing Matilda, but also 'Shining River' 'cos i grew up near the River Tees and saw how polluted it was in my younger years, from the industry of Teesside.

But I guess the real Tear-Jerker for me is Phil Coulter's 'The Old Man'. My Dad was a country-loving guy who came from the Yorkshire Dales; was a musician who played and sang loads of folk songs, and started me on the trail to the hobby I love so much now.

The words of the song just summed him up, and the usual "if onlys" when he passed away some 14 years ago:

The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last goodbyes
His soul's been blessed, and he's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone
He was more than just a Father
A teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard in the songs we shared
When we play them on our own

Cho:
I never will forget him
For he made me what I am
Though he may be gone, the memories linger on
I miss him, The Old Man

As a boy he'd take me walking
By mountain, field and stream
He taught me things not known to Kings
Secrets 'tween him and me
Like the colours of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beneath the holly tree

I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly, and the years roll by
For a Father and his Son
And suddenley when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance, to tell him "Thanks"
For everything he'd done


Rgds

Old Folkie

Subject: RE: Songs that Move Powerfully
From: sharyn
Date: 17 Nov 05 - 05:59 AM

I haven't forgotten "Terror Time." I sing it every winter. Yes, it is Ewan MacColl.