Songs about water?

Subject: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,JimP
Date: 07 Dec 06 - 11:29 PM

OK, I know that this is an odd one, but I'm looking for songs about water, and the only one I can think of is the Sons of the Pioneers' "Cool Water." (Which is, of course, the exact kind of song I'm looking for, but there's got to be more.)

I'm not looking for songs about bodies of water (e.g., "Annan Water" or "Shenandoah"), but rather about the wet stuff itself. Something expressing the western (U.S.) sentiment, "Whiskey's for drinking. Water's for fighting," which recognized that without water, you couldn't farm, ranch or live in the land.

Anybody?

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Howard Kaplan
Date: 07 Dec 06 - 11:55 PM

I've written a song, Low Flush, which is about the relationships among domestic water conservation, Western US water consumption, cattle, vegetarianism, and higher education. This is the chorus:

An ordinary toilet flushes seven gallons,
A not inconsiderable amount.
I've got a low-flush toilet and a high-fiber diet,
And I make every gallon count.

You can find the music, chords, complete lyrics, and an .mp3 file by starting here.

Subject: Lyr Add: COOL WATER (Bob Nolan)
From: Azizi
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:35 AM

Hmmmm...."songs about the wet stuff itself"...

Well, I guess you're not interested in 99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall"...so I confess that I cheated.

I used Google to find this song:

Cool Water
----------
written by Bob Nolan
performed by Sons of the Pioneers
notated by Greg Vaughn: [e-mail]

   E                  B7
1. All day I face the barren waste
       E                B7          E
   Without the taste of water, cool water
       A             B7
   Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
       E          A       E      B7          E
   And souls that cry for water, cool, clear, water

CHORUS
E                         B7
Keep a-movin' Dan don't ya listen to him Dan
       E                     B7                            E
He's a devil of a man and he spreads the burning sand with water
A                   E
Dan can you see that big green tree
          A
Where the water's running free
         B7                        E
And it's waiting there for you and me?


2. The nights are cool and I'm a fool
   Each star's a pool of water, cool water
   But with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
   And carry on to water, cool, clear, water

3. The shadows sway and seem to say
   Tonight we pray for water, cool, water
   And way up there He'll hear our prayer
   And show us where there's water, cool, clear, water

4. Dan's feet are sore he's yearning for
   Just one thing more than water, cool, water
   Like me I guess he'd like to rest
   Where there's no quest for water, cool, clear, water

http://countrymusic.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.roughstock.com/cowpie/cowpie%2Dsongs/s/sons%5Fof%5Fthe%5Fpi

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:37 AM

Lots in the DT and if you filter for threads about water. If you go to www.lyricsfreak.com and do a search for "water" and even "cool water" you'll glean more songs than you can shake a stick at.

It Stoned Me, by Van Morrison

Cool, Cool Water, by the Beach Boys

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 01:29 AM

Desert Pete is one of my favorites.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 02:50 AM

How 'bout "Bring A Little Water Sylvie"

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 03:13 AM

Aqua ist zum Waschen da, falleri und fallera,
auch zum Zähneputzen kann man es benutzen. (Water may be used for cleaning and rinsing the teeth)

Das Wasser von Kölle (The water of Cologne)

lots of songs in German, these are just two of them

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: GO YOUR WAY (Anne Briggs)
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 03:53 AM

Go Your Way

Drawing water from the well
Spilling over on the grass
Walking home my heart is filled with pain
You go your way my love. (3x)

As I wander through the trees
Picking up the windy leaves
I wonder where you may be keeping now
You go your way my love. (3x)

May the west wind speed your travels
And the sun be on your hair
And make believe I'm with you over there, my love
You go your way my love. (2x)

Friends and strangers bring stories
When asked where you might be
Magic stories they have brought to me
You go your way my love. (3x)

(Anne Briggs)

NB Copied from a site where it was inexplicably called Song Of The Well and I'm not sure of its accuracy. Some buts sound distinctly odd.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 03:55 AM

. . . and some 'bits' sound odd too . . .

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: The Walrus
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 03:59 AM

Kipling's "Gunga Din"

"You may talk o' gin and beer
"When you're quartered safe out 'ere,
"An' you're sent to penny-fights an' Aldershot it;
"But when it comes to slaughter
"You will do your work on water,
"An' you'll lick the bloomin' boots of 'im that's got it..."

W

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 10:11 AM

"Black waters, black waters, run down through my land"

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: Lyr Add: SELTZER BOY (Allan Sherman)
From: beardedbruce
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 10:25 AM

SELTZER BOY
(Words, Allan Sherman; music, trad. "Water Boy" performed by Harry Belafonte and others)
As recorded by Allan Sherman on "My Son, the Folk Singer" (1962)

Seltzer boy, where are you hiding?
If you don't come, right now, I'm goin' tell you boss on you. (oy)

Don't bring me water,
I'd rather have seltzer.
'Cause water don't bubble
And water don't fizz.
Water I hate it
'Cause it ain't carbonated.
But a glass of seltzer
On the other hand, is.

Don't bring me a Pepsi,
Don't bring me a Kool-Aid.
Don't bring me a malted,
Don't bring me champagne.
I'll tell you what, boy,
Bring me one scotch and sodee
Then you take back the scotch, (um)boy,
And leave the two cents plain.

Seltzer boy, when are you coming?
If you don't bring that seltzer,
I'm goin' tell Mr. Meltzer on you.
Seltzer boy.

(That's better. Could you put in a little chocolate sauce?)

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 10:32 AM

'Water Song' - Incredible String Band.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:34 AM

Water difference a day makes?

LTS

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:43 AM

Cool drink of water blues - Tommy Johnson

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,Student 6
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:48 AM

Water ya wanna make those eyes at me for?

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:28 PM

Take a look at temperance songbooks.

There are probably a pile of Welsh and Palestinian political songs about it. I can maybe find some informed answers about the Palestinian ones some time in the New Year if you're interested.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 12:34 PM

You never miss your water, til your well runs dry

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Bert
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 01:57 PM

In the Wet by Rolf Harris

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 02:03 PM

The Water is Wide   
Afton Water



Rosie

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Scoville
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 04:00 PM

Innumerable old-time songs about creeks, rivers, etc., including:
Salt River
Shooting Creek
McCraw's Ford (assuming it's not about a car, that is)

Deep River Blues

And songs with words:
Waves on the Sea (sung by the Carters)
Over the Water to Charlie (or whatever that's called)
Midnight on the Water (Thomasson/Croizat)
Like A River (Kate Wolf)Cool Water (sung by Marty Robbins)
Tonight the Rain is Coming Down (Hancock)

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: MuddleC
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 04:06 PM

The 'Grey funnel line' uses a bit of water, or try Alaska mike's song '(Put it)back in the Clydesdale'

Subject: Lyr Add: DOG CANYON (Utah Phillips)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 05:10 PM

By Bruce "Utah" Phillips

Dog Canyon
Ten thousand shorthorns are moving in fast,
They drink lots of water, they eat lots of grass;
Your penny stockbrokers have made quite a change,
Now our old outfit's drove to the edge of the range.

In Canyon Del Perro there's grapes on the vine,
The water runs sweet as an old Spanish wine,
The high Tularosas they make a fine home
For a man who don't mind living up there alone.

Young Perry Altman was burned out last night,
They shot George McDonald 'cause he wanted to fight,
The days of the longhorn are over I guess
When your syndicate gunmen have run out the rest.

Way up in Dog Canyon old Frenchie holds out,
Half-blind and crippled but he never knows drouth;
He has the good water. Tell me what would you do
If you had to protect it from Billy McNew?

He dreams of a village where the sun always shines,
And he dreams of his family when it comes Christmas time,
Now he dreams in his doorway with a gun in his hand,
And Oliver Lee says "You crazy old man."
Well Frenchie he fires but the shot it goes wide,
He falls to the floor with a hole in his side,
And his water runs down to the ranches below
When the high Tularosas are covered with snow.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,Guest-Meadow Muskrat
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 05:56 PM

How about The Water Song by the Incedible String Band (on their 1st album, I think.)? Lyrics about Water featuring the sound of water being poured.I understand they used a couple of water buckets when they did it live.

Subject: Lyr Add: FIVE FEET HIGH AND RISING (Johnny Cash)
From: frogprince
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 07:08 PM

FIVE FEET HIGH AND RISING
Words and music by Johnny Cash
As recorded by Johnny Cash on "Songs of Our Soil" (1959)

How high's the water, mama?
Two feet high and risin'.
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's two feet high and risin'.

But we can make it to the road in a homemade boat,
'Cause that's the only thing we got left that'll float.
It's already over all the wheat an' oats,
Two feet high and risin'.

How high's the water, mama?
Three feet high and risin'.
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's three feet high and risin'.

Well, the hives are gone; I lost my bees.
The chickens are sleepin' in the willow trees.
Cow's in water up past her knees,
Three feet high and risin'.

How high's the water, mama?
Four feet high and risin'.
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's four feet high and risin'.

Hey, come look through the windowpane.
The bus is comin', gonna take us to the train.
Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain,
Four feet high and risin'.

How high's the water, mama?
Five feet high and risin'.
How high's the water, papa?
She said it's five feet high and risin'.

Well, the rails are washed out north of town.
We gotta head for higher ground.
We can't come back till the water goes down,
Five feet high and risin'.

Well, it's five feet high and risin'.

Subject: Lyr Add: HIGH WATER (FOR CHARLIE PATTON) (B Dylan)
From: bobad
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 07:26 PM

High Water (For Charlie Patton)
Bob Dylan

        
High water risin' - risin' night and day
All the gold and silver are being stolen away
Big Joe Turner lookin' East and West
From the dark room of his mind
He made it to Kansas City
Twelfth Street and Vine
Nothing standing there
High water everywhere

High water risin', the shacks are slidin' down
Folks lose their possessions - folks are leaving town
Bertha Mason shook it - broke it
Then she hung it on a wall
Says, "You're dancin' with whom they tell you to
Or you don't dance at all."
It's tough out there
High water everywhere

I got a cravin' love for blazing speed
Got a hopped up Mustang Ford
Jump into the wagon, love, throw your panties overboard
I can write you poems, make a strong man lose his mind
I'm no pig without a wig
I hope you treat me kind
Things are breakin' up out there
High water everywhere

High water risin', six inches 'bove my head
Coffins droppin' in the street
Like balloons made out of lead
Water pourin' into Vicksburg, don't know what I'm going to do
"Don't reach out for me," she said
"Can't you see I'm drownin' too?"
It's rough out there
High water everywhere

Well, George Lewis told the Englishman, the Italian and the Jew
"You can't open your mind, boys
To every conceivable point of view."
They got Charles Darwin trapped out there on Highway Five
Judge says to the High Sheriff,
"I want him dead or alive
Either one, I don't care."
High Water everywhere

The Cuckoo is a pretty bird, she warbles as she flies
I'm preachin' the Word of God
I'm puttin' out your eyes
I asked Fat Nancy for something to eat, she said, "Take it off the shelf -
As great as you are a man,
You'll never be greater than yourself."
I told her I didn't really care
High water everywhere

I'm getting' up in the morning - I believe I'll dust my broom
Keeping away from the women
I'm givin' 'em lots of room
Thunder rolling over Clarksdale, everything is looking blue
I just can't be happy, love
Unless you're happy too
It's bad out there
High water everywhere

Subject: Lyr Add: RAINMAKER (Harry Nilsson)
From: bobad
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 07:39 PM

Rainmaker

By Harry Nilsson and Bill Martin

First day in August
Last rain was in May
When the rainmaker came to Kansas
In the middle of a dusty day.

The rainmaker said to the people,
"Tell me what you are prepared to pay."
The rainmaker said to the people,
"Well, I'll conjure up a rain today."

Ninety degrees 'neath the trees where it's shady
Hundred and ten in the hot sun.
Heat from the street burns the feet of the ladies,
See how they run.

Called down the light'nin'
By a mystical name
And the rainmaker called on the thunder
And suddenly it began to rain.
Then the rainmaker passed his hat to the people
But the people all turned away.
Then the rainmaker's eyes
And the Kansas skies
Both became a darker grey.

First day in August
Last rain was in May
When the rainmaker came to Kansas
In the middle of a dusty day.
The rainmaker smiled as he hitched up his wagon
And without a word he rode way
Then the people of the town heard the sound of his laughter
And they knew the rain had come to stay.

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.
Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.
Rain.
Rain.
Rain.
Raaaaaiiiinnnn.
Raaaaaiiiinnnn.
Raaaaaiiiinnnn.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 09:50 PM

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,Madame George
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 09:53 PM

Finest song I have heard on the subject of water - 'It Stoned Me' - Van Morrison, on 'Moondance' album '72 ? Check it out cats !

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: number 6
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 10:01 PM

"A Drop of Water" .. by Keiko Matsui

biLL

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,Scoville at Dad's
Date: 08 Dec 06 - 11:06 PM

Waterbound. Man, I could NOT remember that earlier.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Myrtle
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 05:09 AM

Probably not relevant, but my father who is 87 remembers a song he sang as a child at 'pledge'(teetotal) meetings:

My drink is water bright,
My drink is water bright,
My drink is water bright,
From the crystal stream.

Being tone deaf he can't remember the tune unfortunately!

regards, Myrtle.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,joseacsilva
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 08:45 AM

Michigan Water Blues, recorded by Dave van Ronk, composed by Clarence Williams.

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 08:55 AM

Being weary of travelling, he sat down to rest,
At the foot of yonder mountain there sprang a clear fountain
With bread and cold water he himself did refresh.

It tasted much sweeter than the gold he had wasted
Much sweeter than honey and gave more content
But the thoughts of his babies lamenting their father
Brought tears to his eyes and made him to lament.

Spencer the Rover

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Joe_F
Date: 09 Dec 06 - 10:28 PM

I'm very fond of water,
I drink it noon and night:
Not Rechab's son or daughter
Had therein more delight.

I breakfast on it daily;
And nectar doth it seem,
When once I've mixed it gaily
With sugar and with cream.
But I forgot to mention
That in it first I see
Infused or in suspension,
Good Mocha or Bohea.

Chorus:
I'm very fond of water,
I drink it noon and night;
No mother's son or daughter
Hath therein more delight.

At luncheon, too, I drink it,
And strength it seems to bring:
When really good, I think it
A liquor for a king
But I forgot to mention --
'Tis best to be sincere --
I use an old invention
That makes it into Beer. . . .

-- "I'm Very Fond of Water: A New Temperance Song (Adapted from the Plattdeutsch)" by Lord Neaves, in _The Stag's Hornbook_

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Slag
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 03:00 AM

BLOOD ON THE WATER
DRINKING AT THE SPRING OF LIVING WATER
WATERTOWN
WATER YOU DOING TONIGHT (Sorry, couldn't resist!)
THE UNICORN SONG (right title?) by the Irish Rovers, re Noah's Flood
HOW HIGH'S THE WATER MAMMA? (J. Cash)

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: The Walrus
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 11:24 AM

We've had a couple of temperence songs, so I give you the toast:

Here's to a Temperence supper
With water in glasses tall,
And Coffee and tea to finish...
And me no where near it at all!

or if you prefer

There's many a young man, strong and bold
Has been brought to his sarcophagus
By pouring water, icy cold
Down his warm oesophagus.

Bottoms up.

W

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 10 Dec 06 - 11:56 AM

Water Boy

Nigel

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Muttley
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 12:39 AM

How about John Williamson's "Longreach is Praying" ??

It's about the possibility that rain is about to fall on Longreach, western Queensland.
At the time John wrote it, there were children 14 and 15 years of age in Longreach who had NEVER seen rainfall.

The chorus runs

"Longreach is praying. (Send 'er down 'Hughie'); Longreach is praying for rain"

Muttley

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: GUEST,JimP
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 12:51 AM

Thanks, everyone. I've been reading; keep 'em comming!

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: DriveForever
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 02:29 AM

Rock Me on the water - Jackson Browne

Subject: RE: Songs about water?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 09:56 AM

Muddy Waters - sung by Johnny Cash
(I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water - Johnny Rivers

and anything by Muddy Waters :-)