Lyr Req: Dead Egyptian Blues (Michael Smith)

08 Sep 97 - 12:11 PM (#11981)
Subject: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Country Bob

Does anyone have the words to "Dead Egyptian Blues?" I've heard Charlie Hall from Colorado do this uptempo number at Winfield many times, but just don't ever get the whole works. Thanks Country Bob

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10 Sep 97 - 09:47 AM (#12092)
Subject: RE: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Martin Ryan

Was this thread a joke in gloriously bad taste - or am I becoming hypersensitive?

Regards

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10 Sep 97 - 09:59 AM (#12093)
Subject: RE: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Earl

It's a real song about King Tut. I can't remember who did it.

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10 Sep 97 - 03:06 PM (#12112)
Subject: RE: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Joe Offer

I think I can find it over the weekend, Bob, but I'm supposed to be working now.....
If nobody else posts the lyrics, refresh the thread or e-mail me a reminder.
[e-mail]

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10 Sep 97 - 04:32 PM (#12114)
Subject: Lyr Add: DEAD EGYPTIAN BLUES (Michael Smith)
From: Joe Offer

Oh, I couldn't wait. It's such a good song. I typed it during my lunch hour. It's by Michael Smith, better known for "The Dutchman" and "Spoon River," which were recorded by Steve Goodman and others. The album is "Michael Smith Love Stories" two LP's on one CD, Flying Fish FF70404. Lots of quirky, interesting songs.

DEAD EGYPTIAN BLUES
(Michael Smith, 1987)

Oh, Mister Tut, what good's it do
They love your cairn (unclear), but nobody cares for you?
Egyptian nights were never colder
Now your friends are thousands of years older
Whatever happened to that gang down by the Sphinx
Seems they're only forty winks away
Those girls from Cairo with their belly button jewels
Made you play the fool, yesterday, yesterday.
And now you keep in shape with Elmer's Glue
Because you're all wrapped up in those Dead Egyptian Blues.

Oh, Mister Tut, they love the mask,
Do they love it, honey, sweetheart, don't ask.
Where's those baby browns and that pearly smile
That smile that drove 'em wild by the early Nile.
You make one terrific hieroglyphic, don't you bro'
Centuries of sand and subways turned you to a pro.
Those girls from Cairo, filled your heart with lust
They've all turned to dust yesterday, yesterday
And those bandages don't do that much for you
Because you're all wrapped up in those Dead Egyptian Blues.

Oh, Mister Tut, they dig the tomb, yeah;
All that gold leaf brightens up the room
But what's the diff, when you're stiff, what myth they're playin' (unclear)
When your ears have spent five thousand years decayin'
What does it matter, what possessions you may boast
When you're just a ghost, it's only jive, Clive,
Your sarcophagus is glowin' but your esophagus is showin'
Who cares how rich you are, love, when you look like Boris Karloff
Call Nautilus, they might even refund your dues
Because you're all wrapped up in them Dead Egyptian Blues.

[instrumental bridge]

Oh, Mister Tut, you wait and see
Another few thousand years, they're gonna dig up me
And I'll have all my little treasures near at hand
A CD of Sgt. Peppers' Lonely Hearts Club Band;
A little dried-out Maui Wowie, crumbled in a bong;
A letter from my honey, sayin' Love ya, kid, so long
Some peanut butter sandwiches, they'll all be turned to sand
Not much gold or silver, but I think you'll understand
That in my way, I'll be just like you
All wrapped up in them Dead Egyptian Blues.

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15 Sep 97 - 01:36 PM (#12313)
Subject: RE: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Country Bob

Thanks a million, Joe! I'll try to get it worked up in time for the song circle at Winfield this weekend.... Country Bob

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18 Sep 97 - 11:05 PM (#12508)
Subject: Lyr Add: DEAD EGYPTIAN BLUES (Michael Smith)
From: Alex

Michael Smith wrote the song after visiting the King Tut exhibition when it was in Chicago. Here's the version from his songbook.

DEAD EGYPTIAN BLUES
Michael Smith, ©1985

Oh, Mister Tut, what good's it do?
They love your chair, but nobody cares for you
Egyptian nights were never colder
And all your friends are thousands of years older
Whatever happened to that gang down by the Sphinx
Seems they're only forty winks away
Those girls from Cairo with their belly button jewels
Made you play the fool, yesterday, yesterday.
And now you keep in shape with Elmer's Glue
Because you're all wrapped up in them Dead Egyptian Blues.

Oh, Mister Tut, they love the mask,
Do they love it, honey, sweetheart, don't ask.
Where's those baby browns and that pearly smile
The smile that drove 'em wild by the early Nile.
You make one terrific hieroglyphic, don't you bro'
Centuries of standing sideways turned you to a pro.
Those girls from Cairo, who filled your heart with lust
They've all turned to dust yesterday, yesterday
And those bandages don't do that much for you
Because you're all wrapped up in them Dead Egyptian Blues.

Oh, Mister Tut, they dig the tomb, yeah;
All that gold leaf brightens up a room
But what's the diff, when you're stiff, what riff they're playin'
When your ears have spent five thousand years decayin'
What does it matter, what possessions you may boast
When you're just a ghost, it's only jive, Clive,
Your sarcophagus is glowin' but your esophagus is showin'
Who cares how rich you are, love, when you look like Boris Karloff
Call Nautilus, they might even refund your dues
Because you're all wrapped up in them Dead Egyptian Blues.

(Instrumental)

Oh, Mister Tut, you wait and see
Another few thousand years, they're gonna dig up me
And I'll have all my little treasures near at hand
A CD of Sgt. Peppers' Lonely Hearts Club Band;
A little dried-out Maui Wowie, crumbled in a bong;
A letter from my honey, sayin' "Love ya, kid, so long"
Some peanut butter sandwiches, that've long returned to sand
Not much gold or silver, but, Tut, I think you'll understand
That in my way, I'll be just like you
All wrapped up in them Dead Egyptian Blues.

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19 Sep 97 - 02:18 AM (#12528)
Subject: RE: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Joe Offer

Thanks, Alex - there were a few words I couldn't make out from the recording. I came pretty close, didn't I?
-Joe Offer-

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20 Sep 97 - 07:51 PM (#12686)
Subject: RE: Dead Egyptian Blues
From: Alex

Yep!

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