I have a whole section of my repertoire that I think of as "after the war" songs. Several of my favorites were recorded by Phil Cooper (the Mudcat member) & Margaret Nelson, who, with others over the years have had a fine ear for get-you-by-the-throat lyrics. Previously mentioned "Rosemary's Sister" and "How Will I Ever Be Simple Again" I got from them (also Prine's "Sam Stone"). I've teamed Thompson's song with one written by Margaret -both include aspects from the veteran and the vet's loved one (in 3/4 time). HOW WILL I EVER BE SIMPLE AGAIN? RICHARD THOMPSON She danced in the street with the guns all around her All torn like a rag doll, bare foot in the rain And she sang like a child, touralay, toraladdy, How will I ever be simple again? She sat by the bank of the dirty grey river And tried for a fish with a worm on a pin There was nothing but fever and ghosts in the water How will I ever be simple again? War was my love and friend and companion, What use had I for the pretty or plain? But her smile was so pure and my heart was so troubled How will I ever be simple again? In her poor burned out house I sat at her table The smell of her hair was like cornfields in May And I wanted to weep and my eyes ached from tryin How will I ever be simple again? So gracefully she moved through the dust and the ruins Happy she was in her dances and games Teach me to see with your innocent eyes, love, How will I ever be simple again? War was my love and friend and companion, What use had I for the pretty or plain? Teach me to see with your innocent eyes, love, How will I ever be simple again? Followed by DIED IN THE WAR MARGARET NELSON 1995 She's middle aged now, She uses her time For her friends and her work and improving her mind She's lonely tonight, she knows who it's for Her sweetheart who died in the war When her lover came home She thought that her life Would be husband and babies, mother and wife But the man was a stranger who walked through her door Her sweetheart had died in the war Died of the bullets, the mines and the shells Died with his buddies in two years of hell With a wall round his heart where love needs a door Her sweetheart had died in the war He's a pretty good boss, he works with his crew Taking old buildings and making them new Some nights he drinks less, some nights he drinks more His sweetheart she died in the war. Died of the hard words, the booze and the pain Died of the distance he couldn't explain, Oh the girl was a stranger who walked out the door His sweetheart had died in the war. She's middle aged now, She uses her time For her friends and her work and improving her mind She might have done less, she might have had more. Her sweetheart died in the war If the songs need not be Vietnam-era inspired: Band Played Waltzing Matilda Bantry Girl's Lament By the Hush Cruel War Gone the Rainbow (Shul Aroon) In the Hills of Shiloh Johnny I hardly Knew Ye Mick Ryan's Lament Tenting Tonight Where Have All the Flowers Gone? In concert, Robin & Linda Williams prefaced "Don't Let Me Go Home A Stranger" by saying it made them think of a veteran in their family - been too many years to remember if it was written specificly for that person, but I know it was published in SING OUT, so the reference might be there. I would love to know what goes into this album and wait to hear the result. Joanne in Cleveland
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