The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #81172   Message #1484491
Posted By: John M.
13-May-05 - 06:16 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Ballad of 'Jonestown' . Sing it anyone?
Subject: Lyr Add: BALLAD OF JONESTOWN
Hello everyone,

If you are easily offended, please STOP READING.   This thread is for mature audiences only.  Please don't post "dreadful song" or "worst song written" as you are not helping. 

Below is a traditional song titled:  "Jonestown"  (recording)


                 1.  Do you sing this song? 
                 2.  If yes, when and where did you learn it?
                 3.  Would you be willing to sing it for folklore purposes over the phone?


Any help is appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Mehlberg
john@mehlberg.com
~
Afternoons:  314.647.3883
Evenings:     314.381.0492
~
My website: www.immortalia.com
~

JONESTOWN    (recording)
Tune - "Downtown"

When you are broke and your religion's a joke,
You can always go to - Jonestown
When life's incomplete, there's only one man to meet.
So won't you come and see - Jim Jones?

Watch him as he stirs a vat of Koolaid that's so lethal.
Listen to the anguished cries of all his dying people.
No one survived.
The Rev's a most gracious host,
So let's lift up our glass to the ultimate toast.

We're at Jonestown - drink up with Reverend Jim.
Jonestown - the chances are mighty slim.
Jonestown - the people are dropping like flies.
-- in Jonestown, Jonestown, Jonestown.

There was Congressman Ryan on his mission of spyin'
But he would not drink with - Jim Jones.
For such a disgrace they had to blow off his face.
Now tell me who's to blame - Jim Jones.

But it forced the Rev. to put his final plan in action,
He drank the brew and when it's through he saw with satisfaction,
-- everyone died.
Their deaths were both painful and slow,
But when to live is to die, it's a great way to go.

We're at Jonestown - drinking up Reverend Jim.
Jonestown - the chances are mighty slim.
Jonestown - people are dropping like flies.
-- in Jonestown, Jonestown, Jonestown, Jonestown.


Notes: This text is transcribed from the singing of Sudsuckin' Bigfoot, Gypsies in the Palace HHH on 15 April 2004.   The earliest date I have for this song is the early 1980s at a rugby party as remembered by Dennis "Mu-Sick" Gill.