ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE
by Ken Hicks, published by Folk Legacy Records

This is a song for all the good people
All the good people who touched up my life.
This is a song for all the good people
People I'm thankin' my stars for tonight.

This is a verse for all the good women *
Who knew what I needed was something they had
Food on the table, a heart that was able
Able to keep me just this side of sad.

This is a song for all the good fellows
Who shared up my time, some good and some bad
We drank in the kitchen and shared no competition
Each knowing the other was a good friend to have

This is a song for all the good people
All the good people who touched up my life.
Some helped in small ways, and some helped in hallways
And some always told me you're doin' all right.

This is a song I sing for my lady
For my lady who puts up with me
My ramblin' and roamin', my late night come-homin'
She is the sunshine that flows down on me.

This is a verse for the pickers and singers
Whose songs and whose voices have blended with mine
On the back steps and stages, for hugs and for wages,
It's some kind of sharing and some kind of fine.

A E D A / D A D E / A E D A / D A E A

*Sandy Paton sings this line:

This is a song for all the good people

He uses the first verse as a chorus, sung after every verse.

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Here are the lyrics and notes from the Folk-Legacy recording:

ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE

(Ken Hicks, BMI)
Folk-Legacy Records, Inc., BMI, 1987

Sandy Paton: guitar, lead vocal; Dave Para: guitar, vocal; Cathy Barton: banjo, vocal; Additional chorus vocals: Caroline Paton, Ed Trickett, Harry Tuft Ken Hicks, the "round mound of sound" from Virginia Beach, VA, is known for his humorous songs delivered amid monologues that leave one's laugh-muscles aching. But, occasionally, one catches a glimpse of the sensitive and caring person that lives within the clown. This song, a simple "thank you" written for his friends and his wife, could be a theme sono for all of those who enjoy sharing good songs and good times with good people - in other words: for all the "Golden Rings" that gather to make music in kitchens and living rooms everywhere. Many singers have added verses to this song, including loan Sprung, Bob Zentz, and Ken himself. In fact, Ken says, "It's not unusual for someone to change verses or add new ones to thank their own 'good people,' so if this is, one day, the longest song ever written, I'll be pleased as punch." (Sandy Paton) This is a song for all the good people, All the good people who've touched up my life. This is a song for all the good people, People I'm thanking my stars tor tonight. This is a song for all the good people Who knew what I needed was something they had: Food on the table, a heart that was able, Able to keep me just this side of sad. And this is a song for all the good fellows Who shared up my times, the good and the bad. We sang in the kitchen, held no competition, Each knowing the other was a good friend lo have. And this is a song I sing for my lady, I sing for the lady who puts up with me, My rambling my roaming my late-night come-homin; She is the sunshine that shines down on me.

©1992 Folk-Legacy Records, Inc. Sharon, Connecticut 06069

Source: Cathy Barton & Dave Para Website.