Hey Mary and Hollowfox...

Hollowfox: Interesting story... Poor Howard is actually how I know the song. More to the point, Howard was a camp counselor when I went to summer camp in New Hampshire in the late 80's, and that's how I got ahold of his tape. I'm glad to hear he's hoping to reissue it on CD. Funny old world.


Mary: Here's the lyrics... (and to save Hollowfox any needless computer anxiety)...

^^
ARKANSAS FLYERS
(Tony Gudonis & Harry Parker)

I believe it was a Wednesday when they first came into town.
With hammers and nails they went to work putting posters all around,
Announcing Saturday morning, in a field by Weaver's Mill,
You could see a death-defying show for just a dollar bill.

CHORUS: Arkansas Flyers. Barnstormin' fools.
Daredevil madmen breakin' all the rules
Kings of the biplane. Bravest ones alive
Arkansas Flyers, 1925.

Old timers gathered 'round them asking questions left and right
"How fast does that there biplane go? Did you ever fly at night?"
They rattled off the answers, never taking time to think
And for every answer that they gave, the old timers bought them drinks. CHORUS

Now I was just a lad of 10, still wet behind the ears.
I followed them around the town, these men who knew no fears.
I scarcely could believe my eyes, all the people at the show.
And knew for sure at the motor's roar that they were set to go.

They cranked up their big engines, locked the proceeds safe inside,
Rolled on past the grandstand, soon they were flying high;
But to everyone's amazement, not a single stunt was done...
They took off with the money, disappeared into the sun. CHORUS

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Note from Joe Offer: a message below says Tony Gudonis & Harry Parker were the songwriters.