Origins: If You Don't Look Around (Kingston Trio)

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: IF YOU DON'T LOOK AROUND (Kingston
From: chico
Date: 30 May 05 - 05:21 PM

Here are the lyrics and chords, what does the song mean and where is it from?

       D                G                D  (A7)
  They told me don't you go down to that city. 
            D                 G     Em  (A7)
  Don't you go down to that city, I say.
                D                G            Bm              G 
  For there's trouble there for sure and it's no concern of yours 
           Bm             G         Em     A7
  And it's all I have to hear them people say.
  
          G            A7              D        G
  If you don't look around, you won't see my a-goin', 
   D         G         A7
  See me a-goin' that way.
          G            A7                D          G
  If you don't look around, you'll have no way of knowin'. 
            D              G         A7
  I don't think you even know what I say.
  
  And I saw children just walkin' 'long and singin' 
  When a voice from behind me rang through.
  Then I saw an ugly man with a mad dog in his hand. 
  He said, Stand right there. I'll turn him loose on you.
  
  So don't tell me there ain't no time for singin' 
  'Cause I don't need no empty words from you.
  If they're sayin' who ain't free then they're sayin' it right to me. 
  So, go back home. I'll wake you when we're through.
  
  

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Tri
From: chico
Date: 30 May 05 - 05:21 PM

my chords from members.cox.net/uglyboy/

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Trio?
From: Peace
Date: 30 May 05 - 07:07 PM

Reference to the civil rights movement in the southern US. It was released as a 45 by Capitol Records on April 20, 1964. Song was written by John Stewart and sung by him. However, it was on the Kingston Trio's album "Time to Think" released by Capitol in December, 1963.

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Trio?
From: Peace
Date: 30 May 05 - 07:19 PM

Just checking some dates against those in my failing memory. Bucks to donuts it was about the marches in Burmingham, Alabama, in the early part of 1963.

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Tri
From: Once Famous
Date: 30 May 05 - 10:09 PM

brucie, you are 100% correct.

If you were like me and bought all of those Kingston Trio LPs, you will probably remember the cover of the Time to Think album being somewhat startling for a KT album cover.

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Trio?
From: Peace
Date: 30 May 05 - 10:37 PM

Dang. Martin, I should have messaged you about this. I know you've been a KT fan for years. They certainly had something special. Loved them when I was first getting bit by the 'folk' bug. I can still hear many of their songs.

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Tri
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 May 05 - 12:29 AM

Hey, Martin, what am I missing? On Time to Think, all I see is two guys with guitars and one with a banjo. And they're not smiling - Oh! I get it!
They're not wearing matching outfits!
Right?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Tri
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 22 Sep 05 - 10:30 PM

One of the biggest smoke and mirror acts out there right now is that The Kingston Trio has no original members left performing. Bob Shane has retired and he now manages the group. Two of the current members are former members of the Limeliters!

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Tri
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 12:16 PM

So, Martin, am I right that the difference is that they're not matching?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Trio?
From: GUEST,Martin Gibson
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 04:16 PM

Matching what, Joe?

Makes no sense, Joe.

Are you matching?

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Trio?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 05 - 10:11 PM

JO
But they are wearing matching outfits, the stripes are just muted dark colors.

The Bear Family book has this information about the song: Master recorded Nov 26, 1963. Album released Dec 30, 1963. Single, with "Seasons In The Sun" on the B side, released April 12, 1964.
"Undoubtedly the angriest song the Kingston Trio ever recorded, If You Don't Look Around became the last single from 'Time To Think', released to total radio indifference in April of 1964. Based on what his own eyes saw during 1963, John Stewart was issuing a challenge in song to those who turned their eyes and consciences away from the Civil Rights Movement. Like Coal Tattoo, If You Don't Look Around allowed the Trio to vent rage and despair, and turn it into art."

Subject: RE: Origins: If you don't look around Kingston Trio?
From: Beer
Date: 24 Sep 05 - 09:43 PM

Was Glenn Yarbrough ever a part of the Limeters? I may be way off.
Beer