Lyr Req: Lee Harvey Was a Friend of Mine

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Cruiser
Date: 16 Dec 06 - 03:16 PM

Q,

Well Sir, from your excellent, educational posts, I would not have guessed your age. I want to have a cogent mind like yours at that age.

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Dec 06 - 03:13 PM

"how they will hear what they are predisposed to hear."

And that is something that is at the root of half the troubles of the world. Fights, killings, riots, persecution, holy wars, wars in general...

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: John Hardly
Date: 16 Dec 06 - 03:08 PM

yikes. folk singers worrying about sensitivity.

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Dec 06 - 02:28 PM

Hi, Cruiser. Quit counting. (83)

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:50 PM

I think the sensitivity comes in where you consider that beyond hearing the tagline, people in JFK's home state would probably not bother to really hear the rest of the lyric.... the song will push that button for some folks. It's not about PC, either, it's about people having certain sore spots or viewpoints at any given point in time and how they will hear what they are predisposed to hear, most of the time.

~S~

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Cruiser
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 10:27 PM

Gee Q, how old ARE you? (JK)

The song is no different than "Jesse James". Neither man was a hero. Neither song is good or bad.

I was in Fort Worth, Texas when JFK was killed. I saw Harvey's grave 3 years after he was buried while I went to visit my Father's grave at the same cemetary.

Someone had put fresh flowers on Harvey's grave just before my visit.

Coincidentally, my Father died on the same day, November 22, 3 years after JFK was killed and was buried in the same cemetary as Harvey.

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 08:15 PM

During WW2, for a while I was stationed near Dallas and we went there for 'relaxation'. Jack Ruby was in charge of a nightclub that became a favorite because enlisted GIs were welcome. The club was clean, well-run and reasonable.
If Jack could help a soldier who got into trouble, he did.

He was not a sleeze. We knew he was probably 'connected', but we didn't worry about it. At the time, if club owners in Dallas weren't connected, they soon were out of business.

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 04:02 PM

... as far as the actual facts behind the assasination are concerned, the benfit of distance, vasty imprived forensics and declassified documents - all demonstrate more and more clearly that Oswald did do it, and did do it alone.

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 03:59 PM

I really don't see any sensitivity issues toward JFK in this song at all.

The song pokes fun at a ficticious red-neck's perspective on the historical event of JFK's assasination. It is poking fun at a red-neck who might have had a personal relationship with Oswald. He and Oswald are the butts of the song's humor. JFK is simply the recorded event that gives the song its backdrop. In fact, even the redneck telling the story treats JFK with respect "some say he shot the President... " he does not show disrespect to JFK in any way.

I am transplanted Bostonian, now living in Dallas. I can tell you that JFK is deeply revered here. When Dallasites hear this song, they hear a slightly slow, redneck being lampooned. If anyone should find the song offensive, it should be those guys.

Having said all that - I recognize that not every one sees it the way I do ... so it's a song for a parochial audience.

Subject: RE: ADD: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 08:08 PM

Well, as happens at times, I disagree with the good naturedness of the song.

Look- this is part of the 'conspiracy theory: Shadows were pointin' every-which-a-way;
'Twas only just for fun,
Someone faked those photos; that's not the way it is,.. "

They may or may not ever prove or disprove the events and protagonists and antagonists involved in the Kennedy assassination. In the meantime there is nothing funny about it in Kennedy's home state, or for miles around.

Has nothing to do with political correctness. Has a little to do with sensitivity, however.

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 07:46 PM

McGrath-

You're right in that " It doesn't say shooting Kennedy was a good idea, or anything like that, just that Lee Harvey didn't do it."

My best guess is the folks who were composing this ditty were just trying to get attention. I doubt if they were seriously concerned about Lee Harvey Oswald as a human being. I still can't imagine singing this song but that's my problem. I prefer my political targets to be living, and in my mind JFK is still not long dead.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: GUEST,Art again
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 04:54 PM

Ted was asked if he'd consider running for president.

His answer: "We'll drive off that bridge when we come to it!"

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 04:06 PM

What on earth is offensive about that? Where does "liberal tolerance" come into it anyway? It doesn't say shooting Kennedy was a good idea, or anything like that, just that Lee Harvey didn't do it. Which may be rubbish, but that's entirely another matter.

I suppose if you were a fan of Jack Ruby that bit about him being "the biggest sleaze in town" might offend, though it's noit exactly controversial - but I'd be surprised if he had that many fans up in Massachusetts.

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 11:04 PM

Well, this is a song that stretches one's concept of liberal tolerance. I don't find real assassination "a hoot" and while I fervently hope that George W. Bush finds his rightful place in hell, and sizzles well, I would not endorse expedititing the process.

Maybe I'll think this song is more brilliant in the morning.

Maybe you have to be born in Dallas to appreciate it.

Although, I understand from Jed that he is more of a carpetbagger than a native.

Grumpilly,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: GUEST,Gavin Kornflake Killer Smith
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 07:01 PM

Hi y'all! I was moved to let y'all know that the lyrics to Lee Harvey Was a Friend of Mine, as given in your database, are a little bit off in several key places. This can happen when you transcribe from an audio recording, you naturally write down what it sounds like, and errors creep into the transcript. For instance, "I was born in Dallas in 1952, Lee Harvey moved across the street on Beckley Avenue", not Bentley Avenue. And later, it's "seen that picture of him with pamphlets and a gun", not with the family and a gun, as your transcript renders it. These two are the biggest errors, I suppose, but there might be more. How do I know? Well, you had to be there, like I was. I could get Tex and Homer to verify this, if they ever sober up long enough. See y'all in the funny papers!
[e-mail]
www.gavinicussbooks.com

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 May 03 - 08:46 AM

You played it in Massachusetts? Geez, Jed, what were ya thinking?

Whether you buy the "lone gunman/nut" theory or not--and I certainly don't--there is ample evidence that Oswald was some kind of willing participant in the events of November 22, 1963--even if he didn't understand the whole plan, which is also pretty likely given what happened to him.

So is that all the lyrics? The observations about Ruby are certainly accurate, but it seems kind of a truncated ending.

W-O

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: JedMarum
Date: 26 May 03 - 10:06 PM

I am not sure I ever told this story to the Mudcat folks ...

... but I actually played this song one night at a pub in Fall River Massachusetts. I thought the folks would get a kick out of it, and told 'em that I'd learned the song from a local Dallas boy - and that the Dallas folks loved it. Sure enough the New England pub crowd got a chuckle or two - but after I finished the show, a lady came up to me (now she and her hsuband had enojyed the music, bought CDs on the break, etc) but I played the song in the last set, and she came up to me afterwards and said, "I want you to know something; I've never heard anything more offensive then that Lee Harvey song."

I'm always quick to apologize, but I have to say - this time I couldn't. I simply said, "Oh, OK."

_______________

Still - I only sang it that once.

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:57 AM

I should leave this sort of thing to the Mudcat police, wherever they are -- or the Warren Commission.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:46 AM

I posted these lyrics as done by T. Texas Edwards and the Sickoids ( a heavy-handed rock band) in a thread of songs about Pres. J.F. Kennedy. Some were complimentary and quite emotional, but some weren't. One of these days I'll learn how to do the blue linking things. (I tried a blue marker on the screen and it didn't work. Now I've got white out all over my monitor.)

There were MANY other Kennedy songs there too.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:38 AM

Peter T, I typed 'lee harvey friend' into the blue search box at the top, and got:
Lee Harvey Was a Friend of Mine by Bennison/Cotton

Subject: Lyr Add: LEE HARVEY WAS A FRIEND OF MINE
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:34 AM

the lyrics can also be found in the L lists above, but here they are cut and pasted:

LEE HARVEY WAS A FRIEND OF MINE
(Bennison/Cotton)

I was born in Dallas in 1952,
Lee Harvey moved across the street on Bentley Avenue,
He used to throw the ball to me when I was just a kid,
They say he shot the president---I don't think he did.

Cho: And Lee Harvey was a friend of mine,
He used to take me fishing all the time,
He used to throw the ball to me when I was just a kid,
They say he shot yhe president but I don't think he did.

I've seen them pictures of him with the family and a gun,
Shadows were pointin' every-which-a-way;
'Twas only just for fun,
Someone faked those photos; that's not the way it is,
They say he shot the president; I don't think he did.

I seen it on the TV when Lee Harvey got gunned down,
Murdered by Jack Ruby---the biggest sleaze in town,
He stuck that gun into his ribs;
Says, "Here's lookin' at you, kid,
Ruby killed Lee Harvey---TV proved he did!!

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:26 AM

In the absence of Joe/Dick/Susan -- Lyrics please?
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:17 AM

thanks MIke, I guess I missed the Spankers!

Subject: RE: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: Mike Billo
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 10:01 AM

This one was made famous by the Asylum Street Spankers on their "Spanks For The Memories" album on Watermelon records. Authors credit is given to Mike Henderson. Cool song.

Subject: Lee Harvey was a friend of mine ...
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 02:22 AM

At a session this week in Dallas, I heard one of the folks sing this song (Lee Harvey Was a friend of Mine). Everyoe in the whole bar broke into song, inclusing harmonies and even lyrical ad libs. I thought I'd entered the twighlight zone! Is this a Dallas phenomenon? Or have I just missed the boat, and never heard a new American classic!

I must admit the song, and the performance was entertaining. It was introduced as a song about 'a local Dallas boy made good ...' (in the world, I presumed), then digressed into a rambling tirad against the bad press poor Lee Harevy got over the shooting of the president. All tongue in cheek, of course. I must say it was good natured, if irreverent fun.

Where'd this song come from? Who recorded it? Why haven't I caught this "american classic" before?