Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HUNGER (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: Arkie
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 01:56 PM

This song has been recorded by Tompall Glaser, Waylon Jennings, and Charlie Pride. I think Glaser recorded it first, Jennings had the biggest hit, and in my opinion, Charlie Pride has the best version. It may have been recorded by others as well and there are a number of songs sharing the same title. Would like to know if there are other versions and if anyone knows anything about Lee Fry.


THE HUNGER
Elijah Lee Fry

They said that in her younger days
Her beauty was enough to drive men wild
But the hunger in her body then
Was not the hunger of some lonely child.

Like a butterfly in springtime
Searching every field for loving's sweetest rose
The embrace of many strangers
Still could not release her from the hold.

In the backstreets and the bedrooms
All she's found is disappointments bitterly
While the love that she's too often found
Was not enough to satisfy her needs.

She's older than the years she holds
And aging fast with each day passing by
On a downhill run to nowhere
'Cause the hunger never can be satisfied.

The reflection in her mirror's not the image
She remembers in her mind
Her beauty has been eaten by the hunger
And the acid winds of time.

She has danced the tune her demons played
And paid the piper dearly for his song
Empty now of all her pride but still inside
Her hunger's just as strong.

They said that in her younger days
Her beauty was enough to drive men wild
But the hunger in her body then
Was not the hunger of some lonely child…

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 03:25 PM

Click here for a YouTube recording by Waylon Jennings.

Arkie, I question your transcription of the second verse:

In the backstreets and the bedrooms
All she's found is disappointments bitterly
While the love that she's too often found
Was not enough to satisfy her needs.

I can't hear it clearly, either - maybe:

All she's found is disappointment's bitter weeds

Anybody?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: Arkie
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 06:50 PM

Joe, I thought I was hearing "bitter weed" or "bitter weeds" which I prefer, but found lyrics on the net in two places and both use "bitterly". After listening more carefully to Charlie Pride I think he said bitterly. I have heard Waylon's version but do not have a copy as yet. It is on emusic, but in the meantime I'll check youtube. Thanks for the link.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 12 - 07:14 PM

Hey Arkie!

Lee Fry was a science teacher at Seguin High School in Seguin, Texas (about 35 miles east of San Antonio on I-10) in the late 1970's. He moved to Nashville in about 1980 or '81 I think to pursue writing country music. He taught me to play guitar in '75-'76. I think I heard long ago that he had died.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: Arkie
Date: 17 May 12 - 04:48 PM

Just noticed this thread popped up again. Guest, thanks for the note on Fry. I was primarily interested if he had produced more songs and after seeing this thread again decided to check Allmusic.com. The only songs listed were "The Hunger", "Hand Me Another of Those", and "The Wonder of it All". Only songs listed had been recorded by Pride, Jennings, Mickey Newbury, and Gary Stewart. While he may not have caught the interest of many singers, he did draw some good ones. I checked further on lyrics, since I agree with Joe, 'disappointment's bitter weeds' is a a better choice than 'bitterly' but in over a dozen cases all had 'bitterly'. My opinion only, and really worth very little other than to me, but I think "The Hunger" deserved much more wider recognition. Wonder what would have happened if George Jones or Willie had recorded it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST,R. Glenn Lackey
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 02:06 PM

Elijah Lee Fry was, or is, living in Llano, Texas as of this writing. His health has not been good of late. What can you expect of someone 83 years old?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST,Jonas Buck
Date: 07 Apr 15 - 12:41 AM

Has anyone worked out the chords Tompall used?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 Apr 15 - 12:52 AM

http://www.mickeynewbury.com/backporch/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9940

News on ELF'ssurgery.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 15 - 02:57 AM

Y'all are talking about my uncle who died Aug 30th,2015.He was in Temple,Tx in a senior home after he had been in danger of running off the home in Llano. Hope thisninfo helps.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST,Lisa Fry
Date: 27 Dec 16 - 12:44 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST,Lisa Fry
Date: 27 Dec 16 - 01:03 PM

Hello,I bumped into this today. (Elijah) Lee Fry was my uncle. Someone posted that he/she thought he died,so I just want to confirm that he did pass away. He had ongoing bad healh until it was unfortunately necessary for him to go to the nursing home here in Llano,Tx. Thank you for your support and affection for my uncle.
Sincerely,
Lisa Fry (°¿°)♡

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST,Lisa Fry
Date: 27 Dec 16 - 01:34 PM

P.S. I forgot I had already left a message,so Oooops! I need to correct my last comment above. My uncle was in the Llano nursing rehab, but in his confusion he kept walking off. So, since he was a danger to himself, he was sent to Temple, Tx, unfortunately. He was 83 yrs old, and well loved. He had a lot of friends, many genre in artistic talent and skill. I honestly don't know how one person can have so many achievements, and be so beyond successful in every one of them! He carved Ostrich eggs and wood, painted, sculpture,drew,songwriter, guitar, vocals...I know there are other talents I can't remember. Our family was tight knit, very close.The only one left, is my father. He's in the nursing home here in Llano.He is very talented as well. I didn't get all the talent of the family, but I can writewell, in many forms. My age however, has me forgetting the rules,unfortunately. I didn't intend to write a book! Happy Holidays and wish much love and happiness now, and each year to come!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Hunger (Elijah Lee Fry)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 21 - 04:48 AM

When I was a teenager used to practice this song with Lee fry in llano tx, to which he was working on the lyrics.