Lyr Add: Mark Twain (from Kingston Trio)

Subject: Lyr Add: MARK TWAIN (Geller, Seligson)
From: Shimbo Darktree
Date: 16 Oct 99 - 11:51 AM

MARK TWAIN
(Harvey Geller; Martin Seligson)

My Grandad used to tell me, "Boy, when I was just your age,
I was a river pilot on a shovel showboat called 'The Stage'.
I'd hobnob with them southern belles and every roustabout.
I'd listen to them paddle wheels and hear the leadsman shout."
Mark twain, it's two fathoms deep below.
Mark twain, heave the gangplank, start the show.
Mark twain, play those banjos as we go.
Down the Mississippi, round the Gulf of Mexico.
There were gamblers, crooks and pickers and a minstrel man who danced,
A singing gal, Simone l'Amour, imported straight from France.
It was a floating palace, boy, that shovel showboat called the stage,
And Grandad was the king of it when he was just my age.
 
The calliope is quiet now, the rudder's thick with rust,
The main deck and the paddle wheels are covered thick with dust,
But Grandad's in his glory, still standing on the bow,
A halo round his pilot's cap, and I can hear him now.

(From a Kingston Trio album)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mark Twain
From: Allan C.
Date: 17 Oct 99 - 07:22 PM

Thanks for the post of one of my favorite songs about one of my favorite people, Shimbo Darktree, but I am certain that the word should be "showboat" rather than "shovel".

Other KT lyrics can be found at: Kingston Trio Place

Oh, and credit probably should be given to the authors, Geller/Seligson.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mark Twain
From: Shimbo Darktree
Date: 23 Oct 99 - 12:48 PM

Thank you, Allan. I listened to the song many times, and
"shovel" was what it sounded like. I assumed it must
have been local vernacular. I will hasten to change
my words, as I sing this song at a local folk club. Also, I did not know who wrote it, as is the
case with many songs I sing.

All the best
Shimbo

---

Corrections added. -Joe Offer, 5 Sep 2009-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mark Twain
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 06:26 PM

I'm not sure it's about Mark Twain...the author took his name from the riverboat term "mark twain" which means the riverbed was, in fact, two fathoms deep.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mark Twain
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 06:59 PM

Well, on the fadeout on one Kingston Trio recording, the last voice heard says, "Samuel Clemens" - but I'm sure the song isn't supposed to be about him...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mark Twain
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 09:48 PM

Nice.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mark Twain
From: Amos
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 02:06 AM

HArry Belafonte did a different song by the same name.

Maaaark twain! Two fathoms on the starboard bow.
Oh dear gawd, we done run aground!
Skipper gonna chase me with a big blood-hound.
Marrrrk twain.

But that too had nothing to do with the author Sam Clemens.