Origins: Turn Around (Reynolds/Greene/Belafonte)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: male version of 'Turn Around' (M Reynolds
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 02:38 PM

Thank you very much, Nancy. I added a title and author to your lyrics - hope I did it right.

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

Subject: Lyr Add: TURN AROUND (Original version)(Reynolds)
From: GUEST,Nancy Schimmel (Malvina's daughter)
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 02:12 PM

The song originally had a boy verse and a girl verse. Harry Belafonte changed it.

When Belafonte recorded the song, he sang "Little dirndls and petticoats" instead of "Little sunsuits and petticoats," saying that you don't wear petticoats with sunsuits. "I wasn't thinking of wearing," said Malvina. "I was thinking of ironing." Since dirndls aren't popular any more, people may want to revert to the original line. The entire original song went like this:

TURN AROUND
(Malvina Reynolds)

Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Where are you going, my sonny, my own?
Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four,
Turn around and you're a young man going out of my door.

Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Little sunsuits and petticoats, where have you gone?
Turn around and you're tiny, turn around and you're grown,
Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own.

The chorus was added by Alan Greene for the Belafonte recording, and Malvina also sang and recorded it that way.

Subject: RE: 'Turn Around' The true story?
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 07:28 PM

A common ploy when you're trying to make your name. They add theirs to your work and get a share of the royalties. Classic case is Buddy Holly's manager Norman Petty who added his name to the writing credits telling the gullible young writer that it would add credibility to the songs. I once had a song accepted by a group who had had three number one hits but they would only record it if I accepted their names as co-writers, thus giving them half my royalties. I refused.
signed,
Poor but honest!

Subject: RE: 'Turn Around' The true story?
From: GUEST,Nancy Schimmel
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 02:44 PM

There's info on this (including the original and changed lyrics) on the Malvina lyric site at http://www.wku.edu/%7Esmithch/MALVINA/mr175.htm

Subject: RE: Looking For male version of song Turn around
From: GUEST,Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 05 - 03:16 AM

I suspected that, Margaret. Thanks for the confirmation.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Looking For male version of song Turn around
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 18 May 05 - 03:02 AM

Just for the record -
Despite Harry Belafonte getting his name (along with his vocal coach Alan Greene's) on the publishing credits of Malvina Reynolds' "Turn Around", he had nothing to do with composing it, but they were his conditions for recording it.
Malvina told me this herself in 1974.

Subject: Lyr Add: TURN AROUND (for little boys)
From:
Date: 17 May 05 - 07:55 PM

I sang this as a lullaby to my baby boy, making up the words. My boy Ryan is now 12 and (now being much taller than me) proud of looking down at me affectionately.

TURN AROUND (for little boys)

Where are you going my little one, little one?
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turn around and you're two,
Turn around and you're four,
Turn around and you're a young boy
Going out of my door.

Turn around, turn around,
Turn around and you're a young boy
Going out of my door.

Where are you going my little one, little one?
Knickers and dungarees, where have you gone?
Turn around and you're tiny,
Turn around and you're grown,
Turn around and you're a young man
With a fam'ly of'your own.

Turn around, turn around,
Turn around and you're a young man
With a fam'ly of'your own.

Where are you going my little one, little one?
Bluejeans and cowboy boots, where have you gone?
Turn around and you're tiny,
Turn around and you're grown,
Turn around and you're a young man
With babes of your own.

Turn around, turn around,
Turn around and you're a young man
With babes of your own.

Subject: RE: 'Turn Around' The true story?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 15 Jul 02 - 05:07 AM

I wonder why she was told that? Was that standard advice for unknown songwriters? Was it because she was a woman? Seems to me I've heard similar stories regarding other songs. Could it be that there was some "received wisdom" along those lines among the songwriting community? Inquiring minds (and songwriters) want to know...

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: 'Turn Around' The true story?
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 15 Jul 02 - 04:40 AM

The ASCAP copyright database shows Malvina Reynolds with Alan Greene and Harry Belafonte as writers.

Mick

Subject: RE: 'Turn Around' The true story?
From: Barbara
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 11:47 PM

Malvina wrote it. It was one of the first songs she wrote (it was about her daughter) and when she went to get it published people told her she had to have other names on the copyright as well. (Because.) Currently she and a man named Alan Green share the copyright. He "arranged" it, and made out like a bandit from the money it made when Harry Belafonte recorded it.
Malvina had an interesting singing voice, but not a particularly good one.
I just went and looked it up in her songbook, and Harry is NOT included on the copyright, but he may have been on earlier versions. If so, they may have renegotiated the deal, but Mal and Mal alone wrote it. Some of her other early songs also have/had joint copyrights -- Little Boxes is also in Pete Seeger's name.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: 'Turn Around' The true story?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 14 Jul 02 - 09:35 PM

We did this song for wedding this past weekend and or front man introduced it as a Harry Belafonte song. I had long heard it was by Malvina Reynolds. I have also heard some rumors about the song too.

What is the straight story here and who did write it please.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyric request: Turn around and they're gone^^^
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 07:54 PM

Paul Anka and Kodak ruined this one for me. In their hands it became pure slop.

Subject: RE: Lyric request: Turn around and they're gone
From: iamjohnne
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:22 PM

Thanks for bringing that up. This song came to mind last mnnth when my daughter blessed me with a grandchild. He isnt my first grandchild, but there is somehing different when it is your daughter and not daughter in law who has baby

Johnne "goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Subject: RE: Lyric request: Turn around and they're gone
From: Jeri
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:12 PM

In the DT. Supersearch is your friend.

Subject: Lyr Add: TURN AROUND (Malvina Reynolds)^^^
From:
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 03:38 PM

Turn Around Artists: The Kingston Trio from their 1964 LP. "Time To Think" Words and Music by Harry Belafonte, Alan Greene, and Malvina Reynolds Where are you going my little one, little one Where are you going my baby my own Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four Turn around and you're a young girl going out of the door   Turn around (turn around) Turn around (turn around) Turn around and you're a young girl goin out of the door   Where are you going my little one, little one *Dirndls* and petticoats, where have you gone Turn around and you're tiny, turn around and you're grown Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own   Turn around and you're a young Turn around and you're a young wife with babes of your own Where are you going my little one, little one Where are you going my baby my own Turn around and you're two, turn around and you're four Turn around and you're a young girl going out of my door^^^   Note: *dirndl*--a full-skirted dress with a tight bodice. Diminutive of Old High German Dirne-girl. Pronounced DEERN-dull in English.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Gary T
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 01:35 PM

Grab--yes.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: GUEST,cs
Date: 24 Aug 00 - 10:22 PM

I need suggestions on a mother/son/dance/ (his wedding)! I had thought of Turn Around-thought I was being original. Now think this is too maudlin and overused. Something more upbeat would be good! Any help fast?

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 11:44 PM

To hear a song with a very similar topic check out a singer named Pierce Pettis and his song called "My Little Girl". It's on his newest CD called "Everything Matters". It gets to me every time. Check it out.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Peter T.
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 09:19 AM

Jeepman, the version of the song in Rise Up Singing has the chords as follows:

C - Em - F - G/ (Where...)
C- Em- F- G/
(Where...)
C - C7 - F - Fm/(Turn around and you're...)
C-Dm-G-C/ (Turn around and you're a young girl going out of the door....)
C - C7/ ( Turn around, turn around....)
F-Em-G - C (Turn around and you're a young girl...a repeat of the 4th line)

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Grab
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 08:26 AM

Maybe I'm thick - what's a dirndl? Presumably a dress or something...?

Grab.

Subject: Lyr Add: TURN AROUND (version for boys)
From: CamiSu
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 06:04 PM

Where are you going, my little one, little one?
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turn around & you're two, turn around & you're four.
Turn around & you're a young man going out of the door.
Turn around, turn around / (repeat 4'th line)

Where are you going, my little one, little one?
Scraped knees and skateboards, where have you gone?
Turn around & you're tiny, turn around & you're grown.
Turn around & you're a husband with babes of your own.

Just a suggestion. Find out what he has outgrown that really identified him as a kid. Otherwise, the words are pretty inclusive.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: kendall
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 06:03 PM

this is one that always gets to me..my little girls are all grown and gone. The youngest is 28

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Jacob B
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 06:02 PM

Other than replacing "girl" with "boy" and "young wife" with "husband", the only problem is finding a replacement for "Little dirndls & petticoats." How about "Torn jeans and baseball gloves"?

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 05:59 PM

For Guest: I would suggest that you just tweak the lyrics to suit a male instead of female. It's folk, and I doubt if Malvina would care. Jeeper, I can't help with this one.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 05:33 PM

I am looking for a version of Turn around that reads young man instead of young girl for a wedding - any ideas. This is for the dance of the groom and his mother

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Jeep man
Date: 07 Mar 00 - 10:00 PM

I did get the words to this from the archives, but I also really need the guitar chords. Help. Jim

Subject: RE: Looking For male version of song Turn around
From: Matthew B.
Date: 11 Jun 99 - 05:13 PM

What a great song! For me, it's right up there with Tomorrow Lies in the Cradle and Kisses Sweeter than wine for getting to what matters most in life.

I remember those early 60's Kodak commercials showing a series of photos in in an album of various stages of a girl's life, accompanied by this song, and it went straight to my 6-year-old heart.

I don't have the exact lyrics to the boy version; I just know sme of the variations. I'll let you know if I find them.

Subject: RE: Turn Around
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Feb 98 - 04:33 PM

Here's a link to a visual version of the tune from our database:click here.
-Joe offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: TURN AROUND (Malvina Reynolds)^^^
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 24 Feb 98 - 10:05 AM

From the Database:

TURN AROUND
(Malvina Reynolds, Alan Greene and Harry Belafonte)

Where are you going, my little one, little one
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turu around & you're two, turn around & you're four
Turn around & you're a young girl going out of the door
Turn around, turn around / (repeat 4'th line)

Where are you going, my little one, little one
Little dirndls & petticoats, where have you gone
Turn around & you're tiny, turn around & you're grown
Turn around & you're a young wife with babes of your own.

Turn around, turn around / (repeat 4'th line)

Copyright Clara Music Publishing Corp
Recorded by Pete Seeger, Neil Diamond & just about everyone else.
@child @age
filename[ TURNROND
Tune file : TURNROND

Subject: Turn Around
From: m wilson
Date: 24 Feb 98 - 09:05 AM

Anybody have music to the old 60's song "Turn Around"--you remember--"where are you goin', my Little One, Little One"? Where are you goin', my Baby, my own? Turn Around.." Can't remember who sung it, etc. but need the music badly for wedding in April. Please respond directly to "[e-mail]" if you can help. Thanks much. midge wilson mississippi state university

Subject: Lyric request: 'Turn around and they're gone'
From: rgrimmer
Date: 17 Jan 97 - 11:17 PM

Looking for the lyrics to the song - only remember the one line for sure. Song relates to lamemt about how quickly our children grow up and leave home