ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)

Subject: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Jun 21 - 11:05 PM

David Kidman sang this at the one-year anniversary of the Mudcat Worldwide Singaround June 7. I think it's my favorite El Greco song.

FRIENDS LIKE THESE
(George Papavgeris)

All last week I worked and toiled, did my best without respite;
Now I’ve put all that behind me, all my troubles out of sight.
I’ve been waiting since last (Mon)day just to be with you tonight,
Just to join my voice with yours and sing a song with all our might.

CHORUS
Who needs fame and who needs fortune, and who needs a life of ease?
I’m the richest in the country when I’m blessed with friends like these.

Sing of joys and sing of sorrows, sing of love and bloody wars;
As we sing we’re all transported down some mine or to distant shores.
Some sing high and some sing low, some sing sensitive and sweet,
But when we all join in chorus, they can hear us down the street.

Landlord, bring another round now, set 'em up in twos and threes,
Come again when these are empty, till we buckle at the knees.
Let our ears be filled with music, just as we are filled with ale;
Let this evening never end, let our voices never fail.

And one day if we should part and we should meet no more again,
(Mon)day nights let’s raise our glasses to the health of absent friends;
And if angels take you with them and the Devil claims my soul,
We’ll still harmonise together - you above and me below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yafPxmbi61k

live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwNP1Ghw9CM

Subject: RE: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 05:48 AM

No Joe, I'm sorry but i can't take the credit for singing it on Monday - if i recall rightly, it was done with 12-string guitar accompaniment by Rusty Dobro Pete White.
I am however responsible for supplying the lyrics which you were unable to find in the DT.
The (Mon) reference in George's original version was, I believe, because it was first sung at Herga folk club which meets on Mondays - but any day can be substituted according to taste and circumstance.

Subject: RE: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 08:35 AM

Lovely guy, brilliant writer and performer, wonderful song! <3

Subject: RE: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: pattyClink
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 10:39 AM

So glad to have this 'learning packet' put together, it's a great song, and with the words and audio both, a few new voices can learn it. Thanks to you guys and Rusty Dobro.

Subject: RE: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 04:21 PM

My apologies to Rusty Dobro. I got confused. He did a good job of the song. I've heard George sing it a few times. I posted George's lyrics, taken from his studio recording (which is almost exactly the same as the live performance I linked to. The ones David sent me had a few changes.
George and I hit it off the first time we met. I think he's just grand.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 05:22 PM

One of the nicest guys around, Joe - very popular when he was performing on the ‘circuit’ here in the U.K.

Subject: RE: ADD: Friends Like These (George Papavgeris)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Apr 22 - 02:03 AM

My favorite singing group hasn't been together for two years. We got together today and sang outside. It was so wonderful, but a bit chilly. Our second-last song was "Friends Like These." It was a perfect song for the occasion. George, let me give you a big, long-distance hug. This is a wonderful song, and I'm glad my friends here in California have picked it up.