Lyr Req: songs about the Kennedy assassination

Subject: Kennedy Assassination
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 16 Jul 97 - 12:16 PM

Click for related thread
For some reason, I've been thinking about the JFK assassination this morning, and remembering a song I heard on the radio only once on or about the day of his funeral.

The chorus went something like:

Oh, the world was cold and silent on that dark November day, when a mad assassin's bullet took (blew?) that gallant heart away.

I have never heard it since, and can find no reference in DT under Kennedy, assassin, or Kennedy Assassination. Has anyone else heard this, or did I imagine it?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BALLAD OF J. F. K. (Hayes & Wammack)
From: Gene
Date: 16 Jul 97 - 05:22 PM

Autry Inman recorded this one several years ago...

THE BALLAD OF J. F. K./ Recorded by Autry Inman/ Words and music by Hayes & Wammack

Now let me tell you, people about a mighty man
Whose destiny, it was to be the leader of our land
He fought for life, he fought for right, he fought for liberty
He proved himself a hero on the land and on the sea.

Then one day he flew away across the nation wide
Out to Dallas, Texas - along the great divide
To talk about the land he loved, of peace and liberty
And how to make a better home for such as you and me.

John F. Kennedy, he was a mighty man
John F. Kennedy, the leader of our land
He fought for life, he fought for right, he fought for liberty
He proved himself a hero on the land and on the sea.

While riding in a great parade, his sweet wife by his side
Among the many thousands who came from far and wide
To hear him talk about our land that he loved so dear
A sniper's bullet cut him down while the thousands cheered.

Long he'll live in history and great will be his name
And on the Heroes' grave today there burns a tiny flame
To show he died for the land he loved, for peace and liberty
A hero brave, he won his fame on land and on the sea.

John F. Kennedy, he was mighty man
John F. Kennedy, the leader of our land
She held him closely in her arms and heaven claimed his soul
She kissed his lips and in his hand she placed a band of gold.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: rich r
Date: 16 Jul 97 - 08:48 PM

Several songs from come to mind about President Kennedy' death. These include:

"Abraham Martin & John" pop song popularized by Dion definitely doesn't have the lyrics you are looking for

"That Was The President" by Phil Ochs also does not have your line

Two others that I don't have printed versions and haven't listened to for a long time:

"Special Friend" by John Stewart recorded by Kingston Trio (Time To Think, and Capitol Years)

"Summer of His Years" recorded by Chad Mitchell Trio (Reflecting)

rich r

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Gene
Date: 17 Jul 97 - 12:41 PM

The POST of "rich r" reminded me of another tribute song by Tommy Cash with the line: "Goodbye Martin, Goodbye Bobby, Goodbye John/Six White Horses came to take you home."

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 17 Jul 97 - 03:45 PM

Gene: Thanks, but that's not it.

rich l: Had the Kingstons or Chad Mitchell done it, I'm sure I would have heard it again. It may have been a one-time thing done by a local musician - I just can't remember. The tune was so haunting, a plaintive minor, that it stayed with me.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Gene
Date: 17 Jul 97 - 08:57 PM

Well, if you find the one you're looking for Whippoorwill..please post the lyrics.....at least I learned the titles of some more tribute songs about JFK.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE SUMMER OF HIS YEARS
From: rich r
Date: 19 Jul 97 - 07:41 PM

IN THE SUMMER OF HIS YEARS by Herbert Kretzmer & David Lee

The young man rode with his head held high
Under the Texas sun
And no one guessed that a man so blessed
Would perish by a gun
A shot rang out like a sudden shout
And heaven held its breath
And the dreams of a multitude of men
Went with him to his death
The heart of the world weighs heavy
With the helplessnes of tears
For a man shot down in the Texas sun
In the summer of his years

ABout the song- In 1963 the Saturday night TV schedule included an irreverent, satirical current events program called "That Was The Week That Was". The show had its orign on the BBC. President Kennedy was killed on a Thursday. TWTWTW was much more somber two days later that week. One of the pieces on the show was this song. I recall watching the program and like many others was stirred by the simple musical tribute. There was enough public response was such that TWTWTW replayed the song the following week. The Chad MItchell Trio recorded it on the Mercury label. The trio version combines this with slow dirge like renditon of the chorus of "Rally Round The Flag" a song widely sung after the Lincoln assassination (The later of course was also used as a popular rouser by the Union in the Civil War).

rich r

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: rich r
Date: 12 Feb 98 - 01:52 PM

refresh to go with Art Thieme's thread about Kennedy years

rich r

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 15 Feb 98 - 11:55 PM

Hoowdy folks, Just got back from Memphis. Had a grand time seein' old and new friends. Thanks for these songs for sure! The posted songs are all among the one's I've found . But the search goes on. Any new Kennedy songs'd be appreciated. (I'm tempted to post a song called "Teddy's Song"--it's funny as hell. But even yours truly exhibits some taste in these matters once in a while.) Thanks again, Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 03:03 AM

Welcome back, Art. In at least one of the Kennedy threads, people have been requesting that you post some of the Kennedy songs you have. Many of us would be interested.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LORD OF THE LAND (Fred Geis)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 05:31 PM

For starters: Here's the very first assassination song I found: It's by Fred Geis---Fred, if you're out there it'd be great to hear from you! TITLE" _THE LORD OF THE LAND_
The song was finished before Oswald was killed and the verse about Ruby shooting Oswald ("the slayer lies dead at his feet") was added a day or two later.

Where is the master of the house,
Where is the lord of the land,
He's gone to rest with his youngest son,
Gone to a far distant land.

Where is the wife of the lord of the land?
What of his kindred and keep?
His mourning wife sails on a bonny great ship,
Over the ocean and deep.

Where is the brother of the lord of the land?
What sins does he repent?
He lies and he cries in the arms of his love,
His sorrows his sins do all rent.

What of the people who live in the land?
What of the crofters and fens?
There's crying in the villages and weeping in the towns,
Lamenting can be heard in the glens.

Where is the slayer whose arrow did quick
To kill the lord of the land?
He lies in a cell and he ponders his fate,
He knows not what sprang from his hand.

The leaves on the trees are dying and dead,
The flowers are dead on the heath,
The lord of the land lies dead in his grave,
The slayer lies dead at his feet.

(Repeat first verse)

(This is a non-specific song of the killing of JFK. I taped Fred singing it in my coach house in Chicago's Old Town area a day or two after Lee Oswald was killed. It was the beginning of a search that has gone on for almost 40 years.----Art Thieme)

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 05:40 PM

By the way, Tommy Cash is Johnny's brother. I do have that song in the big collection. There were several country songs as well as pop tunes, calypso songs, folk revival songs, Mexican songs, european songs: truly amazes me how the collection grew over the years!Art

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DEATH OF JOHN KENNEDY
From: Art Thieme
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 11:42 PM

When I get the time I'll put a song or two up here. This is "THE DEATH OF JOHN KENNEDY" AS DONE BY BOB COLTMAN (A FINE WRITER AND SINGER) AND THE WEST MARYLAND HIGHBALLERS. Joe Bussard was in this group too as I recall. (This is an Old Timey band.)

Six white horses come a-drivin',
One black horse walked behind,
Takin' John Kennedy to Arlington,
Down to the buryin' ground.
He's gone; long time gone.

November 22nd,
Down in Dallas town,
Was there that fatal rifle shot,
Struck John Kennedy down.

His darling wife beside him,
She heard that bullet come,
She nevermore will see his face,
While her earthly life shall run.

The doctor come a-runnin',
This is what he said,
"There's nothing more that I can do,
John Kennedy is dead."

Goin' back to Washington,
Goin on a run,
Carryin' that coffin,
For to bring John Kennedy home.

The people on the eastbound train,
Goin' to Washington,
Thinking 'bout that dreadful crime,
That evil hand has done.

Lord, lord, Mr. Oswald,
What did you mean to do?
How could you pick that rifle up
and shoot John Kennedy through?

Put that flag upon him,
Put your mourning on,
Watch his coffin pass you by,
John Kennedy is gone
He's gone; long time gone.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 03:13 AM

This is great stuff, Art. Please keep it coming. Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: TEDDY'S SONG
From:
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 10:13 AM

TEDDY'S SONG (composer unknown) tune:The Irish Washerwoman

Oh, your mother is old,

And your father is dead,

And your brother is dead,

And your brother is dead,

And your brother is dead,

And your kid has one leg,

And your wife is a drunk,

And your car doesn't float!!!

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 03:47 PM

That was politically incorrect, insulting, in extremely poor taste, and undoubtedly written by a member of the great right-wing conspiracy. I love it!

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 04:25 PM

Ted was asked if he was gonna run for president. He answered, "I'll drive off that bridge when I come to it!

Subject: Lyr Add: LEE HARVEY WAS A FRIEND OF MINE
From: Art Thieme
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 10:41 PM

LEE HARVEY WAS A FRIEND OF MINE
as sung by T.Texas Edwards and the Sickoids

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.

(chorus) 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 the 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!!

(Found this song on a red vinyl, 7-inch, 331/3 rpm record. Written by "Bennison/Cotton"--Bennisongs/Ben-Jay Music(BMI). As released on SFTRI 55---Sympathy For The Record Industry record company---4901 Virginia Ave.---Long Beach, CA. 90805

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 11:03 AM

Dylan's "He was a friend of mine" is also about the JFK assassination.
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 11:47 AM

Dylan & Dave VanRonk did "He Was A Friend Of Mine" before the assassination. The Byrds version was obviously for J.F.K. & contained spoken asides about him and Dallas's Love Field (airport). McGuinn thought it ironic that he was taken to LOVE Field after being killed.Art

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Paul Stamler
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 02:39 PM

Hi Art:

A small correction on "Lee Harvey"; where your transcription says:

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,

my ears hear the last line as "There's only just one sun" (relating to the curious multiple shadow directions in a famous photo of Lee Oswald).

Peace. Paul

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 05:08 PM

Paul, You're probably right! (Bet nobody ever accused you of being "right" before; am I correct? Missed ya in Memphis. Art

Subject: Lyr Add: I SAW MY COUNTRY'S FLAG GO DOWN (Phillips
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 01:03 AM

I SAW MY COUNTRY'FLAG GO DOWN by Bruce Utah Phillips

chorus)
I saw my country's flag go down,
(repeat)
So many people standing silent all around,
I saw my country's flag go down.

Red for the blood of a young man true and brave,
White for the cross out on his grave,
Blue for the sky he nevermore will see,
And the stars for a crown of victory.

Red for blind hatred that shatters all our dreams,
White for the love that still redeems,
Blue for the patriots that mourn him everywhere,
And the stars are a cross we now must bear.

Red for the deserts where it seldom rains,
White for the snow out on the plains,
Blue for the mountains bright waters tumbling down,
And the stars for each state in the union bound.


I'm sure Buce would just as soon forget that he wrote this song. As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure he has forgotten it. I got it (taped it) from Rosalie Sorrels many years ago. She remembers all the songs Bruce forgot! Rosalie sang it into my recorder one night in the basement of SOMEBODY ELSE'S TROUBLES----a grand club in Chicago. (That club was owned jointly by Fred Holstein, Earl Pionke (the Earl of Old Town), Steve Goodman, Bill Redhed and possibly more.) Many other bars had tried that location but none lasted long. I remember being in a car with Steve Goodman, Earl, Fred Holstein etc. one night and Steve asked me where he thought he ought to put a new folk club called Somebody Else's Troubles---named for a song Steve had written with that title? I recall saying right off the bat, "Put it where those other clubs failed!" I'd hit it on the head; that's where they planned to set up the new club.

(My intention here is to add a song to this every time it gets near the end of the thread list so it'll be revived and back near the top again. Am still hoping to find Kennedy songs I don't have in this collection!

One more thing: November 22, 1963 Bruce was having his lunch on the lawn of the Utah State Archive (where he was working) when he saw the flag being lowered because the president had just been killed. At least that's how I recall hearing the story of this song's birth.)
Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: MarcB
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 01:33 AM

What an interesting thread. Thanks all. It reminds me how powerful the singing tradition can be, both the serious and the silly, even in this New World:)

Another song that I believe may have been about the Kennedy assassination is Phil Och's "Crucifixion". It was very popular among young Episcopalians in the late 60's and I still sing it as an example of a song that makes you THINK about the Crucifixion instead of just being pious. So it works on that level.

BUT in an old Phil Och's Songbook the lyrics are juxtaposed with a photograph of the cavalry horse with the backwards boots from the Kennedy funeral procession. And the song also REALLY WORKS on that level, too, whether Phil intended it that way or not.

Cross-reference to Paul Clayton thread. Another fine singer/songwriter who took his own life(I think, but may have died of natural causes at a young age, somebody set me straight please). And also in the shadow of Dylan(don't mean to imply anything, just find it interesting).

Marc B

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 10:38 AM

Marc, "Crucifixion" is definitely about J.F.K.'s assassination. I've had it in my collection for many years. (The collection is now at the Archive Of Folk Culture at the Libr. of Congress. I started the collection---- SONGS OF THE LIFE, TIMES AND ASSASSINATION OF JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY-----way over 30 years ago.

The best version of "Crucifixion" was done by JIM & JEAN (Glover). Jim was a roomy of Phil Ochs's at Ohio State U. Ochs wrote several songs featuring JFK----not all on the assassination itself. One that was is "That Was The President and That Was The Man". Several were printed in BROADSIDE. Dylan's, Paxton's, many others had their early songs printed there.

And all the info that could be found via Mudcat on PAUL CLAYTON (WORTHINGTON) can be found at THAT THREAD! Have fun! (Info. his connections to Dylan's songs is talked about there too.) Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 11 Mar 98 - 07:33 PM

I thought the Ted Kennedy song was by the great Tom Lehrer.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 12 Mar 98 - 12:12 AM

No, I truly don't think that's correct. Art

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: MarcB
Date: 12 Mar 98 - 07:58 PM

Art,

Much thanks for the info re: Crucifixion

I realize I wasn't clear in my closing paragraph. What I meant was that like Paul Clayton, Phil Ochs was another singer who died early, also in the shadow of Bob Dylan. And I couldn't remember whether Phil Ochs had taken his own life or died of other causes. And I couldn't recall how much of Phil's frustrations(if had some) were related to likewise being in the shadow of Dylan.

This thread has reinforced for me the power of folk music(however you choose to define it) in weaving the thread of who we are.

Marc

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 Mar 98 - 04:45 PM

Howdy folks---I sent a song here along with a note to Marc. Was wondering if it got there or where it might be !!??! Art

Subject: Lyr Add: BEST YEARS OF HER LIFE (Gordon Lightfoot)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Mar 98 - 06:43 PM

I was working at the Old Town Folklore Center in Chicago---1965 or 66---connected to the Old Town School Of Folk Music. A NEW singer named Gordon Lightfoot was in town to play at a folk club called Mother Blues. Chicago audiences had turned on to G.L.'s music because Bob Gibson was singing his songs around town. A friend named Guy Guilbert, brought the audition recording Gordon had sent to the club, into the shop for me to hear. (That floppy LP only had 4 songs on it.) This was one of them!

THE BEST YEARS OF HER LIFE
by Gordon Lightfoot

chorus)
Oh, the prettiest time in her life,
The most wonderful years in her life,
No one must see her poor heart grieve,
In the prettiest time in her life,
The most wonderful years in her life.

Young man, don't go to Dallas today,
Young man, take heed what I say,
Take heed lest the hopes and the dreams be torn,
In the prettiest time in her life.

In Dallas town there waits another man,
With different views and different plans,
Beware of him thy young life to spare,
In the prettiest time in her life.

Wait not for the sun to rise again,
Wait not for warning from your men,
Beloved is the one who waits by her side,
In the prettiest time of her life.

Subject: Lyr Add: THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT, THAT WAS THE MAN
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 03:15 PM

THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT, THAT WAS THE MAN by Phil Ochs
(revised version)

The bullets of the false revenge have struck us once again,
As the angry seas have struck upon the sand,
And it seems as though a friendless world has lost itself a friend,
That was the president, and that was the man.

I still can see him smiling there and waving to the crowd,
As he drove through the music of the band,
And never even knowing no more time would be allowed,
Not for the president, and not for the man.

Here's a memory to share, here's a memory to save,
Of the sudden early ending of command,
Yet a part of you, a part of me is burried in his grave,
That was the president, and that was the man.

Everything he might've done and all he could've been,
Was proven by the troubled traitor's hand,
For what other death could wound the hearts of so many men,
That was the president, and that was the man.

The glory that was Lincoln's never died when he was slain,
It's been carried over time and time again,
And to the list of honor you may list another name,
That was the president, and that was the man.

Subject: Lyr Add: THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT AND THAT WAS THE M
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 03:47 PM

THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT AND THAT WAS THE MAN by Phil Ochs
(original version)

On a South Pacific ocean, on a South Pacific shore,
A legend was written on the sand,
For a man of peace was born in the middle of a war,
That was the president, and that was the man.

With the wisdom of the old and the vision of the young,
A challenge was given to the land,
And our dreams of peace were spoken with a gifted, golden tongue,
That was the president, and that was the man.

When the freedom revolution gave a rumble and a roar,
The world was shown on which side he would stand,
For the first time in a hundred years he opened up the door,
That was the president, and that was the man.

When a hungry world was searching for a way to feed it's own,
The Peace Corps was offered as his plan,
And now these seeds of knowledge go wherever winds have blown,
That was the president, and that was the man.

Everything he might've done and all he could've been,
Was proven by the tainted traitor's hand,
For what other death could wound the hearts of so many men,
That was the president, and that was the man.

No end to all the sorrow and the hours we shall grieve,
So deep was the fire of his brand,
And still I can remember, and still I can't believe,
That was the president, and that was the man.

Yes, the glory that was Lincoln's never died when he was slain,
That glory shown with Roosevelt again,
And to this list of honor you may list another name,
For these were the presidents, and these were the men.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BOY SALUTES (Malvina Reynolds)^^
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 04:15 PM

MALVENA REYNOLDS was a grand person, songwriter, singer, grandmother----I could go oh a long while. Of course, she wrote "LITTLE BOXES"---but she also wrote a song a day for many years. Here's a lesser-known song!

THE BOY SALUTES (by Malvina Reynolds)
a true tale--John Kennedy Jr. saluted as his father's casket went by. Those of us alive then remember all too well...

The little boy salutes the casket,
The caisson passing through,
He salutes the nation's flag,
As his daddy taught him to.

CHORUS) There's so much anger in the air,
So many bullets fly,
It's time for love to take a hand,
And love is passing by,
Daddy, goodbye.

The little boy stands on the curb stone,
Where the black horse goes his way,
There is no one in the saddle,
Where a man rode yesterday.

CHORUS) There's so much sorrow in the air,
So many tears to dry,
It's time for love to take a hand,
And love is passing by,
Daddy, goodbye.

There's so much grieving in the world,
Where the kings and princes go,
And they walk like men in mourning,
And their step is sad and slow.

CHORUS) The little boy stands on the sidewalk,
The children asking why,
It's time for love to take a hand,
And love is passing by,
Daddy, goodbye. ^^ (in DT Apr 98)

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 04:25 PM

Good folks,

Sure would be nice to find a song I haven't found yet posted here. I feel like one hand clapping... But maybe I found 'em all...

Art

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M CALLED LITTLE CAROLINE (M Schwartz)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Mar 98 - 05:15 PM

Here's one more for now! It's not an assassination song. BUT it is about the other sibling---Caroline Kennedy.

In 1963 this song showed up. It's by by Milton Schwartz.

I'M CALLED LITTLE CAROLINE (to the tune of "I'm Called Little Buttercup")

I'm called little Caroline, dear little Caroline,
Pampered from morning to dusk,
By Sorenson, Salinger, Stevenson, Schlesinger, Bundy and Dillon and Rusk.

Some others I've slighted but those I've recited,
Stand out like an elephant's tusk,
That's Sorenson, Salinger, Stevenson, Schlesinger, Bundy and Dillon and Rusk.

The names are so varied both maiden and married,
And weekly there's somebody new,
So when I can't keep up I quietly creep up,
And look in the Harvard, "Who's Who."

They say daddy's power just blooms like a flower,
But, still, when you strip off the husk,
There's Sorenson, Salinger, Stevenson, Schlesinger, Bundy and Dillon and Rusk.

So when they are handy I beg them for candy,
And find that they never are brusque,
Not Sorenson, Salinger, Stevenson, Schlesinger, Bundy and Dillon and Rusk!


O.K.----HERE's a CHALLENGE TO ALL MUDCATS!!

WHO ARE Sorenson, Salinger, Stevenson, Schlesinger, Bundy and Dillon and Rusk????

And, no, Bundy is NOT Ted Bundy! And Schlesinger is not Dr. Laura (but she could be related. I wonder?)

This is a great ploy to elicit participation!!

Art

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 23 Mar 98 - 05:22 PM

Art- Expertise is that small window in time between having been exposed to enough things to remember and not being able to remember them. I'll leave the challenge to those that find it challenging. THAT stuff, I remember.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE STREETS OF DALLAS TOWN (B Griffith)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Apr 98 - 01:12 PM

THE STREETS OF DALLAS TOWN
BY BENJAMIN GRIFFITH
TUNE: "The Wearin' Of The Green"

Americans, oh did ya hear the news that's going 'round,
They've gone and shot John Kennedy on the streets of Dallas town.

Chorus)
The streets of Dallas town,
Lord, the streets of Dallas town,
They've gone and shot our president,
On the streets of Dallas town.

He stood for human dignity and rights the world around,
That's why they cut him down on the streets of Dallas town.

Everywhere a chorus of hate had made an awful sound,
That's why they cut him down on the streets of Dallas town.

And you and I had listened and had not made reply,
And that is why, in Dallas town, a good man was to die.

Subject: Lyr Add: ELEVEN MILES AN HOUR
From: Art Thieme
Date: 06 Apr 98 - 08:29 PM

"ELEVEN MILES AN HOUR"----(as done by the rock band WAS NOT WAS on their album _What Up Dog_
Title refers to the speed of the motorcade when JFK was shot. This was written with an awareness of the Abe Zapruder film of the assassination. The lyric also mentions Lee Harvey Oswalds possible role as a patsy for other interests: the mob, CIA etc.

Lee Harvey O. never had no chance,
He never caught a break, he never drove a Caddy,
He joined the Marines to learn a skill,
And that he did---he learned how to kill.

Chorus
Eleven miles an hour--such a deadly speed,
Eleven miles an hour--the town a place of greed,
They pulled their limousine down the street so they grieved,
Came down like a shower at eleven miles an hour.

JFK went down to Dallas,
To cool some heels...
To prove to the people that he was not afraid,
He would wave to the people from a passing motorcade.

Word came to Khruschev, "I'll leave Castro alone,
If you take away those missiles--they're too damn close to home."
The CIA, the Cubans and the underworld bosses,
Decided that was it---they had to cut their losses.

Lee Harvey O. was mode to order,
A writer from the left crossin' the border,
Earl Warren got a version out fast,
America was happy---the patsy had been cast.

Some of the words here I had a hard time makin' out. This was the best I could do.
Art

Subject: Lyr Add: PRESIDENT KENNEDY (Son House)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Apr 98 - 11:31 AM

Here's a strange song from the great Delta blues singer, Eddie Son House. After being "rediscovered" in the late 1960s, Son House recorded an album for Columbia. In the 1990s that album was issued on a CD. This song, which was not on the original, was on the CD.

Mr. Kennedy was born but now he is gone,
And he'll never return any more,
Made me feel sad--he was the best friend we had,
From the election...(can't understand)
What Mr. Kennedy did tell will last me for years,
His memory still rings in my head.

Now, this we agree--he had a great family,
They all seemed so happy and gay,
From adults to a child they all seemed to have a smile,
They must've been born that way,
What Mr. Kennedy said will last me for years,
His memory still rings in my head.

Now, God bless little John--let little Caroline respond,
And also their mother dear,
His father and mother--sister and brother,
They must've been born that way,
What Mr. Kennedy did tell will last me for years,
His memory still rings in my head!


Art Thieme

Subject: Lyr Add: GOD'S GAME OF CHECKERS (Dave McEnery)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 May 98 - 12:32 AM

GOD'S GAME OF CHECKERS
by Red River Dave McEnery (who also wrote "Amelia Ehrhart") RECITED OVER MUSIC!

Once upon a time there was a little boy who stood beside his grieving mother and watched a saddened nation bear, with pomp and ceremony, its president, his daddy. Far across the country in a western state, a silver-haired cowboy watched the scene on television with tear-dimmed eyes. His heart was burdened with sorrow as he sat down and wrote the little boy this letter:

I feel I must call you son because today your daddy has gone to be with the hallowed heroes, and I never had a boy. I wanted to write you a letter and send you a present--a toy or a game. I'm enclosing a game called Checkers. I want to tell you, son, of a great American legend called GOD'S GAME OF CHECKERS.

According to history checkers is the world's oldest game dating back to the time of the ancient pharaohs. Thousands of years before Christ, our lord and savior. The checkerboard is a checkered square teaching us that we should all live on the square and always treat our fellow man fairly. There are twelve dark men and twelve light men--opponents on the board. In life we have men with souls the same way: some dark--evil, and some light--good. The dark checker makes the first aggressive move. The light must answer with skill not to be overcome. So it is in the world today. The aim of the men on the checkerboard is to reach the kingdom. So it is with us on earth. He who reaches the kingdom has won the ultimate game--the game of life and eternity. A man moves toward the king row and there are many traps and dangers of which he must be aware. Sometimes a man must be sacrificed so that others, in time, may win the final game. So it was with your daddy, boy. Old Glory is still waving, son, across our nation from the silver sands of Hawaii to the rocky coast of Massachusetts. And just like the great Americans--Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln--your daddy believed in God's game of checkers. In time a way will be found for all men to live as brothers. God grant we live to see that day. Some day the checkerboard of life will lead all men who believe to that great kingdom.

The old cowboy then saddled his horse, carried the letter and the package to a small United States post office where Old Glory rippled at half mast. That evening, as the stars filled the sky, he placed a kerosene lamp in a cabin window facing east. And somehow that light seemed to spread across the nation and join another small flame amid the heroes at Arlington.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 May 98 - 01:25 AM

Art, there's not much the rest of us can add, but I think that many of us are reading these songs with interest as you post them. Keep 'em coming.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: 11 MPH
From: Nora
Date: 10 May 98 - 01:23 PM

Art

I've got the lyrics for 11 mph. You're version isn't so far off. They lyric sheet in the CD isn't right either; the verses are in a different order. I love this tune.
Nora

11 MPH

Lee Harvey O didn't have no daddy
He never caught a break
He never drove a Caddy
Joined the marines to learn a skill
And that he did
He learned how to kill

chorus:
At 11 miles an hour
Such a deadly speed
11 miles an hour
at the time and place agreed
They pulled that limousine down
Elm Street slow and clean
Lead fell like a shower
At 11 miles an hour

JFK went down to Dallas
To cool some heels in the oil palace
Unfriendly country
but he was unafraid
He would wave to the people
from a passing motorcade

chorus

JFK told Kruschev
I'll leave Castro alone
If you take away those missles
They're too damn close to home
The CIA, the Cubans
And the underworld bosses
Decide that was it
They had to cut their losses

chorus

Lee Harvey O was made to order
A radical nut, a drifter and a boarder
Earl Warren got a version out fast
America was happy
The patsy had been cast.

chorus

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 May 98 - 09:28 AM

Whippoorwill, You mention that you would have recognized it if it had been done by "the Kingstons". Is it possible that you may have missed one? There was a song written by John Stuart which sounded very "not Kingston Trio". It appeared on an album along with "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream", and, "These Seven Men". But I'll be damned if I can think of what it was called. It starteded and ended with:

"When you sit and wonder 'bout things that have gone wrong, Then I think you'll understand where our friend has gone..."

These may not be the actual words, but I think they are close.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 May 98 - 11:09 AM

THANKS FOLKS!!

Allan C., the song you're thinking about is called "Song For A Friend" by John Stuart.

I'll try to put it here later.

John Stuart did a few songs about his reaction to the death of JFK and was heavily involved in Bobby Kennedy's later run for the nomination. He was traveling with Bobby & I saw him with RFK in Newport, Oregon (a rally) a week before Bobby was killed in California. Bobby Kennedy lost the Oregon primary to Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy (NO RELATION to the infamous Joe McCarthy of House Un-American Activities infamy). I was wearing a McCarthy button at that Bobby K. rally & was challenged by a supporter of Bobby's (a mountain climber named Jack Whittaker as I recall who scaled Mount Kennedy with Bobby---that peak was named for John Kennedy) 'caus he felt Bobby was the only one who could actually win. I recall telling that fellow that I was for McCarthy because he challenged Lyndon Johnson when we needed him & that I wasn't about to abandon him now that Bobby had jumped into the race. In hindsight I see that he was probably correct.

So much for the ideals of youth...

Bobby Kennedy won the California primary a week later and it was at that victory clelebration that he was killed by Sirhan Bishara Sirhan who is still in prison for that.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 May 98 - 01:57 PM

As usual, Art, you are right on top of it. Yes, that was the John Stuart song I was trying to remember - Hey! Wasn't that the name of the album? No matter. Your remarks about his association with the Kennedys reminded me that somewhere on the cover of that album it was claimed that John wrote the song the day after Dallas. I believe that the album was released almost immediately afterwards.

Subject: Lyr Add: SONG FOR A FRIEND
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 May 98 - 07:54 PM

Hey, I think I've been spelling "Stewart" wrong. Sorry.

SONG FOR A FRIEND
by John Stewart

When you sit and wonder why things have gone so wrong,
You wish someone would tell us where our friend has gone,
Look then to the hills for there's courage in the wind,
And in the face of freedom and those who look to him,
Then I think we'll know where our friend has gone.

Summer takes the winter and the good years take the pain,
There'll be laughter in the world again but hearts won't be the same,
I know I'll remember when a chill wind shakes the sky,
Speak of years he gave us hope for they will never die,
As we gaze at brave young men when yesterdays roll on,
Then I think we'll know where our friend has gone.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Chris U.
Date: 12 May 98 - 02:31 PM

My grandfather passed away several years ago, leaving behind a collection of newspapers he had saved over the years. Towards the bottom of one of the bundles was an old, yellowed Chicago Tribune from the day Kennedy was shot. You could have heard a pin drop when we came across that one.

As an aside, this thread keeps taking me back to another slain President and the words of Walt Whitman:

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:

But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Chris

Subject: Lyr Add: TRIBUTE TO JOHN F. KENNEDY
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 May 98 - 01:41 AM

Chris, Thanks so much!!

Believe it or not "Captain My Captain" was recorded as a song by Anthony Newley on the flip side of a real JFK assassination song: "Tribute To John F. Kennedy". Now I guess I'd better post that song!

It makes you sad to think on it how men will never learn,
Just take a look through history no matter where you turn,
We never could appreciate a good man 'til he's gone,
And we have lost the greatest man our times will look upon.

Ch) The world was stunned and silent on that cold November day,
When a mad assassin's bullet took that gallant heart away.

He died November 22nd in 1963,
He left a brave young widow with two children at her knee,
No one knows how she told them of the black and tragic day,
But the little boy saluted as the caisson moved away.

He was more than just a leader; he was really a messiah,
He had a dream for all mankind that'd set their souls afire,
That all men should be equal was the dream he had in view,
We recognized the message and we crucified him too.

He looked so young we wondered but he soon dispelled our fears,
He had a kind of wisdom that was far beyond his years,
He worked so hard all through the day; the night brought no relief,
His lamp burned bright all through the night--he had to keep the peace.

He had the gift of laughter--a gentle comic sense,
He'd be the first to laugh at any joke at his expense,
For great men know their pomp and pride are empty shadows play,
For all men will be equal on that final judgment day.

His passing left a family to face the world alone,
A brave courageous widow with a courage all her own,
She slowly took her wedding ring and placed it on his hand,
And the story of it carries like a legend through the land.

It's hard to find a moral in this dread catastrophe,
But he will not have died in vain if we can guarantee,
The next time that the likes of him is set down in this land,
We'll all forget our differences and give a helping hand.

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 May 98 - 01:18 AM

The telephone rang and it would not stop,

It was President Kennedy callin' me up,

He said, "My friend Bob, What do we need to make the country grow?"

I said, "My friend Jack, Bridget Bardot, Anita Ekberg, Sophia Loren---

Country'll grow!!!"

(from a "rap" song by Bob Dylan)

Subject: RE: Kennedy Assassination
From: Rockaday Johnnie
Date: 24 May 98 - 04:55 PM

Hey Art - Here's an obscure recording..maybe someone can help you track it down. It MUST have some Kennedy comment --It's on a 45 (remember them?) from Chicago by Blind Arvella Grey (You knew him didn't you? he was a friend of Jim Brewers) The label number is Gray 100 -Side One is "Freedom Riders" and side Two is "Freedom Bus" --If anyone can find this please send it to Art (Or at least a tape). It was made in 1965(?) which actually seems a little late for the subject --Good Luck!

"Tell yer Ma - Tell Yer Pa --Our Love's gonna grow wa wa" From a rap by Bob Dylan