Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: rube1
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 05:23 AM

"Remember the Alamo"- Donovan's version of Johnny Cash's version of this song is great. I taped it off an early record and still listen to it often in my car.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Trevor
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 01:27 PM

I like 'Remember the Alamo' as well. What about 'Josie', and the one with 'Seagull I don't Want Your Wings' as a refrain?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: mousethief
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 01:52 PM

Rabbitrunning: Go to GEMM.COM (clicky) and search for "Cosmic Wheels." I was just there and they had 54 copies in various formats.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: mike putt
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 06:39 PM

A great thread, Ive been singing the Tin Soldier for years but only in the bathroom becaause I did'nt know all the words, but know. Also another classic thatis so true is Goldwatch Blues

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Helen
Date: 03 Oct 00 - 11:23 PM

Tom/oldtimemusic. Somewhere packed away in a box I have the words & music for Geraldine. I'm not sure about the other one. I'll hunt it out for you and post the words/chords here.

Have you ever met someone called Geraldine and then found that you can't get that song out of your head?

Helen

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 06 Oct 00 - 06:27 PM

For an all-time favorite, I agree with those who picked "Little Tin Soldier". Interesting to read that the tune was supplied by Shawn Phillips, a Donovan sideman. The lyrics go back a bit further....like to Hans Christian Anderson! I don't think Helen is right about the last verse being ".....just like the peaceful dawn". He is definitely singing "...just like the peace of God." I went to Helen's "source", which I don't trust, because he/she's got it keyed in C, and Donovan is obviously playing in G. p.s. Another great song of his is "To Sing For You" p.p.s. "Boots of Spanish Leather" is not his song, it's Dylan's.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: BALLAD OF GERALDINE (Donovan)
From: Helen
Date: 06 Oct 00 - 11:22 PM

You could be right, Steve. I always thought it "peace of god" but every time I listened to it I would get a different sense of the last word. My Donovan record with this one on it is vinyl, and the record player is not set up so it's hard for me to play it again (without mucking about a bit).

Tom/oldtimemusic

Here are the words & chords (at last) for Ballad of Geraldine, from the sheet music:

Ballad of Geraldine
Words & Music by Donovan Leitch

(C) I was (Fmaj7) born with the (G6) name Gerald- (C) ine,| (Fmaj7)| (C) |, (Fmaj7)
(C) with | hair (Fmaj7) coal black as a (C) raven . | (Fmaj7)| (C) |, (Fmaj7)
I (C) travelled my (Fmaj7) life with- (Em) out a (C) care, | (F)| (F) |
(F) Ah, but (C) all my (G6) love I was (C) savin'. | (Fmaj7) | (C) |,

(C) Oh the winds blew (Fmaj7) high and the (G6) trees did (C) sway, |(Fmaj7)| (C) |,
(Fmaj7) Not (C) much from (Fmaj7) life was I (C) askin'. |(Fmaj7)| (C) |,
(Fmaj7) Till (C) I met some- (Fmaj7) one to (G6) give all my (C) love, | (Fmaj7) | (C) |,
All my (C) love, so (G7) long(C) lastin'. | (Fmaj7) | (C) | (C) |

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Helen
Date: 07 Oct 00 - 08:26 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: DADGAD
Date: 07 Oct 00 - 08:35 PM

Hmm. Don. Is like me, a Scot and was not a Dylan clone but his own man. He is still active and making profound music. Peopel stil se him in the denim hat of the 70's but like all he has moved on and maybe not high profile -still a very intelligent and talented man. Gerry.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 05:42 PM

Yep, those are the words to "Geraldine", but like so much of the stuff that gets printed as sheet music, it's transcribed by some person who has perfect pitch, but doesn't play the guitar. Try capoing on the 5th fret and playing in G....then it'll sound like Donovan did. G, Em, and D9 are the three chords.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Helen
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 06:51 PM

Thanks Steve

Helen

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From:
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 12:47 PM

Hi all you... My wife and me. We like Donovan. My wife's favourite song (at the moment) is "Ballad of Geraldine". So we're looking for this special lyric !!! If anybody could send us the text of this Donovan-Song - would be very nice !! Send by mail to [e-mail] and thanks a lot...

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 05:20 PM

Well, nice to see this old friend back. I'll see if I can find that lyric.

- LH

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 05:24 PM

Season of the WItch

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 06:08 PM

"Legend Of A Girl Child Linda"--great song and really captures the 60's.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: mousethief
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 06:11 PM

Jennifer Juniper.

Alex

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: MarkS
Date: 04 Jan 01 - 10:25 PM

Recall a song from the mid 60s that I think was by Donovan, "The War Drags On." Does anybody else remember it and was it ever recorded? I recall hearing it played on a late night radio show and it might have been performed in the studio.
MarkS

Subject: Lyr Add: BALLAD OF GERALDINE (Donovan)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 05:21 AM

BALLAD OF GERALDINE

I was born with the name Geraldine,
With hair coal black as a raven.
I travelled my life without a care,
Ah, but all my love I was savin'.

Oh, the winds blew high and the trees did sway,
Not much from life I was askin'.
Till I met someone to give all my love,
All my love, so long lastin'.

Oh, good were the parts we played in our game,
And a long ways off was tomorrow.
But my love was a rambler and restless as the sea,
And in the tide came sorrow.

A child of the night is goin' to be born,
I can't explain my confusion.
Is my love thinkin' to marry me at all,
Or of the freedom he thinks he'll be loosin'?

I sit with my friends in the gay crowded room,
My friends they're smokin' and a-talkin'.
But it all seems so empty, my love is not there,
So I'll go into the streets a-walkin'.

My baby is growin' as a-growin' it must,
If I were to loose it, it would grieve me.
My love is so helpless and I'm wond'rin' what to do.
Oh, how I yearn to help him.

Oh, we could go to the land of your choice,
Where the false shame won't come knockin' at our door.
I've a feelin' in my heart and it's crushin' all my hopes,
I think I'm gonna be hurt some more.

I was born with the name Geraldine,
With hair coal black as a raven.
I travelled my life without a care,
Ah, but all my love I was savin'.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Djanges
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 07:14 AM

Thanks a lot... This will be a nice surprise for my darling!!!!!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: LR Mole
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 10:03 AM

Some day I want to be in a circle that has all parts of "Happiness Runs in a Circular Motion" all at once, including the French-hornish "Bahm-Bupbup-Bahm" part. I recall him substituting "happy rest rooms (lahvely...)" for "happiness runs" on some show or other.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 10:47 AM

Lovely stuff. There is a local blokie who sings loads of Donovan songs really wonderfully. Until then I wasn't so keen, but since hearing Mick's versions I've paid more attention.

Kris

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Turtle
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 11:29 AM

Try for the Sun has always been one of my favorites. And didn't Donovan write and sing the song that starts, "O come ye starry starfish, living in the deep blue sea. Crawl to me, I have a proposition to make thee. Would you walk the North Sea floor to Belgium from England, bring me word of the banjo man with the tattoo on his hand"??

I had a friend back twenty years ago who used to sing that, and I loved it then. If anyone can point me to the lyrics, or to a recording of it, that would be great.

Turtle

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 12:51 PM

I guess I just got pipped on Try for the Sun, I was beginning to think that it was not one of Donovan's. Really late at night at the end of the party I always seem to revert to some of Donovans oldies, lots of great songs, already mentioned. The original posting mentions Donovans appearance at Mariposa, I was there too. I was a volunteer running another stage but I did the schedule so that a couple of us could get to see him. I was in the stage area, right at the front left. It's not a word I would use lightly but "charisma" was, and still is the word that springs to mind about that particular performance. Well F%^&in brilliant is another couple of words I guess. JohnB.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 01:49 PM

If I were to pick one I'd have to say:

Atlantis
Barabajagal>br> Black Is The Color
Candy Man
Catch The Wind
Epistle to Derroll
Guinevere
Lanena
Littyle Boy in Corduroy
Mad John
Season of the Witch
Tinker & the Crab
Try For the Sun
To Susan On the West Coast Waiting
Universal Soldier
Wear Your Love Like Heaven

Barry

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: little john cameron
Date: 05 Jan 01 - 07:35 PM

dwitty,whit dae ye mean it tasted like shit?The right way wis tae scrape aff the inside scroffy stuff,then dry it in the oven til it turned light broon.Roll scrapin's up in a joint and enjoy.Mr Leich show me how tae dae it hisel. ljc

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jan 01 - 07:29 PM

I love Gold Watch Blues (Particularly "and your piece of paper to say you left here sane...") Incidentaly I just checked in my "Catch the Wind" album and that one is credited to "Softley" (Huh???)

Anyway, my favourite must be "Ballad of a Crystal Man". Me and my good friend, Mike D, were singing that outside a cafe in Chester when the management took us in to feed us (or get rid of us - we were never sure!) Apart from that the fact that the lyrics have always, to me, reflected the naivety of a lot of 60's protest songs.

None more so than "As you fill your glasses with the wine of murdered Negroes..." From a middle class white folk singer!!!! Come on! The guy was a genious!

First there is no mountain, then there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is....

Dave the Gnome who doesn't know which mountain he is supposed to be tunneling in.....

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: john c
Date: 07 Jan 01 - 03:41 AM

Goldwatch Blues was indeed written by Mick Softley, who was a pretty good singer/songwriter back in those days.
As for Donovan - well - pretentious and twee are the first words that spring to mind.....but having said that, as the lists of songs above prove, he certainly wrote a lot of seriously great songs.
My favourtite has to be "Sand and Foam" which was on the B-side of something or other in the sixties. Just Donovan and guitar and incredibly atmospheric!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 Jan 01 - 11:00 PM

Sand and Foam was my favorite. Surprised no one mentioned it till now. Love to have the record again.

Don

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: john c
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 01:13 AM

Wish I could help,Don, but I lost it years ago. Wish I had it, too.
Just off the top of my head:

The sun was goin down
Behind the tatooed trees
And the simple act of an oars stroke
Put diamonds in the seas
All because of the phosphorous
There in quantity
As I dug you digging me
In Mexico

There in the valley of scorpio
Beneath the cross of jade
Smoking on the seashell pipe
The gypsy had made
We sat and we dreamed a while
Of smugglers bringing wine
In that crystal thought time
In Mexico

Sitting on a chair of bamboo
Sipping grenadine
Straining my eyes
For a surfacing submarine
Kingdoms of ants
Walk across my feet
Im shaking in my seat
In Mexico

Grasshoppers creaking
In the velvet jungle night
Microscopic circles
In the fluid of my sight
Watching a black eyed native girl
Cut and trim the lamp
Valentino vamp
In Mexico

rpt.1

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,mikg
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 06:51 PM

anyone give me a clue on the chords for sand and foam. I thought that the end of tin soldier was peaceful dove. shows how wrong you can be

mik

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: pict
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 08:38 PM

Donovan is a stote the ba' or didn't any of you know about his sexual predilections.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: john c
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 12:52 AM

These are the chords that I use for S + F, Mik:

(Em)The sun was going down
Be(G)hind the tatooed trees
And the(Em)simple act of an oars stroke
Put(G)diamonds in the seas
(Em)All because of the phosphorous
(C)There in quanti(Em)ty
AsI(C)dug you digging(Em)me
In Mexico

If thats too high for singing, try the whole thing with Am,C and F and with a capo on the 3rd or 4th fret.
Hope this helps,
J.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 08:31 AM

pict says "Donovan is a stote the ba' or didn't any of you know about his sexual predilections."

Am I thick? Naive? If so, what am I missing???

Anyone care to explain?

Cheers

D the G

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,sieffe
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 03:39 AM

I don't see a mention of the greatest song . . . "People used to" . .
when I sing that one people come up to me and say what a great song that is and did I write it? Sadly I inform them not I but a great songwriter . . . .

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: banjomad (inactive)
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 04:24 AM

You should all listen to the Derroll Adams tribute CD ' Banjoman '
Donovan sings some of Derroll's songs and his own tribute to Derroll.
I have become a fan all over again. Donovan has got better and better with age.
Peace and love, Dave

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Jeanie
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 05:06 AM

Apart from the favourites already mentioned, I love the songs Donovan wrote and sang for the soundtrack to the Franco Zeffirelli film: "Brother Sun, Sister Moon", about the early life of Francis of Assisi. Beautiful.

Of the others, "Jennifer Juniper" is a special favourite of mine - I wrote a parody of it, "Jonathon Juniper" and a schoolfriend and I made a one-off plastic record of it on one of those recording booths at the railway station, calling ourselves "Violet Val and Japonica Jean"...

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Mugwump
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 06:32 AM

I used to love Donovan. But now I think he's an arsehole. Did you know that he threatened a fan website owner with legal action, because he had lyrics to songs on his pages!!! Even big stars like the Stones % Oasis don't do that. The man's a prat!

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Sunshine Superman
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 11:08 PM

Oh yeah? You're the one who's a prat, Charles! Those bloody stupid ads you used to do about skinny chaps getting sand kicked in their faces, and then working out in secret to your body-building courses in order to seek revenge, were so totally puerile and unreal that they were frankly...embarrassing. The art was terrible, and the storyline even worse. You're a has-been, Mr Charles Atlas. You are barely even noteworthy of inclusion in a comprehensive listing of minor celebrity arseholes of the 20th Century. I sneer in your general direction with lugubrious disdain and a mounting sense of ennui.

This has been a lovely thread, and I thank all those who appreciate true creativity when they hear it.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Taliesn
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 08:25 AM

Although I've always preferred Donovan's "musicality" and singing ability over das Dylan as expressed in the usual ballads and such that is always on the short list of Donovan favorites,
I must say that the song that I remember still raising the most hairs on the scruff o' me neck was ,as still is ,the very electric
"Hurdy Gurdy Man".
Sorry but I'm very much a product of that 2nd wave of "electrified" Brit musician virtuosos ; the ones that made the Beatles sound like so much "bubble gum" Pop until they woke up produced "Revolver". But I'm talking about the rise of Clapton ,Beck,Page, the British-sized Hendrix ( an influence without whoich hendrix would "nver" have made the impact he did )&
Keith Emerson ( always the Hendrix of the keyboard ).

I mention this to tell of a YES tour some 20 odd years ago where Donovan was the 2nd string act and then later joined YES for a truly electric performance of his "Hurdy Gurdy Man".
If only a bootleg recording existed of that "live" performance if just to hear how YES' Steve Howe performed the electric lead.
Musta been a moment to say the least.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Pushkin
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:05 AM

I always loved the Universal Soldier and Candyman (although it wasn't until some years later that I actually understood what Candyman was about!!!

Pushkin

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:07 AM

He we are, just over a year later, and I still dont know what a stote the ba' is!

Anyone?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: MMario
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:09 AM

Dave - there are some things in life man (and gnome) are not meant to know!

;)

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:45 AM

I loved his first few albums...favourite songs, Josie, Catch the Wind, Season of the Witch, Josie. And one that has the line.."Down in the valley scorpio, beneath a cross of Jade". Does anyone recall the title of that ?

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 11:38 AM

The Cat is smiling in the sun
Eyes take heed
The colours call
Sunlight patterns touch the wall
Red kerchiefs sail and fall
The Cat is smiling in the sun

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 12:05 PM

Neither of my favorites so far!

They are, first, "Lullabye of Spring" -- it wouldn't be Easter without it -- and, second, the song I use as a lullabye for my own wee one -- don't know the title, but the first verse goes like this:

The moon is like a boat, my love
Of lemon peel afloat, my love
And on her sail of gauze, my love
She seems to slightly pause
All on her starry way, all on her starry way.

And the imagery just gets better all the way though it.

I have this vague memory of hearing that he sang it in "If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium," which I never saw myself -- don't know if he ever recorded it; I learned it from an ancient Mary Hopkin LP.

Claire

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Steve-o
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:07 PM

I'm in total agreement with GUEST-Steve (funny thing), and Little Tin Soldier has been my favorite Donovan song all along. I actually remember my mother reading me that story in a kid's book of Hans Christian Anderson tales! Donovan plays it in G. And he's right about Geraldine, too- played in G with a capo, which gives it that great droning, ringing sound. A few months ago I found a bunch of interesting stuff about Donovan's latest project(s) on Arlo's website (playing and singing with Arlo and others), but when I went back to it- gone. Dunno what happened. BTW, I never got where "Hey Gyp" came from as a title, but that's an old blues from way back. I had it on a record made by Long Gone Miles (since disappeared).

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: songs2play
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:14 PM

I prefer his duet with Kylie - It got to No. 1.

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: Ed.
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 01:19 PM

Suprised that no-one has mentioned 'Turquoise' yet

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 09:11 PM

GUEST, Geordie, the song you quoted is called "Sand and Foam". Just type in that, in the quotation marks, and "Donovan" on Google, and you will find a lot of sites:

One that will give you the lyrics is called lyricsfreak

Subject: RE: Who Likes Donovan? Favourite Song?
From: michaelr
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 10:43 PM

ClaireBear --

that would be "Voyage of the Moon", from my fave Donovan (double) LP, "HMS Donovan" (1971), which continues his effort to make music "For Little Ones". On it, he sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "Lord of the Dance", Scots trad songs "Henry Martin" and "Coulter's Candy", and sets to music a slew of poems such as "Queen Mab", "Lost Time", "The Owl and the Pussycat", "Wynken, Blynken and Nod", and, hilariously, Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" and "The Walrus and the Carpenter".

I lost this record ages ago and had given up on ever finding it again, until a friend gave me a copy he dug up God knows where, just a few years back. I was ecstatic, to say the least.

Cheers,
Michael