Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Sienna Tenayo
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:27 PM

Well, speaking of Mad River, which was apparently mostly off on its experimental late 60's course, the standout track they recorded was, for me, "Cherokee Queen." That also really pointed to the direction LH would go in the next 6 or 7 years. Song had a great mood, wonderful harmonica part, strong vocal performance. Wonder if Hammond did any other Carl Oglesby songs. Never heard him do any live. Thanks to DJFranz for posting the words above.

Now, who has a recording of "Papa Redwing???"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,nigel cross
Date: 24 Nov 11 - 01:06 PM

hi all,

i am pleased to let you know that 'jersey sloo', the mad river book and 12" i mentioned is now out and available from

http://www.starryeyedandlaughing.com/madriver.htm

the lawrence hammond article looking at his 70s music should be out shortly in the online mag caught in the act issue 8

more details

www.siiye.co.uk

best wishes

nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,D2828
Date: 19 Nov 11 - 09:10 PM

OK, I went looking on you tube. Where is it??? Could only find that Garfield County song....?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,fretfly
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 03:27 PM

I discovered all of the "Coyote's Dream" album has been posted on You Tube by someone. In re-listening to "Empty Rails in Garfield County" I am again struck by the magical chord progressions. But the really welcome event is having the classic "Trucker's Nightmare" available. Cannot quite figure out why that was not a radio hit at a time when Commander Cody wagon the airwaves with "Hot Rod Lincoln" and "Mama Hated Trucks." The lead guitar player is hot.

(Well I DO why it wasn't on mainstream country radio).

Also up is "The Legend of the Pale-Eyed Companion" entered in Mudcat by DWR. That is one atmospheric performance for a cowboy ballad!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,alyssawardworth
Date: 15 Oct 11 - 02:12 PM

Searching last night for the writer of "Coyote's Dream" after hearing the YouTube version of the song by "Backroads Bill," I found that someone has posted on YouTube Hammond's own recordings of "Legend of the Pale-Eyed Companion", "Coyote's Dream," "Trucker's Nightmare," (that track is great, and very different from his other stuff it seems!) and 'Uncle John Mills." There are no videos accompanying, just the beautiful, iconic "Coyote's Dream" album cover, but really, someone could have fine time putting together a video for these captivating stories.

This Mudcat thread is amazing for how far back it goes. I'm wishing this songwriter would come out of his musical retirement and start performing again. I' am sure his medical career must be demanding, but I for one would make it a point to go out and hear him sing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,dalydouble
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 06:25 PM

Gosh. I had this wonderful man for a doctor for almost 3 years! I was sort of aware he was a musician. But I had no idea of any of this. I found this website when looking him up to see where he went after he was no longer practicing in our town. . My husband plays fiddle, so we listened to a couple of his songs we found on the web. There is a song called "Pale Eyed Companion" (see the words to this above) now on youtube, no video with it. I also listened to the MySpace website, and my husband and I enjoyed the fiddle playing on a song called "The Red-Dirt Texas Fiddler. Recommend it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Gilles de Gireau
Date: 25 Aug 11 - 12:50 PM

I knew both Lawrence Hammond and Secorra Plarres-Montes in 1976, near the end of her short life. I heard him sing at a party in Paris with some of her team comrades. His guitar playing was intricate and smooth and his songs seemed very unusual, although my English at the time was less fluent than I am now. She was working on an immunization project in Central America in 1974(?) and fell ill with encephalitis and then an inflammation of the heart. I know she spent about 10 days in an intensive unit in Mexico before she recovered, and was frail for about 10 months after. She seemed lively and strong in 1976 and we were very shocked by her death. I would like to hear more of his music from that time, but from reading the above, I remember hearing the 'Coyote's Dream" song, and the "Redwing Blackbird" one as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,nigel
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 11:15 AM

this is a great site that lawrence knows about - he's still practising medicine every day up in the north west.

good news is that hopefully a lot of the unreleased material you've all been talking about will see the light of day in the months to come. plus some unreleased recordings by his late 60s band, mad river.

i am based in london, uk and in the process of writing an article for the online music magazine, caught in the act about lawrence's 70s musical endeavours and will post a link in due course - this will cover the various line ups and recordings of the whiplash band including 'coyote's dream' lp and the 'lost' second album.

more soon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Sandie Harley
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 05:05 PM

I also heard LH play "Texas Border Patrol " in @ UC Riverside somewhere around 1976-77. As my husband was later posted in the Patrol, I have hunted off-and-on for the words to this rather unusual song for years. It is odd to finally find it here and to discover what became of him. I play guitar and piano, and I wonder if anyone can come up with the chords to this one. I think I can sort of remember the melody (enough to fake it!) I remember he was not playing with a full band A few years ago I found a vinyl copy of "Coyote's Dream" and bought it online. Was disappointed this song was not on it, but as it is a long one I see how they might not have been able to fit it on. At Riverside, he was playing with a string bass player and a mandolin player for some of the tunes., but they were not the musicians pictured on the record sleeve.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Brinnelsen
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 09:09 PM

I found some info on his musicians at The Steel guitar Forum website. Worth checking it out!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Cian O'Meara
Date: 21 May 11 - 10:33 PM

I just bought a used copy of "Coyote's Dream" at a farmer's market stall, mostly on the strength of the cover and the Takoma Records reputation. The artist was a mystery to me. Vinyl's in pretty good shape really! Was knocked out by the lyrics. How did this guy fly so far under the radar in the 70's? Did the music biz totally have its head up its arse? At least someone at Takoma didn't, but maybe they did....Why was there no 2nd record. I checked, could not find one, but I see above that one WAS made. Takoma folded and perhaps that record was a casualty of their demise. The playing on the record is really very good, apparently from the band backing him at the time, and the melodies and chords are just off-scale for country at the time (even now) so no surprise Nashville did nto come knocking, but somebody should have. Did not realize he wrote the Larry Sparks/Judds "John Deere Tractor" song, but after listening to their versions again, I have a hard time envisioning Hammond doing the song that way. This thread is pretty loaded with info, thanks to all who posted. I learned a ton.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Cindy Caldwell
Date: 19 May 11 - 09:09 PM

Hmmm. I found some you-tubes of Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers doing "John Deere Tractor" and another bluegrass group doing the same song (but not as well). You could make a pretty funny video out of "Trucker's Nightmare!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,madolinorange
Date: 19 May 11 - 02:43 PM

Nope, could not find any others. Wonder why "Trucker's Nightmare" was never included on any of the many trucking-song compilations over the years. Nothing else quite like it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Cindy Caldwell
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 03:38 PM

Are there any other you-tubes of Hammond songs?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,redheaded siren
Date: 22 Apr 11 - 04:22 PM

Was great wasn't it? My credits say Fumi Matsumoto. I googled. Teaches art in Juneau. A wonderful album and an seldom-recognized classic.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,graphiceye
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 04:08 PM

hey-does anyone know who is responsible for the great photo work on the Coyote's Dream album jacket? I loved the record, but I really bought it for the artwork!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Sophie Rochambault
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 12:34 AM

I think of that time in the 1974-76 era with longing. During this time I also worked in Africa alongside Secorra Plarres-Montes and was in love with those songs of Lawrence Hammond that I heard tapes of, before I had through her a chance to meet him and see him play with that wonderful guitar-player he had, James Parber. This was a time we were all optimistic and committed, and tragedies just seemed to roll off of our backs.....until the one that didn't. I am happy to see that people remember her, her work, and elan, and remember too his haunting and inventive songs. They were a lovely pair and it was all too heartbreaking. I have through friends been told that his Coyote's Dream album is going to be rescued and more songs released besides but I do not know how imminent this is.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Cindy Caldwell
Date: 13 Mar 11 - 10:32 PM

Heartbreaker of a song. I'm gonna chase down Hammond's own recording of it. From the web, it looks like vinyl copies of that album are getting scarce. Saw him play a couple solo sets at U.Nevada-Reno in about '77. Or rather, he had a mandolin player (from Mexico I think) and a string bass for about 6 or 7 tunes. The cowboy tunes were pretty unique. He did do that Little Britches thing as I remember. I thought to myself, there's a story I've been missing here. Then he disappeared from the scene. Had his finger on a whole lot of musical threads. Hope I hear more of him. Mudcat is really cool, you know? I've found out so much about so many musicians I had lost track of over the years.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 07:10 PM

Better make that Backroads Bill!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 07:08 PM

Bill Lowe (Backwoods Bill)
Springville, Utah

As found here http://www.youtube.com/user/sinawava42

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,madmaximum
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 03:07 PM

yeah, who IS that singer on the youtube cover of "Coyote's Dream?"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,blueRRtrain
Date: 09 Mar 11 - 03:36 PM

have grown up playing "George Gudger" from Doc Watson's performance. Knew nothing about the writer. Never had a clue he had written so much other stuff. Am gonna try to score an LP copy. Sounds like I've been missing something.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,maury
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 09:34 PM

Met L. Hammond when he was a med student living in Beacon Hill in Boston and studying at Harvard. This must have been in about '81. We got together a couple times to play and share songs. The number and quality of songs he had written were fairly astonishing to me at the time. At this time I think he was sort of hooked up with the mercurial Deborah Henson-Conant, who has gone on to become a famous jazz harpist and quite a fixture on the Boston music scene. I enjoyed picking with him, and really did not completely appreciate until later how well-written those song-stories were. I was just tickled to find this site and to re-acqaint with these lyrics. He did record the Little Britches song, and I remember he played me a tape of it he had recently finished in California. He also recorded the Border Patrol song about the same time, and I remember the track was long and very haunting with some interesting instrumental work. I moved on to Oregon and I guess he went on the finish his medical training in Boston. Does not surprise me he wound up in New Mexico, at least for awhile, but Washington State does surprise me. Enjoyed the cover of "Coyote's Dream" on you tube (but who is the singer?) . Mr W. Nelson should record that song!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,fretfly
Date: 14 Feb 11 - 03:40 PM

"Little Britches" is a real find. Thank you, Dan! I had given up hope of finding the words and confess I had not been paying attention to Mudcat lately. If someone does not come up with the music somewhere, I am gonna be tempted to add my own! Would love to have any other news about this wonderful songwriter. Does anyone among the many who have posted above know if there is a recording somewhere of this classic rodeo story?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Brinnelsen
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 05:33 PM

Great! Thank you, Dan. That was a serendipitous meeting. I notice that Fretfly also posted above looking for this song. I am not always glued in to Mudcat, but am impressed what a catalogue of Hammond lyrics lies herein! I think somewhere I had a photo, taken at the time of my interview, of Hammond, myself, Ms. Plarres-Montes but am having trouble retrieving it, with my film files fragmented by passing years and many moves.

Now we have to track down the music and chords to that song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,summerstorm
Date: 08 Feb 11 - 05:36 PM

Where can we hear the MUSIC to "Little Britches?" When oh when is there gonna be a CD release?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 08:37 PM

Party was in Spokane, WA. LH said he has a son living in Seattle and did part of his medical training there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,brinnelsen
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 10:49 PM

Wow. That is great, thank you Dan. Nifty song. Where was party? Seattle?

Subject: Lyr Add: LITTLE BRITCHES (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 11:25 PM

I went to a party up in Washington State over the holidays with some medical people, and this man was there with a beaut of an old beat-up Martin. He sang this song about a kid at the rodeo and I begged the words and chords off him. Found this thread when I went looking him up and it looks like people have been looking for the words to this song, so here they are:


LITTLE BRITCHES
(Lawrence Hammond)

I got the sulks this mornin' 'cause my Pa didn't let me know
They was gonna have the thing they call the Little Britches Rodeo,
When kids my age climb in the chutes to ride the bucking steers
And catch a case of bow-legs that lasts for 60 years.

Well Pa's friend Buck he's standin' 'round so I swallows back my tears.
He chuckles when he hears the words, "Son, wait just another year."
Then he says to Pa, "Remember back to your first time in the chutes?"
Pa hangs his head and draws a Texas map in the sand there with his boot.

Then he looks up proud and when he grins, I just can't hold a frown.
Then I think maybe I've won the match even though I've lost the round.
Pa walks off towards the chutes to see the horse that he has drawn,
And they say he's drawn the meanest bronc, the one called Short-Term Loan.

Near the fence this mangy pinto stands; his eyes are rimmed with white.
Pa stares back and he chaws a bluegrass stalk, and his jaw is clamped down tight.
Then I know that he's a conjurin' as he chaws the bluegrass down,
'Cause no sane cowboy feasts on fresh-picked herbs where horses are around.

CHORUS: Then he leans down to the outlaw, whispers in his wooly ear:
"You buckin' broncs you only work 3 minutes every year.
I aim to sign your unemployment check with the fine point of my spurs,
And I aim to make my workin' year a few seconds longer than yours!"

Eight seconds on the cyclone, the rider he must do.
Well, I've seen my Pa stay up for twelve and I've seen him dumped in two.
Now Short Term Loan's white eyeballs may mean anger, lust, or fear.
Yeah, but his nostrils say, "I'll waste the first vaquero that comes near.

"So you'd best take home your Daddy, son; my hooves don't fit this track."
Pa just grins and he grabs the beam and clumps down on his back.
Then the gate-man runs the big gate round; what's next I'm left to guess
From a hat up there in orbit between Austin and Juarez.

CHORUS: I can hear Pa's voice a-callin' as the cowboys give a cheer.
"You buckin' broncs you only work 3 minutes every year.
I aim to sign your unemployment check with the fine point of my spurs,
And I aim to make my workin' year a few seconds longer than yours."

Now in my chest some fool is marchin' round beatin' on a drum.
My shoulder finds Buck's hand has got a Vise-Grip for a thumb.
Then the bell it rings, Pa's made his time, and the pick-up man swings round,
But Short-Term veers sway and Pa's left hangin' upside-down.

His trailin' spur has snagged the strap, a freakish accident,
And Short-Term's tryin' to rub him off by runnin' along the fence.
The spur-points like a harrow-rake, they plow the horse's side,
And the furrows spring up roses that seem to blind my eyes.

CHORUS: Then the maddened pony turns his course and he pivots on his heel.
My daddy rolls across the sand like a slow-unfoldin' wheel.
Then from far away a kid's voice comes, I've known but long forgot.
In the sudden silence of the crowd it cries the words, "Git up!"

But a rodeo ain't a football game; I've heard the cowboys talk.
The stretcher is an insult; best to let the poor man walk.
Buck walks out in the arena like a feller on a stroll,
Leans down and slaps Pa on his butt, half to comfort, half to scold.

CHORUS: Oh so slow Pa gets up, and his silent lips they cuss.
Lord, he don't look up as he limps to where his hat lies in the dust.
I start for him, but Buck, he says, "Best let your Daddy be.
Son, an hour alone be better than the likes of you or me.

"But I don't reckon that your Pa'll be buyin' his own drinks for awhile."
Then I feel my face a-tryin' like hell for the first curl of a smile.
And later, there's a party; folks stop by to say nice things
About this man they say I favor, who's starin' down at his drink.

CHORUS: I can see his lips a-whisperin' as he leans down to his beer.
"You buckin' broncs you only work 3 minutes every year.
I aim to sign your unemployment check with the fine point of my spurs,
And I aim to make my workin'-year a few seconds longer than yours—
Just a few seconds longer than yours."

This really is just a cool piece of cowboy poetry. As he sang it, it fit real tight with the tune too. This thread was revelation. Had no idea who he was and that he had a musical career, although he came along a few years before I was old enough to be listening, I can't believe I was not aware of him. Will hunt up "Coyote's Dream" but sounds like it is hard to find

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Lou Judson
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 08:54 PM

Nice to re-read this old thread... I worked with him once or twice (I am a soind engineer) and now I have to go back and see if it was at the Freight, or back in the 70s when I did a live music program called People Playing Muaic on KPFA. I have tapes of all the old programs, and if I DO have that one it is time to get it out and give it a listen. I knew there was a reason to save everything!

Lou

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,L.E. Mondracer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:57 PM

Musically I remember "San Carlos' Fiesta" sounding more like a Mexican Corrida, kind of like "Nevada McCloud" as posted on the My Space site

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,JanineFoulks
Date: 03 Jan 11 - 04:04 PM

I had a copy of that version of "Garfield County" with just the fiddle accompaniment too. Agree it was a lonelier and more stark performance. It was made in an LA studio before Coyote's Dream was ever recorded. I got it from the engineer Doug on a cassette copy that also had a "Pale-Eyed Companion" version with just guitar and voice. That cassette has long-since come apart and was discarded, but sure wish I had them now. Looking at the "San Carlos Fiesta" words placed here years ago but L.E.Mondracer, I wonder if the musical feel of that lost song is similar to "Pale-Eyed Companion" in spookiness. Why doesn't this singer get up a REAL website? Please?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,brinnelsen
Date: 01 Jan 11 - 03:24 PM

At last a cache of info about Hammond! I interviewed Hammond in Spring 1976 in LA for an article that never got published. Had caught him solo at a gig in Northridge, I think. Song that struck me the most was that kid-in-the-rodeo song "Little Britches." Am pretty sure I must have the words to it among my papers somewhere, but where?? Have collected bits and snippets about Hammond through the years. He was with the graceful Ms. Plarres-Montes at the interview, as I remember. This must have been shortly before she died and less than a year before he disappeared from performing. It was clear Hammond had a keen intelligence , so not surprising he went to med school I guess. If anyone has the "Little Britches" lyrics and chords, would appreciate them posting them here. What a loss to American music! Notice his daughter posted above. Does she have lyrics to some of his lost songs? If he is still writing, what and how?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,birminghammer
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 12:25 AM

I am a college student writing a paper on photographer Walker Evans, who co-authored "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" with James Agee, in which the real Gudger 1st appeared, and somehow landed on this thread, so I checked out the song by Hammond, with whose music I was unfamiliar, as performed by RButler. Since I am from Alabama, the subject matter seemed close-to-home. Clever words and story! Reading through the Hammond lyrics posted above was a revelation. Lively writing! Am motivated to look up Hammond's recordings, which I gather are rather few. Did find the Doc Watson version of the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,summerstorm
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 04:58 PM

Thanks, DWR for the link to rbutler's version of "George Gudger." A nice job. It catches that song's wry tone real well, I think. I've noticed the James Agee link in this song too,

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,herringbone28
Date: 06 Dec 10 - 12:30 AM

Thanks to all who responded to my "Border Patrol" query and for the words to "Tornado's Comin' Down" These are probably the longest and shortest songs respectively that he wrote. As for Doc Watson's cover of "George Gudger," his cover of the song on the album "Portrait, "featuring Sam Bush on mandolin came out about 6 months after Doc and Merle wandered n to the Freight & Salvage one night while LH and his band were on stage. I was sitting a couple of tables behind Doc when they launched into the song. Always assumed that was the moment this unusual song changed hands. Pow! Witness to history!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 10:11 PM

Off hand, I can only think of the Doc Watson version that led me to post the lyrics back in 99. thread.cfm?threadid=16347#151816

I had forgotten about that. I'm no use when it comes to the chords, though. I expect someone can help sooner or later. Could be a few years in this thread, though couldn't it? :)

Here's a really nice cover by a fellow named rbutler at youtube. I expect you could watch his fingers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SocAB1TMv-s

Top flight job he did there; he's got good equipment as well, easy on the ears and eyes both!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,seth in Olympia
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 06:02 PM

I'd like to get the chords for "George Gudger's Overalls". The lyrics sound as if he took them right out of James Agee's "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men". I think that WIllie Nelson covered this song, but I'm not sure about that....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,brdalton
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 02:23 PM

Have not posted to this for 9 months, but have watched it grow.
The "Tornado" chords are right. . Could be Hammond's shortest song, but a lot goes on in it, or rather, a lot goes up in the air. Some bluegrass band should pick this one up.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,robertmarsden
Date: 22 Nov 10 - 02:37 PM

Thanks, Sienna, for these words. It sounds like the chords to "Tornado" might be:
C-C-C-Dm-A7-D-G
A-A-D-D-
C#m-Bm-D-E
G-D-C-D-C-D--G then back to head of the verse.

Is this on the right track, for anyone who knows this unusual song?

Subject: Lyr Add: TORNADO'S COMIN' DOWN (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Sienna Tenayo
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 12:21 AM

As best I can tell there are the "Tornado" words robertmarsden requested:

It's mighty still that this day's been sleepin"
Ain't been one bird a-peepin"
Thunderheads been creepin' cross the
golden Oklahoma fields.
Somethin' 'bout that that sky I've seen before
that sets a memory burnin, churnin' like the clouds are turnin'
in an angry wheel.
Well Jody run and get your sisters down from the hayloft
pray your mom gets held up down in town.
Tornado's comin' down

Above the quiet fields the sky is seethin'
Ani't one livin' thing that's breathin" easy
when the Lord of Light
Hurls down the demon of the sky.
Just now Greg MacCay drives up
rolls his window down and shouts, i just make out some words about
my haystack's gonna fly
Well, Jody, son I sure wish now
that we'd had time to bail them.
Just make sure you nail them windows sound.
Tornado's comin' down

And now we're runnin' for the storm cellar
Sky's a-turned that darkish yeller color
that a man don't wish to see but once in all his life.
Hurry, girls, Amanda don't you worry about Daisy
She's a big dog she'll run somewhere she'll be safe where she can hide
Hear the wind a-screamin' and
the air's alive with things of Man
whose rightful place was rooted on the ground.
Tornado's comin' down

And here she comes, touchin' down in sweet grain
Drivin' my poor windmill insane
Lickin' down the furrows towards the place my Pa was laid to rest.
A rattler twistin' down from some old hook,
strikin' like a scythe, writhin' like the Devil tryin' to
wring his own neck.
suckin' up long years of toil
as if that sky was cravin' soil
Roarin' down a curse on fertile ground
tornado's comin' down

Hope this is helpful. The Devil tries to wring his own neck! Jeez! Some image!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,robertmarsden
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 10:32 PM

Does anyone know the words and chords to "Tornado's Coming Down?" I heard this tune recently on a college radio station and googled the singer and..here I am on a remarkable site. I have visited the My Space site and listened to the songs there, and would like to find more of Hammond's music and lyrics, especially the tornado song, which is a pretty good portrayal of where I grew up. Please post the words if you have them. If I had the chords I think I could remember the melody!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,JanineFoulks
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 08:44 PM

I think one of the things that slipped by people because his songwriting was as compelling as it was, was what a fine guitar player he is. Just listen to the intro to Nevada McCloud, or (if you ever were lucky enough to hear it), the intricate picking on Papa Redwing Blackbird, or the short sweet fill between verses one and two on "Coyote;s Dream." When he played with his group he (rightfully) deferred the guitar spotlight to David Robinson and later to the amazing James Parber, but when you heard him solo you realized what a lot he had going on on that instrument. I especially remember a long long double solo Hammond and David Robinson played one night at a show in Berkeley...that song about his hound.
I am somewhat embarrassed to say I sort of tried to pick him up one night 33 yrs ago in Riverside after a gig. He was gentle and politely distant and, after reading the incredibly rich threads above I understand why. It didn't matter, I still love his songs.
I also thoroughly expect to hear his voice and music, new and old, again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 03:38 PM

Like Seth who started this thread just over 10 years ago, I am beyond pleased at how much information and love for LH and his music have flowed out of this thread over the intervening years.

I posted just an hour and a half after Seth, then the thread lay dormant for over five years before lemondracer (L E Mondracer) came up with the lyrics that Seth had requested. After a small flurry of posts, a couple more years went by before there was another post. Now look at it.

Old friends, family and fans have all contributed to one of the most interesting and eventually informative threads at Mudcat.

If LH himself has looked in, I suspect that "even he must have smiled."

Dale

Subject: Lawrence Hammond
From: GUEST,Guest and old fan and guitar student
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 01:53 PM

So happy to see people here posting about a truly under appreciated musician and story teller.

Having seen him so many times at the old Freight here in Berkeley, I still measure all other songwriters and songs against his songs ... so sensitive, thoughtful, vivid (and yes, clever) and heartfelt.

Lawrence, if you're out there and still like to perform, come out to Berkeley to the new Freight and Salvage in the downtown area and bring back your magic one more time.

And to his daughter, please keep us up to date on Lawrence's new recordings and where to find them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,seth from Olympia
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 12:22 AM

I'm quite a bit grayer than I was when I started this from the middle of China in "00. It just tickles me to see it going on. Good on ya L.H. and all those words that flew by me in a stream almost forty years ago!-but I've still got the LP in my garage-had a roof leak one winter and lost a lot of records, but that one was high and dry .                     best to all....

Subject: Lyr Add: BORDER PATROL (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,RobbiePreston
Date: 03 Nov 10 - 05:22 PM

OK: I promised I would post the 'Border Patrol" lyrics. I hope I've got them right. Not quite sure of the Spanish words. It looks like they mean exactly what the following English line in the chorus means.

BORDER PATROL
(Lawrence Hammond)

When I patrolled the Texas border at Terlingua
I was something of a honcho, I must say.
But if I knew a hungry man must swim the border,
I'd contrive to turn my head some other way.

'cause the mayor of the town across the border--
like the geese that wing together we was friends.
And the cross his oldest son wore to his christening
I'd gave to him with a proud godfather's hands.

But one election year they tightened up the border
while the Texas son it tightened up my heart.
Pity those who tried to swim into the Kingdom,
'cause our orders aimed our shotguns in the dark.

There's moving shapes upon the water,
there's crickets screaming out their tune
Oh, they swam in unprotected.
There's bullet splashes in the moon

Con tanto sange, Senor, nos ponemos infecundos.
With all this bleeding, My Lord, we're going dry,
and the big bird wheels round in the sky.

A sudden silence fell across the water
as I stumbled down to see what I had done.
Then it seemed they took my heart upon a stretcher
in an ambulance that took off at the run.

Cause a silver cross on the neck of that young dead man-
for a moment in the moonlight Lord it blazed.
Then I knew my heart was dead upon arrival
It might have been his father's tears upon my face,

Con tanto sange, Senor, nos ponemos infecundos.
With all this bleeding, my Lord, we're going dry
and the big bird wheels round in the sky.

My old friend, he met me in his doorway.
And as I held his boy and cried he held his gun.
And he said, "My friend, you are no longer welcome,
and I can't answer for the blood that's sure to come."

And so the Immigration service sent me to Montana.
They spoke of vengeance on the Rio Grande.
And for months I stared along the northern border
with my coffee growing cold there in my hand.

"til one morning revenge came to my window
and four shots split the wall above my head.
I cried, "Senors, pleased do not stand up with your pistols!"
But as they stood my rifle spoke and cut them dead.

Con tanto sange, Senor, nos ponemos infecundos.
With all this bleeding, my Lord, we're going dry
and the big bird wheels round in the sky

Now a bitter man named Saul, he stoned the Christians,
and later they say that he became a saint.
Saul, oh Saul, why do you persecute me"
When the lord spoke thus Saul fell down in a faint.

Oh, but me, I have been to see the padre.
He just laughed, he said, "My boy, now don't complain."
And the heavens are as hard as brass above me.
When I cry out my own voice comes back again.

Con tanto sangre, Senor, nos ponemos infecundos.
With all this bleeding, my Lord, we're going dry.
And the big bird wheels around in the sky
Oh Lord, give me a sign

THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST VISUAL SONGS I HAVE EVER HEARD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Dennis
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 02:18 PM

If the music is on tape there may be a hangup tansferring from analogue to digital. The numbeer of people still having pro-quality analogue equipment is really dwindling.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,RobbiePreston
Date: 06 Oct 10 - 09:42 PM

I think I may have words to "West Texas Border Patrol" and will look for them. Can't remember the melody though. I will post them if I find them and have time. It is true that he seldom sang this. I believe the only place I ever heard him do it was at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. I think this must be the same song Enrique Paredon posted about above, so that means he did record it. We have got to get those unreleased recordings out there somehow!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Flight 641 (Lawrence Hammond)
From: GUEST,Robin
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 11:50 PM

I remember border patrol as one of Hammond's best songs, but I believe it was a sensitive subject with him. Given the subject matter I can see how it might be.