Lyr ADD: A Handful of Songs (Various)

Subject: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From:
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 03:42 PM

Help,Help,Help. Ive been looking for about 3 months on the web for the lyrics to this song.It was written by Lionel Bart (Who wrote the musical "Oliver")and released in April 1957 on the U.K. Decca label and sung by "Tommy Steele".Here's the first few lines "I got a handful of songs to sing you,Cant stop my voice when it longs to bring you,New songs and blue songs and songs to bring you happiness,No more no less" and thats all i know.I found one site with a W.A.V. file of the song but it was a dead link.Its also on an album called "Tommy Steele- The Decca Years 1955-1960" which was re-released in 1999 but it seems no one can order it for me,so i would be eternally grateful if someone could find the lyrics for me.It would make my year.Thanks everyone.Here's hoping. xxx

Subject: Lyr Add: A HANDFUL OF SONGS (Tommy Steele)^^
From: MMario
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 03:59 PM

We've got a handful of songs to sing you,
Can't stop my voice when it longs to bring you,
New songs and true songs and songs to bring you,
Happiness - no more, no less

Moreover, wherever we may roam to,
Or any shore that we may be blown to,
You know that we're gonna feel at home too
Laugh and shout - the music's out

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: GUEST,Guest,Yorks
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:59 PM

MMario's version is correct, then jazz and cha cha cha, calypso and street vendors cries. strains of old refrains, sleepy time baby lullabies

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Bugsy
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 10:40 PM

"So here's a handful of songs- going cheap."

Written by Lionel Bart who, by the way, also takes credit for writing "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"

Click here

makes you wonder don't it??

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 10:45 PM

Thanks very much,but im sure there is a few mistakes.Where the line is"....feel at home to laugh and shout .." should be "...feel at home to Rock-o-la (Brand name of a jukebox) and then .." Bella musica..".Im sure between us all we will get to the bottom of this.Thanks for looking for me.Hope you get this message.xx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 10:49 PM

Also it starts " Ive got a handful of songs to sing you" I hope im proved wrong and it starts as you said.I'll keep looking,we gotta find these lyrics somewhere.Im sure theres another verse as well.Thanks for replying everyone.it means a lot to me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 12:40 PM

The All Music Guide says that songs with this title were recorded by Art Thieme and Rick Fielding, among others. Familiar names, no? But they may be different songs. Anyway, they don't seem to credit the same author. Can anyone clarify this? Or supply additional lyrics?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Francy
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 04:08 PM

The song Art and Rick sings was written by Jerry Rasmussen. You can hear both versions lon their Folk Legacy cd's. both are great. A great song... I sing it all the time and everyone that hears the songs relates instantly......Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 05:34 PM

Francy (or anyone else): Can you supply the words to the Jerry Rasmussen song?

Subject: Lyr Add: HANDFUL OF SONGS (Jerry Rasmussen)^^
From: Francy
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 06:03 PM

I'd like to pass this along with the song. "Sandy Paton taped 'Handful of Songs' for me three years ago, and I've passed it on to at least a dozen others. Thanks to Jerry Rasmussen for a wonderful piece of music." Quoted from Rick Fielding's CD Lifeline on Folk Legacy cd123.
Enjoy and pass it on...........
A HANDFUL OF SONGS
(Jerry Rasmussen)


All that I have is my grandfather's hammer,
His old railroad watch with the casting all worn.
The Bible my grandmother bought me last Christmas,
That she gave to my mother, now she's passed it on.....

Some may leave money from a lifetime of saving,
Some just their name on a marble stone...
It's not what you leave, it's the joy of remembering,
All I can leave you is a handful of songs

Some may leave stories well-tuned in the telling;
Some may leave jokes, that'll still make you laugh;
Some may leave lessons hard in the learning
Some just as smile in an old photograph

chorus

How many days slip away without notice
How many friends have we lost on the way?
How many good times are taken for granted,
And only remembered when they've passed away?

chorus

sing away my friend...Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 08:41 PM

Thanks, Francy/Frank! How cool to have 2 new songs for the DT with the same name!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 09:01 PM

all well and good---except that my CD with this good song by m' buddy Jerry is on WATERBUG RECORDS and not on FOLK LEGACY.

Art

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Francy
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 11:02 PM

I'm sorry Art; I had it all right in front of me and got in too much of a hurry and left it out. The cd of your' s, "The Older I get, The Better It Was", Waterbug WBG 0045 is the one with Handful of Songs....... I'm still working on "The Cherokee Queen", and have learned "Here's To You Rounders"/ Frank of Toledo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Ritchie
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 05:50 AM

I have been meaning to drop Art a line about 'Handful of songs' it must be a great song to finish off with. I've even managed to work out the chords as well so when I get my act together it's gonna be included. For some strange reason 'When Johnnie comes marching home' has been buzzing around in my head for a few days now !

regards ritchie (file under x)currently listening to El Rayo x live !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 08:19 AM

I'm not convinced either version of the last verse of the Tommy Steele/Lionel Bart song is quite right but I can't remember what it should be! My own web searches have not turned up a text but if I find it at home and it differs from the one posted (and unless Bert, Joe st al beat me to it) I'll post it.
RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler)
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 03:39 AM

No, I've not got the words to this or a recording (not even on the "Hits of 1957" so I withdraw my caveat!
RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 03 - 03:22 PM

Hi

Not sure whether anyone will ever see this, but here goes. The missing bit comes after "…Sleepy-time baby lullabies. I've got a handful of songs to sing you, I've got a heart full of love to bring you, True love for you, love, And love's a thing you keep, So here's a handful of songs, going cheap, Just a handful of songs, Just a handful of songs, (then music stops and semi-spoken) Only a handful of songs (music resumes + whisting till the end…)

It must the nigh on 45 years since I heard AHOS, but I'm sure that the above isn't a million miles away.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 03:35 AM

YES!
That sounds right to me.
RtS

Subject: Lyr Add: HANDFUL OF SONGS (Lionel Bart)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 03:52 AM

So this is the consolidated version

HANDFUL OF SONGS (Lionel Bart) I've got a handful of songs to sing you, Can't stop my voice when it longs to bring you, New songs and true songs and songs to bring you, Happiness - no more, no less Moreover, wherever we may roam to, Or any shore that we may be blown to, You know that we're gonna feel at home to Rock-o-la , Bella musica Jazz and cha cha cha, calypso and street vendors cries. Strains of old refrains, sleepy time baby lullabies I've got a handful of songs to sing you, I've got a heart full of love to bring you True love for you love And love's a thing you keep So here's a handful of songs- going cheap Just a handful of songs, just a handful of songs… Only a handful of songs…

RtS

Subject: Lyr Add: A HANDFUL OF SONGS (Jerry Rasmussen)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 07:26 AM

I thought the song I wrote was already in the DT. Here are the words... slightly different than posted in this thread:

A HANDFUL OF SONGS
(Jerry Rasmussen)

All that I have is my Grandfather's hammer
And his old railroad watch, with the casing all worn
And the bible my Grandmother bought her last Christmas
That she gave to my Mother, now she's passed it on

      Some may leave money from a lifetime of savings
      Some just their name on a marble stone
      It's not what you leave, it's the joy of remembering
      And all I can leave you is a handful of songs

Some may leave stories, well tuned in the telling
Some may leave jokes that can still make you laugh
Some may leave lessons, hard in the learning
And some just a smile in an old photograph

How many days slip away without notice?
How many friends have you lost on the way?
How many good times are taken for granted
And only remembered when they've passed away?

My mother's Mother died on the operating table just before Christmas, when my Mother was about 11 years old. Before she went in for the operation, my Grandmother bought bibles for all eight kids for Christmas and wrote a loving inscription inside. She wasn't there to give the presents that Christmas, but my Mother always treasured the bible as the last gift she received from her Mother. Many years ago, my Mother passed it on to me. And, I still have my Grandfather's hammer and his old railroad watch.

The second verse was written, thinking of my friend Art Thieme and all of his wonderful stories, tall tales, jokes and terrible puns. That's a wonderful legacy to leave.

I have recorded the song on Handful of Songs on my own label.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 09:37 AM

A possible chance for UK 'Catters to check the Tommy Steele/Lionel Bart song: the docupic "Tommy Steele Story" made in 1957 (!) is on UK Channel 4 tv at 0440-0600 Monday night/Tuesday morning 15th April. I can't remember ever seeing the film so I don't know if Handful of Songs is in it BUT singer Nancy Whiskey IS.
Pop trivia: Modern Jazz sax star, club owner and raconteur, the late Ronnie Scott, played sax on Tommy's "Rock with the Caveman" but I suspect he kept it quiet!
I won't be taping it, I'm off to North Devon for a few days next week.

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Folkiedave
Date: 08 Apr 03 - 06:40 PM

Minor correction to those lyrics.........I think "jazz music and cha cha" scans better..........but...........it might be a senior moment.

I saw Tommy post rock and roll and he was magic.......a real performer,,,,, also in Singing in the Rain.......and he was great in that..within the last three/four years.

Trivia........he had a pale blue Morris 1000 convertible 88DD registration. Dont ask me how I remember............it was only 40 years ago.........

Dave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 04:11 AM

Jerry's song is in the Digital Tradition here (click). Looks like we may not have a tune for it. Any way I can get one from you, Jerry?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:40 AM

I don't write music, Joe (or do windows, either.) But, I'll send you a cassette with the song on it if that's any help.. just PM me, if you want one..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 09:17 AM

I don't want to pit my failing memory of 45 years ago against Folkie dave but I don't think Tommy sang "Jazz music", I think he dragged out the vowel as "jaaazz".

RtS
(not often right)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'A handful of songs' by Tommy Steele
From: Bugsy
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:48 PM

But definitely right this time RtS.



CHeers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 14 Apr 03 - 09:05 PM

Acepted that that is correct................just another senior moment...

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk
www.holmfirthfestival.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 03:20 AM

Definitely Jaaazz, folks: I've got the sheet music to prove it (although I can't lay my hands on it right now). Although I don't recall Rock-o-la, I'm sure it has just La bella musica, which scans better ... but my memory is not as reliable as it was (or might have been, maybe).

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 06:18 AM

Speaking of T.S. anyone know what his first 'hit' was (if he had one). We were discussing it in't pub t'other night. Not 'handful of songs was it'?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Apr 03 - 08:15 AM

Roger will know. Wasnt Rock with the caveman, was it? He always claimed it prompted the BBC to ban everything and anything with "rock" in the title, including Rock of ages!

Steve

P.S. Much as I approved of both Tommy Steele and H G Wells, I never approved of putting them together; although Buy me a banjo is as daft as a song on that subject deserves to be.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: GUEST,Lindy Lou
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 12:52 PM

Does anyone know where I can get the sheet music from for Tommy Steele's Handful of Songs, please? My partner's in a Rock 'n' Roll band and they're not sure of a few chord changes. Very grateful if anyone can help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 06:36 PM

I was truly honored to realize that Jerry wrote that verse of his song for me. I'd been singing it quite a while before that was made clear to me. Jerry, I love ya. So sorry I missed yours and Ruth's fifth anniversar. Conbgratulations !!!!! (There's 5 exclamation points for the two of you !!!!!)----and 5 more.

Art

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 06:48 PM

Lindy Loo, looks like you can maybe buy it here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Jul 03 - 07:16 AM

I picked up a CD by Tommy in an el-cheapo type store, 'Tommy Steele. Singing in the rain and other standards.'
A sort of medley recording that would cheer most people up, and thats what we use it for. Handful isn't on it. It is Hallmark 300742.

Subject: Lyr Add: A HANDFUL OF SONGS (Bart, Pratt, Steele)
From: GUEST,Tommy Steele Fan Club
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 12:21 AM

The actual words to A HANDFUL OF SONGS by Lionel Bart, Michael Pratt and Tommy Steele are:

A HANDFUL OF SONGS
by Lionel Bart, Michael Pratt and Tommy Steele

I've got a handful of songs to sing you
Can't stop my voice when it longs to sing you
New songs, and blue songs, songs to bring you
Happiness, no more no less

Moreover, wherever we may roam to
Or any shore where we may be blown to
We'll know that we're gonna feel at home to
La Bella Musica

Jazz and cha cha cha, calypsos and street vendor cries
Strains of old refrains, sleepy time baby lullabies

I've got a handful of songs to sing you
I've got a heart full of love to bring you
True love for you love, and love's a thing you keep.
So here's a handful of songs - going cheap!
Just a handful of songs, just a handful of songs.
Only a handful of songs.

The Tommy Steele Fan club publishes a quarterly newsletter which will keep you up-to-date on all his latest activities. FREE

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tommysteelefanclub

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 03:44 AM

I stand (sit actually!) corrected!

RtS
(I never felt more like singing the blues)

Subject: Chords Add: A HANDFUL OF SONGS (Tommy Steele)
From: GUEST,Michael
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 05:12 AM

VERSE 1:
(G)I've got a (D)handful of (G)songs to (D)sing you
(G)Can't stop my (D)voice when it (G)longs to (D)sing you
(C)New songs and (G7)blue songs and (C)songs to (D)bring you
(G)Happiness, no (Am)more, no (D)less

   VERSE 2:
(G)Moreover, (D)wherever (G)we may (D)roam to
(G)Or any (D)shore where (G)we may be (D)blown to
(C)We'll know that (G7)we're gonna (C)feel at (D)home to
(G)La Bella (Am)Musi(D)ca

   BRIDGE:
(Dm)Jazz and Cha-Cha-Cha,
(E7)Calypso and street vendor cries.
(C)Strains of (F)old refrains,
(C)Sleepy time (Am)baby (D)lullabies

   VERSE 3:
(G)I've of a (D)handful of (G)songs to (D)sing you
(G)I've got a (D)heart full of (G)love to (D)bring you
(C)True love for (G)you love
And (C)love's a (D)thing you (B7)keep. (B7) (E7)
So here's a (Am)handful of (D)songs, going (G)cheap

   OUTTRO:
(Dm)Just a handful of (G)songs
(Dm)Just a handful of (G)songs
(Dm)Only a handful of (G)songs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 08:11 AM

Nice work, GUEST Michael, I would perhaps alter your chords at one or two points, particularly in the bridge...


BRIDGE:

(Dm)Jazz and Cha-Cha-Cha,
(G7)Calypso and street vendor cries.
(C)Strains of (G#)old re(G)frains,
(G)Sleepy time (Em)baby (Am)lulla(D)bies

And, in the verse, the last line would be ...

(G)Happi(Em)ness, no (Am)more, no (D)less

The instrumentation and arrangement on the original song was exceedingly sparse, and I wouldn't say that these chords are definitive, there is scope for much elaboration and "jazzing up" of the accompaniment, but imo these are pretty much the chords on the record, which you can listen to Here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Handful of Songs (Tommy Steele)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 07:28 PM

I watched the video of Singing The Blues out of curiosity because I always liked it by Guy Mitchell. I thought it was really lazy that he was pretending to play the guitar but he wasn't even strumming in rhythm with the song. At least Elvis kept the rhythm...

Tommy Steele was just about unknonw over here. I'd heard his name back when this video was made and was curious about what he sounded like, but I don't ever remember a recording of his getting played in the U.S.