Lyr Add: Treehouse Song(S?)

Subject: Treehouse Song(S?)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 May 01 - 04:43 PM

Haven't run across any treehouse songs in the Digital Tradition. Surely, a Mudcat or two has built a treehouse, or was treed, and commemorated the event with a song. Let's share.

To start things off I'll add a personal contribution. The story goes: "I was surprised to read headlines in 1992 that announced that 7-year-old Benjamin Kolko's urban treehouse was the subject of some controversy. It seems the next door neighbor considered the treehouse an eyesore and demanded that it be taken down. When Ben's father refused to do so, the neighbor went to the City of Portland Building Department and filed a complaint. Thinking about the other great struggles that have been recorded in verse, I could not resist writing a song for Ben, which was later printed in the city newspaper. Ultimately, the Building Department issued a building permit with a list of requirements that were quickly complied with. Then, the Building Department Chief was gracious enough, and savvy enough, to lead a tour of the treehouse for a group of second graders."

TREEHOUSE SONG, THE
(Words by Charles Ipcar © 1992 Tune: parody of Beverly Hillbillies' Theme Song)

Ben built a house, high up in a tree,
Ben built a house for everyone to see;
It had cedar shingles and a plywood floor –
Three small windows and a big front door.

Ben built a house for all his friends to share,
They'd play all day, high up in the air;
The birds and squirrels were very surprised to see –
Three little kids hanging out in a tree.

But the next door neighbor shook his head and swore,
"The City's gonna hear about this big eyesore!"
Inspector Rowe came by and a letter soon was sent;
You know, Ben hadn't filed for a building permit.

"You can't build a treehouse without central heat,
A bathroom, a kitchen, or a bedroom suite;
The codes are quite specific", said Inspector Rowe;
"A building is a building, and this one has to go!"

Now Ben and his family don't know what to do,
Some friends urge compliance, some urge them to sue;
When you're only seven it's so hard to understand, (take a deep breath)
Why a treehouse in everyone's front yard isn't part of the City's master plan!

Please post your contributions or suggestions here.

Warm regards,
Landlady's Daughter who shares living quarters with 3 cats and Charley Noble in that order.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Treehouse Song(S?)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 May 01 - 01:00 PM

Alas, not a single contribution. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree. :-(

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Treehouse Song(S?)
From: MMario
Date: 15 May 01 - 11:24 AM

refresh