Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plant)

Subject: The Century Song (as in century plant)
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 01 - 10:22 AM

Another request from my dad. Some old lady in the rest home where he gigs wants to hear this old one, again.

What he can remember of it is something about a young man giving his love a Century Plant and tells her he'll be back when it blooms. Of course, they only bloom once every century, so I'd gather she was rather put out.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Dad always tells phoaks about the Mudcat and where he can find any lyrics desired.:-)

kat

Subject: Lyr Add: CENTURY PLANT^^
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 May 01 - 01:45 PM

OK, this probably isn't what you're looking for, but it's interesting anyway:

CENTURY PLANT
(Victoria Williams)

Outside my house is a cactus plant they call the Century Tree.
Only once in a hundred years, it flowers gracefully.
And you never know when it will bloom.

Hey, do you want to come out and play the game?
It's never too late.
Hey, do you want to come out and play the game?
It's never too late.

Clementine, honey, was fifty-four,
'Fore she picked up her paint.
Old uncle Taylor was eighty-one,
When he rode his bike across the plains of China, uh-huh.

And the sun was shining on their day,
Just like today.

Do you want to come out and play the game?
It's never too late.
Do you want to come out and play the game?
It's never too late.

Didn't know how to tell her, for over thirty years.
He kept locked up inside himself, and no one saw the tears.
Then she went away, and he woke up that day.

So he went back to college at the age of sixty-three.
Graduated with honors, with an agricultural degree.
And he joined up the Peace Corps at the age of sixty-nine.
And he rode the Grand Rapids at the age of eighty-five.

Now he brings roses to his sweetheart. She lives most anywhere.
He sees someone suffering. He knows that despair.
He offers them a rose, and some quiet prose,
About dancing in a shimmering ballroom,
'Cause you never know when they will bloom.

Hey (Hey), do you want to come out and play the game?
It's never too late.
Hey, I said hey (Hey), do you want to come out and play the game?
It's never too late, to play it, play it, yeah.
(Do you want to come out)? Want to come out and play the game?
Ooh, (It's never too late, to play the game.)
Do you want to come out and play the game? (5x)
It's never too late, to play the game. (5x)

[Recorded by Victoria Williams on "Loose," 1994.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 May 01 - 08:54 PM

Oh that is sweet, Jim, thanks. I don't think it is the one dad had in mind. Do you know how old it is? The one he is asking for has to be from the early part of the 20th century, as he is 84 and the old ladies he entertains are generally at least as old as him, although not all of them.:-)

Thanks a bunch,

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: GUEST
Date: 17 May 01 - 10:00 AM

Kat,

Sweetheart I am leaving, But before I go

Take this plant to remember me, and each day watch it grow.?

Is that the one? I think I still have a recording.

I'll try and find it and if I do i'll send a tape. The flip is Big Rock Candy Mountain and its by Hobo Jack (Burns?)

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 May 01 - 01:19 PM

Don (Meixner?), I just called dad and read him those lines. He says that sounds like the right one! If you can find it and even just post the lyrics that would be great.

Thanks, very much!

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 17 May 01 - 03:41 PM

Kat,

Its me. Its got the lines like..."Her golden locks have turn to gray".... and ...."But she didn't know it was a century plant and blooms but every one hundred years"...

It was a favorite of mine when I was 7 ot 8 and I took it to school to have teacher play it when we a music time. Mrs. Dorgan was sure I meant to hear The Big Rock Candy Mountains and wouldn't play The Century Plant.

Good thing I liked them both.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 May 01 - 11:41 AM

Haha...good thing, indeed, Don. I have a little child's 78 of Big Rock Candy Moountain in storage somewhere, but I don't think it had that one on the reverse.

Anyway, if you can find it that would be wonderful. Some old lady has requested it from dad and he does like to please them, if possible. Thanks a bunch. If you do mail out a tape of it, please let me know and I'll PM you dad's addy so you can send it direct to him.

Thansk a bunch!

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: Metchosin
Date: 19 May 01 - 12:12 PM

Why is it that little kids also love terribly schmaltzy tear jerkers? I used to get my Mom to sing that to me when I was small. Even though I thought it was one of the saddest songs I'd ever heard, it was one of my favourites. Of course that was before I heard Old Shep.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: DonMeixner
Date: 19 May 01 - 07:41 PM

I found it today Kat, Its actually called "She Waits and Waits" by Hobo Jack Turner. Soon as I clear away the 78 player I'll tape it and send it west. EMail me your address.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 May 01 - 07:52 PM

Thanks, Don, I will!! That is just great!

I know, Mets! We almost wore out the old 78's of Billy Venero; Little Joe the Wrangler and other tearjerkers!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Century Song (as in century plan
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Apr 02 - 04:57 PM

"Hobo Jack Turner" was one of several pseudonyms used by Ernest Hare. As Hobo Jack Turner, he recorded "She Waits and Waits" and "The Big Rock Candy Mountains" in 1928. The label was Harmony, #807H. Frank Luther also recorded it in 1929.

I'd be happy to see the lyrics if anyone would care to post them.