Lyr Req: Blackbird (Bok)

Subject: blackbird.
From: Troll
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 07:42 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics to a song that was recorded by Gordon Bok.
I assume that its name is Blackbird
The first verse begins:
Balckbird, Blackbird flyin late,
Grease in the pan and ash in the grate,
They've closed the door and barred the gate,
They got no place for me...
I have the melody in my head but I can't remember all the words.

troll

---

Search for "blackbird" threads

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACKBIRD (sung by Gordon Bok)
From: Deckman
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 09:02 AM

BLACKBIRD
(sung by Gordon Bok)

Blackbird, Blackbird, flyin' late,
Grease in the pot and ash in the grate,
They barred the door and they shut the gate, they got no place for me,
The bottles empty, my head is sore,
I don't know where I've been before,
Bar your gate and shut the door, the Blackbirds flyin' free.

Where have I been to, I don't know,
Broken fiddle and crooked bow,
Holes in my shoes and I'm walkin' slow,
As the last long shadows fall,
The boat I sailed laid down in the tide,
The horse I stole got lame and died,
I don't need a friend and I don't want a bride,
The Blackbird knows it all.

What's this song the Blackbird hears,
I sowed my days and reaped my years,
A basket of sins and a bucket of tears,
And I can't come in to stay,
My life's a tale that I don't tell,
I did my worst and I did it well,
I never got to heaven but I stayed out of hell,
And still I'm on my way.

Where am I goin' to sleep tonight,
I can't turn left, and I won't turn right,
Where the road goes on in the cold moonlight,
And the lonely Blackbird cries,
I'm 'gonna lie in a lonely bed,
With white and whiter linen spread,
A cold grey stone at my foot and head,
And pennies on my eyes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: Brían
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 10:09 AM

A wonderful song. I would have to dig through a pile of tapes to find it. Thanks, Deckman.

Brían

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: Troll
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 01:26 PM

many, many thanks, Deckman.

troll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: kendall
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 01:43 PM

I did my worst and I did it well, I like that line.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: CapriUni
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 01:50 PM

I too have that cassette tape, but I'd have to go digging to find it. Did Bok write that song?

It's one of my favorites -- one of the most optomistic tragic songs ever written. ;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: MMario
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 02:04 PM

notes I've fdound say Blackbird is by Judy Goodenough

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 06:16 PM

"Blackbird" is included in the album called "A Rogue's Gallery of Songs for 12 String" by Gordon Bok, 1983, Folk Legacy #94.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: blackbird.
From: CapriUni
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 06:42 PM

Thanks for the info, MMario. I don't know why I didn't catch your reply before.... I have "A Rogue's Gallery of Songs for Twelve String", somewhere, it's just not easily in reach at the mo'.