Tune Req: Just Behind the Times (Charles K Harris)

Subject: 'Behind The Time'
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 04:27 PM

This request is from my Dad. Here are the lyrics as he remembers them.. Does anyone have the tune or can you recommend a recording? Thanks.

A group of village people gathered
In their little church,
a meeting of importance to hold.
It was about their aged minister,
Although they loved him so,
He must resign for he was growing old.
They sent this message to him,
And he read it thru and thru,
while tears fell on the cruel lines,
For it had stated in that message
That his sermons were too dry,
It also said you are behind the times.......
Next Sunday morn the church was crowded,
For it was rumored round the town,
Another man had come his flock to teach
He spoke of love and politics,
He spoke of fashion too
Of things he had seen in foreign climes
At last the sermon ended
And the old man slowly rose,
Just a few words to you ere you go
Then slowly down the aisle he wandered
To his pulpit as of old
With trembling lips, and face as white as snow.
He said, "I buried all your loved ones,
I wept beside their graves,
I shared your joys and sorrows many times."
And then he gave a start,
His poor old heart had broken from it's pain.
His last words were "I am behind the time."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: 'Behind The Time'
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 08:26 PM

Found the sheet music at Levy. Still need a recording.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST BEHIND THE TIMES (Charles K Harris)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Dec 11 - 11:46 PM

I couldn't find the sheet music, but WorldCat.org gives this description:

JUST BEHIND THE TIMES
Chas K Harris
New York : Chas. K. Harris, ©1896.
First line of verse: A party of young village people
First line of chorus: Behind the times so they told him

Then I found these lyrics in Chas. K. Harris' Complete Songster: Containing One Hundred and Fifty Latest Popular Songs by Charles Kassell Harris (Chicago: Frederick J. Drake & Co., 1903), page 71:


JUST BEHIND THE TIMES
The music of this song can be obtained from Charles K. Harris, Music Publisher, 31 W. 31st St., New York City. Send for catalogue.

1. A party of young village people, gathered in their little church,
A meeting of importance there to hold;
They then decided that their minister, although they loved him well,
He must resign, for he was growing old.
They sent to him this message; he read it through and through,
While burning tears fell on the cruel lines;
For it was written in that message that his sermons were too dry,
It also read, "You're just behind the times."

CHORUS: Behind the times so they told him; he's just behind the times,
His voice has lost its sweetness, like bells that no more chime,
He cannot hold their attention; he falters o'er his lines,
His power has gone, though few will mourn; for he's just behind the times.

2. On Sunday morn the church was crowded; for 'twas rumored 'round the town,
A younger minister was going to preach;
And in that same old dusty pulpit where the old man reigned for years,
Another man had come his flock to teach;
He spoke of love and politics; he spoke of fashion too,
Of sights he'd seen in many different climes.
The old man sat alone and listened; then he sadly shook his head,
"I guess they're right, I am behind the times."

3. And so at last the sermon ended; and the old man slowly rose,
"Just let me say a few words ere you go;"
Then slowly up the aisle he staggered to his pulpit as of yore,
With trembling limbs and face as white as snow:
"I've buried all your loved ones; I've wept beside their graves;
I've shared your joys and sorrows many times."
Just then he gave a start for his poor heart had broken from its pain;
His last words were, "I am behind the times."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Just Behind the Times (Charles K Harris)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 14 - 11:04 PM

I have a recording of my grandfather singing this song

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Just Behind the Times (Charles K Harris)
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Mar 14 - 12:38 PM

Lucky you. My Dad finally found the tune and sent me a tape. Somehow it erased with the first playing. He died soon after.
Thank you all for your input though.
SINS