Lyr Req: Greenback Dollar Bill (from Louis Prima)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green back dollar
From: ad1943
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 06:36 AM

The Kingston Trio had a great version of Greenback Dollar

Allen from Oz

Subject: Lyr Add: GREENBACK DOLLAR BILL (Reynold Richards)
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 04 Dec 05 - 04:20 AM

I was trawling through some of the unanswered requests, having been directed there from MMario's thread on "Little known features," when I came across this one. I know it was asked for a long time ago but someone might still be interested.

GREENBACK DOLLAR BILL

As I was walking down the street last night,
A pretty little girl came into sight.
I bowed and smiled and asked her name.
She said, "Hold it, Bud. I don't play that game."
I reached in my pocket, and to her big surprise,
There was Lincoln staring her dead in the eyes—

On a greenback, greenback dollar bill.
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll.

She looked at me with that familiar desire.
Her eyes lit up like they were on fire.
She said, "My name's Flo, and you're on the right track,
But look here, daddy. I wear furs on my back.
So if you want to have fun in this man's land,
Let Lincoln and Jackson start shaking hands—

"On a greenback, greenback dollar bill.
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll."

I didn't know what I was getting into,
But I popped Lincoln and Jackson, too.
I didn't mind seeing them fade out of sight.
I just knew I'd have some fun last night.
Whenever you in town and looking for a thrill,
If Lincoln can't get it, Jackson sure will,

On a greenback, greenback dollar bill.
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll.

We went to a nightspot where the lights were low,
Dined and danced, and I was ready to go.
I got out of my seat, and when Flo arose,
She said, "Hold on, daddy, while I powder my nose."
I sat back down with a smiling face,
While she went down to the powder place

With my greenback, greenback dollar bill.
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll.

The music stopped and the lights came on.
I looked around and saw I was all alone.
I didn't know how long Flo had been gone,
But a nose powder sure didn't take that long.
I left the place with tears in my eyes
As I waved Lincoln and Jackson a last goodbye,

On a greenback, greenback dollar bill
Just a little piece of paper, coated with chlorophyll.


I have on a Georgie Fame record, attributed to R. Richards. It was also recorded by Ray Charles.

DC

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: nager
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 11:47 PM

Hi Vectis:

Whatever happened to Laurie Say and Tubs Hardy (?)

You are obviosuly from the IW and so was I in a previous lifetime.

Paul

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: JJ
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 11:26 PM

I would have said Hoyt Axton's biggest hit as a writer begins, "Jeremiah was a bullfrog!"

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 09:54 PM

I always thought that this song was written by Terry Wadsworth of Tacoma/Seattle fame. Can anyone verify that. And, by the way, where the heck are you Terry? CHEERS, Bob Nelson

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: toadfrog
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 09:46 PM

The don't give a damn lyrics are a popular song from the 1960, allegedly by one HOYT AXTON, a flashy Nashville type whose biggest hit was "The Pusher" from Easy Rider.

Subject: Lyr Add: I DON'T WANT YOUR MILLIONS, MISTER
From: toadfrog
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 09:35 PM

Pete Seeger used to sing:

I don't want your millions mister,
I don't want your diamond rings.
All I want is the right to live mister,
Give to me my job again.

I don't want your rolls royce mister,
I don't want your pleasure yacht,
All I want is food for my babies,
Give to me my old job back.

We worked to build this country, mister
While you enjoyed your life of ease.
You've stolen all we worked for, mister,
Now our children starve and freeze.

Think me dumb if you wish, mister,
Call me green or blue or red,
But one thing I sure know mister,
My hungry babies must be fed.

This was sung to one of the known tunes to East Virginia, so I think it is a parody. The only online source referring to this song says it was written by "Jim." Now the Boss's Songbook in turned parodied that song. The parody was usually said to be in bad taste; it begins:

I don't want your union mister!
I don't want your David Becks!
All I want's your million dollars,
Then I'll wring your scrawny necks!

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 09:28 PM

I think the requested song is the one that's related to "East Virginia." I Don't Want Your Millions, Mister also seems to be related (maybe a second-cousin???). Check the crosslinked threads above. This is one of those songs that has a big family tree. I don't think the Axton song is related, but I included it in the crosslinks because it shares a title with the other song.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: Amergin
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 09:23 PM

vectis...i use to have that one on an album some where...i think it was Hoyt Axton who wrote it....

Subject: Lyr Add: GREENBACK DOLLAR (Hoyt Axton)
From: vectis
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 09:16 PM

This is the version I sing. I don't know who wrote it. I got it from Keith Harding and Laurie Say in 1970 or so.

GREENBACK DOLLAR

And I don't give a damn about a greenback dollar,
Spend it fast as I can.
For a whaling song and a good guitar
Are the only things that I understand.
Oh yeah! The only things that I understand.

Now some people say I'm a no-count,
Others say I'm no good,
But I'm just a natural-born traveling man,
Doing what I think I should.
Oh yeah! Doing what I think I should.

When I was a little baby,
My mother said "Hey son!
Learn to be a man, do what you can,
And sing what must be sung.
Oh yeah! Sing what must be sung.

Now that I'm a grown man,
I've traveled here and there.
I've learned that a bottle of brandy and a song
Are the only ones who ever care.
Oh yeah! The only ones who ever care.

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: Rasta
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 06:07 PM

i dont want your millions mister---rasta

Subject: RE: green back dollar
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 05:52 PM

I've got a few versions on my web-site: Click here

There is also a lot of info in the DT (click). Put "Greenback Dollar" in the search box (right hand corner top of this page, then hit search.

-Richie

Subject: green back dollar
From: GUEST,bluegrass fanatic
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 05:26 PM

Anybody out there got the words to the old song ,I don't want your green back dollar"? Has the words , I don't want your green back dollar, I don't want your watch and chain in it.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Greenback Dollar/another version
From:
Date: 02 Jul 97 - 01:30 PM

I'm looking for another Greenback song, possibly called "Greenback Dollar Bill." The chorus goes:

Oh greenback, greenback dollar bill.

Just a little piece of paper,

Sho' to cure all your ills. (? not at all sure of that line)

the song goes on, he picks up a hooker, and she says something like

"If you wanna have fun in this man's land,

Let Lincoln and Jackson start shakin' hands."

I know it's vague....