Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)

Subject: Something to sing about, lyrics?
From:
Date: 26 Jun 97 - 02:57 PM

Looking for the Lryics to an Oscar Brand song, written as a Canadian reponse to This Land is Your Land.

Chorus is; From the Vancouver islands to the Alberta highlands cross the praries, the lakes to Ontario's shores from the sound of Mount Royal's chimes,down to the maritimes something to sing about, this land of hours

If anybody has the verses, would appreciate them

Ted

Subject: Lyr Add: SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT (Oscar Brand)
From: Bob Landry
Date: 26 Jun 97 - 05:35 PM

Ted: her you go

SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT
(Oscar Brand)

I have walked cross the sand on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland,
Lazed on the ridge of the Miramichi.
Seen the waves tear and roar on the stone coast of Labrador,
Watched them roll back to the Great Northern Sea.

CHORUS
From the Vancouver Island to the Alberta highland,
Cross the prairie, the lakes to Ontario's towers.
From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes out to the Maritimes,
Something to Sing About, this land of ours.

I have welcomed the dawn from the fields of Saskatchewan,
Followed the sun to the Vancouver shore.
Watched it climb shiny new up the snow peaks of Caribou,
Up to the clouds where the wild Rockies soar.

CHORUS

I have heard the wild wind find the places that I have been,
Bay Bull and Red Deer and Strait of Belle Isle.
Names like Grand-Mere and Silverthorne, Moose Jaw and Marrowbone,
Trails of the pioneer, named with a smile.

CHORUS

I have wandered my way to the wild wood of Hudson Bay,
Treated my toes to Quebec's morning dew.
Where the sweet summer breeze kissed the leaves of the maple trees,
Sharing this song that I'm singing to you.

CHORUS

Yes, there's Something To Sing About, tune up a string about,
Call out in chorus or quietly hum,
Of a land that's still young with a ballad that's still unsung,
Telling the promise of great things to come.

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Something to sing about
From: Gene
Date: 26 Jun 97 - 06:06 PM

Lyrics and arrangement(s) can also be found at the following: (don't try to type this-use copy function)

http://xp5.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?recnum=8325793&search=thread&threaded=1&server=db95q23&CONTEXT=867362667.1467&HIT_CONTEXT=867361145.453&HIT_NUM=98&hitnum=0&NTL=1

Subject: Somthing to sing about about...words please
From: ML
Date: 14 Oct 98 - 09:20 PM

I am trying to get all the verses to Something to sing about - great Canadian folk song - for my 'intergenerational choir'. Might as well make them sing my favourites!!

one verse is: I have welcomed the dawn in? the fields of Saskatchewan, Followed the sun to Quebec's northern shore, Watched it rise shiny new on? the snow peaks of Caribou, down (up?) to the ..... where the wild Rockies soar.

Chorus: From the Vancouver Island to the Alberta Highlands Cross the prairies the lakes to Ontario's towers, From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes,(clap) Out to the Maritimes,(clap) Somthing to sing about, this land of ours.

Last verse: Yes, it's something to sing about, tune up a string about Call out in chorus or quietly hum, For a land that's still young and a ballad that's still? unsung, Something to sing about, this land of ours.

My problem is that our family writes a new verse every time we go on a trip and we have all lost the original. Thanks ML

Subject: Lyr Add: SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT (Oscar Brand)
From: Ciaran
Date: 15 Oct 98 - 09:04 AM

Try this...from www.achilles.net/~cco/songs/s-some.htm

SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT
(Oscar Brand)

I have walked cross the sand
On the Grand Banks of Newfoundland,
Lazed on the ridge of the Mirimichi,
Seen the waves tear and roar
At the stone coast of Labrador
Watched them roll back to the great northern sea.

CHORUS: From the Vancouver Island
To the Alberta highland,
Cross the Prairie, the Lakes to Ontario's towers,
From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes
Out to the Maritimes,
Something to sing about, this land of ours.

I have welcomed the dawn
From the fields of Saskatchewan,
Followed the sun to the Vancouver shore,
Watched it climb shiny new
Up the snow peaks of Caribou,
Up to the clouds where the wild Rockies roar. CHORUS

I have heard the wild wind sing,
The places that I have been,
Bay Bull and Red Deer and Strait of Belle Isle,
Names like Grand Mere and Silverthrone,
Moosejaw and Marrowbone
Trails of the pioneer, named with a smile. CHORUS

I have wandered my way
To the wild wood of Hudson Bay,
Treated my toes to Quebec's morning dew,
Where the sweet summer breeze
Kissed the leaves of the maple trees,
Sharing this song that I'm singing to you. CHORUS

Yes, there's something to sing about,
Tune up a string about,
Call out in chorus or quietly hum,
Of a land that's still young,
With a balled that's still unsung,
Telling the promise of great things to come. CHORUS

TRO ©credit 1963 & 1964, Hollis Music Inc. New York, N.Y.

Subject: Lyrics needed: This Land of Ours
From: Len Wallace
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 12:51 AM

Hi Friends,

I'd like to get the lyrics to Oscar Brandt's "This Land of Ours". Trying to remember the lyrics I sang in elemntary school choir and got as far as "From the Vancouver Island to Alberta highlands, cross the prairies, the lakes to Ontario's towers..."

Subject: RE: Something to sing about
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 04:47 AM

Anybody got a tune to post?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Something to sing about
From: GUEST,marilyn
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 04:16 PM

Does anyone have the tune/midi to Something to Sing About. Thanks...

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Something to sing about
From: Jimmy C
Date: 21 Jul 00 - 07:42 PM

Marilyn, Is that the "Something to sing about" by Oscar Brand. I don't have the tune/midi but I have a recording of Oscar Singing it, with a very humourous introduction. Apparently when it was first recorded the opening went

" I have walked on the sands
On the Grand Banks of Newfoundland>

It was pointed out to Oscar that to walk on the Grand Banks you will need a scuba diving outfit. He then changed the words to make sense. If you can't get what you need from the thread let me know and ZI will try to get the recording to you someway.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Something to sing about
From: GUEST,That's the one....
Date: 22 Jul 00 - 03:56 PM

Thanks...it's not a problem to get it anymore...:)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Something to sing about
From: Jimmy C
Date: 23 Jul 00 - 01:05 AM

Glad to hear that, enjoy singing the song.

Subject: RE: Something to sing about
From: GUEST,oscar brand
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 05:12 PM

Subject: RE: Something to sing about
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 06:30 PM

gee, oscar...didn't know you were around.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 07:32 PM

Coincidentally visited Oscar Brand's website for the first time only yesterday (link from Arlo Guthrie's)....
The weekly TV show he hosted in the '60s was also screened here in Australia (anyone recall its title? - it was a B&W Fremantle production, probably out of Canada).
I do remember - don't expect him to - being his opening act at a Speakeasy gig in NY in the '80s.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 07:44 PM

Margret, I may be totally wrong, but my recollection is that his show was called "Hullabaloo".

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Backstage Manager(inactive)
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 08:19 PM

Oscar's show was called "Let's Sing Out."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Peace
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 10:38 PM

I owe a debt of gratitude to Oscar Brand. He got me on stage for one song in 1965 at a folk festival that was held at Carnegie Hall. It is a treasured memory for me, and he did it because I was Canadian. Thank you, Oscar (I called him Mr Brand then; I was 17 years old).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 10:42 PM

Thanks, BM. My memory is shot. From a Google search, I find that 'Hullabaloo' was a 60s show that covered mostly rock and pop. I do remember watching an Oscar Brand show on Oz TV, but the 'Let's Sing Out' title rings no bells - too many pints over the years, I suppose. I still have a couple of vinyl LPs of his bawdy ballads. These were considered rather raunchy back then.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 03:43 AM

I saw Oscar on an interview show a few years back. Pretty interesting stuff, especially about the line:

"I have walked cross the sand on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland".

Apparently when he wrote that line, he didn't realize that the Grand Banks was the fishing ground on the continental shelf and was in fact under some 600 feet of water. He said now sings, "I have walked many a mile on the shores of Prince Edward Isle" instead.

If that was indeed Oscar a few posts back, pray weigh in again, sir. Your input would be most welcome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 03:58 AM

I stopped at Oscar Brand's Website just now, and a clip of "Something to Sing About" was playing in the background. Not long enough to transcribe a tune from, but it's something.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 07:51 AM

Thanks, Backstage Manager (& Stewie).
Yep, that TV show was definitely "Let's Sing Out".... wonder if such episodes are now available again, via DVDs etc.....?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 10:27 AM

You can find him opening his show with it on WNYC.org. He continues his show every Saturday night. The show format changes at irregular intervals. The time changes. He continues.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: GUEST,Scarlett
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 05:35 PM

Would anyone happen to have the chords to this one?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Peace
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 05:46 PM

This link will take you to a page where you can download the sheet music in pdf format. I have no idea how to copy paste pdf format.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Peace
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 05:49 PM

DANG! The chords aren't there. I haven't heard the song in 40 years, but I think it was pretty basic. If it's on youtube, I'll listen and post the chords for you unless someone comes along and does so first.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:16 PM

"I have walked cross the sand
On the Grand Banks of Newfoundland,"
   was changed by Brand to:
"I have walked many a mile
On the shores of Prince Edward Isle,"
when someone told him that the Grand Banks are deep below the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making for damn hard walking. :-}

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Peace
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:20 PM

Sandy, you got the chords?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:44 PM

No, but I'll wing it until someone posts the correct ones.

I have[G] walked cross the [G7]sand
On the[C] Grand Banks of[G] Newfoundland,
[C]Lazed on the[G] ridge of the [Am]Mirimi[D7]chi,
Seen the [G]waves tear and[G7] roar
At the [C]stone coast of[G] Labrador
[C]Watched them roll[G] back to the[D] great northern [G]sea.

CHORUS: From the[D] Vancouver Island
To the[G] Alberta highland,
Cross the[C} Prairie, the [G]Lakes to[Am} Ontario's [D7] towers,
From the [G]sound of Mount [G7]Royal's chimes
[C]Out to the [G]Maritimes,
[C]Something to [G]sing about,[D] this land of [G]ours.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:55 PM

Can someone who reads music please insert the lyrics into the sheet music at the appropriate locations so I can have a midi-karaoke file of this song created that is playable with VanBasco ?

                                                    SOL

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About
From: Peace
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 02:00 PM

Yeah, Sandy. THANKS.

Subject: RE: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 08:16 PM

Greetings from Moose Jaw: (one of those places, "named with a smile."

There's a slight hitch in the above lyrics. The Grand Banks of Newfoundland are many kilometres off shore. When this was pointed out, Oscar rewrote the lyrics so say: "I have walked many a mile on the shores of Prince Edward Isle."
Cheers,
Rev Doug Shepherd
Central Lutheran Church
Moose Jaw

Subject: RE: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 11:08 PM

Hi Doug,
True enough but read my first post on this thread. Welcome to Mudcat!
                            Sandy

Subject: Chords Add: SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Stacey Terry
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 12:57 PM

I too was hoping to find the chords/music to this without any luck. This was my attempt to work out the chords.

[G]
I have walked cross the sand
       [C]
On the Grand Banks of Newfoundland,
[G]                      [A7]   [D7]
Lazed on the ridge of the Mirimichi,
       [G]
Seen the waves tear and roar
      [C]
At the stone coast of Labrador
[G]                           [D7]          [G]
Watched them roll back to the great northern sea.

CHORUS:
         [D]
From the Vancouver Island
       [G]
To the Alberta highland,
         [Em]         [Bm]       [A7]      [D]
Cross the Prairie, the Lakes to Ontario's towers,
       [G]
From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes
[C]
Out to the Maritimes,
[G]                      [D7]       [G]
Something to sing about, this land of ours.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Stacey Terry
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 12:58 PM

Sorry! I see things didn't line up very well well it appeared... hope you can figure it out!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jun 09 - 02:25 PM

As Sandy said, walking on the Grand Banks would not be a good idea.
I have a recording of Oscar singing this song at a live concert in McDonald Agricultural College ,Montreal. He himself mentions the mistake when he said " Anyone wanting to walk on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland better have a scuba diving outfit. Then he sang the revised version just so it made sense. I think the first line went
" 've walked many a mile on the shores of Prince Edwards Isle"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 09 - 01:22 PM

THis song is one of my favourites. I'm thinking of learning it on the piano and then singing it and putting the video on youtube. Sucks that there's no video of one of my favourite songs in the whole world..........CURSES!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Same person who just posted, Ruler of Madiso
Date: 07 Jun 09 - 01:30 PM

Ummm.... does anyone know the piano notes for this song? would it be the same as the chords posted earlier? What's A7 mean?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Teresa
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 04:09 PM

Yeah, I would like the piano part too. Does anyone know where to find it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Peter Brawley
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 02:45 PM

And that's Miramichi, not Mirimichi!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,Hannah
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 05:38 PM

does anyone have the tune?

Subject: Chords Add: SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 12 - 09:35 AM

Something to Sing About
G
I have walked cross the sand
               C
On the Grand Banks of Newfoundland,
G                                           D7
Lazed on the ridge of the Mirimichi,
                G
Seen the waves tear and roar
G          C
At the stone coast of Labrador
G
Watched them roll back to the great northern sea.

CHORUS:
G                D7
From the Vancouver Island
               G7
To the Alberta highland,
                                        D7          C G          D7
Cross the Prairie, the Lakes to Ontario's towers,
                  G
From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes
C
Out to the Maritimes,
G                                                 D7          G
Something to sing about, this land of ours.
G
I have welcomed the dawn
                C
From the fields of Saskatchewan,
G                                                            D7
Followed the sun to the Vancouver shore,
                G
Watched it climb shiny new
G    C
Up the snow peaks of Caribou,
G
Up to the clouds where the wild Rockies roar. CHORUS


I have heard the wild wind sing,
The places that I have been,
Bay Bull and Red Deer and Strait of Belle Isle,
Names like Grand Mere and Silverthrone,
Moosejaw and Marrowbone
Trails of the pioneer, named with a smile. CHORUS

I have wandered my way
To the wild wood of Hudson Bay,
Treated my toes to Quebec's morning dew,
Where the sweet summer breeze
Kissed the leaves of the maple trees,
Sharing this song that I'm singing to you. CHORUS
G                                              D
Yes, there's something to sing about,
G                     C
Tune up a string about,
G                                  D7
Call out in chorus or quietly hum,
          G
Of a land that's still young,
G          C
With a balled that's still unsung,
G                                        D7                  G
Telling the promise of great things to come. CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: GUEST,always liked his music.
Date: 09 Apr 13 - 09:07 AM

Especially this tune about canada, remember it durring Expo in 67.Lively & full of life. A song about the whole country, but O Canada Like it better sung in french & english, says more, still today, Maple leaf forever, a good one, have to teach real canadian history around that one. Also Bobby Gimbys CA -NA DA...THAT UNFORGETABLE TUNE with all the youngsters singing, in french & english yet too...Somthing to sing about, not bad, wish the neighbour would pay attention & fix their problems at home like they did in Canada, by not spening a great deal of money, more thought on things, that dont cost a great deal...You'd be surprised around the world who applauded Canada in taking such steps.

Subject: RE: Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Apr 16 - 10:12 PM

This is a U.S. version of "Something to Sing About" that Oscar Brand has played on his radio program. Anybody have the lyrics? I'm having trouble making out the words.
-Joe-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF0lqlyBE2Q

And here's a Canadian parody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez4jHcHFHxc

Subject: US Version: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 16 - 03:13 AM

OK, this is my attempt at transcribing Brand's 1997 recording of his U.S. version of the song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF0lqlyBE2Q
As you can see, I need a lot of help.
Suggestions?

I have wandered my way 'cross the wonders of New York Bay
North to Niagara to hear the waterfalls roar;
Seen waves tear at bay, and snows coming close at bay
Watch the - - 'cross the New England shore

From the fair Hawaiian Islands to the Rocky Mountain highlands
'Cross the prairies, the Lakes, to the mighty eastern towers
From Alaska to the Great Southwest
North to to New England's crest
Something to sing about, this land of ours.

I have welcomed the dawn in the highlands of Oregon,
Seen the moon rise on the - - -
Where the sweet evening breeze hits the leaves on the lemon trees,
Whispering the song that I'm sharing with you.

Oh, yes, we've something to sing about,
- - - bring about
Glories that were and the wonders to be
'Course when there's something wrong
We won't just sing along
We'll raise our voices in disharmony.

Subject: ADD Version: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 16 - 03:37 AM

Here's what has me puzzled. I'm working on a database to accompany the Rise Up Singing Songbook, and the songbook version is completely different from the Canadian versions above, and from the version on Brand's YouTube video. So, where does this version come from?

SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT
(Oscar Brand)

From the eastern to western sea, pathway to liberty
Something to sing about, this land of ours
From Canada's northern glow, southward to Mexico
Something to sing about, this land of ours

Here's a land always young with a ballad that's still unsung
Small country farms to the great city towers
From the Great Lakes to Rio Grande, one great and friendly land
Something to sing about, this land of ours

From Concord to Lexington, where free men fought & won...
Midway, The Alamo, San Juan Hill, Anzio...

From the Pilgrims who dared the waves, rather than live as slaves
To the thousands who come today, traveling freedom's way

Here's a haven to all who seek freedom to think & speak
Here's a land that has reached the heights, pow'rd by a Bill of Rights

TRO @ 1963, 1964 and 1987 Hauls Music, mc, NY, NY. International copyright secured. Made in USA. All rights reserved including public performance for profit. Used by permission. - On his American Dreamer.

Subject: RE: Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 16 - 02:58 PM

Can anybody help?

Subject: RE: Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: meself
Date: 14 May 16 - 02:01 AM

I really think that the writer of the 'American' lyrics - whether it was Oscar Brand or someone else - should have re-thought the conceit of early Americans having come to escape slavery - it invites a pretty big elephant into the room ....

Subject: RE: Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 May 16 - 04:32 AM

From what I understand, it was Oscar Brand himself that wrote at least one "American" version. The version Brand sang in 1999 in the video (click) is a tour of the beauties of the U.S. The "American" version in the Rise Up Singing songbook covers battles and Pilgrims escaping slavery. Rise Up Singing was published in 1988 - I have not yet determined the source of that version, and don't know it it's from Oscar Brand or not. I would guess that he must have written the version on the video. Anybody recall what lyrics Brand sang on his radio show? I had the impression that Brand sang "Something to Sing About" at the beginning of every episode of his Saturday night radio show on WNYC, AM 820. Not so. I found a few recordings at http://www.wnyc.org/story/70-years-oscar-brands-folksong-festival/. On these episodes, Brand's opening song was "New York Gals, Won't Ya Come Out Tonight."

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: PHJim
Date: 15 May 16 - 12:55 AM

Here are a few clips from Oscar's Let's Sing Out TV show:

Joni Anderson (later Mitchell)

Simon & Garfunkle on Let's Sing Out

The Simon Sisters on Let's Sing Out

Subject: RE: Origins: Something to Sing About (Oscar Brand)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 May 16 - 02:28 AM

It's my understanding that Brand recorded "Something to Sing About" on an album titled American Dreamer. His Website has a songbook titled Something to Sing About so I would think it would have the song I seek (but I wonder if it has all versions). I splurged and bought both the book and the CD. Shipping brought the cost up to $40. Sure hope I get my answer.
-Joe-