Lyr Req/Add: The Village Fool

Subject: lyrics. The village fool
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 03:18 PM

I have tried to find the lyrics for a song which I only know as 'the village fool' on the mudcat database but to no avail. maybe I'm not doing it right (or I'm thick). No comments please! It's about a simple soul who is regarded as the 'village idiot' and the refrain contains the words
'are you happy?
oh yes sir said he,
for all these people are my friends and always will I sing to them,   good morning I sing,
good morning do I sing'

Can any helpful catters point me in the right direction?

Regards

Andy

Subject: RE: lyrics. The village fool
From: nutty
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 03:26 PM

The song is written and performed by Bernie Parry. I have the tape somewhere. I'll try to find it.

Subject: RE: lyrics. The village fool
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 04:21 PM

Digression- There is another "The Village Fool," by Ludwig Hirsch, an Austrian songwriter. English translation by Guntram Deichsel. Original title "Der Dorftrottel."

Nutty, I hope you find that Parry Tape.

Subject: RE: lyrics. The village fool
From: padgett
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 09:33 AM

Not sure what's happened to old Bernie, anyone know where he is and what he's doing last heard of in a duo with Tony Taffinder and had a musical association with Rob Van Sante

Wrote some good chorusy songs like Man of the Earth, recorded by Vin Garbutt

Subject: RE: lyrics. The village fool
From: Flash Company
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 10:01 AM

Oh dear, I used to sing this one, and I can't remember all the words,
here's some of it:-

The village fool goes everywhere,
Singing to the empty air,
Empty air and empty head,
He doesn't talk he just sings instead,
Are you lonely?
Oh no sir, says he,
The birds and bees they are my friends,
Everyday I sing to them,
Good Morning I sing, Good Morning I sing.

He stands upon the village green,
Making faces , dreaming dreams,
Dreaming dreams and----------
The village people laugh at him,
Do they hurt you?
Oh no sir, says he,
All the people are my friends
Everyday I sing to them,
Good Morning I sing, Good Morning I sing.

THere is a third verse which has vanished (Senior moment), but the above is as accurate as I can make i.

FC

Subject: Lyr Add: THE VILLAGE FOOL (Bernie Parry)
From: asirovedout
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 10:42 AM

I got these five verses off a friend's Bernie Parry tape years ago:

The village fool goes everywhere,
Singing to the empty air,
Empty air and empty head,
He doesn't talk he just sings instead,
Are you lonely?
Oh no sir, says he,
The birds and bees they are my friends,
And always will I sing to them,
Good Morning I sing, Good Morning do I sing.

He stands upon the village green,
Making faces, dreaming dreams,
Seeing things and being things.
The village people they smile at him,
Do they hurt you?
Oh no sir, says he,
All these people are my friends
And always will I sing to them,
Good Morning I sing, Good Morning do I sing.

Once when all his roses died,
First, he laughed and then he cried.
Empty heads don't realise
Seasons change and flowers die.
In his sadness and his madness still he sings:
The flowers all they are my friends
And always will I sing to them
Good morning I sing, good morning do I sing.

He strolls along, he rambles on,
And everywhere he sings his song.
Through the trees and on the breeze
his broken voice comes merrily
Are you happy? Oh yes sir says he;
All these things they are my friends,
And always will I sing to them
Good morning I sing, good morning do I sing.

The village fool goes everywhere,
Singing to the empty air,
Empty air and empty head,
He doesn't talk he just sings instead,
Are you happy?
Oh yes sir, says he,
All these things they are my friends,
And always will I sing to them,
Good Morning I sing, Good Morning do I sing.


It always felt like a song about innocent joy. I don't think I'd sing verse 3 if I ever took up this song again because I'm not comfortable with the way it links madness and a lack of sophistication. There's no evidence in the rest of the song that the Village Fool is mad; he sounds very sane to me.

Better be careful who you sing this song to. I can imagine that some listeners might well take offence at a song about someone with learning difficulties, whatever the meaning of the song.

@

Subject: RE: lyrics. The village fool
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 09:31 PM

Fools are not mad, just naive.


The Fooles Troupe Public Relations Committee.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: The village fool
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 08:47 AM

tune?

Subject: RE: req/ADD: The village fool
From: Flash Company
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 10:18 AM

asirovedout-- Thats it!, Don't think I ever had verse four, but completes the set. Good song!
FC

Subject: RE: req/ADD: The village fool
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 10:37 AM

FC *which* "As I roved out"?