Lyr Req: Them Old Songwritin' Blues (Eric Bogle)

Subject: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 09:37 PM

Does anyone have the words [ and chords?] to Eric Bogle's "Songwriting Blues" Heard him sing it and loved it. He said we could do it, but can't find English version anywhere.

Tone Deaf Leopard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 10:36 PM

Try Them Old Songwritin' Blues.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 05:58 PM

Thanks Suzanne but this doesn't work. Tried it yesterday. There is an error on the page and Acrobat can't read it.

Subject: Lyr Add: THEM OLD SONGWRITIN' BLUES (Eric Bogle)
From: SharonA
Date: 26 Jun 06 - 06:38 PM

The link works OK for me. No chords, but there are lyrics, so here they are, retyped (can't copy-and-paste for some reason)...


THEM OLD SONGWRITIN" BLUES

Well, it's three in the mornin', should be sleepin' in my bedroom
Not sittin' in this cellar like some silly damn mushroom
My brain is hurtin', I think it just blew a fuse
I've smoked enough cigarettes to kill a camel
Drunk enough black coffee to fill the English Channel
And oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

I've been writin' this song for what seems like forever
Doin' bad things to my lungs and worse things to my liver
I ain't got many organs left I can abuse
I'm gonna try to stop writin' songs, I swear
Do somethin' easy like wrestlin' grizzly bears
And oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

CHORUS:
Oh, Mama, why didn't I listen to you
When you told me not to be a musician
Oh, Mama, at least I didn't shame you completely
And become a politician

Havin' trouble with my meter, and trouble with my rhymin'
I wish to God that I was Paul Simon
That little smartass has more talent than he can use
I try to write my songs deep and esoteric
But they just come out the same old Eric
And oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

And if I finish this song, who'll appreciate it?
I know the critics are gonna hate it
They'll roast me like a lamb chop at a bar-b-que
They'll all say, "He's a one-hit wonder
Written nothin' since 'The Band Played Waltzin' Matilda' "
And oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

CHORUS:
And why do I write all my songs in the key of G?
Be easier usin' another one like -- umm-err-umm --
I think my mind's beginnin' to go
I just found myself wishin' I was Barry Manilow
Oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

INSTRUMENTAL

CHORUS AFTER INSTRUMENTAL
And why do I torture myself the way that I do?
Be easier bashin' my skull in with a lump of four-by-two

I've tried to sing this song in an American accent
I'm told my Scottish burr is too much of a distractment
At least that's what they say in their reviews
And deejays dishin' out their music valium
Will say, "It's too long, son, it ain't got any drums"
And oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

So I sit here like a dummy nearly crying with frustration
Songwritin's just an exercise in mental masturbation
Deserted by that fickle jade they call the Muse
She's out there somewhere laughin' at me
Sayin', "Son, go back to accountancy!"
And oh, Mama, got them old songwritin' blues

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 07:20 AM

Hello Sue,

I thought this was a great song too, so THATs the one you asked him for ...

Actually, I liked the song he wrote to his wife - "Somewhere in America" (and the road goes on and on and on ....)

He was GREAT to see and hear, was he not? I just LOVE Cocky Farmer
and of course his "No mans Land" was terriiiiifffiiicccc   tooooooo !!!!!!

I did want him to sing Nancy though - (I'm leaving my Nancy oh) (as the train pulls out of the station - written for his mother on leaving to go to OZ)

See you anon
Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:00 PM

Hi JoJo. Well I'm blowed - knew that song was written for someone's mother- but it sounds so Irish - no idea it was a Bogle number.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 08:05 PM

Thanks Sharon just printed it out. Where would we be without Mudcat?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: SharonA
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 09:51 PM

You're welcome, Girl Friday!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Scoville
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 09:03 AM

FOr future reference, you might need a newer version of Acrobat. Mine wasn't working a while back but once I downloaded an updated version it was fine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'These old songwriting blues'
From: Girl Friday
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 07:58 PM

Thanks Scoville - will try that.