Lyr/Chords Req: Jocko and the Trapeze Lady

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Jocko and the Trapeze Lady
From: GUEST,Gibsonboy
Date: 11 Dec 12 - 04:08 PM

I have been doing this song for about five years now, and I have done it as both a song and a item of prose, (Bob Shanes words when
introducing High Heeled Shoes on the same album), and I have to say I think it works better as a piece of prose. If you make the words rise and fall in a similar fashion as the tune chords don't seem to matter. You have to act it out alittle bit and be quite expressive, but I think it works.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Jocko and the Trapeze Lady
From: GUEST,Matt
Date: 10 Dec 12 - 11:30 PM

Thank you all so much this forum has been of great help, I've been trying to figure this song out for about a year now and finally i've got it.

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: DonMeixner
Date: 21 Nov 06 - 12:59 AM

Thanks Eric! I appreciate This a lot.

Don

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 20 Nov 06 - 01:03 PM

Sorry it took so long - I've been away. Scott Gleeson on Bloodlines [John Stewart board]sent me the following [I haven't checked it agaianst anything else you sent - it may be the same]:

JOCKO AND THE TRAPEZE LADY
Dick Feller

(G)He was a (D)boy when the (C)circus first (G)came to the (C)dust of his West Texas (G)town(C-G).
And twenty years (D)later, he'd (C)spent twenty (G)years as (C)Jocko the Sad Circus (G)Clown(C-G).
He (Em)did slap-stick gags in (C#dim)grease paint and rags and the (C)people would laugh 'til they (G)cried(C-G).
But they never saw (C)past the (G)painted clown (C)mask to the (Am)sad, empty (D)man locked in(G)side(C-G).

The trapeze lady swung easy and gracefully, high in the high trapeze swing.
Her parents were flyers. The circus was her life. The carny was deep in her veins.
High in the spotlights in sequins and pink tights, she flew like a bird in the wind.
The saw dust's own daughter, the strong men who caught her were all that she brought to her tent.

(Em)Jocko worked down with the (C#dim)center ring clowns with a (C)sad painted smile on his (G)face
And the trapeze (C)lady swung (G)easy and (C)gracefully (G)high in the (D)great canvas (G)space.
(Em)Jocko looked up with a (C#dim)tear in his heart and, (C)Lord, he wished he could (G)fly
For she never looked (C)down at a (G)baggy pants (C)clown who looked (G)up with (D)love in his (G)eyes.

Interlude [Em-C#dim-C-G] playing E-D-C#-C-E-D#-D

It was Tulsa, the last stop, the last show of the big top, a loud, sell-out crowd filled the seats.
They clapped for the walk-around and cheered for the clowns. The fliers brought them to their feet.
Then a still half-lit match fell in tender dry grass and soon found the dry saw dust floor.
The flames leaped higher. When the people heard, "Fire!" they swept like a wave for the door.

(Em)Jocko looked up to the (C#dim)top of the tent and a (C)hundred feet from the (G)ground
Swung the trapeze (C)lady, (G)up on the (C)high swing, (G)alone, with no (D)way to get (G)down.
He (Em)ran to the ladder that (C#dim)led to the platform, she (C)cried, "Jocko, no! There's no (G)time!"
But her quick word of (C)fear fell (G)deaf on love's (C)ear as (Am)slowly he (D)started to (G)climb.

(G)Hand over (D)hand to the (C)high flier's (G)stand, (C)taking the rope that hung (G)there
With one quick look (D)down, the (C)sad circus clown looked (Am)up and (D)took to the (G)air.
(Em)Slow then slowly he (C#dim)started to swing, his (C)eyes turned to tears in the (G)smoke.
Faster then (C)faster and (G)as he swung (C)past her, her (G)strong flier (D)hands found the (G)rope.

She (Em)slipped to the ground as the (C#)flames found the rigging and (C)licked at the rope that he (G)held.
He'd (G)started be(C)low when the (G)rigging let (C)go and (Am)down to the (D)saw dust he (Em)fell. [Interlude]
She (Em)ran to his side and with (C#dim)tears in her eyes, "Oh, (C)no! Jocko, why?" she (G)cried.
He raised his sad (C)head. "I (G)loved you," he (C)said and he (Am)closed his (D)eyes and he (Em)died. [Interlude]

Now, the trapeze lady swings easy and gracefully high in the great canvass space.
But a place and a time are still etched in her mind of a smile painted on a sad face.
And she sometimes looks down to the center ring clowns for someone she never has found.
For she still remembers the time when love came to her wearing the face of a clown.


Eric

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: Peace
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 03:53 PM

Ya crazy bugger. I wish I'd heard the song before. But even if, I doubt there'd be anything I could do to improve on the chords you've given, Don.

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 03:49 PM

Mod 2


Jocko and the Trapeze Lady

H(G)e was a bo(D)y when the cir(G)cus first ca(D)me to the du(C)st of

his West Texas to(G)wn.

And twe(G)nty years la(D)ter, he'd spe(G)nt twenty ye(D)ars as

Jo(C)cko the Sad Circus Clo(G)wn.

He did slap-stick ga(Em)gs in gre(G)ase paint and ra(Em)gs and the

peo(C)ple would laugh 'til they cr(G)ied.

But th(G)ey never saw pa(Em)st the pai(G)nted clown ma(Em)sk to the

s(C)ad, empty ma(D)n locked ins(G)ide.



(D)And the tra(G)peze la(D)dy swung ea(G)sy and grac(D)efully, hi(C)gh

in the high trapeze swi(G)ng.

Her par(G)ents were fl(D)yers. The cir(C)cus was her li(D)fe.

The ca(C)rny was deep in her ve(G)ins.

Hi(G)gh in the spotlights in seq(Em with g on the hi E)uins and pink

tights, she fl(C)ew like a bird in the wi(G)nd.

The s(G)aw dust's on dau(C)ghter, the str(G)ong men who ca(C)ught her

were a(Am ???))ll that she bro(D)ught to her te(G)nt.

Hello all

Well I think I like this better. I think the problem I have with these chords is George Groves exceptional ability to tweak this song on the run. He has a few chord and melody modifications that are done quite successfully for dramatic effect that make it hard for me to find the right mix. So I'll put in what works for me.

I'd sure appreciate some one elses take on this. I think a few may he correct.

Don

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 03:22 PM

Well nuts! Already I'm rethinking this whole thing.

Don

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: DonMeixner
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 02:17 PM

Well thanks for the compliment Bruce but I don't trust the first line just yet. Hopefully someelse can confirm it.

Don

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: Peace
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 01:22 PM

Great work on that, Don. Let's make sure that the lyrics and chords get added to the DT. Years from now someone else will be lookin' for it too.

JOE! or CLONE!

LYRICS ADD IN THIS THREAD.

Subject: Chords Add: JOCKO AND THE TRAPEZE LADY (D Feller)
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 18 Nov 06 - 09:46 AM

Try these and see how they work. I'mm a little unsure of the opening tho'

Don


Jocko and the Trapeze Lady

H(G)e was a bo(D)y when the cir(G)cus first ca(D)me to the du(C)st of his West Texas to(G)wn.

And twe(G)nty years la(D)ter, he'd spe(G)nt twenty ye(D)ars as Jo(C)cko the Sad Circus Clo(G)wn.

He did slap-stick ga(Em)gs in gre(G)ase paint and ra(Em)gs and the peo(C)ple would laugh 'til they cr(G)ied.

But th(G)ey never saw pa(Em)st the pai(G)nted clown ma(Em)sk to the s(C)ad, empty ma(D)n locked ins(G)ide.

The tra(C)peze lady swung easy and grac(G)efully, hi(C)gh in the high trapeze swi(G)ng.

Her par(G)ents were fl(D)yers. The cir(C)cus was her li(D)fe.

The ca(C)rny was deep in her ve(G)ins.

Hi(G)gh in the spotlights in seq(Em-g)uins and pink tights,

she fl(C)ew like a bird in the wi(G)nd.

The s(C)aw dust's on dau(G)ghter, the str(C)ong men who ca(G)ught her
were a(Am)ll that she bro(D)ught to her te(G)nt.

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GaryD
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 03:26 PM

You guys are amazing...thanks, Marshall... anybody else out there using different chords or keys?...I've always been a person who has trouble transposing...

One more thing to give thanks for on Thanksgiving is my Mudcat friends... I'll keep you guys in my thoughts....Take Care.. Gary

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:44 PM

Hows this for quick replies! Thanks again Bruce.

From Marshall Trimble

Hi Don:

Jocko the Sad Circus Clown is one of my favorite songs. I've performed it in a number of concerts. I play it in the Key of G.    It begins an intro Em then goes G. I have to have a guitar in my hands to be sure on the chords but I think it goes G D C D.

There's an EM G C D run. Where's the Mudcat?

Hope that helps.

Marshall

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Marshall Trimble, Official Arizona State Historian



Southwest Studies, Coordinator

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: Peace
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:51 PM

Cool. I hope he is able to get a response to you. I do know what it's like to want chords and not be able to find them anywhere.

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:33 PM

Thanks Bruce. I fired off a message.

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 05:29 PM

The song was writen by a Dick Felder(sp), a song writer from Oklahoma or kansas according to Georg Grove.

Thanks Bruce!

Don

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: Peace
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 03:14 PM

From reading this, that and the other, I have every reason to think that Marshall Trimble knows the chords. It will be a cold call but you could try him at

[e-mail]


Best of luck to y'all.

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 03:06 PM

I am on the John Stewart list and there are a lot of KT fans there so I have dropped them a line & if I get an answer I will post it.

Eric

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GaryD
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 10:53 PM

Thanks, Don... it's amazing to me how lucky I've been to have discovered mudcat years ago... never been stumped in the past when I was looking for something... hope this isn't the first time... Anybody else out there reading this know THE CHORDS FOR JOCKO?.... Take Care, & Remember, " If everything is coming your way..... Look Out!..... You're in the wrong lane!"... Gary

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 12:48 AM

Hi Gary,

I've searched this song for years. I have never had any luck with the chords myself either. Let me know what you develop between us we maybe can fingure it out.

Don

Subject: RE: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GaryD
Date: 10 Nov 06 - 11:39 PM

Thanks, Don... We'll give it a go next jam, but I really need the real Chords... It's difficult enough for me to fake it with my humble guitar playing... "Keep on the Sunny Side!"..Gary

Subject: Lyr Add: JOCKO AND THE TRAPEZE LADY (Dick Feller)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 10 Nov 06 - 03:16 PM

A great song. It is on an album that was done live at the Crazy Horse. My guess about 8 - 10 years ago. George Grove sings it.
Good luck finding the chords.

Don


Jocko and the Trapeze Lady

He was a boy when the circus first came to the dust of his West Texas town.
And twenty years later, he'd spent twenty years as Jocko the Sad Circus Clown.
He did slap-stick gags in grease paint and rags and the people would laugh 'til they cried.
But they never saw past the painted clown mask to the sad, empty man locked inside.

The trapeze lady swung easy and gracefully, high in the high trapeze swing.
Her parents were flyers. The circus was her life. The carny was deep in her veins.
High in the spotlights in sequins and pink tights, she flew like a bird in the wind.
The saw dust's on daughter, the strong men who caught her were all that she brought to her tent.

Jocko worked down with the center ring clowns with a sad painted smile on his face
And the trapeze lady swung easy and gracefully high in the great canvas space.
Jocko looked up with a tear in his heart and, Lord, he wished he could fly
For she never looked down at a baggy pants clown who looked up with love in his eyes.

It was Tulsa, the last stop, the last show of the big top, a loud, sell-out crowd filled the seats.
They clapped for the walk-around and cheered for the clowns. The fliers brought them to their feet.
Then a still half-lit match fell in tender dry grass and soon found the dry saw dust floor.
The flames leaped higher. When the people heard, "Fire!" they swept like a wave for the door.

Jocko looked up to the top of the tent and a hundred feet from the ground
Swung the trapeze lady, up on the high swing, alone, with no way to get down.
He ran to the ladder that led to the platform, she cried, "Jocko, no! There's no time!"
But her quick word of fear fell deaf on love's ear as slowly he started to climb.

Hand over hand to the high flier's stand, taking the rope that hung there
With one quick look down, the sad circus clown looked up and took to the air.
Slow then slowly he started to swing, his eyes turned to tears in the smoke.
Faster then faster and as he swung past her, her strong flier hands found the rope.

She slipped to the ground as the flames found the rigging and licked at the rope that he held.
He'd started below when the rigging let go and down to the saw dust he fell.
She ran to his side and with tears in her eyes, "Oh, no! Jocko, why?" she cried.
He raised his sad head. "I loved you," he said and he closed his eyes and he died.

Now, the trapeze lady swings easy and gracefully high in the great canvass space.
But a place and a time are still etched in her mind of a smile painted on a sad face.
And she sometimes looks down to the center ring clowns for someone she never has found.
For she still remembers the time when love came to her wearing the face of a clown.

Subject: CHORDS Req: JOCKO the clown..kingston Trio
From: GaryD
Date: 10 Nov 06 - 11:50 AM

One of the Newest members of the Kingston Trio has a song about JOCKO the Clown who was in love with a trapeze artist... I did get the words off kingston trio lyrics site.. but I'd like to get the guitar chords with it... any help?... thanks .. Gary