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Lyr Add: Goodbye Melindy

18 Dec 01 - 11:12 AM (#612346)
Subject: Goodbye Melindy
From: Leeder

My dad used to sing a song called "Goodbye Melindy". It's a parody of old-time stringband songs, and presumably he learned it from a record. Appalachian music wasn't well-known in the area here my dad grew up (Bracebridge, Ontario).

I don't need help with the lyrics or melody (how could I ever forget?), but I'm curious as to whether anyone else has heard of the song and knows anything about it. Info, anyone?

18 Dec 01 - 11:16 AM (#612347)
Subject: RE: Goodbye Melindy
From: Sorcha

I haven't,but we sure would appreciate it if you would post the lyrics (and tune if possible) here. Perhaps that would give us some clues.........thanks!

18 Dec 01 - 04:25 PM (#612528)
Subject: Lyr Add: GOODBYE MELINDY
From: Leeder

I don't have the capability to do music, but here are the lyrics:

Chorus:
Goodbye, Melindy, oh, don't you cry for me;
I'm going down to leave you, 'way down in Tennessee;
But someday I'll return, when the corn is on the ear,
And play once more on the old banjo, for you, Melindy dear.

The first time that I met her, I never will forget;
She took my alabaster brow and placed it to her lips,
And then she whispered softly, "Oh, you are a handsome chap!"
And we both fell right down through the chair when she sat down on my lap.

Her neck is like a hoe-cake, her shoulder's like a ham,
Her nose is like a two-hole keg, and her ear is like a clam;
She's seven feet and over, and her hair is mighty red,
And she has to stand upon a chair when she wants to scratch her head.

I wish I was an elephant, how happy I would be;
I'd lock Melindy in my trunk and throw away the key;
Or else an alligator; when Melindy went to swim,
I'd open wide my alli-gates and let Melindy in.

I wish I was a little wart upon Melindy's ear,
And every time she went to scratch, oh golly, wouldn't I feel queer!
Or else a little corn upon Melindy's toe,
And everywhere Melindy went, then I'd be sure to go.

My nose is getting redder, my eyes are getting sore,
And they're like two peeled onions, and I can't cry any more,
But someday I'll return, when the corn is on the ear,
And play once more on the old banjo for you, Melindy dear.

Strike any chords with anybody?

18 Dec 01 - 04:29 PM (#612534)
Subject: Lyr Add:Goodbye Melindy
From: Sorcha

Adding an add........can anybody do the tune? (Poor Mario.....)

18 Dec 01 - 04:31 PM (#612537)
Subject: RE: Goodbye Melindy
From: MMario

looks pretty much like it would sing to "Oh, Susannah!" - doesn't it?

18 Dec 01 - 04:32 PM (#612538)
Subject: RE: Goodbye Melindy
From: Sorcha

Yup. Is that close, Leed? And, thanks for posting the lyrics!

18 Dec 01 - 04:58 PM (#612548)
Subject: Lyr Add: LINDY HOPE
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Gee, Melindy left Tennessee long ago for the bright lights. You should see her now!

LINDY HOP

If I could lindy like Melindy when she lindy hops,
She makes all cats in the ballroom stop:
Hmmm, just look at that style and grace,
How that gal keeps up the pace!

Now, if I could lindy like Melindy when she lindy hops,
She won't even stop if you call the cops!
Just look at the twinkle in her eye!
Ahh, how that dress quivers around her thigh!

Now, if I could lindy like Melinda when she lindy hops,
Makes all cats in the ballroom stop,
Look at him throw her out and bring her in!
Now, the way them cats dance is a sin!

Found through Google. No help to you, but in'trest'in'.
Lil Hardin Armstrong and Her Swing Orchestra, 1936-1940, Chronological Classics, vol. 564.
www.heptune.com/lyrics/lindyhop.html

18 Dec 01 - 10:22 PM (#612787)
Subject: RE: Goodbye Melindy
From: Leeder

I suppose it might go to "Oh, Susannah!". But it doesn't. The melody isn't close to anything else that I know of. And it's quite a good tune, actually.

I wish I had capacity to add the tune. Anybody want to phone me and record it? Or can I send a tape to somebody?

19 Dec 01 - 09:55 AM (#613047)
Subject: RE: Goodbye Melindy
From: RangerSteve

I don't know if there's a recording in print, but Grandpa Jones recorded it.

19 Dec 01 - 03:31 PM (#613210)
Subject: RE: Goodbye Melindy
From: Leeder

I suspect the presumed recording that my dad learned it from predates Grandpa Jones.