01 May 98 - 01:54 PM (#26996) Subject: How can a poor man stand such times ... Lyrics From: chazzzm@aol.com Hello - I'm trying to find the full lyrics to "How can a poor man stand such times and live", originally recorded by Blind Alfred Reed in the 1920s, and also featured on Ry Cooder's first record. Can you help ?? Thanks in advance. Chaz |
02 May 98 - 04:22 AM (#27042) Subject: Lyr Add: HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES...^^ From: Joe Offer HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE? by Blind Alfred Reed ©1930, Peer International Corp. D A D - / - - A - / D - G D // D A D - There was once a time when everything was cheap But now prices almost puts a man to sleep When we pay our grocery bill We just feel like makin' our will. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? I remember when dry goods were cheap as dirt We could take two bits and buy a dandy shirt Now we pay three bucks or more, Maybe get a shirt that another man wore. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Well, I used to trade with a man by the name of Gray Flour was fifty cents for a 24-pound bag Now it's a dollar and a half beside Just like skinnin' a flea for the hide. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Oh, the schools we have today ain't worth a cent But they see to it that every child is sent If we don't send every day we have a heavy fine to pay. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Prohibition's good if 'tis conducted right There's no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows flight Officers kill without a cause, Then complain about funny laws. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Most all preachers preach for gold and not for souls That's what keeps a poor man always in a hole We can hardly get our breath, Taxed and schooled and preached to death. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Oh, it's time for every man to be awake We pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for steak When we get our package home A little wad of paper with gristle and bone. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Well, the doctor comes around with a face so bright And he says in a little while you'll be all right All he gives is a humbug pill, A dose of dope and a great big bill. Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?
This text is from the "Rise Up Singing" songbook. I looked all around for a tune, but couldn't find it. Anybody got one to post? |
04 May 98 - 03:39 AM (#27189) Subject: RE: How can a poor man stand such times ... Lyric From: Joe Offer Say, anybody got this tune? -Joe Offer- |
04 May 98 - 06:56 PM (#27279) Subject: RE: How can a poor man stand such times ... Lyric From: Dale Rose I have it on record by Alfred Reed, but I don't have tune capabilities. Of course, now that I have a new computer, Joe, I should be able to figure it out given enough time. . . |
05 May 98 - 04:11 AM (#27329) Subject: RE: How can a poor man stand such times ... Lyric From: Joe Offer If you'd like to make a stab at posting a tune, Dale, that would be grand. If you don't have a MIDI program handy, you might like to download Noteworthy Composer. Even if you don't pay the $40 shareware fee, you can type up MIDI files for posting. I don't have a good enough ear to be able to type up a tune, jst from the sound of it. Have fun with your new computer. I'm always willing to give tune-posting coaching if you need it. -Joe Offer- |
06 May 98 - 04:29 PM (#27504) Subject: Tune Add: HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES... From: Joe Offer Thanks to Chazzz, here's the tune. Chazzz says this is the Ry Cooder version of the song. I originally posted a defective midi, but it didn't work very well. This should be just fine. -Joe Offer- MIDI file: HOWCAN~1.MID Timebase: 192 Name: PoorMan This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
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08 Jan 01 - 10:26 PM (#371272) Subject: RE: How can a poor man stand such times ... Lyric From: simon-pierre aaargghlll!!! I spent the afternoon searching these lyrics on the net. I finally found them, and was about to post them to the forum, but I looked before if they were not already there... so here's the answer.. any reason why they're not already in the DT? Anyway, I should ALWAYS trust Mudcat before wasting my time. Great song tought - a little bit conservative, but it's funny. I learned it by The New Lost City Ramblers. SP |