Sing

If you miss the train I’m on
You will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
A hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles, a hundred miles
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

Lord I’m one, Lord I’m two, Lord I’m three, Lord I’m four
Lord I’m 500 miles from my home
500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles, 500 miles
Lord I’m 500 miles away from my home

Not a shirt on my back, not a penny to my name
Lord I can’t go a-home this a-way
This a-away, this a-way, this a-way, this a-way
Lord I can’t go a-home this a-way

If you miss the train I’m on
You will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles

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All I Have to Do is Dream

When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Dream, dream, dream, dream

When I feel blue in the night
And I need you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Dream

I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I’m dreamin’ my life away

I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Dream, dream, dream, dream

I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz
I’m dreamin’ my life away

I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Dream, dream, dream, dream
Dream, dream, dream, dream

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All My Loving

Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you; tomorrow I’ll miss you
Remember I’ll always be true
And then while I’m away, I’ll write home every day
And I’ll send all my loving to you

I’ll pretend that I’m kissing the lips I am missing,
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I’m away, I’ll write home every day
And I’ll send all my loving to you

All my loving, I will send to you
All my loving, darling I’ll be true

SOLO

Repeat 1st verse

CHORUS

All my loving, all my loving
Ooh, ooh, all my loving, I will send to you

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Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a soul like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun

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And I Love Her

I give her all my love
That’s all I do
And if you saw my love
You’d love her too
I love her

She gives me everything
And tenderly
The kiss my lover brings
She brings to me
And I love her

A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me

Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
And I love her

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Angel From Montgomery

I am an old woman named after my mother
My old man is another child that’s grown old
If dreams were thunder and lightning was desire
This old house would’ve burned down a long time ago

Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery
Make me a poster of an old rodeo
Just give me one thing that I can hold on to
To believe in this living is just a hard way to go

When I was a young girl I had me a cowboy
Wasn’t much to look at, just a free ramblin’ man
But that was a long time and no matter how I try
The years just flow by like a broken down dam

CHORUS

There’s flies in the kitchen, I can hear all their buzzin’
But I ain’t done nothin’ since I woke up today
I’m the kind of person goes to work in the morning
Come home in the evenin’ and have nothin’ to say

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Another Saturday Night/I Like It Like That

Another Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody
I’ve got some money ’cause I just got paid
How I wish I had someone to talk to
I’m in an awful way

I got in town a month ago
I seen a lot of girls since then
If I could meet ’em I could get ’em
But as yet I haven’t met ’em
That’s how I’m in the state I’m in

CHORUS

Another fella told me
He had a sister who looked just fine
Instead of bein’ my deliv’rance
She had a strange resemblance
To a cat named Frankenstein

CHORUS

It’s hard on a fella
When he don’t know his way around
If I don’t find me a honey
To help me spend my money
I’m gonna have to blow this town

CHORUS (X2)

Come on (come on let me show you where it’s at)
Ah, come on (come on let me show you where it’s at)
Whoa! come on (come on let me show you where it’s at)
I said the name of the place is I Like It Like That

CHORUS

They got a little place a-down the track
The name of the place is I Like It Like That
You take Sally and I’ll take Sue
And we’re gonna rock away all of our blues

CHORUS

The last time I was down they lost my shoes
They had some cat a-shoutin’ the blues
The people was yellin’ and shoutin’ for more
And all they kept sayin’ was “go man, go”

CHORUS x2

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Bad Moon Rising

I see a bad moon a risin’
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin’
I see bad times today

Don’t go around tonight
Well, it’s bound to take your life
There’s a bad moon on the rise

I hear hurricanes a blowin’
I know the end is comin’ soon
I fear rivers overflowin’
I hear the voice of rage and ruin

CHORUS

Hope you got your things together
Hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye

CHORUS x2

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Bésame Mucho

Bésame, bésame mucho

Each time I cling to your kiss I hear music divine
Como si fuera-esta noche la ultima vez

Bé – – – -same, mucho

Hold me my darling and say that you’ll always be mine
Que tengo miedo perderte, perderte despues

This joy is something new, my arms enfolding you
Quiero tenerte muy cerca, mirarme-en tus

Never knew this thrill before
Ojos, verte junto-a mi

Who ever thought I’d be holding you close to me
Piensa que tal vez mañana yo ya-estaré

Whispering It’s you I adore.
Lejos, muy lejos de ti

Dearest one, if you should leave me
Bésame, bésame mucho

Each little dream would take wing and my life would be through
Como si fuera-esta noche la ultima vez

Bé – – – -same, mucho

Love me forever and make all my dreams come true
Que tengo miedo perderte, perderte despues

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Beyond The Sea

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing

Somewhere beyond the sea
She’s there, watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to her arms
I’d go sailing

It’s far beyond the stars
It’s near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon

We’ll meet beyond the shore
We’ll kiss just as before
Happy we’ll be beyond the sea
And never again I’ll go sailing

I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
We’ll meet beyond the shore
We’ll kiss just as before
Happy we’ll be beyond the sea
And never again I’ll go sailing

No more sailing
So long sailing
Bye, bye sailing…

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Big Girls Don’t Cry

Big girls don’t cry
Big girls don’t cry

Big girls don’t cry-yi-yi (they don’t cry)
Big girls don’t cry (who said they don’t cry?)
My girl said goodbye-yi-yi (my oh my)
My girl didn’t cry (I wonder why)

(Silly boy) told my girl we had to break up
(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
“Big girls don’t cry”

Big girls don’t cry-yi-yi (they don’t cry)
Big girls don’t cry (who said they don’t cry?)

(Maybe) I was cru-u-uel (I was cruel)
Baby I’m a fool (I’m such a fool)

(Silly girl) “Shame on you” your mama said
(Silly girl) “Shame on you, you’re cryin’ in bed”
(Silly girl) “Shame on you, you told me lies”
Big girls do cry

Big girls don’t cr-yi-yi (they don’t cry)
Big girls don’t cry (that’s just an alibi)
Big girls don’t cry
Big girls don’t cry
Big girls don’t cry
Big girls don’t cry
Big girls don’t cry

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Big Yellow Taxi

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot SPOT

Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

They took all the trees and put ’em in a tree museum
Then they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see ’em

CHORUS

Hey farmer, farmer, put away that DDT now
Give me spots on my apples but leave me the birds and the bees, please!

CHORUS

Late last night I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi come and took away my old man

CHORUS X2

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

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Blackbird

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

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Blue Skies

Blue skies, smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies do I see

Blue birds singin’ a song
Nothing but blue skies from now on

I never saw the sun shinin’ so bright
Never saw things goin’ so right
Noticing the days hurryin’ by
When you’re in love, my how they fly by

Blue days, all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies from now on

Repeat song

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The Boxer

I am just a poor boy though my story’s seldom told
I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles
Such are promises, all lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest

When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers, in the quiet of a railway station,
Running scared, laying low,
Seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know

Lie la lie, lie la lie lie lie la lie

Asking only workman’s wages I come looking for a job
But I get no offers just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there

CHORUS

Then I’m laying out my winter clothes and wishing I was gone
Going home where the New York City winters aren’t bleeding me
Leading me, going home

In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade
And he carries a reminder of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving but the fighter still remains

CHORUS x 2

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Bridge Over Troubled Waters

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be foundWhen you’re weary, feeling small

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down

When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you
I’ll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around

CHORUS

Sail on silver girl; sail on by
Your time has come to shine; all your dreams are on their way
See how they shine; if you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind

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Bring It On Home To Me

If you ever change your mind
About leaving, leaving me behind

Oh, oh, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me, yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)

I know I laughed when you left
But now I know I only hurt myself

CHORUS

I’ll give you jewelry and money, too
That ain’t all, that ain’t all I’ll do for you

CHORUS

You know I’ll always be your slave
‘Til I’m buried, buried in my grave

CHORUS

I tried to treat you right
But you stayed out, stayed out late at night
But I forgive you, bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me, yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)…

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California Dreamin’

All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day
I’d be safe and warm if I was in LA
California dreaming on such a winter’s day

Stopped into a church I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees and I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold, he knows I’m gonna stay
California dreaming on such a winter’s day

All the leaves a brown and the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day
If I didn’t tell her I could leave today
California dreaming on such a winter’s day

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Circle Game

Yesterday, a child came out to wander
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star

And the seasons they go ’round and ’round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round in the circle game

Then, the child moved ten times ’round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, “When you’re older”, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams

CHORUS

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town
And they tell him, “Take your time. It won’t be long now.
‘Til your drag your feet to slow the circles down”

CHORUS

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There’ll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through.

CHORUS

TAG

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City of New Orleans

Riding on the City of New Orleans,
Illinois Central Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders,
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail.
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields.
Passin’ trains that have no names,
Freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles.

Good morning America how are you? Don’t you know me I’m your native son,
I’m the train they call The City of New Orleans,
I’ll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done.

Dealin’ cards with the old men in the club car
Pennya point ain’t no one keepin’ score
Won’t you pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels rumblin’ ‘neath the floor.
And the sons of Pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father’s magic carpets made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep,
Are rockin’ to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they dream.

CHORUS

Nighttime on The City of New Orleans,
Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Half way home and we’ll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi darkness
Rolling down to the sea
And all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rails still ain’t heard the news
The conductor sings his song again
The passengers will please refrain
This train’s got the disappearing railroad blues.

CHORUS Good night, America, how are you

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Cotton Fields

When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle
In them old cotton fields back home
It was down in Louisiana
Just a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

Oh when those cotton balls get rotten
You can’t pick you very much cotton
In them old cotton fields back home
It was down in Louisiana
Just a mile from Texarkana
In them old cotton fields back home

It may sound a little funny
But you didn’t make very much money
In them old cotton fields back home
It may sound a little funny
But you didn’t make very much money
In them old cotton fields back home

CHORUS

I was over in Arkansas
People ask me what you come here for
In them old cotton fields back home
I was over in Arkansas
People ask me what you come here for
In them old cotton fields back home

CHORUS
TAG Last Line

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Dancing in the Moonlight

We get it on most every night when that moon is big and bright
It’s a supernatural delight, everybody’s dancing in the moonlight

Instrumental

Everybody here is out of sight, they don’t bark and they don’t bite
They keep things loose, they keep things light; everybody was dancing in the moonlight

Dancing in the moonlight, everybody’s feeling warm and bright
It’s such a fine and natural sight, everybody’s dancing in the moonlight

We like our fun and we never fight; you can’t dance and stay uptight
It’s a supernatural delight, everybody was dancing in the moonlight

CHORUS
Instrumental
Repeat 2nd Verse
CHORUS x4

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Danny Boy

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone and all the roses falling
‘Tis you, ’tis you must go and I must bide

But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be there in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an “Ave” there for me

And I shall hear, tho’ soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warm and sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me

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Danny’s Song

People smile and tell me I’m the lucky one
We’ve just begun, think I’m gonna have a son.
He will be like she and me, as free as a dove
Conceived in love, sun is gonna shine above.

And even though we ain’t got money
I’m so in love with ya honey
And everything will bring a chain of love
And in the morning when I rise
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.

Seems as though a month ago I was Beta Chi
Never got high, oh, I was a sorry guy
And now a smile, a face, a girl that shares my name
Now I’m through with the game, this boy will never be the same.

CHORUS

Pisces, Virgo rising is a very good sign
Strong and kind, and the little boy is mine
Now I see a family where there once was none
Now we’ve just begun, yeah, we’re gonna fly to the sun.

CHORUS

Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup
Drink it up, love her and she’ll bring you luck
And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home,
Don’t you live alone, try to earn what lovers own.

CHORUS

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Desperado

Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
You been out ridin’ fences for so long now
Oh, you’re a hard one, I know that you got your reasons,
These things that are pleasin’ you can hurt you somehow

Don’t you draw the queen of diamonds boy,
She’ll beat you if she’s able,
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me some fine things have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones you can’t get

Desperado, oh you ain’t gettin’ any younger,
Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that’s just some people talkin’
Your prison is walkin’ through this world all alone

Don’t your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won’t snow and the sun won’t shine
It’s hard to tell the night time from the day
You’re losin’ all your highs and lows
Ain’t it funny how the feelin’ goes away

Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses
Come down from your fences and open the gate
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you….. before it’s too late

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Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’

Don’t let the sun catch you cryin’
The night’s the time for all your tears
Your heart may be broken tonight
But tomorrow in the morning light
Don’t let the sun catch you cryin’

The night-time shadows disappear
And with them go all your tears
For the morning will bring joy
For every girl and boy
So don’t let the sun catch you cryin’

We know that cryin’s not a bad thing
But stop your cryin’ when the birds sing

It may be hard to discover
That you’ve been left for another
But don’t forget that love’s a game
And it can always come again
Oh don’t let the sun catch you cryin’

Don’t let the sun catch you cryin’, oh, no, oh, oh, oh

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Down To The River To Pray

CHORUS

As I went down to the river to pray
Studying about that good ol’ way

1, 3, 5: And who should wear the starry crown
2, 4: And who should wear the robe and crown

Good Lord show me the way!

O Sisters let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down
O Sisters let’s go down, down in the river to pray

CHORUS (robe and crown):

O Brothers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down
O Brothers let’s go down, down in the river to pray

CHORUS (starry crown):

O Fathers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down
O Fathers let’s go down, down in the river to pray

CHORUS (robe and crown):

O Mothers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down
O Mothers let’s go down, down in the river to pray

CHORUS (starry crown):

O Sinners let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down
O Sinners let’s go down, down in the river to pray

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Downtown

When you’re alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go downtown
When you’ve got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know, downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city
Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty
How can you lose?
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go downtown
Things will be great when you’re downtown
No finer place for sure, downtown
Everything’s waiting for you, (downtown, downtown)

Don’t hang around and let your problems surround you
There are movie shows (downtown)
Maybe you know some little places to go to
Where they never close (downtown)

Just listen to the rhythm of a gentle bossa nova
You’ll be dancing with ’em, too, before the night is over
Happy again
The lights are much brighter there
You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares

So go downtown
Where all the lights are bright, downtown
Waiting for you tonight, downtown
You’re gonna be alright now (downtown, downtown)

And you may find somebody kind to help and understand you
Someone who is just like you and needs a gentle hand to
Guide them along
So maybe I’ll see you there
We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares

1st CHORUS

Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)
Downtown (downtown)

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Dream a Little Dream of Me

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me

Say nightie-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you’ll miss me
While I’m alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I’m longing to linger ’till dawn, dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams ’till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

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Everyday

Every day, it’s a gettin’ closer
Goin’ faster than a roller coaster
Love like yours will surely come my way, a-hey, a-hey, hey

Every day, it’s a gettin’ faster
Everyone says go ahead and ask her
Love like yours will surely come my way, a-hey, hey

Everyday seems a little longer
Every way, love’s a little stronger
Come what may, do you ever long for
True love from me

Repeat First Verse
Instrumental
Bridge
Repeat First Verse
Tag last line

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Fly Me To The Moon

Fly me to the moon
And let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, darling, kiss me

Fill my heart with song
And let me sing forever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you

Repeat both verses

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Folsom Prison Blues

I hear the train a comin’
It’s rollin’ ’round the bend,
And I ain’t seen the sunshine,
Since, I don’t know when,
I’m stuck in Folsom Prison,
And time keeps draggin’ on,
But that train keeps a-rollin’,
On down to San Antone.

When I was just a baby,
My Mama told me, “Son,
Always be a good boy,
Don’t ever play with guns,”
But I shot a man in Reno,
Just to watch him die,
When I hear that whistle blowin’,
I hang my head and cry.

I bet there’s rich folks eatin’,
In a fancy dining car,
They’re probably drinkin’ coffee,
And smokin’ big cigars,
But I know I had it comin’,
I know I can’t be free,
But those people keep a-movin’,
And that’s what tortures me.

Well, if they freed me from this prison,
If that railroad train was mine,
I bet I’d move out over a little,
Farther down the line,
Far from Folsom Prison,
That’s where I want to stay,
And I’d let that lonesome whistle,
Blow my blues away.

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Get Together

Love is but the song we sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Know the dove is on the wing
And you may not know why

C’mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev’rybody get together
Try and love one another right now

Some may come and some may go
We shall surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moments sunlight
Fading in the grass

CHORUS X 2

If you hear the song I sing
You will understand
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command

CHORUS X 3
Right now
Right now!

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Goin’ To The Chapel

Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married
Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married
Gee, I really love you and we’re gonna get married
Goin’ to the chapel of love

Spring is here, the sky is blue, whooooa
Birds all sing as if they knew
Today’s the day, we’ll say, “I do”
And we’ll never be lonely anymore because we’re

CHORUS

Bells will ring, the sun will shine, whooooa
I’ll be his and he’ll be mine
We’ll love until the end of time
And we’ll never be lonely anymore because we’re

CHORUS
(yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Goin’ to the chapel of love.
(yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Goin’ to the chapel of love

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Hallelujah

Now, I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do ya?
It goes like this: the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
She tied you to her kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the hallelujah

CHORUS

Well baby, I’ve been here before
I’ve seen this room and I’ve walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah

CHORUS

Maybe there is a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
And it’s not a cry that you hear at night
It’s not somebody who’s seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken hallelujah

CHORUS

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Happy Together

Imagine me and you, I do
I think about you day and night
It’s only right
To think about the girl you love
And hold her tight
So happy together

If I should call you up invest a dime
And you say you belong to me
And ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be
So very fine
So happy together

I can’t see me lovin’ nobody but you
For all my life
When you’re with me baby the skies’ll be blue
For all my life

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice
It had to be
The only one for me is you
And you for me
So happy together

CHORUS

Repeat 3rd Verse

CHORUS

Repeat 3rd Verse

So happy together
How is the weather?
So happy together
We’re happy together
So happy together
Happy together
So happy together
So happy together

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Harvest Moon

Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin’
We could dream this night away

But there’s a full moon risin’
Let’s go dancin’ in the light
We know where the music’s playin’
Let’s go out and feel the night

Because I’m still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I’m still in love with you
On this harvest moon

When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart

But now it’s gettin’ late
And the moon is climbin’ high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin’ in your eye

CHORUS

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Have You Ever Seen the Rain

Someone told me long ago, there’s a calm before the storm, I know
It’s been coming for some time
When it’s over, so they say, it’ll rain a sunny day, I know
Shining down like water

I wanna know have you ever seen the rain
I wanna know have you ever seen the rain
Coming down on a sunny day

Yesterday and days before, sun is cold and rain is hard, I know
Been that way for all my time
‘Til forever on it goes, through the circle fast and slow, I know
And it can’t stop, I wonder

CHORUS x2

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Heat Wave

Whenever I’m with him, something inside
Starts to burning, and I’m filled with desire
Could it be a devil in me, or is this the way love’s supposed to be

It’s like a heat-wave, burning in my heart
I can’t keep from crying: It’s tearing me a-part

Whenever he calls my name; soft, low, sweet and plain
I feel, yeah, yeah, I feel that burnin’ flame
Has high blood pressure got a hold on me, or is this the way love’s supposed to be

CHORUS

Ooohh heat wave…(x2)

Sometimes I star in space; tears all over my face
I can’t explain it, don’t understant it; ain’t never felt like this before.
Now this funny feeling has me amazed; don’t know what to do; my hea’s in a haze

CHORUS

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…heat wave (x2)
Don’t pass up this chance, this time it’s true romance
Heat wave……heat wave……..

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Helplessly Hoping

Helplessly hoping
Her harlequin hovers nearby
Awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses of gentle true spirit
He runs, wishing he could fly
Only to trip at the sound of good-bye

Wordlessly watching
He waits by the window and wonders
At the empty place inside
Heartlessly helping himself to her bad dreams
He worries did he hear a good-bye
Or even hello

They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are four for each other

Stand by the stairway
You’ll see something certain to tell you
Confusion has its cost
Love isn’t lying, it’s loose in a lady
Who lingers, saying she is lost
And choking on hello

CHORUS

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Here Comes The Sun

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
And I say, “it’s all right”

Little darling, it’s been a long, cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

CHORUS

Little darling, the smiles returning to their faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

CHORUS

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes [x5]

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear

CHORUS [x2] Tag last line

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Here, There and Everywhere

To lead a better life I need my love to be here…

Here, making each day of the year
Changing my life with the wave of her hand
Nobody can deny that there’s something there

There, running my hands through her hair
Both of us thinking how good it can be
Someone is speaking but she doesn’t know he’s there

I want her everywhere and if she’s beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere

Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I’m always there

I want her everywhere and if she’s beside me
I know I need never care
But to love her is to need her everywhere

Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes and hoping I’m always there

I will be there and everywhere
Here, there and everywhere

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How Can I Be Sure

How can I be sure in a world that’s constantly changing?
How can I be sure where I stand with you?

Whenever I, whenever I am away from you
I wanna die ’cause you know I wanna stay with you
How do I know? Maybe you’re trying to use me
Flying too high can confuse me
Touch me but don’t take me down

Whenever I, whenever I am away from you
My alibi is telling people I don’t care for you
Maybe I’m just hanging around with my head up, upside down
It’s a pity, I can’t seem to find someone who’s as
Pretty and lovely as you

How can I be sure? I really, really, really wanna know.
I really, really, really wanna know. Oh

Instrumental

How’s the weather? Whether or not, we’re together
Together we’ll see it much better, I love you, I love you forever
You know where I can be found

How can I be sure, in a world that’s constantly changing?
How can I be sure? I’ll be sure with you

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I Can See Clearly Now

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

I think I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

(ooh…) Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It’s gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day (X4)

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I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You

Wise men say, only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay, would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows, surely to the sea
Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be

Take my hand, take my whole life too
For I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows, surely to the sea
Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be

CHORUS
Tag last line

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I Only Want To Be With You

I don’t know what it is that makes me love you so
I only know I never want to let you go
Cause you’ve started something, oh, can’t you see
That ever since we met you’ve had a hold on me
It happens to be true, I only want to be with you

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do
I want to spend each moment of the day with you
Oh, look what has happened with just one kiss
I never knew that I could be in love like this
It’s crazy but it’s true I only want to be with you

You stopped and smiled at me, and asked if I’d care to dance

I fell into your open arms and I didn’t stand a chance now listen honey

I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as we’re together, honey, I don’t care
‘Cause you’ve started something oh, can’t you see?
That ever since we met you’ve had a hold on me
No matter what you do, I only want to be with you

BRIDGE

Verse 2 Tag last line

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I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Oh yeah, I’ll tell you something..I think you’ll understand
When I say that something..I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand, I wanna hold your hand

Oh please, say to me..you’ll let me be your man
And please, say to me..you’ll let me hold your hand

CHORUS (1st line: And let me hold..)

And when I touch you I feel happy inside
It’s such a feeling that my love
I can’t hide – I can’t hide – I can’t hide

Yeah, you, got that something.. I think you’ll understand
When I say that something.. I wanna hold your hand

CHORUS

BRIDGE

Repeat Last Verse

I wanna hold your hand, I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your haaa-haand

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I Will

Who knows how long I’ve loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime
If you want me to, I will.

For if I ever saw you
I didn’t catch your name
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we’re together
Love you when we’re apart.

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air
Sing it loud so I can hear you
Make it easy to be near you
For the things you do endear you to me
Oh, you know, I will
I will.

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I’ll Fly Away

Some bright morning when this life is over
I’ll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)

CHORUS

Just a few more weary days and then,
I’ll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I’ll fly away

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I’ll Follow The Sun

One day you’ll look to see I’ve gone
For tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun
Some day you’ll know I was the one
But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun

And now the time has come
And, so my love, I must go
And though I lose a friend
In the end you will know, oh

One day you’ll find that I have gone
But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun
But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun

And now the time has come
And, so my love, I must go
And though I lose a friend
In the end you will know, oh

One day you’ll find that I have gone
But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun

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I’m A Believer

I thought love was only true in fairy tales
Meant for someone else but not for me
Love was out to get me
That’s the way it seemed
Disappointment haunted all my dreams

Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I’m in love, I’m a believer
I couldn’t leave her if I tried

I thought love was more or less a givin’ thing
Seems the more I gave the less I got
What’s the use in tryin’
All you get is pain
When I needed sunshine I got rain

CHORUS

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If I Had A Hammer

I’f I had a hammer
I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land
I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

If I had a bell
I’d ring it in the morning
I’d ring it in the evening
All over this land
I’d ring out danger
I’d ring out a warning
I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

If I had a song
I’d sing it in the morning
I’d sing it in the evening
All over this land
I’d sing out danger
I’d sing out a warning
I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

Well I’ve got a hammer
And I’ve got a bell
And I’ve got a song to sing
All over this land
It’s the hammer of justice
It’s the bell of freedom
It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

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Imagine

Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try
No hell below us, above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today, ah ha…..

Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for, no religion, too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you hoo, oo…

You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us and the world will live as one. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you hoo, oo…

CHORUS

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In My Life

There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Solo

Repeat Last Verse

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I’ve Just Seen A Face

I’ve just seen a face I can’t forget the time or place where we just met
She’s just the girl for me and I want all the world to we’ve met
Mm mm mm mm mm

Had it been another day I might have looked the other way and
I’d have never been aware but as it is I’ll dream of her tonight
Da da da da da da

Falling yes I am falling and she keeps calling me back again

I have never known the like of this I’ve been alone and I have
Missed things and kept out of sight for other girls were never quite like this
Da da da da da da

CHORUS x2

REPEAT VERSE 1

CHORUS x3

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Jamaica Farewell/Sloop John B

Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I’m sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town (x2)

Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
‘Akey’ rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year

CHORUS

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I’ve been from Maine to Mexico

CHORUS

Sloop John B

We come on the Sloop John B, my grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night; got into a fight
Well I feel so broke up, I want to go home

So hoist up the John B’s sail; see how the main sail sets
Call for the Captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I want to go home, yeah, yeah
Well I feel so broke up, I want to go home

The first mate he got drunk and broke in the Captain ‘s trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone, why don’t you leave me alone, yeah, yeah
Well I feel so broke up, I want to go home

CHORUS

The poor cook he caught the fits and threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home, why don’t they let me go home
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on

CHORUS

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Jambolaya

Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh
We gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne, sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun we’re gonna have big fun on the bayou

Jambolaya, crawfish pie and filet gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m a gonna see ma chere amio
Gonna pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o
Son of a gun we’re gonna have big fun on the bayou

Thibideaux, Fontineaux, the place is buzzin’
Kinfolk come see my Yvonne by the dozen
Well they dress in style, go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun we’re gonna have big fun on the bayou

CHORUS

Settle down far from town, get me a pirogue
And I’ll catch all the fish on the bayou
Swap my mon to buy Yvonne what we need-o
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou

CHORUS

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Joy To The World

Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine, singin’

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls, now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I’d do
I’d throw away the cars and the bars and the wars
Make sweet love to you

CHORUS

You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I’m a high night flier and a rainbow rider
A straight-shootin’ son of a gun
I said a straight shootin’ son of a gun

CHORUS

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King Of The Road

Trailers for sale or rent
Rooms to let fifty cents.
No phone, no pool, no pets
I ain’t got no cigarettes
Ah, but two hours of pushin’ broom
Buys an eight by twelve four-bit room
I’m a man of means by no means
King of the road.

Third boxcar, midnight train
Destination Bangor, Maine.
Old worn out suits and shoes,
I don’t pay no union dues,
I smoke old stogies I have found
Short, but not too big around
I’m a man of means by no means
King of the road.

I know every engineer on every train
All of their children, and all of their names
And every handout in every town
And every lock that ain’t locked when no one’s around.

CHORUS

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Lady Madonna

Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet
Who finds the money when you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was Heaven sent?

Friday night arrives without a suitcase
Sunday morning creep in like a nun
Monday’s child has learned to tie his bootlace
See how they run

Lady Madonna, baby at your breast
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest

Bop, ba, ba, bop, ba, ba, ba, ba..See how they run

Lady Madonna, lying on the bed
Listen to the music playing in your head

Tuesday afternoon is never ending
Wednesday morning papers didn’t come
Thursday night you stockings needed mending
See how they run

Lady Madonna, children at your feet
Wonder how you manage to make ends meet

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Lean On Me

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow
But if we are wise, we know that there’s always tomorrow

Chorus 1Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long, ’til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride if I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs that you won’t let show

Chorus 2You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

CHORUS 1

CHORUS 2

If there is a load you have to bear that you can’t carry
I’m right up the road I’ll share your load if you just call me

Call me, (if you need a friend), call me

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Leaving On A Jet Plane

All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go
I’m standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin’, it’s early morn
The taxi’s waiting, he’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome I could cry.

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing
Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back, I’ll wear your wedding ring.

CHORUS

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Then close your eyes, and I’ll be on my way.
Dream about the days to come
When I won’t have to leave alone
About the times, I won’t have to say,

CHORUS

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Let It Be

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be
Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be

CHORUS
There will be an answer, let it be

CHORUS
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be
I wake up to the sound of music,
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

CHORUS
There will be an answer, let it be

CHORUS
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

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Love Potion Number Nine

I took my troubles down to Madame Rue.
You know that gypsy with the gold-capped tooth
She’s got a pad down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
Sellin’ little bottles of
Love Potion Number Nine

I told her that I was a flop with chics
I’ve been this way since 1956
She looked at my palm and she made a magic sign
She said “What you need is
Love Potion Number Nine”

She bent down and turned around and gave me a wink
She said “I’m gonna make it up right here in the sink”
It smelled like turpentine, it looked like Indian ink
I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink

I didn’t know if it was day or night
I started kissin’ everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of
Love Potion Number Nine

I held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drink

I didn’t know if it was day or night
I started kissin’ everything in sight
But when I kissed a cop down on Thirty-Fourth and Vine
He broke my little bottle of
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine
Love Potion Number Nine

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Margaritaville

Nibblin’ on sponge cake, watchin’ the sun bake
All of those tourists covered with oil
Strummin’ my six string on my front porch swing
Smell those shrimp, they’re beginnin’ to boil

Wasted away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
But I know it’s nobody’s fault

Don’t know the reason, stayed here all season
With nothing to show but this brand new tattoo
But it’s a real beauty, a Mexican cutie
How it got here I haven’t a clue

Wasted away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
Now I think hell, it could be my fault

I blew out my flip flop, stepped on a pop top,
Cut my heel, had to cruise on back home.
But there’s booze in the blender
And soon it will render
That frozen concoction that helps me hang on

Wasted away again in Margaritaville
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
But I know, it’s my own damn fault
Yes, and some people claim that there’s a woman to blame
And I know it’s my own damn fault.

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Me & Julio

The mama pajama rolled out of bed
And she ran to the police station
When the papa found out he began to shout
And he started the investigation

It’s against the law
It was against the law
What the mama saw
It was against the law.

The mama look down and spit on the ground
Every time my name gets mentioned
The papa said, “Oy, if I get that boy,
I’m gonna stick him the house of detention.”

Well I’m on my way.
I don’t know where I’m going
I’m on my way
I’m taking my time but I don’t know where
Goodbye to Rosie the Queen of Corona
See you, me and Julio
Down by the school yard
See you, me and Julio down by the school yard

In a couple of days they come and take me away
But the press let the story leak
And when the radical priest come to get me released
We was all on the cover of Newsweek

CHORUS

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My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad

[Repeat all verses]

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My Girl

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May
I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

I’ve got so much honey the bees envy me
I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Ooooh.

I don’t need no money, fortune, or fame
I’ve got all the riches baby one man can claim
I guess you’d say
What can make me feel this way
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day with my girl
I’ve even got the month of May with my girl

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Nowhere Man

He’s a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

Doesn’t have a point of view
Knows not where he’s going to
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man, please listen
You don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command

He’s as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

Nowhere Man, don’t worry
Take your time, don’t hurry
Leave it all till somebody else lends you a hand

Doesn’t have a point of view
Knows not where he’s going to
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man, please listen
You don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command

He’s a real Nowhere Man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

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Oh, What A Beautiful Morning

There’s a bright, golden haze on the meadow
There’s a bright, golden haze on the meadow
The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye
And it looks like it’s climbing clear up to the sky

Oh, what a beautiful mornin’
Oh, what a beautiful day
I’ve got a beautiful feelin’
Everything’s goin’ my way

All the cattle are standin’ like statues
All the cattle are standin’ like statues
They don’t turn their heads as they see me ride by
But a little brown mav’rick is winkin’ her eye

CHORUS

All the sounds of the earth are like music
All the sounds of the earth are like music
The breeze is so busy it don’t miss a tree
An’ a ol’ weepin’ willer is laughin’ at me

CHORUS

Oh, what a beautiful day!

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Peaceful Easy Feeling

I like the way your sparklin’ earrings lay
Against your skin so brown
And I wanna sleep with you in the desert tonight
With a billion stars all around

‘Cause I got a peaceful easy feelin’
And I know you won’t let me down
‘Cause I’m already standin’ on the ground

And I found out a long time ago
What a woman can do to your soul
Ah, but she can’t take you anyway
You don’t already know how to go

CHORUS

I get this feelin’ I may know you
As a lover and a friend
This voice keeps whispering in my other ear
Tells me I may never see you again

CHORUS

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The People’s Choir

Hard times a-comin, come down like a heavy rain
Seems like all the sunshine left town on the evening train
When that wind is a wailin’ and the river’s runnin’ higher
Raise your voice, come join in the People’s Choir

You been sold a bill of goods when the devil come to call
You been told you got no right to hang ’round here at all
He’ll whisper stories in your ear but the devil is a liar
Raise your voice, come join in the People’s Choir

Raise your voice, come join in the People’s Choir
Make a joyful noise in the People’s Choir
Sweet harmony will set us free and leave our hearts inspired
Raise your voice, come join in the People’s Choir

Every living creature, every child, woman and man
Was born to tell their story in whatever way they can
So sing it loud and sing it proud and set this world on fire
Raise your voice, come join in the People’s Choir

CHORUS

Let’s go down to the water and gather on the riverbank
Raise our voices to the sky in a simple song of thanks
Sing it long and sing it strong and send it through the wire
Raise your voice, come join in the People’s Choir

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Puff, The Magic Dragon

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff, oh

Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee

Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff’s gigantic tail
Noble kings and princes would bow whene’er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name, oh

CHORUS

A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar

His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave
So Puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave, oh

CHORUS

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Rocketman

She packed my bags last night, pre-flight
Zero hour, 9:00a.m.
And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then

I miss the earth so much, I miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight

And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time
‘Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh no, no, no, I’m a rocket man
Rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone

Mars ain’t the kinda place to raise your kids
In fact, it’s cold as hell
And there’s no one there to raise them if you did

And all this science, I don’t understand
It’s just my job five days a-week
Rocket man, rocket man

CHORUS x2

And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time

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Shower The People

You can play the game, you can act out the part
Though you know it wasn’t written for you
Tell me how can you stand there with your broken heart
Ashamed of playing the fool
One thing can lead to another; it doesn’t take any sacrifice
Oh, father and mother, sister and brother
If it feels nice, don’t think twice

Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will
Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will

You can run but you cannot hide
This is widely known
And what you plan to do with your foolish pride
When you’re all by yourself alone
Once you tell somebody the way that you feel
You can feel it beginning to ease
I think it’s true what they say about the squeaky wheel
Always getting the grease

CHORUS

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Sixteen Tons/ Hit The Road Jack

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man’s made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that’s a-weak and a back that’s strong

You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin’ when the sun didn’t shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said “Well, a-bless my soul”

CHORUS

I was born one mornin’, it was drizzlin’ rain
Fightin’ and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol’ mama lion
Cain’t no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

CHORUS

If you see me comin’, better step aside
A lotta men didn’t, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don’t get you
Then the left one will

CHORUS

Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more
Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.
Hit the road, Jack and don’t you come back no more

Woah woman, oh woman, don’t treat me so mean,
You’re the meanest old woman that I’ve ever seen
I guess if you said so
I’d have to pack my things and go (That’s right)

CHORUS

Now baby, listen baby, don’t ya treat me this-a way
Cause I’ll be back on my feet some day.
(Don’t care if you do ’cause it’s understood
You ain’t got no money you just ain’t no good)
Well, I guess if you say so
I’d have to pack my things and go. (That’s right)

CHORUS

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Something

Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me

I don’t want to leave her now
You know I believe in how

Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don’t need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me,

CHORUS

You’re asking me will my love grow
I don’t know, I don’t know
You stick around and it may show
I don’t know, I don’t know
Something in the way she knows
And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the things she shows me,

CHORUS

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Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?

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Spooky

In the cool of the evening when everything is gettin’ kinda groovy
I call you up and ask you if you’d like to go with me and see a movie
First you say no you got some plans for the night
And then you stop and say…alright

Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you

You always keep me guessin’, I never seem to know what you are thinking
And if a fella looks at you it’s for sure your little eye will be a winkin’
I get confused cause I don’t know where I stand
And then you smile’ and hold my hand

Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you

If you decide someday to stop this little game that you are playin’
I’m gonna tell you all the things my heart’s been a dyin’ to be sayin’
Just like a ghost you been a hauntin’ my dreams
So I’ll propose’ on Halloween

Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you

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Sway

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I go weak

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

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Take Me Home Country Roads

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin’ like a breeze

Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

All my memories gathered ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye

CHORUS

I hear her voice
In the mornin’ hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin’ down the road I get a feelin’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

CHORUS x 2

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Teach Your Children

You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good bye

Teach your children well
Their father’s hell did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick’s the one you’ll know by

Don’t you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you

And you, of tender years
Can’t know the fears that your elders grew by
And so please help them with your youth
They seek the truth before they can die

Counter Melody To Above Verse:
Can you hear and do you care and
Can’t you see we must be free to
Teach your children what you believe in
Make a world that we can live in

Teach your parents well
Their children’s hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you’ll know by

Don’t you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you

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These Boots Are Made For Walking

You keep saying, you got something for me
Something you call love but confess
You’ve been messin’ where you shouldn’t have been messin’
And now someone else is getting all your best

These boots are made for walking
And that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots
Are gonna walk all over you

Yeah, you keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’
And you keep losing when you oughta not bet
You keep samin’ when you oughta be changin’
Now, what’s right is right but you ain’t been right yet

CHORUS

You keep playin’ where you shouldn’t be playin’
And you keep thinkin’ that you’ll never get burnt
Ah, I’ve just found me a brand new box of matches, yeah
And what he knows you ain’t had time to learn

CHORUS

Are you ready, boots?
Start walking

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They Call The Wind Maria

Maria
Maria
They call the wind Maria

Away out here they got a name
For rain and wind and fire
The rain is Tess, the fire Joe,
And they call the wind Maria

Maria blows the stars around
And sends the clouds a flyin’
Maria makes the mountains sound
Like folks were up there dying

CHORUS

Before I knew Maria’s name
And heard her wail and whinin’
I had a girl and she had me
And the sun was always shinin’

But then one day I left my girl
I left her far behind me
And now I’m lost, so gol dern lost
Not even God can find me

CHORUS

Out here they got a name for rain
For wind and fire only
But when you’re lost and all alone
There ain’t no word but lonely

And I’m a lost and lonely man
Without a star to guide me
Maria blow my love to me
I need my girl beside me

CHORUS

Maria
Maria…blow my love to me

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Things We Said Today

You say you will love me
If I have to go
You’ll be thinking of me
Somehow I will know

Someday when I’m lonely
Wishing you weren’t so far away
Then I will remember
Things we said today

You say you’ll be mine, girl
‘Til the end of time
These days such a kind girl
Seems so hard to find

Someday when we’re dreaming
Deep in love, not a lot to say
Then we will remember
Things we said today

Me, I’m just the lucky kind
Love to hear you say that love is love
And though we may be blind
Love is here to stay and that’s enough

To make you mine, girl
Be the only one
Love me all the time, girl
We’ll go on and on

CHORUS

Me, I’m just the lucky kind
Love to hear you say that love is love
And though we may be blind
Love is here to stay and that’s enough

To make you mine, girl
Be the only one
Love me all the time, girl
We’ll go on and on

CHORUS

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This Land Is Your Land

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me

CHORUS

I’ve roamed and rambled and I’ve followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

CHORUS

The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me

CHORUS

As I was walkin’, I saw a sign there
And that sign said no tresspassin’
But on the other side it didn’t say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

CHORUS

In the squares of the city – In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office – I see my people
And some are grumblin’ and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.

CHORUS

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Turn! Turn! Turn!

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it’s not too late!

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Under The Boardwalk

Oh when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fireproof
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be

(Under the boardwalk) – out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) – we’ll be having some fun
(Under the boardwalk) – we’ll be falling in love
(Under the boardwalk) – boardwalk!

From the park you’ll hear the happy sounds of a carousel
You can almost taste the hotdogs and french fries they sell
Under the boardwalk, down by the sea
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be

CHORUS

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Wagon Wheel

Heading down south to the land of the pines
I’m thumbing my way into North Carolina
Staring up the road and pray to God I see headlights
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I’m a-hopin’ for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight

Rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Rock me momma any way you feel
Hey momma rock me
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Rock me momma like a southbound train
Hey momma rock me

Running from the cold up in New England
I was born to be a fiddler in an old time string band
My baby plays a guitar, I pick a banjo now
Oh, north country winters keep a-getting me down
Lost my money playing poker so I had to leave town
But I ain’t turning back to living that old life no more

CHORUS

Walkin’ to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly had a nice long talk
But he’s a-heading west from the Cumberland Gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee
I gotta get a move on before the sun
I hear my baby calling my name and I know that she’s the only one
And if I die in Raleigh at least I will die free

CHORUS x 2

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Wake Up Little Susie/Bye Bye Love

Wake up, little Susie, wake up. Wake up, little Susie, wake up
We’ve both been sound asleep, wake up, little Susie, and weep
The movie’s over, it’s four o’clock, and we’re in trouble deep
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie, well

Whatta we gonna tell your mama, whatta we gonna tell your pa
Whatta we gonna tell our friends when they say ooh-la-la
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie, well

I told your mama that you’d be in by ten
Well Susie baby looks like we goofed again
Wake up little Susie, wake up little Susie, we gotta go home

Wake up, little Susie, wake up. Wake up, little Susie, wake up
The movie wasn’t so hot, it didn’t have much of a plot
We fell asleep, our goose is cooked, our reputation is shot
Wake up little Susie . Wake up little Susie, well

CHORUS

Bye bye love, bye bye happiness
Hello loneliness
I think I’m-a gonna cry

Bye bye love, bye bye sweet caress
Hello emptiness
I feel like I could die
Bye bye my love goodbye

There goes my baby with someone new
She sure looks happy, I sure am blue
She was my baby till he stepped in
Goodbye to romance that might have been

CHORUS

I’m through with romance, I’m through with love
I’m through with countin’ the stars above
And here’s the reason that I’m so free
My lovin’ baby is through with me

CHORUS Tag last line x 3

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The Water Is Wide

The water is wide I can’t cross over
And neither have I wings to fly
Give me a boat that can carry two
And both shall row my love and I

Oh love is gentle and love is kind
The sweetest flower when first it’s new
But love grows old and waxes cold
And fades away like morning dew

There is a ship and she sails the sea
She’s loaded deep as deep can be
But not as deep as the love I’m in
I know not how I sink or swim

CHORUS

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We Shall Overcome

We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome, some day

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day

We’ll walk hand in hand
We’ll walk hand in hand
We’ll walk hand in hand, some day

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day

We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace, some day

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day

We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid, TODAY

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day

We shall all be free
We shall all be free
We shall all be free, some day

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day

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The Weight

I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin’ about half past dead
Just need some place where I can lay my head
“Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?”
He just grinned and shook my hand and, “No”, was all he said

Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
(You put the load right on me)

I picked up my bag and I went lookin’ for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin’ side by side
I said, “Hey, Carmen, come on, let’s go downtown”
She said, “Well, I gotta go but my friend can stick around”

CHORUS

Go down, Miss Moses, there’s nothin’ you can say
It’s just ol’ Luke and Luke’s waitin’ on the Judgment Day
“Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?”
He said, “Do me a favor, son, won’t you stay an’ keep Anna Lee company?”

CHORUS

Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
He said, “I will fix your rack, if you’ll take Jack, my dog”
I said, “Wait a minute, Chester, you know I’m a peaceful man”
He said, “That’s okay, boy, won’t you feed him when you can?”

CHORUS

Catch the Cannonball, now, to take me down the line
My, my bag is sinkin’ low and I do believe it’s time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she’s the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone

CHORUS

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When Will I Be Loved

I’ve been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved

I’ve been put down, I’ve been pushed ’round
When will I….be loved

When I find a new man that I want for mine
He always breaks my heart in two, it happens every time

CHORUS

Solo

Repeat verse

I’ve been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved
When will I….be loved
Tell me, when will I be l-o-v-e-d

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Will You Still Love Me

Tonight you’re mine completely
You give your love so sweetly

Tonight, the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow?

Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment’s pleasure?
Can I believe the magic of your sighs?
Will you still love me tomorrow?

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I’m the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?

I’d like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now, and I won’t ask again

Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Baby, will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?

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With a Little Help From My Friends

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
And I’ll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away?
Does it worry you to be alone?
How do I feel by the end of the day?
Are you sad because you’re on your own?

CHORUS

Do you need anybody? I need somebody to love
Could it be anybody? I want somebody to love

Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes, I’m certain that it happens all the time
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can’t tell you but I know it’s mine

CHORUS

BRIDGE

CHORUS

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends

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Wooly Bully

Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro

Matty told Hatty about a thing she saw
Had two big horns and a wooly jaw

Wooly bully, wooly bully
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully

Hatty told Matty, let’s don’t take no chance
Let’s not be L-seven, come and learn to dance

CHORUS

Matty told Hatty, that’s the thing to do
Get you someone really to pull the wool with you

CHORUS

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Yakety Yak

Take out the papers and the trash
Or you don’t get no spendin’ cash
If you don’t scrub that kitchen floor
You ain’t gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak! (don’t talk back)

Just finish cleanin’ up your room
Let’s see that dust fly with that broom
Get all that garbage out of sight
Or you don’t go out Friday night
Yakety yak! (don’t talk back)

You just put on your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the laundromat
And when you finish doin’ that
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yakety yak! (don’t talk back)

[Saxophone-type Instrumental]

Don’t you give me no dirty looks
Your father’s hip; he knows what cooks
Just tell your hoodlum friends outside
You ain’t got time to take a ride
Yakety yak! (don’t talk back)

Yakety yak, yakety yak
Yakety yak, yakety yak…(and fade)

Return to List

Yesterday

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they’re here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday

Suddenly, I’m not half the man I used to be
There’s a shadow hanging over me
Oh, yesterday came suddenly

Why she had to go
I don’t know, she wouldn’t say
I said something wrong
Now I long for yesterday

Yesterday love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday

CHORUS

Yesterday love was such an easy game to play
Now I need a place to hide away
Oh, I believe in yesterday

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

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You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

Clouds so swift
Rain won’t lift
Gate won’t close
Railings froze
Get your mind of wintertime
You ain’t goin’ nowhere

Whoo-ee ride me high
Tomorrow’s the day
My bride’s gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair!

I don’t care
How many letters they sent
Morning came and morning went
Pick up your money
And pack up your tent
You ain’t goin’ nowhere

CHORUS

Buy me a flute
And a gun that shoots
Tailgates some substitutes
Strap yourself
To the tree with roots
You ain’t goin’ nowhere

CHORUS

Genghis Khan
He could not keep
All his kings
Supplied with sleep
We’ll climb that hill no matter how steep
When we get up to it

CHORUS

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You Can’t Do That

I got something to say that might ’cause you pain
If I catch you talking to that boy again
I’m gonna let you down
And leave you flat
Because I told you before
Oh, you can’t do that

Well, it’s the second time I’ve caught you talking to him
Do I have to tell you one more time, I think it’s a sin
I think I’ll let you down (let you down)
And leave you flat (gonna let you down and leave you flat)
Because I’ve told you before, oh
You can’t do that

Everybody’s green
‘Cause I’m the one, who won your love
But if they’d seen
You talking that way they’d laugh in my face

So please listen to me, if you wanna stay mine
I can’t help my feelings, I’ll go out of my mind
I’m gonna let you down (let you down)
And leave you flat (gonna let you down and leave you flat)
Because I told you before
Oh, you can’t do that

Return to List

You Were On My Mind

When I woke up this morning, you were on my mind
And you were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh, I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind

So I went to the corner, just to ease my pains, yeah,
Just to ease my pains
I got troubles, whoa-oh, I got worries, whoa-oh
I came home again

When I woke up this morning
You were on my mind and
You were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh, I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind

And I got a feelin’
Down in my sho-oo-oo-oes, said
Way down in my sho-oo-oes
Yeah, I got to ramble, whoa-oh
I got to move on, whoa-oh
I got to walk away my blues

When I woke up this morning
You were on my mind, and
You were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind

Return to List

You Won’t See Me

When I call you up, your line’s engaged
I have had enough, so act your age
We have lost the time that was so hard to find

And I will lose my mind
If you won’t see me
You won’t see me

I don’t know why you should want to hide
But I can’t get through, my hands are tied
I won’t want to stay, I don’t have much to say

But I can’t turn away
And you won’t see me
You won’t see me

Time after time you refuse to even listen
I wouldn’t mind If I knew what I was missing

Though the days are few, they’re filled with tears
And since I lost you, it feels like years
Yes, it seems so long, girl, since you’ve been gone

And I just can’t go on
If you won’t see me
You won’t see me

Time after time you refuse to even listen
I wouldn’t mind If I knew what I was missing

Though the days are few, they’re filled with tears
And since I lost you, it feels like years
Yes, it seems so long, girl, since you’ve been gone

And I just can’t go on
If you won’t see me
You won’t see me

Return to List

You’ve Got A Friend

When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand and
Nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah, you’ve got a friend

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.

CHORUS

Hey, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend? People can be so cold.
They’ll hurt you and desert you. Well, they’ll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don’t you let them.

CHORUS

You’ve got a friend
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend

Return to List

Filed Under: Sing Tagged With: music, sing, singing

OCF 2025 Things I Found Along the Path

July 20, 2025 by albertkaufman

OCF 2025 Resources

I dedicate this post to my friend James Island, who came down with Covid pre-Fair and couldn’t display and sell them in Xavanadu! Check out his fine lamps!

For my more writerly review of OCF 2025 – click here. I also encourage you to join my email list and keep up with what I do during the year. And, if you’re an OCF Vendor – hop on this list for a couple of marketing emails during the year that might help you with OCF!

Here are links to things I found at this year’s Fair – stickers, lighters, biz cards, and more. Enjoy! And, support the arts! In no particular order…

A lighter and stickers from Drive to Space – I heard this jam band at the Kesey stage on Sunday. I believe they’re based in Eugene. So so good! “The group fuses their energy into a cohesive, mind-meld of sound – complete with tempo and key changes, odd meters, tight jams, and well-written, complex material interspersed with improvisation.” – yep!
Cheri A. Ellis – Booth X63, Xavanadu. My good friend Marcia Wiley introduced me to Cheri, who was vending for the first time this year. On the way in, Cheri (who was vending solo!) twisted her ankle. Her work is lovely – she’s out of Seattle – I checked in on her daily. She seemed to be having a blast.
Daphne Singingtree – Author, Educator, Water Protector, Land Defender.
As I learned about the danger of woodsmoke I’m thinking out loud about how to electrify things like the Ritz. The Ritz goes through a lot of wood during the Fair, and that smoke permeates the event. In conversation, I learned about Peach Power, a group that is working to bring solar to the Fair. I hope to speak with them once I find out how, about the Ritz.
Pew Pew Zap – Dorky Stuff for the modern adventurer!
Oregon Warmline – 1-800-698-2392 – I think this is a line for people to call who need confidential help. Probably picked this up in Community Village. Sharon Bliss is the warmline manager – sharon.bliss@ccsemail.org
Energy Trust of Oregon (talked to them about electrifying the Ritz & a bunch of other issues.
Have Guitar Will Travel – Charly Price – 530-575-9480
Robert Bolman, Artist. Wow! Here’s a piece of his.
Cascadia Wildlands – We Like it Wild! ”
We envision vast old-growth forests, rivers full of wild salmon, wolves howling in the backcountry, a stable climate, and vibrant communities sustained by the unique landscapes of the Cascadia Bioregion.

Envision it with us. (ed. Great organization doing important work – and thanks for the Oreos you left out for passersby! Nom nom!)
KLCC – One of the many radio stations that were representing all weekend. This is a Eugene-based station (I often catch it on the way into and out of Fair!). Speaking of community radio, my home station, KBOO – is playing the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival live right now – thank you!
Seth Francis, Energy Engineer and Sustainability Consultant, ICR Engineering. More discussion about electrifying the Ritz. And E-bikes!
Black Goat Provisions – by Works for Now Farm, Humboldt Co., California. Handmade Soaps, Natural Beauty Products, Sweets & Treats
There was this fun booth (not sure if it was open during the day….) that had interesting dice or you could spin a dial, I think? My “Love poem with the apocalypse” ended up being: We began fated flame time discord!
OCF Tent Tag 08057 – this if fun (if you’d like it, contact me!) Ground score post Fair
Jameeshka – A musical maelstrom of modest magnificence! Music – performance – curation – workshops – multimedia – Side 2 – Ishka Lha – lovely artwork – worth a visit!
Releaf Foundation – my friend, Jeff Eichen, out of Port Townsend – Jeff does so much good work in the world – it’s hard to keep track. Pics from OCF 2025.
I picked up some info from Oregonwalkbike.org about Oregon’s new law for people on bicycles – Stop as Yield – Keep in Motion, Go with Caution!
Micah Ofstedahl, Altered realism, acrylic paintings. Neat Stuff!
Kelsie Diana Hubik, Sound Therapist – NadaBrahma Sound Healing – this woman had an incredible collection of Tibetan Singing Bowls. She’s located in Menicino, CA. Kelsie did a residency with Rainer Michaells, PhD – in Sandpoint, ID – heavenofsound.com
Got OCF Feedback? Click here or via this address: 442 Lawrence Street, Eugene, OR 97401
Support Psychedelic Science – Maps.org – Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
Nick Lorenz, SEM Coach, Production Efficiency – Energy 350 – longtime friend – knows solar! Working with Energy Trust of Oregon!
Conscious Growth Convergence – October 2-5 @ Lost Valley Education Center, Dexter, Oregon (I heard great things about last year’s gathering from friends – who’s going?
The Center for Rural Livelihoods – Regenerating Landscapes & Remaking Society (found this booth in Energy Park). (used to be Aprovecha)
Honorable mentions to all the great food booths I got to experience this year – Chez Ray’s! (salmon burger); Vegan Truck Stop; Phoenix Rising (yummy breakfast); Pieroagies at the top of the 8; and Salmon on a Stick folks – you were amazing! And so much more (most of my Fair $ goes to food and drink!) – oh yeah, Hemp House – a delicious hemp/strawberry shake!

Playing for the kids @ Wally’s Way stage – photo by Lloyd

Thanks for a great Fair! Yeah!

Filed Under: OCF Tagged With: art, craft, enjoy, music, OCF, ocf 2025, Oregon Country Fair, people, resources

OCF 2025

July 17, 2025 by albertkaufman

Oregon Country Fair 2025 – a Review

Hey there, I’m back from another Oregon Country Fair (OCF). My head is still a little scrambled, and it’s been 3 days since my return from the fields and forests of Veneta, Oregon. This year was another hot one – daytime temps were in the high 80s, and then for the 3 days of the Fair, temps climbed into the 90s. This ends up having an effect on Fairgoers and those who volunteer for the Fair. Right before this year’s OCF a new documentary about the event came out. It’s about an hour long and does a great job of showing off various aspects of the Fair. Enjoy.

About those volunteers, there are thousands of them. That’s something notable about this event that’s different than anything I’ve attended before. The amount of people and people-hours that are poured into this event is quite incredible and makes for a giant family of people who work together to create Fair Magic. Most events have a ratio of volunteers (or paid staff) of about 10 or 20 attendees for every ticketed customer. In the OCF case, it’s much closer to 1 to 3 – a very low ratio (if you know the exact figure on this, please let me know). I volunteered as a musician this year, playing for kids at Sesame Street and Wally’s Way stages.

This episode brought to you by the inexpensive construction headphones I schlep everywhere to help me sleep during loud music and other noise at festivals like this one. And while I’m here, these headphones are part of a 11 life tips series that you can sign up for here. For some great background music while reading this – try out Fair TV – which is streaming the shows from the main stage as I type this – 7.17.25.

So, besides the great food, wonderful music, interesting spoken word, an incredible 1st annual Friday night burlesque show (go in 2026!), and interesting crafts, there are things that are not obvious. Oh yeah, the costumes, people on stilts, marching bands, cute kids, and all sorts of serendipity – there are a few things I want to talk about that are not obvious unless you’ve been coming a while.

Networking.

I am lucky to get to Fair a few days before the official event begins. This meant the Wednesday before Fair for me this year. This led to wandering the 8 and connecting with many craft vendors and other volunteers before the event opens. Some of these relationships have been going on for years. I see you booth L12, Wileyware! As someone who helps small businesses with email marketing, my conversations are sometimes about how to help the crafters market their wares – both at the Fair and beyond.

Wileyware

I got into a conversation with Skeeter Duke, who’s been coming to the Fair since close to the beginning. He talked to me about the intention of the Fair at the start was for people to come together and network. Figure out how to create a new society together. How to take the ideals that were being discussed in the late 60s and spread them through the community and work, and build together. I’m going to keep learning about this intention (there were newsletters back then, and many elders from the time still carry on this effort today). There’s so much to say about this. And I think this part of the Fair is a little obscured by the pageantry part.

For example, the Fair features 2 big areas devoted to organizations doing interesting environmental activist work that create all sorts of opportunities for education, but also networking. These are Energy Park and Community Village. I think most people and the booths themselves are missing a big opportunity that I hope to elevate here. We tend to approach the booths at Fairs as consumers – these people behind the table or wall have something to offer us. Maybe it’s a blintz or knish. Maybe it’s tie-dyed socks or a beautiful guitar or earrings. But maybe it’s wisdom. Maybe it’s an internship for someone you know. It goes deeper than that. Here’s an example.

While I was sitting in the Ritz** (an incredible collection of saunas and showers – one of the main reasons I go to the Fair, actually), which is also a great place for networking (or catching up with friends, or group singing in the sauna). Anyway, I look up and see the smokestack puffing smoke. The Ritz burns a lot of wood each year at the Fair, and that smoke is spewed into the air and breathed by fairgoers. I’d been thinking, as I’m learning about woodsmoke, how do we electrify the Ritz? The saunas could be running on electricity and sparring fairgoers (and the region) a little bit less woodsmoke in the air. I ended up in a long conversation by someone who’d been on the OCF board in the past and she mentioned Peach Power – an effort to bring more solar panels to Fair. Well, without that conversation I wouldn’t have been able to then have a different conversation with someone from Energy Trust in Energy Park about the same topic.

I work on a few livability issues. Getting Rid of Gas-powered leaf blowers; dark skies Oregon (esp. how to slow the spread of too bring LED lighting); Keeping Trees Standing; and reducing woodsmoke. Mostly, I’m focused on Portland, but everyone could benefit from the work I’m doing. So, when I’m face to face with someone who is part of an NGO where these issues are related, I see the person on the other side of the table as an ally. This relationship is possible with anyone at any time – but at Fair, things are labeled better 🙂 ie, the booth dedicated to seed swapping in Energy Park is a great place to talk about saving the pollinators. Seeing my longtime kinda guru, Sharanam – we got into a conversation about setting up a show for him in Portland.

Then, there’s lots of sharing back. Letting people in on Fair secrets – or, what I like to call, showing people the door. Not everyone knows that there are a wide variety of ways to participate in the Fair. You can jury in and become a vendor; volunteer to be part of a crew; but it’s also possible to be an SO (significant other/guest of) an elder (that’s how I got my camping pass this year after many years with various booths and crews). This is something that I want to dedicate some time to in the future – figuring out how to get people to Fair who will have a life-changing experience there. People who might not even know the place exists, but who will benefit from being a part of the Fair Family (which is pretty much everyone).

Fair Information

You can get information about the Fair from the Info Booths located around the Fairgrounds (also known as the 8). But there are a ton of other ways – there are a slew of private and public Facebook groups, for instance. For instance, if you’re tired of my spiel and want more pictures, try out the OCF Unofficial group.

And the information is everywhere – from the banter of the performers (which contains many positive messages) to the Peach Pit, which is the printed guide to the Fair – there’s lots to learn about. There’s even a code of conduct! And general guidelines.

I will probably have more to say about the networking topic I started on above. My learning about how that informed early Fairs, and my own current approach to networking in the small business world, seems to be pushing me into an area I’m not familiar with. Going to places we’ve never been before!

The hot temps and dust at this year’s Fair were a reminder to me about how fragile our society is. We march our way through, but it’s challenging. I walked around the Fair most of the time with a wet towel on my head that I had to keep wetting. I’m 64, and I noticed aging for myself and others more than in previous fairs. I got lucky and had dinner with a couple of people who’d been to the very first fair and most of them since that time! 52? 53? I saw more alter-abled transport and more strollers this year than in years past. Watching kids at the Fair is fun – and it’s also fun to see someone in their 80s oohing and ahhhing like they were kids.

I appreciate the deep connections many of you have with each other. I realized this year, more than in previous years, that those who live in Eugene or thereabouts seem a lot more connected than those of us who travel farther to reach the shores of the Long Tom. This year felt more “local” to me. But I also realize that repeat visits and my many loose ties with a wide variety of Fair people do ground me.

Ah, Fair. Thank you. Thank you for connecting me with many of my friends. Thanks for the chance to share time with people who knew my friends who have passed away – Ben Bochner and Amira. Thanks for the chance to gather in a very safe place and find magic. Fair is not perfect, but Fair is Fair!

Until we meet again, Albert Kaufman, 7.17.25

This year’s Resource List!

PS – your comments are welcome! I am always open to feedback.

PPS – here’s my write-up from last year, and that links to previous years. I may do a Resource List for this year in a bit. Joining my email list is a great way to hear when I’ve written something new.

PPS – my friend, Bruce Bartlett had this to say about the Ritz (which turns 50 next year):

“I agree that the Ritz is otherworldly in its effect on people. I have been transformed in there several times. Each time (5) a new level of tension has relented, both somatically and psycho emotionally.

Doing something you (almost always) do in private now openly and relaxed is a powerful ritualistic tool that can dissolve shame. When the internal tension, that is so often held excruciatingly tight in a person who is troubled by their body or their beliefs about it, is finally allowed to release itself, the person enters into a free, open communal space with music and laughter in the background in a way that feels almost surreal at first. I recall the first moment my shower turned off so the splash of the spraying water on me ended. I opened my eyes and started taking in the world around me. The relaxation, conviviality, and acceptance I witnessed filled (informed?) a part of me that had always wanted that sensual environment to exist. Warm fires make for warm conversations. The toning in the saunas still echoes in my mind.

We have created a portal into a profound body-positive world. The fair itself is a towering testimony to the glorious beauty of the body, in a kaleidoscopic, wild, outlandish statement of joy. This celebration in the Ritz of our innate beings with our unique bodies manifests the world as it should be.

Deep appreciation for its builders and keepers. May many be blessed in the portal.”

Thank you, festival culture, for making me who I am.

Philly Folk Festival
Burning Man
Oregon Country Fair
Vancouver Folk Festival
Beloved
Mariposa Folk Festival
Hartford Folk Festival
Middletown Folk Festival
Folklife Festival
Garlic Festival
Singing Alive
Cascadia Songrise
String Summit
World Domination Summit (3)
Neurodiversion 2025

I’m probably missing a few 🙂

And to my Mom and Dad, who pushed me in this direction from the very start

Filed Under: OCF Tagged With: art, dance, festivals, friends, highlights, kibbitzing, magic, music, OCF, Oregon Country Fair, ritz, saunas, see you at the fair, The Ritz

Life Notes: 10/24/2007

October 23, 2024 by albertkaufman

Personal History – 10.24.2007

A bunch of Habo friends did 30-year summaries after not having seen each other in a long time. Here’s mine from that time.

Hi everyone, well, I find myself with a moment to try to summarize the last 30 years. 🙂 I just read Sue’s and Tami’s, and I’m sure I’ll get to the others, too.

let’s see. Graduated from NYU in 1984 and fled the country with $2,000 and a guitar. Back to the holy land for 3 months and a neat little gig at a resort for some of it, then a 6 month or so trip through Europe – Greece, Yugoslavia, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, and England. I busked (played guitar on the streets) to pay my way, made lots of friends, and had one of those time-of-your-life experiences. Came back to the States and went to work for Peterson’s Guides for a couple of months and then worked as a surveyor for a couple of months before heading back to Europe – this time to the UK, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, and ending in Paris for about 6 months total.

I went back to the States and thought I’d try my luck with DC and using my pol science degree. That didn’t exactly happen, so I ended up being the head waiter at a new restaurant (Owned by a Moshnik), then worked at the Hyatt and then for Wang Laboratories as a Jr. Secretary. This was before the time of e-mail, or much else in the high-tech world, but they had e-mail. On secretary’s day, I sent a note to 2,500 other secretaries in the company, and had some fun chats from that one note… that was in 1986. During this time Tammi and I dated a little bit, too 🙂 Spent a year in DC, then moved in with Adam Laden in Hoboken, NJ.

That started a 3-year stint of temping – mostly in the investment banking and perfume industries. I worked for a while in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center – amazing views, sunsets… and feeling the building sway. Actually, during my NYU days (80-84) a friend and I went and wandered around on floors of the WTC that were not finished yet, that was a trip. anyway, $18/hr. to do word processing was good money in the late 80s and kept me in sushi and my fine place in Hoboken.

in 1989 I realized it was time to go back to Grad school and applied to a bunch of places, but then a friend from NYU was suddenly single and suggested we go to south America for a trip together. got shots, put off grad school in my mind, anyway, and we headed off to Venezuela. About 3 weeks into the trip, which was much like a honeymoon, and I figured this was the beginning of a new relationship that could last a lifetime, she decided to head home and heal from the relationship that had just ended for her. I was heartbroken, traveled for a little while longer, but then ended what was supposed to be a 6-month trip and came back and started grad school at Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ.

This is where I met Susi. Weiss. from Germany. an exchange student. A very beautiful and smart exchange student from Munich. Well, we hit it off and eventually started something that ended up lasting the next 5 years and beyond in some ways, though I’m currently out of touch (back in touch in 2020’s). grad school was in international relations. After one year, Susi was heading back to Germany and so I followed. ended up in a small town called Konstanz, on the Lake Bodensee in the SW of Germany. I played music to pay to stay, in restaurants and cafes. stayed for 6 months and then moved back to the States to finish my degree, then back to Germany for another 9 months and back to the US to take an exam and then ended up back in Munich, where we lived together for 2.5 years, almost got married; almost bought an apartment, but in the end, I’m glad it didn’t happen. Germany is a nice place except for some of the obvious problems. Dachau being close by… the language…

Anyway, I came back to the States and didn’t know what to do. this was 1995. Ended up traveling to Costa Rica with Elisa, she of the previous Venezuela trip. this time the tables were turned – she was into me, but I was not into her. great trip, though. spent 3.5 months there. amazing place. played probably the best music of my life, actually. learned a lot. got better at Spanish.

I came back and rented a place in SF for a month. Then, Susi came over and we toured the Northwest. somewhere in all of this, I learned Re-evaluation Counseling, during grad school. That has made a big impact on my life. It’s also called RC or co-counseling. That’s one of the reasons we toured the Pacific NW, to practice co-counseling in Seattle. I ended up moving to Seattle after the trip was over and that’s also where I reconnnected with the high-tech world. I started with a job with Keane doing tech support for Windows 95, then onto a position as a contractor with Microsoft, a great place to work. since that time my work life for the past 12 years has mostly been as a software tester – I test to make sure software works like it’s supposed to. It’s often very easy work, often very isolating…

Seattle was also really good for me as an activist. I learned a lot, fought some amazing fights – against the FAA, closed down a VA medical waste incinerator, led an effort to keep a Latino community center afloat and thriving… and led an outreach effort in a minority neighborhood with my girlfriend of the time, Freddie, who I lived with for 3 years and went out with for 4. She is an incredible and strong woman. It was a tough relationship in some ways, but a very committed one. After Freddie, I went out with a woman named Tracey who I’m still close with. Tracey is an angel, faerie, or something like that. A very sweet and gentle person, that lasted about a year and a half, but was precious.

I have lots of pictures of that time up on the web.

Eventually, I grew tired of the intensity of politics in Seattle and the difficulties I was having in my activist life and also felt I wasn’t really finding my partner there, so I decided to move to Portland, Oregon, where I now live. I’ve been here for 5 or 6 years… and, I think I’m home. I love it here.

Right when I moved here, I got together with a woman named Erica. someone who is chemically-sensitive, so I learned a lot about that world. and, she lives in a co-housing community, where I eventually moved in. So, got to re-experience life on Kibbutz US -style.

That ended after about 3 years. it was probably the toughest relationship I was ever in. I think there’s part of me that’s just done with really hard relationships.

I’m kind of in one now, but I think it might be salvaged, cause I feel like I’m with a life partner. her name is Eecole. she’s really quite incredible. vibrant, we love to dance and sing together. musical. cares about the world. we share a lot of friends and are part of a very tight dance community. we dance together at least every Sunday. that’s another story for another day, but it’s quite incredible – I’ve never really felt so close to a group of people perhaps since habo days…

and now, sitting listening to radioparadise.com and thinking of what I have left to do today, and also how much I’ve left out.

Burning Man. I could write about the 8 times I’ve been there and how that’s shaped my life.

Ayahuasca and my recent journies in that arena.

travel that I’ve left out – Thailand, Hong Kong, VietNam, and various road trips around the US.

the fact that I don’t have kids. Eecole would like to have some. we’ll see if we get to that stage. I’m open to that with her.

most recent work was with the Bonneville Power Administration, as a contractor making the most money I’ve ever made. $46/hr. So, I was able to save about $30K and now recently laid off from that gig, collecting unemployment and pondering.

also was just in my first major car accident, so am doing chiro, acupuncture, and massage to heal from that. I’m fine, but a little shaken still and the accident was 3 weeks ago.

Life has been really good for me. and this has been a great exercise for me, thanks for taking the time to read.

it’s put me into a nice thoughtful place.

Albert

Filed Under: Albert Kaufman Tagged With: 2007, albert, girlfriends, life report, music, travel and more, work

Sisters Folk Festival 2024

September 30, 2024 by albertkaufman

Lizzie No

Sisters Folk Festival 2024 – What a Hoot!

I’ve been hearing about the Sisters Folk Festival for years. Back when I attended Burning Man religiously – I’d usually come back to Portland and then consider – heading back out for the folk fest and then forget where I left my mind for a couple of months 🙂 So, this was my first year, and what a fun surprise. What a delight! Shades of the Vancouver Folk Festival (which is generally my gold standard for this type of music event) + Central Oregon + high desert = cowboy boots and saloons. Women in dresses – grass growing where it doesn’t belong.

Pics

We started our adventure (Eecole and me) with a sweet visit to my friend Kieran (great picker and good friend) outside of Bend – you can see from the pictures that we got out into a couple of nearby parks and saw some sweet scenery. We arrived at our weekend home (a parking lot in front of a high school) on Friday, parked Eecole’s camper and then headed into town. Our first venue was The Open Door – an intimate setting – we stayed for 3 acts: Lizzie No, The Pairs (shades of The Wailin Jennies), and San Miguel Fraser – all wonderful and we lucked into front-row seats for the evening! It was a cold night of off-and-on sleep for me – outside in a tent.

Saturday morning Kieran, Erin, Eecole, and I had breakfast and played tunes until it was time to go into the fest. Saturday featured some more intimate workshop-style offerings, so we got to hear more about the background of the performers. I think for me Saturday night was a big highlight – I stood in line to get good seats for a showcase type of performance. That was well worth it as I just loved what we saw Saturday night at the Dave Carter Songwriter Showcase. Everything that followed was equally stunning, too – Especially Kittel & Co. and Vasen. Vasen, a group from Sweden featured a guy playing an instrument that he built – something ancient. I spent the whole performance watching him play and just wondering what I was seeing. This:

The instrument is bowed. The two men playing also just sent us all into a dreamland and when they were done it was time to bike back to the parking lot (about 2 miles away) in the chilly and windy night. We were battered by a cool wind all night and I didn’t sleep that great. But hey, you’re at a folk festival, right, so you roll with it. But boy do I need a new sleeping bag and possibly it’s time to buy/rent a van for these events!

Sunday, breakfast (a hot shower in the High school!), and a few tunes before we packed everything up and drove into town for a couple more performances. I felt lucky to score a great seat at the Open Door where I’d begun the weekend. I watched The Lowest Pair and Peter Mulvey. Peter is someone from whom I want to hear a lot more! What a character.

So, that’s a little bit of my trajectory, but I have to say that the volunteers and organizers really thought this event through in a lovely way. I always felt welcomed. Also – the sound was delicious. I tend to gravitate towards the smaller stages, knowing I’ll get to hear a more intimate experience – and that the sound was so dialed in – I can’t remember a time where I’ve heard such a well-dialed-in mixing. If you’ve ever read my revues of other festivals – I usually complain that the sound is too loud – I’m looking at you Pickathon, Beloved, Strummit – pretty much everything I attend these days – the volume is too loud. This was not that – and I am so so grateful. I might even return just for that aspect. The fact that they also curated a collection of musicians from all over the place that were new and delightful – icing on the cake!

Also, the lighting was lovely. At every stage! The daytime weather was delicious. And though we drove through a fire on our way to the festival, the air was clear all weekend. OK, time for a couple of improvements:

The festival could do more outreach before the festival happens (via an email newsletter) to encourage attendees to:

Be super careful not to have car alarms ready to kick off – this happened a number of times throughout the weekend and was a noticeable disturbance. This could be improved through education.
Learn how roundabouts work – they are yield situations – not necessarily time for stopping

Lastly, I suggest the festival ask the local municipal airport to see if planes can take off and land – not over the town (this didn’t happen often, so I imagine they have a choice). I mean I think they should do this always, but esp. when you have thousands of people outside listening to intimate music. Something tells me the right letter could make this happen. This festival obviously has some presence in town and I bet for one weekend small planes could avoid flying over the town.

Otherwise, wow, kudos to the festival organizers. It was very well done. I had a great time and I learned about a bunch of new musicians I hadn’t heard of before. Next year I might even come to the songwriter camp that leads up to the festival.

Thank you! Albert Kaufman, 9.30.24

If you like photos, here are some of our time there. And here’s the Spotify playlist of all the artists.

MC Mike Meyer welcoming us at the Open Door

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Filed Under: Sisters Folk Festival Tagged With: food, fun, music, Oregon, sisters, sisters folk festival

OCF 2024 – Resources

July 16, 2024 by albertkaufman

Resources: OCF Booths and more

Pure Love Chocolates

One of the lenses I see the world through is a marketing one. So, part of my life at festivals is seeing what is going on marketing-wise. Sometimes I can be helpful to a vendor or learn something myself. So, in no particular order – here is some of what came out of my bag this morning and the attached memories and stories. If you see any mistakes, please let me know @ albert@albertideation.com! Thanks. I also did a more overview write-up – that’s here.

Vestiks amazing shirts!
Harm Reduction Resources: from 8 til late – Rainbow Connection – Xavanadu – this ties in with the big contingent of healing resources and health education that happens here.
I keep a list of Vendors I email about marketing once or twice a year – if you’d like to be on that list, click here.
Todji Kurtzman – one of the artists this year. He had a piece in Xavanadu – todji.com for more of his incredible work!
Someone from Lost Valley Education Center led a fun workshop on how to throw a block party – including 7 tips to throw an epic block party handout. It included an Icebreaker Bingo card which I used over and over again for the rest of the day. They are at lostvalley.org – this was in Community Village on Sunday afternoon. Lost Valley is also hosting a Conscious Growth Convergence September 27-29 – looks lovely. More info at consciousgrowthconvergence.org
A friend mentioned Johnny Franco and Brother Dan – and their serenading of the audience. I didn’t see them, but she sent a video.
Rebecca Bashara – metalsmith/designer – These folks were near my home booth, L12 – had these lovely stones lined up on tables and on a model that changed during the day. Very lovely.
Then there’s the booth where you wish your Mom was there. Wooliza Fiber Arts was that one for me. Incredibly lovely woven pieces. wooliza.com
LyndaFeman Ceramics – I always love to stop by and see what Lynda has going on. She usually has at least one fancy menorah! This year’s was delightful
I’ve been stopping by and saying hi to Astrologer Mark S. McNutt for years. I loved hearing that he’s very full up in his work. It’s great when any solopreneur is so popular they don’t need to do much marketing. astrowizardry.com
I have a newsletter for friends and family called The Eleven – you can sign up for it here. + Smiles from this year’s event.
Autumn Higgins – Ceramics, Art, Custom Pottery – Someone showed me a coffee mug they’d purchased from Autumn, and then later I happened upon her booth. Beautiful work! autumnhiggins.com
Stage Coach Farm & Forge. I’d never seen this person’s work before. Hefty skillets and cookware. Damn, these things are heavy and will last several lifetimes. I’ve actually never seen anything like it. stagecoachforge.com
One of my favorite parts of the whole time I’m at Fair is finding things that are being done elsewhere (I’m looking mostly at you, Eugene) that we might be able to bring to Portland. bringrecycling.org/classes is in that category.
Raising Resilient Bees – digginlivin.com/book – there were a few bee-related booths – this one from Energy Park. I also purchased some of their propolis. Yum!
Creative Spirit Collaborative – A Eugene-based group.
Rabblebox 3-stringed guitars. Neato!
Got feedback for OCF 2024? Online: https://tinyurl.com/4sjxtrp9 or, by mail: 442 Lawrence Street, Eugene, OR 97402
If you walked the 8 you likely saw Jeff Eichen taking photographs with a tripod. He’s often dressed in green and he’s hard to miss. He’s doing good work to help those who have records due to cannabis use. Check out releaffoundation.org
How did Jenny Leis’s card get in my collection? Your Enthusiasm is Contagious – says her card. I was actually speaking to someone who I want to connect to her work in facilitation, training, and consulting. And for now: jennyleis.com
Ah, this next one is special. The Eugene Environmental Film Festival! The woman in Community Village who was sharing about this event offered me a t-shirt which I’m wearing proudly. What she is doing is fantastic and I may travel to Eugene for this this fall. This is also where I heard the phrase “platform maker” for the first time. More about that as I learn more.
Another one that my Mom would love. Wood ‘n I Weavings!
Evan Burnette – Local Art Glass – lovely work!
Pure Love Chocolate – This was their first time at the fair and they rocked it. zero sugar. yum!
Wileyware, Booth L12 – We had fun and sold many glasses. I added to my collection and saw so many friends and laughed so hard – thank you, Marcia Wiley!
L49 – James Island – Trees of Light Lamps – beautiful.
I spent a lot of time with Joshua Morton. I believe this next picture is of his work. It sounds like he does a lot of good in the world – proceeds from his art – he donates his money from this event to a college scholarship fund for students in his area. Enjoy