This week the theme is songs that mention Socks, Shoes, Boots.
It took a while and David’s music knowledge to remember what song I was thinking of, but this is one of my favorite songs. It has been redone by so many fantastic artists but this is my favorite version.
Mr. Bojangles
Lyrics
I knew a man “Bojangles”, and he danced for you In worn out shoes Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants The old soft shoe
He jumped so high He jumped so high And then he’d lightly touch down
I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was Down and out He looked to me to be the eyes of age As the smoke ran out
He talked of life He talked of life He laughed, clicked his heels and stepped
He said his name “Bojangles”, and he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants and feathered stance Oh, he jumped so high Then he clicked his heels
He let go a laugh He let go a laugh Shook back his clothes all around
Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Mr. Bojangles Dance
He danced for those in minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the south He spoke with tears of fifteen years how his dog and him Traveled about The dog up and died, he up and died After twenty years he still grieves
He said, “I dance now at every chance in honky tonks For drinks and tips But most the time I spend behind these county bars ‘Cause I drinks a bit”
He shook his head And as he shook his head I heard someone ask him “Please” Please
I guess this song isn’t necessarily following the “rules” of todays topic but it came to mind the minute I saw the theme. My experience with children, especially those who have been abused, has me feeling like child abuse is a war that is constantly being fought. So, for today my contribution is from 10,000 Maniacs. This is one of my all time favorite songs. If everyone knew the stories of the kids I alone have worked with you all would have nightmares forever. The stories are true and it is so very sad…
That young boy without a name anywhere I’d know his face. In this city the kid’s my favorite. I’ve seen him. I see him every day. Seen him run outside looking for a place to hide from his father, the kid half naked and said to myself “O, what’s the matter here?” I’m tired of the excuses everybody uses, he’s their kid I stay out of it, but who gave you the right to do this?
We live on Morgan Street; just ten feet between and his mother, I never see her, but her screams and cussing, I hear them every day. Threats like: “If you don’t mind I will beat on your behind,” “Slap you, slap you silly.” made me say, “O, what’s the matter here?” I’m tired of the excuses everybody uses, he’s your kid, do as you see fit, but get this through that I don’t approve of what you did to you own flesh and blood.
“If you don’t sit on this chair straight I’ll take this belt from around my waist and don’t you think that I won’t use it!”
Answer me and take your time, what could be the awful crime he could do at such young an age? If I’m the only witness to your madness offer me some words to balance out what I see and what I hear. Oh these cold and lowly things that you do I suppose you do because he belongs to you and instead of love and the feel of warmth you’ve given him these cuts and sores don’t heal with time or with age.
And I want to say “What’s the Matter here?” But I don’t dare say.
Jim is the host and gave us this picture and the word, cold. Here goes…
Poor, cold cat (Cat in the Hat fan fiction)
And now he was back. The Cat in the Hat And even though cold, he ne’r worried bought that He worried ‘bout green cheese and even green eggs He worried ‘bout spiders and all of their legs He came well prepared, that Cat in the Hat He came with some bug spray and his big baseball bat He told the kids stories that his pop told him Even ‘bout working, which sometimes were grim But he smiled and nodded to keep the mood light Or else these two kids would end up in a fight Then mom would be mad that the Cat came to call She’d make him leave quick with his stories and all She’d make him run far and tell him not to come back ‘Cause common sense manners their mom did not lack She’d tell him to stay away far from her house “I’ll call the police! You dirty old louse!” So the cat kept on walking, even now in the snow ‘Cause home was the only place he knew to go.
Respond to this challenge, by either by using the prompt word made, or going with the above picture, or by means of the song ‘Looks Like We Made It’, or by going with another song by Barry Manilow, or anything else that you think fits.
I had never heard this song before but I thought it was pretty good…
“American Made”
It ain’t the money It ain’t the fame It’s a couple hundred folks like me out there Screaming my last name It ain’t the record sales It’s my voice in the whipper wheels 200 years down a long dirt road Where there used to be a moonshine still
American made Professional grade Yeah I’m built Ford tough Ain’t much shit I can’t take I got scars on my skin like my Chevy has dents Getting covered in mud every damn weekend I’m 10 foot tall And American made
Red bone on the porch Shotgun on the floor With the safety turned off And a lock screen door You don’t wanna come Snooping around my place In the middle of nowhere surrounded by Good ole boys in 4 wheel drives That get down and dirty But still sing Amazing Grace
American made Professional grade Yeah I’m built Ford tough Ain’t much shit I can’t take I got scars on my skin like my Chevy has dents Getting covered in mud every damn weekend I’m 10 foot tall And American made I’m 10 foot tall And American made
Flag pole in the front yard flies with pride Of the freedom of the place where I reside And I clean up nice for church Every Sunday And we drop at half mass and bow our heads For the good ones gone ’cause we all bleed red When it’s said and done I’ll be in Heaven Fishing up in the shade
American made Professional grade Yeah I’m built Ford tough Ain’t much shit I can’t take I got scars on my skin like my Chevy has dents Getting covered in mud every damn weekend I’m 10 foot tall And American made I’m 10 foot tall And American made I’m 10 foot tall And American made
I had to google songs with “pretty” in the title for Jim’s Thursday Inspiration. There were quite a few but this one I liked because I like all of the lyrics. There were some that had decent lyrics then got sort of “stupid”. Anyhow, this is the one I picked.
These were the only “lyrics” I could find. Apparently, Amanda Jordan is new and on her way up the charts…
This week the theme is songs that feature lyrics about Space, Planets, or Aliens suggested by Di of pensitivity101
This was always a favorite of mine.
“Walking On The Moon”
Giant steps are what you take Walking on the moon I hope my legs don’t break Walking on the moon We could walk forever Walking on the moon We could live together Walking on, walking on the moon
Walking back from your house Walking on the moon Walking back from your house Walking on the moon Feet they hardly touch the ground Walking on the moon My feet don’t hardly make no sound Walking on, walking on the moon
Some may say I’m wishing my days away No way And if it’s the price I pay Some say Tomorrow’s another day You stay I may as well play
Giant steps are what you take Walking on the moon I hope my legs don’t break Walking on the moon We could walk forever Walking on the moon We could be together Walking on, walking on the moon
Some may say I’m wishing my days away No way And if it’s the price I pay Some say Tomorrow’s another day You stay I may as well play
Maybe because it reminds me of being a kid, maybe its because I love Snoopy….I used to have a Snoopy stuffed animal and multiple outfits to change his clothes. I also had a Viewmaster and Snoopy reels for it.
I chose this song because it still pulls up memories of all the loss felt after 9/11.
“Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” by Alan Jackson
Although there were several songs written after the attacks on September 11, 2001, we thought it would be appropriate to give Alan Jackson’s song a nod. The song won many accolades — probably because its underlying theme is love, not retaliation.
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day? Were you in the yard with your wife and children Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock At the sight of that black smoke Risin’ against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger In fear for your neighbor Or did you just sit down and cry?
Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones Pray for the ones who don’t know? Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride For the red, white and blue And the heroes who died Just doin’ what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer And look at yourself and what really matters?
I’m just a singer of simple songs I’m not a real political man I watch CNN But I’m not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day? Teaching a class full of innocent children Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty ‘Cause you’re a survivor In a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother And tell her you loved her? Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened Close your eyes and not go to sleep? Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow Go out and buy you a gun? Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’ And turn on “I Love Lucy” reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers Stand in line and give your own blood? Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family Thank God you had somebody to love?
I’m just a singer of simple songs I’m not a real political man I watch CNN But I’m not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love
I’m just a singer of simple songs I’m not a real political man I watch CNN But I’m not sure I can tell you The difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
The song I chose for this week is a favorite of mine. I used to sing it at karaoke at the Elks Lodge when my dad would bring me for dinner. I usually got a good laugh out of the folks there, as many of them were used to hearing Tony Bennett or Nat King Cole. It was fun. It is more about death than anything except if you pay attention Wanda finally found life! I guess I also loved this song because my mom’s name was Wanda!
Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends All through their high school days Both members of the 4H Club Both active in the FFA
After graduation Mary Anne went out lookin’ for a bright new world Wanda looked all around this town and all she found was Earl
Well, it wasn’t two weeks after she got married that Wanda started gettin’ abused She put on dark glasses and long sleeved blouses And make-up to cover her bruise
Well, she finally got the nerve to file for divorce She let the law take it from there But Earl walked right through that restraining order And put her in intensive care
Right away Mary Anne flew in from Atlanta On a red eye midnight flight She held Wanda’s hand and they worked out a plan And it didn’t take them long to decide That Earl had to die
Goodbye, Earl Those black-eyed peas? They tasted all right to me, Earl You’re feeling weak? Why don’t you lay down and sleep, Earl Ain’t it dark? Wrapped up in that tarp, Earl
The cops came by to bring Earl in They searched the house high and low Then they tipped their hats and said “Thank You, ladies, if you hear from him let us know”
Well, the weeks went by and spring turned to summer And summer faded into fall And it turns out he was a missing person who nobody missed at all
So the girls bought some land and a roadside stand Out on Highway 109 They sell Tennessee ham and strawberry jam, And they don’t lose any sleep at night ‘Cause Earl had to die
Goodbye Earl We need a break Let’s go out to the lake, Earl We’ll pack a lunch And stuff you in the trunk, Earl Well, is that all right? Good! Let’s go for a ride, Earl. Hey
Stine Writing 