Showing posts with label lyrics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lyrics. Show all posts

Apr 8, 2008

New Orleans by Arthur Lubin: Farewell to Storyville

Here's a scene from Lubin's film 'New Orleans' made in 1947. Farewell Storyville performed by Billie Holiday (aka Lady Day), Louis Armstrong the band-leader, Woody Herman, etc..



The lyrics of Farewell to Storyville:

All, you old-time queens, from New Orleans, who lived in Storyville
You sang the blues, try to amuse, here's how they pay the bill
The law stepped in and called it sin to have a little fun
The police car has made a stop and Storyville is done
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train - a slo-ow train
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train - a slo-ow train
They made you close-up they'll never let you back - won't let you back
Go buy your ticket or else you walk the track

No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill - your one last thrill
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville

No use complaining, blue sky's follow rain - the cold-old rain
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville

Just say farewell now and get your one last thrill - your one last thrill
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville

New Orleans former red light district Storyville today on Iberia made by  architect Ben Ledbetter

Storyville was the infamous red light district of New Orleans from 1897 through 1917. The image was made by Ben Ledbetter architect


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"Some early jazz writers suggested that Storyville was key in the development of jazz and that its closing was responsible for New Orleans musicians leaving for Chicago; but this is now regarded as inaccurate. Some people from elsewhere continue to associate Storyville with the origins of jazz. It was tradition in the better Storyville establishments to hire a piano player and sometimes small bands." (wikipedia)

And indeed, "how about one more tune before we leave?" I like the lady throwing a farewell stone at the window.

Doug Kershaw Louisiana Man Performed by Glenn Campbell and Rick Nelson

The song Louisiana Man was written by Doug Kershaw while he was in the Army, and recorded, with his brother, in 1961. Doug Kershaw is also known as the 'The Ragin Cajun' for his extreme fiddle playing. Apparently, the song was covered by more than 800 artists, including Johnny Cash. What's more, according to wikipedia, "in November 1969, "Louisiana Man" was broadcast back to earth by the crew of the Apollo 12 moon mission."

Here's Louisiana Man performed by Glenn Campbell and Rick Nelson in this pretty good vintage video recording.




Lyrics of Louisiana Man by Doug Kershaw


At birth mom and papa called their little boy Ned
Raised him on the banks of a river bed
A houseboat tied to a big tall tree
A home for my papa and my mama and me

The clock strikes three and papa jumps to his feet
Already mama’s cooking papa something to eat
At half past papa he’s ready to go
He jumps in his pirogue headed down the bayou

He’s got fishing lines strung across the Louisiana rivers
Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat
He’s setting traps catching anything he can
He’s gotta make a living, he’s a Louisiana Man
He’s gotta make a living, he’s a Louisiana Man

He’s got Muskrat hides hanging by the dozens
Even got a lady Mink, a Muskrat’s cousin
Got ‘em out drying in the hot, hot sun
Tomorrow papa’s gonna turn ‘em into mon(ey)

They call mama Rita and my daddy Jack
My little baby brother on the floor that’s Mack
Bren(da) and Lin(da) are the family twins
And big brother Ed’s on the bayou fishing

On the river floats papa’s great big boat
That’s how me and papa goes into town
It takes every bit of a night and a day
To even reach a place where people stay

I can hardly wait until tomorrow comes around
That’s the day my papa takes his furs to town
Papa promised me that I could go
He’d even let me see a cowboy show

I saw the cowboys and Indians for the first time then
I told my pop I’ve gotta go again
Papa said son we’ve got lines to run
We’ll come back again but first there’s work to be done

He’s got fishing lines strung across the Louisiana rivers
Gotta catch a big fish for us to eat
He’s setting traps in the swamp catching anything he can
He’s gotta make a living, he’s a Lousiana Man
He’s gotta make a living, he’s a Louisiana Man


And here is the original Doug Kershaw with his fantastically energetic and original fiddle playing. You can buy CDs from him on his site

Apr 1, 2008

Battle of New Orleans Video & Lyrics - Johnny Horton's version

Johnny Horton performs "The Battle of New Orleans," a song detailing the 1815 Battle of New Orleans written by Jimmie Driftwood history teacher and high school principal. This song is a mini history lesson from the viewpoint of an American, who is fighting alongside General Andrew Jackson against the British. The peace treaty was already signed for two weeks but the news about it did not reach New Orleans... (Treaty of Ghent)

The song is from the album Classic Country: 1950-1964.



Lyrics of Battle of New Orleans

In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.

(Chorus)
We fired our guns and the British kept a'comin.
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago.
We fired once more and they began to runnin' on
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

We looked down the river and we see'd the British come.
And there must have been a hundred of'em beatin' on the drum.
They stepped so high and they made the bugles ring.
We stood by our cotton bales and didn't say a thing.

(Chorus)

Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise
If we didn't fire our muskets 'til we looked 'em in the eye
We held our fire 'til we see'd their faces well.
Then we opened up with squirrel guns and really gave 'em ... weeell

(Chorus)

Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

We fired our cannon 'til the barrel melted down.
So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round.
We filled his head with cannon balls, and powdered his behind
And when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind.

(Chorus)

Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

And here's Theodore Roosevelt's account of the Battle of New Orleans from the Naval War of 1812.

Baby Boy's New Orleans Saints Video & Lyrics

Who dat? Video tribute to New Orleans Saints made by mdrproductionz featuring this Baby Boy track - Saints version.




Baby Boy - The Way I Live Saints Version


The Saints comin back
Tom Visher were u at

Baby boy da Prince
Katrina couldnt stop us New Orleans
A number one playin

(Chorus)
This is the way we live
New Orlean Saints number 1 on the field
Katrina couldnt stop us and thats real
Beatin these teams its no big deal big deal big
This is the way we live
New Orlean Saints number 1 on the field
Katrina couldn't stop us and that's real
Beatin these teams it's no big deal big deal big
This is the way we live

I said who is they sayin they goin to beat them saints

U cant do that then u cant beat them saints
We got players like Reggie Bush and Duece mac
offensive line just push them to the back
defensive line just blitz them get a sack
Drew Brees got arm man throw it to the mac
Joe Horn goin long Touchdown thats a fact
The best team in the league whatch u no bout that
A we the saints and we go all the way
A we the saints and win hard today
Charles Grant a monster how he bust through the line
Teams better beware when they see the saints eye

(Chorus)
New Orleans Saints number 1 on the field
Katrina couldnt stop us and thats real
Beatin these teams its no big deal big deal big
This is the way we live
New Orleans Saints number one on the field
Katrina couldnt stop us and thats real
Beatin these teams its no big deal big deal big
This is the way we live

I I's its the saints we go all the way
katrina couldnt stop us and we here to stay
at home in the dome and we ready to play
undefeated in the league that is all i gotta say
now who let the dogs out must be Sean P.
straight to the endzone we eleven deep
Then comes Carney with a field goal
now the saints on the way to the super bowl

(Chorus)
New Orleans Saints number 1 on the field
Katrina couldnt stop us and thats real
Beatin these teams its no big deal big deal big
This is the way we live
New Orleans Saints number 1 on the field
Katrina couldnt stop us and thats real
Beating these teams its no big deal big deal big
This is the way we live

Clint Maedgen: I Can't Give You Anything But Love

And another video in the French Quarter music series, this time Clint Maedgen sings "I Can't Give You Anything But Love,"(written originally by Jimmy McHugh in 1928) with Preservation Hall and Ben Jaffe.

It's the 2nd music video they made for Made in New Orleans: The Hurricane Sessions. This music video - made for Valentine's Day - was directed by Ron Rona & Clint Maedgen.

There are very nice shots of New Orleans French Quarter and typical New Orleans visions and images. I especially like the colors in this video. Anyway, it's a great video Valentine postcard. :)



And the lyrics (from Dorothy Fields):

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the one thing I've plenty of, my baby.
Dream a while. Scheme a while.
And you will find,
Happiness, and I guess
all those things you've always pined for.

How I'd like to see you looking swell,
My little baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth's never sell, my baby.
But till that lucky day you know darn well, my baby.
I can't give you anything but love.

I can't give you anything but love, baby.
That's the one thing I've plenty of, my baby.
Dream a while. Scheme a while.
And you will find,
Happiness, and I guess
all those things you've always pined for.


How I'd like to see you looking swell,
My little baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth's never sell, my baby.
But till that lucky day you know darn well, my baby.
I can't give you anything
I can't give you anything
I can't give you anything but love.

and the bells ring...

Complicated Life in the French Quarter by Preservation Hall

This 2005 video clip of the song Complicated Life is set in the French Quarter (lower Decatur Street). It is very heart warming. The song was written by Ray Davies of the Kinks, here performed by New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and acted and sung out by Clint Maedgen coming complete with the New Orleans Bingo! Show.

Hey, one thing is sure, it will make you feel at ease. :) The don't worry - be happy effect kicks in.




Sing along with Clint - here's the lyrics of Complicated Life:

Ladi dah di dahdah, ladi dah di dah dah,
Ladi dah di dahdah, ladi dah di dah dah.

Well I woke this morning with a pain in my neck,
A pain in my heart and a pain in my chest,
I went to the doctor and the good doctor said,
You gotta slow down your life or you're gonna be dead,
Cut out the struggle and strife,
It only complicates your life.

Well I cut down women, I cut out booze,
I stopped ironing my shirts, cleaning my shoes,
I stopped going to work, stopped reading the news,
I sit and twiddle my thumbs cos I got nothing to do,
Minimal exercise,
To help uncomplicate my life.


Gotta stand and face it life is so complicated,
Ladi dah di dahdah, ladi dah di dah dah,
You gotta get away from the complicated life, son,
Life is overrated, life is complicated,
You must alleviate this complicated life.

Like old Mother Hubbard
I got nothin' in the cupboard,
I got no dinner and I got no supper,
Holes in my shoes, I got holes in my socks,
I can't go to work cos I can't get a job,
The bills are rising sky high,
It's such a complicated life,
Take it away.

Gotta stand and face it,
Life is so complicated.
Ladi dah di dahdah, ladi dah di dah dah
Gotta get away from the complicated life, son,
Life is overrated, life is complicated,
Must alleviate this complicated life.

Gotta get away from the complicated life, son,
Gotta get away from the complicated life.