Oh, grandpa wore his suit to dinner
Nearly every day
No particular reason
He just dressed that way
Brown necktie and a matching vest
Both his wingtip shoes
He built a closet on our back porch And put a penny in a burned-out fuse
Grandpa was a carpenter
He built houses, stores and banks
Chain-smoked Camel cigarettes
And hammered nails in planks
He was level on the level
And shaved even every door
And voted for Eisenhower 'cause Lincoln won the war
If we were all the same, the world would be an incredibly boring place.
My shadow left my mind and went a walkin' 'round and found a nickel on the ground
And the buffalo upon one side he got up and walked away
And the Indian upon the other side gave out a sigh and said that's better now
Without the buffalo
Without the buffalo x 2
Without the buffalo I'm just and Indian
I'm free and clear
The Indian went walkin' 'round and sat upon the Hill to watch the sun go down
But he couldn't find his people, he got up and walked away
And he sat beside the fire, and gave out a sigh We're all forgotten now
Where is my tomahawk
My days are gone
Where is my tent
Where is my planting ground
Where is my land
This reservation's wrong
Whose this white man
My people never smile
Where is my brother
My children ignorant
Where is my squaw
Where's my buffalo
How could I forget - my favorite M&P song. So many references to famous folk singers of the era. It has a coin reference, and as a bonus, a reference to credit cards (American Express).
Years ago there was a lyric in the song that I couldn't figure out, and when I tried to search online I found discrepancies among various lyrics sites where others had simply transcribed what they thought they heard. So, I wrote to Michelle Phillips directly and she cleared it up for me.
Comments
John Prine, Grandpa was a Carpenter
Oh, grandpa wore his suit to dinner
Nearly every day
No particular reason
He just dressed that way
Brown necktie and a matching vest
Both his wingtip shoes
He built a closet on our back porch
And put a penny in a burned-out fuse
Grandpa was a carpenter
He built houses, stores and banks
Chain-smoked Camel cigarettes
And hammered nails in planks
He was level on the level
And shaved even every door
And voted for Eisenhower 'cause Lincoln won the war
If we were all the same, the world would be an incredibly boring place.
Tommy
Sam Cooke and Cat Stevens had versions.
Did I miss?
The Gambler
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
Joe.
There was an earlier discussion here.
St. James Infirmary:
"Put a twenty-dollar gold piece on my watch chain
So you can let all the boys know I died standing pat"
Edited to add link
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
"You never give me your money,you only give me your funny paper" Beatles from Abbey Road.
Starcrawler - No More Pennies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZRKkYB6bTs
"I found a silver quarter in my pocket
I picked it up and then I lost it"
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Mason Proffit "Buffalo"
My shadow left my mind and went a walkin' 'round and found a nickel on the ground
And the buffalo upon one side he got up and walked away
And the Indian upon the other side gave out a sigh and said that's better now
Without the buffalo
Without the buffalo x 2
Without the buffalo I'm just and Indian
I'm free and clear
The Indian went walkin' 'round and sat upon the Hill to watch the sun go down
But he couldn't find his people, he got up and walked away
And he sat beside the fire, and gave out a sigh We're all forgotten now
Where is my tomahawk
My days are gone
Where is my tent
Where is my planting ground
Where is my land
This reservation's wrong
Whose this white man
My people never smile
Where is my brother
My children ignorant
Where is my squaw
Where's my buffalo
A trio of "penny" songs:
Creeque Alley by The Mamas & The Papas
Material Girl by Madonna
Who Will Buy? from Oliver
How could I forget - my favorite M&P song. So many references to famous folk singers of the era. It has a coin reference, and as a bonus, a reference to credit cards (American Express).
Years ago there was a lyric in the song that I couldn't figure out, and when I tried to search online I found discrepancies among various lyrics sites where others had simply transcribed what they thought they heard. So, I wrote to Michelle Phillips directly and she cleared it up for me.
GOLD!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reFlgu1vq3Q
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
50 cent ..lololol
Fiddy-cent.
Freddy Mercury!
Steven59- you just beat me to it by 6 hours.
Bonus tip- Stevie Nicks is the backup vocals.
1849 by Canadian group Lighthouse. It's on YouTube. Great story song.