Category: songs

Pete Seger: Turn Turn Turn

RIP Pete Seeger (3 May 1919 – 27 Jan 2014).

He turned Ecclesiastes 3 into Turn Turn Turn.

At this concert when he was 93, he said his wife Toshi had made up a few extra verses for their children. Like the rest of the song, they contain matching and contrasting words:

work – play
night – day
sleep – wake
candles on the cake

work – eat
sit and rest your feet
teach – learn
all to take their turn

cry – make a fuss
leave and catch the bus
quiet – talk
run – walk

get – give
remember – forgive
hug – kiss
close your eyes and wish
(why not “miss”?)

dirt – soap
tears – hope
fall – spring
hear the robin sing

Christmastime’s a-comin’: Bluegrass, Ska, Cajun

Bill Monroe sings Christmastime’s A-Comin’ (lyrics below), then Bob Marley sings White Christmas, followed by Harry Fonteneau with a Cajun rendition of Silent Night.

by Tex Logan

Oh, Christmastime’s a-comin’
Christmastime’s a-comin’
Christmastime’s a-comin’
And I know I’m goin’ home

Snow flake’s a-fallin’
My old heart’s a-callin’
Tall pine’s a-hummin’
‘Cause Christmastime’s a-comin’

Can’t you hear them bells ringin’, ringin’?
Joy, joy, hear them singin’
When it’s snowin’ I’ll be goin’
Back to my country home

Oh, white candle’s burnin’
My old heart’s a-yearnin’
For the folks at home when
Christmastime’s a-comin’, look out

Can’t you hear them bells ringin’, ringin’?
Joy, joy, hear them singin’
When it’s snowin’ I’ll be goin’
Back to my country home, oh, look out

Oh, holly’s in the window
Home where the wind blows
The cane foam’s a-runnin’
‘Cause Christmastime’s a-comin’

Can’t you hear them bells ringin’, ringin’?
Joy, joy, hear them singin’
When it’s snowin’ I’ll be goin’
Back to my country home, oh, come on, y’all

Oh, Christmastime’s a-comin’
Christmastime’s a-comin’
Christmastime’s a-comin’
And I know I’m goin’ home

Oh, Christmastime’s a-comin’
Christmastime’s a-comin’
Christmastime’s a-comin’
And I know I’m comin’ home

Cassandra Wilson: Winter Solstice Nights

Cassandra Wilson: Winter Solstice Nights

Let me rest my head upon your shoulder
Let me lie my body in your bed
Oh, I’m longing for to see you
On these winter solstice nights
when the stars are shining bright
Won’t you please leave on your lights of gold and red?
Won’t you please leave on your lights of gold and red?

Let me lift the burden from your shoulder
Let me still the whirling winds round your head
Oh I’m longing for to see you
On these winter solstice nights
When the stars are shining bright
Won’t you please leave on your lights of gold and red?
Won’t you please leave on your lights of gold and red?

Michael Kiwanuka: I’m Getting Ready

A soul prayer from Michael Kiwanuka (2012). Thank you, Christoph.

Oh my, I didn’t know what it means to believe
Oh my, I didn’t know what it means to believe

But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord, I’m a getting ready to believe.

Oh my, I didn’t know how hard it would be
Oh my, I didn’t know how hard it would be

But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord, I’m a getting ready to believe.

Then we’ll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it’s now coming easy
Oh no more looking down honey, can’t you see?
Oh Lord, I’m a getting ready to believe

Then we’ll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it’s now coming easy
Oh no more looking down honey
Can’t you see me?

Oh Lord, I’m getting ready
Oh Lord, I’m getting ready
Oh Lord, I’m getting ready to believe