Tom Paxton

[fox69]

"Balloon-Alloon-Alloon"

"Balloon-Alloon-Alloon"


I want a balloon-alloon-alloon
That I can tie a ribbon to
And my balloon-alloon-alloon can drift away
And I expect that very soon
That my balloon-alloon-alloon
Will be floating in the skies of Mandalay
Let’s go walking in the green, green grass
Let’s go down to the park
Swinging on the swings
Sliding on the slide
We won’t come home till dark
You can throw the ball at Peter
He can throw the ball to me
Then I’ll turn around and throw it back to you
Then, just to make it perfect as a perfect day can be
There is something that I want so much to do
I want a balloon-alloon-alloon
That I can tie a ribbon to
And my balloon-alloon-alloon can drift away
And I expect that very soon
That my balloon-alloon-alloon
Will be floating in the skies of Mandalay
Let’s have a party in the old tree-house
Let’s have toast and jam
Let’s all dress in our parent’s old clothes
Let’s have cheese and ham
We’ll pretend that we’re deserted in a jungle
Where the animals are comin’ very soon
And the only hope of rescue is to write an S.O.S.
And tie it to a balloon-alloon-alloon
I want a balloon-alloon-alloon
That I can tie a ribbon to
And my balloon-alloon-alloon can drift away
And I expect that very soon
That my balloon-alloon-alloon
Will be floating in the skies of Mandalay
And I expect that very soon
That my balloon-alloon-alloon
Will be floating in the skies of Mandala

 

[fox69]

"Bananas"

"Bananas"


I am buying bunches of bananas
They are turning yellow in the sun
I will hang bananas out to ripen
I will eat bananas one by one
On my cereal I will slice them bananas
Splash them bananas
Squish them bananas
Mix ‘em up with peanut butter
I love bananas
I believe bananas love me
Teacher found another ripe banana
She was so surprised that it was there
Teacher found another ripe banana
When she went to sit down in her chair
On my cereal I will slice them bananas
Splash them bananas
Squish them bananas
Mix ‘em up with peanut butter
I love bananas
I believe bananas love me
Who doesn't like bananas
Nobody
What are bananas for
All I ask is a couple of bananas
And then maybe just one or two more
On my cereal I will slice them bananas
Splash them bananas
Squish them bananas
Mix ‘em up with peanut butter
I love bananas
I believe bananas love me
Who doesn't like bananas
Nobody
What are bananas for
All I ask is a couple of bananas
And then maybe just one or two more
Larry got so very acrobatic
Arms were going like a spinning wheel
Larry got so very acrobatic
Stepping on a ripe banana peel
On my cereal I will slice them bananas
Splash them bananas
Squish them bananas
Mix ‘em up with peanut butter
I love bananas
I believe bananas love me
Mix ‘em up with peanut butter
I love bananas
I believe bananas love me

 

[fox69]

"Be A Sport, Afghanistan"

"Be A Sport, Afghanistan"


Let me have a word with you, you’re sporting kind of man
Captain of the Olympic team, here at Afghanistan
And you don’t wanna go to Moscow - wonderful - let me commend your zeal
But still I hope you won’t lose sight of the pure Olympic ideal
Be a sport Afghanistan, be a sport
Not everyone can be a winner - some fall short
So you might not win a medal
So you feel a little flat
So you lost a little freedom
Hell, we all have days like that
Don’t be a drag Afghanistan, don’t be a drag
We’ll help you sew a couple o’ stitches in your flag
As you march around the stadium to musical strains
Be sure to wave to Lord Killanin and the rest of the brains
For you know they’ll never listen to the clanking of your chains
So be a sport Afghanistan, be a sport
Don’t be rude Afghanistan, now don’t be rude
Politics and the Olympics don’t intrude
The Olympiad is holy
We observe the niceties
We’re above the petty squabbles
You could ask the Taiwanese
Try to smile Afghanistan, try to smile
Show the world a little sportsmanship and style
Just because you’ve been invaded
Is no reason to lose heart
Just because you’re in a war you didn’t want and didn’t start
Still remember that you have the joy of simply taking part
So be a sport Afghanistan, be a sport
The committee’s full of sporting chaps that comes as no surprise
And we’ve already ordered our blazers and some ripping Olympic ties
So it’s too late to call the games off - that would never ever do
And the hopeful eyes of the sporting world - are firmly fixed on you
Rise and shine Afghanistan, rise and shine
Help us whip those other nations into line
They’ll believe you if you tell ‘em
That the boycott isn’t fair
You been running for your lives at home
Hell, why not do it there
Show some class Afghanistan, show some class
Just because the Russians saw some greener grass
Just because you lost some freedom - it’s not sporting to complain
Still you got an invitation and we’re happy to explain
That the Russian’s have agreed that they will take you there by train
So be a sport Afghanistan, be a sport
You’ll be runnin’ around Siberia when you run
Be a sport Afghanistan, be a sport

 

[fox69]

"Bet On The Blues"

"Bet On The Blues"


Five hundred'll buy you a stack
Bet it all on the red or the black
And you lose
Bet on the blues
They tell me you're a gamblin' man
Try to beat the house if you can
And you lose
Bet on the blues
If you're looking to get an inside slant
If you're looking for something so good
You can't refuse
Bet on the blues
Find a man who thinks he's over the hump
And I'm here to tell you he's the kind of a chump
You can use
Bet on the blues
Bet on the blues
Your sun is shining today
Even money says you'll be paying
Some dues
Bet on the blues
You've found your lady fair
Eight to five she's wearing
Her traveling shoes
Bet on the blues
If you're looking to get an inside slant
If you're looking for something so good
You can't refuse
Bet on the blues
Find a man who thinks he's over the hump
And I'm here to tell you he's the kind of a chump
You can use
Bet on the blues
Bet on the blues
Five hundred'll buy you a stack
Bet it all on the red or the black
And you lose
Bet on the blues
They tell me you're a gamblin' man
Try to beat the house if you can
And you lose
Bet on the blues
Bet on the blues
Bet on the blues
Bet on the blues

 

[fox69]

"Billy Got Some Bad News Today"

"Billy Got Some Bad News Today"


Billy got some bad news today
Billy hardly knew what to say
He went to the doctor
Doctor turned away
Billy got some bad news today
Billy's friends are gatherin’ 'round
This is when the chips come down
He didn't have to ask
He didn't make a sound
Billy's friends are gatherin’ 'round
Billy is a friend of mine
We were kids together
Playing games of our design
In Michigan weather
We were boys becoming men
We were different somehow
Well, it never mattered then
And it doesn't matter now
Billy is a strong, strong man
He never was the kind who ran
He can handle this
If anybody can
‘Cause Billy’s a strong, strong man
Billy is a friend of mine
We were kids together
Playin’ games of our design
In Michigan weather
We were boys becoming men
We were different somehow
Well, it never mattered then
And it doesn't matter now
Billy got some bad news today
Billy hardly knew what to say
He went to the doctor
Doctor turned away
Billy got some bad news today
Oh, he went to the doctor
Doctor turned away
Billy got some bad news today

 

[fox69]

"Birds On The Table"

"Birds On The Table"


I went down to Barbados a year ago. We had a beautiful holiday together, and we stayed in a nice hotel where they brought breakfast to our room on a nice big tray and each room had a kind of an outdoor table. It was beautiful to sit there and have breakfast but the second you walked away from the table - whrrrrrr! - every bird in the Caribbean came down looking to score. I decided it was worth a song to write for my kids, and Angel and I are gonna do it for you...

Birds on the table pickin’ at the crumbs
Look out birdies when the housemaid comes
She’s gonna catch you eatin’ when she comes to clean the room
She’s gonna rattle your feathers with a three-foot broom
In the mornin’ when the sun comes up above the sea
In the mornin’ when my lady loves me
Birds on the juice glass sitting on the rim
Thanks for the juice it could use a little gin
Barbados blackbird what he likes the most
Is tellin’ all the sparrows that’s the butter for the toast
In the mornin’ when the sun comes up above the sea
In the mornin’ when my lady loves me
O - they’re gonna finish up the coffee
O - a little bacon tastes great
O - it only needs a little pepper
Every little bird is gonna polish up his plate
Birds on the table talkin’ while I eat
Hello baby, what a funny place to meet
Peckin’ on the table, peckin’ on the floor
Tellin’ me tomorrow try to leave a little more
In the mornin’ when the sun comes up above the sea
In the mornin’ when my lady loves me
O - they’re gonna finish up the coffee
O - a little bacon tastes great
O - it only needs a little pepper
Every little bird is gonna polish up his plate
Birds on the table talkin’ while I eat
Hello baby, what a funny place to meet
Peckin’ on the table, peckin’ on the floor
Tellin’ me tomorrow try to leave a little more
In the mornin’ when the sun comes up above the sea
In the mornin’ when my lady loves me

 

[fox69]

"Bishop Cody's Last Request"

"Bishop Cody's Last Request"


Bishop Cody's last request was wired across the sea
Find my wandering brother, boys, and bring him home to me
I knew him as an infant, as a meek and trusting child
But lately I've had sad reports that my brother is running wild
Oh bring my brother home to me
With my own eyes I've got to see
Just what he's into
Bishop Cody's last request received respectful care
The trail said California and they found his brother there
They found him in an alley, in a sea of broken glass
They plucked him from the traffic of the hustlers tripping past
Oh sir you're brother's eyes are dim
We've come to take you home to him
He needs to see you
Bishop Cody's last request was told in great detail
The messengers were desperate men; they had not come to fail
They pressed their case with fervour their urgency was clear
While Bishop Cody's brother smiled and did not seem to hear
Oh, give the Bishop my regards
Thanks for all the birthday cards
He never failed me
Bishop Cody's messengers were left with no recourse
The situation plainly called for a little use of force
They grabbed him by the shoulder, but the shoulder
slipped away
As he vanished down the alley they could hear the brother say
Oh, give the Bishop my regards
Thanks for all the birthday cards
He never failed me
Bishop Cody's last request was broadcast through the town
And Bishop Cody's brother was quite often seen around
The messengers were frantic, quite efficient and discreet
But their manner proved distracted when they saw him on the street
Oh, sir you have to go
Oh sir at least you owe
An explanation
Bishop Cody's last request was finally denied
As his spirit left his body someone heard - my hands are tied
The word went down the alley; that the Bishop was at rest
And someone opened up a bar called The Bishop's Last Request
His brother told the priest
The bishop rests in peace
He never failed me
His brother told the priest
The bishop rests in peace
He never failed me

 

[fox69]

"Blue Mountain Road"

"Blue Mountain Road"


Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
With every mile we travel into the mornin’ light
We get closer to those blue eyes that make my life so bright
Oh, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
I see moonlight splashing through the trees and ripples on the lake
I’m headin’ home to Woodstock, trying hard to stay awake
Three o’clock in the mornin’ on this winding road alone
Fifty miles an hour says, two hours you’ll be home
So, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
With every mile we travel into the mornin’ light
We get closer to those blue eyes that make my life so bright
Oh, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
I know that my lady’s lyin’ sleepin’ in our bed
I know my son has dreams of motorcycles in his head
I know this road blindfolded; every tree and dotted line -
And when it takes me home, it’s just an old, old friend of mine
So, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
With every mile we travel into the mornin’ light
We get closer to those blue eyes that make my life so bright
Oh, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
Every bend on every hill is one less hill to go
Every mile’s another left behind
Engine, don’t you fail me now
You’ve got to get me home somehow
I’ve got one sweet woman on my mind
Oh-ho, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
With every mile we travel into the mornin’ light
We get closer to those blue eyes that make my life so bright
Oh, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
Every time I leave I tell myself this time’s the last
Every day away I feel my lifetime rushin’ past
I’ve seen half this world and I can tell you what it showed
Everything I love is down this long Blue Mountain Road
So, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
With every mile we travel into the mornin’ light
We get closer to those blue eyes that make my life so bright
Oh, Blue Mountain Road, take me with you tonight
Oh, Blue Mountain Road
Take me with you tonigh

 

[fox69]

"Boat In The Water"

"Boat In The Water"


Let's get this boat in the water
With the oars where they oughta
We'll roll down this river to the sea
We'll sail off in the sunset
To some place we ain't been yet
Just to say that we've been there, you and me

There are islands in the ocean
You can't reach except by boatin'
Where the coconuts and mangos fall from trees
On the beaches soft as cotton
All your troubles soon forgotten
You can toss 'em up, loose 'em in the breeze

Let's get this boat in the water
With the oars where they oughta
We'll roll down this river to the sea
We'll sail off in the sunset
To some place we ain't been yet
Just to say that we've been there, you and me

If we never make it back, hell, we won't care
Just as long as we can say that we've been there

If we want to see some more of
We can sail to Bora Bora
Where they say the fish are bitin' there all day
And the natives one supposes
Run around without their clothes
You can feel your inhibitions slip away

Let's get this boat in the water
With the oars where they oughta
We'll roll down this river to the sea
We'll sail off in the sunset
To some place we ain't been yet
Just to say that we've been there, you and me
Oh, we can say that we've been there, you and me

 

[fox69]

"Bobbit"

"Bobbit"


Oh, my wife’s name is Lorena
And you really shoulda seen her
She is beautiful is what I always said
My name is John Wayne Bobbitt
I work hard at my job
It was my right to have a little fun in bed
She wasn’t in the mood then
And I must’ve gotten rude then
And I guess I got a little out of line
I was finished; I was sleeping
When Lorena came in creeping
And she took something important that was mine
Yes, my angry little wifey
Took her little kitchen knifey
And she did a little homemade surgery
She took the knife I bought her
She made me a little shorter
And she took off with the very best of me
She jumped into her Toyota
She took off with my promoter
And she knew how much I missed her when she’d gone
Then Lorena told a coppy
Where she’d flung my little floppy
And a very kindly doctor sewed it on
I got back my little buddy
It’s my little understudy
And it’s going to work, according to reports
But it cowers and it cringes
And it’s tender round the hinges
So I guess I’d better keep it in my short