Other

My woman left me
But that's not all
she robbed me blind
She took it all

She took my money
She took my car
She even took the coins
That I kept In a jar

She cleaned out my account
Racked up bills on my card
She used to love me
Now I feel so bad

She said I was her reason for living
That I made everything alright
But then she got up and left me
In the middle of the night

She stole my money
That's not so bad
She stole my heart
Made me feel so sad

I got the bad woman blues
got no money to pay my dues
got no future, hate my past
I thought that this was gonna last

But she's gone, left me
With nothing but a memory
She's gone, fleeced me
Ain't got money for a cup of tea

Yes she's gone, left me
don't expect to see her again
She's gone, left me
I'll never be the same again

She broke my heart
Left a huge space in my bed
Never really found out
If it was something that I said

She didn't leave a number
just drove off in the Humber
Left no forwarding address
Just a memory of her caress

She's gone and she isn't coming back
And the saddest thing of all
She's gone and she isn't coming back
Took my blue tack of the wall

I gave you everything I had
Never caused you any pain
You called me your sweet angel
And then you disappeared
like sugar in the rain

You told me you loved me
A thousand times and then again
You said you couldn't live without me
And then you disappeared
like sugar in the rain

Like sugar in the rain
You melted right in front of me
One minute I was everything
And then you disappeared

I thought I had you forever
I thought we were as one
But just like that you were gone
And my life was dark
Because you were my sun

Like sugar in the rain
You melted right in front of me
One minute I was everything
And then you disappeared

And then you disappeared
like sugar in the rain
You melted right in front of me
and I never saw your face again

Music moves me, it satisfies my soul
Blues, hip hop, folk and rock n roll
I can't imagine life without it
Without the rhythm and the beat
Like having good food on the table
But not allowed to eat
When I hear a 12-bar blues
My toes move around inside my shoes
And my fingers start to tap
And my tensions they unwrap
My tastes are wide and varied
I think eclectic is the word
I'm not into specific genres
I leave no new sound unheard
I love to find new music
I love to hear new singers sing
I love to hear people express themselves
And the joy that this can bring
I love the full range of emotions
That music can create
From laughter to tears and back again
Modulating my heart rate
I love sad songs that make me happy
I love sad songs that make me cry
But I don't want sad songs at my funeral
I'm not that kind of guy
I want My Back Pages played at volume
I don't want no sacred cows
Because I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now
I want Dylan singing Like A Rolling Stone
Raunchy blues by Nina Simone
Cohen telling me There Ain't No Cure For Love
Like God came down from up above
Nothing Compares To You by Sinead the Irish Queen
I Need Your Love So Bad, sung by Peter Green
Who Knows Where The Times Goes
Because goes it does as we all know
And If I Should Fall From Grace With God
All blasting out from my IPOD
I Want To See The Bright Lights Again
Because they've shone so bright for me
And Richard & Linda Thompson
Sing It sweet as sweet can be
And they'll shine right through the night
Until the party's over
But not until we've all got drunk
And sung the Irish Rover
And the little pocket rocket
Pumps out Brass in Pocket
Van the Man sings Moondance
As we fall into a trance
And the Water Boys croon
about the Whole Of The Moon
And Caledonia & Flower Of Scotland
Add a bit of Celtic magic
From the place that I was born in
Then Lou Reed can take us For A Walk On The Wild Side
And the coloured girls go
Doo do doo, do doo do do doo
And Bono's up there preaching from the pulpit of U2
John Sebastian and The Loving Spoonful
Take us to a softer place
Younger Generation, a story we all have to face
Neil Young blasts out Southern Man
In his angry wailing voice
Then the Beatles there's so many
You can have your choice
The Stones call out for Ruby Tuesday
'cause they get no Satisfaction
But still, they're gonna miss her
That lady caused a Chain Reaction
Tapestry by Carole King
Everyone will want to sing
No Woman No Cry & One Love
Are the songs Mr Marley brings
I don't know what the question was
But Love Is The Answer so Mr Lennon says
So, we'll take his word as gospel
And Imagine Better Days
I'm sure there are lots of songs I've missed
So, I might come along myself and play
And make sure the party lasts
Until everyone has had their say
So, you better all be ready for a bloody long wake
'cause I don't want anybody leaving
And there will be no intermission break
I love songs I never tire of
Even after 60 years of plays
I love songs that take me right back to my early days
I love songs that make me smile
I love songs that make me think
I love songs that make me angry
And take me to the brink
I love listening to live music
The way musicians interact
I love the way they touch the audience
And the way emotions get unpacked
I love the fact that people do this
Each and every single day
And they do it 'cause they love it
And not just for the pay
Yes, I really love my music
Life just wouldn't be the same
If I didn't have the music
I might well just go insane
But I'm not crazy yet my friends
Well not very anyway 😊
So, I plan to keep on listening
Forever and a day
And when the music fails to move me
And I've passed along the way
I don't want no lame excuses
That you don't know what to play
I don't want no hymns with boring tunes
And boring words as well
I want you to play my song list
Or I'll see you all in hell!
😈

I'm lying in bed in the neighbourhood

Trying to figure out where to get some food
As the sounds of Manhattan filter through from the street below

There are voices talking in many tongues
music competes with noisy car horns
And the pastrami and rye is inviting me down for a feed

The subway was great down under NY state
Not too many freaks on the train
People with dogs in their bags
Some poor people in rags
And some who were very urbane

New York, New York - It's a wonderful place
Even though there isn't much space
Too many cars double parked on the street
But nobody cares it's just the way NY is
In OZ they'd be booked "tout de suite"

We met a drag queen on 70th avenue

She was gorgeous with oodles of style

And as she walked down the street strutting her stuff

We couldn't help but smile

Waiting at crossings for the signs to say walk

It was clear that we were not local

because New Yorkers kept walking whatever the sign

And of course they were always quite vocal

An $8 Times Square ice cream

Was more than we could bear

So we just kept on walking

But we didn't really care

Times Square was like an airport escalator

As the crowds went flashing by

Nobody really going anywhere

Nobody looked you in the eye

We went to Greenwich Village

where such history was made

And while it wasn't like the 60s

The sense of history did pervade

We took a photo down on Bleecker Street

Where Paul Simon wrote his song

And wondered what it would have been like

To have been there back then and sung along

Cath got herself a photo with the boys from the FDNY

She waited patiently beside the fire truck

To prove she wasn't shy

And when they came back with their coffee

She giggled like a girl

As she squeezed in tight between them

I think she was quite thrilled

We travelled up to Harlem

To hear the gospel singers sing

And to find out if some preaching

Could save us from our sins

The gospel choir was awesome

And the preacher did his best

But the road to our salvation

May be too much of a test

The Tuk Tuk drive round Central Park

Gave us a sense of CP's scale

And Victor our driver from Peru

Told us many fascinating tales

We loved the New York buildings

They had such style and flare

And not just the millionaires' mansions

In the suburbs, everywhere

They were built in times when detail mattered

When craftsmen used their skill

Before "efficiency" in architecture

Sent everything downhill

We went to Williamsburg on the ferry

To see the tribute in light

In memory of 9/11

It was such a perfect night

We sat together in the park

And as it gradually got dark

The twin beams shot up to the sky

No fanfare, no fireworks

Just a simple tribute to the ones who died

As we walked throughout our suburb

Spanish language filled our ears

People chatting on the sidewalk

In plastic chairs drinking beer

We could have been back in Colombia

The feeling was the same

Creating a comfortable environment

So a bit of home could be reclaimed

So we loved you New York City

We found you friendly and polite

Not quite what we expected

Much more smile and much less bite

We'd like to come back and see you

Some more places to explore

You gave us many happy memories

And we'd like to have some more

So, you think you’ve got some talent
You can hold a note or two
Or you write a bit of poetry
Then we’d love to hear from you

Our audience is friendly
They won’t boo or hiss at you
So come on down to open mic
And give us something new

You don’t have to be fantastic
You don’t have to be a star
But maybe you can entertain
On keyboard or guitar

Or maybe you’re a stand-up
And you’d like to make us laugh
Don’t make “I’m too shy to try it”
Be your epitaph

Come along to the Little Theatre
And have a little fun
Let us see your talent
You won’t regret it when it’s done

Yes, don’t be shy, just come on up
And celebrate your skill
We’ll all come along and listen
And enjoy you feeling thrilled

The thing I like about open-mic
Is the energy in the room
Some nervous energy from the performers
And the audience wants each one to bloom
And it’s not always perfect
In the way it comes across
When people put themselves on the line
There’s not always lots of gloss
But how many have you seen up here
On their second or their third
And the voice has much less quiver
And some magic has been heard
And they’re thinking I can do this
And they want to do it more
And the audience is excited
And the applause turns to a roar
You won’t get a better audience
To support you as you try
They’ll help you make it better
So come on don’t be shy
 

I came along to the Open Mic
To sing a song or two
I was feeling very nervous
As I’m sure would you
My throat felt very tight
As I thought “Tonight’s the night”
Can’t delay this any longer
And I suddenly felt stronger

I stood up on the stage
And I looked out at the crowd
I croaked a brief gidday
And I thought I don’t sound very loud
But I picked up my guitar
And I strummed a chord or two
A woman started to applaud
And I thought darling I love you

I sang a song or two
And I really felt quite good
Nobody had left yet
Although that would have been quite rude
The audience was gracious
Someone shouted more
I think it was that same woman
I’m going to have to pay her more

I had a wonderful experience
And I’ll come back for more
It’s such a lovely venue
Although I did hear someone snore
I know I wasn’t perfect
But I’ll get better with support
Thank you, Little Theatre,
For being such a sport
 

It’s open mic 2024
And we’re here to welcome you at the door
Some come on in and do your thing
Playing music, telling jokes, reading poetry or maybe you can sing

This is the place to try things out
Your first tentative attempt
To get experience up here on the stage
Doing your best to engage

Try it out
It’s easier than you think
Because everyone wants you to succeed
Take a chance on yourself
You might be surprised
How you'll fill your inner need

And to everyone who's come along
and shared their lovely stuff
We thank you very muchly
But we’ll never get enough
So keep on coming back here to share your stuff with us
We’ll clap and shout and stamp our feet
And that’s sure to be a plus
 

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands
If you’re a singer and you love it start a band
If you’re a poet or you’re funny write some words but not for money
Just share your happiness around
Because laughter’s such a happy sound

Come along to the open mic and make everybody smile
We’ll shout and cheer for you
We’ll be standing in the aisles
And if you give your best shot that’s all that we expect
It doesn’t have to be perfect
But you’ll get everyone’s respect

So, give your best performance and strut your stuff up on the stage
Sing your song, tell a joke
With the audience engage
We’ll cheer and shout we’ll clap until our hands are sore
And if you’re really good for more we will implore

The open mic’s the place to be
You’re among friends so don’t be shy
We’d really like to hear you and we’re glad that you came by
And when you are a future star, we’ll smile and say we knew
That you would be famous the first time we saw you
 

I know you want to get up here

I can see it in your eyes

You’ve always had a taste for stardom

So don’t look at me all surprised

And you sir up the back

I heard your wife say you’re a dancer

Although my hearing’s not so good these days

She might have said that you’re a chancer

But don’t just sit there clapping

When you really want to be up here

Take a couple of brave pills

And get up out of your chair

And when those brave pills start a working

And you find yourself up here

You’ll wonder what the fuss was all about

‘cause there’s nothing much to fear

It looks quite different from the stage

Just lots of silhouettes

You can’t see the whites of their eyes

And they don’t throw eggs or fix bayonets

So if you’re trying to pluck up courage

To come up here and do your thing

All I can do is encourage you

To dance, strum, recite or sing

And to paraphrase the Fab Four

You’re such a lovely audience

We’d like to take you home with us

We’d love to take you home

I don't really want to stop the show But I thought you might like to know

That the singer's gonna sing a song And he wants you all to sing along

So let me introduce to you

MC Grace and her book of jokes

At Stanthorpe Little Theatre open mic

I’ve been coming here for some time now

And boy have I seen people grow

From creaky voice with tremors

To singers who can steal the show

I’ve seen people up here on the stage

Who didn’t know how good they were

I’ve seen them smile when the audience whooped & screamed

I’ve seen them shed a little tear

It’s not easy believing in yourself

Even when your voice is sweet

When you’ve never seen the crowd light up

And get up from their seat

When all you’ve ever done before

Is singing  in the shower

There’s a magic spot that you only reach

When the audience gives you power

When you know that you’re connecting

And the room has gone real quiet

And you realize they’re listening

And you’re glad you said you’d try it

Because no matter how much you practice

In front of the mirror back at home

You’ll never know the feeling

We call open mic syndrome

It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling

That goes from bottom up to top

When you’ve given it your best shot

And we know that is a lot

And the audience starts clapping

And a smile appears upon your face

And you know that you have made it

To your happy happy place

The little theatre has put out a call

For singers and poets, musicians et al

To come entertain us on Fridays each month 

So if you think you have talent

Come on up take a punt

And if you don’t think this works mister

Why not check out Nine Year Sister 

Who did their first live gig on this very stage

And now they’re doing Tamworth, Woodford and they’re all the rage

If you want to be a star

You have to step up to the bar

The first step is the hardest 

But you’ll be running before you know it

So put your name on the list mate

You’ve got it - you just have to show it

roll up roll up

We’ve got a space for you

MC grace will introduce you 

And we’ll stomp and shout for you

Read a poem, sing a song 

tap dance if that’s your thing

We’re all looking forward to seeing what you bring  

I smiled 
She smiled
I thought yes! She’s into me
But no she was just smiling
Not at me
Just smiling
It was just the way she was
And once I got over my embarrassment I was cool with that

My woman left me
But that's not all
she robbed me blind
She took it all

She took my money
She took my car
She even took the coins
That I kept in a jar

She cleaned out my account
Racked up bills on my card
She used to love me
Now I feel so bad

She said I was her reason for living
That I made everything alright
But then she got up and left me
In the middle of the night

She stole my money
That's not so bad
She stole my heart
That's why I feel so sad

She broke my heart
Left a huge space in my bed
Never really found out
If it was something that I said

She didn't leave a number
just drove off in the Humber
Left no forwarding address
Just a memory of her caress

I got the bad woman blues
got no money to pay my dues
got no future, hate my past
I always thought that this would last

But she's gone, left
with just a memory
Of better times
When she needed me

She's gone and she isn't coming back
It feels like I've had a heart attack
She didn't even say goodbye
I'm so lonesome I could cry

Yes she's gone, left me
don't expect to see her again
She's gone, left me
No more Sweet Jane

I'm in love with the girl who sings back up for the star
She's the best but she doesn't get to ride home in his car
Oh she croons and she swoons and she rolls her big blue eyes
The rock star's not for me she's the one I idolise
She's cool, she's cute and sexy to boot
But she don't get her fair share of the loot

I'm in love with the back-up singer standing to one side
I'm in love with the way she belts it out with such pride
I love the way she oohs and ahs
I love the way she swings her ass
I love the way she hits those notes that the star just couldn't reach

I love the way she caresses the mike
And holds it to her lips
The way she runs her hands up and down her legs and around her ample hips
She's hot and she's steamy
If she was coffee she'd be creamy
And she could fill my cup any time

She wears six inch heels
And I can tell she feels
every note she sings
She knows she's hot
Knows exactly what she's got
She makes all my bells ring ding a ling a ling

Waking to the sound of the Kookaburra laugh
To the gentle lowing of a mother cow and calf
As the sun breaks through the stained glass windows
in our Mullumbimby tree house room
And the rain still pitter patters on the roof
Another day in paradise a day filled with peace and joy
Listening to ABC double J on my iPhone app
While my soulmate sleeps beside me In her favourite place
Her head nestling on my shoulder
And I'm looking forward to more of this as we grow older
There's a clock above the front door
that makes different animal sounds on the hour
A cat at seven
A cow at eight
A lovely way to ensure that we're not late
A peaceful energy surrounds this place
There's music in the floorboards
And music in the eaves
It's a calm and peaceful haven
Just the rustle of the leaves
And the sounds of birds alighting
On the branches of the trees
We made a perfect choice of a place to stay
to hear the Starboard Cannons play
Another perfect weekend in paradise