These are some of the songs I have sung over the years. I hope you enjoy them. You will need a program such as RealAudio to hear them. (If the link stops working go HERE and look for the FREE player
Meet Paul (See what I look like & read a little bit about me)
Go to David Rovics' Page
Go to David Rovics' Page
I would like to sit down by you, I would like to listen to your dreams
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
I'dlike to hold your hand in mine if you will one day let me
Butif you feel you cannot I will understand
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
I'dlike to hold your hand in mine if you will one day let me
Butif you feel you cannot I will understand
I would like to sit down by you, I would like to hear your violin
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
Mikanseaten one by one as the sun is crossing the room
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
Mikanseaten one by one as the sun is crossing the room
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
You may think that you deceived me, that what I see it isn't you, not
reallyyou
Butall I want is to close my eyes and be with you
reallyyou
Butall I want is to close my eyes and be with you
I know that one day you'll be leaving
ForBirmingham and other places where dreams are waiting
I knowI can't go, the sun's across the room now
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
ForBirmingham and other places where dreams are waiting
I knowI can't go, the sun's across the room now
I wouldlike to close my eyes and listen to your dreams
A spider in a can of tea, it don't taste too bad
Andthe salt I put in my yogurt by mistake it tasted sad
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
Andthe salt I put in my yogurt by mistake it tasted sad
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
You gave me fruit from off of your tree, I gave you bread and a song
Andeven if that's all there is, your smile it keeps me warm
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
Andeven if that's all there is, your smile it keeps me warm
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
I don't know where this road is going, I only know where it's been
I knowI don't know you well, but what I know is this
I knowI don't know you well, but what I know is this
The song I sung of sun crossing the room brought to your eyes
Memories of days we never shared, but I don't mind
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
Memories of days we never shared, but I don't mind
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
You said that wasn't what you meant when I drew you running away from me
Butall I want to remember is a girl who must be free
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
Butall I want to remember is a girl who must be free
It'sa precious memory I won't forget
Oh TS, I eat it every night
Folksmay say you're crazy and you know they're right
Butif this world is normal, I don't wanna be
I'drather be living with the fishies in the sea
Oh TSis the way for me
Folksmay say you're crazy and you know they're right
Butif this world is normal, I don't wanna be
I'drather be living with the fishies in the sea
Oh TSis the way for me
Now futsu spaghetti don't taste too bad
butyou eat it every night and I think you've had enough
ButTS is the way for me, it makes life less boring and fun to be
Oh TSis the way for me
Nowwhen your friends come over, they want some supper
Whatare you gonna do?
Areyou gonna take a chance and put in the beans
Areyou gonna do what you always do?
Butif you add the beans, they say you're crazy
Theysay good-bye forever to you
Welldon't you a-worry cause x is my friend
Andshe likes Tofu!
butyou eat it every night and I think you've had enough
ButTS is the way for me, it makes life less boring and fun to be
Oh TSis the way for me
Nowwhen your friends come over, they want some supper
Whatare you gonna do?
Areyou gonna take a chance and put in the beans
Areyou gonna do what you always do?
Butif you add the beans, they say you're crazy
Theysay good-bye forever to you
Welldon't you a-worry cause x is my friend
Andshe likes Tofu!
OYOGE TAIYAKI KUN (well,not my song but I look like the singer, Shimon Masato
who made it famous and was on a TV look-alike contest-this is about
bean-jam waffles fighting withthe cook and escaping into the sea!)
bean-jam waffles fighting withthe cook and escaping into the sea!)
RIPPLING SEA (WORDS BY HAJIME UEHARA)
The rippling sea reflecting the light of the sunset
On theedge of the hill and the faint purple colour spreading over the sky
Thetime changing from the sea roar in the day to a nursery song
A flight of small birds flew off on their way home by heading toward a
fire
Burningon the seashore in the distance
On theedge of the hill and the faint purple colour spreading over the sky
Thetime changing from the sea roar in the day to a nursery song
A flight of small birds flew off on their way home by heading toward a
fire
Burningon the seashore in the distance
The light of the sea cottages went out one by one
I onlyheard the voices of two children playing with the sea turning
purple here
I onlyheard the voices of two children playing with the sea turning
purple here
Eachday is different, unlike another
Eventhough there's sometimes sunshine
Eventhough there's often rain
Eachone is different, unlike another
Butlike the moon's reflection in the sea it's not the same
Eventhough there's sometimes sunshine
Eventhough there's often rain
Eachone is different, unlike another
Butlike the moon's reflection in the sea it's not the same
And though the ocean's fingers in your hair may bring you memories of days
Thatyou don't care to feel again for fear of pain, I understand, I think
I do
Remember that all days are new that red and blue are not the same
Remember that my love for you is not the same as his was for you
Eachday is different, each day is new....
Thatyou don't care to feel again for fear of pain, I understand, I think
I do
Remember that all days are new that red and blue are not the same
Remember that my love for you is not the same as his was for you
Eachday is different, each day is new....
Eachtime is different unlike another
Eventhough these fingers flowing free a fire that feels familiar
Eachone is different, unlike another
Butin the mirror of your memories I can read his name
Eventhough these fingers flowing free a fire that feels familiar
Eachone is different, unlike another
Butin the mirror of your memories I can read his name
And oh I wish that I could reach inside your heart
Andsteal away the sadness and the past of pain he left behind
Remember that all days are new that red and blue are not the same
Remember that my love for you is not the same as his was for you
Eachday is different, each day is new....
Andsteal away the sadness and the past of pain he left behind
Remember that all days are new that red and blue are not the same
Remember that my love for you is not the same as his was for you
Eachday is different, each day is new....
THE NIGHT IS YOUNG
Oh the moon, oh the moon seems so different tonight
Maybeit's your dancing, maybe it's little too much wine
Oh thestars in the sky seem to be smiling down
Maybethey are, maybe they are, maybe I've just learned how to see them
Maybeit's your dancing, maybe it's little too much wine
Oh thestars in the sky seem to be smiling down
Maybethey are, maybe they are, maybe I've just learned how to see them
Oh dance a little more, the night is young, let it hold you
Andin the wine-lit candle light your hair it flies, my heart does too
I knowthat the stars must go, and oh I fear their going
Oh dance a little more, the night is young
Andin the wine-lit candle light your hair it flies, my heart does too
I knowthat the stars must go, and oh I fear their going
Oh dance a little more, the night is young
Oh the life I lived before seems so different tonight
Maybeit's your dancing, maybe it's your road so like my own
Oh thesongs I've sung before seem so much sweeter tonight
Maybethey are, maybe they are
Maybeyou've taught me how to feel them
Maybeit's your dancing, maybe it's your road so like my own
Oh thesongs I've sung before seem so much sweeter tonight
Maybethey are, maybe they are
Maybeyou've taught me how to feel them
Oh stay a while more, the night is young, let me hold you
Yourbody in the candle light, I watch you as you sleep the night
I knowthat all songs must end, and oh I fear their going
Oh staya while more, the night is young
Yourbody in the candle light, I watch you as you sleep the night
I knowthat all songs must end, and oh I fear their going
Oh staya while more, the night is young
Track 4. (song 9) Stripey the Tiger
When I was a kid I had a stuffed tiger. I did voices andlittle shows. This is an attempt to "revive" him.
When I was a kid I had a stuffed tiger. I did voices andlittle shows. This is an attempt to "revive" him.
I wrote this poem a long time ago, but here I was experimenting with
multiple instruments on the sythnthesizer. It is an anti-Vietnam war song.
multiple instruments on the sythnthesizer. It is an anti-Vietnam war song.
There's a lesson to be learned in the trees
Go tothe forest, go and you will see it
Andwhen you return you'll pass it around
Thetrees live and we should see that children live too
Andwhen children die we must be there to turn death around
Armedonly with love and anger
There'sa lesson to be learned in the trees
Theylove with emerald wonder
Nowgo out from the forest and bring back all the wounded
Go tothe forest, go and you will see it
Andwhen you return you'll pass it around
Thetrees live and we should see that children live too
Andwhen children die we must be there to turn death around
Armedonly with love and anger
There'sa lesson to be learned in the trees
Theylove with emerald wonder
Nowgo out from the forest and bring back all the wounded
Track 18 (on original CD--song 11) ThreeMonths Ago
THREE MONTHS AGO
Threemonths ago, how could we know that things would be this way,this way
Andthen I turned around, your body soft and warm that once beside melay
Wasgone, oh so gone
Butlife so cruel can be so kind, and endings beget beginnings
Endings arenot the end
Threemonths ago, how could we know that things would be this way,this way
Andthen I turned around, your body soft and warm that once beside melay
Wasgone, oh so gone
Butlife so cruel can be so kind, and endings beget beginnings
Endings arenot the end
I often felt you thought the room was much too small
Butthen you left without a word,without a word
Andtonight I sleep alone, the room so dark,so cold
Theysay tomorrow sun will shine, but I don't know, no I
don'tknow
Butthen you left without a word,without a word
Andtonight I sleep alone, the room so dark,so cold
Theysay tomorrow sun will shine, but I don't know, no I
don'tknow
And love's not a thing forever, bitter and sweet forever
Onecannot be without the other
Theother side of our treasure's now
A bitof hope and then hope, a cloudless sky and then a cloud
Butlife so cruel can be so kind, and endingsbeget beginnings
Endingsare not the end
Onecannot be without the other
Theother side of our treasure's now
A bitof hope and then hope, a cloudless sky and then a cloud
Butlife so cruel can be so kind, and endingsbeget beginnings
Endingsare not the end
Oh three months ago, how could we know that things would be this way,
thisway
In adream I turned around, your body soft and warm again besideme lay
Butnow it's gone, oh so gone....
thisway
In adream I turned around, your body soft and warm again besideme lay
Butnow it's gone, oh so gone....
Track 6. (song 12) ELUCEVAN LE STELLE (PUCCINI, TOSCA)
Track 7. (song 13) IT IS ENOUGH, (Mendelssohn)
The Ballad of Chong Gyan-young
\
lyrics: Paul Arenson
melody: Tom Paxton (Rambling Boy)
melody: Tom Paxton (Rambling Boy)
Umareta tsuji kara
Dete ike to iu no ka
Sore wa tottemo
Fushigi na koto da
Dete ike to iu no ka
Sore wa tottemo
Fushigi na koto da
Where will you go Chong Gyan-yong?
This land's the only one you've known
Doko ni ike yoo?
It's your home, your only one
This land's the only one you've known
Doko ni ike yoo?
It's your home, your only one
And Constant Louis, when his mother died
He couldn't leave to say good-bye
Moshi ittara, kaerenai
Hazubeki kotoba
He couldn't leave to say good-bye
Moshi ittara, kaerenai
Hazubeki kotoba
Bokura ni oshiete
Naze kyouhi wa hanzai?
Jinshu sabetsu wa seifu no tsumi da
Dochi no hou ga okii no ka?
Naze kyouhi wa hanzai?
Jinshu sabetsu wa seifu no tsumi da
Dochi no hou ga okii no ka?
Umareta tsuchi kara
Dete ike to iu no ka
Sore wa tottemo
Hazubeki koto da
Dete ike to iu no ka
Sore wa tottemo
Hazubeki koto da
#2 Choi's Song (The Revision)
lyrics: Paul Arenson
melody: Phil Ochs (The Crucifixion)
melody: Phil Ochs (The Crucifixion)
You can come back now, Hayashida Homu Daijin said
For in the past you gave your fingerprint and one time is enough now he said
But there is just one thing you've got to understand, though you were born and brought up here in this land
You broke the law and the guilty they must pay
So we've taken your permanent residence away
For in the past you gave your fingerprint and one time is enough now he said
But there is just one thing you've got to understand, though you were born and brought up here in this land
You broke the law and the guilty they must pay
So we've taken your permanent residence away
You say you deserve to stay here, Choi, just like a Japanese
But you're only a Korean so get down upon your knees
How long you can stay here is a matter we'll decide
For foreigners who make trouble are the ones we most despise
So obey the law and don't make waves and we might just let you stay
But raise your voice and you'll soon be on your way
But you're only a Korean so get down upon your knees
How long you can stay here is a matter we'll decide
For foreigners who make trouble are the ones we most despise
So obey the law and don't make waves and we might just let you stay
But raise your voice and you'll soon be on your way
I sing a song of people struggling to be free
I sing a song of justice, its day is coming
I sing a song of justice, its day is coming
Five years in waiting, nine times he tried
But Han Jong-souk's request to leave the country was denied each time
Hayashida houmu-daijin smiles, says "You're rights have been restored:
You're free to travel and to work since you gave your print before"
Maybe he should pay him for the job he holds no more
Houmusho destroyer of lives
But Han Jong-souk's request to leave the country was denied each time
Hayashida houmu-daijin smiles, says "You're rights have been restored:
You're free to travel and to work since you gave your print before"
Maybe he should pay him for the job he holds no more
Houmusho destroyer of lives
Not so fast Hayashida, you've not yet won your war
For you cannot force obedience to your racist little laws
And in our place our children will refuse just like before
And the world will see the real criminals are the ones who make the law
And we'll continue our resistance 'til there's justice in this land
And you, its would-be killers are safely gone
For you cannot force obedience to your racist little laws
And in our place our children will refuse just like before
And the world will see the real criminals are the ones who make the law
And we'll continue our resistance 'til there's justice in this land
And you, its would-be killers are safely gone
Government Men
Hypocrites mouth words of liberation, speaking of the the tyrants' rule
But when the man ferom the governmnet comes
They put the money into his hand
The money for the war, the money for the moon, the money for the king
Means hunger for the weak, hunger for the poor
Hunger for the children of the sun
But when the man ferom the governmnet comes
They put the money into his hand
The money for the war, the money for the moon, the money for the king
Means hunger for the weak, hunger for the poor
Hunger for the children of the sun
What better men are we than the government men
Who drain the lives from the poor
What good areour beliefs to the children who must starve
When we give our money to the government men
Who drain the lives from the poor
What good areour beliefs to the children who must starve
When we give our money to the government men
Hell No, I Won't Go
Hell no, I won't go, I'm not going to Vietnam
Hell no, I won't go to fight your bloody war
You rape, you rob, you murder
You kill for pride and profit
You take newborn babies barely out of their beds
Send them to the forest, guns in their hands
And when they come back, medals on their chest
When they come back pride in their hearts
When they come back blood on their hands
You'll tell them that they fought for the honor of our nation
You'll tell them taht they fought for the freedom of the world
Even though they've destroyed half the population
Oh no Lyndon Johnson, you can't fool me
I'll not fall for your trap
And I'll not fight for pride nor profit
I'll not fight for you
Hell no, I won't go to fight your bloody war
You rape, you rob, you murder
You kill for pride and profit
You take newborn babies barely out of their beds
Send them to the forest, guns in their hands
And when they come back, medals on their chest
When they come back pride in their hearts
When they come back blood on their hands
You'll tell them that they fought for the honor of our nation
You'll tell them taht they fought for the freedom of the world
Even though they've destroyed half the population
Oh no Lyndon Johnson, you can't fool me
I'll not fall for your trap
And I'll not fight for pride nor profit
I'll not fight for you
Monoxide Song
I drove out of the city like a thousand fools must do
Searching for the vanishing green grassy dew
But where there had been forests in rocky hills bejewelled
By sparkling springs and canyons, the highway had poked through
Searching for the vanishing green grassy dew
But where there had been forests in rocky hills bejewelled
By sparkling springs and canyons, the highway had poked through
It poked through the green and grassy land I loved
Ripped right on through the dreams I dreamed would triumph above
All the shit they pile upon us when our heads are in the ground
And I'll follow the path of wonder throught the wood
And never let monoxide bring me down
Ripped right on through the dreams I dreamed would triumph above
All the shit they pile upon us when our heads are in the ground
And I'll follow the path of wonder throught the wood
And never let monoxide bring me down
I came upon a girl in a field of flowers free
I asked her would she like to spend the night with me
We roamed the woodland vallies and drank the mountain wines
Shared the starlit evening with the berries on the vines
One dark and misty morning I woke and found her gone
And on the nearest hillside a highway pierced the dawn
I asked her would she like to spend the night with me
We roamed the woodland vallies and drank the mountain wines
Shared the starlit evening with the berries on the vines
One dark and misty morning I woke and found her gone
And on the nearest hillside a highway pierced the dawn
So come you woodland rovers who love the grassy dew
Never sleep the evening or a highway may poke through
It'll lead out of the city and a thousand fools like you
Will wonder where's the vanishing green grassy dew
Never sleep the evening or a highway may poke through
It'll lead out of the city and a thousand fools like you
Will wonder where's the vanishing green grassy dew
Mr and Mrs America
The newspapers tell a story sad of the 40,00 U.S. dead
But did you know Mr. and Mrs. America of the million Vietnamese who've died and bled
1 million forty thousand human lives have shed the blood that never had to fall
They died for the fortune of your president while like lifeless stone you said nothing at all
But did you know Mr. and Mrs. America of the million Vietnamese who've died and bled
1 million forty thousand human lives have shed the blood that never had to fall
They died for the fortune of your president while like lifeless stone you said nothing at all
Let me ask you Mr. and Mrs. Citizen as the days they turn dark and cold
Wil you let your country do to your sons what your parents let the Germans do to the Jews
Wil you let your country do to your sons what your parents let the Germans do to the Jews
Are you eveil are you human do you have a heart, do you bear any love for your own
Or do you laugh with Bob Hope and Martha Ray
As they lead you children off to die and kill
Or do you laugh with Bob Hope and Martha Ray
As they lead you children off to die and kill
Rise up Mr. and Mrs. America, stand tall against the storms and the lies
And when they say its time for your son to serve
Tell them that he'll never go-hell no we won't go
And when they say its time for your son to serve
Tell them that he'll never go-hell no we won't go
Because 1 million 40 thousand human lives are testimony to the fact
That the killers of our children must never be embraced
That true love must blossom again
That the killers of our children must never be embraced
That true love must blossom again
Let us wipe out the venom and erase all the lies
And bring a halt to their ways
So that when a young woman wants to be a mother to a child
She'll never fear that war will be his end
And bring a halt to their ways
So that when a young woman wants to be a mother to a child
She'll never fear that war will be his end
My Friend
Your thoughts are all drifting upon the sea
You stand in the sand and let your dreams
Fall down from your eyes and catch the breeze
That flows o'er the ocean and promises freedom
You stand in the sand and let your dreams
Fall down from your eyes and catch the breeze
That flows o'er the ocean and promises freedom
You thought you were stronger and then you cried
For whatever reason apologized
But each time you fall at least you try
And look for the things that clutter your mind
For whatever reason apologized
But each time you fall at least you try
And look for the things that clutter your mind
My friend you are never alone
For though you are locked up inside
My heart feels the tide pounding against you
For though you are locked up inside
My heart feels the tide pounding against you
It's well that I realize you wish life could be
So very much simpler than ever it's been
But drowning your mind until it is cold
Will leave ungentle and ravage your soul
So very much simpler than ever it's been
But drowning your mind until it is cold
Will leave ungentle and ravage your soul
But see all the tensin that waits in my eyes
And know that I'm with you but dressed in disguise
And if in some hour you've lost everything
Then come and sit by me, we'll talk and we'll sing
And know that I'm with you but dressed in disguise
And if in some hour you've lost everything
Then come and sit by me, we'll talk and we'll sing
My friend you are never alone
For though you are locked up inside
My heart feels the tide pounding against you
For though you are locked up inside
My heart feels the tide pounding against you
Tnen see the sun on the water arise
The day that has gone agains tries
To lift its young eyes
And it does
The day that has gone agains tries
To lift its young eyes
And it does
Oh what should we do with the drunken sailor...
Early in the morning
Hooray and up she rises..
Early in the morning
Early in the morning
Hooray and up she rises..
Early in the morning
Put him in the longboat 'til he's sober
Shave his belly with a rusty razor
Give him a hair of the dog that bit him
That's what we do with the drunken sailor
Pressures of the World
If the pressures of the world get you down.....don't you cry
Have a piece of apple pie or become a super spy
Don't watch the worries of the world go by
While all your friends are flying high
Smoke a little pot and see what's not
There's more truth there than anywhere
Don't mope around with your nose to the ground
Just stick it in your TV set.
Have a piece of apple pie or become a super spy
Don't watch the worries of the world go by
While all your friends are flying high
Smoke a little pot and see what's not
There's more truth there than anywhere
Don't mope around with your nose to the ground
Just stick it in your TV set.
If the pressures of the world get you down.....don't you cry
Stick a knife in your neighbor's back
Hit him in the head with an iron rack
When he's dead just grab his bread
And buy yourself a yoyo
Spin it up and spin it down
Jusmp and skip all through the town
Jump so high you fall through the sky
And the moment that you land you're dead
If the pressures of the world get you down.....don't you cry
If the pressures of the world get you down.....take an elevator up
Stick a knife in your neighbor's back
Hit him in the head with an iron rack
When he's dead just grab his bread
And buy yourself a yoyo
Spin it up and spin it down
Jusmp and skip all through the town
Jump so high you fall through the sky
And the moment that you land you're dead
If the pressures of the world get you down.....don't you cry
If the pressures of the world get you down.....take an elevator up
Japanese anti-war song
Menu
We Sit in the Moonlight
We sit in the moonlight our hearts full of love
As the salt water breezes roll in from the sea
In our souls there is peace though sadly we know
That the army has called me and I would not go
As the salt water breezes roll in from the sea
In our souls there is peace though sadly we know
That the army has called me and I would not go
Tomorrow they'll come and I must depart
To spend 3 years in prison for refusing to fight
To fight in a war where all men must be brave
So that they can kill, all life for to save
To spend 3 years in prison for refusing to fight
To fight in a war where all men must be brave
So that they can kill, all life for to save
So come sit down here by me together we'll be
Lovers this evening, though soon I must leave
I'll hug you and kiss you and promise you this
That when 3 years have passed I'll sit by you again
Lovers this evening, though soon I must leave
I'll hug you and kiss you and promise you this
That when 3 years have passed I'll sit by you again
Smokle
Sitting in a circle smoking dope
Everyone is filled with so much hope and something else
James Taylor spins around and we dig his groovy sound
Just turn the volume louder if you please
Everyone is filled with so much hope and something else
James Taylor spins around and we dig his groovy sound
Just turn the volume louder if you please
Everyone is taking off their clothes
Everyone is grooving on their toes
And passing round the pipe of peace and joy
And bless the heart of every born
Who doesn't think of which girl's breast to hold
Everyone is grooving on their toes
And passing round the pipe of peace and joy
And bless the heart of every born
Who doesn't think of which girl's breast to hold
Can't you see that we ain't really free
Do you believe that flying high is freedom
Love can't be smoked
It's more than lust
It must be found
Do you believe that flying high is freedom
Love can't be smoked
It's more than lust
It must be found
Eveyone is floating the door
They leave our hosting crying on the floor
Because she can't find the deodorant
To cover up the smoking scent
Her folks will surely smell when they return
They leave our hosting crying on the floor
Because she can't find the deodorant
To cover up the smoking scent
Her folks will surely smell when they return
But tomorrow is another lovely day
I'm sure her friends will just go their own way
Because they don't know what they're looking for
But where there's smoke there's an open door
And where there's love the room is always bare
I'm sure her friends will just go their own way
Because they don't know what they're looking for
But where there's smoke there's an open door
And where there's love the room is always bare
Two Swedish Songs
I learned the first from Jan Hammerlund Mari Salanda in Sweden when I visted Izzy Young around 1973-4 (founder of the New York Folklore Center.It is about a satisfied mind being more important than having lots of money.
The second is a song I heard on a record by Monica Tournell (?)
It is nonsense song.
All Songs copyright (c) 1966-20001 paul arenson, tokyo japan unless otherwise noted.
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