Get all 11 Mary Crowell releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Six, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Five, I Have Missed You at My Table, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Four, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Three, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Two, Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year One, Scattering Seeds on the Pomegranate Tour, and 3 more.
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Mama’s Dice Lament
Copyright 2016 by Mary Crowell
(written April 30, 2016)
Chorus:
Don’t tell Mama that I had to borrow her dice.
If she told us once about that,
Well you know she told us twice.
“When you let other people use them,
They will find ways to lose and abuse them.
And it’s gotten hard to excuse them,
So just don’t let them borrow my dice.”
That’s her favorite twenty sider; it sparkles and all
Replaced the one in blue. It made her acrobat fall.
There’s a couple of percentiles let her make her god call,
And she keeps them in a velvet drawstring bag.
See those four cubes rolling sixes on her sneak attack
She stole that one from Robert. (She ain’t giving it back.)
If she’s missing even one, she’s aware of the lack.
And she hides them in a velvet drawstring bag.
Chorus
There’s the octahedron rolling eights for cure light to heal
Icosahedrons loudly rolling carved in marble and steel.
Red and yellow foamy dice made to squeeze and to feel
And she holds them in a velvet drawstring bag.
Chorus
And the one with faded crayon numbers she never rolls
It killed her fighter mage in a cave with some gnolls.
Her dice will often fail her though she pleads and cajoles,
Still she keeps them in a velvet drawstring bag.
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2. |
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My Baby’s No Bourbon on the Rocks
Copyright 2016 by Mary Crowell (Written May 31, 2016)
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks;
He’s a tall drink best sipped neat.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks;
He ain’t a whiskey sour served up too sweet.
You can’t see him in a glass
Although he’s got a clear spirit;
‘Can’t confine him like wine in a box.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks.
He’s my tall drink best sipped neat.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks;
He’s a Snapple or a Diet Coke.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks;
He ain’t no drinker, and he will never smoke.
You can’t see him in the glass
‘Til the bubbles fin’lly clear it
Draws the line at Juicy Juice in the box.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks.
He’s a Snapple or a Diet Coke.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks;
He’s a smoothie, with some hidden kale
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks;
He’ll make you settle down like sweet ginger ale
You can’t see him in the glass
But you soon will sure revere it
Serve you tea that you can pick from a box
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks.
He’s a smoothie, with some hidden kale.
1st Verse Reprise
Coda
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks.
He’s a Snapple or a Diet Coke.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks.
He’s a smoothie, with some hidden kale.
My baby’s no bourbon on the rocks.
He’s my tall drink best sipped neat.
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3. |
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Cat People Get Depressed, But Dog People Get the Blues.
Copyright 2006 by Mary Crowell
Dm7
Cat people
G7
Get depressed,
Dm7 G7
Get hair on their favorite vest,
Ab7
Tell no jokes,
CM7
But speak in jest.
Dm7 G7 CM7
Cat people get depressed.
C7
Dog people
F7 C7
They get the blues.
F7
(I say now) dog people
C7
They get the blues.
G7 F7
Ain’t got no time to make a clever rhyme.
C7
Dog folks get the blues.
Cat people
Get depressed,
Cough up hairballs that they ingest.
In your own home, you’re just a guest.
Cat people get depressed.
Dog people
They get the blues.
(I say now) dog people
They get the blues.
You’ll find no lies in their sad soulful eyes.
Dog folks get the blues.
Cat people
Get depressed,
Are clawed by those that they love best.
By furry felines they’re oppressed.
Cat people get depressed.
Dog people
They get the blues.
(I say now) dog people
They get the blues.
No explaining the attraction. They’ll just love you to distraction.
Dog folks get the blues.
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Magnus Retail
© 2001 by Mary Crowell.
This is the very first fantasy song I ever wrote. It is an advertising
jingle for an alchemist -- an icky overcharging one created by my
husband for his Paladium campaign.
INTRODUCTION
Sometimes a wizard's bag of tricks
Needs a little help, a real quick fix.
If that's the case, you know what to do.
Call me, Magnus retail, for the spells that cast true.
CHORUS
Your spell won't cast?
I'll make another.
Glamour won't last?
Don't call your mother;
I'm the genuine article, an alchemist, and genius squared.
You need sigils and signs?
Pay me money.
Words to combine
That don't sound funny?
Thesaurus, procurer, businessman and genius squared.
VERSE
You say that you were walking along,
When you tripped and fell and broke your wand.
Don't throw away your ailing stick.
I'll fix it, paint it, polish it slick.
CHORUS
Scrying to do?
I can find it.
An enchantment or two?
I've refined it.
Clandestine, done with utmost discretion by a genius squared.
You want a carpet to fly?
I can deliver.
A mermaid's left eye?
Shipped down the river.
I specialize in merchandise of magic; I'm a genius squared.
VERSE
I've got amulets made of silver and gold;
Rings from queens a millenia old.
Wreak flaming death! Cause misery!
There's just a small nonnegotiable fee.
CHORUS
Life’s a little less grim
When it’s enchanted.
An impossible whim
Can be granted.
Cross my palm with lot's of gold, and it is SOLD by a genius squared.
There’s someone you fear.
Need a favor?
Should he disappear?
I’ll be you savior
As long as payment’s in advance as I demand, a genius squared.
VERSE
There's a witch whose looks are giving you trouble.
Sabatra's her name with a boil and bubble.
She's a cousin of mine, and I'm sure you can see
Why I double my fee when it's close family.
CHORUS
(Spoken: Sooooooooo, you tell me . . .)
Your spell won't cast?
I'll make another.
Glamour won't last?
Don't call your mother.
I'm the genuine article, an alchemist and genius squared.
So, come on down!
Magic wholesale!
Best deals in town!
Magnus Retail!
I'm the genuine article, an alchemist and genius squared!
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5. |
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I'm including a PDF for this one. The software I initially typed it up in is long gone. (I wrote this in 2000, and had stopped performing it by 2003.)
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6. |
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© 2001 by Mary Crowell.
Our characters in John’s RPG campaign got to meet an entire family
of ravens. This inspired a paean to these amazing creatures!
VERSE
Black wings beat. They’re near the glass of my window.
Shattered sound jars something in my mind.
As I watch them flying high and low,
Playing games with others of their kind.
CHORUS
Ravens,
Adorning their wings with shards of night.
Ravens,
Travelling farther in their flight.
VERSE
Pictures tumble down like rocks and boulders,
Magic messages which cloud my mind.
Thought and mem’ry sit upon my shoulders,
See what’s seen by others of their kind.
CHORUS
Ravens,
Searching for secrets in the night.
Ravens,
Gathering wisdom in their flight.
VERSE
Beats his wings. And now we have a shoreline.
So it’s said in the collective mind.
Making worlds, he is a bird divine,
Bringing water to the human kind.
CHORUS
Raven,
Gathering people in the night.
Raven,
Yes, it is he who sets things right.
VERSE
Black wings beat. They’re near the glass of my window.
Shattered sound jars something in my mind.
As I watch them flying high and low,
Playing games with others of their kind.
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7. |
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© 2001 by Mary Crowell.
As you can tell by my picture on the cover of this CD I am a brunette.
When I was growing up, fictional brunettes didn’t offer much in the
way of role models (except for Wonder Woman on course.) The Brunette
was a boring secondary character at her nicest and a wicked tempting
jade at her worst. Guess which one this song is about!
INTRODUCTION
When you're watching movies,
Relaxing with a book,
You admire the hero,
And you revile the crook.
The hero always wins
Unless he's interrupted
By a little wicked someone
Who helps him get corrupted.
VERSE
It's a fine thing to cheer and applaud them.
They're upholding the good way -- be glad!
But I find that the view is much better,
When I get to see a good man go bad.
CHORUS
It seems heroes get tempted but rarely do fall.
That's nice for the damsel but no fun at all
For the women whose jobs are to lead men astray
Circe, Delilah, Morgan Le Fey.
VERSE
Circe tried but got left on her island.
"Dear, I miss my wife, my dog, and my lad."
Delilah failed when she cut Samson's tresses.
He weakened but the good plan went bad.
VERSE
A tête a tête with Le Fey caused a problem,
'Cause it seems they were related just a tad.
Arthur tried to find a final solution,
And that's where a really good man went bad.
INTERLUDE
It's more entertaining
To organize a coupe to
Overthrow a good man
Than a blackguard through and through.
Think of the suffering,
Justifications.
Those who knew him
Never knew what he could do.
VERSE
He'll dress in black and grow wicked with power.
He might be angry, or gothic, or sad.
His cruelty grows, causing henchmen to cower.
No one is evil like a good man gone bad.
CHORUS
Some fall for power or vices more base.
Others for love -- that's a hard one to trace.
The hero's corruption leads many to death.
Just ask the husband of Lady MacBeth.
VERSE
MacBeth was known for his honor and prowess,
But ambition crowned him king and a cad.
Some blame his wife, or maybe three little witches
Helped to make MacBeth a good man gone bad.
VERSE
If he fancies a job as a hero,
I should think that he's probably mad.
Temptation calls him to go to the dark side.
It's not too hard to make a good man go bad.
CHORUS
Although heroes are known to occasionally fall.
They often do rally -- that's no fun at all
For the women whose jobs are to lead men astray
Circe, Delilah, Morgan Le Fey.
VERSE
It's a fine thing to cheer and applaud them.
They're upholding the good way -- be glad!
But I find that the view is much better,
When I get to see a good man go bad.
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8. |
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© 2001 by Karen Murphy and Mary Crowell.
My friend, Karen, decided to write a reply to Good Man Go Bad from
the blonde’s perspective. She added the last verse on a dare. I added a
chorus and tune, and voila!
VERSE
I've watched a lot of good men go -- bad.
And damn it, now it's making me mad.
I do not see the attraction Or the kind of satisfaction
(They find) promised in the pleasures so easily had.
VERSE
My honor halos around me -- like a cloak,
My name is one the good guys will invoke.
But although I can stand tall, And am known in every hall,
She's the one with whom he'd rather he woke.
CHORUS
(He's) living it up with some tart in a tower,
Giving it all to some witch with dagged sleeves.
Figure it out! She wants money and power.
"It must be my charm!" this moron believes.
VERSE
She ruins lives and plots ill -- with the best,
As many of her victims can attest,
Yet though her evil's known -- Hell, it must be her cologne,
Our captain’s latest letter says that he is her guest.
VERSE
He was just supposed to capture her tower and fort.
Now his message says, "I'm pleased to report,
“That she's truly a sweet jade, And I've really got it made.
Can I count on you to give us your unflagging support?"
[Spoken] ‘Cause He’s BUSY! Doing What?
CHORUS
VERSE
I could tell him he's the third one she’s bested this year
Or suggest he might have something to fear.
But he's like all the rest, He'd just think that I'm a pest
For warning words of wisdom will fall on deaf ears.
VERSE
But I'm tired of this game played out -- as she would.
I think it's time I do what's said I should.
I’ll find one of her men, And bring him back to Right again;
I've longed to make a bad man -- go good.
[Spoken] We’ll just turn the tables a bit. Hmmmmm? He’ll be . . .
CHORUS
Giving it all to me here in my tower, Giving it all, his soul to retrieve.
I'll turn him to good. Just give me an hour.
I have it within me to make him believe.
VERSE
Or perhaps I should devise a novel plan
That doesn't risk the soul of any -- man.
If I give my own attention To her feminine dimension,
Make a bad woman go good, Oh -- I can.
CHORUS
(She’ll be) Giving it all to me here in my tower,
Giving it all, her soul to retrieve.
I'll turn her to good. Just give me an hour.
I have it within me to make her believe.
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When I Grow Up (The Jessica Rabbit Song)
© 2001 by Mary Crowell.
What can I say? I want to be Jessica Rabbit when I grow up.
VERSE
When I grow up
I wanna be
The girl in a sequined gown
With a bunny rabbit married to me.
VERSE
I know you think
I’m just a loon,
But she’s got great sex appeal --
That hair, those gams, that toon.
CHORUS
She’s not bad; they just draw her that way
Posing and pouting her lips.
She’s peeking out from under her Veronica Lake,
Gloved hands resting on hips.
VERSE
She loves her spouse,
Her bunny half.
He loves her a thousand ways,
But his favorite one is making her laugh.
VERSE
She’ll use rough means
To save her man.
When he heads into danger,
She whacks him in the brain with a pan.
CHORUS
VERSE
The private Dick
Thought she was vile,
But 'though he caught her playing patty cake
He couldn’t help but admire her style.
VERSE
Her heart is gold
(Looks like a jade.)
Even then if you asked around,
Roger Rabbit has got it made.
CHORUS
VERSE
When I grow up
I wanna be
The girl in a sequined gown
With a bunny rabbit married to me.
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Captain of the Guard
© 2001 by Mary Crowell.
My husband and I love to talk about archetypal characters we see again and again
in fantasy literature. The Captain of the Guard, the Champion, is one that comes
up in conversation again and again. He is always an unsurpassed warrior with a
weakness for the ladies (or a lady), but he has noble intentions. And he dies young.
VERSE
I said to my son “Now, honey, tell me,
When you grow up, what will you be?”
He said, “Mother, dear, it’s your greatest fear.
I’m gonna be the King’s best friend.”
“Every day since I was a tot,
I wanted to be Sir Lancelot.
Oh! What a life! He’s got a beautiful wife.
I wanna be the King’s best friend.”
CHORUS
“‘Cause the captain of the guard gets all of the gals,
Stays up late having drinks with his pals.
There’s a short life span for the King’s best man,
But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.”
VERSE
I said to my son, “Now, tell me sweet,
Is there some other way that your family can eat?”
“Can’t think of one that is half as much fun
I’d like to be the King’s best friend.”
“Life’s too short, and it’s not fair,
but the captain of the guard gets more than his share.
He’s the best sword of his wandering lord.
It’s good to be the King’s best friend.”
CHORUS
“‘Cause the captain of the guard lives a beautiful dream.
Most get the dregs while he’s skimming the Cream.
There’s a short life span for the King’s best man,
But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.”
VERSE
I said to my son, “Now what of intrigue?
You’re a sharp man, but you’re not in the league
of the Grand Vizier.” “Now Mother, see here!
I’m gonna be the king’s best friend.”
“In a world that’s rife with strife
the King will trust in me with his life.
He’ll never believe that I’m the type to deceive.
I can’t. I’m the King’s best friend.
CHORUS
“‘Cause the captain of the guard can never be bought.
That weakness for the ladies is a trifling fault.
There’s a short life span for the King’s best man,
But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.”
VERSE
I said to my son, “Love, don’t be a tool
For those who’d use your vice to play the King for a fool.”
He said, “Mother, I’ll try, but I’m not gonna lie.
I’m s’posed to be the King’s best friend.”
“I can’t fight that siren’s song,
But my love for her cannot be wrong
My liege may lock me away; my love I’ll never betray
It’s hard to be the King’s best friend.”
CHORUS
“‘Cause the captain of the guard is a sensual soul
But defending Truth and Honor is his primary goal.
There’s a short life span for the King’s best man,
But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.”
VERSE
I said to my son, “There’s Evil to hound.
There’s Card’nal Richlieus scheming and Iagos abound.”
He said, “Mother, I’ know, and to fight them I go.
I need to be the King’s best friend.”
“Swords will cross, and I may die.
When I do the ladies will cry.
And on that dark day, I know just what they’ll say,
They’ll say he was the King’s best friend.”
CHORUS
“Cause the captain of the guard is an honorable knight.
Even when wrong, he’ll do the thing that is right.
There’s a short life span for the King’s best man,
But while I live I’ll be the captain of the guard.”
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11. |
The Sun Beats Down
03:48
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12. |
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When you’re going to Solla Sollew
Copyright 2002 by Mary Crowell
inspired by Dr. Seuss’s
I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew
When you’re going to Solla Sollew
Trou–bles keep follow ––following you!
You try leaving them home,
But they’re determined to roam.
Sneaking up and at–tack–ing you on all sides.
While you’re walking on treacherous ground.
There are those dragging dragging you down.
They stop to see how you fare.
They say they really do care.
Somehow you are the one who does it all.
Some folks help you through rocky terrains.
O–thers en–dea–vor to put you in chains.
It’s hard to tell them apart,
But here’s where to make a good start.
Ask yourself what they want from you when it’s done.
Drink down dregs of your bitterness cup.
Lie down like they say, and you’ll never get up.
Rise up and start to get wise.
They’ll keep telling you lies.
Now you know that it all depends on you.
You should go and acquire a new bat.
You have been kinda dreaming ‘bout that.
You’re just a little bit scared.
That’s something you’ve never dared
Stepping out for yourself is something new.
When you’re going to Solla Sollew
Trou–bles keep follow ––following you!
With you they’re gonna roam.
Might as well stay at home
You’re the one who can solve them one by one
Doors are locked down at Solla Sollew,
Prob–lems that bother bother them too.
No Escaping it all,
No ignoring the call.
Do what’s right; it’s time to fight
For You. For you. For you. For you.
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Sister Jane’s Rambler
Copyright 2016 by Mary Crowell
(Written 8/12/2016 at the Old Saint Francis School in Bend, OR)
Sister Jane Hibbard drove the Rambler at St. Francis,
Drove around a carful of her nuns.
It was a “heavy heavy heavy” two-tone blue ambassador.
They took it skiing in the snow and grocery store runs.
Chorus:
And Sister Jane Hibbard played guitar.
She sang songs to her students,
And made sure that they’d go far.
She was not scared to ask good questions
And her peers for their advice.
There’s a painting at Bend, Oregon
Of her driving on the ice.
Sister Jane Hibbard says she wasn’t the best student,
Still she heard the call to teach at Bend.
She later got her masters; then she heard another call
To be principal at St. Francis and the students’ friend.
Chorus:
And Sister Jane Hibbard played guitar.
She sang songs to her students,
And made sure that they’d go far.
She was not scared to ask good questions
And her peers for their advice.
There’s a painting at Bend, Oregon
Of her driving on the ice.
Sister Jane Hibbard says she wasn’t the best teacher;
Her students were too boisterous by far.
But they had a good time learning, And remember her today
The Butterfly release, and singing while she’d play guitar.
Chorus:
And Sister Jane Hibbard played guitar.
She sang songs to her students,
And made sure that they’d go far.
She was not scared to ask good questions
And her peers for their advice.
There’s a painting at Bend, Oregon
Of her driving on the ice.
Sister Jane Hibbard drove the Rambler at St. Francis,
Drove around a carful of her nuns.
It was a “heavy heavy heavy” two-tone blue ambassador.
They took it skiing in the snow and grocery store runs.
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Keep Your Christmas Out of October
Copyright 2015-6 by Mary Crowell
Intro:
I’ve got a grudge, I’m a curmudgeon
All week long now I have been trudging
Through your store.
Back in the summer I saw it coming
I hear the singing. I hear humming.
But what are all those sleigh bells for?
Chorus
Keep your Christ-mas
Out of October
‘Cuz it ain’t over
‘til it’s Halloween.
The red and green lights
The lovely carols
Just make me feral
I’m an autumn queen.
Verse:
The pumpkin pies are still in season.
The leaves are red. The sky’s on the ‘gray’ side.
So won’t you please tell me the reason
The music’s all about sleighs—not a hay ride.
Chorus
Verse:
I go to Wal-Mart or Lowe’s or Target
To see what’s up for Halloween.
There’s not much there; they’ve gotten started
on prepping holiday lights—its not my scene.
Bridge
I’ve been feeling so mean
Since you cleaned Halloween
Out of your store
To make room for more
Lit up candy canes of plastic
Animated Santa’s, spastic
Penguins in gymnastic leotards.
Don’t jump the gun
’Til October Thirty-One
Is done . . . . son.
Chorus
Verse:
They tell you, “hurry! let’s buy a gift now.”
“We’ve got to beat the holiday rush.”
“So won’t you make your spirits lift now?”
To all this nonsense, I say “Hush!”
Chorus
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Dancing in My Kitchen
Spice and Groove
Copyright 2017 by Mary Crowell
It’s time. I’m getting hungry.
Maybe make it hot?
Maybe just a little mild or sweet?
Open up the doors and see what I’ve got.
Got thyme, a little pepper
Garlic too —a lot!
Cut up all the veggies we can eat
Frying up that onion and put it in the pot.
Chorus:
Aaaaahhhhhhh
Dancing in my kitchen! Aaaaahhhhhhh
Playing air piano
Aaaaahhhhhhh
Cha cha in my barefeet
Cooking up some hot thing for you!
[Interlude]
Some rhyme, cooking to my rhythm Pour a little whiskey shot.
Stir fry and grinding to a beat
Keep hoping that it’s ready. It is not.
Chorus
Aaaaahhhhhhh
Dancing in my kitchen! Aaaaahhhhhhh
Playing air piano
Aaaaahhhhhhh
Cha cha in my barefeet
Cooking up some hot thing for you!
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Deathstar Chris
Copyright 2017 by Mary Crowell
Deathstar Chris and the other baristas
Have noticed that there’s no-one there.
They’ve polished all the windows
And cleaned off the chairs,
Could they comment on the silence?
Yeah, they don’t even dare.
They know not to say, “I am bored.”
Deathstar Chris and the other baristas
Overheard their shift lead say
“Since Wednesday’s are slow,
It’s a short handed day.”
The budget works better with
Fewer to pay.
Chris draws his saber, Kyla her sword.
See . . .
Chorus:
It’s just any Wednesday at the coffee shop.
But those are the days it gets odd.
Sipping mocha lattes with your lap top,
You may never see zombies or a great snake god,
But don’t say that things are slow.
Deathstar Chris and the other baristas
Hide while their patrons flee.
They crouched behind the counter
Where the ghouls will not see.
Chris ate the LAST pastry
Made with bacon and brie
And waited out the zombie horde.
Because . . .
Chorus
Bridge:
Chris says, “Everything’s clean,
And I leave at six.”
John claims, “That is mean!”
And then he flicks
A Sprinkle at Chris’s head,
While he mops up more undead.
Cuz . . .
Chorus
Tag:
Deathstar Chris made his badge really cool.
And Deathstar Chris has only one rule:
“Never say that things are slow!”
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You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Hungry
Copyright 2017 by Mary Crowell
Intro:
You’ve left me
Flowers on my doorstep to show me
You love me a bunch. [Piano echoes]
They’re very pretty, you’d be my best beau, see
If you’d feed me lunch.
Chorus:
You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.
You may not want me when I’m sad.
If you loved me, you would feed me,
And maybe then I wouldn’t feel so bad.
If I’m acting existential,
Drop it all and feed me lentils.
Dollop meat upon my plate;
Pass the parmesan to grate.
If my eyes are cold and dead,
Slice an apple. Butter bread.
Drizzle syrup—drizzle honey;
I’ll go fuzzy like a bunny.
Chorus:
You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.
You may not want me when I’m sad.
If you loved me, you would feed me,
And maybe then I wouldn’t feel so bad.
Bridge:
I know you heard an inflection.
I know you hang on my words.
Sometimes I just need calories like
Strawberries and lemon curd.
Chorus:
You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.
You may not want me when I’m sad.
If you loved me, you would feed me,
And maybe then I wouldn’t feel so bad.
If you fear I’m gonna go mean
Just serve me up some protein.
Questions you could analyze:
Now is that a burger and some French fries?
I’m really not so hard to please.
Give me salad. Give me cheese!
I will smile all flush with power.
You’ll get to live another hour!
Chorus:
You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.
You may not want me when I’m sad.
If you loved me, you would feed me,
And maybe then I wouldn’t feel so bad.
Bridge 2 [Extended]:
And I wrote these lyrics over breakfast.
I wrote them over dinner too.
I could move the pen on paper.
I could bear to talk to you.
The fangs have finally retracted—
You’re limned in light—sun refracted.
In your eyes.
(That don’t look like bacon.
At all.)
Chorus:
You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.
You may not want me when I’m sad.
If you loved me, you would feed me,
And maybe then I wouldn’t feel so bad.
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18. |
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19. |
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The Tiniest Bit of the Powder
Copyright 2017 by Mary Crowell
Inspired by The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore (Copyright 2017)
Albina and Molly
Ella and Grace
In Orange, New Jersey
You worked in the place—
The factory on Third Street
With beautiful paint.
You mixed it up daily
With not one complaint
And painted the trays full of dials.
The tiniest bit of the powder
Mixed with the water and gum,
You girls lipped your brushes to point them,
And happily chatted with chums.
Chorus:
Radium Girls
There are stories about you
Radium girls
Your beautiful glow
Radium Girls
Your bones were too fragile
Radium Girls
Your Dials in a row
Bridge:
Orange, New Jersey and
Ottawa, Illinois
Catherine and Charlotte and
Olive and Pearl
The Radium Dial
Where the luckiest of girls
Got jobs in the cleanest,
most healthful of work.
And playing with paint
Was your favorite perk
The ‘ghost girls’ would glow like their dials.
The tiniest bit of the powder
Would get in your clothes and your hair.
You could see it best in the darkness
How the dust would hang in the air.
Chorus
Sisters and cousins
All glowing at night
But in just a few years,
You weren’t feeling alright.
The dentists and doctors
were worried, confused
The companys’ treasurers
flatly refused
To connect this with painting the dials.
The tiniest bit of the powder
Was safe as safe as could be,
But day after day of ingesting it
Some felt it first in the knees.
Bridge:
Molly had gotten a toothache
And then her condition got worse.
Her bones began aching then rotting
As if she were under a curse.
Chorus
After all they had said about radium
You girls were excited to be
Getting to work with that magic.
You glowed with delight we could see.
Chorus
Tag:
Radium Girls
Radium Girls
Radium Girls
Your dials in a row.
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20. |
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Princess Rhonda Green
Copyright 2017 by Mary Crowell
I was …
[Verse A]
adventuring to save the princess.
I arrived; she was already gone.
She had rescued herself in the meantime,
And left me no mots to bon.
[Verse B]
Now I'm jumping on polka dot mushrooms;
The poor things! They don't have a chance.
I’m bored, ‘cause there’s no one to rescue,
So Mario, Link, and I dance.
Chorus:
Her name was Princess Rhonda Green
And I was really keen
To rescue Princess Rhonda Green
She didn't need it. She didn’t want it.
Wasn’t waiting for a Hylian elf
She just wanted to rescue herself.
[Instrumental on Verse A Chords]
She said, “Don't call me princess. I’m Rhonda.”
And I’ve got my burdens to tote.
Forget about rescuing damsels
My name’s Rhonda Green. Make a note.
Chorus
Bridge:
She didn't get my memo
That she was supposed to wait.
And she didn't read the FAQ I wrote
Em B7
That her saving made me great.
So I went on slaying those monsters,
But my heart just wasn't that in
So many things to think about
And nowhere to begin.
They weren't even monsters, I noticed;
So I was unsure what to do.
I went and asked Rhonda for wisdom,
and she told me “this is true:”
Chorus Variant:
My name was Princess Rhonda Green
And you were really keen
To rescue Princess Rhonda Green
I didn't need it. I didn’t want it.
‘Wasn’t waiting for a Hylian elf
I just wanted to rescue myself.
But,
“We all need a rescue now and then
If you really want to know.
Sometimes life can give you
Some mean old so and so.”
“It's complicated math, she told me
“To add up the arrows and the slings.
“But listening to each other is important
“the most important thing.”
Chorus
And I got it!!!
So I said thank you!
And see you later,
Rhonda Green.
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21. |
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Mary Crowell Athens, Alabama
Mary Crowell is a singer/songwriter and piano teacher who loves mythology and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Her Patreon is
here: www.patreon.com/DrMaryCCrowell
She may be seen at science fiction and filk conventions performing and accompanying concerts on piano and occasionally clarinet.
Scattering Seeds on the Pomegranate Tour is her third solo album and is a mythic musical journey!
... more
Mary Crowell recommends:
The lyrics are brilliant and vocal arrangements irresistible. The vocal counterpoint in “Last Spaceship,” “Common Ground,” and “Quetico” are particular favorites of mine.
go to album
Songs of mythology, magpies, and Mal performed by a duo who have truly mastered their instruments--guitar and voice. This album is superb.
go to album
Play It With Moxie Live!
by Play It With Moxie
Swing dance, blues, and jazz with great lyrics and energy played live to an appreciative audience! And there's a bit of the geek there too.
go to albumIf you like Mary Crowell, you may also like:
The Space Between Notes
by Sunnie Larsen
supported by 11 fans who also own “Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Two”
Well produced, funny, nerdy and eclectic. What's not to love?
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Reset To Factory Specs
by Leslie Hudson
supported by 11 fans who also own “Mary Crowell's Patreon: Year Two”
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Feb 5, 2019
go to album
