Tag: Play Music on the Porch Day

This coming Saturday, the 26th, something relatively new on calendars, called “Play Music on the Porch Day,” a neighbor a couple of weeks ago brought to our attention. As listeners to our “Live at 5” Instagram gigs know, we often can be found playing music on the porch, in the sit out zone in the drive, in the basement during heat waves, in the living room with the rain adding percussion to the set, in the kitchen while the coffee is brewing, offering music up to the passersby – “Live at 5” enjoys usually an audience of 5. Part of the attraction and pleasure of amateur music performance is the random, the mistakes, the discoveries, the forgiveness, loosening the ties and strictures, inviting improvisation, breaking the rules for the sound of it all, mixing stories with songs and guitars, mixing styles – like Struttin’ with Some Barbecue. Anyway, here are some recent songs I’ve been working on for the upcoming “Play Music on the Porch Day” gig:

“Susanna, Oh Susanna”
C Mornings when we wake up
by the deep blue sea
G7 Afternoons sleeping
under a green palm tree
E7 Evenings when you call me
A7 come out wherever you are
D7 On the radio playing
G Patty and Ray

C Susanna, Oh Susanna
I can’t even say your name
G7 All I have for you
is more of the same
E7 Hiding in the evening
A7 when you call my name
D7 On the radio playing
G Patty and Ray

“Coconut Oil”
G Here’s an emotion
B7 Let’s jump into an ocean
E7 Of lotion
A7 Of coconut oil, (D7) coconut oil, (G) coconut oil (D7)

G I got a gal
B7 Heart full of mushrooms
E7 She drinks oceans
A7 Of coconut oil, (D7) coconut oil, (G) coconut oil (D7)

G She tells me don’t be dry
B7 She likes me all wet
E7 Night and day drenched
A7 In coconut oil, (D7) coconut oil, (G) coconut oil (D7)

“Two Riders Were Approaching” (G, C7, G, D7)
Two riders were approaching
On hogs and wearing leathers
Stopped into a tavern
For a cool glass of beer.

Two pints for us, my friend
The day is warm and grim
The dust has found its corner
The dogs want shade and water.

We are the two riders
Who were approaching
Now for those beers
Nighttime is drawing near.

Yippii-yi-yo
Yippie-ki-yay
We’re gonna go
Our own way.

Yippi-yi-yo
Yippie-Ki-yay
We’re gonna go
Our own way.

And a few more pieces, instrumental and fragmented vocals, and of course the ever popular “Pretty Vacant and We Don’t Care” and “Bury My Heart in the Muddy Mississippi,” as well as covers of some train songs: “Mystery Train,” “This Train” (Bound for Glory), and “Freight Train.” Should be enough to fill a porch.

So, wherever you might be come Saturday evening, put your ear to some porch and see what you hear.