We need songs for these times

**Ranald** · Mar-17-2020, 1:10pm

A member of my Ottawa Song Circle issued "an over 65 Corona virus songwriting" challenge. Here's my contribution. (Though he said "Corona," we tend to call it "COVID 19" in Canada.) Do what you will with it.

When we've all got the blues, we need some songs to help us out, not necessarily about those over 65 and not necessarily blues. What have you got? Nothing too political please (see the Guidelines), and i'd ask that we avoid lengthy discussions of the disease and responses to it.

Keep well, folks.

COVID 19 Blues
(to any 12-bar blues tune that fits) Ranald Thurgood

Some folks say these housebound blues ain't bad,
Some folks say these housebound blues ain't bad,
But these COVID 19 blues are the worst I've ever had.

Turned on the CBC just to hear the news, (replace with your favourite radio station)
Turned on the CBC just to hear the news,
All they had to say was: ev'ones got the COVID 19 blues.

They say it only kills the elderly and the 'mune impaired,
They say it only kills the elderly and the 'mune impaired,
So, Rannie, boy, they tell me, you ain't likely gonna be spared.

Turned on Holger Petersen just to get away from the news, (replace with your blues-radio host)
Turned on Holger Petersen just to get away from the news,
He says," I'll spend the next two hours playing the old 'TB Blues'."

They sent the school kids home just to try'n stop the spread,
They sent the school kids home just to try'n stop the spread,
They're all playing in my courtyard, trying' to make their grandparents dead.

Got my mojo working, babe, you know that's true,
Got my mojo working, babe, you know that's true,
But what good's a mojo when I have to keep six feet from you?

(A mojo is a charm, usually for love/sex magic.)
(Holger hosts "Saturday Night Blues" on CBC Radio One.)

**FLATROCK HILL** · Mar-17-2020, 1:28pm

Nothing new here but it sums up my feelings about the COVID Blues...

**Simon DS** · Mar-17-2020, 2:04pm

Thanks for starting the thread, Ranald, here’s a song.
-and I don’t know the guy, but he does have a LOT of fun, rolling-rhythm mandolin tunes on his YT page...

https://youtu.be/pdNKT8-ZGv8

**Drew Egerton** · Mar-17-2020, 2:06pm

I've been learning Darol Anger's "Dysentery Stomp" lately. Maybe not exactly the same symptoms, but still feels appropriate.

**Ranald** · Mar-17-2020, 2:19pm

Simon, I'm not getting the video link. Could you please send the information so I can find it on YouTube?

**Ranald** · Mar-17-2020, 2:33pm

Thanks, Drew. Here's a mandolin version. If links don't work, search YouTube for "dysentery stomp/timblairmusic" .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqktbtg4rr0

And here's the TB Blues. If links don't work, search YouTube for "TB Blues by Kim and Jim Lansford".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzkwCz6iak0

**Simon DS** · Mar-17-2020, 2:36pm

Never sure if I’m going to catch something by posting links to threads but...

https://youtu.be/o4vW1unD-8E
Posting at the same time. Ha, ha Ranald you caught it first!

**MikeZito** · Mar-17-2020, 6:53pm

Ever since this whole thing got started, I keep thinking of Bradley Kincaid singing 'Some Little Bug Is Goin' To Get You Someday'.

**Ranald** · Mar-17-2020, 7:51pm

Originally Posted by MikeZito

Ever since this whole thing got started, I keep thinking of Bradley Kincaid singing 'Some Little Bug Is Goin' To Get You Someday'.

Thanks, Mike. I never heard that before. Here it is. If the links don't work, search You Tube for "Bradley Kincaid - Some Little Bug is Goin' to Get You"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSZDO1Lh37k

And here's a serious one that a friend sent me about people whose problems were worse than and sacrifice greater than ours during the Black Death years. If the links don't work, search You Tube for "Roses of Eyam/Roy Bailey".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6f734MDffs

**2Points** · Mar-17-2020, 9:02pm

How ‘bout

Momma don’t ‘low any Coronavirus round here
Momma don’t ‘low any Coronavirus round here
We don’t care what Momma don’t ‘low
Don’t wanna get Coronavirus anyhow
Momma don’t ‘low any Coronavirus round here!

**MikeEdgerton** · Mar-18-2020, 9:38am

My new country song is called "Just stand six feet away from me and wave". It's a song about true love lost. It's best played with gloves on.

**Charlie Bernstein** · Mar-18-2020, 10:27am

"My Corona"
"Corona, Corona"
"Virus Love Have To Hurt So Bad?"
"I Only Sanitize For You"
"Get Back"
"Dangers In the Night"
"The Night They Locked Old Dixie Down"
"Why Must I Quarantine-ager In Love?
"This Face-masquerade"
"Beat Me Daddy, Ventilate to the Bar"

**Mark Gunter** · Mar-19-2020, 8:06am

Put everything in perspective and laugh about it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_7zOAaHWU

**Ranald** · Mar-19-2020, 10:22am

[QUOTE=Mark Gunter;1761660]Put everything in perspective and laugh about it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_7zOAaHWU

That's great, Mark.
I think we should have a holiday once a year where we all gather in the square and shout "I'm going to die!" for 15 minutes. Then we could laugh weep, pray, party, get drunk, begin a new project, phone people we love, or whatever -- just to keep in perspective what's going to happen to us all. I was going to post David Francey's song on the same vein (perhaps entitled "Who Dies?") but couldn't find it. In searching, I was surprised to discover how many similar songs exist.

**jim simpson** · Mar-19-2020, 2:32pm

How can a poor man stand such times and live (Ry Cooder) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8mOF332uwQ

**tree** · Mar-20-2020, 7:58pm

Let's consider another road, the one that takes our minds away from our troubles for, say, 3:09

**Ranald** · Mar-20-2020, 9:33pm

Originally Posted by tree

Let's consider another road, the one that takes our minds away from our troubles for, say, 3:09

Thanks, Clark. Everything about that makes me happy. And if I didn't have male pattern baldness, I'd try to revive Marty's hairstyle!

And here's another to blow your blues away. If the links don't work search YouTube for "Kosher Chicken Dance/ Lara St. John".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE63...JlX5Zym3Oth5uk

**MikeEdgerton** · Mar-20-2020, 10:36pm

Uh, yeah.

**Timbofood** · Mar-21-2020, 5:02am

Did anyone see the article in bluegrass today from Chris Jones about songs for the present situation?
There are actually two, both were excellent.

**Frankdolin** · Mar-21-2020, 6:23am

I get black humor, I do. I just don't think it's funny.

**Christine Robins** · Mar-21-2020, 10:02am

Like many of you, I've been spending WAY too much time staring at a screen, trying to keep up with the latest news. So here's my parody of a Johnny Cash classic:

I Stay Online

I keep a close watch on this screen of mine.
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
Can’t see the springtime flowers through the blinds
From 9 to 9, I stay online.

I get confused by what is false and true.
I find my eyes sore when each day is through.
Yes, I’ll admit that I’m a bit unglued.
From 9 to 9, I stay online.

As sure as night is dark and day is light.
I must stay online both day and night,
Though it tires out my brain and sight.
From 9 to 9, I stay online.

It’s got a way of keeping me inside.
It gives me cause for worry I can't hide.
Can’t turn it off. I know, I really tried.
From 9 to 9, I stay online.
From 9 to 9, I stay online.

**MikeEdgerton** · Mar-22-2020, 12:08pm

Indeed we are, like it or not.

**Mace** · Mar-22-2020, 12:29pm

Thanks for reminding me, Mike. It doesn’t get much better than Nancy Griffith’s From A Distance.

**Timbofood** · Mar-22-2020, 3:39pm

Christine,
That’s a good one right there!

**Andy B** · Mar-22-2020, 5:59pm

Chris Brashear, "The Day Coronavirus Came"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78BRNm-ZjnM

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