Here's another that I find myself singing repeatedly. And which I just found ALL the lyrics to in a cardboard box -- hooray!Context: This show was a traveling Western romance, a story of a photographer (somewhat inexplicably named after the Yeats hero) and a tough lady brothel-owner who fall in love and become train robbers. And end in a tragic but inevitable blaze of glory. It was also the story of the conflicted preacher who formed an unlikely trio with them for a time -- was his name Simon? Somebody remind me. There was a giant bear puppet, a lot of flannel shirts, a camp fire, risque picture postcard photos, and only one visit from the cops. And it was my last official CG show -- slainte!
The Ballad of Faye and Hanrahan
from HO! The Ballad of Faye and Hanrahan, A Control Group Western
Spring 2008
Well gather round my friends and I will tell to you a tale
Of a robber and her sweetheart and a love that couldn't fail
A most unlikely story, here's how it all began
So lend an ear and you will hear of Faye and Hanrahan
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free
When Hanrahan was 29 he hopped a train out West
He brought along his camera, 'twas a photographic quest
Took pictures of the cacti and jackrabbits in the sand
He introduced himself to Faye as Owen Hanrahan
Now Faye she owned a brothel, a fairly classy joint
Her gals were famous everywhere, they didn't disappoint
When Owen took her picture, she came up with a plan
To go from being only Faye to Faye and Hanrahan
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free
Wanderin' the desert, their provisions they were low
They say one day they came across a mighty locomo'
Jumped aboard and waved their gun, and there they took a stand
The first of many robberies for Faye and Hanrahan
Once they stopped a cattle car on its way up North
It crashed and fell and all the cows rushed out and tumbled forth
A stampede formed, they almost died, but with a lasso in her hand
Faye roped them up and branded them with "Faye and Hanrahan"
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free
At times they left the wilderness, the desert and the mountains
Covered in grime they took their crime to saloons and soda fountains
"Drinks are on the house!" they'd say, or rather they'd demand
And the folks would lift a toast to good ol' Faye and Hanrahan
They've held up trains in Boise, in Boulder and in Butte
They say that Owen's 10 feet tall and Faye wears bears for boots
One time they ordered cheesecake and ended up with flan
So they shot the waiter, that's the way with Faye and Hanrahan
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free
Some say they battled fifty cops to gather up their loot
I saw them fight a dinosaur and cook it up to boot
I think they'll take on evil if there's anyone who can
There's nothing in this world that can beat Faye and Hanrahan
They rode across the Rockies on a pair of elephants
They left them at the Denver Zoo and jumped a ship to France
The Frenchies liked their joie de vivre and also their elan
They waved goodbye and shouted "Vive le Faye and Hanrahan!"
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free
They busted through to Kathmandu on the Orient Express
They even robbed a bullet train, the Eurostar no less
The Trans-Siberian railroad was really rather bland
It's the wild wild West or BUST for Faye and Hanrahan
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
If you're out there, take a stand for me
Hey Faye and Hanrahan
The madam and the cameraman
You're just doin what you can
What you gotta, to be free!
Oh my goodness! This is an amazing idea... Makes me feel like digging through boxes to contribute to this quest. Here's one from my sophomore year. The show featured the Communist Manifesto, and the opening scene featured yours truly in coveralls, a harmonica and a straw on which to chew. I remember sitting in my TD dorm writing the lyrics. Voila!
ReplyDeleteProletariat:
I traced back my roots
To the middle ages.
Seems that we've never
Had a raise in wages.
Thought to myself:
Put up a fight.
Proletariat, you'll come out all right.
Slave and surf,
You've always been oppressed.
Guess that situation's
About to be re-dressed.
Don't let your hopes
Set down in the West, oh,
Proletariat, write a manifesto.
Chorus: (all)
Wives everywhere, throw down your mops and brooms,
Put down your needles and dance around like loons
Take off your dresses, give yourselves a bath
Put on a pair of pants and join the communist path.
This song makes me giggle! There was also a FABULOUS rap that Raphi might have his hands on.
I'll keep 'em coming,
Meara