Lemmaless in New York

NEW YORK, New York -- Just days after the loss of his lemma and then the tragic disappearance of his thesaurus, St Vandoofus has turned to his music for solace. Written while he was sleepless in DC, the new single released just moments ago was simply titled, Lemmaless in New York.

Ee-e-e-um-um-a-weh
Ee-e-e-um-um-a-weh

In the Jungle,
the concrete jungle,
the lemma's lost tonight.
In the apple,
the big apple,
the lemma's lost tonight.

Kahuna's behind this
Kahuna's behind this
Kahuna's behind this
I'm sure!

Hush my lemma,
don't fear my lemma
I'll find you lemma tonight.
Hush my lemma
don't fear my lemma
thesaurus wouldn't bite!

Ojaye.....!

Na-na-na-na-na-na-naaaaa
Na-na-na-na-na-na-naaaaa

Vinodayata Kahuna lemma-yek mata ewala
Maha kalaye lemma nathiwela
Lemma hoyanna mama thesaurus-wa yawala
Aiyaiyo dennama dhan naa....ojaye...!

Oye ojaye
Lemma nathi welane
Oye ojaye
Lemma nathi welane

Ode to Vandoofus

Oh, give me a home where the guanaco roam,
Where the lemma and the alpaca play,
Where seldom is heard a humongous word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Home, home on the range,
Where the lemma and the alpaca play;
Where seldom is heard a humongous word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

— Big Kahuna, with apologies to "Home on the Range" by John A Lomax and Dr Brewster Higley.

Yours Forever

Here we are, in the grays of winter.
Here we are, just me and you.
Hold my hand. Let's face tomorrow.
Tomorrow still holds out its hands to you.

This precious time, we've only borrowed.
The autumn winds have blown on through.
A quiet thought would tell our story.

Tomorrow still holds out its hands to you.
Yes, tomorrow still holds out its hands to you.

Here's some winds, they're yours forever.
And here's some dreams that will come true.
Take these tears, wash away your sorrow.

Tomorrow still holds out its hands to you.
Yes, tomorrow still holds out its hands to you.
Yes, tomorrow still holds out its hands to you.

— Music by James Horner, Lyrics by John Mellencamp and George Green. Copyright © 2000 WB Music Corp, Horner Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Belmont Mall Publishing, EMI April Music, Inc. and Katsback Music.

The haunting theme from the Warner Bros. film, The Perfect Storm, recounting the ill-fated final voyage of the Andrea Gail during the 1991 Perfect Storm.

The soundtrack can be found on YouTube: here and here (photo montage).

Cavatina

She was beautiful,
Beautiful to my eyes.
From the moment I saw her,
The sun filled the sky.

She was so so beautiful,
Beautiful just to hold.
In my dreams she was spring time
Winter was cold.

How could I tell her
What I so clearly could see
Though I longed for her
I never trusted her completely
So I never could be free.

Oh, but it was beautiful
Knowing now that she cared
I will always remember
Moments that we shared

Now it's all over
Still the feelings linger on
For my dream keeps returning
Now that she's gone.

For it was beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful to be loved.

— Stanley Myers (music), 1970; Cleo Laine (lyrics), 1973.

Composed by Stanley Myers, Cavatina is more memorable as the instrumental theme from the Oscar award winning movie, The Deer Hunter (1978), where it was performed by guitarist John Williams.

The lyrics written by Dame Cleo Laine was originally sung as "He was Beautiful," accompanied by John Williams. The version above ("She was Beautiful") was record by Paul Potts for his debut album, One Chance in 2007.

A flawless acoustic guitar rendition of the music performed by Swedish classical guitarist Per-Olov Kindgren can be found on YouTube as is a live rendition by John Williams and a colorful piano rendition by Lana Gnus. The version above sung by Paul Potts is also available on YouTube.

Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Tonight you're mine completely
You give your love so sweetly
Tonight the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow

Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment's pleasure
So tell me now and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow

Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun

Will you still love me tomorrow
Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I'm the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun

I'd like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow
Will you still love me tomorrow

— Gerry Goffin and Carole King, 1960. © 1960 Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc. (BMI), Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc. (BMI). Printed lyrics and sheet music are available at Hal Leonard Online and SheetMusicDirect.com.

This song, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, was originally performed by The Shirelles in 1960. Since then it has been recorded by numerous artistes and found its way to #125 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The version above, with slightly different lyrics, was recorded by Smokie, and is probably one of the best performances. You can listen to a recording on YouTube here.

Cherry Bowl Drive-In

Saw her at the Texaco just the other day.
Even more beautiful, her hair had touch of grey.
We both stood and stared at each other, couldn't say a word.
Then I said, "God, it's good to see you."
And she said, "Well, have you heard...

"They're tearin' down the Cherry Bowl Drive-In tomorrow
Where I first kissed you and you ran my fingers through your hair.
She's goin' the way all things must go someday
but, I will still remember you there.
Yes, I will. Yes, I will.
I will still remember you there."

Then I said, "Little Melissa, she's lookin' more and more like you.
Saw her down on Maple Street, she's even got your same smile, too.
And my Jake Jr. says,'Daddy, somebody I'm gonna marry that girl.'
Isn't that just perfect? Such a crazy world.

"So they're tearin' down the Cherry Bowl Drive-In tomorrow?
Where I first kissed you and you ran my fingers through your hair.
She's goin' the way all things must go someday
But, I will still remember you there.
Yes, I will. Yes, I will.
I will still remember you there.

"Hey, can you get away tomorrow?
If you can't I understand.
It's just that when the big screen falls,
I'd like to be holdin' your hand,
holdin' your hand

"when they're tearin' down the Cherry Bowl Drive-In tomorrow,
where I first kissed you and you ran my fingers through your hair.
She's goin' the way all things must go someday
but, I will still remember you there.
Yes, I will. Yes, I will.
I will still remember us there."

— Joshua Kadison, Vanishing America (EMI, 2001). Copyright © 2001 Joshuasongs (BMI), Seymour Glass Songs (BMI).

Another great song from Joshua Kadison. The MP3 version can be downloaded from his website.

Flagstaff by Morning

Flagstaff by morning,
she don’t know I’m coming.
Maybe I’ll wake her softly from a dream she’s dreamin’ sweet.
Flagstaff by morning,
she don’t know I’m coming.
Maybe I’ll just gently slip between the sheets.

I promised her one day
my songs would make the big time
and I’d buy her a big house where the hills meet the sky.
Well, I’m still playin’ jukejoints
and every roadside attraction.
My dreams may be grounded but my pick-up can fly to

Flagstaff by morning,
she don’t know I’m coming.
Maybe I’ll wake her softly from a dream she’s dreamin’ sweet.
Flagstaff by morning,
she don’t know I’m coming.
Maybe I’ll just gently slip between the sheets.

&mdash Joshua Kadison, Saturday Night in Storyville (1998).
Copyright © 1998 Joshuasongs (BMI).

One of Joshua Kadison's poignant piano rock songs about his life and music. The MP3 version can be downloaded from his website.

This song is dedicated to Darth Teddy, an authority in the type of undercover activities best carried out between the sheets. Despite the context of the Bear, references to Flagstaff, Arizona are not meant to be phallic. According to the Wikipedia:

The city's name commemorates a Ponderosa Pine tree that was made into a tall flagpole by members of a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Flagstaff Tea Party"), on July 4, 1876 to celebrate the United States Centennial.

Interestingly, the capital of Arizona is Phoenix. Again, this is probably just a coincidence. We're in no way suggesting that Darth Teddy should move to Arizona and become a nuisance to the good people of Flagstaff.

Jessie

From a phone booth in Vegas, Jessie calls at 5 A.M.
to tell me how she's tired of all of them.
She says, "Baby, I been thinking 'bout a trailer by the sea.
We could go to Mexico... you, the cat and me.
We'll drink tequila and look for sea shells.
Now, doesn't that sound sweet?"
Oh, Jessie, you always do this every time I get back on my feet.

Jessie paint your pictures 'bout how it's gonna be.
By now I should know better, your dreams are never free.
But tell me all about our little trailer by the sea;
Jessie you can always sell any dream to me.
Oh, Jessie, you can always sell any dream to me.

She asks me how the cat's been. I say, "Moses he's just fine
but he used to think about you all the time.
We finally took your pictures down off the wall.
Oh, Jessie, how do you always seem to know just when to call?"
She says, "Get your stuff together. Bring Moses and drive real fast."
And I listen to her promise, "I swear to God this time it's gonna last."

Jessie paint your pictures 'bout how it's gonna be.
By now I should know better, your dreams are never free.
But tell me all about our little trailer by the sea;
Jessie you can always sell any dream to me.
Oh, Jessie, you can always sell any dream to me.

I'll love you in the sunshine, lay you down in the warm white sand.
And who knows, maybe this time things'll turn out just the way you planned.

Jessie paint your pictures 'bout how it's gonna be.
By now I should know better, your dreams are never free.
But tell me all about our little trailer by the sea;
Jessie you can always sell any dream to me.
Oh, Jessie, you can always sell any dream to me.

— Joshua Kadison, Painted Desert Serenade (SBK Records, 1993). Copyright © 1991, 1992 Joshuasongs (BMI), Seymour Glass Songs (BMI), EMI/Blackwood Inc.

Joshua Kadison's timeless piano rock hit about his tumultuous relationship with actress Sarah Jessica Parker and their cat Moses in the early 90s. More great music can be downloaded from his website.

The purpose of posting these lyrics will become evident in the coming days. Of course it has to do with Darth Teddy, Professor Gordon and unfettered buffoonery of massive proportions. LL Droov J, the famous rapper formerly known as Catbert will also put in a guest appearance.

Mrs. Robinson

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

We'd like to know a little bit about you for our files
We'd like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes
It's a little secret, just the Robinsons' affair
Most of all, you've got to hide it from the kids

Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know (Wo, wo, wo)
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you've got to choose
Ev'ry way you look at it, you lose

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you (Woo, woo, woo)
What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson
Joltin' Joe has left and gone away
(Hey, hey, hey...hey, hey, hey)

- Mrs. Robinson, Simon and Garfunkel (Bookends, 1968).

First heard as snippets of incidental music in the 1967 movie The Graduate, the full version of the song was written by Paul Simon after the movie and the music gained popularity^[1]. It spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1968. The references to Joe DiMaggio are believed to be the most memorable lines of the song.

The day after DiMaggio's death in March 1999, Paul Simon wrote an editorial in the New York Times entitled The Silent Superstar, explaining that the reference to DiMaggio was meant as a sincere tribute to his unpretentious heroic stature, in a time when popular culture magnifies and distorts how we perceive our heroes^[1]. Simon ended by writing:

In these days of Presidential transgressions and apologies and prime-time interviews about private sexual matters, we grieve for Joe DiMaggio and mourn the loss of his grace and dignity, his fierce sense of privacy, his fidelity to the memory of his wife and the power of his silence.

^[1] Mrs. Robinson, Wikipedia.

Streets of London

Have you seen the old man
In the closed down market
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper, telling yesterday's news.

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something
To make you change your mind.

Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags
She's no time for talking
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something
To make you change your mind.

In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven
The same old man sitting there on his own
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup
Each tea lasts an hour, and he wanders home alone.

So how can you tell me that you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something
To make you change your mind.

Have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears
In our winter city the rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care.

So how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something
To make you change your mind.

- Streets of London, Ralph McTell (Spiral Staircase, 1969).

While we're on the subject, a rendition of Ralph McTell's greatest success would only be appropriate. The MP3 is available here and the Wikipedia also has some interesting facts about the song.

I Wish I Knew

Living in time and feeling every moment
Do I walk into tomorrow and never look behind
In a perfect world
Everyone's dreams would all come true
How will it all unfold
I wish I knew

Look at all the ways the mystery unravels
Try to find a pattern--is there one to find
Though the sky is stormy
I see reflections of gold and blue
Will the true story ever be told
I wish I knew

As I try to learn the answer
And I stumble along the way
I am powered by the love in my heart
By the thoughts in my mind
By the dreams I dream each day

It isn't always easy
But I gotta believe I'll make it through
What will the future hold
I wonder what will the future hold
How will it all unfold
I wish I knew

- I Wish I Knew, Carole King. Copyright © 1990 Lushmole Music (BMI), Rosie Tunes (BMI).

This was the theme song from the Golden Globe winning drama, The Trials of Rosie O'Neill. Originally performed by Melissa Manchester during the first season and instrumental thereafter, the full version of the song was performed by guest star Carole King in the episode Reunion in 1991.

It has never been released as a single or part of an album to this day.

The Island

They say the skies of Lebanon are burning
Those mighty cedars bleeding in the heat
They're showing pictures on the television
Women and children dying in the street
And we're still at it in our own place
Still trying to reach the future through the past
Still trying to carve tomorrow from a tombstone...

Chorus

But Hey! Don't listen to me!
This wasn't meant to be no sad song
We've heard too much of that before
Right now I only want to be here with you
Till the morning dew comes falling
I want to take you to the island
And trace your footprints in the sand
And in the evening when the sun goes down
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean

They're raising banners over by the markets
Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls
Witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown
No way our holy flag is gonna fall
Up here we sacrifice our children
To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday
And teach them dying will lead us into glory...

Repeat chorus

Now I know us plain folks don't see all the story
And I know this peace and love's just copping out
And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches
Is just what being free is all about
And how this twisted wreckage down on main street
Will bring us all together in the end
And we'll go marching down the road to freedom...
Freedom

- Paul Brady, Back to the Centre (1985). Copyright © Hornall Brothers Music.

Sadly, some things never change. This is what Paul Brady says about writing this song:

Figuring out what to say about this song is almost as hard as writing it was in the first place. In early Eighties Ireland emotions were very high. Things had come to a head in the North. People were on hunger strike and dying. The Lebanon, Nicaragua, El Salvador, South Africa were all daily bearing witness to our capacity for cruelty, shortsightedness and greed. All around us politicians and public figures roaring drunk with their certainties.

I kind of wanted to give voice to this other ordinary man who was powerless to affect anything on a grand scale but was just trying to thread a way through all the emotional flak and stay in touch with what humans were designed to do. one to one. It was a controversial thing to be going on about at the time. If you're not with us, you're against us. Turning your back on your own. Many friendships ended in those days. The subsequent popularity of this song, due also in no small measure to Dolores Keane's beautiful rendition on 'A Woman's Heart' makes me feel that although I wasn't sure what I was dealing with, something was being said that needed to be said.

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You... you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You... you may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will live as one

- John Lennon (1971)

John Lennon's utopian song, Imagine was voted third Greatest Song of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. According to the Wikipedia, the refrain is believed to have been written by Yoko Ono in reaction to her childhood in Japan during World War II.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Making your way in the world today
Takes everything you've got;
Taking a break from all your worries
Sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?

All those night when you've got no lights,
The check is in the mail;
And your little angel
Hung the cat up by it's tail;
And your third fiance didn't show;

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to be where you can see,
Our troubles are all the same;
You want to be where everybody knows your name.

Roll out of bed, Mr. Coffee's dead;
The morning's looking bright;
And your shrink ran off to Europe,
And didn't even write;
And your husband wants to be a girl;

Be glad there's one place in the world
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name.

Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came...

- Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

These are full lyrics of the unmistakable theme song from Cheers, the multi Emmy Award winning sitcom that first aired in September 1982 and ran for eleven seasons. You can read the story and listen to the song at www.garyportnoy.com.