tom t. hall
Singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall [Thomas Hall, 1936–2021] was no inventive composer, but really clever and effective with words, and fully deserved his nickname "The Storyteller". I 1968 he wrote this story about hypocrisy in a small city. Fiction, but he sure had references.
First recording was by Bobbi Martin in April 1968. In August, it was released as the debut single of Jeannie C. Riley, and it became an international hit, crossover, up to date covered 117 times and adapted 14 times into several languages. Hall himself probably never recorded it; it's not even found on compilation albums.
In Norway the song resulted in a serious debate in the Parliament! Journalist and author Terje Mosnes wrote a masterpiece of adaption called "Fru Johnsen". Reactionary Christians - they were politically rather strong at that time - wanted it banned because of the content, and only a fistful of votes avoided such a disaster. Maybe the line "fordi min skjørtekant er nærmere den himmel dere aldri kommer til" [because my skirt hem is nearer the Heaven than you will ever be] was hard to swallow, but they had to. It became the signature song for artist Inger-Lise Andersen (later Rypdal), and is still played now and then. It sold far better than Riley's version. And today, that political party has turned monk.
Legacy:
• "Harper Valley" : A small gossipy city with moral duplicity ANYWHERE; name inspired by "Harpeth Valley Elementary" in the Nashville area.
• "PTA" or "P.T.A." : Parent Teacher Association.
• "Peyton Place" : A contemporary TV show, based on an earlier novel by Grace Metalious.
• "socked it to" : Sock-it-to-me was a catchphrase from the comedy show "Laugh In" late '60s.
I wanna tell you all the story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife
who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High
well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play
and she said «Mom I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA.»
well the note said «Mrs. Johnson : you're wearin' your dresses way too high
it's reported you've been drinkin' and a-runnin' round with men and goin' wild
and we don't believe you oughta be a-bringin' up your little girl this way»
and it was signed by "The secretary, Harper Valley PTA."
well it happened that the PTA was gonna meet that very afternoon
and they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her miniskirt into the room
and as she walked up to the blackboard I can still recall the words she had to say
she said «I'd like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley PTA.»
«well there's Bobby Taylor sittin' there and seven times he's asked me for a date
and Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lotta ice whenever he's away
and Mr. Baker : can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?
and shouldn't widow Jones be told to keep her window shades all pulled completely down»
«well Mr. Harper couldn't be here 'cause he stayed too long at Kelly's Bar again
and if you'll smell Shirley Thompson's breath you'll find she's had a little nip of gin
and then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a mother I'm not fit
well this is just a little Peyton Place and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites!»
no I wouldn't put you on because it really did happen just this way
the day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA.
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
A A7 I wanna tell you all the story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife D7 who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High A A7 well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play D7 E7 A and she said Mom I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA A7 ... Edim ... G7 C C7 no I wouldn't put you on because it really did happen just this way F7 G7 C the day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA
