randy sparks
In '66 I got my first own record player, and started collecting vinyl. In a small, shady underground shop downtown Oslo I came across a cheap LP with a picture of a dude with a Stetson hat mounted horseback. The title was "Way out West", and neighter the cover nor the label mentioned artists or songwriters. WTF? I bought it unlistened to, because of the low price. I regretted immediately. The content had nothing to do with western music at all, and the production was the most dubious I've ever heard, utterly pestered by lousy anonymous (guess why?) artists. But in fact, some of the *songs* were pleasing. Especially this one, which frequently has occurred in my mind for no reason, really. To get rid of it, I started digging. It appeared to be written by Randy Sparks, the founder of "The New Christy Minstrels", and first recorded by them in 1964. In 1969 by Bobby Goldsboro, and in 1974 by John Denver - the ultimate version. Well, here it is.
After many years, I found out that the mounted dude was Robert Mitchum; the front cover picture ripped from one of his western movies, and they were many. Most probably "The Way West" from '67. Further investigation told me that the crappy album was a result of a producer and manager about to go broke, making this whoopiecrap in his home studio and distributing it as a pirat to save his ass. It worked. The crook died many years ago, honored by music industry, and I'm not gonna reveal his name.
today : while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries : I'll drink your sweet wine
a million tomorrows shall all pass away
ere I forget all the joy that is mine
today
I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover
you'll know who I am by the songs that I sing
I'll feast at your table : I'll sleep in your clover
who cares what the morrow shall bring
I can't be contented with yesterdays glory
I can't live on promises winter to spring
today is my moment : now is my story
I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
C Am Dm G today while the blossoms still cling to the vine C Am Dm G I'll taste your strawberries I'll drink your sweet wine C C7 Dm Bdim a million tomorrows shall all pass away C Am Dm G ere I forget all the joy that is mine C today C Am Dm G I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover C Am D G you'll know who I am by the songs that I sing C Am Dm G I'll feast at your table I'll sleep in your clover F G C ....G7 who cares what the morrow shall bring
