mp3: Marching Through Georgia – Click To Play This marks the 30th anniversary of the Folk Den. My maternal grandfather was born in the late 1800s. He used to sing this song to me when I was a child. I received this recording from a talented multi-instrumentalist named L.J. Slavin who gave me his CD … Continue reading "Marching Through Georgia"

mp3: Fentanyl Fold – Click To Play I noticed people bending over in San Francisco on the TV news. After a little research I discovered the reason. It’s referred to as “The fentanyl fold” It’s a specific posture that individuals may assume when under the influence of fentanyl, characterized by a drooping head and slumped … Continue reading "Fentanyl Fold"

mp3: Sing Hallelujah – Click To Play I wrote this to the tune of a 19th century folk song “Skillet Good and Greasy” I loved the melody but I thought these lyrics were more uplifting . [C] Well I’m headed up to Heaven Gonna see all my friends [Em] Sing [Am] Hallelujah [Em] Where time … Continue reading "Sing Hallelujah"

m4a: Pastures of Plenty – Click To Play Woody Guthrie wrote this song in 1941 to celebrate the migrant workers described in John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” The tune is taken from the Appalachian murder ballad “Pretty Poly.” A home recording of Woody Guthrie singing this and other compositions of his was discovered recently … Continue reading "Pastures of Plenty —— Lyrics By Woody Guthrie"

mp3: Hallelujah, I’m a bum – Click To Play This is an old song Roud 7992 from the 1890’s. Carl Sandburg included it in his anthology “The American Songbook” Lyrics:   [G] Rejoice and be glad, for the [Em] springtime has come [G] We can throw down our shovels and [D] go on the bum … Continue reading "BUM"

mp3: We Shall Not Be Moved – Click To Play We Shall Not Be Moved is a lovely spiritual from the Southern churches in the 1800’s. It was extremely hard to find the original lyrics because for years it had been rewritten as a union song. The text is based on biblical scripture: Happy Juneteenth!!! … Continue reading "We Shall Not Be Moved"

mp3: Happy Bears Quick Step – Click To Play Here’s a story that I tell in my one-man-show: When I worked for Bobby Darin in Las Vegas, I would follow him around and ask questions on how to make it in the music business. One time I mentioned that I’s like to get in the … Continue reading "Happy Bears Quick Step"

mp3: Love In March – Click To Play My wife Camilla and I met in an acting class in Beverly Hills CA. We fell in love in March and were married on April 1st 1978. This is our song about love in March. Lyrics:   * [D] In March, [F#m] when the world is reborn,  … Continue reading "Love In March"

mp3: If I Had A Hammer – Click To Play Pete Seeger and Lee Hays wrote this song in 1949. The Weavers had a hit with it in the 50s and Peter Paul and Mary got it to #10 on the Billboard charts in 1962. I’m posting this in memory of Peter Yarrow who passed … Continue reading "If I Had A Hammer"

mp3: Never Go Back – Click To Play This is a “contemporary” folk song that I wrote around 40 years ago. It’s a about the disappointment I’ve felt going back to old places, only to find buildings torn down and replaced by new trendy hotels with neon signs. Hoping to see old friends but finding … Continue reading "Never Go Back"