Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Song of the Week: Sidewalks of New York

Every time I hear or sing Sidewalks of New York, I wish Seattle had its own song that was just as good. I've created my own lyrics for the Seattle version of Woody Guthrie's So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh, but satire isn't the same thing as homage. I only spent two and a half years in New York, but I still miss it.

Here are my chords for the song:

Click on the image to enlarge it

As a bonus, I have filmed Lucia and me singing and playing "Sidewalks of New York." Lucia was in a particularly silly mood during the filming. She's thrilled with her new bob cut and has been swishing her hair around her face all afternoon . Ever since the visit to Santa Paula, California, she's wanted her hair short like two of her cousins.

I'm posting this clip with Blogger's relatively new video feature instead of with YouTube:


P.S. I told Bede that I've filmed myself playing some songs and telling stories, but that they're not the same without Lucia. Bede said, "Lucia is your Gloria!"

9 comments:

Lone Star Ma said...

Y'all are wonderful.

Anamaria (bookstogether) said...

I love the videos. And the pitter patter of Lucia's little feet on the sidewalks on New York!

(The bob is very cute, too. I just had a few inches cut off of Milly's hair and it's so much easier to untangle now, I'm tempted to cut more!).

Anonymous said...

I love the recording! It's so fun to hear voices, and Lucia's gestures and smiles really add to the performance.

I also love the looks of what white fireplace behind you.

Jules at 7-Imp said...

That's absolutely and obscenely adorable. Ouch. It hurts. It's that adorable.

Especially her new hair cut.

"Lucia is your Gloria" -- I love it.

Clydesdale Jogger said...

Love that song, Alkelda.

What do you call that style of strumming?

Saints and Spinners said...

K.Jay: I don't know what the official term is, but I know it as alternating bass notes strum in 3/4 time.

Unknown said...

Don't know what I'm jealous of more: your lovely strumming or Lucia's lovely bob. Note to self: practice more and get a hair cut.

Unknown said...

What a treat! I enjoyed hearing the song, and Lucia is ADORABLE!!! Thanks so much for sharing. By the way, my daughter asked me about "Oh My Darling Clementine." She's 3 1/2, and when I started singing it the other day she wondered what happened to Clementine. I'm pretty sure she drowned, right? Do you know anything about the origins of this song? Not so happy, eh?

--Kelley

Saints and Spinners said...

Kelley: My daughter was obsessed with the "Cementine" song not too long ago. I've read a number of interpretations about the song (take a look at the Wikipedia entry), including the one where Clementine is the Gold Rush personified.

Lori: I need to take that advice too (though I did just get a haircut myself).

Jules: You're funny! I'm surprised "Sugar-britches" wasn't in there.

Adrienne: Thanks for the feedback. It's hard finding a neutral space in our house.

Anamaria: She does that little shuffle for "Sunny Side of the Street".:)

LSM: Thank you.