Wasn't it Fun (now with 100% more ukulele)
Post date:
Demo:
Collaborators:
Liner Notes:
I love setting Stephen Wordsmith's words to music. They arrange themselves. See his original lyric post here. http://fiftyninety.fawmers.org/song/41363
Words Stephen Wordsmith
Music Sean McGaughey
August 16: 6 weeks later, Stephen is back in lockdown in New Zealand, He sent me updated lyrics for Part II . Here it is http://fiftyninety.fawmers.org/song/44100
Lyrics:
C G C /:
The teddies came down from the windowsill
C F C /
The teddies came down from the ledge
C G F /
No longer a sight for the sorest eyes
C G C C
A beacon no more on a hedge
C G C /
Fuzzy Theo observed the commotion
C F C /
Neptune in this ocean of Ted,
C G F /
With a grin on his face stitched so firmly in place
C G C C
As he looked o'er his shoulder and said:
F / C /
Hey, wasn't it good for a while, eh lads?
F / G /
Wasn't it fun for a while?
F / C Am
We had our day in the sun, eh lads?
C G C /
And brought all the children a smile
C G C /
And brought all the children a smile
C G C /
The teddies came down from the windowsill
C F C /
The teddies went into the box
C G F /
The boxes went into the workshop, then
C G C
The workshop went under the locks
C G C /
The people came out of the houses
C F C /
Stepped blinking out into the calm
C G F /
And Theo the fuzzy was beaming because he
C G C /
Could shout to his brothers in arms:
F / C /
Hey, wasn't it good for a while, eh lads?
F / G /
Wasn't it fun for a while?
F / C Am
We had our day in the sun, eh lads?
C G C /
And brought all the children a smile
C G C /
And brought all the children a smile
G / / /
We brightened the days at their darkest
F F C /
And had us an absolute riot
G / / /
Yeah, wasn't it good for a while, eh lads?'
F F G G7
But all of the lads had gone quiet...
The teddies had gone from the windowsills
The bears had all vanished from sight
The lockdown was lifted, our thoughts had now shifted
To setting a country to rights
And Theo the fuzzy still lingered
With a grin as if he had a choice
He turned round to cry with a twitch in his eye
And a catch in his cottony voice
Hey, wasn't it good for a while, eh lads?
Wasn't it fun for a while?
We sure had our day in the sun, eh lads?
And brought all the children a smile
Hey, wasn't it grand while it lasted?
He would cry to whoever was there
Turn and smile with great charm to his comrades-in-arms...
But everything round him was bare
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Comments
I loved Stephens story and commented on it. This is a great collab, perfect touch of wackyness for a wacky story.
We've done quite a few collabs over the years, and I think this might be my favourite. There's a certain breeziness in the delivery which seems perfectly fitting for teddy bears, but also an appropriate dose of tragedy when Theo comes to his realisation. This is a longish lyric, but it didn't seem like one when I found I had reached the end.
Yes, ukulele was the proper accompaniment for this tale of turfed teddies. Nice work, you two. (You can hear the chorus of teddy bears hoisting their pints of root beer and singing along on the chorus, if you listen just carefully enough)
What a perfect fit! Made me smile really big!
Oh, well done. Ukulele makes so much sense for this tune. Metalfoot's comment about teddies hoisting pints of root beer is so spot on!
Oh no! I gotta practice uke! This has a hugely Borderer-folk feel, I could pull out a fiddle and bagpipes too! A wonderful uplifting and sweet but rousing end-of-lockdown song. Three cheers for the Teddies saving the day! And such a sweet/sad ending with bite and loss. All things end. I know I will, now.
Love it! And my grandson coming August 2020 is going to be named Theodore (unless they change their minds AGAIN)
This brings to mind that line about how the Irish have the merriest of wars and the saddest of songs. The tune is an instant classic, one we can grab a hold of and sing along with from the get go. I kept thinking about Theo's stitched on smile as the song progressed--and then that image reappears horrifying force as the full tragedy of the story unfolds, making the song more than a poignant reminder that time passes and childish things are inevitably put away. You guys have pulled off a serious feat: writing a song that is rousing and quietly touching at the same time
What an inspired way to describe the future we hope can safely happen soon! And perfect music to accompany those words - it just had to be on uke. Please keep collaborating!
what great fun! the whole thing works well, the lyric and the uke and all!
Well wasn't that great tune, hey lads. I loved that little vocal hook it is really effective. The words are cracking and your vocal and uke delivery is great. Great collab.
This is a perfect combo.
The music really highlights the words in the best possible way. btw. I think I'm seeing even more teddies in windows over here.
They might be taking over.
And wow, those vocals in the B part just soaring. Great!
Fabulous writing...so clever and pertinent and it works on many levels too...well done!
Nice to hear the bears getting a shout out for their role in comforting during lockdown. Yet it is a bittersweet moment when they must go back in the box. Is there a double meaning in the last line "everything round him was bare?"
What a treasure you two have shared with us. I was swaying and reaching for my beverage as the story unfolded. Really heartwarming!
It reminds me of Waltzing With Bears. One of my favorites, and I love this one too. This is a fabulous collaboration. Whimsical and a little sad. Very sentimental. Then that freaking ending. Ouch!
I read the lyrics first, since I know that's how the collab began. Brilliantly heart-wrenching - made me think of my daughter who's packing up to head off to college, and she's taking a few stuffed animals with her, but most she's leaving behind or giving away. And I love your nursery rhyme approach to current events, too.
So now the music - delightfully theatrical, with a touching and personal troubadour story-telling feel. Excellent collab!
What a delightful tale. Sad, but still, stiff upper lip, mustn't grumble, carry on. Music fits perfectly. Bravo, gents
i commented on the lyrics that i could really hear the music and this is really not far off what i had in mind. nicely done indeed, they are great lyrics/story and the music suits it so well
Very enjoyable. Nice lyrics with good natural rhythm. The delivery matches up well with the uke. The chorus is great. Has a nice pub sing-along feel to it.