We the people
In order to form a more perfect Union
establish Justice
insure Domestic Tranquility,
provide for the Common Defense,
promote the General Welfare,
and Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Because we the people!
Ain’t no lie if it’s true
Ain’t no me Ain’t no you
Ain’t no red white or blue
We just people
We the people
Ain’t no up Ain’t no down
Ain’t no lost Ain’t no found
Ain’t no bad side of town
We just people
We the people
We come from the earth
We Belong to the Stars
We talk about church
We hang out in bars
Don’t lose that connection
To the cosmic direction
Don’t ever forget who you are! (Who you are!)
We just people
We the people …
Ain’t no them Ain’t no us
Ain’t no get off the bus
Ain’t no more to discuss
We’re just people
We the people
Ain’t no out Ain’t no in
Ain’t no lose ain’t no win
Ain’t no better time to begin
We just people
We the people
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
We just people
We the people
When I was a young man just getting started
I didn't even have me a ride into town
I asked my heroes out on the corner
I said now "brother, where'd you get that sound?"
And one by one the old men told me
'bout what they'd done and sometimes how
Now step on up and take a number
and take a look at who's the old guy now
When I was a young man just getting started
I didn't even have me a story to tell
Now that I'm older I got my own story
But it's the way how I tell it, make the damn thing sell
I been looking back at all my adventures
And I'm gettin' to wonderin' if there's a point somehow
Looking for answers comin' up with nothin' but questions
Well take a look at who's the old guy now
Who's the old guy now...
Little Benny Blue playing out in the back
Running through the weeds by the railroad track
Just a happy kid got nothin’ on his mind
Well a minute lasts for hours when you’re barely just nine
But pretty soon Benny well he’s gonna find
That the blues is the bottom line
Little Benny Blue now he’s writing a song
About a sweet little girl how she done him wrong
He’s hoping that the song is gonna bring her back
But the girl’s gone running with rest of the pack
Looks like little Benny well he’s ‘bout to find
That the blues is the bottom line
Little Benny Blue drives a beater to work.
Just putting in time on planet earth.
Days are passing slow now that years are passing fast
Punching up the clock trying to pay for his gas
Little Benny Blue finally cashed in his chips
Learned to play piano picking up tips
Running down the highway on a dark summer night
Got a whole lotta women ain’t none of them right
Looks like little Benny well he’s starting to find
That the blues is the bottom line
Little Benny Blue figured out what it’s worth
Just by putting in time on Planet earth
Now his hours passing slow but his years passing fast
He’s just playing the blues and smoking the grass
Little Benny Blue well he never got a hit
Found a good woman, and he never did quit
Learned to love the blues because they hurt so nice
Wouldn’t trade that love for money not at anybody’s price
Don’t always make sense and it might not rhyme
But the blues is the bottom line
I can understand it
I can look the other way
It’s underhanded, so what
That‘s life today
I didn’t plan it
Maybe I don’t have the right to say
By while I’m on the planet
If it’s underhanded
Let’s call it
And let the fallout fall out
We’re here tomorrow
But we’re gone today
Too many people
Nothing to say
Too many people
What’s up with the planet
Where did we lose our way
Who’s got their hand on the handle
Who’s got the final say
No we didn’t plan it
That’s why we’re here today
So let’s be candid
If it’s underhanded
Let’s just call out
And let the fallout fall out
‘Cause we’re gone tomorrow
Nothin’s here to stay
Too many people
Nothing to say
Too many people
Old wine new bottle (X3)
You don’t know what to think
Have another drink
See everything that’s old
They call it new today
Want to change the way you look
Just got to look the other way
It goes around and comes around
It’s that same old cliche
But how we gonna miss you
If you don’t go away?
Old wine new bottle (X3)
You don’t know what you got
Take another shot
You know the Bible told us
Nothin’ new beneath the sun
Before you even do it
it’s already done
You lacing up your shoes
And the race has just been run
If you stop to think about it
You won’t have any fun
Old wine new bottle (X3)
You don’t know what to think
Have another drink
So let me ask you something
Don’t you miss the good old days?
Here they are, these are them
And they are here to stay
You don’t have to worry
About if they go away
Cause everything old is new again
Just like yesterday
Old wine new bottle (X3)
You don’t know what you got
Take another shot
about
There’s an expression “older but wiser.” I don’t know I'm any wiser
but I definitely am older. And that’s the good news. There are
advantages to being the Old Guy. Especially now. A developed
sense of humor and a deeper historical vision come to mind.
My son Leo and I went into the studio in Madison for a couple of days in
August of 2020. I have the good fortune to work with this man
who can play any instrument and play it well and who
understands both song writing and record production. So all I
had to do was be myself and carry some water; Leo dug the well,
lled the bucket and brought it up to the surface. Dig the well.
A word about John Ellis. Word!
These songs are about timeless times. They come from a deeper than usual place because that’s where we’re all living
today. The cave is the new wave … old wine, new bottle …. stay positive, test negative. - Ben Sidran, October, 2020
credits
released November 20, 2020
Produced by Leo Sidran
All songs by Ben and Leo Sidran (Bulldog Music / ASCAP
Ben Sidran: piano, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ, vocals
Leo Sidran: drums, bass, guitar, Hammond organ, vocals
John Ellis: bass clarinet and clarinet (4)
Billy Peterson: bass (1)
Paul Peterson: guitar (1)
Ricky Peterson: Hammond organ (1)
Moses Patrou: percussion (1,3)
supported by 6 fans who also own “Who's The Old Guy Now”
There's a similarity in song writing between Richard Thompson and Hugh Cornwell which maybe isn't surprising as they went to the same school at the same time, although Thompson is older.
Due to Thompson's association with John French of Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band I searched for his work on the Bandcamp app. French, Thompson and Cornwell all have albums on the app which I'm very pleased about. Only Thompson has released contemporary albums, much to his credit.
supported by 5 fans who also own “Who's The Old Guy Now”
John Drumbo French from Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band worked with Thompson on two albums along with Fred Frith and Henry Kaiser.
Those two French, Frith, Kaiser and Thompson albums led me to this.
Also, Richard Thompson taught Hugh Cornwell (of The Stranglers) how to play the bass guitar in a band when they were both at the same school (Emil and The Detectives?).
With a career spanning 50 years and playing with two of my heroes (French and Cornwell) Thompson has produced a fascinating EP.
Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling teams up with guitarist Charlie Hunter and guest drummer Nate Smith for a playful EP of six dynamic covers. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 2, 2023
supported by 5 fans who also own “Who's The Old Guy Now”
The sound of movement enlightening the difference between loneliness and solitude…
“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” -or something to that effect…
azucena’s ghost
