Could Come True

Parents' Choice Award Winner!

Timmy Abell

When the circus came to town, the children would run down
To the railroad tracks and watch as the ponies pranced around
Ah...the tents and the rigging, ten thousand things to do
Clowns and tigers, cooks and fleas, getting ready for the show…

All the laughter and parties, shops and stores closed down
We loved it when the circus came to town

 Ah…you should’a seen that flea, on his little antique trapeze
Graceful as a whisper in the air
You could hear the people cheer, see the ladies wipe a tear
For Fellini, The Fabulous Flying Flea

They said he was a star in the Circus of the Sun
A side show for the children, but everyone would come ….
….  And stay so long….
That the Ringmaster fired him, said he’d have to go
Refused to have a flying flea who always stole the show

But this traveling circus found him for their Big Top - center ring
The most thrilling show…. I think…. I’ve ever seen ….

Chorus 

I never will forget Fellini’s daring act
I tell you it was something… the spell that flea could cast
As a hush fell upon us, the crowd would stop and stare
At that tiny silver cannon….  Was Fellini really there?  Pow!
Somersaults and spins and turns… magnificent and rare….

Some called it an illusion, an imaginary flea
They said the man did slight of hand, but I still disagree

I saw that flea, Fellini, I know I did, I swear
Like a shooting star, soaring through the air
Like a shooting star, soaring through the air

© 2012 Local Honey Music, ASCAP

Lyrics and Music by Jesse Fuller

Once upon a time there was an engineer
Drove a locomotive both far and near
Accompanied by a monkey who would sit on a stool
Watching everything the engineer would move

Big locomotive right on time
Big locomotive coming down the line
Big locomotive number ninety nine
Left the engineer with a worried mind

One day the engineer wanted a bite to eat
He left the monkey sitting on the driver's seat
The monkey pulled the throttle, locomotive jumped the gun
Doing ninety miles an hour down the mainline run

Chorus

The engineer called up the despatcher on the phone
Tell him all about his locomotive was gone
Get on the wire, switch operator to right
'Cause the monkey's got the mainline sewed up tight

Chorus

Switch operator got the message in time
Said there's a northbound train on the same mainline
Open up the switch, I'm gonna let it through the hole
'Cause the monkey's got the locomotive under control

Chorus

Timmy Abell

Rode my horse to Abeline… prettiest town I’d ever seen
Signed up for … the Ro-de-o
Roped their cattle mighty fast… won their prize and took their cash
And I was … just passin’ through

I’ve been traveling all this time…  never keep much on my mind
Never cared which way to go… but no strangers do I know

Rode on down to New Orleans… met a girl named Ella Jean
She wondered… was my heart true
When I asked to kiss her cheek… she told me come back in a week
She knew I … was passin’ through

Made my way to Mobile Bay… folks there said why don’t you stay
We traded…. a song or two
Was the Alabama Jubilee… fish were jumpin’ fast and free
But I was … just passin’ through

I’ve been traveling all this time…  never keep much on my mind
Never cared which way to go… but no strangers do I know

I was born eighteen eighty-nine… we headed west from Caroline
I learned everything I know… while riding down this road

Rode up north to Tennessee… farm work lasted ‘bout three weeks
‘Til I saw … that harvest moon
Made some friends… made a buck … shook their hands… wished ‘em luck
So long I’m …  just passin’ through

Got as far as Louisville… horse went lame and I fell ill
So cold in …  that rain and snow
Recovered in a boarding house… traded horses, headed south
‘Cuz I was… just passin’ through

I’ve been traveling all this time…  never keep much on my mind
Never cared which way to go… but no strangers do I know

My name is Daniel Brand … friends would call me “Driftin’ Dan”
Only knew one way to be… footloose and fancy free

Headed down to Caroline… strong new horse… mighty fine
Crossed rivers … and mountains blue
It’s where I felt that lonliness… ridin’ by the old home place
‘Cuz I was … still passin’ through

Was when I hit the Georgia coast… met her… by a hitchin’ post
Savannah,  so sweet and true
Never thought I’d settle down… fell in love and stayed around
My travelin’ … days were through

Kind’a took me by surprise… the way she looked into my eyes
Seems so perfect…all these years… how this travelin’… brought me here

© 2012 Local Honey Music, ASCAP

Timmy Abell

Wish I had a painted pony, lots of corn to feed him on…
I’d saddle up, ride on out, ‘n take my dog along
Cross the Shenandoah Valley, California here I come!
I’d ride the streets of San Francisco... ‘fore I headed home.

Oh, I love to play… deep in my daydreams
Clear inside my mind….

If I had a sailing boat, I’d sail the ocean blue…
I’d take my dog and all my friends, I’d take my pony, too
Sailing on the summer breezes over to the coast of Spain,
Three days on the sandy beaches… sail her home again.

That’s the way I play… deep in my daydreams
Clear inside my mind….
Love to dream and drift on that feeling….

Gonna be an airplane pilot, gonna fly around this world…
Me and Miss Amelia, hey, we’re just that sort of girl
Take my dog, my painted pony, sailing boat and all my friends
Go dancin’ down in Argentina… fly ‘em home again.

That’s the way I play… deep in my daydreams
Clear inside my mind….
Love to dream and drift on that feeling….
Could come true sometime

Me and Dad picked up my friends, headed out to the county fair…
We sailed the boats - and our little planes… flew right through the air
Ferris wheels and roller coasters, so high above the ground
Then I rode those painted ponies… goin’ ‘round and ‘round.

I wish I had a painted pony, lots of corn to feed him on…
I’d saddle up, ride on out, I’d take my dog along
Ride the crest o’ the High Sierras, Empire State’s where I’m bound
Carve my name in the Big Red Apple... then I’d come on home!

© 2012 Local Honey Music, ASCAP

Timmy Abell

I search for tunes… I’m searchin’ all the time
Capture a verse… run after perfect rhymes
They’ll slip away… these lines of poetry
Catch the words before they tangle with the melody

Not long ago… I snuck up on this song
It saw me comin’, though… and so the chase was on
I did not know… what it would be about
But I had it by the tail … and I was going to find out

I held on tight… it dragged me all around
First through the barnyard… those same old animal sounds
Chickens and pigs… but I knew this was wrong
When the goat went Butt… It’s not an animal song!!

We bumped along… it dropped a few old jokes
I said “Forget that!... I’ve heard those all before”
Still there was one… got caught between the lines
Why was six afraid of seven… six afraid of seven
Why was six afraid of seven… look out! Seven ate nine!

Chorus

Next thing I knew… it slipped away from me
This song was loose, now… I heard it sk…skip a beat
I watched it knock – its head –  against the old brick wall
It was callin’ out clichés… slingin’ similes
Just as busy as a bee,
Like wakin’ up with fleas
Can’t see the forest for the trees …
And sayin’ nothing at all!

I caught it’s drift… just in time to jump this verse
I said “Now, look here, song,…don’t go from bad to worse
Here’s my two cents… let’s work this out like friends
You’ve got to pull yourself together Find yourself a met  -agh
What’s a metaphor… but tying up loose ends?”

That’s what it did… That’s just when this song fell apart
Had to admit… it was a house of cards
It shuffled off…. and left… these last few lines behind...
Well, at least it left me somethin’… some rhymes for all my runnin’
Guess I’ll stick ‘em in my pocket… and sing ‘em … some other time!

I search for tunes… I’m searchin’ all the time
Capture a verse… run after perfect rhymes
They’ll slip away ……   Oh yes they will ….
Just like this one did… and it’s gone!

© 2012 Local Honey Music, ASCAP

Steven Heller

Wish I lived in Cherryville
Wish I lived in Cherryville
Let the little birdies have their fill
Under the cherry trees
Wish I lived in Cherryville

In Cherryville, in Cherryville
Wish I lived in Cherryville

Wish I lived in Cherryville
Wish I lived in Cherryville
All is well, ring the bell
Wish I lived in Cherryville

In Cherryville, in Cherryville
Wish I lived in Cherryville

    Break

Wish I lived in Cherryville
Wish I lived in Cherryville
All is well, ring the bells
Wish I lived in Cherryville

In Cherryville, in Cherryville
Wish I lived in Cherryville

Wish I lived in, wish I lived in
Wish I lived in Cherryville

© 2013, Butterside Music, BMI

Traditional

1.  Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride, Uh-huh
Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride, Uh-huh
Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride,
With a sword and a pistol by his side. Uh-huh

2.  Well he rode right up to Miss Mousey's door, Uh-huh
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey's door, Uh-huh
Well he rode up to Miss Mousey's door,
Where he had been many times before, Uh-huh

3.  He said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" Uh-huh
He said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?" Uh-huh
He said, "Miss Mouse, are you within?"
“Yes, kind Sir I sit and spin.” Uh-huh

4.  He set Miss Mousey on his knee, Uh-huh
He set Miss Mousey on his knee, Uh-huh
He set Miss Mousey on his knee,
And he said “Miss Mouse will you marry me?” Uh-huh

5.  “I’ll have to ask my Uncle Rat.” Uh-huh
“I’ll have to ask my Uncle Rat.” Uh-huh
“I’ll have to ask my Uncle Rat,
‘Cause I don’t know, he might not like that!” Uh-huh

6.  Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, Uh-huh
Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides, Uh-huh
Uncle Rat laughed and he shook his fat sides,
To think his niece might be a bride. Uh-huh

7.  Well Uncle Rat he rode to town, uh-huh
Uncle Rat he rode to town, uh-huh
Uncle Rat he rode to town
To buy his niece a wedding gown. Uh-huh

8.  Where will the wedding supper be? Uh-huh
Where will the wedding supper be? Uh-huh
Where will the wedding supper be?
Way down yonder in a hollow tree. Uh-huh

9.  Who will the wedding guests all be? Uh-huh
Who will the wedding guests all be? Uh-huh
Who will the wedding guests all be?
A Junie bug and a bumble bee

10.  What will the wedding supper be? Uh-huh
What will the wedding supper be? Uh-huh
What will the wedding supper be?
A fried mosquito and a black-eyed pea. Uh-huh

11.  Well, the first to come in was a flyin' moth, Uh-huh
First to come in was a flyin' moth, Uh-huh
First to come in was a flyin' moth,
She laid out the table cloth. Uh-huh

12.  Next to come in was a juney bug, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a juney bug, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a juney bug,
She brought in the water jug. Uh-huh

13.  Next to come in was a bumbley bee, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a bumbley bee,
He carried a fiddle upon his knee

14.  Next to come in was a broken back flea, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a broken back flea, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a broken back flea,
He danced a jig with the bumblebee. Uh-huh

15.  Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, Uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow, Uh-huh
Next to come in was Mrs. Cow,
She tried to dance but she didn't know how, Uh-huh.

16.  Next to come in was a little black tick, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a little black tick,
He ate so much that it made him sick. Uh-huh

17.  Next to come in was a big black snake, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a big black snake, Uh-huh
Next to come in was a big black snake,
He ate up all the wedding cake. Uh-huh

18.  Next to come was a big gray cat, Uh-Oh
Next to come was a big gray cat, Uh-Oh
Next to come was a big gray cat,
Swallowed the mouse and ate up the rat! Uh-huh

19.  Froggie went a-hoppin' up over the brook, Uh-huh
Froggie went a-hoppin' up over the brook, Uh-huh
Froggie went a-hoppin' up over the brook,
And a lily white duck come and swallowed him up! Uh-huh

20.  There’s a little piece of cornbread sittin' on a shelf, Uh-huh
There’s a little piece of cornbread sittin' on a shelf, Uh-huh
There’s a little piece of cornbread sittin' on a shelf,
If you want any more you’ll have to sing it yourself. Uh-huh

Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride, Uh-huh
Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride, Uh-huh
Froggie went a-courtin', and he did ride,
With a sword and a pistol by his side. Uh-huh

Timmy Abell

I cast a long dark shadow when the sun goes down
Got my Sheriff’s hat from Halloween, now I run this town
People watch their step, when I walk these streets
‘Cuz everybody knows, you don’t go messin’ with me

There’s never any warning,  and I know there’s something wrong
When my mother changes everything, and it’s always when I’m gone
It’s all picked up and put away, the streets have all been cleaned 
My things down at the courthouse have all been rearranged

I've been watchin’ for bank robbers, they come stealin’ ‘round this town
I caught one of ‘em red-handed, and he’ll never live it down
My brother called it borrowing, he said for just one day
But he was shakin’ out my piggy bank, boy the Judge sure made him pay
    
Chorus

I hired me a deputy ….. cuz work is tough ‘round here
He’s my little brother Billy, the Kid he has no fear
When I get outnumbered, he’ll lend a helping hand
He’s got a real fast horse, …. He knows the lay of the land

We’ve got an older sister, always wanting in
This place is meant for cowboys… and the cowboy’s friends
Her gang was shoutin’ up demands to open up the door
I never saw those girls high-tail it out of there so fast before

Prospectors were passin’ through, they were put up for the night
It was the time we had that blizzard, and the whole town turned white
I was keeping law and order, they were jumping on the bed
And I popped a feather pillow right across my cousin’s head

It happens on the holidays, this outlaw comes to town
And he’s always making trouble, and I always call him down
He goes laughing with his handcuffs all the way to city hall
It’s hard to keep your grandpa…. locked in jail for very long

Chorus

© 2012 Local Honey Music, ASCAP

This  hammered dulcimer piece, composed by Timmy Abell,  
 is a variation on the music  that dramatizes Susana's puppet fable,
"The Gardener",  a story without words.

Timmy Abell

Gather up your daydreams
Tie them each with ribbon bows
Float them with your red balloon
High upon those moonbeams
It’s time to let them go…..

 Whistle up your worries
Dress them in their backward wings
They’ll fly and fly past yesterday
With no way of returning
That’s how we set them free…..

Let your listening run on home
Sleeping makes no sound

Bundle up your troubles now
Board them on their nighttime train
Listen while that whistle fades
Watch the red caboose go down
Those tracks and roll away……

Rustle up those rag-tag thoughts
Time for them to hoist their sails
They’ll hang around your sleep-side docks
Unless you gently shove them off
And bid them all farewell

Let your listening run on home
Sleeping makes no sound

 Pack up all your pockets full
Of memories you’d like to keep
Let them linger all night long
Let their whispering be the lull … a-by
That helps you sleep

 Wrap up all your happy things
That’s the last thing left to do
Tuck them safe and sound inside
So morning time remembering
Will hand them back to you

Let your listening run on home
Sleeping makes no sound

© 2012 Local Honey Music, ASCAP