Oswego

July 29, 2000

Greenfields

Once there were greenfields, kissed by the sun.
Once there were valleys, where rivers used to run.
Once there were blue skies, with white clouds high above.
Once they were part of an everlasting love.
We were the lovers who strolled through green fields.

Green fields are gone now, parched by the sun.
Gone from the valleys, where rivers used to run.
Gone with the cold wind, that swept into my heart.
Gone with the lovers, who let their dreams depart.
Where are the green fields, that we used to roam?

Greenfields
The Brothers Four
Music and lyrics by Terry Gilkyson, Rich Dehr and Frank Miller.

I found a small box will with dusty old cassette tapes that I haven’t played in years the other day, reaching down, I pulled out a classic I used to love to listen to in the car, “Folk Sixties.” Now, I was too young in the years 1958-62 during the heyday of the college circuit folk groups, but later in that decade and in the 70s, I began to hear them again for the first time. Mainly on the oldies stations that popped up in the 70s, for I never collected the records put out by the Kingston Trio, Brothers Four, Peter, Paul and Mary, and the Four Freshmen. It was only many years later that I could appreciate what they were trying to accomplish. What a golden era for folk. These were just the most famous groups. There were many more. On that cassette were such songs as “Green, Green,” “This Land is Your Land,” “Where Have all the Flowers Gone?”, “Greenfields,” “Don’t Let the Rain Come Down,” and, of course, “Walk Right In.”

Those were great songs and not as much listened to or appreciated today as they should be. But in the popular culture canon, they rate very high, and always will. They include famous war protest songs as the 60s wore on and the Vietnam War escalated; songs of love, longing and loss; and songs which decried the loss of identity in American culture after the 50s as the Interstates and suburbs grew exponentially and covered the land, and as we became aware of what we were doing to destroy the evironment. Listen to some of the songs of Pete Seeger for instance, and Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins.

Greenfields has always been a favorite of mine for many years. It’s somewhat depressing and dire, but it was a song of its times. It is a song of deep yearning for a love that is lost but which hopefully will return. The lover who has been left feels aggrieved and abandoned and hopes the other will one day realize what has been lost. But it may be too late for them to reunite, even though the lament goes, “I’ll keep on waiting.” It is melancholy and sad, but then it conveys a powerful message. It is one of those songs where the music perfectly enhanced the lyrics.

I have some theories why the years 1958-62 had some of the best songs — music and lyrics — of the modern age, one being that it was the last throes of an imagined, but some would say real, age of innocence that the decade of the 50s represented. It’s a golden era for nostalgia, even though it was also the deade of the Cold War and civil rights struggles that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1965.

Today, we can enjoy and learn from the music and lyrics the artists of that time left us.

The Brothers Four Homepage
http://www.brothersfour.com

At their homepage, click on the “music” link and if you have RealPlayer you can hear some of their songs.

Well, you can bet that I am going to run right over and do that, Oswego!! I do have RealPlayer and this will be a treat. Reading these words made me think of “Greensleaves”. I love your writing my friend!! Love

Thanks for the memories! I hadn’t thought of those songs in years! I think I have them somewhere around here too! Love,

Yeah, so much lovely music was written then. Joan Baez was one of my fav. A lot of these songs are popular now. My children like them!

I’ll have to look for a recording – I like the lyrics. Thank you for posting them.

I catch this music in coffeehouses all the time. Its still great and there are many new, very talented folk artists on the scene. Check out Cheryl Wheeler and Bill Morrissey for starters.

I remember that song my dear but I thought Bobby Goldsboro sang it…well he probably sang it too hehe

Whoa! You just sent me back in time. I was just a little too young too, but have an older brother so I remember all these songs well.

Songs sometimes trigger vivid memories not as easily available when I seek them out consciously. Music’s invisible strings are those connected to our hearts and souls.

My parents were from a pre-rock and roll (as they would call it) era – I missed out on much of the 60s and early 70s culture. I will be interested to check out the website – once I download realplayer.

my parents liked folk, jazz,classical & even rock nroll!when i found out my mother used to like the rolling stones & the doors my jaw dropped.

Rimbaud

July 31, 2000

i love joni mitchell. but bob dylan is my favourite. he’s a god.

G’day Oswego i think your name sounds very familiar but i’m probably getting it confused with some other place well have a good one mate

Bramble

Ahh memories!

You do know how to take us on a time/space journey! Whooshing back to those days, that music… Green Fields, indeed, nostalgia pouring through me. Reminds me of Sinatra’s “It Was A Very Good Year”. Beautiful.

Thanks for bringing back the memories. My wife has been humming the song most of the morning. Asked her why and she said “let me show you why”. Fortunately, we were around when the song came out and it was one of o

alot of memories in those songs…heard a couple of them the other day…smiles…

Folk music seems to hit deeper places in me than most other genres. I was probably the only eighth grader around listening to Peter Paul & Mary. Nice entry.

I love all these songs. Funny thing is, my kids do too, that is inbetween Metallica, and Korn, and whoever. When oldies are played kids get up to sing and dance. Is there dancing to Metallica?

I remember. I am “about”… 47, but you’d not know it 🙂 Hey, a woman who will tell her age will tell anything. Your entries are lovingly constructed food for the soul*

Ah, music from before my time. +wistful smile+ I always wonder what it would have been like, to live when music was a more simplistic beauty. The only song I know is Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

Amanda Cayhill

August 2, 2000

Ever wonder about our “music” – our words? What would we sound like when read two or three generations from now? What are our words of today – reviling about us tomorrow? Society seems so quiet, right now.

I spent a lot of time w/my grandmother during those years, and she never complained about my playing the radio all the time. My little-girl-head filled w/those lyrics and they are still there. Thanks for the memories!

Willy & Wilma

August 4, 2000

Got that one,Oswego,and added to bookmarks. Hadn’t heard Michael Row the Boat in ages!

wanderlust (2)

August 8, 2000

I agree whole heartedly O. I have many tapes by the musicians you’ve mentioned. I’m making tapes to take on my trip, I’ve got to have tunes to listen to, except when I’m hiking. My wish for you is at my 1-25-00 entry. Peace to you!!

Edelweis

April 3, 2002

While I write this note I listen to the wonderful song:”Try to remember” which is the last on that site! One of my favs! I listened to almost all the songs on the site. The American Medly is so nice too.I used to have The Brothers Four on an LP I think. I always liked Folk and Johan likes Folk music very much and plays many of his favorites on guitar or piano. A very nice entry dear friend!