Covers and Parodies (more coming soon):
Thunder Road (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band)
Born Again Weird Tracks (click to navigate to):
1. The Weems Way
2. Only in a Book
3. Who’s Up for a Drive?
4. Their Religion Is Kindness
5. Everybody’s Weird
6. Wipeout
7. Just Me
8. Big Fish to Fry
9. Amos and Friends’ Big Mountain Adventure
The Weems Way
Oh hey! The Weems way. Not Wimoweh.
The Weems way. ¡Olé! The Weems way…
On a mountain a snow-capped mountain
The halfpipe’s cut – alright
On a mountain a snow-capped mountain
I mooched a ride last night
Wee that’s fun so hey (2x)
Lots of projects, a thousand projects
They’re almost done – ja right
Lots of projects, a thousand projects
They’ll be done soon – ja right
Zero chance of being bored today (2x)
Crafting lyrics for example these lyrics
The fifteenth version’s tight
(actually I don’t know)
Crafting lyrics like this song’s lyrics
The sixteenth version’s tight
(now I’ll sleep like a lion)
¡Fiesta olé! (qué rico)
(Descúlpeme) ¡Fiesta olé!
Using accents this Scottish accent
You know starts sounding like
(the Wemyss way)
Using accents this Scottish accent
I’m low on fiber, quite
(could use some bagpipes, too)
Sweet I heard there’s haggis on the way
(is that even Scottish?)
Sweet I heard there’s haggis on the way
Self-expression: a sweet profession
Unless it’s cars you like
Self-expression: a sweet profession
Low cash but hey, a mic
(you can get there, bub)
Be yourself today (2x)
(unless you’re mean, in which case
work on that)
This parody’s cray
But they made up “Wimoweh”
The Zulu word’s uyimbube (yup)
I’ll work every day
To do the things that I say
A key to health is to play yeah yeah
Believe this is my way (2x)
(es un camino interesante)
Note: licensed and based on “Mbube” (Solomon Linda) and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (The Tokens)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Only in a Book
1, 2, it’s fun to read more
Popper’s got some penguins, Frog and Toad are Best Friends,
chicken interrupts me, sidewalk ends abruptly,
spy along with Harriet, freight train as my chariot,
the caterpillar’s hungry, holes are being dug up in a book
A lot of stuff’s hidden in the book
movies are fun but they cost more to look
and certain things are only in a book
Charlie’s in a factory, when you going to reach me?
Moon you have a good night, Uncle Remus alright,
ham along with green eggs, rooting for the little pigs,
a giving tree, a little prince, George is curious about a book
A lot of stuff’s hidden in the book
YouTube videos can be off the hook
but certain things are only in a book
Character details and plot, great ideas and whatnot
Some things don’t fit on a screen or get laughs as a meme
Some subtle, but crucial, so we read
Woo hoo!
Pat the Bunny, one cat wants to wear the sorting hat,
We the Kids, Huck Finn, one tough little engine,
a young girl’s diary, The Hunger Games: fiery,
the bridge to Terabithia’s phantom toll’s cheaper in the book
A lot of stuff’s hidden in the book
X Box? No thanks. Though maybe a Nook®
Certain things are only in a book
A ring to rule, a mockingbird, the secret garden got disturbed,
making way for ducklings, I can find some wild things,
Sarah’s plain and Tuck lasts, Mrs. Frisby knows some rats,
lots to cover good thing time can wrinkle when you read a book
A lot of stuff’s hidden in the book
Okay that was fun but let’s speed back up
Buzz Feed: sure at times worth a look
but certain things are only in a book
Age and options may grow, new devices or shows
But books have proven their worth from Rhode Island to Perth
It’s in there, if that’s clear, then let’s read. Now some for the big kids:
The Earth is new and Hamlet’s messed, Don Quixote on a quest,
Leaves of Grass, the king’s men, 1984 again,
met an alchemist, a catch-22, grapes of wrath,
possibility’s an art, the omnivore’s chewing on a book
A lot of stuff’s hidden in the book
Castle on TV, the cops got a crook
texted sarcastically, think she mistook
chess in the park, ah there goes my rook
blues on the stereo the house really shook
page 1 of Charlotte’s Web: I’m already hooked
plenty of places that yeah you could look
but certain things are only in a book
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Who’s Up for a Drive?
1, 2, 3, 4
Who’s up for a drive?
So who’s up for a drive?
Harsh Maine weather won’t slow us down
Let’s roll ‘til we arrive
First up open the trunk
Then the doors up front
Nothing’s frozen, that’s good news
Next: to load our junk
We’ve got snacks and lots of gear
Good grub and lots of gear
A special bag so the clams don’t spoil
Don’t need that this year
You got your seatbelt on
Already got your seatbelt on
Guess you’re confident that she’ll start
About time we were gone
(Sputter) Well that wasn’t it
(Sputter) That wasn’t too close either
C’mon now, Bessie, I know it’s cold out, but what would you have us do, move to some place tropical like Massachusetts?
(Vroom) Yeah, I thought so
Works like a charm every time
Okay, let’s go
Passing by old and new
Passing by things old and new
The papermill still smells like (fart)
Unless you’d like some credit, too
You’d like to see a moose
You ask if we’ll see a moose
If so, hope not on the hood
That’d be car abuse
Heading north to play on snow
Bunch of ways to play on snow
Pre-dawn traffic’s not that bad
Some wicked big frost heaves, though
Tunes from my smart phone
A lot of music on that phone
Gangsta rap? Hm, skip ahead
Words I can’t condone
Hey let’s stop for gas
I’m sore let’s stop for gas
But save your money, ‘cause that’s not food
All that sugar? Pass
Are we there yet? No we’re not
Are we there yet? No we’re not
Don’t make Mom turn the car around
Already puts up with a lot
Gonna get there safe and sound
We’re gonna get there safe and sound
Punch buggy huh, I guess one bruise
Okay, you win this round (bell)
Note: bell sound from http://www.freesfx.co.uk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Their Religion Is Kindness
Just look around and you’ll see some harsh things:
greed and hunger, hate and suffering
But also people contributing much
they’re listening and delivering each day in the clutch
It takes time and being present,
finding opportunities to show how they care
To those respecting others’ thoughts and needs
here’s a shout out: thanks!
for all you share.
Their religion is kind (kindness)
and may it grow that many more be blessed
I can’t help but be inspired by their kindness
A perfect case in point, my friend Joe
He’ll always greet you with a smile and warm hello
He teaches by example, what you see is what he’s got
Self-deprecating jokes, and pitching in ‘til asked to stop
Yeah it’s great to be around him,
to feel acknowledged and among those quickly put at ease
On the job, at home, wherever his feet go
No doubt there’s a thing in which he truly believes
His religion is kind (kindness)
and may it grow that many more be blessed
I can’t help but be inspired by his kindness.
To cultivate and give her best
the M.O. of a woman whose response to life is gratefulness
I call her Mom but many others also could
She treats the world like family the hugs, the meals – all good
Creating space for learning
so many can explore and express from the heart
Hers only seems to grow
Think slightly smaller than Grand Canyon National Park
Her religion is kind (kindness)
and may it grow that many more be blessed
I can’t help but be inspired by her kindness
May it grow
Including everyone may it grow
Regardless of where you’re from, may it grow
Some work is never done, may it grow
Might as well sing and make it fun, may it grow
In town or a mountain top, may it grow
Together we’re tough to stop, may it grow
Giving it what we’ve got, may it grow
‘Bout time for a bumper crop, may it grow
Listening and making time, may it grow
Sharing – it’s yours and mine, may it grow
Even if we can read the signs, may it grow
So much we’ve yet to find, may it grow
Rock on helpers in every land, may it grow
Working solo or with a band, may it grow
Could be Northern Afghanistan, may it grow
Or the middle of Birmingham, may it grow
Even the darkest night, may it grow
Easy to run in fright, may it grow (we’re all in this together)
No other sign of light, may it grow
We can be shining bright, yeah
May it grow
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Everybody’s Weird
Born an average weirdo
Smelled kind of funky and couldn’t
even stand on those two tiny feet
But with practice
he learned a lot of things
Like violin and dancing
mostly on the beat
And he played and often bruised
Why not dig 5 foot-deep
holes in the sand?
Or design a course to luge
watering the banked turns
based on the plan?
A bit weird.
At age one: weird.
At ten: weird.
It seems clear the kid was weird.
But as he he grew older
there were certain peers
who didn’t understand the ways
he needed to express
At school and in sports
they were convinced that
he ought to just conform
Maybe try a wee bit less
He believed that to be true
to himself meant pushing
It was always “go time” on his watch
So he hoped they’d come around
and dork out with him
No he wouldn’t “take it down a notch”
In class: weird.
At lunch: weird.
Bus trips: weird.
Yeah it’s clear, he liked weird.
But with support from family
and open-minded friends
who cut him lots of slack
as he was building his own trail
He stayed with it
and got to do and feel things
much cooler than what you get
from most stuff that’s for sale
In hoops to throw it down
with two hands –
it’s tough to beat that sense of power
coupled with grace
Or to share these kinds of
thoughts and jams and teach or inspire
I doubt there’s a sweeter taste
If that’t weird
I’ll take weird
and stay weird.
Let’s not fear the fun kinds of weird.
We now take you to where there are people for a breaking story. Tad Strange is live on the scene. Tad, what can you tell us?
“Oh man I’m surrounded by freaks! I just met a guy who eats sardines for breakfast, a woman who won’t listen to any music other than Slovenian techno, and a couple who met at a knitting convention.
And their bodies all have weird stuff going on, too. We’re talking crooked backs, flat feet, different colored eyes, birth marks, shoulder hair, and don’t even get me started on the nose situation.
Plus, all their bodies do things! Like get pimples and make mucus and some seriously bizarre noises. I still haven’t met anyone who can do that thing with their stomach like me, but I digress. It’s like a circus over here! And I don’t think it’s gonna change any time soon, either.
Wait, hold on. A woman who has to be at least 80 just rolled up on a Harley blaring this song on the radio. If you listen closely you can hear the part right after my report.”
Hey looks like he made it
So it seems a good time
to share at least one example
of weirdness with you
And if we all choose to enjoy one another’s
oddities what we can do
is build things that amaze
Seems we’ve just begun to learn
what is possible
And then shine in different ways
Which barriers are indeed crossable?
How ‘bout me? Weird.
How ‘bout her? Weird.
How ‘bout them? Weird.
I guess it’s clear…
How ‘bout then? Weird.
How ‘bout now? Weird.
How ‘bout soon? Weird.
Yeah it’s clear…
Weird: check. What’s next?
Weird: check. What’s next?
Everybody’s weird.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Wipeout
We’ve got a skier down. Skier down.
It’s so fun on the mountain riding two skis or a board
Feeling smooth and powerful, like Electra or Thor
And each day our technique improves our ways to play expand
But sometimes something happens in the process that nobody plans
And they wipe out, get off balance and have to bail
Yeah they wipe out, now it looks like a yard sale
Another wipeout, let’s hope they’re strong from eating kale
‘Cause (that’s gonna leave a mark) good thing it’s legal
or we’d all be in jail
Could be bad position, or terrain that’s wicked tough
but right now our top priority is collecting all your stuff
It’s times like these when helmets are worth messing up haircuts
‘Cause when we push our limits there’s a chance we’ll end up on our butts
And we wipe out, get off balance and have to bail
Yeah we wu wu wu wipe out
The snow’s the hammer and we’re the nail
Another wipeout
Could we maybe find a padded trail?
‘Cause (comin’ in hot – now I’m cold) good thing it’s legal
or we’d be stuck in jail
So did you see that snow snake slide in my path?
Oh man, I’m in my jacket for ski and snowboard school staff
Good thing underneath I’m wearing motorcrosse pads
Though I’m not sure they’re rated for this level of spaz
Hmm doubtful
If falling down was against the law, like robbing banks with your wife
we’d all be on some most wanted list, or else locked up for life
But hey it’s not so let’s try getting hangtime off that jump – woo hoo!
Just make sure no-one’s right behind it in case we should encounter any funk
And have a wipe out, get off balance and have to bail
Yeah we wipe out, as in (check this out – fail!)
Another wipeout. I hope we live to tell the tale
‘Cause (I have snow in places) good thing it’s legal or
(in the case of the State versus a bunch of clowns on skis and snowboards, on the charge of littering the mountain with yourselves in varying degrees, this court finds the defendants guilty, guilty, guilty, extra guilty, guilty… you get the idea)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Just Me
Sometimes the only way is solo
For certain answers to unfurl
If we’re not just cool with that
But make use of our time
Then look out world
You’re so awesome and I am too
An energy connects us
To all life – it’s quite a view
And though the power of numbers
and teams can’t be denied
There are times when it’s useful
Just to set the whole “us” thing aside
Just me. How do I want to be?
At times device-free
working things out
some unexpectedly
Conversations rule and
the deep kinds are the best
When I can they’re face to face
though I also chat or text
Some of the most crucial ones
take place in our minds
Like what matters most and
what things help our lights
to most brightly shine?
Just me. What do I want to be?
At times device-free
working things out
some unexpectedly
I closed up my laptop
and put down the phone
There are plenty of options
when we’re on our own:
reconnect with nature, read,
or lift a weight
These days I hike mountains
or sing songs like this
to get my head straight
Just me. Who do I want to be?
At times device-free
working things out
some unexpectedly
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Big Fish to Fry
There’s an old saying. We’re updating it and bringing it back. It’s not literally about frying fish. It’s about what you’ve got going on. Well?
Sunday noon trying to stay low
Playin’ full court, finding the trail oh
Nice shot – might have impressed J Lo
Sure beats sitting around playing Halo
Game over time for lunch
grapes in season, grab a bunch
Couple of sandwiches made on a hunch
that there’s better fuel than Captain Crunch
Friday night celebrating
dance floor, real booty shaking
A smoke? No thanks, not that he’s hating,
just doesn’t fit what he’s creating
One more song, then it’s time for shut eye
Priority list: recovery? High
Keeps it clean, FYI
‘cause he’s got big ‘ol fish to fry
Sport playing, dues paying, new option weighing
(big fish to fry)
She’s looking for real interaction
You can tell by her words and her fashion
The physical side’s but a fraction
She wants to get beyond all the masking
Likes guys who know rule #6
can laugh at themselves not just flicks
and listen – who just got nixed?
I’m not counting a Kanye mix.
Realized she needed some new friends
Who had her back on her say whens
and didn’t judge her for her split ends
Helped her turn her “can’ts” into “cans”
Feels complete, with or without a guy.
When it works, they amplify
but if not no need to lie
cause she’s got big ‘ol fish to fry
Friend aiding, relating, idea debating
(big fish to fry)
High school hallway walking:
rumors flying, friends just talking
That kid’s different, somebody’s mocking
What’s up with that style he’s rocking?
You say time to raise your game
That one’s played out and just lame
Putting another down to feel good’s insane
It’s much cooler breaking the chain.
English teacher working like crazy
Students in a Shakespeare haze
He wants them to like it like Jay-Z
Some thinking they’d rather be lazy
You decide give it a try –
could be useful when you apply
Turns out Billy Shake was fly
and you’ve got big ‘ol fish to fry
Song learning, check earning, self- affirming
(big fish to fry)
Team check-in what you got planned?
Let us know if you need a hand
Feel free to make a stand
but the impact grows when you bring a band
Idea? Great. Now comes enrolling
Momentum – think about bowling
Could take time before it’s flowing
but if it makes sense, let’s get going
Networking, making connections
taking on a big thing in sections
ups and downs, energy injections
Change takes more than elections
Look out world, the time is nigh
Communities getting organized
I think you know by now just why
‘cause we’ve got big ‘ol fish to fry
Book reading, loss grieving, garden weeding
(big fish to fry)
Dance, romance, or seeing France
A good sleep or catching the down beat
I’ve got big fish to fry, you’ve got big fish to fry, they’ve got big fish to fry
Training, painting, a lot gaining
We’ve got big fish to fry
Think big, hm, now bigger
We’ve got some big ‘ol fish to fry!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top
Amos and Friends’ Big Mountain Adventure
One day at Sugarloaf Amos the Moose was skiing with his lumberjack buddy Pierre. They were planning to meet up with Lemon the Yellow-Nosed Vole and Blueberry Bear. Well it got wicked foggy and somehow they all got separated, which in the end turnd out to be a good thing, after all it’s how this song got generated. So there they were, all spread out, and not sure what to do. One option, as always, was to just start crying – like me that time I broke my kazoo. But they didn’t – after all they were surrounded by friendly folks and Maine timber. So instead of getting down looking for each other, they had themselves a day to remember.
On west mountain Lemon warmed up with some hot cocoa at Bullwinkle’s Grill. Should have taken her mittens off before trying to drink it though – hard not to spill. Pierre thought he might check with the kids in the Mountain Magic Room, when suddenly Seth Wescott went by with two snowboarding buddies: zoom, zoom, zoom!
Blueberry looked in the park and stayed for a legit half pipe session. And stomping all those landings helped her work out any pent-up aggression. Amos searched the Fitness Center and got a nice hot tub soak started, but apparently got a bit too relaxed because (blub, blub) okay, who farted?
But Sugarloaf’s huge, with lots of stuff you can dig. So while they were looking they
knew they also could have a big mountain adventure.
Lemon went tubing down The Birches and stopped for some grub at the Inn. The buffet was tasty and a guy named Tom paid for it – that’s a win win. Amos caught a ride on the Moose Caboose, which is a special snow machine. It went (engine sound).
Blueberry stopped by the Widowmaker to check out the pre-apres ski scene. Didn’t order beer, though – turns out she’s only 19. Pierre looked behind every bump he could find, there were lots on Bubble Cuffer, and thought great idea! Maybe I could have found something tougher.
Amos caught the Shuttle to the Outdoor Center to ski some cross-country. Wiped out a few times but no big deal, except for that one tree. Would have stayed to do some ice skating too, but then he got a hunch, hm. Maybe Moose Alley was the smartest place to look for his bunch.
The others had the exact same realization at about the same time. And they were all super relieved to see that each other was fine. They also agreed if it happened again to check with Guest Services, which exists to make lives better, among the noblest of purposes.
Yeah Sugarloaf’s huge, with lots of stuff you can dig. So while they were looking you know that they had a wicked big mountain adventure.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to top