”Homespun From Niagara”

Sit Right Down became Stand Right Up

The Fats Waller's famous tune Gonna Sit Right Down and Write myself a Letter has been rewritten and recorded as Gonna Stand Right Up Cause I Think I'm Feelin Better lol.

 

Fields of Athenry

A Homespinner requested an Irish song, The Fields of Athenry. It is about a young married man who stole corn during the Irish potato famine, was charged, jailed and banished to Botany Bay, Australia. It is virtually a true story as so many suffered this sentence.

By The Time We Beat Inflation

This is an original rewrite and adaptation of By The Time I Get to Phoenix,, the hit song recorded by Glen Campbell. Asking Glen's forgiveness for the remix of the great sound track. A close Homespinner has observed that the original adaptations of hit songs are better, a lot better than trying to sing original versions such as San Francisco. I don't disagree. LOL

Bill Robinson

This is the homespun song and story about Bill Robinson who became known as Bo Jangles - the genesis of the hit song written by Jerry Jeff Walker. Bo Jangles evolved to be a genre, a way of entertaining through dance.

Fort Erie By Morning

A Homespinner reached out and said Hey Tommy, I know you love country music how about something by George Strait. One of his hit songs is Amarillo by Morning where the theme is a rodeo rider is headed to meet up with his lover.

Well this tune has been rewritten and homespun as Fort Erie by Morning where the premise is a war of 1812 volunteer soldier, injured all be it, is headed home near the end of the war to meet up with his lover at the Fort.

San Francisco

This is the homespun backstory and tribute to John Phillips and Scott Mackenzie for their smash hit of San Francisco - Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. Most folks do not know why that line was written in the song.

Let It Be Me

Commentary on the Gunge and Rap music and the messages they sent and are sending in the context of songs from a kinder and gentler time like Dream Dream and Let it Be Me by the Everly Brothers.

Baubles, Bangles and Beads

One of the many favorite songs we heard in our house, growing up on Cherry Avenue in the 50's. Specially dedicated to brother Bill who returned from a trip to Mexico in the fall of 1962 with the gift of a guitar - I was 15 years old. He said learn to play it and maybe you can join the Seaway Singers one day.  That guitar imprinted the rest of my life and still have it.

 

Leaders of Our Band

This is a Dan Fogelberg hit song rewritten as a tribute to our mother and father, Kathleen and Wilson, who encouraged us to sing, learn instruments, to embrace performing and not fear the stage . Are we three living legacies of the leaders of our band?

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

This question, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, has been raised in a few of the Homespun Productions. Here is the song, lyrics written in 1907 by Ada R. Haversham with music by Charles H. Gabriele - two renditions, the first by Jimmy Martin and the second by Loretta Lynn. Indeed it is a popular Christian Hymn.

Anybody Here Seen Our Old Friends

This is an adaption of Dion's song Has Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend Abraham -which was rewritten and recoded (11.19.2022). This production was the inspiration for "Fallen Leaves" with the line as the leaves of fall are falling, those of us who can, cling on by our fingernails to this Tree of Life. 

FallenLeaves

This is an adaptation of the '50's Classic Autumn Leaves. The premise for this production is that each human life is like a leaf on a branch of the tree of life and we each must in our turn and in our time - fall. It is dedicated to all of the leaves of life that have fallen especially those that we have come to know and come to love.

Alone Again Unnaturally

This is an adaptation of the classic, Alone Again Naturally,  by Gilbert and Sullivan based on the impacts of dealing with Covid 19 the corona virus and its family of deadly variants.

 

Treat Your Children Well

An adaptation of Teach Your Children released more than 50 years ago. Adapted on the premise we have not done very well as teachers.

Mr. William

This is a tribute to the workers who built the First Welland Canal for William Hamilton Merritt almost 200 years ago. William is honoured with a statue, street names, stamps, schools and more. The workers who worked on and died building the First Canal are honoured now. It was sensed that the workers could have spoken of him as Mr. William hence the title of this production.