True to its name, “By Request” features audience favorites from Tonic Sol-fa’s illustrious career. In fact, three of the songs on this album were featured on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion radio show in September 2004. But these aren’t just re-masters of old tunes – some of these are redone and given new life by these great-sounding guys from Minnesota. The album opens with a wicked groovy “29 Ways to My Baby’s Door” – we dare you to sit still for that one! Bright, poppy “Cecilia” just makes you feel good all over; new original “Chances” is reminiscent of a great Don Henley ballad; country gets a solid nod with a great “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident”) – this is one of the best covers of this tune we’ve heard! Marty Robbins fans will sigh over sweet “El Paso” and kids and grownups alike can dance and reminisce to “Scooby Doo, Where Are You? (remix)” One of the best things about this CD (besides the wonderful singing, of course) is that it’s an enhanced CD. Put it in your CD-Rom drive and you get access to a special web page, featuring downloads like a desktop wallpaper, photos, and a promotional video.
A-Cappella.com
LYRICS
29 Ways To My Baby’s Door
I got 29 ways to make it to my baby’s door
I got 29 ways to make it to my baby’s door
And if she needs me bad
I can find about two or three more
Vs. 1
I got one through the basement
Two down the hall
And when the going gets tough
I got a hole in the wall
Chorus
I can come through the chimney like Santa Claus
Go through the window and that ain’t all
A lot of good ways I don’t want you to know
I even got a hole in the bedroom floor
Chorus
I got a way through the closet behind her clothes
A way through the attic that no one knows
A master key that fits every lock
A hidden door behind the grandfather clock
Chorus
Cecilia
Oh Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart
You’re shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees
I’m begging you please to come home
Oh Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart
You’re shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees
I’m begging you please to come home
Come on home
Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (making love)
I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed
Someone’s taken my place
Oh Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart
You’re shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I’m down on my knees
I’m begging you please to come home
Come on home
Jubilation, she loves me again,
I fall on the floor and I’m laughing,
Jubilation, she loves me again,
I fall on the floor and I’m laughing
Brown Eyed Girl
Hey, where did we go
Days when the rains came ?
Down in the hollow
Playing a new game,
Laughing and a-running, hey, hey,
Skipping and a-jumping
In the misty morning fog with
Our, our hearts a-thumping
And you, my brown-eyed girl,
You, my brown-eyed girl.
Whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down to the old mine with a
Transistor radio.
Standing in the sunlight laughing
Hide behind a rainbow’s wall,
Slipping and a-sliding
All along the waterfall
With you, my brown-eyed girl,
You, my brown-eyed girl.
Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Just like that
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
La dee dah.
So hard to find my way
Now that I’m all on my own.
I saw you just the other day,
My, how you have grown!
Cast my memory back there, Lord,
Sometime I’m overcome thinking about
Making love in the green grass
Behind the stadium
With you, my brown-eyed girl,
You, my brown-eyed girl.
Do you remember when we used to sing
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Laying in the green grass
Sha la la la la la la la la la la dee dah
Dee dah dee dah dee dah dee dah dee dah dee
Sha la la la la la la la la la la la la
Dee dah la dee dah la dee dah la
D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d…
Chances
Time can run away so fast,
Like a sweet, sweet summer day that tried to find you, Somehow got left behind you. The roads can take you down so many directions, There is no wrong or right way, Down life’s long, winding highway. And to think that I might have closed my eyes, In that moment and not known that you walked by.
Chorus
Chances only come along once in a lifetime. Dreams they just come true every once in a while. I look at you, and I know it was the right place at the right time. I believed in love, you believed it too, And that one chance in a lifetime came true. In the sky there’s a million stars Shining down upon us. You can look up at them all, But which one’s gonna fall? The heart it always has The answers if you listen, But you gotta keep believing, You gotta keep on reaching. For that someone you always hope to find, For that one love that just might change your life.
Chorus
At The Dark End Of The Street
At the dark end of the street
that is where we always meet
hiding in shadows where we don’t belong
living in darkness, to hide alone
You and me, at the dark end of the street You and me
I know a time has gonna take it’s toll
we have to pay for the love we stole
It’s a sin and we know it’s wrong
Oh, our love keeps going on strong
Steal away to the dark end of the street
You and me
They gonna find us, they gonna find us
They gonna find us love someday
You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me
When the daylight all goes around
And by chance we’re both down the town
Please meet, just walk, walk on by
Oh, darling, please don’t you cry
You and me, at the dark end of the street
You and me
Sold
Well I went down to the Grundy County Auction Where I saw something I just had to have My mind told me I should proceed with caution But my heart said, “Go ahead an’ make a bid on that!”
An’ I said, hey, pretty lady, won’cha gi’me a sign I’d give anything to make you mine all mine I’ll do your biddin’ an’ be at your beckon call Yeah, I never seen anyone lookin’ so fine Man, I gotta have her, she’s a one-of-a-kind I’m goin’ once, goin’ twice, I’m sold! To the lady in the second row She’s an eight, she’s a nine, she’s a ten, I know She’s got ruby red lips, blond hair, blue eyes An’ I’m about to bid my heart good-bye!
Well, the auctioneer was goin’ about a mile a minute He was takin’ bids an’ callin’ them out loud An’ I guess I was really gettin’ in it ‘Cause I just shouted out above the crowd!
An’ I said, hey, pretty lady, won’cha gi’me a sign I’d give anything to make you mine all mine I’ll do your biddin’ an’ be at your beckon call Yeah, I never seen anyone lookin’ so fine Man, I gotta have her, she’s a one-of-a-kind I’m goin’ once, goin’ twice, I’m sold! To the lady in the long black dress Well she won my heart it was no contest With her ruby red lips, blond hair, blue eyes Well I’m about to bid my heart good-bye!
Yeah, we found love on the auction block An’ I hauled her heart away Now we still love to laugh about The way we met that day
When I said, hey, pretty lady, won’cha gi’me a sign I’d give anything to make you mine all mine I’ll do your biddin’ an’ be at your beckon call Yeah, I never seen anyone lookin’ so fine Man, I gotta have her, she’s a one-of-a-kind I’m goin’ once, goin’ twice, I’m sold! To the lady in the second row She’s an eight, she’s a nine, she’s a ten, I know She’s got ruby red lips, blond hair blue eyes An’ I’m about to bid my heart good-bye!
El Paso
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso I fell in love with a Mexican girl. Night-time would find me in Rosa’s cantina; Music would play and Felina would whirl.
Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina, Wicked and evil while casting a spell. My love was deep for this Mexican maiden; I was in love but in vain, I could tell.
One night a wild young cowboy came in, Wild as the West Texas wind. Dashing and daring, A drink he was sharing With wicked Felina, The girl that I loved.
So in anger I Challenged his right for the love of this maiden. Down went his hand for the gun that he wore. My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat; The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.
Just for a moment I stood there in silence, Shocked by the FOUL EVIL deed I had done. Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there; I had but one chance and that was to run.
Out through the back door of Rosa’s I ran,
Out where the horses were tied.
I caught a good one.
It looked like it could run.
Up on its back
And away I did ride,
Just as fast as I Could from the West Texas town of El Paso Out to the bad-lands of New Mexico.
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless. Everything’s gone in life; nothing is left. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the young maiden My love is stronger than my fear of death.
I saddled up and away I did go, Riding alone in the dark. Maybe tomorrow A bullet may find me. Tonight nothing’s worse than this Pain in my heart.
And at last here I Am on the hill overlooking El Paso; I can see Rosa’s cantina below. My love is strong and it pushes me onward. Down off the hill to Felina I go.
Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys; Off to my left ride a dozen or more. Shouting and shooting I can’t let them catch me. I have to make it to Rosa’s back door.
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel A deep burning pain in my side. Though I am trying To stay in the saddle, I’m getting weary, Unable to ride.
But my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I’ve fallen, Though I am weary I can’t stop to rest. I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle. I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.
From out of nowhere Felina has found me, Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side. Cradled by two loving arms that I’ll die for, One little kiss and Felina, good-bye.
Until Forever’s Gone
Sometimes I wonder if you know,
Just how deep my feelings go.
I’m not sure I tell you enough,
How lost I’d be without your love.
I often hurry through the days,
Never stop long enough to say,
Just how much your love means to me.
So I’ll tell you,
With no uncertainty.
With all my heart,
All my soul.
I will love you till the winds don’t blow.
Until the oceans turn to stone,
I am yours
And yours alone.
My love is forever,
Until forever’s gone.
So please forgive me if sometimes,
Life comes between your heart and mine.
When it appears I’ve shut you out,
Remember you’re all I dream about.
Chorus
Bridge
Sometimes I let this whole world get in my
But when I do
It’s the thought of you
That gets me through the day.
Chorus
Scooby Doo, Where Are You?
Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
We got some work to do now
Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
We need some help from you now
Come on Scooby Doo
I see you, pretend you got a sliver
You’re not fooling me
‘Cause I can see they way you shake and shiver
You know you got a mystery to solve
And Scooby doo is ready for your act, don’t hold back And Scooby Doo, if you come through
You’re gonna have yourself a Scooby snack That’s a fact Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you?
You’re ready and you’re willing We can count on you Scooby Doo I know you’ll catch the villain
Long Black Train
There’s a long black train Coming down the line Feeding off the souls that are lost and crying Rails of sin only evil remains Watch out brother for that long Black Train
Look to the heavens
You can look to the skies
You can find redemption
Staring back into your eyes
There is protection and there is peace the same Burnin your ticket for that Long Black Train
Cause there’s victory in the Lord I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go riding on that long Black Train
There’s a engineer on that Long Black Train
Making you wonder if your ride is worth the pain He’s just a waitin on your heart to say Let me
ride on that long black train
But you know there’s victory in the Lord I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go riding on that long Black Train
Well I can hear the whistle from a mile away
It sounds so good
But I must stay away
That train is a beauty making everybody stare
But its only destination is the middle of nowhere
But you know there’s victory in the Lord I say
Victory in the Lord
Cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go riding on that long Black Train
I said cling to the Father and his Holy Name
And don’t go ridin on that long Black Train
Yeah watch out brother for that long Black Train That Devil’s a drivin that long Black Train.
