Playlist of Harry Chapin

Harry Chapin - All 14 minutes of Taxi & Sequel

13:36

Live '80 Hamilton Canada
I've added links on top to Harry's LP's I have on another one of my channels.

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Harry Chapin - Full Concert - 10/21/78 - Capitol Theatre

1:40:55

Harry Chapin - Full Concert
Recorded Live: 10/21/1978 - Capitol Theatre (Passaic, NJ)

More Harry Chapin at Music Vault:
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Setlist:
0:00:00 - Chevy Chase Introduction
0:00:54 - Flowers Of Red (with Chevy Chase)
0:06:32 - Stranger With The Melodies
0:14:03 - W.O.L.D
0:19:25 - Get On With It
0:24:06 - Cats In The Cradle
0:29:07 - Poor Damned Fool / I Wanna Learn A Love Song
0:38:08 - Odd Job Man
0:43:27 - Mail Order Annie
0:47:41 - A Better Place To Be
0:55:55 - Mr Tanner (with audience volunteers)
1:03:51 - 30,000 Pounds Of Bananas
1:15:44 - Taxi
1:22:19 - Speech
1:28:05 - You Are The Only Song / All My Lifes A Circle

Personnel:
Harry Chapin - vocals, guitar
Chevy Chase - vocals on Flowers Of Red
Audience Volunteers - vocals on Mr. Tanner

Harry Chapin - Taxi

6:44

The well famed, (I feel over-rated in-comparison to some of his other songs) Taxi, In original form

The best live version I'm aware of:

I saw Harry Chapin and his band perform this song live on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The audience gave them a thunderous, standing ovation. Carson was so impressed he invited Chapin back the next night for an encore. One of the great story-song writers. -Reddalestew

-----

It was raining hard in 'Frisco,
I needed one more fare to make my night.
A lady up ahead waved to flag me down,
She got in at the light.

Oh, where you going to, my lady blue,
It's a shame you ruined your gown in the rain.
She just looked out the window, and said
Sixteen Parkside Lane.

Something about her was familiar
I could swear I'd seen her face before,
But she said, I'm sure you're mistaken
And she didn't say anything more.

It took a while, but she looked in the mirror,
And she glanced at the license for my name.
A smile seemed to come to her slowly,
It was a sad smile, just the same.
And she said, How are you Harry?
I said, How are you Sue?
Through the too many miles
and the too little smiles
I still remember you.

It was somewhere in a fairy tale,
I used to take her home in my car.
We learned about love in the back of the Dodge,
The lesson hadn't gone too far.
You see, she was gonna be an actress,
And I was gonna learn to fly.
She took off to find the footlights,
And I took off to find the sky.

Oh, I've got something inside me,
To drive a princess blind.
There's a wild man, wizard,
He's hiding in me, illuminating my mind.
Oh, I've got something inside me,
Not what my life's about,
Cause I've been letting my outside tide me,
Over 'till my time, runs out.

Baby's so high that she's skying,
Yes she's flying, afraid to fall.
I'll tell you why baby's crying,
Cause she's dying, aren't we all.

There was not much more for us to talk about,
Whatever we had once was gone.
So I turned my cab into the driveway,
Past the gate and the fine trimmed lawns.
And she said we must get together,
But I knew it'd never be arranged.
And she handed me twenty dollars,
For a two fifty fare, she said
Harry, keep the change.
Well another man might have been angry,
And another man might have been hurt,
But another man never would have let her go...
I stashed the bill in my shirt.

And she walked away in silence,
It's strange, how you never know,
But we'd both gotten what we'd asked for,
Such a long, long time ago.

You see, she was gonna be an actress
And I was gonna learn to fly.
She took off to find the footlights,
And I took off for the sky.
And here, she's acting happy,
Inside her handsome home.
And me, I'm flying in my taxi,
Taking tips, and getting stoned,
I go flying so high, when I'm stoned.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

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Cats In The Cradle-Harry Chapin

3:49

Cats In The Cradle-Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw, I said Not today
I got a lot to do, he said, That's ok
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
He shook his head and said with a smile
What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Harry Chapin - A Better Place to Be

8:32

It was an early morning bar room,
And the place just opened up.
And the little man come in so fast and
Started at his cup.
And the broad who served the whisky
She was a big old friendly girl.
And she tried to fight her empty nights
By smilin' at the world.

And she said Hey Bub, It's been awhile
Since you been around.
Where the hell you been hidin' ?
And why you look so down ?

But the little man just sat there like he'd never heard a sound.

The waitress she gave out with a cough,
And acting not the least put off,
She spoke once again.

She said, I don't want to bother you,
Consider it's understood.
I know I'm not no beauty queen,
But I sure can listen good.

And the little man took his drink in his hand
And he raised it to his lips.
He took a couple of sips.
And he told the waitress this story.

I am the midnight watchman down at Miller's Tool and Die.
And I watch the metal rusting, and I watch the time go by.
A week ago at the diner I stopped to get a bite.
And this here lovely lady she sat two seats from my right.
And Lord, Lord, Lord she was alright.

Oh she was so damned beautiful that she'd warm a winter's frost.
But she was long past lonely, and well nigh unto lost.
Now I'm not much of a mover, or a pick-em-up easy guy,
But I decided to glide on over, and give her one good try.
And Lord, Lord, Lord she was worth a try.

Tongued-tied like a school boy, I stammered out some words.
But it did not really matter much, 'cause I don't think she heard.
She just looked clear on through me to a space back in my head.
And it shamed me into silence, as quietly she said,
'If you want me to come with you, then that's all right with me.
Cause I know I'm going nowhere, and anywhere's a better place to be.
Anywhere's a better place to be.'

I drove her to my boarding house, and I took her up to my room.
And I went to turn on the only light to brighten up the gloom.
But she said, 'Please leave the light off, Oh I don't mind the dark.'
And as her clothes all tumbled 'round her, I could hear my heart.
The moonlight shown upon her as she lay back in my bed.
It was the kind of scene I only had imagined in my head.
I just could not believe it, to think that she was real.
And as I tried to tell her she said 'Shhh.. I know just how you feel.
And if you want to come here with me, then that's all right with me.
'Cause I've been oh so lonely, lovin' someone is a better way to be.
anywhere's a better way to be.'

The morning come so swiftly but I held her in my arms.
But she slept like a baby, snug and safe from harm.
I did not want to share her with the world or break the mood,
So before she woke I went out and brought us both some food.

I came back with my paper bag, to find out she was gone.
She'd left a six word letter saying 'It's time that I moved on.'

The waitress took a bar rag, and she wiped it across her eyes.
And as she spoke her voice came out as something like a sigh.
She said I wish that I was beautiful, or that you were halfway blind.
And I wish I weren't so dog-gone fat, I wish that you were mine.
And I wish that you'd come with me, when I leave for home.
For we both know all about loneliness, and livin' all alone.

And the little man,
Looked at the empty glass in his hand.
And he smiled a crooked grin,
He said, I guess I'm out of gin.
And know we both have been so lonely.
And if you want me to come with you, then that's all right with me.
'Cause I know I'm goin' nowhere and anywhere's a better place to be.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

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Harry Chapin - W.O.L.D.

5:17

Hello honey it's me...
What did you think when you heard me back on the radio... ?
And what did the kids say when they knew it was their long - lost
daddy-o....

Remember how we'd listen to the radio
And I said That's the place to be.
And how I got that job as an FM jock
The day you married me.
It was 2 kids, and I was into AM rock
But I just had to run around
It's been 8 years since I left you babe
Let me tell you 'bout what's gone down...

I am the morning DJ... At W.O.L.D.
Playin' all the hits for you... Wherever you may be.
The bright good morning voice... Who is heard, but never seen!
Feelin' all of 45.... Goin' on 15.

The drinkin' I did on my last big gig...
It made my voice go low
They said that they like the young sound.......
When they let me go.
So I drifted on down to Tulsa Oklahoma
To do me a late night talk show
Now I've worked my way down home again
Here to Boise Idaho.... That's how this business goes.

I am the morning DJ... At W.O.L.D. !
Playin' all the hits for you
Wherever you may be
The bright good morning voice... Who is heard but never seen.
Feelin' all of 45..... Goin' on 15.

I BEEN MAKIN' EXTRA MONEY DOIN' HIGH SCHOOL SOCK HOPS
I'M A BIG-TIME GUEST EMCEE...
YOU SHOULD HEAR ME TALKIN' TO THE LITTLE CHILDREN
AND LISTEN WHAT THEY'RE SAYIN' TO ME!
I GOT A SPOT ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD...
JUST BEGGIN FOR A NEW TOUPEE
AND A TIRE 'ROUND MY GUT FROM SITTIN' ON MY...
BUT IT'S NEVER GONNA GO AWAY.......................................

Sometimes I get this crazy dream
And I just take off in my car
But you can travel on ten thousand miles
And still stay where you are
I been thinkin' that maybe I should stop this jockeying
And start that record store.
Maybe I could even settle down....
.... if you'd take me back once more.

...okay honey I see.
I guess he's better than me...
Sure girl, I understand.
You don't have to worry, I'm such a happy man.

wold WOLD wold WOLD wold WOL
WOL WOL..

WOLD D D

I am the morning DJ..
At KLBJ !
Playin' all the hits for you
Playin' 'em night and day!
The bright good morning voice
Who is heard but never seen...
Oh! Feeling all of 45....
.... Going on 16.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin: BETTER PLACE TO BE 81

10:06

REDONE WITHOUT BIRDS!
From 1981 concert at Hamilton Place

Harry Chapin Behind the Music

44:05

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Harry Chapin: MR TANNER 81

5:36

REDONE WITHOUT BIRDS!
From 1981 concert at Hamilton Place

Harry Chapin - Mr. Tanner

5:18

Mister Tanner was a cleaner from a town in the Midwest.
And of all the cleaning shops around he'd made his the best.
But he also was a baritone who sang while hanging clothes.
He practiced scales while pressing tails and sang at local shows.
His friends and neighbors praised the voice that poured out from his throat.
They said that he should use his gift instead of cleaning coats.

But music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

His friends kept working on him to try music out full time.
A big debut and rave reviews, a great career to climb.
Finally they got to him, he would take the fling.
A concert agent in New York agreed to have him sing.
And there were plane tickets, phone calls, money spent to rent the hall.
It took most of his savings but he gladly used them all.

But music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

The evening came, he took the stage, his face set in a smile.
And in the half filled hall the critics sat watching on the aisle.
But the concert was a blur to him, spatters of applause.
He did not know how well he sang, he only heard the flaws.
But the critics were concise, it only took four lines.
But no one could accuse them of being over kind.

(spoken) Mr. Martin Tanner, Baritone, of Dayton, Ohio made his
Town Hall debut last night. He came well prepared, but unfortunately
his presentation was not up to contemporary professional standards.
His voice lacks the range of tonal color necessary to make it
consistently interesting.
(sung) Full time consideration of another endeavor might be in order.

He came home to Dayton and was questioned by his friends.
Then he smiled and just said nothing and he never sang again,
excepting very late at night when the shop was dark and closed.
He sang softly to himself as he sorted through the clothes.
Music was his life, it was not his livelihood,
and it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good.
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul.
He did not know how well he sang; It just made him whole.

/Lyrics From The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin - Thirty Thousand Pounds of Bananas

5:50

One of his more-famous songs in it's original form, the version on Greatest Stories Live, which I've already uploaded, contains two alternative endings and a little info on them. The version on the bottom line encore collection contains the fourth, and my favorite, alternate ending, along with the other three, I'll upload that in a little while.

It was just after dark when the truck started down
the hill that leads into Scranton Pennsylvania.
Carrying thirty thousand pounds of bananas.
Carrying thirty thousand pounds (hit it Big John) of bananas.

He was a young driver,
just out on his second job.
And he was carrying the next day's pasty fruits
for everyone in that coal-scarred city
where children play without despair
in backyard slag-piles and folks manage to eat each day
about thirty thousand pounds of bananas.
Yes, just about thirty thousand pounds (scream it again, John) .

He passed a sign that he should have seen,
saying shift to low gear, a fifty dollar fine my friend.
He was thinking perhaps about the warm-breathed woman
who was waiting at the journey's end.
He started down the two mile drop,
the curving road that wound from the top of the hill.
He was pushing on through the shortening miles that ran down to the depot.
Just a few more miles to go,
then he'd go home and have her ease his long, cramped day away.
and the smell of thirty thousand pounds of bananas.
Yes the smell of thirty thousand pounds of bananas.

He was picking speed as the city spread its twinkling lights below him.
But he paid no heed as the shivering thoughts of the nights
delights went through him.
His foot nudged the brakes to slow him down.
But the pedal floored easy without a sound.
He said Christ!
It was funny how he had named the only man who could save him now.
He was trapped inside a dead-end hellslide,
riding on his fear-hunched back
was every one of those yellow green
I'm telling you thirty thousand pounds of bananas.
Yes, there were thirty thousand pounds of bananas.

He barely made the sweeping curve that led into the steepest grade.
And he missed the thankful passing bus at ninety miles an hour.
And he said God, make it a dream!
as he rode his last ride down.
And he said God, make it a dream!
as he rode his last ride down.
And he sideswiped nineteen neat parked cars,
clipped off thirteen telephone poles,
hit two houses, bruised eight trees,
and Blue-Crossed seven people.
it was then he lost his head,
not to mention an arm or two before he stopped.
And he slid for four hundred yards
along the hill that leads into Scranton, Pennsylvania.
All those thirty thousand pounds of bananas.

You know the man who told me about it on the bus,
as it went up the hill out of Scranton, Pennsylvania,
he shrugged his shoulders, he shook his head,
and he said (and this is exactly what he said)
Boy that sure must've been something.
Just imagine thirty thousand pounds of bananas.
Yes, there were thirty thousand pounds of mashed bananas.
Of bananas. Just bananas. Thirty thousand pounds.
of Bananas. not no driver now. Just bananas!

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin - Circle

7:23

All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.

All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.

It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.

No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.

Chorus:
I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It's like a children's game;

As I find you here again;
A thought runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let's go 'round one more time.

Chorus

/Lyrics From The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Bruce Springsteen 1987 Harry Chapin Tribute: Remember When the Music

7:24

In 1987 a tribute concert in honor of Harry Chapin was held, celebrating his would be 45 birthday.

More information:

Harry Chapin - I Wanna Learn a Love Song

4:27

I come fresh from the street,
fast on my feet, kind a lean and lazy;
not much meat on my bones, and a whole lot alone,
and more than a little bit crazy.
The old six string was all I had
to keep my belly still,
and for each full hour lesson I gave
I got a crisp ten dollar bill.

She was married for seven years
to a concrete castle king.
She said she wanted to learn to play the guitar
and to hear her children sing.
So I'd show up about once a week
in my faded tight-legged jeans
with a backlog full of hobo stories
and dilapidated dreams.

She said, I wanna learn a love song full of happy things.
She said, I wanna learn a love song; won't you let me hear you sing?
She said, I wanna learn a love song, I wanna hear you play.
She said, I wanna learn a love song before you go away.

So I tried to teach her a couple of chords
and an easy melody;
but it always turned out she'd rather listen
to my guitar and me.
I could hear her old man laughing in the den,
playing stud poker with the boys
while I sang so soft in the living room,
to scared to make much noise.
I came one week and the den was dark
and she met me at the door.
And we sat on the couch and we sang and talked
till I could not sing no more.
The silence kept on building,
her eyes grew much too wide;
and I could her both of our heartbeats,
but there was no place to hide.

She said, I wanna learn a love song full of happy things.
She said, I wanna learn a love song; won't you let me hear you sing?
She said, I wanna learn a love song, I wanna hear you play.
She said, I wanna learn a love song before you go away.

Well, I guess you know what happened,
God, I never been so clean.
Yes, I feel like I'm working in a Hollywood movie
or living out a good bad dream.
And all them pinup girls in that tinsel world
never touched me like she can;
it took another man's wife in the real world life
to make this boy a man.

She said, I wanna learn a love song full of happy things.
She said, I wanna learn a love song; won't you let me hear you sing?
She said, I wanna learn a love song, I wanna hear you play.
She said, I wanna learn a love song before you go away.
I guess you know I stayed.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

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Cats In The Cradle

3:45

I searched this song a few days ago and couldn't find any versions with the words on it so I decided to make one with the lyrics. Please send any request to jbmmt1224@yahoo.com and make the subject REQUEST.

Harry Chapin - I Wanna Learn a Love Song

5:05

I come fresh from the street,
fast on my feet, kind a lean and lazy;
not much meat on my bones, and a whole lot alone,
and more than a little bit crazy.
The old six string was all I had
to keep my belly still,
and for each full hour lesson I gave
I got a crisp ten dollar bill.

She was married for seven years
to a concrete castle king.
She said she wanted to learn to play the guitar
and to hear her children sing.
So I'd show up about once a week
in my faded tight-legged jeans
with a backlog full of hobo stories
and dilapidated dreams.

She said, I wanna learn a love song full of happy things.
She said, I wanna learn a love song; won't you let me hear you sing?
She said, I wanna learn a love song, I wanna hear you play.
She said, I wanna learn a love song before you go away.

So I tried to teach her a couple of chords
and an easy melody;
but it always turned out she'd rather listen
to my guitar and me.
I could hear her old man laughing in the den,
playing stud poker with the boys
while I sang so soft in the living room,
to scared to make much noise.
I came one week and the den was dark
and she met me at the door.
And we sat on the couch and we sang and talked
till I could not sing no more.
The silence kept on building,
her eyes grew much too wide;
and I could her both of our heartbeats,
but there was no place to hide.

She said, I wanna learn a love song full of happy things.
She said, I wanna learn a love song; won't you let me hear you sing?
She said, I wanna learn a love song, I wanna hear you play.
She said, I wanna learn a love song before you go away.

Well, I guess you know what happened,
God, I never been so clean.
Yes, I feel like I'm working in a Hollywood movie
or living out a good bad dream.
And all them pinup girls in that tinsel world
never touched me like she can;
it took another man's wife in the real world life
to make this boy a man.

She said, I wanna learn a love song full of happy things.
She said, I wanna learn a love song; won't you let me hear you sing?
She said, I wanna learn a love song, I wanna hear you play.
She said, I wanna learn a love song before you go away.
I guess you know I stayed.

/Lyrics From The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle 1977

3:42

Harry Chapin - Cat's in the Cradle 1977

Released 1974

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and there were bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away

And he was talking 'fore I knew it and as he grew
He'd say, I'm gonna be like you, dad
You know, I'm gonna be like you

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home, dad? I don't know when
We'll get together then, son, you know we'll have a good time then

When my son turned ten just the other day
Said, Thanks for the ball, dad, come on and let's play
Can you teach me to throw? I said, Not today
I got a lot to do he said, That's okay

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
Said, I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know, I'm gonna be like him

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home, dad? I don't know when
We'll get together then, son, you know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?
He shook his head and he said with a smile

What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later
Can I have them please?

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home, son? I don't know when
But we'll get together then, dad, We're gonna have a good time then

Well, I've long since retired and my son's moved away
Called him up just the other day
I said, I'd like to see you if you don't mind
He said, I'd love to, dad, if I could find the time

You see, my new job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, dad
It's been sure nice talking to you

And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

Yeah, and the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you coming home, son? I don't know when
But we'll get together then, dad, we're gonna have a good time then

Harry Chapin- I Wanna Learn a Love Song

4:09

Harry Chapin- I Wanna Learn a Love Song

Harry Chapin - All My Lifes a Circle

5:38

Harry Chapin - Rockpalast Live taped in Germany on April 12, 1977

All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown
Moon rolls through the night-time till the daybreak comes around
All my life's a circle I can't tell you why
Seasons spinning round again, the years keep rolling by

Seems like I've been here before, and I well remember when
I've got a funny feeling that we'll all be together again
No straight lines make up my life, all my roads are bends
There's no clear-cut beginning and so far no dead ends

I've found you a thousand times, I know you've done the same
Then we lose each other, it's like a children's game
If I find you here again the thought comes through my mind
Life is like a circle, let's go round one more time

Note: The syncronization was a bit off, so I fixed and re-uploaded this wonderful song.

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Harry Chapin - 30,000 Pounds Of Bananas - 10/21/1978 - Capitol Theatre

11:54

Harry Chapin - 30,000 Pounds Of Bananas
Recorded Live: 10/21/1978 - Capitol Theatre - Passaic, NJ
More Harry Chapin at Music Vault:
Subscribe to Music Vault on YouTube:

Personnel:
Harry Chapin - vocals, guitar
Chevy Chase - vocals on Flowers Of Red
Audience Volunteers - vocals on Mr. Tanner

Harry Chapin W.O.L.D.

4:55

Harry Chapin W.O.L.D. (WOLD)

Harry Chapin - Dreams Go By

4:55

There you stand in your dungarees
Looking all grown up and so very pleased
When you write your poems they have so much to say
When you speak your dreams it takes my breath away

You know I want to be a ball player
A regular slugging fool
But both our dreams must wait awhile
Until we finish school

And so you and I
We'll watch our years go by
We'll watch our sweet dreams fly
Far away, but maybe someday

I don't know when
But we will dream again
And we'll be happy then
Till our time just drifts away

There you stand in your wedding dress
You're so beautiful that I must confess
I'm so proud you have chosen me
When a doctor is what you want to be

You know I want to be a painter, girl
A real artistic snob
But I guess we'll have our children first
You'll make a home, I'll get a job

Listen to the seasons passing
Listen to the wind blow
Listen to the children laughing
Where do broken dreams go?

There you stand in your tailored suit
So many years gone by, but your're still so cute
We take the car to go and meet the bus
When our grandchildren come to visit us

You say you should have been a ballerina, babe
There are songs I should have sung
But I guess our dreams have come and gone
You gotta dream when you are young

And so you and I
We'll watch our years go by
We'll watch our sweet dreams fly
Far away, but maybe someday

I don't know when
But we will dream again
And we'll be happy then
Till our time just drifts away

/Lyrics From The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin - They Call Her Easy

6:12

They call her easy from the last concert dvd.

Harry Chapin - Flowers Are Red

4:31

The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. What you doin' young man
I'm paintin' flowers he said
She said... It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red
There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one

And she said...
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen

But the little boy said...
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

Well the teacher said.. You're sassy
There's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me.....

And she said...
Flowers are red young man
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen

But the little boy said...
There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one

The teacher put him in a corner
She said.. It's for your own good..
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And are responding like you should
Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said

Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen

Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said...Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one

But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked him why
This is what he said.. and he said

Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin- Taxi

6:17

Harry Chapin- Taxi

Harry Chapin - Remember When

1:6:40

With personal commentary by Harry's children Jen and Josh as well as his widow Sandy Chapin.
Taxi 00:00
Mr. Tanner 07:00
I Wanna Learn a Love Song 12:24
Song For Myself 17:00
W*O*L*D 23:51
Story of a Life 28:51
A Better Place To Be 37:26
Dancing Boy 47:17
Story of a Life 52:07
Cat's in the Cradle 57:25
Circle 1:02:14

30,000 POUNDS OF BANANAS - HARRY CHAPIN

11:44

From Harry Chapin's Hit Album: Greatest Stories Live (Audio Only)

Harry Chapin - Live 77 Rockpalast Concert

1:29:42

Shooting Star
W*O*L*D 04:50
Mr. Tanner 10:50
Dance Band on the Titanic 16:28
Taxi 22:20
Six-String Orchestra 29:20
Corey's Coming 33:49
Blues Man 42:25
Mail Order Annie 51:29
30,000 Pounds of Bananas 59:20
Cat's in the Cradle 1:06:18
Circle 1:12:00
Odd Job Man 1:19:20
I Wanna Learn a Love Song 1:24:17

Harry Chapin - Sequel

6:40

So here she's actin' happy inside her handsome home
And me, I'm flyin' in my taxi, takin' tips and gettin' stoned.

I got into town a little early.
Had eight hours to kill before the show.
First I thought about heading up north of the bay
Then I knew where I had to go.

I thought about taking a limousine
Or at least a fancy car.
But I ended up taking a taxi
'Cause that's how I got this far.

You see, ten years ago it was the front seat
Drivin' stoned and feelin' no pain.
Now here I am straight and sittin' in the back
Hitting Sixteen Parkside Lane.

The driveway was the same as I remembered
And a butler came and answered the door.
He just shook his head when I asked for her
And said She doesn't live here anymore.

But he offered to give me the address
That they were forwarding her letters to.
I just took it and returned to the cabbie
And said I got one more fare for you.

And so we rolled back into the city
Up to a five store old brownstone
I rang the bell that had her name on the mailbox.
The buzzer said somebody's home.

And the look on her face as she opened the door
Was like an old joke told by a friend.
It'd taken ten more years but she'd found her smile
And I watched the corners start to bend.

And she said, How are you Harry?
Haven't we played this scene before?
I said It's so good to see you, Sue
Had to play it out just once more.
Play it out just once more.

She said I've heard you flying high on my radio
I answered It's not all it seems
That's when she laughed and she said, It's better sometimes
When we don't get to touch our dreams.

That's when I asked her where was that actress
She said That was somebody else
And then I asked her why she looked so happy now
She said I finally like myself, at last I like myself.

So we talked all through that afternoon
Talking about where we'd been
We talked of the tiny difference
Between ending and starting to begin.
We talked because talking tells you things
Like what you really are thinking about.
But sometimes you can't find what you're feeling
Till all the word run out.

So I asked her to come to the concert.
She said No, I work at night.
I said, We've gotten too damn good at leaving, Sue
She said, Harry, you're right.

Don't ask me if I made love to her
Or which one of us started to cry
Don't ask me why she wouldn't take the money that I left
If I answered at all I'd lie.

So I thought about her as I sang that night
And how the circle keeps rolling around.
How I act as I'm facing the footlights
And how she's flying with both feet on the ground.

I guess it's a sequel to our story
From the journey 'tween heaven and hell
With half the time thinking of what might have been
and half thinkin' just as well.

I guess only time will tell.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin

4:41

Harry Chapin (Cat's In The Cradle) and his brothers perform this never-recorded original for Merv in 1965, before they had even recorded their first album. Their father Jim Chapin is on drums. Merv Griffin had over 5000 guests appear on his show from 1963-1986. Footage from the Merv Griffin Show is available for licensing to all forms of media through Reelin' In The Years Productions.

Harry Chapin - Taxi

6:24

1974 - PBS Soundstage. WTTW's Grainger Studio. Chicago, IL. Harry Chapin (1942-1981 vocal, guitar); John Wallace (bass, vocal); Ron Palmer (guitar); and Michael Masters (cello). Song was written by Harry Chapin. To learn more about Harry's life and legacy, please visit For more music: and

Harry Chapin - Six String Orchestra

4:16

Harry Chapin sings Six String Orchestra for Rockpalast

Harry Chapin - Remember When the Music

3:57

Remember when the music
Came from wooden boxes strung with silver wire
And as we sang the words, it would set our minds on fire,
For we believed in things, and so we'd sing.

Remember when the music
Brought us all together to stand inside the rain
And as we'd join our hands, we'd meet in the refrain,
For we had dreams to live, we had hopes to give.

Remember when the music
Was the best of what we dreamed of for our children's time
And as we sang we worked, for time was just a line,
It was a gift we saved, a gift the future gave.

Remember when the music
Was a rock that we could cling to so we'd not despair,
And as we sang we knew we'd hear an echo fill the air
We'd be smiling then, we would smile again.

Oh all the times I've listened, and all the times I've heard
All the melodies I'm missing, and all the magic words,
And all those potent voices, and the choices we had then,
How I'd love to find we had that kind of choice again.

Remember when the music
Was a glow on the horizon of every newborn day
And as we sang, the sun came up to chase the dark away,
And life was good, for we knew we could.

Remember when the music
Brought the night across the valley as the day went down
And as we'd hum the melody, we'd be safe inside the sound,
And so we'd sleep, we had dreams to keep.

Remember when the music
Came from wooden boxes strung with silver wire
And as we sang the words, it would set our minds on fire,
For we believed in things, and so we'd sing.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\
Thank you biofan45

Harry Chapin - There Only Was One Choice

13:48

The Lyrics appear to be too long to be added here... you can find them at:

Harry Chapin ~ Any Old Kind Of Day

4:45

Any Old Kind Of Day by the late Harry Chapin - from 1972

harry chapin i wanna learn a love song

4:03

harry at his best

Harry Chapin - Coreys Coming

8:15

I really like this song. If you're familiar with the original you'll notice a significant change in this version. I don't know which I prefer, but soon I'll upload both and you can choose for yourself.

I can't find any lyrics for this version so maybe later I'll write'um myself.

Old John Joseph was a man with two first names,
They left him in the railroad yard when they took away the trains.
Only one run a week comes on roaring down that line,
So all he's got to worry 'bout is time.

He sits in the break house his hands out to the fire,
Moving though his memories of love and desire.
Telling me the stories of the glories of his past,
But he always saves the story of his Corey for the last.

And he says My Corey's coming. No more sad stories coming.
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming, aren't you girl?
And like I told you, when she holds you,
She enfolds you in her world.

I'd come by in the evening to find out where he'd been,
And he'd say Come on, sit down kid, where shall I begin?
And I'd say You know my favorite, though you know I like the rest
But I love the way you tell me of your Corey the best.

And so I'd hear his life long love recreated by his tongue.
He'd turn back the years, she'd seem forever young.
Though the other stories changed, as they rolled though his head.
He'd say the same words bout Corey just before he went to bed,
and then he'd send me away but he'd be smiling as he said.

Can't you see my Corey's coming. No more sad stories coming
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
And like I told you, when she holds you
She enfolds you in her world.

I was quite surprised to find out all the places that he knew,
So I asked the townsfolk if his stories were true,
Well they said Old John was born here, he's lived here all his life,
He's never had a woman, let alone a wife.
And very soon you'll find out, as you check around,
That no one named Corey's ever lived in this town
So I chided the old man 'bout the truth that I had heard,
Well he smiled and said Reality is only just a word!

Can't you see my Corey's coming. No more sad stories coming.
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
And like I told you, when she holds you,
She enfolds you in her world.

I came by one evening but he did not hear my shout.
I looked in the window and saw the fire was out.
When he would not wake up I forced in the door,
And found that Old John Joseph would tell stories no more.

There was a scene at the graveyard, just three of us were there.
Me, and the gravedigger, and we heard the parson's prayer.
He said We need not grieve for this man,
For we know that God cares!

Well they put the cold dirt over him, left me on my own,
And when at last I looked up I saw I was not alone.
Standing there in silence, with a shawl around her head,
was the beautiful young woman, I remember what she said.
is that John Joesph there? - I nodded my head yes.
That brought a soft smile from here she said it's time he, he got some rest
So I said If you're a relative, he had a peaceful end.
That's when she said My name is Corey you can say I'm just a friend.

Corey's coming, no more sad stories coming
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
And like I told you, when she holds you
She enfolds you in her world.

So that's the old man's story, I'm glad you came tonight,
You see a busted down old railroad yard sure makes a lonely sight.
You may wonder why a young man would work out here alone,
Well the job pays enough to keep some flesh on my bones.
And I confess I get to missing the old man a bit,
Yes there's one other reason - I guess I should admit -
Can't you see my Corey's coming, no more sad stories coming
My midnight-moonlight-morning-glory's coming aren't you girl?
And like he told me, when she holds me
She enfolds me in her world.

Tell me if you see any mistakes in there.
-Thank you TinyDancer500, and Ilikegargoyles

Harry Chapin - W.O.L.D.

5:05

Hello honey it's me...
What did you think when you heard me back on the radio... ?
And what did the kids say when they knew it was their long - lost
daddy-o....

Remember how we'd listen to the radio
And I said That's the place to be.
And how I got that job as an FM jock
The day you married me.
It was 2 kids, and I was into AM rock
But I just had to run around
It's been 8 years since I left you babe
Let me tell you 'bout what's gone down...

I am the morning DJ... At W.O.L.D.
Playin' all the hits for you... Wherever you may be.
The bright good morning voice... Who is heard, but never seen!
Feelin' all of 45.... Goin' on 15.

The drinkin' I did on my last big gig...
It made my voice go low
They said that they like the young sound.......
When they let me go.
So I drifted on down to Tulsa Oklahoma
To do me a late night talk show
Now I've worked my way down home again
Here to Boise Idaho.... That's how this business goes.

I am the morning DJ... At W.O.L.D. !
Playin' all the hits for you
Wherever you may be
The bright good morning voice... Who is heard but never seen.
Feelin' all of 45..... Goin' on 15.

I BEEN MAKIN' EXTRA MONEY DOIN' HIGH SCHOOL SOCK HOPS
I'M A BIG-TIME GUEST EMCEE...
YOU SHOULD HEAR ME TALKIN' TO THE LITTLE CHILDREN
AND LISTEN WHAT THEY'RE SAYIN' TO ME!
I GOT A SPOT ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD...
JUST BEGGIN FOR A NEW TOUPEE
AND A TIRE 'ROUND MY GUT FROM SITTIN' ON MY...
BUT IT'S NEVER GONNA GO AWAY.......................................

Sometimes I get this crazy dream
And I just take off in my car
But you can travel on ten thousand miles
And still stay where you are
I been thinkin' that maybe I should stop this jockeying
And start that record store.
Maybe I could even settle down....
.... if you'd take me back once more.

...okay honey I see.
I guess he's better than me...
Sure girl, I understand.
You don't have to worry, I'm such a happy man.

wold WOLD wold WOLD wold WOL
WOL WOL..

WOLD D D

I am the morning DJ..
At KLBJ !
Playin' all the hits for you
Playin' 'em night and day!
The bright good morning voice
Who is heard but never seen...
Oh! Feeling all of 45....
.... Going on 16.

/Lyrics From The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Caroline by Harry Chapin

3:44

Song by Harry Chapin. I do not own any rights to this song, nor do I claim to. I just noticed there was a total lack of this song on Youtube, so I thought I'd make a video for it

Harry Chapin - Shooting Star

4:09

He was crazy of course
From the first she must have known it
But still she went on with him
And she never once had shown it
And she took him off the street
And she dried his tears of grieving
She listened to his visions
She believed in his believe-ins

Oh, he was the sun burning bright and brittle
And she was the moon shining back his light a little
He was a shooting star
She was softer and more slowly
He could not make things possible
But, she could make them holy

He was dancing to some music
No one else had ever heard
He'd speak in unknown languages
She would translate every word
And then when the world was laughing
At his castles in the sky
She'd hold him in her body
Till he once again could fly

Oh, he was the sun burning bright and brittle
And she was the moon shining back his light a little
He was a shooting star
She was softer and more slowly
He could not make things possible
But, she could make them holy

Well, she gave him a daughter
And she gave him a son
She was a mother, and a wife,
And a lover when the day was done
He was too far gone for giving love
What he offered in its stead
Was the knowledge she was the only thing
That was not in his head

He took off East one morning
Towards the rising sun's red glow
She knew he was going nowhere
But of course she let him go
And as she stood and watched him dwindle
Much too empty to be sad
He reappeared beside her saying,
You're all I've ever had

Oh, he was the sun burning bright and brittle
And she was the moon shining back his light a little
He was a shooting star
She was softer and more slowly
He could not make things possible
But, she could make them holy
Holy

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Harry Chapin - Let Time Go Lightly

4:57

I let time go lightly when I'm here with you,
I let time go lightly when the day is through.
I keep a watch on time when I've have work to do,
I let time go lightly with you.

Morning, a time for breaking ground and sowing seeds,
and yet we give up our sunshine
so we can buy what we need.
That leaves the evening, to share a fire with a friend or two,
to lose sight of the hours
To go lightly with you

I let time go lightly when I'm here with you,
I let time go lightly when the day is through.
I keep a watch on time when I've got work to do,
I let time go lightly with you.

Old friends, they mean much more to me than the new friends,
Cause they can see where you are,
and they know where you've been.
Music, has been my oldest friend, my fiercest foe,
cause it can take me so high,
(High.....) Yes it can make me so low.

When I was a child my mother would help me along
She'd rock me to sleep and sing me a song.
So I learned to love the music of all the tunes in my mind
the changing of chords, the rhythm of time.

I let time go lightly when I'm here with you,
I let time go lightly when the day is through.
I keep a watch on time when I've got work to do,
I let time go lightly with you.

Yes I let time go lightly with you, and a fire, and a friend or two
With you and a fire and a friend or two
A friend or two and you

/Lyrics From Sing365 at Sing365.com\

Harry Chapin - Mr Tanner

7:57

Harry Chapin - Mr Tanner (with audience volunteers)
Recorded Live: 10/21/1978 - Capitol Theatre - Passaic, NJ
More Harry Chapin at Music Vault:
Subscribe to Music Vault on YouTube:

Personnel:
Harry Chapin - vocals, guitar
Chevy Chase - vocals on Flowers Of Red
Audience Volunteers - vocals on Mr. Tanner

Harry Chapin Oh Man

4:05

This song comes from the Harry Chapin album Last Protest Singer. It's one of my favorites, and I hope you enjoy it too. I DO NOT own the rights to this song.

Old Folkie - Harry Chapins tribute to Pete Seeger

4:00

At the age of 88, Pete Seeger's reputation as singer, songwriter and activist is well documented. The singing conscience of a nation for 60 years - even if that nation didn't want to listen - there are few causes that Seeger did not espouse, or sing about.
The late Harry Chapin was, like Seeger, New York born and bred. He was not so much a writer of songs, but of short stories set to music. Like Seeger, he was a great humanitarian - raising money to combat world hunger long before other musical 'celebrities' thought of it.

Taxi | Harry Chapin | Lyrics ☾☀

6:47

Released | March 11th, 1972
Album | Heads & Tales
Disclaimer | This video is for entertainment purposes only and no copyright infringement is intended.

Harry Chapin - If My Mary Were Here

3:33

I would not be so stoned
If my Mary were here
I don't think I'd have phoned you
If my Mary were here
I'm a sad sack Sir Galahad
Who's sword's around his knees
With a Grail no longer holy
And a prayer that's saying - please
I would not be alone
If my Mary were here
But she took off
And Lord I'm lost.

I don't think I'd be drinking
If my Mary were here
And I know what I'd be thinking
If my Mary were here
We'd be wrapping up a blanket
Full of cheddar cheese and wine
Packing up our camper with a rendezvous in mind
And we'd picnic out in Lincoln Park
If Mary were here
But she split
So I got lit

I'm sorry that I called you
In the middle of the night
But you're the one who listens
When I need a little light
I know we haven't talked
Since I dropped you in the dirt
I know you're not my lady now
But Baby, how I hurt.

(I could whistle up an old tune
That your memory might recall
Rustle up some reminisce
'Bout the good old days and all
If I were seeking someone else
I could find a way to hide
But I'm pleading like a pauper, Babe
And it leaves no place for pride)

I would toss away my troubles
When my Mary was here
But now I'm lost inside the ruble
Cause my Mary's not here
So could I come on over
With my heart in my hands
And place it on your pillow
Like a rusty old tin can
I'm drunk and seeing double
And my Mary's not here
Once again
Be the friend
That you've been
And take me in.

Please take me in.

/Lyrics from The Harry Chapin Archive at Harrychapin.com\

Cats In the Cradle- Harry Chapin Lyrics

3:51

One of my all time favourite songs... of all time. Here are the lyrics to the Cat Stevens classic, Cats in the Cradle. Enjoy and plz subscribe and comment!

In no way, shape or form do I own any rights to this song.

Harry Chapin: FLOWERS ARE RED 81

7:22

REDONE WITHOUT BIRDS!
From 1981 concert at Hamilton Place

British guitarist reacts to LEGENDARY storyteller AND humanitarian Harry Chapin

15:53

Tonight I'm taking a look at another fantastic storyteller in the form of Harry Chapin!

Original video -

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