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Fallsy Downsy!

by sandy mackay

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about

When Stomping Tom Connors passed away, I was sad, sad that i'd never hear another new Stomping Tom tune. I've listened to and enjoyed Stomping Tom all my life. I thought, I wonder if I could write a Stomping Tom-type song...

My buddy offered me a gig once, many years back, a gig playing bass for the Stomping Tom show, but he suggested I didn't take it, since I was a "Fallsy Downsy".

"I'm not a Fallsy Downsy!" I said, "What's a Fallsy Downsy?"

He said "It's someone who can't hold their liquor, someone who drinks and can't stand up. If you work with Tom, you gotta drink with him and he doesn't want any Fallsy Downsies"

I said "I'm not a Fallsy Downsy"!"

He went on to remind me about a couple of various events we'd gone to- kd lang a the UofG sub, the lost weekends out at Sawmill Run and Bateau, the trip to San Francisco and northern California with his brother.... he asked me if i remembered all the details of that trip, those events...

"No, not exactly. I remember going, but i don't remember coming home..."

"That's because you're a Fallsy Downsy. Don't get me wrong, I love you, but you can't hold your booze very well. You drink too fast, get loaded easily, act crazy for exactly 32 minutes then pass out, fall down, usually taking someone down with you, a dance partner, me lots of times, various friends and dates.... i.e. and for example, to whit, a "Fallsy Downsy".

So i didn't take the gig, but I did write this tune, as if I'd got the gig. What would have happened if Stomping Tom had hired me to play bass? What would Stomping Tom have said... potentially...?

To whit...

Note 1: this tune might seem to suggest that folks in that organization, Tom's band or Tom himself drank during shows. Tom didn't drink during shows to the best of my knowledge, so I ask your forgiveness in advance for my poetic license. This is a work of fiction.

Note 2: the "kid from Canso" was actually the famous maritime singer Dave Gunning, who has his own excellent songs and stories about his bass playing gig with Stomping Tom. Dave's not really from Canso, from Pictou rather, but Canso fit better, so, you know, poetic license being what it is...

lyrics

LYRICS:

Fallsy-Downsy sandy mackay sept 2013

"I was glad to have him join the band
He’s the best bass player in the whole damn land
He played real straight and he wore the brand
He fit the bill, he was a drinking man

We was 2 weeks out, we was having a time
With a string of gigs out in the maritimes
We was in Bible Hill, we was having a few
He took a little stagger, I knew trouble was brewing

He’s a FallsyDownsy and he can’t stand up
He’s a teenage pup when you fill his cup
He’s a beer behind and he can’t catch up
He’s a fallsydownsy & he can’t stand up can’t stand up

A few nights later in Sydney Mines
A real fine crowd, we was feelin fine
He had a 6 or a 7 and he started to feel it
His feet started weavin like he was jiggin’ a reel

He’s a FallsyDownsy and he can’t stand up...

It was a lovely night in old Saint John
The folks at the Legion with their dancing shoes on
We were drinking along cause we never stop
And round about midnight he went down with a flop

Cuz He’s a FallsyDownsy and he can’t stand up...

Well I loves my family and I love this land
A kid from Canso joined the band
I loves to sing and I loves to roam
But I had to send my buddy home cuz

He’s a FallsyDownsy and he can’t stand up..".

credits

released February 5, 2018
Sandy Mackay guitar and voc

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about

sandy mackay St John, New Brunswick

sandy
sometimes lives on a little island in a big river in New Brunswick.
Plays strings keyboards and bagpipes.
We're writing new songs these days, it's fall coming into winter and enjoyable snow!
Looks forward to seeing you soon, somewhere... send
messages to easandymackay@gmail.com
... more

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