John McCutcheon's Four Seasons:
Springsongs
Grammy Nominated!

The fourth volume in John McCutcheon's Four Seasons series, Springsongs completes the cycle of the seasons taking us from the melting snows of Wintersongs through to the first signs of summer, where we began the series with Summersongs. Throughout the season, we suffer from "Spring Fever," the frustration of balancing schoolwork with all of the fun which is in the air—fishing, Little League, and just playing outside. It just isn’t easy for a kid to keep concentrated on class work when there is so much excitement waiting just outside the classroom window.

McCutcheon cuts to the heart of the emotions that affect kids during this season. He knows how trying it is to be grounded after school when all of your friends are beckoning you to come along. The recording opens with "I Hope I Make It," expressing a child’s desire to make the cut on the Little League team. McCutcheon evokes other seasonal highlights in "Going to the Prom," a young child’s account of a tomboy older sister’s transformation for prom day; "Spring Cleaning," in which a father realizes that his child’s accumulated junk is not too different from his own boxes in the attic; and "Snow in April," about one of those unseasonal storms which hits long after the crocuses have poked through the ground.

Throughout Springsongs (as with all of the recordings in this series) McCutcheon sees the world through a child’s eyes—without ever patronizing the child. The recording closes and the series comes full circle with "Summer is A-Coming," a rock ‘n’ roll rave up, suitable for any seasoned air guitarist.

Of course, Springsongs also features the usual high level of songwriting, musicianship, good humor, and diversity of sounds, which we have come to expect from John McCutcheon and his Four Seasons series. (Previous recordings in this series have been acclaimed for their songwriting, performance and production values, as evidenced by the fact that all four have received Grammy nominations and many other awards.)

Here's what John says about Springsongs...

Personnel

Formats

Compact Disk: Rounder CD: 8039 Cassette: Rounder CS: 8039

It’s been a grand ride through the year, folks. Thanks for the company!

Lyrics

Hope I Make It
words & music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn
for Peter & Charlie

John: vocal and guitars
Michael: piano & organ
Pete: electric guitar
JT: bass & harmony vocals
Jos: drums & percussion
Kevin: percussion
Bobby: saxophone
Jon: harmony vocals

When the signs went up
Me and Eddie went down
To the county park
On the southside of town
We gathered at the diamond
All fresh and green
At the tryouts for my little league team

Eddie and me, we been playin’
Ever since we was four
Soon as I was big enough, man,
I was out the door
Dad would get home
From the factory
In time to have a catch
With Eddie and me (and he said,..)

Chorus

Always give it your best
No matter what you do
I hope I make it
I hope I make it
I hope I make it
I hope you make it, too

I take my number
And I take my place
Eddie’s at short
I’m at second base
The so ball’s fast
Hope I remember what to do
Eddie’s says he’s scared
And I am too (But I tell him,...)

Chorus

Bridge

I’ve seen it in my dreams
About a hundred times
A hard ground ball
Down the third base line
The air is sweet, the new birds sing
I close my eyes
And take a swing

Planted here in the bleachers
How my memories return
To this same green field
Waiting for my turn
My fingers sweat, my stomach aches
As she shoulders her bat and she steps to the plate (But I told her...)

Chorus

Always give it your best
No matter what you do
I hope she makes it
I hope she makes it
I hope she makes it
I hope she makes it
I hope she makes it
I hope I make it, too

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

April Fool
words & music by John McCutcheon & Si Kahn

John: vocal, guitar & banjo
Tim: mandolin & fiddle
Mark: bass
Jon & Moondi: harmony vocals

Listen to the bark of the dogwood tree
Go into the garden take a little green pea
Just one month till the end of school
I’m an April Fool
The willow in the backyard can’t stop weepin’
Seeds in the ground are soundly sleepin’
Days are warm but the nights are cool
I’m an April Fool

Chorus

I’m an April Fool, and I’ve got to say
From the end of March to the first of May
That’s the place I’d love to stay
I’m an April Fool

Sheets on the line all wild and blowing
Cross your fingers there’s no more snowing
It froze last night in the swimming pool
I’m an April Fool
Gotta mow the grass, been nearly half a year
At nights spring peepers are all you hear
Old full moon like a shining jewel
I’m an April Fool

Chorus

The old crabgrass keeps on complaining
It’d be real dry if it’d just stop raining
Eliot said this month is cruel
I’m an April Fool
March to the beat of an April tune
We May be this way till June
Take a deep breath and I know that you’ll
Be an April Fool

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Spring Fever
words & music by John McCutcheon & Si Kahn

John: vocal & guitar
Michael: electric piano & organ
Pete: electric guitar
JT: bass & harmony vocals
Jos: drums & percussion
Kevin: percussion
Jon: harmony vocals

It’s only eight o’clock and here I’m staring out the window
Just can’t keep my mind on class
Don’t know if I can take it, don’t think I’m gonna make it
Something’s gotta happen fast
Because the temperature is rising
And the days are getting hot
Something’s coming over me
I don’t know what I got

Chorus

Fever, in the springtime
All the way from March till June
Fever, in the springtime
Feel like howling at the moon

Everything was fine till the robins started singing
And the grass started turning green
Ever since then the walls are closing in
And I fell just like I’m gonna scream
I need some vernal medication
‘Cause this fever’s got me sick
Don’t know if I can do it
Something’s gotta happen quick

Chorus

I’m lying on the sofa, my Mom thinks that I’m working
But I just don’t feel like doing a thing
I don’t know if I’m lazy or if I’m going crazy
But it happens to me every spring
My dog’s got the Frisbee and she’s waiting at the door
I’ve got a pile of homework but I can’t take anymore

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Going to the Prom
words & music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn
for Nancy

John: vocal
Carroll: piano
Kim: violin
Janet: violin
Chris: viola
Marcio: cello
John Smith: double bass

For most of her life she was just such a mess
Went for five years never once wore a dress
Heading for third with her baseball cap on
Now my sister’s going to the Prom

Chorus

My sister’s going to the Prom
She’s got a long, blue dress on
Isn’t it strange how a person can change
My sister’s going to the Prom

She’s done up her hair, she’s put rouge on her cheeks
She’s painted her nails, she’s been worried for weeks
She’s been dancing with Dad and been crying with Mom
My sister’s going to the Prom

They’ll go out for supper, Chinese, I think
With those little umbrellas they put in your drink
Her best friend Maisha is going along
Together they’re going to the Prom

Chorus

She says that he’s nice, she knows him from Band
She swears they’re just friends, but she’s holding his hand
I know cause I spied on them, hid in the john
My sister’s going to the Prom

I’m just so excited I can’t get to sleep
Waiting to hear their car come down the street
I heard the door open just before dawn
My sister’s home from the Prom

Chorus

I wonder how this ever happened to be
She was always so sensible, always so free
You don’t suppose these things might happen to me
My sister’s going out dancing tonight
My sister’s going...I guess it’s alright
They’ll kiss in the moonlight and dance on and on
My sister’s going to the Prom

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Spring Cleaning
words & music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal & acoustic guitars
Michael: electric piano & organ
Pete: electric guitar
JT: bass & harmony vocals
Jos: drums
Kevin: percussion
D’earth: trumpets
Bobby: saxophones
Jon: harmony vocals

“Spring cleaning, spring cleaning!” my Dad loudly shouts
“Let’s clean out your closet and throw it all out!”
Spring cleaning, spring cleaning it’s April, I guess
I open the door and I’m buried in mess

Where did it come from where can it go?
Didn’t I do this just one year ago?
Dad says he’ll help me but he’d never know
What stuff should stay and what stuff should go

He laughs when he sees me laid out on the floor
Buried in junk, two feet deep or more
“I just can’t imagine why you keep these things
“You put your decisions off till the spring”

“Dad, don’t you remember when you were a little kid
“All of the things that you treasured and hid?
“In fact, come with me,” and I led him stairs
To the attic and what do you s’pose we found there?

Three broke-down bicycles, twelve tamborines
Thirty complete years of Mad magazine
Bazooka Joe comics, an ashtray I made
An old Boy Scout jacknife with one broken blade
A moth-eaten sweater, six empty cans
An old pocket watch without any hands
A pot of dead aloe, a broke fishing pole
And one leather boot with a hole in the sole

He grinned kind of sheepish and said, “Guess it’s true
“A treasure to me might look like trash to you”
So we filled up the closet and nailed up the door
Went out to play catch, no spring cleaning no more

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Snow in April
words & music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal
Michael: piano
Scott: bass
Jos: drums
D’earth: trumpet

When it snows in April
Everything turns white
Flowers poking through the snow
On a warm and moonlight night

When it snows in April
All the earth’s surprised
The lamb lays down w/the lion
Right before our eyes

Let the stars set early
Let the sun shine strong
All the flowers tremble
If the snow stays too long

Small birds fly for cover
Squirrels hover in the nest
The spring that came to us so early
Takes a midnight rest

Let the stars set early
Let the sun shine strong
All the flowers tremble
If the snow stays too long

When it snows in April
All the earth’s surprised
The lamb lays down w/the lion
Right before our eyes

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Fishin’
words & music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal, hammer dulcimer, 12-string guitar
Michael: electric piano & organ
Pete: lap steel guitar
JT: bass
Jos: drums

Sun in the treetops
Clouds in the sky
The world’s up early
And so am I
Fish in the river
Fly on the line
Cast it on the water
In the spring time
Fly disappears
And my line goes tight
Pulling both ways
With all our might
Have I got you
Or have you got me?
Turn you loose
And we both are free

When the air gets cool
We all come out
Every salmon
Every trout
Rainbow, cutthroat
Brown and brook
Dolly Varden
Steelhead, chinook
From headwaters
Farm and town
Red, white , yellow
Black and brown
Every color
Shape and name
One great river
All the same

Sun in the treetops
Clouds in the sky
The world’s up early
And so am I
Fish in the river
Fly on the line
Cast it on the water
In the spring time
Fly disappears
And my line goes tight
Pulling both ways
With all our might
Have I got you
Or have you got me?
Turn you loose
And we both are free

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Dog’s Life
words & music John McCutcheon & Si Kahn
for Zöe and Obray

John: vocal and guitar
Tim: mandolin and fiddle
Charlie: banjo
Mark: bass
Jon & Moondi: harmony vocals

Chorus

It's a dog's life as the family pet
The more you beg, the more you get
Eat like a horse, sleep like a log
It's a dog's life when you're the family dog

Letter carrier coming up the walk
Think I'll go over and have a little talk
Have you got any mail for me today?
Or are you gonna holler "Get away! Get away!"

Chorus

When we go to the mountains, when we go to the beach
They keep those kids on a mighty short leash
Mom's doggone tired at the end of the day
Just a-trying to keep all those little puppies at bay

Chorus

When they finally go to bed I'm working really hard
Howlin' at the moon and diggin’ up the yard
Dad'll start growling in the middle of the night
But his bark is a whole lot worse than his bite

Chorus

For the kids and the cat and the Pa and Ma
I've got a cold nose and a warm paw
So don't get a gerbil or a hamster or a frog
Get yourself a friend! Get a dog! Get a dog!

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Grounded
words & music by John McCutcheon

John: vocal
Michael: piano
Pete: electric guitar
JT: bass & harmony vocals
Jos: drums
Bobby: saxophone
Jon: harmony vocals

Can't watch any TV, can't listen to the radio
Can't play my computer, can't watch my video
Can't see my friends and my friends can't see me
I'm lonely and I'm blue as I can be (Because...)

Chorus

I'm grounded
Can't have any fun
Can't see anyone
Guess I'll get that homework done
Because I'm grounded
Trapped here in my room
It's quiet as a tomb
I'm grounded

Can't have any special treats, can’t go out and play
It’s brussel sprouts and tofu for three square meals a day
While other kids live lives of ease and I live a life of crime
It’s four grey walls and skateboards on my mind

Chorus

I look out of my window and watch the kids have fun
Thinking ‘bout my future and all I could have done
I guess I've learned my lesson, next time I won't be bad
Or at least I won't get caught by Mom and Dad (And wind up...)

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)

Junk Mail
words & music by John McCutcheon & Si Kahn

John: vocal, guitar and banjo
Andy: tuba
Bobby: clarinet
Jon & JT: harmony vocals

Here comes Pat, the person that
Always brings us something good
Across her back is a great big sack
Of mail for our neighborhood
You're hoping hard for a letter or a card
Something to remind you
Of a friend or relation off on a vacation
But all you ever seem to find

Chorus

Is junk mail
The way to ruin a perfect day
There's more and more spilling on the floor
Just so you can haul it away
Where does it come from? Where can it go?
Everybody hates this stuff
I've just about had enough
Junk mail

Do you have what it takes?
Are you in the sweepstakes?
Can't afford to wait and see
Interrupt your dinner
You may be a winner
Send in $19.95 for free

There goes Mom with her work gloves on
Trying hard to sort the mail
Special sales and catalogs straight into the box
Bills go right into the pail
Flyer after flyer, higher and higher
Now we're really out of luck
Piled on the hall floor, we can't use the front door
'Til someone comes to get it with a truck

Chorus

15 coupons 25 samples
Don't you need another magazine?
Grownups spending all their cash
Generating trash
Don't you think it's time that they came clean?

Here is one solution to all of this pollution
Don't you think it's fair that they should pay?
For mail that causes trouble the postage should be double
Now that would clear the mess up right away
But if there's something real to send to a neighbor or a friend
To say you're where you really want to be
If you're having a good time it'll only cost a dime
And love letters go for free

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Frog on a Log
words & music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal, guitar, fiddle, and banjo
Mark: bass
Jon & JT: harmony vocals

I’m a frog on a log
In the spring, in the spring
I’m a frog on a log in the spring
I’m a frog on a log
Just walking with my dog
I’m a frog on a long in the spring

Chorus

It’s a creature double feature
It’s an animal jamboree
Post-hibernation celebration
It’s a spring jubilee

I’m a rat in a hat
In the spring, in the spring
I’m a rat in a hat in the spring
I’m a rat in a hat
Just playing with my cat
I’m a rat in a hat in the spring

Chorus

I’m a moose on the loose
In the spring, in the spring
I’m a moose on the loose in the spring
I’m a moose on the loose
Just walking with my goose
I’m a moose on the loose in the spring

Chorus

I’m a hen in a pen
In the spring, in the spring
I’m a hen in a pen in the spring
I’m a hen in a pen
Gonna fly just like a wren
I’m a hen in a pen in the spring

Chorus

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Summer Is A-Coming
words & music by John McCutcheon & Si Kahn

John: vocal & guitar
Michael: organ
Pete: electric guitar
JT: bass & harmony vocal
Jos: drums & percussion
Carroll: piano & harmony vocal

Summer’s coming, you can feel it in the air
Put down the top, let the wind blow through your hair
Turn your radio on, crank it up real loud
Show ‘em you’re part of that springtime crowd
Summer is a-coming, summer is a-coming soon

Bees are buzzing making honey all around the hive
When the air gets warm makes you so glad that you’re alive
Gardens are a-growing, leaves are busting out
After last winter makes you jump and shout
Summer is a-coming, summer is a-coming soon

Open up the windows, let the guitars scream
Down at the root beer stand and the Dairy Queen
Meet me in your roller blades out in the street
We’ll be out of school in just six more weeks

Can’t you smell the summertime on the wind?
Aren’t you glad it’s coming back again?
Pull off your sweater, put your bare feet on
Gotta catch the springtime before it’s gone
Summer is a-coming, summer is a-coming soon

©1998 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)