So this morning as I was driving over to P.T. to church I was listening to the 60's station on XM radio when the 5th Dimension came on - remember them? I always thought they sang in such perfect harmony. And so I started to sing along with them...Oh Sweet Blindness is the name of the song - but for some reason I had never really heard the words.....first of all, I've been singing "Down by the graveyard, drink my daddy's wine"......when it actually said "down by the grapevine".....but then i listened a little more carefully to ALL the words and you will find them below:
Down by the grapevine
Drink my daddy's wine, get happy
Down by the grapevine
Drink my daddy's wine, get happy
Happy, oh sweet blindness, a little magic
A little kindness, oh sweet blindness
All over me, four leaves on a clover
I'm just a bit of a shade hungover
Come on baby do a slow float
You're a good lookin' riverboat
And ain't that sweet eyed blindness good to me
Down by the grapevine
Drink my daddy's wine, good mornin'
Down by the grapevine
Drink my daddy's wine, good mornin
Mornin', oh sweet blindness
A little magic, a little kindness
Oh sweet blindness all over me
Please don't tell my mother
I'm a saloon and a moonshine lover
Come on baby do a slow float
You're a good lookin' riverboat
And ain't that sweet eyed blindness good to me
(Don't ask me cause I)
Ain't gonna tell you what I've been drinkin'
Ain't gonna tell you what I've been drinkin'
Ain't gonna tell you what I've been drinkin'
Wine, of wonder, wonder (by the way)
Sweet blindness, a little magic
A little kindness oh sweet blindness all over me
Don't let daddy hear it
He don't believe in the gin mill spirit
Come on baby do a slow float
You're a good lookin' riverboat
And ain't that sweet eyed blindness good to me, good to me
And ain't that sweet eyed blindness good to me.
Can you say "intervention needed"? I think mother does need to know that they are saloon and moonshine lovers, don't you? Here are my questions - Was the person hung over when they penned these lyrics? What does it mean to be a good looking riverboat? Why are they drinking in the morning? And what is the gin mill spirit?
And I'm not even going to mention the outfits that are being worn in the video!!!
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8 comments:
"woking on a groovy thing baby...."
If you are a very good girl I will get you one of their outfits for Christmas - only if you are good though ...
Sometimes you have too much fun! Thanks.
my question is what kind of manager gave them that song? Possibly someone into riverboats... Also what is, do a slow float???? Just be glad they didn’t make music video's back then.
Jan,
There is no such thing as having too much FUN!!!
I didn't realize Laura Nyro wrote this and several others that I've "sung along with" so many times. Her lyrics dealt with alcohol and the Lord in so many songs. I don't know what a good lookin riverboat might be, but it probably comes from the black music culture. There sure is southern black music influence there, even from a gal who lived in New England!
This song seems to deal directly with alcoholism - being hung over in the morning is just part of the deal, as does being hung over while penning lyrics. Gin Mill spirit is that part of a drunk's life that becomes their whole social world. The addict's whole world spins for the addiction.
When I look at Nyro's pictures, I see a lost soul staring from desolate eyes. I've often wondered why so many great works of art come from artists who are killing themselves with addictions.
Im really not to sure how to answer the questions,but what is truly unfortunate is that I saw that show live,and remember it well!
Hi Roberta,
What a kick.
I’ve been listening to a station on Sirius that features oldies and heard them too and had some flashbacks myself. The song I heard was “Stone Soul Picnic.” Hmmmmm. Well, it was the 60s, but I got to laughing a bit when I was listening to the lyrics. Must have been the same writer!
They did have a wonderful sound! Wonder where they all are today. Have to google them.
Gin
1) No, but they were the next morning.
2) Just look at the video.
3) Getting ready for their "Stoned Soul Picnic"
4) I only know I ain't got it--Gin, BLEAAAAHH
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