Magic Minstrel Show
 

Hi!

Has anyone heard this song? Was it ever performed live? On paper it looks great, I like the lyrics and I'm a Salute fan even though it seems like the forgotten album for some reason.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Don't know of any song Lightfoot wrote or sang named Magic Minstrel Show. He did a song on "Endless Wire" called 'Songs The Minstrel Sang'. Is this what your talking about? Lyrics below:

It's almost over it's almost done
And you can't put the blame on anyone
It's almost easy and it's almost fun
Did you get caught with your britches on
Hi derry day in the month of May
Was the song the minstrel sang
To the good of Robin Hood
Maid Marion and all the gang

His aim was mean and his shot was clean
And his suit was the shade of evergreen
The folks he knew hadn't naught to fear
When the sheriff was there they were over here

Hi derry doon in the month of June
Was the song the minstrel sung
To the good of Robin Hood's
Good name and a place to run

He loved strong ale and a run down jail
Was the kind of a scene where he never failed
There was no man on the sea or land
Who could get Maid Marion on the trail

Hi derry day in the month of May
Was the song the minstrel sang
To the good of Robin Hood
Maid Marion and all the gang

It's almost over it's almost done
And you can't put the blame on Marion
She almost made it to the friar's gate
But the old wooden bridge wouldn't elevate

Hi derry doon in the month of June
Was the song the minstrel sung
To the good of Robin Hood's
Good name and a place to run

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Nope! Magic Minstrel Show is an out take from Salute, it is discussed on lightfoot.ca.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

From Wayne's site - (to make things easier for everyone I have posted the info below)

http://www.lightfoot.ca/magicmin.htm

*1983*
MAGIC MINSTREL SHOW
Out-take from the Salute sessions.


Magic Minstrel Show

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(D) Maybe I try too (G) hard some(D)times, it's a (A) magic (G) life I (D) live
Maybe I fly too (G) high some(D)times, maybe (A) I've too (G) much to (D) give
(Bm) But for now my darling to the (D) highway I must (A) go
To(D)night I'll paint life's (G) picture in my (A) magic minstrel (D) show
Maybe someday I can relate to all the things that we hold dear
You know I can hardly wait, come and whisper in my ear
And so my darling to myself I shall be true
Painting life's pictures as all magic minstrels do

(D) Will you go for (G)one last (D) stand - yes I (A) will, (G) yes I (D) will
(D) Will you give me (G) one last (D) hand - yes I (A) will, (G) yes I (D) will
(D) Will you keep on (G) going (D) strong - yes I (A) will, (G) yes I (D) will
(D) Going strong the (G) whole night (D) long - yes I (A) will, (G) yes I (D) will
(Bm) Now and forever to our(D)selves we shall be (A) true
(D) Painting life's (G) pictures as all (A) magic minstrels (D) do

Maybe someday I can make you see, when I've left no stone unturned
Any day I may be set free when my lesson has been learned
And so my darling to the highway I must go
Tonight I'll paint life's pictures in my magic minstrel show
Even though I'm crying to myself I shall be true
Painting life's pictures as all magic minstrels do

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Another unreleased song. I for one never heard it.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Yes I have now heard this extreme rarity in a February 1983 concert bootleg
one of those that Wayne failed to get and publish the setlist for
most noticeable and memorable is the fact that the "male chorus" are very prominent singing the "yes I will" refrains
Also performed was a sublime Seven Island Suite, Biscuit City and Salute
I found this old thread whilst hunting for another old thread which i clearly remember listed songs which never to anyone's knowledge had ever been performed live (i think possibly Salute was one of them??) Does anybody remember or is able to refind that thread to check
One has to assume that MMS is in Wayne's extensive collection because he was obviously able to hear it in order to transcribe the lyrics
i will be passing details to at least two keen collectors shortly

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Thanks for reviving this thread. I've been curious about this song ever since I came accross the lyrics on Wayne's site. I really dig those lyrics.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

I have a bootleg copy of this from Massey Hall (late 80's?). It would take some time for me to find it.

When Gordon was introducing the song, he said he was backed up by "the hog choir", meaning his band.

Neat song. Was surprised it didn't make it to an album.

I liked it.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Am I one of those keen collectors? I do qualify for the SHORT-ly part.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

LOL !!

I'm not short but I AM keen!!

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

For those members who are of small stature(myself included),I'd like to pass on this retort:"I'm NOT short;I'm vertically challeged".
patybear

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

ah, but I am not challenged! I have excess gravity.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

You are like a little ball of energy! the challenge is getting you to rest :)

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

I have another memory of this song from Massey.

It was the same night that GL brought out his electric guitar (GASP!) for "Knotty Pine".

When it was time for GL's little rift of electric guitar between chorus's of "Magic Minstrel Show", GL went down on both knees while he did his rift, as a joke. Many people laughed.... I don't think the conservative Massey audience (including me) knew how to take it...

Wish I had my camera that night.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Yes indeed Wes that would have been a great pic to see.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Thanks Wes, for sharing this little tid-bit! Made my morning for sure.

I agree with others in this thread, Salute is definately an under rated album

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

The latter is one of my favorites. I never heard the song that is the thread's opening post.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Hey up JBG!!
Back in June when I saw your comment I took pity on you and sent you a Private message kindly giving you a clue how to hear this great recording that despite your obvious disbelief certainly exists!！
Moreover I took the precaution of asking corfid to let me know if and when it had been read,
But as of today I am told that it is apparently unread.
if you would like me to resend it please respond either by replying here or in a PM to me.
Who knows if you take the trouble to look at your Private Messages you just might find it
there in your inbox all along??
If you had researched thoroughly at http://www.lightfoot.ca you could even read the song's lyrics then singing them to yourself you would have heard it!
Alternatively Char in a previous reply to this thread has already posted the lyrics and the web page they are on

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

I LOVE IT!!

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Excellent song and thanks for pointing it out. How do I get the MP3? If someone could e-mail it to me with the subject line "Gordon Lightfoot Song" I would appreciate it.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

johnfowles, I responded to your email. Thanks so much.

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Johnfowles being as pleasant as always! lol

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

Boy, I just don't get the video at all. I have to say, and I don't want to but: WTF?

Re: Magic Minstrel Show
 

it would have made a good replacement on the album for Tattoo... (runs and hides!)