Across the alley from the Alamo
Lived a pinto pony and a Navajo
Who sang a sort of Indian Hi-de-ho
To the people passin’ byThe pinto spent his time a-swishin’ flies
And the Navajo watched the lazy skies
And very rarely did they ever rest their eyes
On the people passin’ byOne day, they went a walkin’ along the railroad track
They were swishin’ not a-lookin’ Toot! Toot!, they never came backOh, across the alley from the Alamo
When the summer sun decides to settle low
A fly sings an Indian Hi-de-ho
To the people passing byAcross the alley from the Alamo
Lived a pinto pony and a Navajo
Who used to bake frijoles in cornmeal dough
For the people passing byThey thought that they would make some easy bucks
By washin’ their frijoles in Duz and Lux,
A pair of very conscientious clucks
To the people passin’ byThen they took this cheap vacation, their shoes were polished bright
No, they never heard the whistle, Toot! Toot! they’re clear out of sightOh, across the alley from the Alamo
When the starlight beams its tender glow
The beams go to sleep and then there ain’t no dough
For the people passin’ by
Lovely close-harmony singing to go along with the bluegrass fiddling around. That’s an old Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys number as I recall.
Written by Joe Greene from Spokane, according to Texas Monthly in 1984. Joe said he’d never been to the Alamo, and he wrote the song while he was asleep with a broken arm. I’ll have to try that method. Yields results. It reminds me of a story I heard about a woman with a wooden leg named Irene. I regret that I can’t remember what her other leg’s name was.
9 Responses
Joe Greene did Spokane proud that night.
I love the way the girls (that's what these were called in the forties) sway and bop out of sync. The world before choreography.
I love their outfits. The high waisted jeans, big belt buckles, and low heeled "roper" boots. Don't see that look near downtown Dallas much anymore, but I've always liked it. I have to go all the way outside the loop to places like Mesquite to see girls dressed like that these days. Even there the numbers are declining. I'll be sure to catch them at the state fair in October.
Someone should do something about these girls.
I vote for me.
Hi Casey- It's your turn to look after Spokane now.
Hi Mike- They be cutie pies.
Bilejones- Go ahead. Take one for the team.
Why am I hearing "Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree"?
That tune would fall into the Texas Swing category instead of Bluegrass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI5RtS-UwUc
The Quebe sisters offer a ray of hope in these very dark days we're living through. I saw them play about a year ago in Galax, Virginia. They really are as talented, pretty, and life-affirming as they seem. Don't miss them when they come to your town. They'll restore your faith in the possible goodness of humanity.
Yup, Texas Swing, not Bluegrass – and they're taking their vocal stuff from the Mills Brothers hit, not Bob Wills's.
Lessee, what else….oh yeah, that great rhythm guitar player was also their fiddle teacher, and you oughta hear him fiddle. Joey McKenzie his ownself.
Cool stuff, and thanks.
You might be interested in the following article from Grim's Hall: Continuing Education: Western Swing.