Don McLean - General Store Lyrics

Awesome

more THAN* once

This song borrows heavily from Dylan's 'Ballad of Hollis Brown'.

Yeah I think your right man, def. seems like some kind of commentary spin on it. Great Dylan song btw.!

If you can't understand this song you have been sheltered or you are young. Brutally honest of the time it was written.

J Stearns im a foreigner will you explain pls

Mornin', Mrs. Campbell
Lovely day today
I heard about the fire
I wonder what the papers say
Let's see now:
Give me fifty shotgun shells
And a hundred feet of rope
Just add that to my bill
Says here there ain't no hope
They all were burned alive
And four packs of cigarettes
No, I think I'll make it five
I heard about the wedding
I'm so happy for the bride
Why that fire house looked mighty nice
And the whole town swelled with pride
We've watched her grow to womanhood
She's found an upright man
She'll learn this life ain't easy
You do the best you can
No, no, my family ain't so good
My wife just had a spell
And I can't afford the medicine
She needs to make her well
I've been laid off at that factory
For sixteen months or more
I came home last Wednesday evenin'
I found her lyin' on the floor
Bye now, Mrs. Campbell
Say howdy to your son
You can tell him we'll go huntin'
When he gets a bigger gun
It was too bad about that fire
But don't you get me wrong
We've gotta teach these people
How to stay where they belong
Songwriters: Don Mclean
General Store lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Artist: Don McLean
Album: Tapestry
Released: 1970
Genre: Folk

i still have this album on vinyl, one of my favorites...check out Magdalene Lane, it's the best song on this Fantastic Album

Had not heard this song before. Don was more like Phil than I ever realized.

That Twist though

Anyone know the picking pattern for this?

Magnificent song... !! Poetry al along... !! A song that contains meanings !!

I must have a tab for this.

i agree thats what i took from it

Fuck that Dylan he sold his soul to the Devil, is what you meant to write. Bit strong mate eh? Dylan sold his soul to an imaginary friend and you wrote that about him.......................

I try to concentrate on the music more than the chilling story the lyrics tell, but I can't do it. I think the music and the lyrics are inseparable in this and most of Don's songs that it's hard to appreciate one without the other. He writes such incredible songs that tell stories that I haven't heard anyone else sing about. It's so all about America and yet also about the world.

@emofolkie im sorry I accidentaly deleted your comment from my inbox wise :( But guess youre right it might be on the line between country and folk, knowing the musician McLean id still call it folk though, its part of the clue perhaps that he's playing country style

I've loved this song ever since I first heard it 11 years ago. I agree with dutchbonnet about it being chilling. So subtly done, in that innocent young voice.

The flatpicking guitar technique here is truly magnificent. Don McLean is one of the best acoustic guitar players ever, not many people know that. And of course one of the greatest voices.

I think it refers to the work of the Southern states' old friend the Ku Klux Klan. I think both the narrator and Mrs Campbell know exactly how the fire started – it's something they don't need to talk about. Absolutely chilling. Don McLean is a genius songwriter.

David Gardiner

Not just the southern states, friend, that's a generalization. The Ku Klux Klan was later furthered by the Democratic party, while today we insist on blaming the Republicans for quote unquote racism in society. Frankly, I find it all to be a hypocritical double standard. Then again, what else is new?

Unfortunately, the Klan is a Democrat invention.

(Didn't even see that original comment).

The parties switched platforms in the 50s. Stop lying.

@Gard Bjørnar Østvold Yes, they're just using them now instead of lynching. That's what identity politics is all about, using race, gender, cultures, etc.

In the first verse, the protagonist is buying shotgun shells and 50 feet of rope. That is chilling, as well. The album came out in 1970, and the late '60s were such a tumultuous time in the USA. For instance, Rev Martin Luther King Jr was killed in 1968. Though laws were passed all through the 60s to equalize rights based on race... the certainly didn't erase the animosity. Bless Don McLean for such a beautiful song about such a horrible thing. It's been 50 years since Tapestry was released... sure would be nice if we could progress a little farther down the road of acceptance.

Thanx 4 this. Its my fave album by my fave male singer