Jennings, Waylon - The House Song Lyrics

1965


THE HOUSE SONG:

it began as a song about a house. our house. the house that betty and i had turned into a home. the water softener factory that i bought for $38000 in 1962 and was referred to as "stookey's folly" by Betty's folks...until of course the bargain was legitimatized by discovering the brick nogging (wooden separators between the old bricks) that made up the real walls of the house. the architect, Herbert Lipmann was noticeably excited...we found nogging he said...brick nogging...that means the building is old...quite old...sometime early in the 1800's...i'm doing some research he said...there's even a chance that the building will qualify as an Historic Site...my...my...Providence again...how many times have i become involved in what seemed to be a simple matter of the heart only to discover later some unseen significance ... and what a great neighborhood. it's greenwich village. west village. more serene here than the maelstrom of art and cultural tension that whirls through the coffeehouses of Bleeker and McDougald in these early 60's.

Clifford Odet's 'golden boy lives two doors away...Edna St Vincent Millay lived in the "narrows", the tiny little 20 foot wide house across the street. Bill and Cora Baird and the puppets are around the corner and there's a garage - well actually an alleyway just wide enough for the XKE jaguar that betty and i received for our wedding present from peter, mary, albert and john in 1963. but that was three years ago. it's 1966 and thanks to the persistence of the architect, there's a brass plaque on the front of 70 bedford street that tells passerbys that John Roome a sailmaker and keeper of the debtor prison lived here in the year 1806 and that reference to him may be found in the city records. the english sports car has become a sedan and will soon become a station wagon which will then become a camper but it's late at night now and Elizabeth our first born daughter is asleep on the third floor.

i've just returned from another road trip. pp&m have begun to cut back the performance schedule...down to 180 or so from over 200/year...we've had such great success...overwhelming really...out of proportion actually...seems to be still in excess of not only our efforts but our talents as well. but perhaps i'm the only one who feels that way...peter and mary and i don't talk about the dark underbelly of success almost as if it 'can't happen here'...i've been smoking a lot of dope lately...out of the house but then a lot of my life lately has been out of the house... the tour... the recording... the promotion...

and of course the solo projects...as i fervently seek some individual identity away from pp&m...i mean i thought i knew who i was but now who am i? noel or paul or...

anyway...

i miss my wife terribly...not just because i'm out on the road...oh that too of course...but we're not a couple anymore...we're a family now...and i'm too young - too immature to see that as an opportunity...how absurd...i'm jealous of my own child...such a spoiled child i am...i'm not sure being an only child adequately prepares one to be a father or give instinctively of oneself to a family...in any event i'm not at all sure i want to share betty with anyone...and probably because i'm afraid that no one will be there for me...except of course 'the peter paul and mary fans'...i'm lonely and i'm going through midlife crisis at the age of 30! i don't see evenings as family times...instead i see them as the number of events i must attend without her...not that being with me was any great treat in terms of dealing with the pp&m machine...

"oh...you're paul's wife...i just love them don't you? it must be terrible to have him away on the road so much isn't it? is he as nice at home as he appears on the stage? i mean he's so funny...is he as funny at home? does he do those funny sound effects around the house...do you have any children...really... does she look like him? oh i can't imagine... well...where did you meet...really...(blink)... do you think you could introduce me..."

betty is asleep on the second floor. there's a balcony outside the bedroom door that overlooks the living room. there's a wrought-iron lamp hanging through the open space between the floors and a mood that prevails...

THIS HOUSE GOES ON SALE EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING

AND TAKEN OFF THE MARKET IN THE AFTERNOON

YOU CAN BUY A PIECE OF IT IF YOU WANT TO

IT'S BEEN GOOD TO ME IF IT'S BEEN GOOD FOR YOU

translation:

it is with an anxious nervous personal concern that this information is offered...being vulnerable on this kind of emotional level is new to me and so i am only able to reveal it occasionally and even then feel i must withdraw it shortly after...you can accept any or all of the following 'confession' and to whatever extent it becomes helpful for you it makes the revelation that much less painful for me...

'TAKE THE GRAND LOOK NOW; THE FIRE IS BURNING

IS THAT YOUR REFLECTION ON THE WALL?

I CAN SHOW YOU THIS ROOM AND SOME OTHERS

IF YOU CAME TO LOOK AT THE HOUSE AT ALL

translation:

gather what you can from what you see, this is the passion of creation. have you /will you notice the similarity in our observations. i'm hopeful that we can share many levels of understand ing if, in fact, you are here to learn something beyond just the knowledge that we hold some things in common.

CAREFUL UP THE STAIRS; A FEW ARE MISSING

I HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME TO MAKE REPAIRS

THE FIRST STEP IS THE HARDEST ONE TO MASTER

THE LAST ONE I'M NOT EVEN SURE IS THERE

translation:

there are some leaps of logic here (there always re when passion is involved)...you might call it faith...and i've been so concerned with the evolution of this faith that i've not returned to the earlier steps to repair or clothe them in more understandable terms. the most difficult decision to make is the first one; particularly when the resolution of or the reward for the climb is not known...

THIS ROOM HERE ONCE HAD CHILDISH LAUGHTER

AND I RETURN TO HEAR IT NOW AND AGAIN

I'M CAN'T SAY THAT I'M CERTAIN WHAT YOU'RE AFTER

BUT IN THIS ROOM A PART OF YOU WILL REMAIN

translation:

whereas there was a time and place for me as a child, i visit it occasionally either to recall or to renew and, though i may not know what direction your vision and desire may lead you, i am persuaded that each of us has an innocence of youth that we retain and to which we refer no matter our age.

SECOND FLOOR; THE LADY SLEEPS IN WAITING

'PAST THE LANTERN; TIPTOE IN IT'S GLANCE

IN THIS ROOM THE SOFT BROWN ARMS OF SHADOW

THIS ROOM THE HARDEST ONE TO PASS

translation:

another level; marriage and the comfort of a close relationship...here, but for the thirst to know and the appetite for growth I could easily stay. herein are the temporal loves - at times a web of excuses that (though by no design) - deter some of us temporarily, some forever - from exploring the wordless promise of what we might be - herein are the attentions of the world, the solace of shared lamentations. but I know that just as a people without vision will perish so shall we as individuals if we do not respond to that which calls us...perhaps it can never be denied...only postponed...a blessing on the temporal relationship that encourages the separate spiritual search; for that relationship learns the virtue of both hope and tolerance...and returns to itself renewed strength of spirit.

HOW MUCH WILL YOU PAY TO LIVE IN THE ATTIC?

THE SHAVINGS OFF YOUR MIND ARE THE ONLY RENT

I LEFT SOME 'WOULD' THERE IF YOU THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T

OR IF THE 'SHOULDN'T' THAT YOU'VE BOUGHT HAS BEEN SPENT

translation:


how important is this search for fufillment? the only certain cost is the peeling away of your preconceptions. this song is to be an encouragement to continue your personal search for truth (if you think you can't or if the 'don't follow your heart' advise that you have accepted for so many years has lost its relevence).


https://www.noelpaulstookey.com/tl-1965.html

Love the older country singers. New music is too pop for me.

He's singing about my 150 year old homestead , I guess

they sure missed when this wasn't released as a single

i Like this music

I miss him so very much but grateful I can still listen to his great songs. His voice is one of a kind. There will never be another Waylon.

It was written by Paul Stookey Bannard in 1967. The best version is easily Lee Hazlewood's, which I think he was planning to include in the soundtrack for "A House Safe for Tigers." There is also a terrible version by Scott Walker.

Why would you call him Paul Stookey Bannard when he went by (Noel) Paul Stookey . . . I've never heard of him taking his wife's name!!

What exactly do you find terrible in the SW version. I'm not trolling, just curious, as I've always considered it one of his better C&W turns.

Wish Waylon and few of the old singers were still with us ,

I am a huge Waylon fan and I really like his early work. The way his voice trembles while still coming thru strong. He was so diverse in his work over his career. He didn’t get enough credit early on in Nashville and when he left for bigger and better things,they knew they messed up.

one of my favourites by him. along with the choking kind song..

good song

Thank you so much for this.

Waylon is incredibly talented. Love him to pieces

Waylon is incredibly talented. Love him to pieces

Waylon was a great artist one of the best,he didn't like to show of or brag like a big shot,but when a song called for it he could belt it out like no other.  this song, another  bridge to burn, yes virginia, anita, amanda. and love of the common people are some good examples of that ability. and don't forget his version of the house of the rising sun.  thanks for posting.       BIG AL BOSTON,MA

This was from the Serer Town Georgia L P.  I think it was released it became what was called a business Stiff.  I remember this song well I am in tears as I type this.  You can feel the pain of a shattered life in every note. 

i agree....... i'm a big waylon fan...........................................................................

Check out the unparalleled Scott Walker version. It has so much more "meaning".

It was the B side on the single Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter Paul and Mary.
Fantastic song. I played it more than the A side.

This here is a good one it has that affect time to make that drink

This was on one of Waylon's earlier albums and one of my all time favorite tunes by a great artist! Got me seriously interested in more of his music!
What a great and powerful voice!

Mary, you only have to read what I wrote about the song.

Simply Beautiful!!! can't stop rewinding over & over again, blows my mind xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A wonderful song.

This could have been a number one song had it been released as a single. Its to bad Waylon drifted away from real singing , like most of the other country singers did.

TheJanka51 what do mean he drifted?

TheJanka51 how did he drift away from singing? I'm really curious.....

Chance Howland the outlaw era

You are another one that truly didn't know Waylon and his music for sure because Waylon didn't drift anywhere and just like Nashville you don't and didn't listen...then or now..you are fake news that listens to paid people..

It probably wasn't released as a single because someone thought it wasn't country enough.

What a wonderful song and what a welcome surprise .... hard to find this anywhere.
Fell in love with PP&M's Album 1700 many years ago and The House Song was
one of my favorites along with Great Mandela and Weep for Jaimie.. Love this version and appreciate you uploading it.

This version, as well as the PPM, has a great ambiance. Great song.

I raidoed with him in the 50s out in little field texas on KVOW (like waylon the station is long gone ~~~~~ and it lookes like I am not far behind ) He was a hell of a man with his hair greased down (shows how long ago it was. RIP Waylon !

themost beautiful song i have ever heard! it makes me want to cry.just an amazing singer!

tom jones did this song also, his version is amazing, cant find it anywhere

The late, great Scott Walker also did a fine version of this, during his "lost" years.

Many discount Waylon's early work..it to me was some of the best country music of it's time...great songs sung by one of the best voices that country music (real country music) has ever seen....this song brings back so many memories...mom and dad dancing in the living room with us young'uns watching and giggling...good times...

I love the pics of Waylon uploaded with this song. He really sings it so well! We lost a good one when we lost Waylon.

I normally detest country music and then I am forced to reconsider. This is wonderful.

Love this song!!!

This House goes on sale every Wednesday morning
It's taken off the market in the afternoon
You can buy a part of it..if you want to
It's been good for me; it'll be good for you

Take the grand look now..the fire is burning
Is that your reflection on the wall
I can show you this room.. and some others
If you care to see this house at all

Careful up the stairs; a few are missing
I haven't had the time..to make repairs
The first one..is the hardest one to master
The last one..I'm not really sure is there

This room once rang with childish laughter
I come back to hear it..now and again
I don't know why you're here..or what you're after
But in this room..a part of you remains

Second floor.. a lady slept in waiting
Pass the lantern; tiptoe in it's glance
In the room are soft brown arms of shadows
This room.. is the hardest one to pass

OMG!..I haven't heard this song since I was a kid living at home 30 years ago. Dad had a Country music various artist 8-track (!!) with this song on it. Truly a fabulous musical artist, and legend in American music history. Agree that the early stuff is the best before that Outlaw nonsense took his music in a direction I didn't care for, but followed him still out of loyalty for his early work. Thank you for posting this magnificent piece of work here. R.I.P. Waylon Jennings

This is when Music was Music RIP

I think PP&M recorded this about the time they did The Great Mandala (The Wheel of Life) & from memory the video was a posting from a performance in New Zealand. I hope they re-post it. -- A couple of things I have favourited get thrown off, but someone else re-posts them; so here is hoping!!!!!!

Jeez, I have just been searching for this, by Peter, Paul & Mary. I had it in my favourites, but it got thrown off. Hope it gets put back on soon. Stookey in particular, is a truly great songwriter. - It once was on video of some sort by PP&M.

Noel Paul Stookey also recorded the song on his second solo LP, ONE NIGHT STAND, which I don't think has ever been released on CD. Thanks for posting this, I had no idea anyone had ever covered it. And Jennings does a nice job.

i think this was a B side on a peter paul & mary single. i have been trying to locate it . great memories

This was the Waylon Jennings song that nailed me as a fan. I just wished Anita Carter was in this one---it'd have been a monster hit.

I think its on the "Six strings away" box set cd.

Thanks jim. I just think it's a pity that it's not better known. Why this wasn't released as a single mystifies me to this day.

Thanks loads for loading this song.. Love Waylon singing and this song is a one that shows his ability. Love the older songs he did more than the last ones.
Also, like Emmylou Harris singings, which I have found abundant here. Thanks again.

just discovered this song,, its worth to keep on checking the internet, always new things to find out,, great song !!

My pleasure ricksalt. I just think it's a really great song.