A Diller, A Dollar (1955) (continued)

[Robert Fitzke]

The Verse seems to support the notion the author was turning lemons into
lemonade. Laine's version changes "Takes trouble...." to "Always take my
troubles with a great big smile" then "Just 'cause I'm always handy, Always
feelin' fine and dandy, That is...."

Did you get anything about the author?


----- Original Message -----
From: "Wilson Gray" <wilson.gray at RCN.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 7:50 PM
Subject: Re: A Diller, A Dollar (1955) (continued)


> 1910 version of "Shine"
>  >
>  > VERSE
>  > When I was born they christened me plain Samuel Johnson Brown.
>  > But I hadn't grown so very tall, 'fore some folks in this town
>  > Had changed it 'round to "Sambo." I was "Rastus" to a few.
>  > Then "Chocolate Drop" was added by some others that I knew.
>  > And then, to cap the climax, I was strolling down the line
>  > When someone shouted, "Fellas, hey! Come on and pipe the shine!"
>  > But I don't care a bit.
>  > Here's how I figure it:
>  >
>  > CHORUS
>  >
>  > Well, just because my hair is curly,
>  > And just because my teeth is pearly,
>  > Just because I always wears a smile,
>  > Likes to dress up in the latest style.
>  > Just because I'm glad I'm livin',
>  > Takes trouble smilin', never whine.
>  > Just because my color's shady,
>  > Slightly different, maybe.
>  > That is why they call me shine.
>
>
> On Mar 27, 2005, at 3:14 PM, Robert Fitzke wrote:
>
>> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
>> -----------------------
>> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>> Poster:       Robert Fitzke <fitzke at MICHCOM.NET>
>> Subject:      Re: A Diller, A Dollar (1955) (continued)
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> --------
>>
>> Dear Mr. Gray:
>>
>> I'm a 79 year old semi-retired lawyer and long-time ADS lurker. I'm
>> also a
>> long-time collector of jazz  records (since age 12) with something
>> more than
>> 1,000 albums. I recently bought a CD of Frankie Laine hits (he was big
>> in my
>> late teens/early twenties) that includes a cut of "Shine". In
>> listening to
>> it I think I really heard the lyrics for the first time. The thought
>> ocurred
>> that there must be something more behind these lyrics than it appears
>> from a
>> casual listen. Specifically it seems as if the lyricist has taken a
>> collection of derogatory racial comments and turned them into
>> compliments.
>>
>> You seem to have an interest in music and a knowledge of these
>> matters. Do
>> you happen to know anything about the background behind this song or
>> if my
>> impression is on or off target?
>>
>> Will appreciate your comments.
>>
>> Bob Fitzke
>>
>