Shorty Dawkins

[AlanM]

Here's a new song. Will send Kat the MIDI.

When Shorty Dawkins Came To Town
By Alan Milner

There's some news that's going round,
Shorty Dawkins is in town,
Planting trees right in the ground.

If you ask him "Tell me please,
What you doing with those trees",
He will answer "Liberty".

If you ask "What's Liberty?
What's that got to do with trees?"
He just answers "Wait and see".

"When you lose freedom you'll mind,
'Cause it's something of a kind,
Of a thing that's hard to find."

"These are Trees of Liberty.
They are meant to keep you free,
They're a gift to you from me."

"Just a simple thing,
To let freedom ring,
As you wander past,
Think of Liberty that lasts."

Shorty strolled right through the town,
And the kids all gathered round,
For they sensed a Dawkins Tale,

Shorty turned to them and winked,
"It's a tale you want I think,
First I'll have some good brown ale."

After Shorty had his ale,
He sat down to tell his Tale,
And the kids sat patiently.

Shorty looked them in the eye,
Said "I'm here to tell you why,
Freedom's great and that's no lie.

Now I'll tell you 'bout those trees,
It's a Tale that's sure to please,
Told to me by Aunt Louise.

It's a tale she told,
Of some Rebels bold,
Who would choose a tree,
As a sign of Liberty.

Now then, as the story goes,
As most ev'rybody knows,
'Bout some men who dumped some tea.

They were mad about a tax,
And the fact that no one asked,
Them about that tax on tea.

Had a meeting in a pub,
Formed a really neat new club,
Called the Sons of Liberty.

Then the members did agree,
To adopt a special tree,
To proclaim their Liberty.

So one day on a town green,
All the Sons they stood real proud,
And a shot was heard real loud.

They were Patriots,
Who for freedom fought,
The revolt began,
And it spread through-out the land.

That revolt it made us free,
And I think you'll all agree,
That our freedom it is fine.

So let's toe the freedom line,
Yours is yours and mine is mine,
And we'll keep that which we earn.

I won't tell you what to do,
I expect the same from you,
That is what it's all about.

What it takes is some restraint,
It's old fashioned and it's quaint,
But it keeps the tyrants out.

That's my view of Liberty,
You be you, and I'll be me.
Just remember that old tree.

But if you are lax,
They will pass a tax,
And the Patriots
Will dump you into the sea.

(Added Midi. ---Kat)
http://www.soulawakenings.com/WhenShortyCame.mid

[AlanM]

Shorty had a love of Snow, that gentle-falling snow. He used to love to walk out un the woods at those times. This is a song he wrote about it.

A Winter's Snow
by Shorty Dawkins

The snow it is falling,
So quiet and still,
It falls on the branches,
Each bough for to fill.

I watch in amazement,
As each flake falls free,
The beauty of nature,
A joy for to see.

The night it is peacefull,
The temp'rature's mild,
As I watch without shivering
With awe like a child.

My tracks are soon covered,
My presence annulled,
The snow is still falling,
My soul it is lulled.

My cares fall before me,
As I watch and I wait,
I care not what the time is,
It may be quite late.

The peace in the forest,
The beauty around,
I stand and I wonder,
And don't make a sound.

The storm it is ending,
The stars reappear,
It's time to hurry home now,
My time's in arrears.

But I shall remember,
This snow and this night,
The peace and the comfort,
A beautiful sight.

[Pat K]

Very cool.

[Kat Kanning]

Here's the midi for it.

http://www.soulawakenings.com/Winter_Snow.mid

[AlanM]

For those who appreciate Shorty, and all he has done for Liberty and Freedom, you will be happy to know a new website is being developed about The Legend of Shorty Dawkins. The URL is: ShortyDawkins dot com. Hope to have it up and running in a few weeks. Look forward to having you send in your stories about Shorty. 

[AlanM]

Here's a new song. Will send Kat the MIDI.
Some info: The song is by Shorty's sister Edna Mae. Charlie is Edna's husband. Sarah and Zachary are ther children.

A Sister's Lament
by Edna Mae Dawkins

I still recall all the times that we had
The memories lin-ger, the good and bad
Dear Shorty you left us too young, too soon
These flowers I bring you, and sing you this tune.

This sister's love for her brother remains,
Each day brings a mem'ry, and still it pains,
How can I forget you while I still live,
These flowers can never repay what you gave.

You left this world with no child of your own,
No seed to continue by you was sown,
But I will remember to plant a tree,
Each day in your honor, to spread liberty.

Then Charlie, Sarah, and Zachary too,
Will watch as they grow to be tall as you,
Tho' Shorty we called you, you were quite tall,
The leaves and the branches your name they will call.

We keep a jug of your favorite ale,
And tell all the children your freedom tales,
Friends sometimes will gather to sing your songs,
And often the singing will last the night long.

It's time now Shorty to leave you again,
And hide all my sadness, hide all the pain,
My children who loved you, they need me now,
Good-bye little brother, I'll leave you for now.

[Edited to add music.  KD]
http://www.soulawakenings.com/Lament.mid

[AlanM]

Another song from Shorty,

There Is A Place
by Shorty Dawkins

There is a place
I long to be,
A distant place,
That I will see.
Where men can be
What they want to be,
Perhaps some day,
I'll find the way.

But time goes by
Day turns to night
That distant place,
Is far from sight.
Still mothers sigh,
As their ba-bies cry,
Their simple plea,
Let us be free.

They have their rules,
They have their laws,
That only serve,
Their righteous cause.
They say we're free,
That's not free to me,
My simple plea,
Just let me be.

I do my work,
I earn my pay,
The tax man takes,
Too much away.
Two days each week,
Of my work for tax,
How can I save,
I'm just a slave.

When I at last,
My dream do reach,
I'll spread the word,
Others I'll teach,
To find the way,
And we'll all join hands,
We'll make our stand
In freedom's land.


[Adding midi.  KD]
http://www.soulawakenings.com/APlace.mid

[AlanM]

Well, I finally got www.SHORTYDAWKINS.com up and running. It's a little sparse right now, but I will be continually adding to it.

[Russell Kanning]

It looks good

[Kat Kanning]

Cool!

[AlanM]

Thanks Russell and Kat! 

[AlanM]

Here is another song. I'll post the MIDI on shortydawkins.com in a little while.

Edna Mae Teaches Shorty To Shoot
by Edna Mae Dawkins

Little brother it is time for you to learn to shoot a gun.
I'll teach you what you need to learn, and yes it's really fun.
If you can learn to shoot this thing you'll never have to run.
So listen close I'll teach you first the parts to this here gun.

Now this thing here is the handle for to hold it in your hand.
I hope that's not to hard for you to grasp and understand.
Now take the gun into your mitt, that's right, your doing grand.
Don't pay attention to those guys, just tell them to pound sand.

Keep the barrel out in front of you but do not point at me.
Now face the target over their, a standing by that tree.
And line the sights upon the target, aiming carefully.
Keep practising and soon a marksman Shorty you will be.

Oh the next part is the hardest, it's the trigger that you squeeze.
Just think of it as some nice girl that you would like to please.
But not the type of girl who simply gives the boys a tease.
For goodness sake don't shoot the thing your aiming at the trees.

Please remember Shorty all that I have told you up to now.
The handle and the barrel and the squeeze I told you how.
Keep all these things in mind, ignore the sweat upon your brow.
The next time we will load the gun, that's good enough for now..

[Pat K]

Very nice site Alan.

I don't quite remember how this started, but you are making a fine thing of it.


SHORTY LIVES!!!!

[AlanM]

Thanks Pat,
I'm having a lot of fun with it. Humor is a great way of spreading a message, and what better message to spread than Liberty?

[Pat K]

No message that I can think of ,well except FREE BEER.

But then there is no such thing as a free beer.