Lyr Req: The Gooney Bird (Oscar Brand)

Subject: Gooney Bird?
From: GUEST,Whippoorwill
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 02:36 AM

Years ago, I heard a song called "Ode to the Gooney Bird," or something like that, referring to the unkillable C-47, DC-3, or whatever you want to call her. The chorus went:

They patched her up with paper clips, With chewing gum and strings; And still she flies, she never dies, Methusalah with wings.

I can't find it on the database. Anybody know the verses?

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GOONEY BIRD (Oscar Brand)
From: Walter Corey
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 07:53 PM

THE GOONEY BIRD
Oscar Brand

1. In '51 they tried to ground the noble DC-3,
And so some lawyers brought the case before the C.A.B.
So the board examined all the facts behind their great oak portal
And then pronounced these simple words: The Gooney Bird's immortal.

CHORUS: They patch her up with masking tape,
With paper clips and strings
And still she flies; she never dies—
Methuselah with wings.

2. The army toasts their Skytrain now in lousy scotch and soda.
The Tommies raise their tankards high to cheer their old Dakota.
Some claim the C-47's best, or the gallant R4D.
Forget that claim. They're all the same. They're the noble DC-3. CHORUS

3. Douglas built this ship to last, but nobody expected
This crazy heap would fly and fly no matter how they wrecked it.
While nations fall and men retire and jets get obsolete,
The Gooney Bird flies on and on at 11,000 feet. CHORUS

4. No matter what they do to her, the Gooney Bird still flies.
One crippled plane was fitted out with one wing half the size.
She hunched her shoulders, then took off. I know this makes you laugh:
One wing askew and yet she flew, the DC-2-and-a-half. CHORUS

5. She had her faults, but after all, who's perfect in this sphere?
Her heating system was a gem and we loved her for her gear.
Of course her windows leaked a bit when the rain came pouring down.
She'd keep you warm but in a storm it's possible you'd drown. CHORUS

6. Well now she flies the feeder routes and carries mail and freight.
She's just an airborne office or a flying 12-ton crate.
They patch her up with masking tape, with paper clips and strings,
And still she flies, she never dies, Methuselah with wings. CHORUS


From "Folksongs for Fun" - by Oscar Brand - 1961 ^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gooney Bird?
From: MMario
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 07:55 PM

good-oh walter! Well done!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gooney Bird?
From: Whippoorwill
Date: 19 Apr 00 - 09:08 PM

Many thanks, Walter. I've been agonizing over that (in a very small way) since 1963. Appreciate it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Gooney Bird?
From: GUEST,EJ
Date: 20 Apr 00 - 09:54 AM

Reminds me of a song you folks would also probably know. "Teterboro Tower". It was sung by Arthur Godfrey and the lyrics are in a book of American folk songs by Oscar Brand (I think). "Teterboro Tower, this is Piper 202, etc.