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ONWARD YELLOW TAXICAB - TUNE: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Lyrics by Joan Levin around 1981
This was written after an incident on Castlewood Terrace a tiny, three block long one way street on the north side of Chicago. Famous Chicago author and entertainer Studs Terkel lives there, and one day Dan Rather, one of the best known TV newscasters in Chicago, went to visit him and got into an altercation with the taxi driver (who may have just gotten lost looking for this tiny street).
This story made all the local papers -- as here:
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/11/11/Cab-driver-charged-with-taking-Dan-Rather-for-a-ride/9361342766800/
The second verse is just a knock on city workers. Pam Zekman was a Chicago journalist who wrote many stories going underground to learn first and how city corruption worked. Sauganash is a residential enclave northwest Chicago where city workers could have nice homes and excellent schools while still living in the city, as they were required to do.
Onward Yellow Taxicab,
Here's a one-way trap,
Castlewood is hidden
On your city map.
If you drive Dan Rather,
Don your oldest duds,
For you'll have a free-for-all,
Before you get to Studs' ---
Onward Taxi Driver,
Punch a fare today!
Knock him senseless while your,
Meter ticks away!
You can earn your pay,
Underneath a park bench,
Or in some café.
Grease a little palm, then,
Oil a squeaky wheel --
Pray that Pammy Zekman will not
Join you in your deal!
Onward Civil Servant,
Squirrel away that cash,
So you can retire to,
Sumptious Sauganash.*
Far Northwest Side neighborhood where politicians required to live in Chicago reside.
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Schubert Winterreise Frühlingstraume (Spring Dream)
Winter Nightmare Lyrics Joan Levin © 1979
(also see this in Schubert Winterreise Post)
(also see this in Schubert Winterreise Post)
I dreamed of a city snowplow,
Cleaning the snow from my street.
I dreamed that my driveway was shoveled,
The sidewalks swept clean at my feet;
The sidewalks swept clean at my feet!
The sidewalks swept clean at my feet!
But with the sparrows chirping,
Mel Zellman* said “more snow!”
Mel Zellman* said “more snow!”
And sounds spilled through my window,
From icebound streets below!
From icebound streets below!
The whirring, screeching, churning,
Of cars in need of tow!
Of cars in need of tow!
But down in Florida sunshine,
Who’s toasting his buns on the beach?
Who’s toasting his buns on the beach?
But down in Florida sunshine,
Who’s toasting his buns on the beach?
Who’s toasting his buns on the beach?
Who else could it be but our guv’nor,**
Where Icicles never reach!
Where Icicles never reach!
Where icicles never reach!
I dreamed that Rapid Transit, was cheerily making it’s way,
I dreamed that the buses were running, with never a snag or delay!
With never a snag or delay!
But once again, those sparrows!
I grab my radio!
I grab my radio!
And hear the Shadow Network,
And learn of transit woe!
And learn of transit woe!
And find that nothing’s running,
To where I want to go!
To where I want to go!
But there at RTA,
Who’s saying “we must plan next year?”
Who’s saying “we must plan next year?”
But there at RTA,
Who's saying “we must plan next year?”
Who's saying “we must plan next year?”
Who could it be but Lou Hill!***
Better late than never, my dear!
Better late than never, my dear!
Better late than never my dear!
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