No spoilers here. Just pure nostalgia. Tonight’s episode of “Breaking Bad,” “Ozymandias,” included the song “Take My True Love by the Hand” by the Limeliters.
The Limeliters were my favorite folk music group in the ’60s. I owned every album they recorded. But I hadn’t heard any of their songs for decades. Until tonight. What a delightful surprise to have this song turn up in, of all places, “Breaking Bad.” But then, BB revels in the unexpected and incongruous, doesn’t it? It’s a great recording, not some scratchy old 33 platter. Acoustic instruments, too.
If memory serves, the beautiful solo voice and whistling belong to Glenn Yarbrough. (Lyrics below.)
Here are two more songs:
They also did humor:
_______________________
TAKE MY TRUE LOVE BY THE HAND
Times are gettin’ hard boys,
Money’s gettin’ scarce,
Times don’t get no better boys,
Gonna leave this place.
Take my true love by her hand,
Lead her through the town,
Say goodbye to everyone,
Goodbye to everyone.
Had a job a year ago,
Had a little home,
Now I’ve got no place to go,
guess I’ll have to roam.
Take my true love by her hand,
Lead her through the town,
Say goodbye to everyone,
Goodbye to everyone.
Every wind that blows boys,
Every wind that blows,
Carries me to some new place,
Heaven only knows.
Take my true love by her hand,
Lead her through the town,
Say goodbye to everyone,
Goodbye to everyone.
Times are gettin’ hard boys,
Money’s gettin’ scarce,
Times don’t get no better boys,
Gonna leave this place.
Take my true love by her hand,
Lead her through the town,
Say goodbye to everyone,
Goodbye to everyone.
Take my true love by her hand,
Lead her through the town,
Say goodbye to everyone,
Goodbye to everyone.
Say goodbye to everyone,
Goodbye to everyone.
Was just about to catch up on some of my recordings PT, including last night’s Breaking Bad. Love the Vikki Dougan bit! 😀
Vikki was one of their funniest, but there are some others. And so many sweet, gentle ballads. I was just stunned when their music showed up in BB. I don’t know much about television production, but I’d be interested in knowing who was smart enough (or old enough!) to think of using “Take My True Love.”
The Limeliters are still around, still recording and still touring (this I know for sure, because I am a member of the band)… We haven’t been performing this song in recent years, but now I’m thinking that we should probably bring it back.
Best regards,
Andy Corwin
Andy, I’m dumbfounded and honored that you showed up here. Yes, after Breaking Bad’s bazillion fans heard the song last night, I’m sure it will be in demand.
Andy, do you know if this song is under public domain now, or is there a licensing process in order to use it?
A haunting melody indeed – I think I’m getting a new ear-worm!
Mollie and I are still catching up on BB, savoring each episode. We have 3 in the VCR now, and of course 2 yet to air.
Yarbrough had quite a solo career too, if it’s his voice in particular that appeals to you.
The sad thing about being caught up, as I am, is that there are only two episodes left!! I’m in mourning already for something that isn’t even gone yet.
“Times Are Getting Bad” now resides on my iPod. Can’t wait to see the episode!
Oh, wow, you really liked it! Check out some of the other stuff the Limeliters and Glenn Yarbrough did back then. “Baby the Rain Must Fall” comes to mind … and “Seven Daffodils” (wow, don’t know where that came from. Haven’t thought of that one in … forever)
“Seven Daffodils” (written by the late, great Lee Hays) is one of my favorites too…We spent some time rehearsing it this past weekend & we’re planning to perform it at our next concert, on Sept. 28th, in Phoenix.
Others may have recorded it too, but the Limeliters’ version is the one I know and love.
The Limeliters – Vikki Dougan – Account of a new cleavage. Introduction by Lou Gottlieb.
Hilarious!
So “clean” by today’s standards, yet still funny. There’s a lesson in that.
“Have some Madeira, m’dear”….another great classic by the original Limeliters.
Indeed it was. So much great music from that group. I once knew it all by heart.