The Washington Squares - Fourth Day of July

Lauren Agnelli, Tom Goodkind, and Bruce Paskow in the 2nd video from their 2nd album Fair and Square. The setting is downtown NYC (the CB1 area where Tom is a member). Tom performs lead on his singature model electric Deering Crossfire longneck banjo, which was also played by Dave Guard of the Kingston Trio on his Up and In album.
The song is a traditional folk song with new lyrics by the Squares. It originates from the anonymous c. 1250 British song "The Cuckoo Song" about the bird most commonly associated with jealously and cuckoldry. When the United States rebelled against England, rebelious Americans replaced the words to many of these well known British songs. One of them became our national anthem.
Writing new lyrics to traditional songs, handed down from generation to generation defines folk music, and the Washington Squares, from Greenwich Village thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this tradition.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Washington
• Squares
• Tom
• Goodkind
• Lauren
• Agnelli
• Bruce
• Paskow
• Folk
• Alternative

[badmuddy]

@badmuddy i have no one else but myself to blame, though...

[badmuddy]

i used to have a band called the big sleap with billy & anthony coleman in the late 70's. he was a great drummer & a REALLY sweet guy. bruce, on the other hand, had a very shady past. we used to play together often (basically writing), & he was an extremely talented & VERY spirited guy. AND, he got me busted because he & a girl he was "collaborating" with were being HEAVILY watched at the time, & "they" tried to use me to get at the girl (the source, so to speak); I was the 1 who paid the price.

[slobomotion]

@AviChick The Furors did a nice version of a song by this title.

[slobomotion]

@MikeB3542 they were wonderful, live

[slobomotion]

@Edhallick As I said in a comment here, Bruce was alone with me a few times and could have gotten sleazy, but I found him to be nice and really dedicated. You could not throw money at me and get me to swear to saying a bad word about him, and I love money! This was a great group. They were fantastic live, it was wonderful. I was there for some of the mixing of the first album at Electric Lady, whoa, what a non-story there! Glad it came out okay!

[slobomotion]

@tallbeachguy I knew Bruce personally, a little, and have not a single bad word to say about him. I was really sorry to hear that he died so young. I remember, one night, I was standing downstairs from Lauren's, getting him a free taxi home, and he said something really nice to me. The mixing of the first album was problematic. I think Tom wanted to squash Lauren, personally. Her voice. But I am glad you have such nice memories of Bruce, I do, too.

[slobomotion]

Uprated and faved! They were great live, I was there at Electric Lady driving them crazy at Lauren's request so her great vocals could be upped for CAN'T STOP THE RAIN, and this is a great video! I love the banjo here. Bruce, RIP. xo from Paris

[stcs1]

are you looking for video of Lay Down your arms? or audio?I have a link to Lauren doing the song on NPR a few years ago

[AviChick]

janiepdoodle, not so far-- any clues?

[janiepdoodle]

@AviChick did you find 'lay down your arms'