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When I See An Elephant Fly (Wallace​/​Washington)

from The Last Shot Got Him by Scott Ainslie

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about

Tom Chapin showed me much of this guitar arrangement years ago. I blues-ified it a bit, knowing the racist portrayals of the crow characters in Dumbo, I struggled to rehabilitate this tune without the racist overlay. There is a playful aspect to it, that, removed from the racist production of the cartoon movie, can stand on its own. I hope.

lyrics

When I See An Elephant Fly (Oliver Wallace/Ned Washington)

I’ve seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
seen a needle that winked its eye
But I do believe I will have seen ev’rything
When I see a elephant fly.

I’ve seen a front porch swing, and heard a diamond ring
seen a polka-dot railroad tie.
But I do believe I will have seen ev’rything
When I see a elephant fly.

BRIDGE:
I’ve seen a clothes horse rear up and buck.
They tell me that a man had a vegetable truck.
I didn’t see that, I only heard.
But just to be sociable, I’ll take their word.

The other day by chance, I saw an old barn dance
So, I’m a gullible kind o’ guy.
But I do believe I will have seen ev’rything
When I see an elephant fly.

BRIDGE:
I’ve even heard a chocolate drop
went into a store, saw a bicycle shop
You can’t deny the things you see
But I know there’s certain things that just can’t be.

I’ve seen a garden walk, and a banana stalk
And a pig with an awful sty.
But I do believe I will have seen everything
When I see an elephant
When I see an elephant
When I see an elephant
Fly…

credits

from The Last Shot Got Him, track released September 22, 2014

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Scott Ainslie Brattleboro, Vermont

A long history with older black blues and gospel players in the mid-South marks Ainslie's work deeply. He transcribed all of Robert Johnson's recorded songs for "Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads" (Hal Leonard, 1992) and has a teaching DVD on Johnson's music. A fine songwriter with a social conscience and a belief in the power of music to move and inspire, Ainslie's voice is a great force for good! ... more

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