Musician, Songwriter, Cartoonist, Poet, Author - Shel Silverstein

[luvmysuper]

I am, and always have been a huge fan of the poet Shel Silverstein.



His down to earth, urban style poetry and whimsical attitude to a genre which is all too often filled with stuffy, dry “artistes” is a welcome respite from what people expect when they pick up a book of poems.

A prolific writer, he has authored such great books of poetry as “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and “A Light in the Attic”



He was also a talented cartoonist and released several books on the subject such as “Grab Your Socks” and “Now Here’s My Plan”



What many don’t realize is that even if you are not a fan of poetry, you have probably heard some of Shels work, and enjoyed it, unbeknownst all the time. He was a skilled musician, and played several instruments. He has recorded his own songs and wrote lyrics for many well known tunes. There are literally dozens and dozens but here are just a few and who performed them;

A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash

I Got Stoned And I Missed It – Dr. Hook

The Cover of the Rolling Stone – Dr. Hook

Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball – Dr. Hook

Sylvia's Mother – Dr. Hook

Queen of the Silver Dollar – Dr. Hook

The Unicorn – The Irish Rovers


Here’s “The Winner” as performed by Bobby Bare



Do you know his work?

What are some of your favorites?

[Bertilak]

Wow!

I was never much for his books (never really gave them a chance and I might be depriving myself without knowing it).

But, I absolutely LOVE those Dr. Hook songs!

We keep gettin' richer,
But we can't get our pitcher,
On the cover of the Rolling Stone!

Well, that got it for them!

I saved that issue but somewhere along the line it wandered off. Or maybe I did.

[luvmysuper]

He's got some great poems as well

Prayer of the Selfish Child
By Shel Silverstein

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my toys to break.
So none of the other kids can use ‘em…
Amen.

Wild Strawberries
By Shel Silverstein

Are Wild Strawberries really wild?
Will they scratch an adult, will they snap at a child?
Should you pet them, or let them run free where they roam?
Could they ever relax in a steam-heated home?
Can they be trained to not growl at the guests?
Will a litterbox work or would they leave a mess?
Can we make them a Cowberry, herding the cows,
Or maybe a Muleberry pulling the plows,
Or maybe a Huntberry chasing the grouse,
Or maybe a Watchberry guarding the house,
And though they may curl up at your feet oh so sweetly,
Can you ever feel that you trust them completely?
Or should we make a pet out of something less scary,
Like the Domestic Prune or the Imported Cherry,
Anyhow, you’ve been warned and I will not be blamed
If your Wild Strawberry cannot be tamed.

Arrows
By Shel Silverstein

I shot an arrow toward the sky,
It hit a white cloud floating by.
The cloud fell dying to the shore
I don't shoot arrows anymore.

[ouch]

Older members may recall that for a long time, one of his poems was my sig line:

[luvmysuper]

That's great!

Here's another;

[jansob]

The album Inside Shel Silverstein is a must-have! It's worth hunting for.

[Legion]

One of the things I have a collection of is vintage Playboy magazines from the 50's and 60's (for the articles, I swear!). He was a regular contributor to Playboy in the 60's.

[ouch]

My daughter's favorite poem. When she was five or so, I had to read this to her again and agin until she would laugh herself to sleep.

Chester

Chester came to school and said,

“Durn, I growed another head.”

Teacher said, “It’s time you knowed

The word is ‘grew’ instead of ‘growed’ ”

[Obsessed]

And then there's "The Giving Tree." Am I the only one who just doesn't think that's the world's greatest children's book?

[awolff]

And don't forget that classic "Freakin' at the Freakers' Ball"!

[jazzman]

Emmylou Harris's recording of "Queen of the Silver Dollar" is terrific.

[luvmysuper]

And then there's "The Giving Tree." Am I the only one who just doesn't think that's the world's greatest children's book?

[JoeH]

My favorite is "Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book." http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Shelbys-...p/067121148X#_

I suggest getting it for new parents.

[Tons]

I used to record myself reading Shel Silverstein poems before I would deploy. My wife would play them for my girls at bedtime while I was gone. It was a great way to connect with them even though I was away. My Silverstein books are very worn.

Cheers,

Tons

[luvmysuper]

I used to record myself reading Shel Silverstein poems before I would deploy. My wife would play them for my girls at bedtime while I was gone. It was a great way to connect with them even though I was away. My Silverstein books are very worn.

Cheers,

Tons

Wild!
I used to do the exact same thing with my daughter.
She has grown up to be quite the Shel Fan, like her Dad is!

[beginish]

His posthumously published collection of tongue twisting poems, "Runny Babbit", is fantastic.

[stormpetrel]

Didn't he also write "Boy Named Sue"?

[luvmysuper]

His posthumously published collection of tongue twisting poems, "Runny Babbit", is fantastic.

I'd never heard of it, thanks for the tip.

Didn't he also write "Boy Named Sue"?

Yes sir, he did.