John McCutcheon
Bigger Than Yourself
Grammy Nominated!

Bigger Than Yourself is a collection of fifteen McCutcheon/Kahn originals that deal with pooling ideas and energy, sharing leadership, sticking up for yourself and one another, and sticking together. Kids organize their school to convince a principal of their ideas, figure out how to afford things one can't buy alone, get along with people from different cultures. There's even a song about a babysitter as a replacement worker. It's a ton of fun and, as usual, boasts a world full of musical styles and ideas.

Bigger Than Yourself was released on Labor Day in 1997, and was immediately adopted by the Pittsburgh Public Schools as a teaching tool. The local Labor Council, in honor of that years’ AFL/CIO Convention, made a gift of hundreds of copies of the album to the schools.

The George Meany Center for Labor Education has developed a great study guide for Bigger Than Yourself. It’s geared toward classroom use and takes the album one song, one concept at a time. It’s a great accompaniment to those of you who want to expand upon the ideas presented in this Grammy-nominated collection of songs about fair play, cooperation, collection action, and fun. Check the order form for information. Ask about bulk purchase discounts.

Personnel: John McCutcheon: acoustic & electric guitars, hammer dulcimer, autoharp, piano, percussion, and banjo; Michael Aharon: piano, organ, synthesizer; Pete Kennedy: acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and banjo; Robert "Jos" Jospé: drums; Kevin Davis: percussion; JT Brown: bass & harmony vocals; Bob Read: clarinets, flute, piccolo, and saxophones; John D'earth: trumpets; Andy Kochenour: tuba; Doug Elliott: trombone; John Dawson: saxophone; Peter McCutcheon: percussion; Tim O'Brien: fiddle and mandolin; Bob Dawson: electric guitar, bass, and percussion; Jon Carroll: accordion and harmony vocals; Cheryl Wheeler: harmony vocals; Maura Kennedy: harmony vocals

Formats

Compact Disk: Rounder CD:8044 Cassette: Rounder CS:8044

Produced by John McCutcheon and Bob Dawson
This album was made entirely using union labor
Year Released: 1997

Lyrics

I Got a Dime
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and guitar
Michael: electric piano and organ
Pete: electric guitar
Jos: drums
Kevin: percussion
JT: bass and harmony vocal
Jon: harmony vocal

I got a dime, you got a dime
I know someone with a quarter and she's a friend of mine
Forty-five cents buys an ice cream cone
If we put our coins together we could take it on home
You go to the corner and you put your money down
Take a big lick and you pass it all around
It starts out small, just me and you
If we had a few more people, just think what we could do

I got a dime, you got a dime
I know fifty other kids and they're all friends of mine
Five dollars twenty at a back yard sale
You can buy a boombox that really can wail
It still works great you can listen as a crowd
If you don't use the headphones and you turn it up loud
It starts out small, just me and you
If we got more people just think what we could do

I got a dime, you got a dime
We got the whole darn town and they're all friends of mine
Put those dimes together and you know what we could do?
We can buy another zebra for the county zoo
I know the zoo's got a zebra, but they only got one
If we got another zebra they could really have fun
It starts out small, just me and you
If we all got together just think what we could do

Nickels and dimes
Nickels and dimes
Talking to the whole world
One at a time
Nickels and dimes
Nickels and dimes
Just think what we could do

I got a dime, you got a dime
This world's got 6 billion people and they could be friends of mine
If we all got together and we put our money down
Think what we can do to turn this world around
We can save all the animals, plant a billion trees
Feed all the hungry, clean up all the seas
Make sure everybody has a place to live
Something that they need and something they can give
Build a million playgrounds, build a billion homes
If there's something left
We'll have another ice cream cone
It starts out small, just me and you
If we all got together just think what we could do

Nickels and dimes
Nickels and dimes
Talking to the whole world
One at a time
Nickels and dimes
Nickels and dimes
Think what we could do

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

The Principle
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and guitar
Bobby: clarinet
Pete: mandolin
Jos: drums
JT: bass

We wanted to have us a school fair
The kind that they have almost anywhere
I was elected to talk to the principal
To see what she would say
"That's a fine idea, but please understand
"It takes experience and people and a good plan
"I just don't see how we can manage now
"Thanks for visiting have a nice day"

I went back to the class and I let 'em know
That the principal had quite politely told us no
So Jesse and I gave it one more try
And decided we'd go see her as a pair
When we got to the office she said, "Fine
"I'll meet with each of you, one at a time"
I looked at Jesse with a grin, he looked at me I looked at him
And then together we decided what was fair

Chorus

We said, "Thank you, no
"We don't think so
"We came here together as a team"
And what one can't do
We'll try as two
Then we're not quite as lonely as we seem

Well, she still said no and when we got back
The whole class decided on a different track
We talked to all the rooms and grade, all the teachers and the aides
All the cooks and janitors were on our side
So when the whole school gathered on the front lawn
And the principal saw what was going on
She said, "I will agree to meet a group of three
"To discuss this matter, now, please, come inside

We said, "Thank you, no
"We don't think so
"We came here together as a team"
And what one can't do
We'll try as two
And when two can't score
We'll try again with more
Then we're not quite as lonely as we seem

Then she said, "Oh, oh
"I just didn't know
"We'll have the best school fair you've ever seen!"
And what one can't do
We'll try as two
And when two can't score
We'll try again with more
And if we all act as one
You'd be surprised what can be done
Then we're not quite as lonely as we see

©1993 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Whatchagonnabe?
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal, guitars, and banjo
Pete: electric guitar
Michael: organ
Jos: drums
JT: bass and harmony vocals
Jon: accordion and harmony vocals

Who will make the hot dogs?
Who will change the sheets?
Who will pick the trash up
Who will clean the streets?
Who will sort the postcards?
Who will drive the trains?
Who will run computers?
Who will fly the planes?

Chorus

Whatchagonna be when you grow up?
Tell me whatcha gonna be
Whatchagonnabe when you grow up?
I can hardly wait to see

Who will bag the groceries?
Who will build the cars?
Who will teach the children?
Who will chart the stars?
Who will paint the houses?
Who will fix the light?
Who will throw the baseballs?
Who's gonna watch all night?

Chorus

Who will take the temperatures?
Who will build the roads?
Who will put the fires out?
Who will haul the loads?
Who will make the T-shirts?
Who will mine the coal?
Who will make the movies?
Who's gonna rock and roll?

Chorus

©1993 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Write It Down
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and guitar
Pete: mandolin
JT: bass and harmony vocals
Jon: harmony vocals
Tim: mandolin and fiddle

Daddy says its eight o'clock
Grandma says it's seven
Sister says ten thirty
Me, I say eleven
We all agreed that I should have a bedtime
We all discussed the time that it should be
Now everyone remembers something different
And no one has it right but me

Chorus:

Write it down so we'll know
The rules we have to live by
Write it down so we'll remember
What is was we said
I believe we really need to
Summarize what we've agreed to
Pass that paper 'round
Now that we've agreed
Let's write it down

Now Mama says it's just a dollar
I remember two
Dad forgot it altogether
What are we gonna do?
We all agreed I need my own allowance
For doing chores and shopping at the store
We all sat down and made a good decision
Now no one can recall it anymore

Chorus

Bridge:

Readin', writin', 'rithmatic
We put it all together
Talkin', listenin', thinkin'
Till we finally reached the end
Anytime you need it
Just pick it up and read it
We've come so far there ain't no point
In doing it all again

Now, Mom says when I learn to drive
But that's eight years away
Dad says when I'm in high school
But I feel grown today!
"When you're a little older", man, I hear it everyday
And no one knows exactly what they mean
No matter what I do I'm just a little bit away
If I weren't so darned grown-up I'd just scream

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Someone Else Decide
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and guitars
Michael: piano and electric piano
Pete: electric guitar
Jos: drums
Kevin: percussion
JT: bass and harmony vocals
Jon: harmony vocals

"I am right!" "You are wrong!" "No, I'm not!" "Yes, you are!"
Dad and I just couldn't agree
Though we'd written we down we went round and around
I was getting mad and so was he
"It means this!" "It means that!" "Are you nuts?" "Same to you!"
We could see things were going down fast
So we talked to my mother and Stewart, my brother,
Who had a good solution at last

Chorus:

When your argument goes bust
Find someone you both trust
Let 'em listen to each side
Then let that someone else decide
Let that someone else decide

"This is mine" "No, it's not!" "Yes it is! I've got proof!"
Still her proof was in serious doubt
Before we came to blows both of us chose
To ask Susan to figure it out

Chorus

Bridge:

You may be smart, you may be grown
Figure out everything on your own
But even the best friends disagree
Sometimes it takes another pair of eyes to see

"That's our land!" "No, it's ours! You must leave!" "This means war!"
Sometimes arguments get overgrown
All your muscle and might doesn't prove you are right
Some things can't be decided alone

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Friendship
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal, guitars, and hammer dulcimer
Cheryl: second lead and harmony vocal
Michael: electric piano and organ
Pete: electric guitar
Jos: drums
Kevin: percussion
JT: bass

I listen to the words you say
That I can hardly understand
Your family came from far away
You are a stranger in this land
But then I watch the way you draw
With all the colors of the skies
I wish that I could see the world
As it's reflected in your eyes

I can't do what you can do
But I can be a friend to you
You can't be what I might be
But you can be a friend to me

I play you music that I love
It must sound strange and loud and wild
You show me pictures of your home
I know you miss it by your smile
Today at lunch you asked to trade
My ice cream chilled you to the bone
I try the food your father made
Tastes like the pictures of your home

I can't do what you can do
But I can be a friend to you
You can't be what I might be
But you can be a friend to me

I show you pictures of this land
Where tractors gather all our wheat
You talk of harvesting by hand
And in the end we both still eat
The children play with sticks and balls
And pray each day will last forever
Until at dusk each mother calls
And we all bow our heads together

I can't do what you can do
But I can be a friend to you
You can't be what I might be
But you can be a friend to me
As we grow closer over time
True friendship crosses every line

Your face the color of the earth
While mine is light like desert sand
But for an accident of birth
We all are strangers in this land
And if we look with eyes that fear
Then we'll forever stand apart
But if you're close enough to hear
Then you've a home here in my heart

I can't do what you can do
But I can be a friend to you
You can't be what I might be
But you can be a friend to me
As we grow closer over time
True friendship crosses every line

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Play Fair
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal
Michael: organ
Pete: electric guitar
Jos: drums
Bobby: saxophone
JT: bass and harmony vocal
Jon: harmony vocal

I don't like it when you do that
I don't like it when you call me that name
I'm not saying we're not friends any more
But if we're gonna be friends, you're gonna have to learn to...

Chorus

Play fair
You got to do the right thing
Play fair
You got to show me you care
Walk that walk
You got to talk that talk
Play fair

I don't like it when you cheat me
I don't like it when you treat me that way
I'm not saying I won't play any more
But if you want to have fun, you're gonna have to learn to...

Chorus

Fair gives everyone a chance to play the game
Fair treats everybody just the same

I really like it when you do that
I really like the way you say my name
I'm not saying this will go on forever
But it's easy to be friends with someone who knows how to...

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Kids on Strike
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal
Michael: piano
Pete: banjo
Bobby: saxophones
John Dawson: saxophone
D'earth: trumpets
Doug: trombone
Andy: tuba
Jos: snare drum
Peter: cymbals
JT & Jon: harmony vocals

We don't get paid for being kids
Beg and scrape for every lousy dime
Though we've got important jobs
Working overtime
No one could ever be a parent
If we didn't do the work we children do
But it really isn't fair we only want our share
The situation is a crime

Chorus

That's why we kids are out on strike
That's why we've organized
And we won't go back to ever being kids again
Until we're recognized

How'd we ever get so brave and bold
Knowing exactly what it is that we should do?
We had the best teachers anyone could ever have
Yes, we learned it all from you!
Little sister's staging a sit-down
It's the best she could do 'cause she can barely crawl
Out in from we've got some signs and a tiny picket line
And Mike & Charlie put up posters on the wall

Chorus

Speaking for our generation
We think it wise you consider our demands
You're only in control for just a little while
then you leave things in our hands
So give us a head start at doing well
Take good care of all your parents gave to you
Every little thing you do one day comes back to you
Even a child could understand

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Still the Ones for Me
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and piano

I really think it is all right
When Mom and Dad go out at night
They hardly ever do it
And they never stay for long
So when the weekend rolls around
And they go out on the town
I really think it helps them get along
When I hear that front door knock
And Mom looks at the clock
I know just what is waiting there for me

Chorus

You can hire a replacement
But (s)he just can't take your place
No one else can tuck me in just right
Or help me wash my face
(S)he may feed me milk and cookies
But it's awful plain to see
You can hire a replacement
But you're till the ones for me

Now she has been here once or twice
And she certainly seems nice
But it's obvious she's never been a Mom
Though she let's me stay up late
Next morning I don't feel so great
And the house looks like somebody dropped a bomb
And Dad says they always pay
Every time they go away
Now I'm cleaning up when I should watch TV

Chorus

And even when someone is right
I know it's only for the night
I think this should be clearly understood
That I'm with you and you're with me
And we are a family
Others come and go but we're in this for good
So go have your fun tonight
But in the morning light
Yours are the faces that I want to see

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Stick Together
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and electric guitar
Pete: electric guitar
Michael: piano and organ
Jos: drums
Kevin: congas
JT: bass and harmony vocal
Jon: harmony vocal
Bobby: saxophones
D'earth: trumpets

Together is better
Than being alone
You and me, my friend
The whole day long
You look out for me
I look out for you
When we stick together
We both are strong

Chorus:

Wouldn't you like to know
That there'll always be someone beside you?
Wouldn't you like to know
That you'll never be alone again?
When we stick together
When we stick together
When we stick together
No one's alone

Look over your shoulder
I'll be right behind you
If you look to the left or to the right
I'm by your side
When you call
I'm the one who answers
I am here for the journey
I'm not just for the ride

Bridge:

We're gonna stick like glue
Gonna stick like gum to the sole of your shoe
Gonna stick like paste
This is the kind of friendship that can never be erased
You look ahead or you look behind
And I'm the one you'll find
No matter how stormy the weather
We'll make it through if we stick together

©1993 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Sing Me
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal
Michael: piano and organ
Pete: electric guitar
Jos: drums
JT: bass

The history of working people in this world is filled with people of great courage, intelligence and heart...if we could only hear about them. Most are never mentioned in school history books. That's why we have to tell them...sing them...to one another over and over again.

Joe Hill (1879-1915) was a Swedish immigrant to America named Joseph Hillstrom. He was a songwriter and organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The IWW believed that every worker should belong to the same One Big Union. His music is loved and sung around the world.

Mary Harris Jones (1830-1930) was affectionately known as "Mother Jones" throughout the world. An Irish immigrant to America, she worked tirelessly for working people, especially miners and children. Her grave, in Springfield, IL, is still tended today by grateful workers.

Cesar Chavez (1927-1993 ) was the founder and president of the United Farm Workers (UFW), the union that represented migrant laborers in the agriculture field. A Chicano, Cesar was a moral force in the labor movement, championing immigrants of all races and inspiring people throughout the world with his doctrine of nonviolence.

John L. Lewis (1880-1969 ) was the fiery leader of the United Mine Workers. With his fearless personality and bushy eyebrows he was a bigger-than-life force in America during his lifetime. Go into any coal camp in, say, eastern Kentucky and in every home you'll find three pictures over the sofa: Jesus, Franklin Roosevelt, and John L. Lewis.

Tell 'bout the ones who walked on the line
The ones who stood out from the crowd
Who lifted their heads, who lifted their eyes
Who lifted their voice clear and loud

Chorus

Sing me one more 'cause I'm not tired yet
Don't leave one note out that's true
Tell me again, I don't want to forget
Sing me what they sang to you
Sing so I'll know what to do

Tell 'bout the ones who stood and said "No"
When everyone else answered "Yes"
The ones who played fair and demanded their share
When everyone settled for less

Chorus

Joe Hill, Mother Jones, Cesar Chavez, John L.
And the millions we don't know by name
Those in the past and those still standing fast
And those coming who'll carry the flame

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Friends Don't Let Friends
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and acoustic & electric guitars
Michael: organ
Pete: electric guitar
Jos: drums
Kevin: congas
JT: bass and harmony vocal
Jon: harmony vocal
Bobby: saxophone

Friends don't let friends miss out on a party
Friends don't let friends out of games that you play
Friends don't let friends down
Friends don't let friends down
Friends don't let friends alone in the dark
Friends don't let friends go astray

Chorus

Stand up for one another
That's where your true friends are found
Talking 'bout more than your sister or your brother
Stand up you're on solid ground
When friends don't let friends down

...eat lunch by themselves
...take more than their share
Friends don't let friends down (2x)
...pick on those smaller
...not play fair

Bridge

Sometimes you got to stand up all own your own
Just to find you're not so alone
Stand up on your own two feet
March to the tune of a different beat

...out of secret
...take on a bully alone
Friends don't let friends down (2x)
...talk mean about other friends
...not feel at home

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Running for President
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal, guitar, and autoharp
Tim: mandolin
Michael: synthesizer
JT: bass and harmony vocal
Jon: harmony vocal
Cheryl: harmony vocal

I'm running for president
Won't you come with me?
If there's only one president
It's either he or she
But if we had two presidents
How much better that would be
I'm running for president
Won't you run with me?

We're running for president
Will you come along?
For even with two presidents
Both still could be wrong
But if we had three presidents
We could harmonize this song
We're running for president
Won't you come along?

We're running for president
Will you make it four?
Even with three presidents
We can always use more
No assistants or vices
With titles galore
We'll be know as presidents
One, two, three, and four

No one gets to gloat
And no one gets sore
It's simple arithmetic
Just add one more
More seats at the table
More room at the inn
One person, one vote
Let the party begin

We're running for president
A twelve-person slate
Life's so much more fun
When there's more on the plate
We've got loads of ideas
An plans to compare
We're running for president
Would you like to share?

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Safe at Home
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and guitar

My whole body's aching
There's blood on my knee
I tripped on a nail
That I didn't see
There's a bump on my pride
And a lump on my head
The whole family's gathered
To see I'm not dead

Chorus

I don't want excuses
I don't want your pity
What this family needs
Is a safety committee
It's something we need
I can't do it alone
In this dangerous world
A boy or a girl
At least should expect
To be safe at home

I hear at Mom's office
And down in Dad's plant
There's things that you can do
And others you can't
Rules to protect you
And help you feel safe
That's what I'm saying
We need in this place

Chorus

My whole body's trembling
'Cause there on my knee
Is some grown-up's hand
Where a hand shouldn't be
I jumped to my feet
And I ran to the door
Right past where that nail
Used to be in the floor

Chorus

Coda:

It's really not fair
I should wait till I'm grown
In this dangerous world
A boy or a girl
At least should expect
To be safe at home

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)

Bigger Than Yourself
words and music by John McCutcheon and Si Kahn

John: vocal and guitars
Michael: piano and organ
Pete: electric guitar
Bob: electric guitar and bass
Jos: drums
JT: bass and harmony vocals
Jon: harmony vocals
Cheryl: harmony vocals

One night when I was sleeping
I dreamed I sailed upon the sea
A lot of kids I know from school
Were on that ship with me
When the wind began to howl
The waves began to pound
I got so scared, that ship was spinning
'Round and up and down
Then I looked back and saw the faces
Of the friends I knew so well
It's so much better to be here with them
Than out there by myself

Chorus

Everybody needs
Something bigger than themselves
We need to belong
To something bigger, bigger than ourselves

For we are all just sailors
On the sea and on the land
Every one of us sometimes
Will need a helping hand
Sometimes it takes a lot of friends
To help us get along
To back us up when we are right
And even when we're wrong
For one can only do so much
But lots of us can be
A steady ship that carries us
Across an angry sea

Chorus

©1997 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP) & Si Kahn/Joe Hill Music (ASCAP)