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Country Joe and the Fish — Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine
Album: Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Avg rating:
5.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 341









Released: 0
Length: 4:18
Plays (last 30 days): 2
She hides in an attic concealed on a shelf
Behind volumes of literature based on herself
And runs across the pages like some tiny elf
Knowing that it's hard to find
Stuff way back in her mind,
Winds up spending all of her time
Trying to memorize every line

Sweet Lorraine, ah, sweet Lorraine.
Sweet lady of death wants me to die
So she can come sit by my bedside and sigh
And wipe away the tears from all my friends eyes
Then softly she will explain
Just exactly who was to blame
For causing me to go insane
And finally blow out my brain,
Sweet Lorraine, ah, sweet Lorraine.

Well you know that it's a shame and a pity
You were raised up in the city
And you never learned nothing 'bout country ways,
Ah, 'bout country ways.

The joy of life she dresses in black
With celestial secrets engraved in her back
And her face keeps flashing that she's got the knack,
But you know when you look into her eyes
All she's learned she's had to memorize
And the only way you'll ever get her high
Is to let her do her thing and then watch you die,
Sweet Lorraine, ah, sweet Lorraine.

Now she's the one who gives us all those magical things
And reads us stories out of the I Ching,
Then she passes out a whole new basket of rings
That when you put on your hand
Makes you one of the Angel Band
And gives you the power to be a man,
But what it does for her you never quite understand
Sweet Lorraine, ah, sweet Lorraine.

Well you know that it's a shame and a pity
You were raised up in the city
And you never learned nothing 'bout country ways,
Oh 'bout country ways, oh 'bout country ways,
Yeah, about country ways, oh, country ways ...
Comments (66)add comment
I’m with you on Country Joe and the Fish
 freemusic wrote:
At least "Sweet Lorraine" was more of a "normal" song.   For a truly strange anthem, try their protest song that has, "1, 2, 3, what are we fighting for??",   This happened to be the theme song for "a highly respected" unit of the USMC that eventually had a "mini-mutiny".
 {#Iamwithstupid}   {#War}
It seems so strange now how respect for those who served has changed.  Despite the fact most were against the war back then, we used to pay more for a beer, and if you were hitchhiking with short hair, they'd throw the empty cans at you,  
{#Beat}

But, today, it seems REALLY strange to hear, "Oh, you 'served' then?  Thanks so much for your service". 
{#Notworthy}   

Who, me?  Like generations before, we served because were were there at that time, and not by choice.  We didn't deserve the ridicule then, and not so sure we deserve the admiration now.  Both seem extreme.  

Well said 
 greg4067 wrote:
More from this album... Bass strings will do nicely!

…..or Eastern Jam from Fixin to Die
First time I have heard Country Joe on RP. Thought maybe Bill (sorry William) had an aversion to them. 
Wonderful. More please.

1967 was one of the best music years ever. Does take me back to those great days. Saw them at Royal Albert Hall in 69 I think it was. 

The great John Peel once said on his Perfumed Garden program that he couldn’t decide whether Barry Melton or David Cohen was his favour guitarist!
I can never forget becoming aware of the whole "hippie" thing in a big way... I was on an old school bus, on the way to a Summer Camp for kids, run by a former NFL baller, and the older kids who would be our guides, chaperones, coaches, Life Guards at the pool, etc. were all singing some wild song. I ask, "What are you guys singing?" and this really cool dude, long hair, blue eyes, Beatles T-shirt stops singing for a moment and tells me, "Country Joe and The Fish... Don't know it, right? It's a little before your time, but...NOW's the time, eh?! Sing along, why not!" and smiles a mile wide. I smelled reefer smoke, too -- I knew what that was because Susie the next door neighbor and baby-sitter smoked it all the time -- and then he and the gal next to him started giggling. AND SO AGAIN WE SEE...  MUSIC CAUSING BIG TROUBLE...
Haven't heard this for decades.
Compression?  What compression?
At least "Sweet Lorraine" was more of a "normal" song.   For a truly strange anthem, try their protest song that has, "1, 2, 3, what are we fighting for??",   This happened to be the theme song for "a highly respected" unit of the USMC that eventually had a "mini-mutiny".
 {#Iamwithstupid}   {#War}
It seems so strange now how respect for those who served has changed.  Despite the fact most were against the war back then, we used to pay more for a beer, and if you were hitchhiking with short hair, they'd throw the empty cans at you,  
{#Beat}

But, today, it seems REALLY strange to hear, "Oh, you 'served' then?  Thanks so much for your service". 
{#Notworthy}   

Who, me?  Like generations before, we served because were were there at that time, and not by choice.  We didn't deserve the ridicule then, and not so sure we deserve the admiration now.  Both seem extreme.  
Sounds not unlike some of the hippy dippy stuff coming out of England around the same time frame.
How much dust was on this LP when you digitized it?!  --+-- big grin --+--
woah.This is archeology!
 Gregorama wrote:
I remember this song from the old days, 40+ years ago. I didn't like it then and still don't care for it now. 
 
Faux Hippy.  It was easy in Austin.  You had to be MUCH harder core to survive in The Montrose.
 Byronape wrote:
There is no way this song isn't cooler with your herb of choice.  Without it, it leaves a little to be desired. 

 

philbertr wrote:

What songs, or music of ANY kind, does that not apply to?
 
..cumin-!..
 funkyalfonso wrote:

It makes one wonder how many draft cards were burnt as a result of their music.
 
As a CANADIAN that must have really bothered you !!!
Thumbs Up.......{#Cool}
 WonderLizard wrote:
Country Joe—named for Joe Stalin by apparently misguided Commie 'rents—was the real deal. One of the great hippie-dippy bands replete with free love, equal reverence for Woody Guthrie and Muddy Waters, and a healthy disdain for authority. "Gimme an F..."
 
It makes one wonder how many draft cards were burnt as a result of their music.
 TerryS wrote:
Hieronymus Bosch foresaw  this by a few centuries

 
HAAAA !!!  Thanks for the chuckle this morning.
I remember this song from the old days, 40+ years ago. I didn't like it then and still don't care for it now. 
More from this album... Bass strings will do nicely!
Whew! Thought I just imagined this song back in the '60s.
 Byronape wrote:
There is no way this song isn't cooler with your herb of choice.  Without it, it leaves a little to be desired. 
 
What songs, or music of ANY kind, does that not apply to?
Hieronymus Bosch foresaw  this by a few centuries


Haven't heard this in a LONG time.
Ahhhh, high school in the '60s in San Francisco!!!  Awesome times...you shoulda been there!
Back when stereo was high tech.
The bass player makes this song work.. ;)
There is no way this song isn't cooler with your herb of choice.  Without it, it leaves a little to be desired. 
 iTuner wrote:

I wonder how this song would have been rated if it wasn't so awful.
 

DING!  {#Yes}
Country Joe—named for Joe Stalin by apparently misguided Commie 'rents—was the real deal. One of the great hippie-dippy bands replete with free love, equal reverence for Woody Guthrie and Muddy Waters, and a healthy disdain for authority. "Gimme an F..."
 Typesbad wrote:
Gotta wonder how much higher this song would have rated if it hadn't been so awfully mixed.
 
I wonder how this song would have been rated if it wasn't so awful.
More from this album!!!  especially Bass Strings... ahh the memories!

 Gregorama wrote:
Where'd I leave my Nehru jacket and love beads?? This was almost from the days of the four-tracks!

 
When I was in high school, I had a Nehru shirt.  I thought it looked cool, but at a concert in the park, I almost got beat up until an
older school mate stepped in and stopped his "friend" from assaulting me.  That's the last time I chased the fashions.
Now it's jeans and a T-shirt, even if it's not high fashion!

ಠ_ಠ

Still love this song....

This little ditty always brings a smile to my face.

Love it !

Nice to see stuff that brought me here nearly 10 years ago being dusted off and played again.
WOW!  A blast from the past!  This is one of their better tunes.  I was there, stone sober, and I thought it was good then{#Clap}

I'm tempted to dispute the silly notion that the current era is remotely comparable to the Age of Aquarius, in any respect, but where would I start?  {#Biggrin}


Jeronimus_Funk wrote:
Great stuff! Wish I was there, at least you were born at a right time! I live in a thin time with not much to be proud of, also in music.
i think we are in a time just as decisive as the 60's. the 60's had a lot of things going on bad an good, not always to be proud of. maybe we should be proud to be here now and just do our best to change things that need changing like the children of the 60's. wishing gets you no where. i agree the 60's were cool though.
yesss!!!! now you guys got it going, Quicksilver Messenger and this what next, some David Peel and the Lower East Side mmmmaybe??
Where'd I leave my Nehru jacket and love beads?? This was almost from the days of the four-tracks!
Knot_Head wrote:
Those of us that were there don't really know if they sounded good or not. At that time everybody sounded good, unless you got hold of some really bad stuff. ;)
Instant headache
Such a completely smart-ass band! But that was half the fun of them......and frankly, the girl sounds like several folks I've come to know here in LA.
YESSSSS!!!!! Give me an "F", gimme a.......... I miss thes guys.
Gotta wonder how much higher this song would have rated if it hadn\'t been so awfully mixed.
Originally Posted by Jeronimus_Funk: Great stuff! Wish I was there, at least you were born at a right time! I live in a thin time with not much to be proud of, also in music.
Those of us that were there don't really know if they sounded good or not. At that time everybody sounded good, unless you got hold of some really bad stuff. ;)
gimme an "F" - gimme a "U" :D
Originally Posted by Jeronimus_Funk: Great stuff! Wish I was there, at least you were born at a right time! I live in a thin time with not much to be proud of, also in music.
Funny - I was just thinking I would like to be at the Melkweg or Vondel Park enjoying the sights and sounds of Amsterdam. Take Care Spliff
Originally Posted by Spliff: I swear you are stealing from my record collection. I have never heard this on radio since 1968. KMET. Saw them at Earl Warren in SB with Faternity of Man & The Doors. Thanks For This One!
Great stuff! Wish I was there, at least you were born at a right time! I live in a thin time with not much to be proud of, also in music.
I swear you are stealing from my record collection. I have never heard this on radio since 1968. KMET. Saw them at Earl Warren in SB with Faternity of Man & The Doors. Thanks For This One!
I can\'t tell you what time and place this song takes me back to - at least not on a public web site ;-). Thanks, again, RP
Not so sweet sound - sorry...
way cool - Hi Joe !
Ahh, very cool. :) I saw Country Joe not-too-long ago.
What a nugget! Dylanesque in the extreme.
havent heard this one in long time! most excellent. good find, RP!!
Great tune
old hippie flashback! i never did buy into that scene. i was way to straight. but i really enjoyed the music. just like this one.
Country Joe\'s got a pretty interesting website. If you\'re interested: https://www.countryjoe.com/