Uploaded on Oct 13, 2007 by granako
Galveston Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb is an idiosyncratic American popular music composer, singer and pianist. While his approach to composing is traditional and orchestral, he wrote for the rock/pop age. Webb’s most popular songs were all composed when he was between 19 and 21 years of age during the Vietnam War. In 1969 he wrote “Galveston”, a song about an American soldier who pined for his hometown and his girlfriend. I have always thought of it as an Anti-War song. Glen Campbell popularized the song with an almost marching military beat that I dislike. Jimmy Webb recently performed it himself, in the way he intended it, slow and reflective. I’ve added some images that the song creates for me. The statue in the video is a memorial to the estimated 10,000 people lost in the hurricane of 1900 that swept through the beaches of Galveston. The devastating hurricane still holds the record as the United States’ deadliest natural disaster.
Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowin’
I still see her dark eyes glowin’
She was 21 when I left Galveston
Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing
While I watch the cannons flashing
I clean my gun and dream of Galveston
I still see her standing by the water
Standing there lookin’ out to sea
And is she waiting there for me?
On the beach where we used to run
Galveston, oh Galveston, I am so afraid of dying
Before I dry the tears she’s crying
Before I watch your sea birds flying in the sun
At Galveston, at Galveston
great song Angel. Appropriate
I like Glen Cambells version more though – just didn`t ever hear this version of this song and just not realy used to it . Still a great song though. 😉
This one is sung by the writer/composer as he intended it to be sung. 🙂 😉 Don Ho was the first to record it (he did it like a military march). He told Glen about it and suggested that he do the song. Glen performed it in a more upbeat tempo and it became the hit song we remember. (Jimmy got the royalties, so he didn’t complain about their interpretations LOL)
The photos they used in this video are the beach, as I remember it. 🙁
The photos are as they should be forever. Thank to the oil co. tho that will probobly be destroyed forever I hate to say.
I have never been there but it looks like a place that I may have like before it is getting destroyed by the pipelines
Yea, I am just used to Glen Campbell version Sill a good song though Angel – thanks for posting it 😉
I love Glen’s version, too. It’s the one I’m most familiar with. I chose this one because my heart is breaking right now. It seems the Gulf will Never again have the fishing/oysters/shrimp/beaches that we grew up with. 🙁
I still remember hearing Jimmy’s version on his ‘Letters’ lp — what a revelation!
Thank you for posting,
K
🙂 Almost posted that one but, after the spill, I wanted people to see the beach as it was/should be and I thought this one was appropriate.
Here you are, digger. 🙂
Geeze Angel, That tempo sure does make a difference doesn`t it. The first one was also in color which is nice. This one tho brought back memories – Glen Campbell and then of course the black and white television – what a blast from the past Angel. Thanks bunches for posting both versions and the two different videos.
Yea, I just do not ever remember hearing the first version before . Reguardless though great song Angel thanks again
🙂
Man, that brings back memories. That song was played endlessly during a trek from the north during spring break. I miss the way Galveston used to be – clean beaches, the Flagship, the funky gambling house – the Balinese Room – way out on a pier, the beachside tourist traps, the old boozy bars, parking by the beach, Memorial weekends, Guido’s 3-way soft shell blue crab (best served by the old black waiter that worked there for something like 100 years), and parties on the beach that the cops knew to leave alone, when people knew how to have a peaceful good time.
Don’t you mean Gaido’s? Best seafood in Texas, literally, and their scallops are to die for!
You’re right! Been a long time since I’ve been there. Have some scallops, or crab, for me next time you’re there. 😉