Transportation Event Case Study
Song Cycles
Song Cycles is a group of Toronto cyclists who simultaneously
sing and cycle.
History
Song Cycles started in 1993 as a wild idea that we thought
we'd make happen mostly for fun and partly for some shameless
media attention grabbing purposes (around Bike To Work Week).
But to our surprise and delight, most of our members have
developed an addiction to the Monday night mu-cycle and social
sessions.
Purpose of the Group
We sing primarily for our own enjoyment and on a good day
for the entertainment of anyone who chances to witness this
spectacle.
We do have a serious purpose beyond being goofy and cute
and singing charming songs about the joys of bikes and the
distressing qualities of cars. We are concerned about the
decline in quality of life in our cities and one of the biggest
problems is the proliferation of the private car. My own car
is great, but yours is in the way and all of them together
makes an incredible traffic stopping, fume generating, noisy,
smelly assault on the very notion of civility in city life.
Other solutions must be found to the problem of getting self,
family, and possessions from here to there in the city.
Song Cycles aims, through the inventive use of song, to publicize
the need to protect existing facilities and to promote the
provision of better facilities for cyclists. Song Cycles encourages
innovative and sensible city planning and operation in general,
with specific emphasis on sustainable transportation.
Song Cycles hopes to promote cycling as a pursuit that is
beneficial to the health of the individual and the health
of the city.
Singing basics
Song Cycles is open to invitations to sing at outdoor and
indoor events. It strives to be an active part of the local
community of Regent Park in which it rehearses and of Metropolitan
Toronto as a whole.
Song Cycles' repertoire is made up of songs specifically
related to bicycles and songs addressing wider environmental
and transportation issues. We reserve the right to sing some
songs that have nothing whatsoever to do with cycling.
Song Cycles seeks to build alliances with other community
groups and can sometimes write or adapt songs for particular
organizations and occasions.
The conductor is Greg Furlong. They hold rehearsals every
Monday Night at 6:30 p.m. at the Regent Park United Church,
40 Oak street, one street south of Gerrard, east off Parliament.
For information contact Greg at 603-0735 or c/o Bikes On Wheels
at 599-8799
Membership
Song Cycles welcomes new members and is a mixed ability organization.
The aim is to be inclusive allowing our individual musical
abilities to blossom as the ensemble develops. A basic aptitude
for singing and cycling is required, but enthusiasm and commitment
are far more important than extensive experience.
How Keep it Together
Song Cycles was organized by a group of people who just wanted
to make it happen, and it continues to stay together organizationally
thanks to the decentralized yet co-ordinated volunteer efforts
of a number of the active members, and musically thanks to
the undying commitment of Greg, our conductor, and the talented
lyricists in our midst.
How We Stay Solvent
For each gig, we usually ask for at least $100 or food for
the whole choir (and believe us, the $100 is cheaper -- singing
and cycling burns calories!). This pays for our t-shirt and
other miscellaneous expenses. We reserve the right to do gigs
for free, or to do fundraisers if we believe in the cause.
The choir has grown both in quality and quantity. Regular
turnout averages about 20, and all told, there is probably
a total of about 60 present and past members, some of whom
attend special gigs. While originally it was a challenge to
stay in tune and ride at the same time, now we are beginning
to enter choral competitions and feel better about how we
sound. The riding part has improved but is still a challenge,
and one of our goals is to work on more sophisticated choreography.
We have also begun to travel together to other cities to sing,
perhaps in preparation for our world tour some time in the
next millennium.
Sue Zielinski and Alison Field
Song Cycles - Selected Song Lyrics
(which belong to Song Cycles, i.e. are copyrighted, so you
MUST give credit if you use them. However, they are very generous
about giving permission to use them, so prior permision can
be assumed.)
The key gives a common coding to each of the Song Cycle tunes
which are listed in alphabetical order. There are harmonies
for most songs and lines may be marked for women, for altos,
for a soloist, etc. Any words not found within brackets are
sung by all.
Key:
A: = alto
All: = all (same as unbracketed)
B: = bass
Chorus: = chorus
CM: = counter melody
Coda: = coda (add to final chorus)
M: = men
S: = soprano
Solo: = solo
T: = tenor
V.x: = verse(#)
W: = women
X: = eXcept
Bicyclized Ode To Joy
Sung to "Hymn to Joy"
Original music by Ludvig van Beethoven
Arrangement by Edward Hodges
First verse by Sue Zielinski
Second verse by Bill Laxton
V.1: Bells are ringing, hearts are singing
Songs of bikes and two-wheeled modes
Lights are shining, wheels are turning
In our minds and on the roads
Grant us parking and more bike lanes
How about some showers, too?
Bikes abound the whole year round
Not just in Bee Tee Double Double U. (ed. note: that's Bike
to Work Week)
V.2: Don your helmets, mount your saddles
Push your pedals up and down
Burning fat instead of gases
Is the way to get 'cross town
Ev'ry day we ride to the office
Leaving the car where it belongs
Hearts and lungs will work together
As we spin our wheels around.
Bikes Mean Business
(sung in the round...)
Sung to "Three Blind Mice"
Contra music and lyrics by Greg Furlong
V.1: One speed bikes, one speed bikes
Ain't they fun, easy to run -
No pesky gears to get in your way
Just pedal backwards and that's where you'll stay
And through the nose you won't have to pay
For one speed bikes.
V.2: Three speed bikes, three speed bikes
See how they run, see how they run -
They run in the wind and the rain and the slush
Reliable wheels that don't cost very much
You'll find Sturmey-Archer a name you can trust
On three speed bikes.
V.3: Ten speed bikes, ten speed bikes
Five thirty-one, titanium
Drop bars and thin tires that started the craze
Are just what folks needed when winning the race
12 or 14 are more common these days
On ten speed bikes.
V.4: Mountain bikes, mountain bikes
They're lots of fun, fun in the sun
With gearing that flattens the highest peak
Big tires smooth over the worst city street
Straight bars and thumb shifters make riding a treat
On mountain bikes.
Contra: By now it's clear that bikes are the way to go
They're fun to ride and save you a bundle of dough
Bikes are fast and bikes are clean
Bikes are adventure fill'd exercise machines
What goes around comes around
It's obvious to see that
Bikes mean business
No matter what kind they may be.
Daisy Belle
Chorus: Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do
I'm half crazy, all for the love of you
(W: It won't be a stylish marriage)
(M: I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet)
(W: Upon the seat)
Of a bicycle built for two.
V.1: (M: There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy
Planted one day by a glancing dart, planted by Daisy Belle
Whether she loves me or loves me not
Sometimes it's hard to tell
Yet I am longing to share the lot
Of beautiful Daisy Belle.) Oh,..
V.2: (M: We will go tandem as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy
Pedalling away down the road of life
I and my Daisy Belle
When the road's dark we can both despise
P'licemen and lamps as well
There are bright lights in the dazzling eyes
Of beautiful Daisy Belle.) Oh,..
V.3: (M: I will stand by you in wheel or woe, Daisy, Daisy
You'll be the bell(e) which I'll ring, you know
Sweet little Daisy Belle
You'll take the lead in each trip we take
Then If I don't do well
I will permit you to use the brake
My beautiful Daisy Belle.) Oh,..
Kumanovao Byksko Oro
Original music by Jovan Javanke (Macedonian folk song)
Lyrics by Brenna MacCrimmon
If you go out riding, Djon-um
If you go out riding
Take a patch kit with you, Djon-um
Take a patch kit with you.
You_may_find_if you ride_over broken glass
(Your) tires_de_flate_and you end_up with a flat.
Don't despair, you can repair_it
It's easy to take care of it
Find the leak with the water technique
And if you've no water, use your spit.
Slip_your_tire_irons over the rim and under the bead
Near_the_spot_where the bubbles pointed to a leak.
Loosen just enough of the tire, Djon-um
To expose the punctured tube
Pump it up just enough to find_, Djon-um
That spot where the glass went through.
Remove_the offend_ing_flat_-causing broken glass
Use sandpaper to rough up the a_re_a to patch.
You're halfway through (now)
just spread the glue (no sniffing)
When its tacky, apply the patch
(Put the) tube in the tire
And the bead on the rim, (be careful)
With the irons slip 'em back.
(There's) on_ly_one_simple thing_that's_left to do
(In)flate_the_tire_to the proper pressure and your're through.
(You're) back_in the saddle, Djon-um
Riding all around the town
Riding on your bicycle from sun_up to sundown.
Oh, What A Beautiful City
Chorus: Oh, what a beautiful city
Oh, what a beautiful city
Oh, what a beautiful city
Three gates to the city, alleluia.
V.1: Well, there are so many ways to get to the city
So many ways to get to the city
There are so many ways to get to the city
Three gates to the city, alleluia.
V.2: You can come from the east to the middle of the city
Come from the west to the middle of the city
You can come from the north to the middle of the city
Three gates to the city, alleluia.
V.3: (M: Bike-a, bike-a...)
You can pedal right in and you'll be welcome in the city
Pedal right in and you'll be welcome in the city
You can pedal right in and you'll be welcome in the city
Bike lanes for the city, alleluia.
V.4: (M: Walk-a, walk-a...)
You can walk right in and you'll be welcome in the city
Walk right in and you'll be welcome in the city
You can walk right in and you'll be welcome in the city
Green space for the city, alleluia.
V.5: (M: Bus-a, bus-a...)
You can bus right in and you'll be welcome in the city
Subway right in and you'll be welcome in the city
You can trolley right in & you'll be welcome in the city
Transit for the city, alleluia.
On The Cycle
Sung to "Catfish Pie"
Lyrics by Sheila Conlin
Chorus: Poor old Ford, you gotta go, me oh my oh
We gonna go replace you all with the cycle
My Peugeot, sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, gonna have big fun on the cycle.
V.1: Oh, city hall, come one and all - It's Bike to Work
Week
For today we're going to see some bikes on Bay Street
Pedal hard, fill your lungs, be carefree oh
Son of a gun, gonna have big fun on the cycle.
V.2: CBC, CTV, the place is a-hoppin'
Townfolk come to see us ride, be traffic-stoppin'
Dress in style, ride hog-wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, gonna have big fun on the cycle.
V.3: Hunch far down, ride real fast, get me some speed oh
Gonna catch all the wind on my cycle
Swap yer cars, buy a bike, just what we need oh
Son of a gun, gonna have big fun on the cycle.
Resolution
Music by Hanns Eisler
Words by Alison Field and Greg Furlong
V.1
Knowing that you want to sell the items,
those with which you bravely stock the store,
we can ride past slowly, looking in your windows,
stopping frequently to purchase goods galore.
Knowing that we have few parking problems,
You will find us pleasant and polite.
We don't have to hurry home to beat the rush hour.
We can shop all day and night.
V.2.
Knowing that you run a movie theatre
where full houses make financial sense,
we are cycling patrons who can pay the price.
We're not restricted by a car's immense expense.
Knowing that you're all concerned with custom
in your restaurant or in your bar,
bikers selflessly work up an appetite,
which we wouldn't if we sat in a car.
V.3.
Knowing that you will go out of business,
if Toronto is a stinking hole,
cyclists pave the way toward a healthy city.
So it seems that we all share a common goal.
Knowing that we have an active lifestyle,
which increases our longevity,
you can bank on many years of steadfast custom
to ensure prosperity.
V.4.
Knowing that we travelled here on two wheels
Doesn't means that we are sad and poor.
You may find that those you call your finest customers
are locking up their bikes outside your door.
Knowing that we travelled here on two wheels
Doesn't means that we are sad and poor.
You may find that all your finest customers
lock bicycles outside your door.
Way-O (sung to the tune of Deo by Harry Belafonte)
Lyrics by Greg Furlong
(Solo: Way-o, way-o
Freeway is not the only way home!
Way, way, way, way-oo-way, way-oo-way,",", way-o
Freeway is not the only way home!)
Freeway goes like a crow flies - straight
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Bike route twist like a mean rattlesnake
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Come traffic planners now, look at all the choices
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Come traffic planners now, look at all the choices
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
(M: Take shank's mare, wheelchair, three-speed bike)
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
(M: Shank's mare, wheelchair, three-speed bike)
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Way, way, way, way-o
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Way-oo-way, way-oo-way, way,", ",...
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
A beautiful dream of town Nirvana
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Mighty car park smog bonanza
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
(M: Take shank's mare, wheelchair, three-speed bike)
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
(M: Shank's mare, wheelchair, three-speed bike)
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Way, way, way, way-o
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Way-oo-way, way-oo-way, way,", ",...
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Come traffic planners now, look at all the choices
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Come traffic planners now, look at all the choices
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Way-o, way-o
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!)
Way, way, way, way-oo-way, way-oo-way,",", way-o
(C: Freeway is not the only way home!))
What Shall We Do With The Thoughtless Drivers?
Sung to "Drunken Sailor"
Lyrics by Greg Furlong
Chorus: Way-laid, caught in traffic
Way-laid, caught in traffic
Way-laid, caught in traffic
When we stop beside them.
V.1: What shall we do with the thoughtless drivers
What shall we do with the thoughtless drivers
What shall we do with the thoughtless drivers
When we stop beside them.
V.2: (W: Knock on the window and beg their pardon...
When we stop beside them.)
V.3: (M: Open the door and thank them sweetly...
When we stop beside them.)
V.4: (W: Bend at the waist and bow before them...
When we stop beside them.)
V.5: (M: "Have a nice day," we wish them gently...
When we stop beside them.)
V.6: (W: Give them a grin and ride right by them...
When we stop beside them.)
V.7: What shall we do with the thoughtless drivers...
When we stop beside them.
V.8: Wave and ask them all to join us...
When we stop beside them.
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