Tribute to Spree Songtext
von Van Dyke Parks

Steel band man, yes you beatin′ pan
But my friend you won't understand
Has it ever dawned on you
Who invented pan
I ask you to join me
In offerin′ tribute to this man

(Oh no) Everybody wonderin'
How the steelband start
(Oh no) When you get to know
Well, it's gonna break your heart

I tell you now
It′s founded by one Winston Spree
And this is how
He started his first melody


Bless the day in 1939
The genius say he recall to mind
Saw an ol′ empty oil drum
Beatin' in the storm
Just before the sky darkened
You know it was the steel band was born

(Oh no) Everybody wonderin′
How the steelband start
(Oh no) When you get to know
Well, it's gonna break your heart

I tell you now
It′s founded by one Winston Spree
And this is how
He started his first melody

He went along beatin'blow by blow
He thought it sound like a piano
This really inspired him to a great extent
So he continued poundin′
Until he found this new instrument

(Oh no) Everybody wonderin'
How the steelband start
(Oh no) When you get to know
Well, it's gonna break your heart


I tell you now
It′s founded by one Winston Spree
And this is how
He started his first melody

Now the world waiting anxiously
We strike gold all because of Spree
But what are we doin′ now to conserve his name
We should reimburse him
And have it placed in the hall of fame

(Oh no) Everybody wonderin'
How the steelband start
(Oh no) When you get to know
Well, it′s gonna break your heart