Mystery song: "Broken" (not the one from Mighty Like A Rose)

[And No Coffee Table]

Is anyone familiar with this song which Elvis plays as part of the "Alison" medley in at least two September 1989 concerts?

Approximate lyrics:

These words I've been here before
But someone's changed the color of the leaves
Now the leaves are not green anymore
What is that hanging in the trees
Bits of glass broken
Bicycle wheels broken
Old loves(?) oh
Broken
Broken
Broken
Broken

Here's an MP3 (from 1989-09-13):
http://www.mediafire.com/?aay9rl8ytj2

Three songs it's not are Cait O'Riordan's "Broken," Tom Waits' "Broken Bicycles," and Bob Dylan's "Everything Is Broken."

[wardo68]

It's not "Strange Fruit" either.

Perhaps it's an early draft of "Broken" before Cait wrote her version?

[FAVEHOUR]

Yes, I asked him what this was after one of the shows that year.

It's a David Ackles song called "Sonny Come Home". Appears on Ackles' first LP.


I think the first line is "these woods"


Dave

[And No Coffee Table]

Thanks, Dave.

[wardo68]

It's a David Ackles song called "Sonny Come Home". Appears on Ackles' first LP.

That would make sense.

[charliestumpy]

Thankyou to people for this snippet/info.

[verbal gymnastics]

Thanks also for this Dave and kudos for asking Elvis! I've always wondered what this song is but never gotten around to asking the question to either Elvis or on the Board. What did you do, sing it to him?

[FAVEHOUR]

Thanks also for this Dave and kudos for asking Elvis! I've always wondered what this song is but never gotten around to asking the question to either Elvis or on the Board. What did you do, sing it to him?

No, this was in those halcyon days when I used to get backstage after shows and EC went through a period there where he was inserting little bits of other songs (cover versions) in his songs and we would try to find out what they were. So either I or Lorenzo would say hey, Elvis, what was that thing about the bicycle wheels hanging in the trees....? He loved to talk about other people's music, so he would gladly let us know.

[verbal gymnastics]

Cool!

Thanks again.

[EarlManchester]

No, this was in those halcyon days when I used to get backstage after shows and EC went through a period there where he was inserting little bits of other songs (cover versions) in his songs and we would try to find out what they were. So either I or Lorenzo would say hey, Elvis, what was that thing about the bicycle wheels hanging in the trees....? He loved to talk about other people's music, so he would gladly let us know.

I'd love to hear more ToTHD (Tales of Those Halcyon Days).