Mr. Bus Driver Man Sir and Her
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                 Real Music for Kids That Is Also Adored by Adults  
hi
Here are the songs from our brand new CD!!
Playing in the Dirt
Story behind the song: 
Jimmy Joe wrote Playing in the Dirt to show that kids don't need expensive toys or high tech gadgets to have fun. 
One day after school, two girls sat down in Jimmy Joe's bus when it started to rain.
The girls knew they weren't supposed to leave the bus but they couldn't resist. They said, "Mr. Bus Driver Man Sir, can we play in the rain?"
Mr. Bus Driver Man Sir could not say no. He watched with a smile as the girls danced in the rain.

Lyrics:
I’m playing in the dirt, 
I’m playing in the dirt
I might get it on my shirt, 
But I won’t get hurt
I might get it on my shirt 
but I won’t get hurt, 
I’m playing in the dirt

I’m playing in the rain, 
I’m playing in the rain
Watch it going down the drain, 
But I’m feeling no pain
I watch it going down the drain 
but I’m feeling no pain
I’m playing in the rain

I’m playing in the mud, 
I’m playing in the mud
I’m not playing in a flood,  
I’m just covered up in crud
I’m not playing in a flood 
I’m just covered in crud
I’m playing in the mud

Mama doesn’t like it 
when I’m playing out there
She says, “You’re tracking dirt 
and mud everywhere”
Oh, Mama, can’t you see 
I’m just having some fun
Can I have some new shoes?  
I just lost one…

I’m playing in the pool, 
I’m playing in the pool
I’m splashing like a fool 
And I’m keeping real cool
I’m splashing like a fool 
and I’m keeping real cool
I’m playing in the pool

I’m playing in the sun, 
I’m playing in the sun
Getting toasted like a bun 
And I’m having lots of fun
Getting toasted like a bun 
and I’m having lots of fun
I’m playing in the sun

I’m playing in a tree, 
I’m playing in a tree
I skinned my knee 
But I’m feeling so free
I skinned my knee 
but I’m feeling so free
I’m playing in a tree

Mama doesn’t like it 
when I’m playing out there
Says, “You’re tracking dirt 
and mud everywhere
Oh, Mama, can’t you see 
I’m just having some fun?
Can I have a new shirt?  
I just ruined this one.

I’m playing in the dirt, 
I’m playing in the dirt
I might get it on my shirt 
But I won’t get hurt
I might get it on my shirt 
but I won’t get hurt, 
I’m playing in the dirt

Lyrics and Stories behind the songs:
Little Frizzle
Story behind the song:
Chrissie and Jimmy Joe live in the country with cats, dogs, chickens, goats and ducks.
Among the flock of chickens is a very special frizzle bantam named Little Frizzle. 
Little Frizzle is tiny with black curly feathers and a bit of an attitude. She doesn't hang out with the other chickens. She prefers the company of her best friend Mr. Duck. Sometimes she lays teeny tiny eggs.

Lyrics:
Little Frizzle, you’re only five inches tall
Little Frizzle, you’re my favorite one of all
You always fly the coop without even flying
You always buck the trend without even trying
Little Frizzle

Little Frizzle, you sing your own tune
Little Frizzle, you’re crazy like a loon
Your head is nearly bald and your feathers are so curly
You’re cute as a button even when you’re acting surly
Little Frizzle

Little Frizzle, you might need a boost
Little Frizzle, to get up on your roost
At the end of the day when the sun is going down
You don’t go up high you just sleep right on the ground
Little Frizzle

Little Frizzle, will you ever lay an egg?
Little Frizzle, oh please don’t make me beg
Build a little nest where you can park your little bottom
I’ll go out in the morning and collect ‘em if ya got ‘em
Little Frizzle

(Guitar solo)

Little Frizzle, you’re only five inches tall
Little Frizzle, you’re my favorite one of all
You always fly the coop without even flying
You always win my heart without even trying
Little Frizzle
Casey
Story behind the song:
Chrissie and Jimmy Joe met at one of the biggest farmers markets in Austin. Jimmy Joe was booking the music there, and Chrissie was looking for a gig. Years later, they are married and making music together, including every Saturday at that same farmers market.
Casey has been the face-painter and balloon-artist at that market for years. He always dances to the music when he isn’t painting a face, and he is a bright and wonderful part of the market, so Chrissie decided he needed a song. He loves it, and when they sing it every week during the kids music hour, Casey spins his umbrella and blows bubbles to celebrate his song.

Lyrics:
Casey sits ‘neath his big bright umbrella 
At the farmers market each week 
Giraffes of blue and poodles of yellow,
The children excitedly seek
That man can shape dreams out of a balloon
Little faces all beam as the band plays their tunes

Refrain:
Ooo, oui, la la Ooo, oui, la la
Magic just dances right out of his hands
When he has the chance he’ll dance (sing) to the band
Ooo, oui, la la Ooo, oui, la la

Girls are crowned with pink wings and red daisies 
Young princes claim their green swords
Faces of pandas all painted by Casey 
Little tigers jump out and they roar
On each passerby he paints a glad smile
The morning will fly as the band plays a while

Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Music by John Walter Bratton 1907
Story behind the song:
Chrissie and Jimmy Joe love to play instrumental music on their guitars and they wanted to share this love of instrumental music with children. They often seek out music by other guitar duos to get new ideas. They discovered a lovely duo out of England called The Amber Rose Guitar Duo.  They really loved their interpretation of this old children’s song and realized it would be perfect to add to their repertoire. They have a big brown teddy bear named Theodore who accompanies them to all of their children’s shows, and they always dedicate this song to him.

My Garden
Story Behind the Song:
Chrissie and Jimmy Joe were invited to play at the Zilker Botanical Gardens Festival in Austin several years in a row. They offered to write a garden song for the event. And, of course, playing at a farmers market every week, they know some folks who have VERY BIG gardens.  

Lyrics:
Refrain:
My garden, my garden, these seeds I have been sewing
With water and sunshine, my garden keeps on growing

Tomatoes and peppers and snap peas on the vine
I love to tend this garden, this garden of mine

Marigolds and zinnias, roses and columbine
I love to tend this garden, this garden of mine

Bridge:
Some sunny afternoon, I’ll go out and pick some lunch
And bring it to your house, fresh crispy treats that we can munch, Munchity Munch Munch Crunch!!

And my love for the earth grows and spreads and shines
I love to tend this garden, this garden of mine

Things That Go Boom
Story behind the song
 It was the 4th of July (Chrissie’s favorite holiday), and Chrissie and Jimmy Joe were at the park watching fireworks. Chrissie said to Jimmy Joe, "You should write a song about things that go Boom!" 
  He did.

Lyrics:
When you were young you couldn't sleep
Alone in your big dark room
'cause the monster in the closet could smash down the door
These are some things that go Boom

When it starts to rain you run back inside
The sky fills up with gloom
The lightning and thunder can shake the walls
These are some things that go Boom

Things that go Boom
Things that go Boom
Things that go Boom
These are some things that go Boom

Your remote control car runs into a wall
Your mom drops the cream of mushroom
Dad gets so mad he stomps his foot on the floor
These are some things that go boom

Things that go Boom
Things that go Boom
Things that go Boom
These are some things that go Boom

In a scary movie a car explodes
A villain drops a bomb of doom
A big firecracker on the Fourth of July 
These are some things that go Boom

Things that go Boom
Things that go Boom
Things that go Boom
These are some things that go Boom

Five-String Banjo
Story behind the song: 
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. 
And when life breaks your banjo strings, 
just keep playing anyway. 

Lyrics:
I like playing on my five-string banjo, when I sing
I was playing on my five-string banjo, 
when I broke a string

Now I’m playing on my four-string banjo, when I sing
I was playing on my four-string banjo, 
when I broke another string

Now I’m playing on my three-string banjo when I sing
And I was playing on my three-string banjo, 
when I broke another string

So now I’m playing on my two-string banjo when I sing
And I was playing on my two-string banjo 
when I broke another string

So now I’m playing on my one-string banjo when I sing
And I was playing on my one-string banjo 
when I broke my last string

So now I’m playing on my no-string banjo when I sing
And I was playing on my no-string banjo 
when I got some new strings

So now I’m playing on my five-string banjo when I sing.

Crawdaddy
Story behind the song:
Chrissie was talking one day with a musical colleague (Andi) who was generous with her advice and help. Chrissie thanked her, and Andi said that it is better for all of us to try to help pull each other up and not try to drag other people down because when we do, we all lose. Andi shared a story of her grandmother, who lived in Louisiana, as an example of how NOT to be. When crawdaddies are in a bucket, one might almost escape, but the others drag him back down. That inspired Chrissie to write this song about NOT letting others pull you down. When it was time to record, Chrissie asked Andi and her husband to sing harmonies on the song that she had inspired, which was an extra treat.

Lyrics:
Little Crawdaddy in a pail
Like landing in a crowded jail
He was laying low, minding his own
When he got scooped up from beneath his stone

Refrain:
Go, Crawdaddy, Crawdaddy, Go
Or you’ll end up in a bowl of gumbo
Crawl, Crawdaddy, Crawl, Dad, away
Don’t want to be somebody’s etouffee

Crawdaddy used his mighty claws
To pull himself up those prison walls
But when he got close to the top
The other crawdaddies all yelled, “Stop!”

Go, Crawdaddy, Crawdaddy, Go
Or you’ll end up in a bowl of gumbo
Crawl, Crawdaddy, Crawl, Dad, away
Don’t want to be somebody’s etouffee

They tried to pull crawdaddy down
But he refused to be bucket-bound
“This is our fate,” they said, “Resign.”
But he jumped out, left them behind.

Go, Crawdaddy, Crawdaddy, Go
Or you’ll end up in a bowl of gumbo
Crawl, Crawdaddy, Crawl, Dad, away
Don’t want to be somebody’s etouffee
Ignore what the other crawdaddies say
Crawl, Crawdaddy, crawl, Dad, away

Ellen's Ride
Story behind the song:
Ellen's Ride chronicles a real life bus route in which Jimmy Joe drove a little girl named Ellen to school every morning for several years. The route unfolds through the combined eyes and imaginations of bus driver and rider. Ellen, now a middle school student, played cello on the track.

Lyrics:
Watch your step, get on the bus
Have a seat, take a ride with us
It's time for school let's go for a ride
Give me your attention I'll be your tour guide

I'll take you through the hills on winding roads
Between the trees you'll see fluorescent toads
Hold on tight, it's starting to rain
And we're flying down the mountain like a runaway train

We made it to the bottom with nary a scratch
But don't let go til we clear the briar patch
Driving through the park on a sunny day
See the armadillo right across the way

Left turn onto ordinary street
So ordinary and boring that I might fall asleep
Check the clock we're right on time
Quick take a right, we're starting to climb

This is the road they call Worker's Hill
You'll never see anybody standing still
Worker ants and worker bees
Working in plants and they're working in trees

Now we're leaving all the ordinary stuff behind
Entering a world of a different kind
Keep your mind open and ask, "What if?"
As we enter the Jungles of Forest on the Cliff

Look down river over there to the east
It looks rather odd a most curious beast
It swims and floats and walks with a twist
It must be a Three Legged Iron Back Rusted Belly Fish

Look through the trees now what do you see
A strange looking fellow looking back at me
I don't know if it was hatched or born
A one striped, one horned flying Zebracorn

Ordinary town is up ahead through the gate
It's time to get to school, let's not be late
But we're trapped by an animal the size of a bus
So hold on tight as we pass the Rhinocepottamus

We're out of the jungle on the way to school
Oops! Take a look the bus is out of fuel
I'm happy to walk you the rest of the way
Now go on little friend have a most enchanted day

It's nice to see you, how do you do?
You caught the right bus we've been waiting for you
Hop on board when you need a lift
I'll take you for a ride through the Jungles of Forest on the Cliff

Yakety Axe
Written by Boots Randolph, James Rich, and Merle Travis, 1963

Story behind the song:
This song started its life as a saxophone song called “Yakety Sax,” but the famous Chet Atkins did what he did so well--made an outstanding guitar arrangement of this song. Chet Atkins is one of Jimmy Joe’s biggest influences. And since Chrissie and Jimmy Joe always introduce this song as the funniest song without words that you’ll ever hear, they thought it would be a fun addition for their children’s CD. 

Princess
Story behind the song:  
Chrissie heard an interview on NPR with comedienne Sarah Silverman,who told a story about how she would buy fancy little dresses for her nieces. She would bring them the dresses and whisper to them to keep a secret...that she was really a princess. She would say that these were her old princess clothes that didn’t fit anymore, and she wanted to pass them on to the girls. This was so touching that it made Chrissie cry and she had to immediately start writing this song. Maybe someday Sarah will even get to hear it.  

Lyrics:
Can you keep a secret? 
  Don’t tell a single soul
I’m really a princess 
playing a poor girl’s role
Oh oh oh

I wear peasant clothes 
so no one will discover
If they knew I was royal, 
the masses would hover
Oh Oh Oh

Chorus:
Living a fairy tale, 
a world full of hope and kindness
Magic is everywhere 
when you are a princess

I ride a regal stallion 
when I get tired of my car
We race off to a castle, 
it’s not very far
oh oh oh

I have a handsome prince.  
Who answers when I call
He gives me sweetest kisses 
and he’d climb any wall
Oh oh oh 

(Chorus)

Bridge:
If I’m in line at the grocery store 
and someone cuts right in front of me
Or if I don’t win the contest 
or get invited to the party
I’ll just close my eyes, 
and see the treasures that are mine
And give thanks for this life divine

If you’ll keep my secret,
 I’ll keep your secret, too
‘Cause I’m really a princess, 
and so are you

Timber
Story behind the Song: 
Jimmy Joe wanted to write a song for his niece Sydney when she was two. What came out was a story about Sydney's fun, crazy and slobbery dog Timber.

Lyrics:
Timber is a big furry crazy fluffy 
yellow smelly funny silly golden dog

He hides all the toys and he makes lots of noise 
and he never does what you want him to
He always wins the race, then he licks your face 
and he runs away with your favorite shoe

And Sydney yells TIMBER! Give me back my shoe
It's getting all slimy and wet 
and Sydney yells TIMBER! You took my hat too, 
you're the craziest dog I ever met!
His name is Timber

Timber is a big furry crazy fluffy 
yellow smelly funny silly golden dog

Sydney and Mommy and Grandma and NeNe 
go for a walk in the yard
They see Pop Pop with an ax going chop chop,
 chopping at a tree very hard

And Pop Pop yells, TIMBER! You better stay clear
The big old tree is falling down 
and Pop Pop yells TIMBER! You don't want to be near when the big tree hits the ground
When Pop Pop yells Timber

Daddy's at work and he's going berserk 
'cause he doesn't have all of his wood
He calls up the store, says you've gotta bring some more and bring it right now if you could

I need some TIMBER! To build me a frame
To build me a timber frame house, 
I need some TIMBER! To build a house where I can live with Mommy and my big girl and my little girl and my brand new baby boy and the cats and the dog and a mouse 
(A mouse???)
I need some Timber

Timber is a big furry crazy fluffy 
yellow smelly funny silly golden dog

I'm a Ladybug
Story behind the song:
It was the day before Jimmy Joe was going to play music for a kindergarten class. The teacher called him to ask if he had any songs about ladybugs as they had been studying ladybugs in school.
Jimmy Joe said, "Not yet."
He took his little guitar to the park and sat down under a tree to try write a ladybug song. 
Just then a little orange ladybug landed on Jimmy Joe's shoulder.
As legend goes, Jimmy Joe didn't really write the song. Miss LaLa, the little orange ladybug, taught it to him.

Lyrics:
Chorus:
I’m a ladybug, I’m a ladybug
I have black spots on my orange back
I’m a ladybug, I’m a ladybug
And aphids are my favorite snack

I’m a very special kind of beetle
I’m pretty and I’m very very little
‘Scuse me mister, I beg your pardon
Please drop me off at your nearest garden

(Repeat chorus)

I hear the bugs are eating up your plants
I’ll eat the bugs if you give me half a chance
You can do the watering and weedin’
Soon this place will look like the Garden of Eden
I Saw One in the Zoo
Story behind the song:  
Jimmy Joe took a class on a field trip to the zoo. He was inspired to write this song after visiting with the animals.

Lyrics:
Look up there do you see the giraffe?
Her head is in the clouds and she makes me laugh
I've seen a neck quite so long, have you?
I saw one in the zoo

Look over there do you see the elephant?
It has a long trunk and a big foot print
I've never seen an animal quite so huge, have you?
I saw one in the zoo

Look over there do you see that lion
It went for a swim now it's layin' out and dryin'
I've never seen a cat take a bath on its own, have you?
I saw one in the zoo

Last time I went to the zoo
I saw tigers, yes it's true
I saw a cute little monkey too
It looked a lot like you
I saw one in the zoo

Look over there do you see the gorilla
It looks so mean it could scare Godzilla
I've never seen a monkey so angry, have you?
I saw one in the zoo

Look over there do you see the brown bear
It's ten feet tall and covered up in hair
I've never seen a bear so grizzly, have you?
I saw one in the zoo

Look over there, do you see that leopard
The spots make it look like it's salted and peppered
I've never seen a cat so spotty, have you?
I saw one in the zoo

Last time I went to the zoo
I saw tigers, yes it's true
I saw a cute little monkey too
It looked a lot like you
I saw one in the zoo
Kiéran's Lullaby
Story behind the song:  
Chrissie started writing songs because she’s a mom. She had been playing guitar for years, but never thought to write songs until her son was born. Then she would make up little ditties to calm and entertain him. This was one of the first songs she ever wrote, and her son, who is now a teenager, still loves it. 
(Well, not every night, of course, but he thinks it is special to have a mom who writes songs for you.) 

Lyrics:
You fill my heart like the sunrise fills the morning
You touch my soul like the full moon fills the night
You are as sweet as the flowers are in springtime
You simply smile and my world fills with delight

So hush, Child, please don’t cry
My arms are always nearby
They tell me how our time will fly
But for now, you are mine

You fill my world with the wonder of creation 
You are as pure as an untouched mountain lake
Now close your eyes, dream of butterflies and ferries
I’ll hold you close, I will be here when you wake

So hush, Child, please don’t cry
My arms are always nearby
They tell me how our time will fly
But for now, you are mine
Album Credits:
Harmonica on “Playing in the Dirt”:  Michael D’Eath 
French Accordion on “Casey”: Chris Gage, recorded at MoonHouse Studio 
Cajun Accordion on “Crawdaddy”: Chip Dolan
Cello on “Ellen’s Ride”:  Ellen Haggard
Steelpan on “My Garden”: CJ Menge
Electric Guitar on “Timber”: Harve Howell
Electric Guitar (telecaster) on “Playing in the Dirt”: Jimmy Joe Natoli
Piano on “Princess”: Paula Maya, courtesy of Yellow House Records
BanjoJimmy Joe Natoli
Ukulele on “Ladybug”:  Jimmy Joe Natoli
Trombone on “Ladybug”: John Howell
Fiddle on “Zoo” and “Kieran’s Lullaby”  and Saw on "Boom": Sick
Electric Bass on “Crawdaddy,” “Zoo,” “Frizzle,” “Garden,” “Dirt,” “Boom,” “Timber,” & “Yakety”  
 and Stand-up Bass on “Ellen’s Ride”, “Casey” & Arco on “Lullaby”: Carl LoSchiavo
Washboard on “Crawdaddy”: Jimmy Joe Natoli
Drums on “Timber,” “Ellen’s Ride,” and “Zoo”: John Brainard
Digital Percussion on “Dirt,” “Casey”, “Crawdaddy,” “My Garden,” & “Yakety”: Tommy Byrd
Sound Effects on “Boom”: Tommy Byrd & Chrissie Natoli
Apple Crunch on “My Garden”: Jimmy Joe Natoli
VocalsShawnee Kilgore: “Frizzle”
             Ren and Andi Renfree: “Crawdaddy," recorded at Sound Catcher Studio
             Alison Lumley: “Princess” and “Lullaby," recorded at Medicine Wheel Studio 
             Harlan Jack WhaleyMadison Whaley & Olivia Cruz: “Zoo,” “Boom,” “Timber,” &“Ladybug”
             Berkeley Davis: “Zoo” and special speaking parts in “Garden,” & “Ladybug”
Chickens: Special guests Bonnie, BooBoo and Frizzle                                 © ℗ 2016 All rights reserved 
Special Thanks to Medicine Wheel Studio, Portland, OR/ Sound Catcher Studio, Nashville, TN/ MoonHouse Studio, Austin, TX
The majority of recording and mixing were done at the Natoli's Catcophony Studio in Dale, TX & by Tommy Byrd of Byrd House Studio in Austin, TX/ Mastered by Nick Landis of Terra Nova Digital in Austin, TX
Song Credits: 
Jimmy Joe Natoli wrote Ellen’s Ride, Five String Banjo, I Saw One at the Zoo, I’m a Ladybug, Little Frizzle, Things That Go Boom, Timber

Chrissie Natoli wrote Crawdaddy, Casey the Balloon Man, Kieran’s Lullaby, My Garden, Princess

Yakety Axe is by Boots RandolphJames Rich, and Merle Travis, used with permission

Teddy Bear’s Picnic is by John Walter Bratton, arrangement by Martin Nockalls of the Amber Rose Duo
Dedicated to Sydney, River, Kiéran, Jeremiah, and Jackson.
And especially to Pops. We will forever keep your love and humor in our hearts.

Disclaimer: No banjos were actually harmed in the making of this album.