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about
"The Cat Came Back" was written way back in 1893 by Harry S. Miller. Almost a 100 years later kids in Canada grew up watching a cartoon short of the song created by Cordell Barker for the National Film Board (NFB). You can watch this bizarre piece of my child hood here: www.nfb.ca/film/the-cat-came-back/
So why on earth did this folk-punk-gospel singer decide to sing this song?
One of my oldest friends, Andrew Hunter Scholey hosts the podcast North of Normal. They do deep dives on Canadian films and tv shows. Andrew and I had a band back in our high school years where we use to play a cover of The Cat Came Back. For North of Normal's episode on The Cat Came Back NFB short film Andrew asked me if I would be willing to cover the song for them. I'm a very nostalgic person and jumped at the chance to be part of this.
Proceeds from this song will be donated to the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. They offer great programs to help get cat's into homes as well as well as taking care of street cats by humanly trapping, neutering/spaying, vaccinating, and returning (TNVR) healthy community cats to their outdoor homes. donations can also be made directly to the SPCA here: www.hbspca.com/donate
lyrics
LYRICS:
With this song being in the Public Domain there are so many lyrical versions of this tune. The lyrics from this version were the ones used in the NFB cartoon with a little ad-lib verse added that is just like what Andrew & Randell played back in the day:
THE CAT CAME BACK
Now, old Mr. Johnson had troubles of his own.
He had a yellow cat that wouldn't leave his home!
A special plan with deception as the key.
One little cat, how hard could it be?
But the cat came back the very next day
The cat came back, they thought he was a goner
But the cat came back, He just wouldn't stay away
Well, old Mr. Johnson had troubles of his own.
Still the yellow cat wouldn't leave his home!
Steps were needed to remove the little curse.
The old man knew it couldn't get any worse.
But the cat came back the very next day
The cat came back, they thought he was a goner
But the cat came back, He just wouldn't stay away
Why won't you just stay away?
Come on cat, leave me alone!
It's time for you to find some other home!
But the cat came back the very next day
The cat came back, they thought he was a goner
But the cat came back, He just wouldn't stay away
credits
released January 29, 2024
Randell Neudorf: Guitars & Telephone Mic Vocals
Photo Credit: Storm the cat
