Leo the Lion
©2010 David Michael Hartt
  
Come gather 'round children, I'll tell you the tale of a lion that lived in the snow
A rough, tough survivor who often prevailed, he was minus a tooth and a toe
Leo the Lion was larger than life; he was always the star of the show
And he took great pride in the place where he dwelled in the gold  fields of Ontario
 
Young Leo got started delivering letters, and soon he would know everyone
He had big ideas how this place could be better, and so for king did he run
With only a dream, that young silver-tongued devil convinced people he was the one
Once on the throne the king sometimes played jester, Leo sure liked to have fun 
 
Leo the Lion was a passionate soul who would do anything for his kingdom
Leo the Lion spun stories to gold, his heart was true and people loved him
Yes, those were the days we'd all laugh, dance and sing
Back when Leo the Lion was King.
 
The Queen of England one day woke to find that her busbies were weathered and worn.
How would she look in the eyes of the world, with her bearskins all tattered and torn?
Leo said “My Queen, please don't be alarmed, for your highness, we'll do what we can”
The world press reported that sixty two bears went from Timmins to Old Buckingham. 
 
Leo the Lion was a passionate soul who would do anything for his kingdom
Leo the Lion spun stories to gold, his heart was true and people loved him
Yes, those were the days we'd all laugh, dance and sing
Back when Leo the Lion was King.
 
Leo never lost the love of the game, he encouraged all children to play
When his teams needed things he couldn't borrow or beg, he'd reach in his pocket and pay
 
He knew his kingdom surrounded by riches would be better off if it grew
The mines would pay taxes the dominion would prosper and all folks would receive their due
So with his plan he went to see the man who could make this wish of his come true
The largest realm in the land was put in Leo's hands, back in 1972
 
Leo the Lion was a passionate soul who would do anything for his kingdom
Leo the Lion spun stories to gold, his heart was true and people loved him
Yes, those were the days we'd all laugh, dance and sing
Back when Leo the Lion was King.
Back when Leo the Lion was King.
When Leo Del Villano was King

Our Stories

Leo the Lion

Leo The Lion

Music by James Frew,  Lyrics by Dan Hilts.  Song practiced one night, recorded the next day with Yvon, Don and Dave.

Suddenly

Another song we learned and practiced the night before recording in 1997.  Also never played live more than once.  When the internet was formed, 'newsgroups' would have trolls just weighing in to get a response... often 'flaming' others.

Also, I think James' guitar almost went up in flames as leads were so hot!

Flames

Words

tiny little titties

This week on Georgian Bay Roots Radio we're celebrating the women of folk and roots -- those talented musicians who live among us, perform at our festival, locally and beyond. Featuring tracks by Alysha Brilla, Baskery, Eve Goldberg, Dala, Paige Warner, Serena Ryder, Coco Love Alcorn, Loreena McKennitt, Irish Mythen, Amanda Rheaume, the Good Lovelies, Suzie Vinnick, Amy Speace and Amber Mitchell!

Georgian Bay Roots #354 July 30 2023 (with Kailey)

Pools and Palm Trees

Song About America

Sticking close to our format in this week's episode (sharing music made in and played in Grey and Bruce counties with folk and roots music from across Canada and around the world thrown into the mix!), host Kailey Jane Hawkins has new music from your friends and neighbours closeby, music from friends a little farther away, and some tunes courtesy of the Summerfolk office (with a little help from Lloyd Lemon!). Catch it all here!

Featuring tracks by Coig, Allison Lupton, Dave Gunning, David Hartt, Rob Elder, David Hawkins, The Sun Down Drivers, The Proclaimers, Aleksi Campagne, Natalie MacMaster, Amber May, Joe Quinn and Nuclear Vibes!

Georgian Bay Roots #378 January 14 2024 (with Kailey)

On this Mother's Day, I want to take a moment to acknowledge my beautiful daughter Lottie, who brought so much love and joy into our lives, even though she couldn't stay. Though our time together was brief, the impact of her presence is eternal. Today, I honour all mothers, including those who hold their children in their hearts instead of their arms. Your love and strength is immeasurable. 💖

Irish Blessing

David Michael Hartt is a singer/songwriter originally from Timmins, but now living in Owen Sound ON. He has worked with many talented musicians from Shania Twain to Larry Jensen.  His writing style is in more of a storytelling vein as can be seen in his first album “Our Stories” which has songs that tell 10 stories of his hometown of Timmins, ON.  This is to be followed up in late 2023 with a second 10 song collection called “More Stories” which will continue to tell the stories of events and people of note. 
The newest release is “Keep On Driving”. The songs on this album were written mostly over the last few years with a reworking of a 1986 song, “When You Look Up At Night” and the inclusion of “All My Life” a song recorded with his old band “Longshot” in 1987.
David likes to inject a little humour in his songwriting but can write a great love song and does not shy away from wearing his strongly held beliefs on his sleeve. 
Apart from the aforementioned Longshot song and first single “Demon Seed” produced by the very talented Michael Lanteigne of Canadian Country Band Johnson’s Creek, the rest of the album was recorded, mixed and mastered at David’s home studio, with him playing or programming all of the instruments. 
As he is a prolific songwriter, another album is on the horizon for mid-2024 tentatively titled “We’ll Always Have Main St” which will contain some collaborations with other songwriters and musicians.
Presently he is looking into assembling a band to perform the songs from “Keep On Driving”, as apart from the odd open mic, he has not performed live in over 20 years.

Leo The Lion

David Michael Hartt

Related tracks