25 Minutes to Go
Encyclopedia
"25 Minutes to Go" is a song performed by the Brothers Four in 1963 on the album Cross Country Concert. The song was written by Shel Silverstein
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", as it is sung by a man awaiting his own execution by hanging. Each verse consists of two lines, of which the first line is anything from humorous to poignant, and the second line is a minute-by-minute countdown.
Well they're buildin' the gallows outside my cell.
I got 25 minutes to go.
And in 25 minutes I'll be in Hell.
I got 24 minutes to go.
The song is similar in concept to Silverstein's kiddy song "Boa Constrictor
": It presents the point of view of someone who is experiencing a calamity in "real time," composing and singing as the events unfold, with a fatal conclusion. ("Boa Constrictor", like "25 Minutes to Go", appeared on Silverstein's 1962 album Inside Folk Songs.
Shel Silverstein
Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
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Lyrics
The song is literally "gallows humorGallows humor
Gallows humor , derives from gallows which is a platform with a noose used to execute people by hanging. Gallows humor is the type of humor that still manages to be funny in the face of, and in response to, a perfectly hopeless situation...
", as it is sung by a man awaiting his own execution by hanging. Each verse consists of two lines, of which the first line is anything from humorous to poignant, and the second line is a minute-by-minute countdown.
Well they're buildin' the gallows outside my cell.
I got 25 minutes to go.
And in 25 minutes I'll be in Hell.
I got 24 minutes to go.
The song is similar in concept to Silverstein's kiddy song "Boa Constrictor
Boa constrictor
The Boa constrictor is a large, heavy-bodied species of snake. It is a member of the family Boidae found in North, Central, and South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean. A staple of private collections and public displays, its color pattern is highly variable yet distinctive...
": It presents the point of view of someone who is experiencing a calamity in "real time," composing and singing as the events unfold, with a fatal conclusion. ("Boa Constrictor", like "25 Minutes to Go", appeared on Silverstein's 1962 album Inside Folk Songs.
Cover versions
- Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
on his 1965 album Sings the Ballads of the True WestSings the Ballads of the True WestSings the Ballads of the True West is a conceptual double album and the twenty-first album released by country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1965 . Covering twenty individual songs, the album, as its title suggests, contains various ballads and other songs on topics related to...
and on his famous 1968 live album, At Folsom PrisonAt Folsom PrisonAt Folsom Prison is a live album by Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in May 1968. Since his 1955 song "Folsom Prison Blues", Cash had been interested in performing at a prison. His idea was put on hold until 1967, when personnel changes at Columbia Records put Bob Johnston in charge of...
. - Danish Singer Povl Dissing with the band Beefeaters - 25 Minutter endnu (1967 single)
- Flemish singer Will Tura from Belgium as "20 minuten geduld" in 1968.
- Swedish folk singer Ewert Ljusberg on Goknul (1972).
- American avant-garde singer Diamanda GalásDiamanda GalásDiamanda Galás is an American avant-garde composer, vocalist, pianist, organist, performance artist and painter.Galás has been described as "capable of the most unnerving vocal terror", with her three and a half octave vocal range. She often screams, hisses and growls...
on Malediction & PrayerMalediction & PrayerMalediction and Prayer is an album by Diamanda Galás, featuring live recordings from her concert tour "Malediction and Prayer: Concert for the Damned." It was released in 1998 by Asphodel Ltd.-Track listing:# "Iron Lady" 4:44...
(1998, Asphodel Records). - British cult band Tiger LilliesTiger LilliesThe Tiger Lillies are a three-piece band, formed in 1989 and based in London. They have toured worldwide and won acclaim with their opera Shockheaded Peter....
on 2 Penny Opera (2001). - American country/rock band Pine Valley CosmonautsPine Valley Cosmonauts-History:The group was initiated by Jon Langford as a covers group, with a constantly shifting repertory and cast of backing members. The name was first used for Langford's 1995 album of Johnny Cash cover songs...
on The Executioner's Last Songs (2002). - German metal band DezperadozDezperadozDezperadoz is a German "Western-metal" band and is the side-project of Tom Angelripper's guitarist Alex Kraft. The band plays heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by the soundtracks of the '60s and '70s Spaghetti western movies. They've released three albums, two on the German heavy metal...
on their third album An Eye for an Eye. - German Singer Gunter GabrielGunter GabrielGunter Gabriel is a German singer, musician and composer.- Life :Gabriel became famous in Germany as singer of Schlager songs. Gabriel has four children. He married four times. Gabriel lives in Hamburg-Harburg.- Books :* 2009: Gunter Gabriel, Oliver Flesch: Wer einmal tief im Keller saß....
on his Album The Tennessee-Recordings (2003). - American rock band Pearl JamPearl JamPearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
on their 2004 album Live at Benaroya HallLive at Benaroya HallLive at Benaroya Hall is a two-disc live album by the American alternative rock band Pearl Jam, recorded on October 22, 2003 at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Washington and released on July 27, 2004 through BMG.-Overview:...
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