Under the April Sky (R.C. Banks)
Ronnie Lane
LIVE AT AUSTIN: The Texas Years 1984-1990
Sideburn Records, 2000
Spoken intro (Ronnie Lane):
"... 'Right, well the next number we would like to do is a number penned by Mr. Randall
Conway Banks and it's called 'April Skies'."
(twin fiddle motif, repeated as an interlude between verses) play 2X:
D G
-----------0-------------------5----3--|
-----------------3~---------3----------|
--------2-------------0--4-------------|
--0--4---------------------------------|
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D G(6)
--------------------0-------------------|
-----------5----3------3----------------|
--------2-----------------(4-/-2-p-0-)--|
-0---4----------------------------------|
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D G
I took a walk by the river one day
D G(6*)
Under the April Sky-igh
D G
I heard the music and I saw the lights
D G(6)
Under the April Sky
(interlude) 2X
D G
Sweet Senorita bonita christie (?)
D G
Under the April Sky
D G
Did I dare ask her to dance by my side?
D G
Under the April Sky
BRIDGE:
C Bm G /F# Em
And as we danced she said to me
C Bm G
Under April Ski-i-es,
C Bm G Em
We will surely fall in love
D
for life....
(interlude) 2X
D G
(I took a walk) by the river one night
D G
Under the April Sky
D G
Beautiful feeling, the wonderful light
D G
Under the April Sky
BRIDGE:
C Bm G /F# Em
Oh-wo-oh, as time does pass
C Bm G
Well let our love be true
C Bm G Em
Then when April comes again
D
I'll dream more of you
(interlude) 2X
D G
I took a walk by the river one night,
D G
Under the April Sky!
D G
I found a new feeling, a love of my life,
D G
Under the April Sky!
D G
Oh what a feeling that moves in my heart,
D G
Under the April Sky!
D G
Viva fiesta, the best san antone (?)
D G
Under the April Sky
Under the April Sky
Under the April Sky
Under the April Sky
end on G
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* (G6) The sixth is sometimes played or implied by the melody in passing.
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This song was performed by Ronnie Lane at many of his Austin gigs in the 1980s, and
recorder live for local radio and is available on Siderburn records's LIVE IN AUSTIN. It's
a charming tune written by R.C. Banks, a member of Ronnie's band and successful
singer-songwriter in his own right. The recording blends the accordion and fiddles
Austin music
with Ronnie's cheerful but weary vocal (he was ailing with MS at the time).
I have loved the song since I first heard it, and finally was able to figure out the
chords (I hope--lyrics are difficult to catch in places). If anyone out there has any
better ideas--especially any of the talented Austin musicians from Ronnie's
bands--please let me know! Support Ronnie Lane and RC Banks's work: buy the CD. As of
October 2012, this
song isn't even posted on youtube, so buy the record!