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Original Songs Cover Songs Themes Cover Songs (and Poetry) NEW! We are adding video clips to this page. Scroll down the page to see the songs that have video available. For all, there is an option of Broadband (for those with high-speed connections such as cable or DSL) or Dial-up. The broadband files are higher quality and larger images, but will take longer to download. The good news is that you can continue to read text on this page, and even visit other pages on the site, while a file downloads. Since this is a new process for us, please feel free to email us with any feedback. Dolan Ellis' shows consist of 80% or more of his own compositions, but he recognizes other great songwriters and poets, especially those who have written about Arizona and the American Southwest. The songs and poetry that Dolan includes in his repertoire range from very well known to obscure, but all become Dolan's own with his original arrangements and special touches. Songs with links will have some additional information such as photos, lyrics, sound clips, or stories on a separate page. The list:: ABC DEF GHI JKL MNO PQR STU VWXYZ Abilene: Dolan tends to tease us with this song, sometimes inserting some humorous lyrics. He sings a bit of it on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD and often does the same on stage. Adios, Arizona: Written by Dolan's long-time friend, Igor Glenn, who was a member of the New Christy Minstrels around 1969 through 1971 and who now leads a great group called Igor's Jazz Cowboys. Recorded on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD to mark Dolan's departure from Phoenix to Los Angeles in the early 1960s, a move that led to his stint with the New Christy Minstrels. America the Beautiful: Nobody sings this song like Dolan. It's a medley that begins and ends with the words inscribed on the Statue of LIberty. He sings all the verses, beautiful words sung by a wonderful voice with a lot of feeling. This song is almost always included in Dolan's patriotic theme shows (Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veteran's Day). He sang it at the Tucson VA Hospital for the Veteran's Day celebration in 2004 and will return there in 2005 and sing it for the veterans once again, by popular demand.
Autumn Leaves: Dolan's version is great, and it comes complete with beautiful slides, many of them taken in Oak Creek Canyon. He sings it as a medley with "California Dreamin'."
A Border Affair: From a poem written by Charles Badger Clark around the turn of the 20th century, this is one of the sweetest of love songs. The song is also known as "Adios Mi Corazon" or "Spanish is the Loving Tongue." It's recorded on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Buddy Can You Spare a Dime: The depression era song, which Dolan sings with a lot of soul and often with a tear in his eye. California Dreamin': Sung as part of a medley with "Autumn Leaves," this song helps to create a special autumn afternoon. Christmas Cowboy Style : Written by Michael Martin Murphy, it's the cowboy way of celebratin' Christmas, complete with a bit of yodeling.
Christmas Trail: A song from a Charles Badger Clark poem, written in the early 1900s while Clark was working as a rancher near Douglas. It's the timeless story of the young man who leaves his family to seek his fortune, but is excited to return to the family hearth.
A Cowboy's Prayer: Most people recite this as a poem, but Dolan sings it, and it's truly a beautiful song. Cry of the Wild Goose: Written by Terry Gilkyson, leader of the 1950s/1960s group Easy Riders. It's recorded on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD.
Desperado: Dolan includes this Eagles hit in his cowboy theme shows. Dolan's voice is perfect for the song, and the photographs he uses, especially the closeups of the weathered cowboy, are really wonderful. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face: Dolan was singing this song long before Robert Flack did, and his arrangement and delivery are wonderful. You can hear it (and see him sing it) on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Georgia On My Mind : Dolan's voice is perfect for this song written by the late, great Ray Charles. Ghost Riders (in the Sky): Written by Stan Jones, an Arizona cowboy who grew up in Cochise County. Legend has it that the inspiration for this classic Western song was a raging thunderstorm such as is commonly seen Southeastern Arizona during July and August. It's recorded on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD and on the Tall Tales, Lost Trails & Heroes CD.
Green, Green: One of the biggest hits for the New Christy Misntrels; Dolan's guitar is on the opening of the song. Dolan doesn't normally sing it, but he did include it in the New Christy Minstrels medly on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Hallelujah I Just Love Her So: Dolan uses this song to commemorate the life and music of one of his early heroes, Josh White. This song is recorded on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD.
I Love You Arizona: Written by Rex Allen, Jr., this song is Arizona's alternate state song (along with a song written in the late 1800s that is really difficult to sing). When Dolan includes this in one of his full presentations (complete with slides), the slides he uses are of children's drawings that illustrate the lyrics.
I'm a Drifter: A Travis Edmonson song, which Dolan sings with a lot of soul. He often stops to marvel at the inventiveness of Travis in coming up with the line, "I've seen a June bug in July." Julianne: A New Christy Minstrels song from the "Tall Tales, Legends & Nonsense" album. Dolan doesn't normally sing it, but he did include it in the New Christy Minstrels medly on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Malaguena Salerosa: A beautifully romantic, classic, traditional Mexican song, the only song that Dolan regularly sings in the Spanish language. So far, the only recording of this song is on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. The Man in the Big Hat is Buying: Dolan uses this song, written at Harold's Cave Creek Corral, to close his cowboy theme shows . The message is strong, about the importance of the cowboy in making the West what it is today. May the Road Rise Up to Meet You: This song comes from an Irish prayer, and was written by a friend of Dolan's. He likes to use it to close his shows, and has some wonderful photography to go along with it. He closed the "...after the show (TM)" DVD with this song. My Favorite Things: Dolan likes to do this song for Christmas or Mother's Day.
The Nearness of You: The smoothest of the smooth. Recorded on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Old Folks: For Dolan, this is not just a "Song I Seldom Sing," it's a "Song I Almost Never Sing." But he did sing it once when the tape was running, and it's a very sweet, nostalgic, bluesy song, worth watching. By the way, that's Travis Edmonson up front in the red jacket, and that's his laugh and "all right!" at the end of the song.
Ramblin': One of the big New Christy Minstrels hits. Dolan doesn't normally sing it, but he did include it in the New Christy Minstrels medly on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Rock Springs: A Dean Cook / Lon Austin / Stan Young Christmas song. Dean Cook is a top Arizona songwriter who composed many of the songs Sue Harris performs. Dolan heard Sue sing "Rock Springs" at a concert where they shared the stage at Scottsdale Community College in December 2003. He immediately fell in love with the song and decided it should be a part of his repertoire. The song is autobiographical. Dean grew up in Flagstaff and his grandparents lived in Phoenix. The song tells of the very long Christmas trip of those days, where they stopped to eat, how common it was to have car trouble, the changing of weather as they descended from the high mountains to the low desert, and the resultant change in vegetation. Sail Ho : A very dramatic song about a man who goes to the Superstition Mountains seeking his fortune in gold, and as he dies of thirst he believes he is seeing a sailboat. Check out Dolan's outstanding photography for this song, which explains why it is enitrely possible that such a mirage would appear under those circumstances. Scotch & Soda: Dolan usually tells an "urban folklore" story when he sings this song on stage. It is included on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. The Sierry Petes: A poem written by Prescott cowboy (and Dartmouth graduate) Gail Gardner while on the train, heading for his World War I camp, and also known as "Tyin' Knots in the Devil's Tail." Most people sing it, but Dolan chooses to recite it, calling on his acting abiltiies, especially the ability to act like a very drunk man. It's a fun part of most of his cowboy theme shows, and is included in the "...after the show (TM)" DVD.
Snowbird: Ann Murray made it famous, and Dolan Ellis gives it a new outlook, and provides some beautiful winter photography to enhance the music and lyrics. The Star Spangled Banner: Dolan came up with a special arrangement of the National Anthem when he was asked to sing it before a Diamondbacks game. He was able to include his special starting words, but because the fans cheer as soon as the last note of the song is hit, he had to omit his own ending, part of his tribute to men and women in uniform. You can hear both in these files.
Today: A classic New Christy Minstrels song. Dolan doesn't normally sing it, but he did include it in the New Christy Minstrels medly on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. Take a Gal Like You: A Josh White song with a lighthearted attitude. On the "...after the show (TM)" DVD. This Land is Your Land : A classic New Christy Minstrels song. Dolan doesn't normally sing it, but he did include it in the New Christy Minstrels medly on the "...after the show (TM)" DVD Tyin' Knots in the Devil's Tail: See the listing above for Sierry Petes. Wind Song: Travis Edmonson wrote this one in the early 1980s, and it's one of the best Arizona songs to be heard anywhere. With Travis' permission, the link for this song includes the complete lyrics. It deserves a lot of attention. You've Got a Friend in Me: From Disney's Toy Story.
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