1) an early '60s instrumental rock group
2) a traditional/folk music and dance group founded in 1971
3) a Melbourne band formerly 'The Crimson Flames'
4) A 60s R&B group
1) The Revels were an early '60s instrumental rock group. While they were not a surf group, since they pre-dated surf music, they were a big influence on the later surf groups. The Revels' most famous song, "Church Key", became a surf music staple that was covered by countless surf groups. The group had a raunchy saxophone-oriented sound.
2) Since 1971, a seasonal folk music and dance organization has organized performances and recordings as The Revels. They put on regular, seasonal productions in several U.S. cities. As "The Revels" they have recorded traditional spring, summer, and sailing songs, while their winter recordings are more specifically credited as The Christmas Revels. Some free tracks are available through their official website www.revels.org.
3) A current Melbourne based band formally known as 'The Crimson Flames'. The band originated in Leongatha as a school based band but has since become more prominent after the members left school. The Revels have released a 7 track EP titled 'World on Time'.
4) A 60s R&B group who released a single "Downtown" b/w "Dollar Sign" on the Kapp label in 1964. The original 45 is a collectors' item.
Mistagged groups:
1) The Doo-Wop group that scored a minor hit in 1959 with a rhythm and blues version of a Totentanz, titled "Midnight Stroll," should be tagged as The Re-Vels.
2) The Revel: A NJ rock band composed of brothers Dillon and Dean D'Antuono. An eponymous EP was realeased in 2017. They are currently touring.
Midnight Stroll
The Revels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had to pass the cemetery gate
The sky was dark and the moon was bright
It was a very, very, cold, cold night
I never thought I could see such a sight
A poor soul doing the Dead Man's Stroll
Dressed in a top hat, cane and allMust have been going to a dead man's ball
May not believe it but it has to be told
A poor soul doing the Dead Man's Stroll
[Crazy laughter]
Nodded his head, with a finger he led
I wasn't sure there was nothing to dread
We went on strolling for miles and miles
Just before I realized
The time had passed when I was cold
I was now doing the Dead Man's Stroll
Bee-doo-bee-doo
Bee-doo-bee-doo
Bee-doo-bee-doo
[Tolling bell]
The Revels's song Midnight Stroll is a haunting and eerie tune that tells the story of a man who is walking home after a long day of work. As he passes the cemetery gate, he encounters a strange sight. A man, dressed in a top hat and carrying a cane, is dancing a creepy and spine-chilling dance that seems like the Dead Man's Stroll. The singer is a bit puzzled and can't believe what he is seeing, but he is lured by the strange man with a finger gesture, and they continue to walk together for miles and miles. As they walk, the singer starts to feel the chill of the night and realizes that he is also doing the Dead Man's Stroll.
The lyrics to Midnight Stroll are open to interpretation, but this song seems to be evocative of death and the journey to the afterlife. The imagery of the cemetery and the Dead Man's Stroll suggest the finality of death and the inevitability of the end. The man dressed in a top hat and cane, could be interpreted as the Grim Reaper, leading the singer to his ultimate destination. However, the lyrics are also playful and humorous, with the Crazy laughter and Bee-doo-bee-doo sounds, creating a sense of irony and even a little bit of joy in the face of a dark subject.
Line by Line Meaning
Just got off from work, it was awful late
After working late, I was leaving when it was already dark outside.
I had to pass the cemetery gate
On my way home, I had to walk near the entrance of the cemetery.
The sky was dark and the moon was bright
In the dark sky, I could see the shining light of the bright moon.
It was a very, very, cold, cold night
The night was extremely cold, adding more discomfort to my tiring day.
I never thought I could see such a sight
What I witnessed next would have never crossed my mind before.
A poor soul doing the Dead Man's Stroll
I witnessed an eerie sight of a soul, probably dead, walking in a peculiar way that appeared as the Dead Man's Stroll.
Dressed in a top hat, cane, and all
The dead soul was dressed in fancy attire with a cane, as if ready for a grand event.
Must have been going to a dead man's ball
I assumed it to be on the way to an event for the deceased.
May not believe it but it has to be told
Although it might be hard to believe, the truth is what I saw.
A poor soul doing the Dead Man's Stroll
The eerie sight of the soul continued with the Walking Dead routine.
[Crazy laughter]
I heard uncontrollable laughter echoing in the air.
Nodded his head, with a finger he led
He gave me a nod and gestured with a finger, signaling me to follow him.
I wasn't sure there was nothing to dread
Even though I wasn't sure, I had no other option than to follow him anyway.
We went on strolling for miles and miles
The walk continued endlessly and covered miles without any signs of stopping.
Just before I realized
Before I could even process anything, something happened.
The time had passed when I was cold
By the time I realized, my coldness was no longer bothering me.
I was now doing the Dead Man's Stroll
I was also unknowingly walking like the dead soul.
Bee-doo-bee-doo
A creepy sound started buzzing.
Bee-doo-bee-doo
The creepy sound grew louder.
Bee-doo-bee-doo
The creepy sound reached its peak.
[Tolling bell]
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a tolling bell indicating that something had ended.
Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@avishalom2000lm
Just got off from work, it was awful late.
I had to pass the cemetery gate.
The sky was dark, and the moon was bright.
It was a very, very cold, cold night.
I never thought I could see such a sight -
A poor soul doing the Dead Man's Stroll.
Dressed in a top hat, cane and all,
Must have been going to a dead man's ball.
May not believe it but it has to be told:
A poor soul doing the Dead Man's Stroll.
Nodded his head, with a finger he led.
I wasn't sure there was nothing to dread.
We went on for miles and miles,
Just before I realized
The time had passed when I was cold,
I was now doing the Dead Man's Stroll.
@joytassoni5036
This song is still so koooollll!!!! anyone else digging it in 2020??
@Close2me4773
I'm 2022 >:)
@randasalines6
2023❤😊
@ericacole8411
My favorite Halloween song. 2023
@eileenanderson6644
Rockin in 2024!!
@CharlieMessing
I have the 45 too - had to get it! They had originally called it "Deadman's Stroll" but people told them to change it. It was a hit! What a record.
@Edwin48100
Yes! The title was changed by the demand of Dick Clark!
@lindadee2053
Great melody and super harmonies, and, of course, the great rhythm of a Stroll. Have loved this ReVels' tune since I bought the 45 rpm somewhere back around 1960.😅
@robjones2408
Frank Zappa loved this track.
Great stuff.
@CharlieMessing
Thanks for posting - it was a hit and I bought the 45 November 59...still have it