The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #23290   Message #257485
Posted By: Stewie
14-Jul-00 - 01:57 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Kinfolks in Carolina (Merle Travis)
Subject: Lyr Add: KINFOLKS IN CAROLINA^^ (Merle Travis)
There are 2 takes on the Bear Family 5CD Travis set - an unissued 1951 take and a 1952 take. The lyrics vary only in the 1952 version repeating a few lines at the end. I have transcribed the 1952 version for you:

KINFOLKS IN CAROLINA
(Merle Travis)

I've got kinfolks in Carolina
That's the place to find my family tree
They're scattered from a little north of Georgia
To a little bit east of East Tennessee
But there's a little gal on top of Old Smoky
And she really ain't no kin to me at all
But I'm gonna buy her a wedding ring
And get me a ticket on the New River train
And make her my closest kin, folks, after all

I've got kinfolks in Carolina
Aunt Mollie lives Raleigh NC
I've got cousins by the dozens down in Charlotte
And my grandpaw fought with Robert E. Lee
But there's a little lump of sugar up in Asheville
With a soothin' sort of a little southern drawl
I'll tie the knot with my southern belle
And tell all the world with a rebel yell
She'll be my closest kin, folks, after all

Well I'm gonna buy her a wedding ring
And get me a ticket on the New River train
And make her my closest kin, folks, after all

Source Merle Travis 'Kinsfolk in Carolina' recorded for Capitol 13 February 1952. Reissued on Bear Family 5CD boxed set Merle Travis 'Guitar Rags and Too Fast Past' BCD 15637.
PS

Cheers, Stewie. ^^