Lyr Req: Going Up North (John Jackson)

Subject: Lyr Add: GOING UP NORTH (John Jackson)
From: Chris Seymour
Date: 20 Jan 13 - 12:27 PM

I'm looking for help compiling the lyrics to "Going up North," as sung by John Jackson on his album "Country Blues and Ditties" with a different version on the Smithsonian Folkways compilation "Black Banjo Songsters."

He's pretty understandable on "Black Banjo Songsters" but less so on "Country Blues & Ditties." Here is what I can make out; has anybody else with better ears or better equipment figured out what might go in the brackets? Any help much appreciated!

Going up North
As sung by John Jackson
Lyrics compiled from two versions he recorded, one on "Black Banjo Songsters" and one on "Country Blues & Ditties"

Going up north
Throw my britches off
Dance in my long shirt tails

Oh ho
Oh ho
Can't get no letter from home
Can't get no letter from home

[] on my back
Hounds on my tack
Running [] shanty for a day

Oh me
Oh my
Don't you let her die []

Oh day
Oh tomorrow
Don't you let her die []

You caused me to weep
You caused me to moan
Caused me to leave my happy home

Mmm hmmm, Yeah hey
Running me home for []
Running me home for []

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Going up North' - John Jackson
From: 12-stringer
Date: 20 Jan 13 - 01:13 PM

"Chickens on my back
Run in that shanty 'fore day."

"Mmm, hmm, yeah,
Runnin' me home 'fore day."

The "Oh me oh my" verse is a little harder to hear, but to me it sounds like he's saying, "Don't you let a dime go by." I used to know another song in the tradition which expressed the same sentiment but I can't recall what it is, without a guitar in my lap.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Going up North' - John Jackson
From: Chris Seymour
Date: 21 Jan 13 - 12:32 PM

Thanks, 12-Stringer - that is very helpful. On listening, I'm sure you're correct about the chickens and the 'fore day.

By googling, I learned that some of the same lyrics appear in variants of Fox Chase (you have to scroll down to see them) and in Sam Collins' My Road is Rocky

I'm not sure about the dime, but it could be. Anyway, I have a singable song with more verses than I had before. Thanks!