Lyr/Chords Req: Arkansas River

Subject: 'Arkansas River' anyone know it?
From: BK
Date: 15 Feb 00 - 10:11 PM

I've looked in the data base; I go to a (nominally) bluegrass jam some thursday nights; an older couple sitting across from me sang a very nice song by that title. They don't come very often (me too, it seems) so I'm unlikely to be around them for a while. They thought other regulars would know it, but not so. They did say they'd never heard it on a recording & had no idea where to look - I only asked them just as they were leaving - as the music was stopping for the night. I'm sure they'd be willing to teach me, but I might not see them for many months.. Any ideas??

Thanx, BK

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: Amos
Date: 15 Feb 00 - 10:13 PM

Any words? COuld be one of several songs I think...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: BK
Date: 15 Feb 00 - 10:25 PM

Sounds silly, I know, but now, (several weeks later), I can't remember a bloody word! & they haven't been back to the jam the few times I have been there.

Lo Siento.. BK

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Feb 00 - 11:48 PM

...BK..I lived five years in Arkansas and I have racked my brain to remember hearing such a song. I did a folk radio show for three of those years in Fayetteville and sang at Jimmie Driftwood's barn and in MV. I was an Almeda Riddle groupie...and I am a card carrying (inactive) member of The Rackensack Society, but I have never heard a song by that name...the closest I come is The White River Valley which I will post on a new thread...harpgirl (maybe Arkie has heard it, or Dave or Cathy Para)...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: Crowhugger
Date: 15 Feb 00 - 11:55 PM

Could it be something current like Lucinda Williams but with a bit of bluegrass retread?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: Amos
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 12:01 AM

The purdiest gal I ever saw,
Whack fol diddliddlay
Said I live in Arkansas
Whackfoldiddliddle ay
So I'm a'goin down to Rackensack
Whackfoldiddliddle ay
Find that girl, I'm never coming back
Whackfoldiddliddle ay

Get outta the way, the Fiddler!
Get outta the way, the Fiddler
Outta the way, the Fiddler!
Goin' down into Rackesack

Would it be that one, just on an off chance?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: Arkie
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 12:09 AM

There is a group called Joe Sasser and Friends, among other things, who do, I believe, the song you are looking for. Very nice song. May take me a little while to find Joe, but I'd like to have the words as well. Good tune, but I can't do much with that at this time. I believe that the song is of relatively recent vintage. Seems like there is a line about where the Arkansas River runs..., but my memory is on a leave of absence right now.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 10:48 AM

Don Williams recorded a song that I first heard at a bluegrass festival in Cloudcroft, New Mexico a few years ago.

Where The Arkansas River Leaves Oklahoma

I have that LP.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 11:23 AM

Chorus
Where the Arkansas River leaves Oklahoma
It runs free and rambles, muddy and wide
Where the Arkansas River leaves Oklahoma
It's gone forever and never looks back.

Hafta run an errand...
Will post lyrics when i get back...
Can also upload to website or email a copy

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 11:28 AM

Gene, that's the song that my friend Joe Sasser sings. Did not realize it was recorded by Don Williams. Have not been able to catch up to Joe as yet.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 12:19 PM

Not as recent vintage as you think, Arkie
Don Williams - Country Superstar/1981
Another great W. Holyfield composition

Subject: Lyr Add: WHERE THE ARKANSAS RIVER LEAVES OKLAHOMA
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 02:27 PM

WHERE THE ARKANSAS RIVER LEAVES OKLAHOMA
DON WILLIAMS
WAYLON HOLYFIELD

CHORUS
WHERE THE ARKANSAS RIVER LEAVES OKLAHOMA
It runs free and rambles, muddy and wide
WHERE THE ARKANSAS RIVER LEAVES OKLAHOMA
It's gone forever and never looks back.

I met her in Stillwell, she'd just turned twenty
A spirited beauty like I'd never known
And me a dirt farmer, who lived by the river
But she said she loved me and the free life I owned.

We married in April and we lived by the river
We worked that land from Spring thru the Fall
But I guess when the Winter howled at our window
She couldn't help hearin' that wild river call.

CHORUS

She tried to conquer that wild rage within her
But something too strong, ran deep in her soul
But I know she loved me, she cried like a baby
That cold Winter morning she answered the call.

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 03:54 PM

Gene, since I primarily deal with music from the first half of the twentieth century on back, I consider anything from the fiftys and sixtys to the present as "recent" vintage. The 80's are quite recent.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: BK
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 06:53 PM

Incredible! & thanks.. I'll need to hear the tune at some point. Will also bring the words to the jam 'n see if some of the guys can put a tune to it. Gonna do a sing-along sometime in the next month or so at our church 'n thought it would be good to do a song related to this part of the country.. (also just a nice song to know) Obviously I suspect the song above could be it. If I finally get hold of that couple, 'n if they can let me tape it 'n it's different, I'll try to post it here.

Again, muchas gracias, BK

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Arkansas River' anyone know
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 16 Feb 00 - 07:51 PM

BK/Have wave, it can travel -

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