Info Req: King's highway

Subject: Info Req: King's highway
From: Racer
Date: 08 May 00 - 02:26 AM

I just saw "The General's Daughter" for the first time. I heard a very interesting version of "Rock Island Line" by Kelley Pace and Group. It was very different than the Clancy Bros version (which was the only one I had heard before).

I was wondering if maybe "King's Highway" had similar origins.

Does anyone know where this song came from, and maybe where I can find a good version of it?

-Racer

Subject: RE: Info Req: King's highway
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 08 May 00 - 01:07 PM

The version I know is by the Weavers, can you say what album the CBros did it on? I'd love to hear them do that one... Somehow, Lee Hayes' "cat's in the corner but he can't dig me" sounds hilarious in my mental audio of a brogue...

Subject: RE: Info Req: King's highway
From: Racer
Date: 08 May 00 - 04:17 PM

They don't really do the whole song. They sort of use it as an intro to "Rock Island Line." It's on a live album called "Ain't It Grand Boys." I don't know who thought up the title of the album; it should be "Isn't It Grand Boys."

It's a really good album. It's got a good version of "The West's Asleep" as well as "Auld Triangle". Both are done a cappella.

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check out the Weavers.

--Racer

Subject: RE: Info Req: King's highway
From: GUEST,Dan Evergreen
Date: 10 May 00 - 07:34 PM

When the storm clouds gather and the night grows near,
Keep on your journey and never fear.
Don't be discouraged, whatever you do,
For there is a power to see one through.

(Chorus) And you will walk in glory; you will walk in peace,
In a land where trouble and sorrows cease.
Walk together in the good of the day.
You will be walking on the Kings Highway.

When you see a man, a-walking down the road,
Slow down and offer to share his load.
Go with your brother and give him your hand,
And walk along together to the promise land.

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Info Req: King's highway
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 10 May 00 - 08:26 PM

Kelley Pace and Group is a group of convicts (Kelley is doing the lead) working & the recording is a field recording of the Rock Island Line as it was used as a work song before it got changed around a bit. Lonny Donnagin (what awfull spelling) & Van Morrison recorded it in their Skiffle Sessions, Leadbelly's got it down somewhere, his is probably the closest to the field recording that I've heard. I can't recall what label or collection or the title of the CD but it's most likely in the Library of Congress. I'll try & dig up more for you if you want but I'm not able to drop in much anymore (there's a bug in my virus). Barry (whose after hours at work)

Subject: RE: Info Req: King's highway
From: Racer
Date: 11 May 00 - 01:31 AM

Thanks, Dan, for the lyrics. I definitely have to get a good recording of the song now because it sounds nothing like the Clancy's version of it. I like the real lyrics that you've posted better; they have more substance.

Thanks Barry for the information. I like Van Morrison a lot, and I look forward to buying another one of his albums. I'm sorry to hear that you have a bug in your virus. Distributing a virus is really hard when there's a bug in it.:)

Thanks to everyone for the information. I should have enough to go on now.

-Racer