Lyr Req: Charlotte Town

Subject: Charlotte Town
From:
Date: 15 Sep 00 - 03:12 PM

Hi, Anyone have any ideas where we can find lyrics to a song that contains the lines: "Charlotte town is burning down" and "Say goodbye to Liza Brown" (or "Jane")? I've checked all my usual sources but nothing jumps out. According to the person who wants the lyrics, the song is an old Southern U.S. folk song. If you can email the answer in addition to posting here, that would be great.:) [e-mail]

Subject: Lyr Add: CHARLESTON TOWN / GOODBYE LIZA JANE
From: Robby
Date: 15 Sep 00 - 03:45 PM

May be you're looking for "Charleston town is burning down" by Randy Sparks and the New Christy Minstrels on their album, Advance To The Rear, which is the sound track to the movie of the same name.

CHORUS: Charleston town is burning down. Don't cry! Don't cry!
Cotton bolls are turning brown. Good-bye, Liza Jane. (Repeat)

I'm gonna get my musket. Don't cry! Don't cry!
I'm gonna get my musket. Good-bye, Liza Jane.

Where will I be in the morning? Don't cry! Don't cry!
Where will I be in the morning? Good-bye, Liza Jane.

There are a few more verses to this song. Unfortunately, I don't remember all of them. If I can recall any more of them, I'll post the rest later.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Robby
Date: 15 Sep 00 - 03:56 PM

I forgot to mention that Advance To The Rear was a spoof of a Union Army unit during the Civil War. Also, if I remember correctly all of the songs in the sound track were either written by Randy Sparks, solo, or with others. Thus, while "Charleston town is burning down" may not be an old Southern folk song, such a song could have served as a model for the one composed for the film.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From:
Date: 15 Sep 00 - 04:30 PM

Thank you! That's what we needed.:)

Subject: Lyr Add: CHARLOTTE TOWN / GOODBYE LIZA JANE
From: GUEST,Bud Savoie
Date: 15 Sep 00 - 08:02 PM

The New Christy Minstrels never did a song without messing it up for their audience's consumption. I used to sing this song with the following words:

Charlotte Town is burning down, goodbye, bye-bye.
Burning down to the ground, Goodbye, Liza Jane.

CHORUS: Oh, how I miss you, Ain't that a shame.
Oh, how I miss you, Goodbye Liza Jane.

Liza Jane had a dress of red, Goodbye, bye-bye.
Queen of hearts, or so she said, Goodbye, Liza Jane.

CHORUS

Liza Jane's about half grown, Goodbye, &c.
Jumps on a man like a dog on a bone, Goodbye, &c.

I've got a gal and a hound dog too, Goodbye, &c.
She don't bite, but the hound dog do, Goodbye, &c.

Liza Jane, countin' her toes, Goodbye, &c.
You can smell her feet wherever she goes, Goodbye, &c.

Liza Jane's pretty as a rose, Goodbye, &c.
Bites her nails and picks her nose, Goodbye, &c.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From:
Date: 16 Sep 00 - 01:16 PM

Hello: Well, now, that puts a whole new wrinkle on it. Hmmm, I'll have to do a bit more digging. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Bud Savoie
Date: 16 Sep 00 - 09:17 PM

Friend of mine and jammate from Chicago says the tune is called "Going Down to Cairo" in Illinois. Might have different words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Robby
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 07:55 AM

This just to show that there's always something to learn. But are they going to "Kay-roe" in Illinois, or "Kie-roe" in Egypt? Which, by the way, is why the city in Illinois is Cairo, it's in that part of the State once, and maybe still, referred to as Egypt.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,Dede
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 08:34 PM

The lyrics I learned was

Hey-ho the boatmen row- rowin in the valley of the o-hi-oh
Hey-ho the boatmen row- rowin in the valley of the o-hi-oh

Charlotte-Towns burnin down, good bye, good bye
Charlotte-Town to the ground, good bye Liza Jane

Aint'cha mighty sorry (hold out sorry, second person says goodbay while you hold out sorry) Aint'cha mighty sorry, Goodbye Liza Jane

Black my boots and a make them shine, good bye, good bye, black my boots and a make them shine, Good bye Liza Jane


Aint'cha mighty sorry (hold out sorry, second person says goodbay while you hold out sorry) Aint'cha mighty sorry, Goodbye Liza Jane

Theres a gal in Baltimore, Good bye, Good Bye, Silver doorplate on her door, good bye liza Jane.


Aint'cha mighty sorry (hold out sorry, second person says goodbay while you hold out sorry) Aint'cha mighty sorry, Goodbye Liza Jane

oh, e-liza, that lil-liza Jane-
oh, e-liza, that Lil Liza jane-


Hey-ho the boatmen row- rowin in the valley of the o-hi-oh

----Thats it
Sorry if i forgot to capitilize

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Feb 09 - 09:50 PM

See Charlotte Town at Bluegrass Messengers:
Charlotte

Also search charlotte in Lyrics and Knowledge search box

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,this is how it goes
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:00 PM

part 1 : hey ho the boat men row x2
part 2 : floatin down the river on the ohio x2

charlotte towns burnin down good bye good bye burnin down to the ground      good bye liza jane

   aint' cha mighty sorry good bye good bye aint' cha mighty sorry good bye liza jane

this is just a preview

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Peace
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 08:34 PM

"See Charlotte Town at Bluegrass Messengers:
Charlotte"

It's giving a 404 site not available/might have moved notice, Q. I saw that earlier and couldn't get into it. Might just be me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Peace
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 08:35 PM

BTW, look also at

Charleston Town

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 03:04 AM

Derek Brimstone has his version "Scarlet Town" on his "All those songs" CD.

Now Scarlet town is burning down
Goodbye, goodbye
Scarlet town is burning down
Goodbye Liza Jane

Now aintcha feeling sorry?
Goodbye
Goodbye
Now aintcha feeling sorry?
Goodbye Liza Jane

Now Liza Jane had eyes of blue
Goodbye, goodbye
Stole my heart, my best friend too
Goodbye Liza Jane

Cho

Now Liza Jane is dead and gone
Goodbye, goodbye
But in my heart she still lives on
Goodby Liza Jane

Cho

Now Scarlet town is burning down
Goodbye, goodbye
Scarlet town is burning down
Goodbye Liza Jane

Cho

Great singalong song.

Al

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,Elizabeth
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 05:53 PM

I've heard

Hey ho the boatmen row
Floating down the river on the Ohio
Hey ho the boatmen row
Floating down the river on the Ohio

Charlottetown's burning down
Hey ho the boatmen row
Burning down to the ground
Goodbye Liza Jane

Ain't cha mighty sorry (Goodbye, goodbye)
Ain't cha mighty sorry (Goodbye Liza Jane)

Black my boots and make them shine
Hey ho the boatmen row
Black my boots and make them shine
Goodbye Liza Jane

Ain't cha mighty sorry (Goodbye, goodbye)
Ain't cha mighty sorry (Goodbye Liza Jane)

There's a gal in Baltimore,
Little Liza Jane
Silver doorplate on her door,
Little Liza Jane

Ain't cha mighty sorry (Goodbye, goodbye)
Ain't cha mighty sorry (Goodbye Liza Jane)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Apr 09 - 07:15 PM

Three versions of Chatlotte Town (is burning down) at the revised Bluegrass Messengers site, also Charlottetown-Charleston Fires.

C index here:
C Index

Home page: Bluegrass Messengers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,pegg
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 11:04 PM

The lyrics are:      

Charlotte town is burning down
Goodbye, goodbye
Charlotte town is burning down
Goodbye Liza Jane

Aintcha feeling sorry?
Goodbye
Goodbye
Now aintcha feeling sorry?
Goodbye Liza Jane

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,Jazzy
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:01 PM

wait so what is this song about?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,A
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:09 PM

In my opinion this song looks like an old fairy tale ther're many versions and no one's sure which is the right one in my chorus class we're singing

Charlotte town's burnin' down
Goodbye, goodbye
Burnin' down to the ground
Goodbye, Liza Jane

Ain'tcha mighty sorry ain'tcha mighty sorry
Goodbye, Liza Jane

Black my boots and a make them shine
Goodbye, goodbye
Black my boots and a make them shine
Goodbye, Liza Jane

There's a gal in Baltimore
Goodbye, goodbye
Silver doorplate on her door
Goodbye, Liza Jane

Ohhhh, Eliza
That li'l Liza Jane
Oh Elizaaaaaaaaaaa
Goodbye, Liza Jane

Lizaaaaaa Jaaaane
Floatin' down the river on the O-hi-o

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,tyler
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 04:20 PM

Hey ho! the bout-men row....
Hey ho! the bout-men row....on the o-hi-oh
Charolette's town burnin' down goodbye Liza Jane
Charolette's town burnin' down goodbye goodbye
Ain'cha mighty sorry goodbye goodbye

that is all I can remember but I am doing this in my chorus class and I need to know the answers to these questions....What town is this reffering to? what time period? What is happening? if I can get those answers I will be very happy =)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Amos
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 04:34 PM

I would estimate the reference is to Charlotte NC, and the era is circa 1862.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,Tyler
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 08:44 PM

Thank you

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,tyler
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 08:47 PM

you got me an A+ on that one.... I owe you one over the coimputer.....i guess =)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,Charlotte Town....xD
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 07:01 AM

Hey ho the boatmen row....
Rowing down the river of the Ohio
Hey ho the boatmen row....
Rowing down the river of the Ohio

Charlotte town's burning down
Hey ho the boatmen row....
Rowing down the river of the Ohio....
Burning down to the ground
Goodbye, Liza Jane.

Black my boots and make them shine
Hey ho the boatmen row...

There's a gal in Baltimore
Hey ho the boatmen row...
Sliver platter near the door
Goodbye, Liza Jane...

Ain'tcha mighty sorry....
Goodbye, goodbye....
Ain'tcha mighty sorry...
Goodbye, Liza Jane...

Hey ho the boatmen row....
Rowing down the river of the Ohio
Hey ho the boatmen row....
Rowing down the river of the Ohio

In the Ohio!


Finished


Thank you my fellas...xd

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,K
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 09:36 AM

Here's what I remember from the version that my Mom sang to my 6 month old last year:

Charleston town is burning down,
goodbye, goodbye
Burning down to the ground,
goodbye Liza Jane

Ain't cha mighty sorry,
goodbye, goodbye
Ain't cha mighty sorry,
goodbye Liza Jane

Liza Jane had eyes of green,
goodbye, goodbye
Meanest gal I ever did see,
goodbye Liza Jane

She took my money and my good man too,
goodbye, goodbye

I wish that I could remember more because my Mom recently passed away and I wanted to sing the song to my little girl to remind her of her grandma. My daughter had an operation at just 5 weeks old, and my Mom came to help me to take care of her. After her operation, my little one couldn't suffer to be alone for one minute. My Mom, my daughter's grandma, held her and held her and sang this song. If anyone knows the rest of this version, I'd be grateful.
Thanks, K

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 03:35 PM

The 'Charlottetown' of Liza Jane is assumed to be Charleston, South Carolina, by the Bluegrass Messengers (see links to Bluegrass Messengers, above).
It had large fires, including the fire at Fort Sumter, 1863.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, had two large fires, in the 1860s and 1880s. It was an important town. (see links to Bluegrass Mesengers, above)

Charlotte NC had a mint (nearby gold mines), and was occupied by Confederate forces in 1863, but had no fires of note. It was a small town at the time.

The verse in Liza Jane is early 20th c., and may refer to no particular fire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 05:39 PM

The REAL lyrics are: hey ho the boatmen row on the ohio,charlotte town buring down, hey ho the boatmen row, burning down to the ground goodbye liza jane. aint ya mighty sorry goodbye goodbye, if you need more just most another one asking for it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 07:50 PM

Guest- Your source?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,k
Date: 12 Jan 11 - 08:48 PM

hey ho the botmen row[flot,n down the river inao, hi ,o]*2
[clap clap] [stomp stomp]black my boots and make them shine goodbye
goodbye black my boots and makethemshine goodbye liza jane.aintcha
mighty sorry goodbye goodbye aintcha mighty sorry goodbye liza jane










all i no sorry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 05:11 PM

"No 'real' verses to a folksong.

Update to lyrics at Bluegrass Messengers website. Indispensable!

Bluegrass lyrics

Three versions plus a discussion of fires.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,selbyc
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 06:24 PM

Elizabeth is right. i am doing it in choir as school.
-selby:) <3

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:26 PM

What I learned was this:

Charlotte's Town is burning down, goodbye, goodbye.
Burning down to the ground, goodbye Liza Jane.
Aintcha mighty sorry? Goodbye, goodbye.
Aintcha mighty sorry? Goodbye Liza Jane.

And the boatman song was completely different.

Hi-ho the boatmen go, up and down the river on the Ohio. x2

Boatmen dance and the boatmen sing
And the boatmen do most anything.
When the boatmen come on the shore,
They spend their money and they work for more.

Hi-ho the boatmen go, up and down the river on the Ohio. x2

Ever see where the boatmen live?
It's a house on the harbor and it leaks like a sieve
Boatman says if he has one wish,
If it doesn't get better he'll soon be a fish!

Hi-ho the boatmen go, up and down the river on the Ohio. x2

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 20 Jul 11 - 03:19 PM

Thanks for the enjoyable words, Guest.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 03:19 PM

Judy Henski recorded it in the early 60's on her High Flyin' Bird album.
She sang the following lyrics:

Charlotte Town is burning down
Goodbye and a bye-bye
Burning down to the ground
Goodbye Liza Jane

Chorus
Ain't cha mighty sorry
Goodbye and a bye-bye
Ain't cha mighty sorry
Goodbye Liza Jane

Now Liza Jane had dress of red
Goodbye and a bye-bye
Queen of hearts or so it's said
Goodbye Liza Jane

Chorus

Now Liza Jane had eyes of blue
Gb & a bb
Stole all my money and my good man too
Gb L J

Chorus

Now Liza Jane had a glance of green
Gb & a bb
Meanest gal yuh ever seen
Gb L J

Chorus

Now Liza Jane had a soul of black
Gb & a bb
She's gone away and she won't come back
Good riddan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST,Charles Macfarlane
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 05:30 PM

See also the top DT Study link ...
Lyr Req: Goodbye Liza Jane
... for further discussion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Charlotte Town
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 11:13 PM

Sorry, got cut off.

Now Liza Jane had a soul of black
Gb & a bb
She's gone away and she won't come back
Good riddance Liza Jane

Chorus