Lyr Req: Did You Hear John Hurt (Tom Paxton)

Subject: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From:
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 03:36 AM

hello,
    i'm searching for the title and artist of a song that i heard on "Blues Before Sunrise" (radio show) many years ago. The song is about Mississippi John Hurt, and it's kind-of in his sweet, soft spoken style, but not completely. My guess is that it was recorded in the late 60's (?)

    Some of the lyrics i remember are "Did you see John Hurt? Did you shake his hand? Did you see him play his 'Candyman?'...he tickled our fancy, with his felt hat on" etc...
   
    (for some reason i thought it might have been John Hammond Jr., but i'm not so sure...)
   
    If anyone knows the artist and title of the song, PLEASE write to me at [e-mail]. (I've never written on this board before, and i may not find it again, so someone please write!)
   Thanks in advance, df

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 04:37 AM

The song is of course, "Did You see John Hurt", and was written by Tom Paxton. I have emailed the above guest.

Murray

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: reggie miles
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 05:30 AM

A partner of mine and I have performed this song for years.

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: jeffp
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 08:11 AM

It's included on the Philadelphia Folk Festival 40th Anniversary 4-CD set. (A great compilation, by the way.)

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: Chris C
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 01:42 PM

Dave Van Ronk did a rendition of this song that's terrific.
I think it's in an alternate tuning; I wasn't able to figure out his guitar part when I tried (a while back). I play an easier arrangement.
If anyone has any tips on how Dave played it, I'd love to hear 'em. (I bet figuring out the tuning would go a long way).
If anyone here needs the lyrics, please say so. I can post them...
-Chris

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 05:31 PM

saw Dave Van Ronk at the NJ Folk Project festival maybe 5 years ago and asked him directly. the song is is in G but played in dropped D tuning (top to bottom, E B G D A D, the lowest string dropped a full tone) I watched him do it and am still in awe; hope this helps, Chris!
PETE

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 06:01 PM

thanks murray (and everybody)

The version I heard was Von Ronk's.

I would love to find an mp3 of this version, so i could bring it to some old friends in chicago over thanksgiving holiday.
but i can't find it, so far...anyone have it, by chance?

Chris, please post the lyrics!

regards, david

Subject: RE: ISO song ABOUT john hurt
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 06:18 PM

Murray, maybe you'd better email the guest again.

The song is Did You Hear John Hurt? and it's posted in the Forum (click the link).