Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water

Subject: Lyr Req: Rapidan River runs right by my door
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 05:16 PM

My friend Mrs. Lev woke up this morning with this song in her head:

The Rapidan River runs right by my door
My wooden veranda hangs over her shore
I see so much wather spring, summer and fall
I never drink water, drink water at all.

Can anybody identify the song and give full lyrics?
The Rapidan River is the largest tributary of the Rappahannock River in North-central Virginia.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rapidan River runs right by my door
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 02:21 PM

refresh...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rapidan River runs right by my door
From: Peace
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 02:31 PM

I'm coming up with nothing, Joe.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rapidan River runs right by my door
From: beardedbruce
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 02:34 PM

nothing on Altavista...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rapidan River runs right by my door
From: ClaireBear
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 02:40 PM

Nothing in Clusty, save your thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rapidan River runs right by my door
From: georgeward
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 11:47 PM

I have a notion it may be in an pretty old Sing Out! Can't access mine just now. But here's the only verse (other than that posted) that I remember:

I know an old bishop who's past eighty-five;
I said to him, "Bishop, you certainly thrive!"
He swore by Saints Christopher, Peter and Paul,
That he never touched water, touched water at all.

Subject: ADD: Never Touch Water (Robert Schmertz)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 12:15 AM

George, you're the man!

Never Touch Water
(Robert Schmertz)

The Rapidan River runs right past my door,
My wooden veranda hangs over the shore.
I see so much water spring, summer and fall,
I never touch water, touch water at all.

Now water's all right under bridges and boats,
'Twas never intended for delicate throats;
But I can still sing fal de ral, de ral ral,
For I never touch water, touch water at all!

The Rapidan River runs Rapidan Mill,
And Rapidan Mill grinds the corn for the still,
A swig of my jug makes me seven feet tall,
And I never touch water, touch water at all.

The Rapidan River runs right by my door,
My wooden veranda hangs over the shore,
And I sit all alone singing fal de ral ral,
And I never touch water, touch water at all.

I know an old Bishop who's past eighty-five,
I said to him, "Bishop, you certainly thrive!"
He swore by Saint Christopher, Peter and Paul
He never touched water, touched water at all.

I know an old fellow who took several swipes,
The water was wet and it rusted his pipes;
Though he was a singer, he can't sing at all,
He can't even sing fal de ral, de ral ral!

My mother with liquor has nothing to do,
In fact she's a staunch Double UCTU,
But when hard cider time comes along in the fall,
She'll never touch water, touch water at all!


by Robert Schmertz, ©1959 (renewed) by Appleseed Music

from The Collected Reprints From Sing Out! [volume 1-6 (the pink one), page 44]

tune available on request

[e-mail]

---

Double UCTU: Women's Christian Temperance Union

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water
From: GUEST,Joe Foote
Date: 23 Sep 12 - 11:01 AM

My father, Irving Flint "Bud" Foote, used to sing this song to us when we were children. He probably learned it from his buddy Ernie Marrs. My sister might have more details. She can be found with a search for "Anna Foote Atlanta."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water
From: GUEST,Joe Foote
Date: 23 Sep 12 - 11:20 AM

No, wait: I can hear this song in Pete Seeger's voice. I was very young when Pete sang songs in our living room, so I don't know for sure if this is imagination or memory, but I think it more likely now that papa learned this song from Pete rather than Ernie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water
From: GUEST,Katie Letcher Lyle
Date: 24 Jan 13 - 05:31 PM

I used to sing this song at Peabody's Bookshop in Baltimore, from 1959-1963. Very popular back then!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Jan 13 - 05:41 PM

I always enjoy visiting places mentioned in songs I know. Last year, I crossed the Rapidan River in Virginia, on my way to and from the FSGW Getaway. My friend Mrs. Lev (see above) has introduced me to many, many wonderful songs - this one I learned from her in 2008.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water
From: GUEST,Mrr whose computer RsIP
Date: 25 Jan 13 - 12:05 PM

The Rapidan is in Central VA, Joe, we cherish the distinction down heyah... It's between my place and the place my kids' (other) grandparents used to have...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Rapidan River / Never Touch Water
From: GUEST,hub
Date: 21 Nov 15 - 12:26 AM

Rapidan River

The Rapidan River runs right past my door.
My wooden veranda hangs over the shore.
I see so much water spring, summer, and fall
I never touch water, touch water at all.

My grandmother with liquor will have nothing to do
In fact she's a staunch WUCTU,
but when hard apple cider time comes in the fall,
she will never touch water, touch water at all