The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #31537   Message #2975954
Posted By: Uncle_DaveO
30-Aug-10 - 12:19 PM
Thread Name: Tune Req: anybody know this Appalachian Tune?
Subject: RE: Tune Req: anybody know this Appalachian Tune?
This reminds me mightily of The Next Big River, like this:

The Next Big River

Cho:
The next big river I'm bound to cross,
The next big river I'm bound to cross,
Next big river I'm bound to cross,
Oh, ladies, fare thee well!

How old are you, my pretty little miss?
How old are you, my honey?
She answered me, with a "Tee-haw-haw,
I'll be sixteen next Sunday."

Cho: The next big river etc

Sugar grows on a white oak tree
The branches flow in brandy
The world is full of five-dollar bills
The girls are sweeter than candy!

Cho: The next big river etc

I miss my gal, my pretty little gal,
The gal I left behind me!
If ever I hit that trail again,
I'll keep my gal behind me.

Cho:
Next big meetin' I'll jine the band
Next big meetin' I'll jine the band
Next big meetin' I'll jine the band
Oh, ladies, fare thee well!

Over the river to feed the sheep
We'll waltz 'em like a pigeon
We'll make 'em dance the weevily wheat
And scatter their religion

Cho:
Oh, rare back, chicken, and crow for day!
Rare back, chicken, and crow for day!
Rare back, chicken, and crow for day!
Oh, ladies, fare thee well!

The higher up the cherry tree,
The riper grow the cherries!
The more ya hug and kiss the girls,
The quicker they will marry!

Cho:
Oh, we're goin' to the party, don't you wanta come along?
Goin' to the party, don't you wanta come along?
Goin' to the party, don't you wanta come along?
We'll dance till the break of day!

The tune is at the Mudcat Midi Site, The Next Big River, under the M through S section. The tune given there is not EXACTLY what I learned and sing, but being folksong, it's close enough.

Dave Oesterreich