The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #133967 Message #3047286
Posted By: Mike Yates
06-Dec-10 - 05:49 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Kimble Family--Pennsylvania Rambler
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kimble Family--Pennsylvania Rambler
This is related to the Carter Family piece "Don't Forget this Song" (with a bit of "The Silver Dagger" thrown in for good measure). Many of the words, and the tune, are more or less identical. I made this transcription many years ago from one of my recordings of the Family, though some words remain unclear.
1. Now all my young companions
Where-ever you may be
And listen to my story
To shun bad company
2. My home's in Pennsylvania
Among the pleasant hills
The memory of my (first light/birthplace?)
Lies in my memory still
3. I had not loved my fireside
I did not love my home
My mind was bent on rambling
And I was bound to roam
4. I bid adieu to loved ones
To all I bid farewell
I landed in Chicago
In the very depths of hell
5. The there I took to gambling
I sinned both night and day
And always in my bosom
An (angel?) voice would say
6. I courted a fair young lady
Her name I will not tell
How could I so disgrace her?
When I am doomed for hell
7. Was on one moonlight evening
The stars were shining bright
The with a silver dagger
I pierced her tender heart
8. ??
??
You may forget the singer
But don't forget the song
I cannot make out the first two lines to verse 8. Line one sounds a bit like "And now the rope's around me", but I am not too certain. The two Carter Family lines ("Now I'm upon my scaffold/My time's not very long"), from "Don't Forget this Song", are clearly not what the Kimble's sang.