THE HIGH COST OF LIVING
(As performed by the Critton Hollow String Band)

The landlord wants his money and the grocery bill is due.
My ol' wallet's gettin' flat, and boys, I'm tellin' you,
My clothes are getting ragged and my shoes are getting thin.
Just lend an ear and you will hear the awful fix I'm in:

CHORUS: It's the high, high, high cost of livin'.
Oh, tell me what a workin' man can do?
It's the high, high, high cost of livin'.
I'm in the red and feelin' mighty blue!

There's no T-bone steak at our house, and no more choc'late pie.
We can't afford those luxuries; the prices are too high.
I used to drive a Cadillac until the other day,
But I had to trade the darn thing off and get a model A. CHORUS

My little wife she told me just the other day:
"Throw out the chest and tell the rest that junior's on his way."
Now, since you can't go shoot the stork, a helpin' hand I'll need.
Oh, tell me how I can afford another mouth to feed? CHORUS


The Critton Hollow String Band folks were local favorites in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia in the 70s and early 80s when I lived there. The four members covered a wide variety of cowboy, folk and mountain music, mixed with some originals. Fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin and hammered dulcimer were the featured instruments, along with fine, authentic backwoods harmonies. They put out at least two albums on a small label whose name now eludes me. Worth looking for, however.

Anyone else out there know these folks or their current doings? It's been years since I've seen them play, but still find myself whistlin' and pickin' many of their tunes.