Lyr. ADD: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL- NO. 4
^^
Of all the banjo songs that have been sung of late,
There is none that is now so often called on,
As the one I sing myself, and apply it to the times,
It's called "On the Other Side of Jordan."

CHORUS: So I pulled off my coat, and rolled up my sleeve,
Jordan's a hard road to trabble,
So I pulled off my coat and rolled up my sleeve,
Jordan's a hard road to trabble I believe.

Around the Crystal Palace there are a great many shows,
Where all the country green horns are drawn in--
There're snakes and alligators, mammouth mules and big 'taters,
That were raised upon the other side of Jordan.

The sovereign of the seas, she went to Liverpool,
In less than fourteen days, too, according,
Johnny Bull he wiped his eyes, and looked with surprise,
At this clipper from the Yankee side of Jordan.

The ladies of England have sent a big address
About slavery, and all its horrors, according,
They had better look at home, to their own white slaves,
That are starving on the English side of Jordan.

They have got o bearded lady down at Barnum's show,
And lots of pictures outside, according,
She's going to take her eye-lashes for a pair of mustaches,
For to trabble on the other side of Jordan.

The Duchess of Southerland, she keeps the Stafford House,
The place where the "Black Swan" is boarding;
At a musical party, they asked for a song,
And she gave them--On the other side of Jordan.

Our great father, Washington, he was a mighty man,
And all the Yankees do their fighting according,
They will raise the flag of freedom whereever they can,
Till they plant it on the other side of Jordan.

CHORUS: So I pulled off my coat, and rolled up my sleeve,
Jordan's a hard road to trabble,
So I pulled off my coat and rolled up my sleeve,
Jordan's a hard road to trabble I believe.


Notes: From American Memory Collection 1880's no date given probably 1860's. There was a debate over Uncle Dave Macon's Version where he says "Alligator Mountain." Note in the 2nd verse, "alligators, mammouth" perhaps derived by Macon from this. Also interesting to note "Other Side of Jordan" title is introduced here.

-Richie