ADD: I Was Right I Was Wrong (David Dodson)

Subject: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Dec 00 - 09:34 PM

Dick Swain has been singing a great song called something like "Wrong All Along." In fact, he sang it on our very own first Mudcat Gig. Another thread says the song may be by David Dodson. Here's the chorus:

I was right, I was wrong all along
I was right, I was wrong all along
I was worn all along, and I knew I was wrong
I was right, I was wrong all along

Anybody got the lyrics?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 02:08 AM

Somebody?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 03:29 AM

Ah, geez, Joe, I haven't unpacked everything, yet, but I think this is on a tape I have, maybe one of those ones that Susanne (skw) sent me, but probably not on those, because she referenced all of them with a thread and you did do a Super Search, isn't you?**BG**

Other thought I had is Bill Sables may have sung it at my house or I've heard the same bit you have!

Sorry I am not much help. If I ever get my office unpacked, I will look for the tape I may have with it.

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 04:05 AM

Looking forward to seeing the lyrics to this, I could adopt it as my theme song!
RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 07:52 PM

hmmm...you COULD email Dick Swain directly...or Judy Cook..if you need those email addys, I have them

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 08:17 PM

I e-mailed Dick, so I guess I should give him a chance to respond. Ken Schatz's brother what's-his-name (Dan?) sang it at the New Hampshire Mudcat gathering.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Susan A-R
Date: 06 Dec 00 - 09:23 PM

Dan Schatz sang this in NH. I'll fire off a personal message (if possible) and see if he'll oblie. I do inded want this one.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 06:46 AM

One of our group brought that song in for us to sing and handed out copies of the lyric sheet. Now I can't find it. I will send him an email to ask for them. Hopefully I'll have them this evening when I get home from work.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: kendall
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 09:36 AM

I know the guy who wrote that, David Dodson, of Camden Maine. If you cant come up with the lyrics, I'll ask him for them.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WAS RIGHT, I WAS WRONG (David Dodson)^^
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 12:27 PM

Here you go. As Kendall says the song was written by David Dodson. Charlie has made what he calls "Minor adaptations" I believe so he could fit it to his banjo style. He plays it on a five string banjo in G.

I WAS RIGHT, I WAS WRONG
(David Dodson)

When first I saw Portland I questioned my eyes
I was awed by the lights and a-mazed at the size,
Then a feeling of dread dropped out of the blue,
As it often does when I see something new;
I was quite overcome with sus-picion and fear,
So I stopped at a pub and I asked for a beer,
I must have been mad to go in there alone,
I was up to no good and I should have gone home.

CHORUS:
I was right, I was wrong all a-long,
I was right, I was wrong all a-long;
I was wrong all a-long, and I knew I was wrong,
I was right, I was wrong all a-long.

The back room was full of cigar smoking gents,
And against my best judgment it's back there I went;
They offered me whiskey which I never touch,
And I frequently told them "Don't pour me too much."
It was not what I wanted and not what I planned,
But the next thing you know, there were cards in my hand;
And like many a time, though I 've often resolved
To never play cards when there's money involved...

Well, first I lost silver and then I lost gold,
And then I lost consciousness so I was told;
And when I awoke things had gone quite amiss,
I always had known it would end up like this;
There was blood and a body and bottles galore,
Lying right next to me there on the floor;
I said, "Constable, please, I'm an innocent man!"
As he pulled the revolver from out of me hand...

The judge banged his gavel and asked, "What's your plea?"
I said, "Someone killed him but surely not me."
There was no way in hell, I was out like a light,
Though I talk in my sleep, I doubt I could fight;
The jurors left the court room at the drop of a hat,
They returned with their verdict in ten minutes flat;
I was sentenced to hang by this jury of peers,
And so I've been dead for a good hundred years...

Will virtue bear fruit? You can never be sure,
Even if watered and plied with manure;
You've no hope to harvest the things that you plant,
But keep right on trying, and prove that you can't;
It's a minimal effort you need to exert,
Knowing that soon you'll be covered in dirt;
Be certain of failure and lose every fight,
And some day like me you'll be proud you was right...
^^

I WAS RIGHT, I WAS WRONG

  G                            D G
  When first I saw Portland I questioned my eyes
                                C G D             D7
  I was awed by the lights and a-mazed at the size,
           G          G7            C
  Then a feeling of dread dropped out of the blue,
     G              C   G D              D7
  As it often does when I see something new;
         G                      D   G
  I was quite overcome with sus-picion and fear,
                            C G D           D7
  So I stopped at a pub and I asked for a beer,
    G                G7        C
  I must have been mad to go in there alone,
         G               C G C       G   C    D7
  I was up to no good and I should have gone home.
  
  Chorus:
  D7    G                        D G
  I was right, I was wrong all a-long,
                                  C G D
  I was right, I was wrong all a-long;
          G            G7         C
  I was wrong all a-long, and I knew I was wrong,
          G            D7          G
  I was right, I was wrong all a-long.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 10:13 PM

messed up ONE bracket...here we go

I have heard this section 'slightly' different,,,but it makes a big difference in the sense

"The judge banged his gavel and asked, "What's your plea?"?
I said, "Someone killed him but surely not me."
There was no way in hell, I was out like a light,
Though I talkwalk in my sleep, I doubt suppose I could fight that I might;

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Was Wrong All Along
From: Susan A-R
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 10:40 PM

Yup, that does fit in with the general tone of the song Bill. Thanks so much for posting this. I have just had the chorus for about a year and a half and now I can LEARN it. Thank you!!!!

Subject: RE: ADD: I Was Right I Was Wrong (David Dodson)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 25 - 12:04 PM

Does anyone have a recording of this? I have it on an old love Helen Schneyer CD but I can’t find it…
Eliza C

Subject: RE: ADD: I Was Right I Was Wrong (David Dodson)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Sep 25 - 02:54 PM

I still enjoy singing this every once in a while at the first Monday monthly Portland (ME) Pub Sings.

I don't sing the last verse.

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: ADD: I Was Right I Was Wrong (David Dodson)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Sep 25 - 05:08 PM

Here's a performance by Tom Meldrim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKhu9LgocQk

Helen Schneyer recorded it on a CD titled What a Singing There Will Be. I can't find that one online. Email me if you need an MP3, or you can buy the CD from Gordon Bok.

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