Lyr Add: My Happy Little Home In Arkansas

Subject: Lyr Add: My Happy Little Home In Arkansas
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 05:39 PM

While scanning through the threads I came across My Little Home In Tennessee, which made me think of this one ~~ not related, but a good one all the same. This transcription is from a group of young ladies of high school age singing at the Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View, Arkansas, April 1974.

The earliest mention I found of it was from The Advance Reporter of Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas, Friday, July 12, 1907. While I have heard it numerous times in a local setting, the only commercially recorded version I have located was by Grandpa Jones, 1951. Vance Randolph mentions it in Ozark Folksongs, but I only have the one volume abridged version, which does not include it.

For the tune and somewhat different versions, check out these three sound files at The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection at Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri and The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection at Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas.

As sung by Reba Dearmore, Mountain Home, Arkansas on January 7, 1969

As sung by Barry Sutterfield, Marshall, Arkansas on May 26, 1969

Sung by: Mrs. W.L. Deal Recorded in Heber Springs, AR, 7/16/53      This version is closest to the version I transcribed.   Both of the versions from the Max Hunter site are rather fragmentary.


                     (My) Happy Little Home In Arkansas

                     There's a cozy little cottage
                     Where the grass is always green,
                     And the streams from the *Boston Mountains flow
                     There the woods with music ring,
                     And the mockingbird does sing
                     In my happy little home in Arkansas.

                     Chorus: Come see me, neighbors; come along.
                     I'll be there to greet you one and all.
                     'Tis the finest country found
                     I will show you all around
                     In my happy little home in Arkansas.

                     Take you up into the mountains,
                     And we'll bath in mineral springs,
                     Go see the big plantations down below.
                     Show you cotton, corn and cane
                     Show you every kind of grain
                     In my happy little home in Arkansas.

                     (Chorus)

                     Take you out into the orchards
                     Where the fruit is on the tree.
                     In the land where the big red apples grow.
                     They're delicious, mellow, sweet
                     You may have all you can eat
                     In my happy little home in Arkansas.

                     (Chorus)

*The Boston Mountains are part of the Ozarks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Happy Little Home In Arkansas
From: CRANKYYANKEE
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:45 AM

There'sn excellent record by Grandpa Jones of this.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: My Happy Little Home In Arkansas
From: harpgirl
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 02:50 PM

thanks, for this Dale!!! ( See everyone....Dale is here!!!!! ) I'll write back soon, Dale. I'm a lousy correspondent....harpy