Origin: Walk Right In

Subject: Walk right in
From:
Date: 31 May 97 - 07:42 PM

Can anybody remember details of the folk song starting "Walk right in, step right down..." with a 12-string guitar playing lead. Late 60's early 70's?

Subject: RE: Walk right in
From: Les Blank
Date: 31 May 97 - 08:15 PM

What kind of details are you seeking ?

The Rooftop Singers were formed in 1962 by a former member of "The Weavers", Erik Darling. Erik played banjo and some guitar. The other members were Bill Svanoe on the 12-string and Lynne Taylor (who was married to Skip Weshner) on vocals. Their big hit was "Walk Right In" but the album on which it resided had many other great numbers also.

Help ??

Subject: RE: Walk right in
From: Dale Rose
Date: 31 May 97 - 08:52 PM

The song was first recorded by Cannon's Jug Stompers in 1929, and is available on a CD of the Jug Stomper's music, Yazoo 1082/3. The version you are referring to was done in 1963 by the Rooftop Singers, which included Eric Darling, who unlike many of the singers of the era credited the original writer with composition credits, though I recently read that his credit to Gus Cannon was rather grudgingly given after some resistance. I had never heard that before, and cannot vouch for it either way. A good multi-engine search [I use Dogpile] will turn up a fair number of references to the Jug Stompers and their music. I am listening to the Jug Stomper version as I write this, and think it would be a bit foolhardy for me to attempt to translate the lyrics into written words for all to see, but I will try if no one else comes up with them. I have the Rooftop Singers version SOMEWHERE. A better source for the Jug Stompers' music is the original 2 lp set on Herwin [if you can find it], which also includes a number of alternate versions of some of the songs.

Subject: RE: Walk right in
From: Gene Graham
Date: 31 May 97 - 10:05 PM

Go to:

http://www.dejanews.com

do a search for [ jugband | walk | roll ]

look down the list to about #25......basic lyrics and chords....

Subject: Lyrics to
From: Kate-Grace Mason
Date: 18 May 98 - 07:10 PM

What are the lyrics to "Walk Right In" by the Rooftop Singers?

Subject: Lyr Add: WALK RIGHT IN (from Rooftop Singers)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 98 - 07:51 PM

---

Rooftop Singers
The Forrest Gump Sound Track

Walk Right In
(Gus Cannon/Hosea Woods)

Walk right in, set right down
Daddy let your mind roll on
Walk right in, set right down
Daddy let your mind roll on
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout a new way o' walkin'
Do you wanna lose your mind?
Walk right in, set right down
Daddy let your mind roll on

Walk right in, set right down
Baby let your hair hang down
Walk right in, set right down
Baby let your hair hang down
Ev'rybody's talkin' bout' a new way o' walkin'
Do you wanta lose your mind
Walk right in, set right down
Baby let your hair hang down
Baby let your hair hang down

---

Best place to look for "pop" lyrics is the International Lyrics Server
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics to
From: Dale Rose
Date: 18 May 98 - 08:19 PM

The actual source, which the Rooftop Singers credited (though I read somewhere that they were prodded a bit to do so) was Cannon's Jug Stompers, Gus Cannon, Hosea Woods, and Noah Lewis. They recorded this at their fourth and last session on October 1, 1929. This and 23 more Jug Stomper favorites are available on Yazoo 1082/3

Subject: RE: Lyrics to
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 98 - 11:07 PM

Oh, darn. I'm trying to behave and make Bill D happy (and Elsie, bless her), but every time I say something about a song being "pop," it turns out to be really "folk." I guess there's no hope of making a true folkie out of me. I just like what I like - and I'm not particularly fond of the Rooftop Singers version of "Walk Right In," although I do like a number of their songs that nobody ever plays.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics to
From: Earl
Date: 19 May 98 - 09:12 AM

Gus Cannon had to sue the Rooftop Singers to get any royalties but must have gotten great satisifaction in seeing one of his songs become a number 1 hit. BTW, John Sebastian "borrowed" the melody of Gus Cannon's "Prison Wall Blues" for the song "Younger Girl."

Subject: RE: Lyrics to
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 May 98 - 10:58 PM

Gus Cannon was "rediscovered" (always disliked that term) and had a resurgence of interest in him during the 60s. He came to Chicago and played at a club on Sedgwick St called OLD TOWN NORTH. Ray Tate, the head of the Old Town School of Folk Music then, backed him up on guitar. 'Twas a mismatch, but sure was great to see Gus in person.

Art

Subject: RE: Lyrics to
From: Dale Rose
Date: 15 Aug 98 - 11:27 PM

Just moving this to the top again where it can be easily found. That brings up a point that I have been thinking about lately. What is the best procedure to point out where these threads are?

1. Do this, making it easier to find, especially if it is more than a year old.

2. Create a link to it.

3. Tell the person who is asking how to search the threads.

4. Recommend the forum search for members. This is my preferred method when I am looking for something that we have discussed in the past.

5. Muddle through the way we have been doing it, in other words, combinations of all of the above.

6. Something else?

Subject: RE: Lyrics to
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Aug 98 - 08:32 PM

I think the best thing to do in most cases is to post a link and suggest that next time, they do a forum search. Every time I tell somebody that the lyrics have been posted in a previous thread and they should do a forum search, somebody else comes in right after me and posts the lyrics a second time. If I post a link, it seems to happen less often. The most-often reqested songs are usually requested by people who are new here, and they need a little help.
What I don't like to see is people who tell requesters to look in some obscure printed source. I live in a metropolitan area with over a million people, and I have a better folk music reference library than all the libraries in town combined - and still there are many out-of-print reference books I don't have. I think it's best to assume that people who post requests don't have resources at their fingertips and may not have the Internet search skills we may have developed - so we should be as generous as possible.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: 'walk right in'
From:
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 11:12 AM

looking for lyrics to an old song that eveyone knows, but no one seems to be able to remember the group or name of the song.....

the song starts with: "walk right in, set right down daddy makes your mind roll on..."

that's all i can remember....can anyone help me? i need the whole song.....and the artist if at all possible.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'walk right in'
From: RWilhelm
Date: 19 Nov 99 - 11:41 AM

It's my duty, everytime this song is mentioned, to remind everyone it was written by Gus Cannon. He had to fight for recognition but did live long enough to see his song become a number 1 hit.

Stax just released a CD called "Walk Right In" with songs and narration recorded by Gus Cannon in 1963 when he was in his 80's. Will Shade of the Memphis Jug Band plays jug. It's a nice piece of history.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: WALK RIGHT IN (Gus Cannon)
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 11:39 PM

From the Jug Band Rag:

Walk Right In
recorded by Cannon's Jug Stompers
by Gus Cannon
on Yazoo 1082/3
recorded October 1, 1929
Gus Cannon - banjo, jug, vocal
Hosea Woods - banjo, kazoo, vocal
Noah Lewis - harmonica, vocal

Suggested Easy Tablature:
C G / C F G / C / C G
[This recorded arrangement is much simpler than more modern arrangements]

Walk right in, set right down, and baby let your mind roll on.

Hey, walk right in, stay a little while, but daddy you can't stay too long.

Now everybody's talkin' 'bout a new way of walkin'. Do you want to lose your mind?

Hey, walk right in, set right down, and daddy let your mind roll on.

Subject: ADD Parody: 'walk right in'
From: iamjohnne
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 04:53 PM

I remember a take off on this song, may have been done by Shel Silverstein

Walk Right In (Parody)

I wanna walk right in, sit right down.
Buddy, can you spare me a dime?
I wanna walk right in, sit right down.
It happens every time.
Everybody's talking ‘bout my funny way of walking.
Think I'm gonna lose my mind.
I wanna walk right in, sit right down.
Buddy, can you spare me a dime?

I had thirty-four beers at the corner bar.
I left my wallet in my buddy's car.
I wanna walk right in, sit right down.
Buddy, can you spare me a dime?

Johnne
This one isn't quite like the original but I like it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'walk right in'
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 08:01 PM

The chord sequence above bears no resemblance to what the Rooftop Singers played.

(C)Walk right in
Sit right (A7)down
(D7)Baby let your (G7)hair hang (C)down

(C)Walk right in
Sit right(A7) down
(D7)Baby let your hair hangG7)down
(C)Everybody's talkin' about a new way of walkin'
(F)Do yo wanna lose your mind?

(C)Walk right in
Sit right (A7)down
(D7)Baby let your(G7) hair hang(C) down

Walk right in
Sit right down
Daddy let your mind roll on

Walk right in
Sit right down
Daddy let your mind roll on

I can still recall the orgasmic feeling of hearing that twelve-string guitar for the first time ..........

Murray

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,Heidi Wilson
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 03:35 PM

...OOOPS! i am the daughter of the Late lynee Talor...and "like a daughter/ best friend with the late Eric as welll.
I am also a recording artist who re-disd WRI these words are ...um...wrong.

"Rooftop Singers
The Forrest Gump Sound Track
Walk Right In
(Gus Cannon/Hosea Woods)

Walk right in, set right down
Daddy let your mind roll on
Walk right in, set right down
Daddy let your mind roll on
Ev'rybody's talkin' 'bout a new way o' walkin'
Do you wanna lose your mind?
Walk right in, set right down
Daddy let your mind roll on

Walk right in, set right down
Baby let your hair hang down
Walk right in, set right down
Baby let your hair hang down
Ev'rybody's talkin' bout' a new way o' walkin'
Do you wanta lose your mind
Walk right in, set right down
Baby let your hair hang down
Baby let your hair hang down"

but I love all the wonderful comments...:)

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: mayomick
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 04:47 PM

"Ev'rybody's talkin' bout' a new way o' walkin'"
Does anyone have any ideas what that line is all about?

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: meself
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 08:01 PM

You mean, as opposed to all those other lines ... ?

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 08:34 PM

Back when I was teenager, my brother and I would visit my grandparents in Brooklyn during Easter Vacation, and then venture over to Greenwich Village where "everything was happening." Well, we did venture in one night and heard the Roof Top Singers singing this song. We also heard Leon Bibb do a set. It was very exciting for us Maine boys.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: PHJim
Date: 30 Jan 11 - 04:32 PM

The original does not have a 12-string, but features the banjo. I like both versions. The Rooftop singers version was many people's introduction to the 12-string guitar. Bill S. was a lefty and the matching Gibson 12-strings pointing in opposite directions with a pretty blonde in the middle looked really cool.
I believe that Eric Darling was Pete Seeger's replacement in the Weavers, but my memory's not as good as it was.

Murray - I like to insert a diminished chord in the song at this point:

(C)Everybody's talkin' about a new way of walkin'
(F)Do yo wanna lose your(Cdim)mind?

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,banjopicker
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 11:16 AM

Gus Cannon's version had lyrics along the lines of " theres something about the two-way women" and Erik Darling changed it to everybody talking about a new way of walking do you wanna loose your mind"

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: mayomick
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 01:08 PM

Thanks banjopicker , that rhyming line always seemed a bit too even to me in a nicely odd song

Subject: Lyr Add: COME RIGHT IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN, MAKE ...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 12:06 AM

I can't help but wonder if "Walk Right In..." is derived from this song:

From the sheet music at Brown University:

"Bert A. Williams' Big Hit"
COME RIGHT IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN, MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Words by Bob White & Alfred Anderson, music by Will H Dixon, ©1909.

1. Rufus Johnsing Snowball Lee was known both near and far
To be the greatest ladies' man upon a private car.
He had a gal in ev'ry town who met him at the train,
And when the boss was out of sight, to her he would exclaim:

CHORUS: Come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.
You've found the place you're looking for; there's no more need to roam.
I know you're hungry; eat your fill,
For Mister Pullman pays the bill,
So come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.

2. Rufus quit the Pullman job to go out with a show.
They only played a night or two, then busted up, you know.
While walking down a railroad track he spied a house nearby,
And when he knocked and asked for grub, the keeper made reply:

CHORUS: Come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.
You've found the place you're looking for; there's no more need to roam.
The sign reads "Small Pox" on the door,
But a welcome mat lies on the floor,
So come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.

3. Rufus spied a stack of hay and fell in for a snooze.
A stray spark fell in also and the flames began to ooze,
Which started him to dreaming of a region far away,
And as he snored, he thought he heard the gay old Satan say:

CHORUS: Come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.
You've found the place you're looking for; there's no more need to roam.
The world's so awful cold, I know,
But down here there's no fear of snow,
So come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.

Subject: Lyr Add: COME RIGHT IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 12:44 AM

YouTube has this version from a cylinder recording:


COME RIGHT IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN
As recorded by Arthur Collins, 1909

[Verse 1 and chorus same as above.]

2. Rufus borrowed fifty bones once when the boss was out,
And when the boss discovered it, for vengeance he did shout.
The cops caught Rufus shootin' craps and rushin' of the pail,
But he was game until the man said to him at the jail:

CHORUS: Come right in, sit right down, make yourself at home.
You've found the place you're looking for; there's no more need to roam.
Remove your hat, sir, your coat and your vest,
And prepare yourself for one long rest.
Go right in, sit right down, make yourself at home.

Subject: Lyr Add: COME ON IN (from Patsy Cline)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 01:17 AM

Here's another branch of the family:


COME ON IN
As recorded by Patsy Cline, 1956.

Now come on and sit right down and make yourself at home.

If I'd one wish I wish I could
Go back to my old neighborhood
Where the good folks they all love you as their own;
Then I'd go over to my neighbors' house,
Knock on the door and they'd all sing out:
"Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home."

I'd sing their praises long and loud
'Cause they're all my folks and I'm mighty proud
Of the little old town back home where I was born.
I wish that I could hear them say
In the good old-fashioned friendly way:
"Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home."

Now they don't lock their doors at night,
'Cause they all know they're a-doin' right,
And the good lord's bound to have them for his own.
If I'd go back to hear them pray
In the little pine church, they all would say:
"Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home."

When I was a child of only three,
I said my prayers at my mother's knee,
And I knew right then from God I'd never roam.
When I get my summons on the judgment day,
I hope I can hear my savior say:
"Come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home."

Now come on in and sit right down and make yourself at home.

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 05:01 AM

In 1970 I was in Singapore when Lee Kuan Yew had a clampdown on 'drug Oriented' music . Beatles lost a few , but two that really amused the Singapore Forces Folk Scene were Puff the Magic Dragon and Rooftop's Walk Right In , which British Forces Broadcasting were using as the Sig Tune for their Folk programme .

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 24 Oct 15 - 02:26 PM

"[W]hen you call at my office, in the language of that old familiar tune, I want you to 'just come right in, sit right down, and make yourself at home.'" -- 1915 speech to the Texas House and Senate by Governor-Elect James Ferguson.

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,BeaTle Geo
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 10:53 AM

Yes Gus Cannon was the author, but until that 12 string was added by the "Rooftop Singers", where did it go?? Glad that Mr. Cannon received writing credits, but the "popularity credits" I'm afraid, must go where they belong.          Gb bg

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,BeaTle Geo
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 11:18 AM

Just a "thought", but what about this? "Walk Right In Set Right Down": Enter the Church, and find a pew. "Daddy let your mind roll on": Surrender the "Grip" on our own thoughts, also the term "Dad", was used to mean an older person, perhaps being encouraged to listen by a younger friend. "Everybody's Talkin 'Bout A New WAY Of Walkin'": To walk with Christ is DEFINITELY a new WAY of "Walkin'". "Do You Wanna Lose Your Mind": Again, let go, and let God. "Baby Let Your Hair Hang Down", A woman's glory is her hair, not to be Plaited" (braided, or fancy), but natural, to be pleasing to God and man. Later in Church history, in sexually perverse areas it was common to have "temple" prostitutes, (goddess Diana), and for ease of identification they were to shave their heads. Paul wrote to these churches that the women were to have a head "covering", why? Perhaps so that when one of these temple ladys came into the church, they would not be humiliated by the "good Christian folk", and would have a better opportunity to receive the REAL Love of the Savior, Christ Jesus! Just a thought. Oh, The Name Rooftop Singers"; We are to proclaim the Gospel from the "rooftops", that all may hear!          Gb   bg

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 30 Dec 15 - 10:12 PM

Gus Cannon was recorded late in his life by STAX records in Memphis, probably as a result of the success of the Rooftop Singers hit, and a revived interest in Jug Band music.
The LP is scarce, but readily available on CD.

STAX 702                         LP 1963
liner notes: Bob Altshuler
STAX SCD 8603                   CD 1999 remastered
liner notes by Bengt Olsson and Bob Altshuler

GUS CANNON - WALK RIGHT IN
rec. March 24, 1963 in Memphis, TN;
Gus Cannon, voc, bj; poss. Sam Lindsay, g; Will Shade, jug; Milton Roby, wb
1. Narration
2. Kill It
3. Walk Right In
4. Salty Dog
5. Going Around The Mountain
6. Ol' Hen
7. Gonna Raise A Ruckus Tonight
8. Ain't Gonna Rain No More
9. Boll-Weevil
10. Come On Down To My House
11. Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor
12. Get Up In The Morning Soon
13. Crawdad Hole

Thomas.

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,Cornfield
Date: 06 Oct 24 - 03:37 PM

On the inter web there is a version that lists the Gus Cannin lyric as
“Everybody talking bout the evil way of walking”

https://genius.com/Cannons-jug-stompers-walk-right-in-lyrics

What’s up with that?

Subject: ADD Version: Walk Right In
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Oct 24 - 10:28 PM

Here's the recording by Cannon's Jug Stompers. I think the Genius.com recording is just wrong, but I admit that one the first time around, it's hard to tell what they're singing. Every other time around, it's clear that they're singing "new way of talking."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhRyg5jO6Q

Here's the Genius.com transcription, with my corrections.

WALK RIGHT IN
(Gus Cannon/Hosea Woods)

Walk right in, set right down
And baby, let your mind roll on
Hey, Walk right in, stay a little while
But daddy, you can't stay too long
Now, everybody’s talking 'bout
That [???] way of walking
Do you wanna lose your mind?
Hey, Walk right in, set right down
And daddy let your mind roll on

Walk right in, set right down
And baby, let your mind roll on
Walk right in, stay a little while
But daddy, you can't stay too long
Everybody’s talking 'bout
That new way of walking
Do you wanna lose your mind?
Walk right in, set right down
And daddy let your mind roll on

(Play it, man)

(Blow it, Cannon) - kazoo/harmonica

Walk right in, set right down
Daddy, let your mind roll on
Walk right in, stay a little while
But daddy, you can't stay too long
Now, it's everybody's talkin' 'bout
That new way you're walkin’
Do you want to lose your mind?
Walk right in, set right down
And daddy let your mind roll on

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 07 Oct 24 - 07:54 AM

Walk Right in....by the Rooftop singers....https://youtu.be/Z-qiC1jynmc?si=8V7_3I2_ERD5O2ie

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,PHJim
Date: 12 Oct 24 - 08:39 AM

I've started playing the song that Jim Dixon posted. Here are the chords that I use:

[C] Rufus Johnson Snowball Lee was [F] known both [G7]near and [C] far
To be the greatest ladies' man u[D7]pon a private [G7] car.
He [C] had a gal in [C7]ev'ry town who [F] met him at the [Cdim] train,
And [C] when the boss was [A7] out of sight,
To [D7] her he [G7]would ex[C]claim:

   Come right in, [A7] sit right down,
   And [D7] make your[G7]self at [C] home. [G7]
   You've [C] found the place you're [A7] looking for;
   There's [D7] no more need to [G7] roam.
   I [C] know you're hungry; [C7] eat your fill,
   For [F] Mister Pullman [Cdim] pays the bill,

COME RIGHT IN, SIT RIGHT DOWN. . .


   So [C] come right in, [A7] sit right down,
   And [D7] make your[G7]self at [C] home. [G7]

Subject: RE: Origin: Walk Right In
From: GUEST,PHJim
Date: 12 Oct 24 - 08:42 AM

Sorry I posted the link before the last two lines of the chorus.