Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Subject: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From:
Date: 26 Mar 97 - 04:09 PM

Does anyone know words to an old cowboy song that includes a line "....on the trail of the lonesome pine". My 79 year old dad swears he used to sing it many years ago. He wants to teach it to my 5 year old daughter. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: Gene Graham
Date: 27 Mar 97 - 06:19 PM

Hi..soon as I find my Rex Allen album with that on it..you got it! It ain't where it's supposed to be....

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: Marsha
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 12:02 PM

Gene,

WOW! Thanks so much. I'll be looking for your message.

Marsha

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE (Macdonald
From: Gene Graham
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 03:24 PM

Never did find the REX ALLEN album, but found this:

THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE - Hal "Lone" Pine and his Mountaineers with Betty Cody - Writers: MacDonald and Carroll

Refrain:
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome Pine
In the pale moonshine our hearts entwine
Where you carved your name and I carved mine

Oh, you - like the mountains are blue
Like the pine - I am lonesome for you
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome Pine.

On a mountain in Virginia stands a lonesome Pine
Just below is the little cabin home of a little girl of mine
Her name is June and very, very soon she'll belong to me
For I know she's waiting there for me 'neath that lone Pine tree;
Refrain:

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Mar 97 - 04:27 PM

And then there was the parody (Boy Scout?)

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Viginny
Stood a cow on the railroad track
She was a nice old cow, with horns so fine
But you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign---
The train come a-chuggin' along the track
And hit her Smack!
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginny
where we get butter, eggnog, cottage cheese, sour cream...
(spoken, and trailing of into the distance.)

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: Gene
Date: 23 Apr 98 - 10:26 AM

RENEW

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: GUEST,Jarrodspace
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 09:26 AM

Laurel and Hardy did a wonderful redition of the lonesome pine on their feature length - Way Out West... well worth a listen!

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 02:59 PM

Texts of three songs, including "On the Trail...," from Laurel and Hardy, "Way Out West," at" Way Out West

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 03:03 PM

My error: Way Out West

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: bill\sables
Date: 23 Jun 03 - 04:13 PM

I'm sure there is a second verse to this song. Harpmaker and Christine should know
Cheers Bill

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE (Macdonald
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 10:33 AM

I gave the delightful Christine the full set of words to this at the 2002 Yorkshire Gathering. Here it is for everyone else:


On the trail of the lonesome pine
[As sung by Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy]


On a mountain in Virginia stands a lonesome pine
Just below is a cabin, home of a little girl of mine
Her name is June and very, very soon she'll belong to me
'Cause I know she's waiting there for me 'neath that lone pine tree

In the blue ridge mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine
In the pale moonshine our hearts entwine
While she carves her name and I carve mine
Oh June! Like the mountains I'm blue
Like the pines I am lonesome for you
In the blue ridge mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine

I can hear the tinkling waterfall far among the hills
Bluebirds sing each so merrily to his mate in rapture trills
They seem to say 'Your June is lonesome too, longing fills her eyes,
She is waiting for you patiently where the pine tree sighs'

In the blue ridge mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine
In the pale moonshine our hearts entwine
While she carves her name and I carve mine
Oh June! Like the mountains I'm blue
Like the pines I am lonesome for you
In the blue ridge mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine


Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Mr H

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: toadfrog
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 09:19 PM

My mother sang a somewhat different version:

In the northeast corner of the pig-pen
On the tail of a lonesome swine,
Sat a hunchback flea with its chin on its knee,
Picking its teeth with a two-by three!
Oh gee.............

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 25 Jun 03 - 02:38 PM

What's even more impressive about the number in Way Out West, is the dance Stan & Ollie did - to see Oliver Hardy dancing truly gracefully (no irony, he really was light on his feet) is amazing. Some film critic described it as "lolling, elephantine grace." A good description - obviously a must for fans of L&H. Second best film after "Sons of the Desert" (though their lesser known silent shorts are also outstanding).

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 08:46 PM

Found by the help of the The Library of Congress American Memory Collection, and transcribed by me from the sheet music images there. The words are only slightly different from the ones Mr Happy posted.

THE TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE
(Words, Ballard MacDonald. Music, Harry Carroll. 1913.)

On a mountain in Virginia stands a lonesome pine.
Just below is the cabin home of a little girl of mine.
Her name is June, and very, very soon, she'll belong to me;
For I know she's waiting there for me 'neath that lone pine tree.

CHORUS: In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia,
On the trail of the lonesome pine,
In the pale moonshine, our hearts entwine
Where she carved her name and I carved mine.
Oh, June, like the mountains I'm blue.
Like the pine, I am lonesome for you,
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine.

I can hear the tinkling waterfall far among the hills.
Bluebirds sing, each so merrily to his mate, in rapture trills.
They seem to say, "Your June is lonesome too. Longing fills her eyes.
She is waiting for you patiently where the pine tree sighs." CHORUS.

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 03 - 09:06 PM

Got to disagree with that critic Buck - Way Out West was their best IMO. The film is worth it alone for the "Trail Of The Lonesome Pine" scene with their dancing and of course singing - Hardy had a good voice. It has other gems like Laurel giving up the regained deeds by being tickled to submission.

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 03 - 11:44 PM

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Jun 03 - 10


In the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia.
On the trail of the lonesome pine,
Stood a pretty little cow, a prettly little kine,
But you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign.
Now her bones are in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia
And her tail's on the lonesome pine.

For what it's worth, could this be the version being sought for the 79 year old Dad? I learned this the better part of 70 years ago.
Joy

Subject: I've heard it too
From: GUEST,aatw in TOKYO JAPAN
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 05:20 AM

I'm 50years JAP.
I've heard this song in 78rpm-SP-disc 30years ago.
Sorry i forgot who sung it.
But C/W side is "Covered Waggon Lulabye" by HillBillies.
perhaps i still have it.
AND!! I heard this phrase in TV.
MUSICHALL of AMERICA '70s countrysongmusic-program.
PAT BOONE sang it.
"In the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia.
On the trail of the lonesome pine"

[e-mail]

---

Covered Wagon Lullaby (Barry Sisters)

Subject: Lyr Add: AT THE BALL THAT'S ALL (J. Leubrie Hill)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 May 04 - 10:12 AM

Here's another song from the same film: (lyrics from The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music)

AT THE BALL THAT'S ALL.
J. Leubrie Hill. 1913.

Listen, listen, listen at that dreamy music playing.
It's reminiscent. Listen what you're missing.
That tune that keeps you swaying,
My! But that music sounds so sweet,
I just can't keep still upon my feet,
'Cause ragtime music to me is a perfect treat.
(SPOKEN: Because it certainly can't be beat.)
When at a ball you are feeling kinder blue,
Listen, and I'll tell you what to do:

CHORUS: Commence advancing, commence advancing,
Just start a-prancing, right and left a-glancing,
A moochee dancing, slide and glide entrancing,
Do the tango jiggle with a Texas Tommy wiggle.
Take your partner and hold her, lightly enfold her,
A little bolder, just work your shoulder,
Snap you fingers one and all in the hall at the ball; that's all. [Some ball!]*

Swaying, swaying, swaying right and left, each one a-reeling,
The band's a-playing, swaying, all displaying
That ragtime moochee feeling.
Clouds of joy floating 'round the hall,
A reign of happiness seems to fall.
It is so entrancing while dancing at a ragtime ball.
(SPOKEN: Because it makes a hit with all.)
When at a ball and you feel somewhat blue,
There's but one thing left for you to do: CHORUS

[The chorus is sung by The Avalon Boys (Don Brookins, Art Green, and Walter Trask) in the 1937 Laurel & Hardy film "Way Out West," while L&H dance. *The words "Some ball" are sung in the film but are not included in the sheet music.]

Subject: RE: Lyrics?on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 10 May 04 - 02:52 PM

You can hear Messrs Laurel & Hardy sing it at this site:

http://www.mad-music.com/html/onehits.shtml

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: on the trail of the lonesome pine
From:
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 07:21 PM

Is it possible to obtain a copy of the sheet music for "Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia". I would very much appreciate any help you can give in tracing this.

Many thanks.
Michael Crees

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 08:17 PM

The Jim Dixon Thread gives a link to where the sheet music can be printed !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: on the trail of the lonesome pine
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 11:03 PM

The Stanley Brothers "How Mountain Girls Can Love" also has the line.

How Mountain Girls Can Love

Ridin' the night in the high cold wind
On the trail of the old lonesome pine
Thinkin' of you, feelin' so blue
Wonderin' why I left you behind

   Get down boys, go back home
   Back to the girl you love
   Treat her right never wrong
   How mountain gals can love

Remember the night we strolled down the lane
Our hearts were gay and happy then
You whispered to me as I held you close
We hoped the night would never end

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:46 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I2BS__Ll7M

youtube says it's been taken down due to copyright. Please see new youtube link later in thread.
el joe clone

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 02:12 PM

Here's the version I learned as a kid here in VA:

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia,
On the trail of the Lonesome Pine,
Stood a nice old cow, with eyes so kind,
But how d'you 'spect a cow to read a railroad sign?
She stood in the middle of the track
And the train came and hit her in the back,
Now her head's in the Valley of Virginia
And her tail's on the lonesome spine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,caidy
Date: 30 Sep 07 - 11:52 PM

In the blue ridge mountains of virginia
stood a cow on a railroad track
she was a good'ol cow with a heart so fine
but you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign
so she-eee stood right there in the middle of the track
and the train hit her right in the back
you'll find find her horns in the mountains of virginia
and her tail on a lonesome pine!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 11:57 AM

One of the first films I can recall seeing as a boy was entitled "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," probably in the mid-1940's. This song, I believe, was the theme song from the film. I cannot say whether the song predated the movie or was composed for it. It does have a "Tin Pan Alley" ring to it, however.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 12:03 PM

From "Google," here is more on the history of the story, from which the song comes.

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is a 1908 romance novel/western novel written by John Fox, Jr.. The novel became Fox's most successful, and was included among the top ten list of bestselling novels for 1908 and 1909. The novel has been adapted numerous times for both stage and screen, the most notable being a 1916 silent Cecil B. DeMille production and a 1936 adaptation helmed by Henry Hathaway. The 1936 version, starring Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda, and Fred MacMurray, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Louis Alter and Sidney D. Mitchell's "A Melody for the Sky." It was also awarded the Venice Film Festival Award for Best Color Film. Hathaway's version marked the first time the Technicolor process was used for outdoor filmmaking.

The novel was adapted into a successful stage play by Clara Lou Kelly, and was designated the "official outdoor drama" by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1994. Since 1964, the play has been performed in an outdoor theater in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the hometown of the novel's author.

The late Arthur Godfrey, who was an early 1940's-'50's radio and TV icon in the States, often performed this song - badly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Bee
Date: 01 Oct 07 - 12:29 PM

I have a book, which I can't find now, of course, called Charmed Circle, a very good modern biography of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas and their circle of friends. There is a photo of Gertrude at about sixty, outdoors at their home in rural France, leaning back and singing 'her favourite song', On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine. She is holding a copy of the sheet music. If I find the book, I'll add the date.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 06:27 PM

Our grandpa sang this song to us a lot, it was about 20 years ago, but this is how he sang it:

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia,
On the trail of the lonesome Pine,
Lived a nice old cow with eyes so kind,
You can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign,
So she stood their right on the track,
And the train hit her square in the back.
Now her horns are her horns are in the mountains of Virginia,
And her tail's on the lonesome spine.

Hope this helps! =)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 07:04 PM

There's a 78 record of it on youtube as sung by the Hill Billies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-F7v62cl7M.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,David
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 01:46 PM

My 73 year old mother remembers the words (to the cow version) this way. She learned them in camp in Maryland.

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia,
Stood a cow on a railroad track
She was a good ole cow, with eyes so kind,
But you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign,
She stood in the middle of the track,
Came a train, hit her right in the back.
Now her bones are in the mountains of Virginia,
And her tail's on a lonesome spine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Fliss
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 06:36 PM

We have a 1st edition of the book 'The Trail of the Lonesome Pine' by John Fox, Jr..

By coincidence we were looking at it the other day. Tony paid 5p for it in a jumble sale years ago.

Fliss & Tony

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,Lindsay in Wales
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 07:24 PM

I was interested in the Japanese correspondent's memory of "Covered Wagon Lullaby" and I wonder if this an old song I heard in the mid- 50s on a 78 and wind-up gramophone at a friend's house, it went like this

Roll along, covered wagon, roll along,
Roll along, covered wagon, roll along
(line forgotten)
Shooting bullets in the air,
Roll along, covered wagon, roll along.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 06:43 AM

The Laurel & Hardy version from 'Way out west' is back on again at Youtube, here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TpvxTyzOM_A

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: goatfell
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 11:31 AM

this reach Number 2 in the pop charts here in Britian, which just goes to show how crap the 'REAL' pop stars were and still are now.

Laurel and Hardy are great at this song I just Love it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,Jack E.
Date: 07 Jan 08 - 06:54 AM

In reply to Guest Lindsay, Roll Along Covered Wagon Roll Along was a big hit of 1934. The words are as follows:

Roll along covered wagon, roll along.
To the tune of your wheels I'll sing a song,
City girls they may be fine, but give me that girl of mine.
Roll along covered wagon roll along.

Thh words quoted by Guest, Lindsay are interesting as they seem to have been compounded with a street version: in 1935 or 6 when Italy invaded Abyssinia we kids used to sing this version to the tune of Roll Along Covered Wagon:

Will you come to Abyssinia, will you come?
Bring all your ammunition and a gun,
Mussolini will be there shooting peanuts in the air,
Will you come to Abyssinia, will you come?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,The Mountain Boomer
Date: 05 May 08 - 08:17 PM

Here's another version remembered from the '50s in Ivanhoe, Virginia:

In the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine
A Billy goat ate a case of dynamite,
And butted that Lonesome Pine
They found his horns in the Mountains of Virginia
And his tail in the Lonesome Pine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 03:54 PM

Sheryl - your song request was for a song that listed a lot of names. You request has been moved here: here (Too Much of a Name)
Welcome to Mudcat!
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,GUEST, cak
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 11:40 AM

My mother used to sing this song to me when I was a little girl.

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginie
Stood a cow on a railroad track
Such a nice old cow with eyes so bright
But you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign
She stood in the middle of the track
and the train hit her right in the back.
Now her horns are in the mountains of Virginie
and her tail's on the lonesome pine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 06:07 PM

So many versions and none of them as good as my Dad sang it!

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginny
Stood a cow on a railroad track.
She was a good ol' cow with eyes so fine,
But ya can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign.
So she stood in the middle of the track
And the train hit her square in the back!
You'll find her horns in the mountains of Virginny
(pause to wipe tears -sniff, sniff)
And her tail on her lonesome spine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 06:11 PM

Also see audiobook: http://librivox.org/the-trail-of-the-lonesome-pine-by-john-fox-jnr/

~S~

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

by John Fox. Jnr.

    The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is a 1908 romance novel/western novel written by John Fox, Jr. The novel became Fox's most successful, and was included among the top ten list of bestselling novels for 1908 and 1909.

    Set in the Appalachian Mountains at the turn of the twentieth century, a feud has been boiling for over thirty years between two influential mountain families: the Tollivers and the Falins. The outside world and industrialization, however, is beginning to enter the area. Coal mining begins to exert its influence on the area, despite of the two families feuds. Entering the area, enterprising "furriner" (foreigner) John Hale captures the attention of the beautiful June Tolliver, and inadvertently becomes entangled in the region's politics. (Summary from Wikipedia)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 06:21 PM

The 1916 film, Cecil B. DeMille, first caught the public's attention.

The 1936 remake, the first film in glorious technicolor, with Henry Fonda, Sylvia Sidney and Fred MacMurray, I saw as a boy when it first showed; I remember people went back two or three times because it impressed them so much.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,BigLarrr
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 08:10 AM

I'm amazed at all of the versions of this song.
We were passing through Virginia, and entered the Blue Ridge mountains and I started singing this song for my wife.
She thought I made it up, So I had to see if anyone else ever heard it.
This is the version I remember.

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia -
Stood a cow on the railroad tracks.
She was a cow so fine, with Eyes Divine -
But You can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign -
So there she stood in the middle of the track -
Along came a train and hit her in the back.
Now her heads in the the (something) of Virginia -
And her tail's on a Lonesome Pine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,Zod
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 04:57 PM

My mother sang a parody to me when I was a child. Her version went like this:

In the blue-ridge mountains of Virginia,
stood a cow on a railroad track.

'Twas a nice old cow with eyes so fine,
but you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign.

So she stood in the middle of the tra-ack,
and a train hit her right in the back.

Now her horns are in the mountains of Virginia,
and her tail's on the lonesome spine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,Millie Mae
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 11:21 AM

In the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia
On the trail of the lonesome pine
Stood a kind old cow, was a kind old kine
But you can't expect a cow to read a railroad sign
She stood in the middle of the track
And the train hit her right in the back
Now her horns are in the mountains of Virginia
And her tail's on her lonesome spine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 03:11 PM

Ten versions of the parody about a cow ought to be enough, don't you think?

It's not witty enough for adults, and if you sang it to children, you would quickly be regarded as 'that neighbor who's not very nice.'

Why not spend our time and resources on music worth making?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Artful Codger
Date: 07 Aug 10 - 04:35 PM

Fortunately, we don't take advice from crazy ladies, but make up our own minds--and allow others to do the same.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,crazy little woman
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 12:00 AM

at least I can read. I can see that the same thing has been posted 10 times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 12:24 AM

If anybody wants to hear the tune, there's a MIDI at this site:

http://members.cox.net/old-music/snedsongs.htm

I tried to listen to the MIDI at the Mudcat MIDI's, but it didn't work.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 01:15 AM

Hmmm. The Mudcat MIDI works for me click here.

-Joe-