Thanks to Songster Bob

Subject: Thanks to Songster Bob
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 12:42 AM

I got your book yesterday and have been working in it ever since. It is great. Do you have any other books(if not, you should) with more tab in them? Thanks a lot for sending the book so promptly. I can(and will) recommend your "Old Timey Banjo Book" to everyone.

Thanks again, Fred

Subject: RE: Thanks to Songster Bob
From: Banjer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 06:55 AM

I too am happy with my book, I have developed a style that is not shown in any of the "official" teaching books and felt a little uncomfortable demonstrating it to anyone. After looking at Bob's book, my "new" style is exactly what he recomends! A combination of frailing, clawhammer and two or three finger picking with a little drop thumb included now and then. Bob actually encourages the student to experiment with different styles, unlike many other books and teachers who try to lock you in to one style. Thanks Bob, I really enjoy it!

Subject: RE: Thanks to Songster Bob
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 08:57 AM

I third the thanks, Heartily.

One of the advantages of living is the D.C. Area is it really is the folk capital of the U.S. as well (saw that on a bumper sticker this morning!). I went over and picked up the book at SongBob's house and got a warm welcome plus about 30 minutes of talk on banjos and such.

I went to my first FSGW song circle the next weekend and saw SongBob there too. He may not have any more Banjo Books, but he as written some great songs that he shared with us. Especially one about a singer that boards a Metro Train and gets everyone to sing by the time it reaches Metro Center. Each Chorus is a different Old Time Gospel song. It is one of those songs that cause your spine to tingle by the end.

Subject: RE: Thanks to Songster Bob
From: Banjer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 10:02 AM

How about it, Bob? Can you share the lyrics to the song about the feller on the Metro Train? Maybe some tab too so we get an idea of how it goes...Please????

Subject: Lyr Add: GLORY TRAIN (Bob Clayton)^^^
From: Songster Bob
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 04:11 PM

Well, sure! I'll cut-and-paste the lyric below. The melody of the verse is a pretty generic 3-chord tune for four lines, then the relative minor and its 5th for two and back to the regular tune to end up. I have no tab or even recordings, although the latter is on the back burner and about ready to move up front. That is, I'm bound and determined to get a recording out "soon," despite years of procrastination and delay. When I get a record out, I'll be sure to let you all know.

And I don't have any more tab books, either. I did a number of tabs for Banjo Newsletter, years ago, but those are all out of print, too. Maybe I'll make up a bunch -- if I can find my old copies to copy again -- and print 'em up for small-scale "distribution." Don't hold your breath, though -- see the discussion of a record above.

Now for the song:

Glory Train

It was a chill but sunny day in autumn
As the subway started rolling down toward town.
The faces on the riders were all cloudy,
And for every smile that day there was a frown.
Some folks were still sleepy, some were reading,
Some already working, some just bored,
When at the second station heading inbound
A woman got on singing, "Praise the Lord!"

Chorus: This train is bound for glory, this train! [etc.]

The other passengers looked up in wonder --
This sort of thing was something new!
(Most of the time, there's little conversation,
And passengers who sing out loud are few.)
Her voice was clear and sweet, and full of glory,
And you could see that she enjoyed her task,
So no one felt like making her stop singing;
No one had the bravery to ask.

Chorus: Ain't gonna study war no more, [etc.]

Well, the passengers just kept on with their doings,
And the singer kept on singing loud and clear.
Her song was so infectious and so moving
As it rang out so everyone could hear.
Pretty soon, some people's feet were tapping,
And heads had started nodding to the song.
When, one by one, then two by two, and louder,
The other folks began to sing along.

Chorus: I'll fly away, oh, Glory, I'll fly away. [etc.]

By the time that train had reached town center,
That car, and the next one in the train,
Were rollicking with good old Gospel fervor,
And folks just singing out with might and main.
The authorities, of course, had been alerted
By the stations they had passed along the line,
So there might have been a little confrontation
If someone hadn't backed down just in time.

Chorus: You gotta walk that lonesome valley, [etc.]

After everybody had departed
To take up again their day's work, one by one,
The subway system settled back to normal,
And silence was the norm on every run.
Still, those who heard that rolling car of singers
Can remember how they felt that wondrous morn
And how their days' work seemed a little lighter
Since that time they heard the song reborn.

Chorus: Oh, come, angel band [etc.]

Copyright ©1991, Bob Clayton. All Rights Reserved

^^

Subject: RE: Thanks to Songster Bob
From: Banjer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 04:20 PM

Thank Ya kindly, Bob! That's a pretty song and it's neat how it weaves some old gospel favorites into a modern day story. It's in the word processor already and I'll work on it! Thanks again for sharing it with us!

Subject: RE: Thanks to Songster Bob
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 12 Jul 99 - 10:34 PM

Thank you too!

Jim