Lyr Req: George Washington - Pope's Arkansas

Subject: Lyr Req: George Washington - Pope's Arkansas
From: GUEST,Abby the spoon lady
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 01:33 PM

Does anyone know the lyrics or origins of the tune "George Washington" by Pope's Arkansas Mountaineers? It's a funny song, and I found it on Vol. 1 of a compilation album called "The Story The Crow Told Me".

If anyone can help, awesome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: George Washington - Pope's Arkansas
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 02:16 PM

This info can be found in the Online 78-rpm Discographical Project:

GEORGE WASHINGTON was recorded by Pope's Arkansas Mountaineers on 2/6/1928 and released on Victor 21469, b/w COTTON EYED JOE.

I'm not sure it's the same song, but the Frisco Jazz Band recorded something called GEORGE WASHINGTON around 1947, and it was released as Pacific 631, b/w GETTIN' MY BOOTS.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: George Washington - Pope's Arkansas
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 02:21 PM

There's a recording on YouTube.

I'd try to transcribe it, but I don't have time right now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: George Washington - Pope's Arkansas
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 04:05 PM

Thanks for the YouTube link. They do a nice "Cindy," also on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: George Washington - Pope's Arkansas
From: Stewie
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 09:50 PM

Here you go:

GEORGE WASHINGTON

George Wasington was a nice young man
A lie he wouldn't tell
But when he cut the cherry tree
His father gave him
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Got glory in my soul

My mother takes in washing
She does it very well
But when they fail to pay her
You bet she gives them
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Got glory in my soul

I took my girl a-walkin'
Down on the flowery dell
And when the old folks found that out
You bet they give us
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Got glory in my soul

Oh the engineer man whistled
The fireman rang the bell
The conductor hollered: 'We're all aboard'
And away we go to
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Got glory in my soul

Source: transcription by W.K.McNeil in booklet insert for box set 'Somewhere in Arkansas: Early Commercial Country Music Recordings From Arkansas 1928-1932' Center for Arkansas and Regional Studies [No #].

--Stewie.