Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jan 18 - 03:02 PM

Glad I could help, Vol.

Anybody have a suggestion for what I should have used instead of "polling day"?


-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 18 - 09:04 AM

Joe,
Thank you very much for the wonderful transcription.
This is very special.
Best Regards,
Vol

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jan 18 - 10:34 PM

Thanks for the help. I added your "to marry" suggestion to the lyrics I posted above. Still hoping for a better understanding of "shingle off" and "polling day" (or whatever he's saying)
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 18 - 06:18 PM

"my mind is to marry"

"Shingle" is what he's saying; cf Mississippi John Hurt, "a shingle-bob haircut" in "Richland Women Blues." I've heard the saying in much younger days but neglected to ask for a translation.   

I can't make out "polling day."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 18 - 11:44 PM

Can anybody fix my transcription?

Subject: Draft: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 18 - 12:44 AM

THE WARFARE IS RAGING

The war is a-raging,
Poor Johnny must fight
I want to go with him
From morning 'til night
Oh, may I go with you?
Oh, no, Molly, no.

O Johnny, O Johnny,
I think you're mighty unkind,
I love you much better
Than any other mankind.
Oh, may I go with you?
Oh, no, Molly, no.

I will go to your captain,
I'll fall upon my knees,
One thousand bright dollars
I'll give unto thee.
Oh, may I go with you?
Oh, no, Molly, no.

I will shingle off (???) my hair
And I will put on men's clothes
I will follow my Johnnie
Wherever he goes.
Oh, may I go with you?
Oh, no, Molly, no.

Sunday is coming,
And Monday is the day,
I will follow my Johnnie
If he goes to "the polling day" (???).
Oh, may I go with you?
Oh, no, Molly, no.

Oh, Molly my darling,
Would you think it unkind
For me to sit by you
And share you my mind?

My mind is to marry
And never to part;
The first time I saw you,
You wounded my heart.
Oh, may I go with you?
Oh, no, Molly, no.


This one is hard to understand. Can anybody suggest corrections?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=menoiS4edrY

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Jan 18 - 02:29 AM

There's a 1926 Land Norris recording of "Johnnie" on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=menoiS4edrY

I know the song as "The Cruel War is Raging." I don't have time to transcribe the song right now, but maybe somebody else will - or maybe you'd like to try it. You'll find various versions of the song crosslinked at the top of this page. This version is fairly close to The Warfare Is Raging, which was collected by Cecil Sharp, so our transcription of that version should help you. If nobody transcribes it, remind me in a week and I'll get to it.
I hadn't known of Land Norris, so thanks for bringing him to our attention.

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: GUEST,0000000000000
Date: 03 Jan 18 - 10:52 AM

You might try asking on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/LandNorrisBanjo/

Subject: Lyr Req: JOHNNIE, by Land Norris
From: GUEST,Vol Deineko
Date: 02 Jan 18 - 04:00 PM

Hello

Do you know the song "Jonhnie" played on banjo by Land Norris in 1926.
I haven't heard it played by anyone else nor I can find the lyrics and origin of the song.
Any help would be appreciated.

Best regards