Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?

Subject: Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 12:14 AM

This is a question about the origin of Woody's "Miner's Song"

https://woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/Miners_Song.htm

On the above site, it says "Words and Music adapted by Woody Guthrie". I'm curious what is was adapted from. The tune sounds like a children's song. Is it perhaps traditional?

Thanks!

Subject: ADD: Miner's Song (Woody Guthrie)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 12:27 AM

Gee, it sounds like a lot of songs. For the record, here are the lyrics:

MINER'S SONG
Words and Music adapted by Woody Guthrie

CHORUS:
Dig and I dig and dig and dig
Dig diggy dig dig dig a dig
Dig diggy diggy dig dig
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

Precious metal is hard to find
Precious metal is hard to find
Down in the hole and down in the mine
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

Perfect ruby is hard to find
Perfect ruby is hard to find
Down in the gold slush and shine
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

Good-shaped diamond's hard to find
Good-shaped diamond's hard to find
Go in the hole both day and night
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

CHORUS

Nice round pearl's hard to find
Nice round pearl's hard to find
Dive to the bottom and feel around
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

Old Sam Digger is hard to find
Old Sam Digger is hard to find
Drink my wine with pickle and brine
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

Nice-shaped woman is hard to find
Nice-shaped woman is hard to find
Roll 'em down the mountainside
And I dig my life away-o
And I dig my life away

CHORUS

Way down yonder on the buckskin road
Catfish married a horny toad
The fifteen kids dig down in the mines
They dig their lives away-o
They dig their lives away

Sharecrop bottom a few days ago
Water got high, spread a lot of mud
Caught me a gal with a rake and a hoe
We dug our lives away-o
And we dig our lives away

Climb way up to the forks of the tree
Prettiest little bird nest I ever did see
Get up the sticks and eggs and all
And dig my life away-o
Well I dug my life away

CHORUS

 

---

© Copyright 1966 (renewed) by Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VWFUXiRN8s

Subject: RE: Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 12:35 AM

Thanks for that, Joe. The tune does kind of feel generic. Yet I'm not thinking of any specific song that goes to this tune.

Subject: RE: Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 01:09 AM

It reminds me of a camp song my sister used to sing, "tiny-o." I never have been able to find the lyrics to that song. I suppose I could ask her, but even at the age of 74, I'm not quite ready to admit that she might know something I don't.

Subject: RE: Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 05:57 AM

> I'm not quite ready to admit that she might know something I don't.

You could always try the "Remind me, please" ploy [snip: saga of my use thereof in trouble tickets]

Subject: RE: Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 09:54 AM

After a brief listen try the following

Hop High Ladies ?    Mis McClouds Reel? Does Your Horse Carry Double ?

Did You Ever See the Devil Uncle Joe Uncle Joe ??

Subject: RE: Origins: woody guthrie 'miner's song' - adapted?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 02:43 PM

Thanks, Hootenanny! So it seems that structurally and rhythmically, at least, it's like a traditional reel.