Origins: Woody Guthrie's Greenback Dollar

Subject: Origins: Does anyone know this Woody Guthrie tune
From: GUEST,20osullivand
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 07:31 PM

Hello hello, this is my first time posting to this forum so greetings!

I want to know if anybody can identify this Woody Guthrie tune for me, I heard it from the 1946 film "To Hear Your Banjo Play"

the lyrics go:
verse:
I was born in south carolina
down to georgia I did go
there I met a fair young maiden
and her name I never did know
Chorus:
I don't want your greenback dollar
I don't want your sugar cane
all I want is your love darling
wont you take me back again

Pete's "I dont want your Millions" is pulling from it I gather, but if anybody knows this songs' name and origin that would be great thanks.

Subject: RE: Origins: Does anyone know this Woody Guthrie tune
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 08:30 PM

Hi, and welcome to the Mudcat Cafe. I'm the Mudcat Music Editor, and I'm going to change the thread title to Greenback Dollar once you've responded and acknowledge that you know what I'm saying. I've also cross-linked it to related threads (upper left).

Here are the lyrics from the Woody Guthrie Website, which is maintained by his family.
https://woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/Green_Back_Dollar.htm

GREENBACK DOLLAR
(as sung by Woody Guthrie)

I don’t want your greenback dollar
I don’t want your silver change
All I want is your love, darlin’
Won’t you take me back again

Once you was my fond affection
And you thought this world of me
Then you left me for another
In my grave I’d rather be

I don’t want no greenback dollar
I don’t want your silver change
All I want is your purty little daughter
Won’t you take me back again

© Copyright Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. & TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc. (BMI)

You're right that the song is related to Jim Garland's "I Don't Want Your Millions Mister, and both songs take their tune from "East Virginia." Some of your lyrics are from "East Virginia."

Subject: RE: Origins: Does anyone know this Woody Guthrie tune
From: GUEST,20osullivand
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 08:52 PM

Hi Joe, thanks for the info much appreciated, "East Virginia" I had not heard of that one.
understood about the thread title.


I also have not heard of Jim Garland but he looks like an interesting guy I'm going to check him out.
cheers