Lyr Req: Hi Jolly

Subject: Hi Jolly
From: richardw
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 10:08 PM

Looking for the words and the sources of Hi Jolly. It was sung way by the New Christy Minstrels.

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hi Jolly
From: Barry T
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 10:23 PM

Hi! Jolly

Chorus
Hi! Jolly, Hey! Jolly
Twenty miles today, by golly
Twenty more before the mornin' light
Hi! Jolly, Hey! I
Gotta be on my way, I
Told my gal I'd be home Sunday night.

Verses

Hi Jolly was a camel driver long time ago
Followed Mister Blain away out West
'Didn't mind the burning' sand
In that God forsaken land
But he didn't mind the pretty girls the best.

They've got pretty girls in Albuquerque
Least that's what I heard
Pretty girls in Tumcumcari, too.
Now honey, I ain't blind
But I don't pay 'em any mind.
You know I'm savin' all my lovin' just for you.

Old timers out in Arizona tell you that it's true
You can see Hi Jolly's ghost a-trav'lin' still
When the desert moon is bright
He comes ridin' through the night
Leadin' four and twenty camels 'cross the hill.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hi Jolly
From: Barry T
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 10:25 PM

I should have mentioned that this song was penned by Randy Sparks circa 1960.

Subject: Lyr Add: HI JOLLY (Randy Sparks)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 01:55 AM

This is almost the same as what's posted above, but there were a couple of things I wanted to clean up.
-Joe Offer-

HI JOLLY
(Randy Sparks)

CHORUS
   Hi Jolly, Hey Jolly twenty miles today, by golly
   Twenty more before the morning light
   Hi Jolly, Hey-I gotta be on my way-I
   Told my gal I'd be home Sunday night.


Hi Jolly was a camel driver, long time ago
He followed Mr. Blaine out way out west
Didn't mind the burning sand in that God-forsaken land
But he didn't mind the pretty gals the best.

Hi Jolly, Hey Jolly…

They got pretty girls in Alberquerque
'Least that's what I've heard
Pretty gals in Tucumcari too
Now, Honey I ain't blind
But I don't pay them any mind
'Cause I'm savin' all my lovin' just for you

Hi Jolly, Hey Jolly…

Old timers down in Arizona tell you that it's true
You can see Hi Jolly's ghost a-travelin' still
When the desert moon is bright
He comes riding through the night
Leading four and twenty camels across the hill.

And singin' Hi Jolly...

Told my gal I'd be home Sunday night
Told my gal I'd be home Sunday night
Told my gal I'd be home Sunday ni-i-i-i-ight. Yee haw!

ASCAP lists the songwriter as Randy Sparks, which is what I would have expected.

BMI lists a song named "Hi Jolly" by songwriter Bruce Davidson, also listed as songwriter for "Mighty Mississippi," also recorded by the New Christy Minstrels.

Transcribed from the New Christy Minstrels Ramblin album.