Subject: RE: Bob Coltman CD: Lonesome Robin From: Joe Offer Date: 22 Oct 13 - 11:43 PM It was easy to post lyrics from Bob's 1975 album, Before They Close the Minstrel Show because my CD had lyrics and notes on a PDF file. The CD of his 1973 album, Lonesome Robin has no notes or lyrics, other than this blurb on the CD cover: There are many talented and creative musicians playing folk music today. Few combine the love of tradition, the musical versatility and sophistication, the good taste and the ease of performance as well as Bob Coltman. Listening to Bob gives you the feeling of a seemingly endless store of songs and tunes: songs and tunes which flow so naturally that you're sure Bob was born with them. If blues fiddle was ever recorded --which it was--you can be sure that Bob can tell you when, where and by whom; and then he'll play it for you. If you want to learn bottleneck guitar or the way Charlie Poole or Uncle Dave Macon play a song, Bob can teach you, or play you a tape he's had for years. He's at home with all this music, and plays it with the comfortable, easy feeling usually reserved for the traditional singers and musicians themselves. Bob has also written literally hundreds of songs. He has reworked themes of Child Ballads, created portraits of people, lovable and otherwise, written songs of love and lust and invented banjo tunes you're sure were recorded in the 1920s. He can wonder what crossed Robin Hood's mind as he lay dying or paint a touching picture of a bum. The best way to get to know Bob and his music is to dedicate yourself to staying up late, playing or singing till your fingers are sore and your throat raw, and just letting time go by. Bob may get tired of the guitar or banjo for awhile, and will switch to harmonica, mandolin or whatever's handy. It makes little difference to him. Spreading the music, and the enjoyment of playing it, is what's important.
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Subject: Info: Wish to the Lord I'd Never Been Born From: Joe Offer Date: 22 Oct 13 - 11:59 PM "Wish to the Lord I'd Never Been Born" is a traditional song and it's in the Digital Tradition, but I found no discussion of the song in the forum. The lyrics in the Digital Tradition are almost the same as what's on the Bob Coltman recording. I wonder about the "co-op" reference, and I wonder who T.H. Wilson was. Interesting song. WISH TO THE LORD I'D NEVER BEEN BORN (from the Digital Tradition) Wish to the Lord I'd never been born Or died when I was a baby. Wouldn't been left to share this care Or to eat somebody's old gravy. Wisht I'd never been a co-op Or listened to T. H. Wilson. I'd a-been riding in a four-horse dray And a-paying my bills and a-whistling. Never sow on an open floor You just wait till fall, I'm a-gonna ride in Delaware I can hear Sam Robinson call. I want to hear Sam Robinson say I'm gonna drive in the White Oak Mountain. You been a durn fool all of your days You can drink right at this fountain. Henry Payne carries the mail, Sometimes drives a mule. Ain't got time to cuss no more I'm busy in this pool. Wish to the Lord I'd never been born Or died when I was a baby. Wouldn't been left to share this care Or to eat somebody's old gravy. @bitching recorded by Bob Coltman filename[ NEVBORN SOF I guess the most common title of the song is "Last Gold Dollar. There are several entries for the song in Roud. Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry: My Last Gold DollarDESCRIPTION: "My last (gold/ole) dollar is gone (x2), My whiskey bill is due an' my board bill too...." "Oh darling, I'm crazy about you... and another girl too..." "Oh darling, won't you go my bail?..." "Oh darling, six months ain't too long...."AUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1927 (American Mountain Songs) KEYWORDS: poverty hardtimes prison courting drink FOUND IN: US(Ap,SE,So) REFERENCES (6 citations): Randolph 671, "My Last Gold Dollar" (1 text plus a fragment, 1 tune) Randolph/Cohen, pp. 381-382, "My Last Gold Dollar" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 671A) MHenry-Appalachians, p. 112, "My Last Gold Dollar" (1 single-stanza fragment) Lomax-FSNA 149, "My Last Ole Dollar" (1 text, 1 tune) Spaeth-WeepMore, pp. 130-131, "My Last Old Dollar" (1 text, 1 tune) DT, OLDOLLAR* Roud #4310 RECORDINGS: Bascom Lamar Lunsford, "The Last Gold Dollar" (on BLLunsford01) CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground" (floating lyrics) cf. "New River Train" (floating lyrics) cf. "Six Months Ain't Long" (lyrics) NOTES: We might note that the line "last gold dollar" had a slightly different meaning in the nineteenth century. During the Civil War, the Union government issued both gold-backed and unbacked ("greenback") dollars. The greenbacks were, not surprisingly, treated with less respect and discounted. A man who spend his last gold dollar might still have money -- but only the less valuable greenbacks. Of course, since the song is often sung "My last OLD dollar," that may be just a bit of excessive historical analysis. - RBW File: R671 Go to the Ballad Search form Go to the Ballad Index Instructions The Ballad Index Copyright 2013 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. |
Subject: DT Correction: Lonesome Robin (Bob Coltman) From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 12:20 AM The title song of the album is already in the Digital Tradition and there's athread discussing it. I think it's a pretty good transcription, but I hear a few things differently. I'll post my transcription below the DT version. LONESOME ROBIN (from the Digital Tradition) (Bob Coltman) Rise up on your bed of straw And see if you can't bend back your bow one last time You're sick with your wounds and you think you don't care But you know it'll prey on your mind And wherever your arrow falls to the ground We'll lay lonesome robin down, one last time No more Robin, no more, your outlaw days are over Now that you can't run away to the shade And you can't help but think of the deer that you've run And all the tricks that you've played An wonderin' what Marian's bound to do Better than comin' to see you, one last time When you were a little boy You had to go to bed while the sun still shone It was just like sleep was the end of the world And tomorrow would never come And now lonesome Robin can't you just close your eyes And pretend that the sun will still rise one more time Now time has took your time away Time and contraptions have slowed you down All of the times you ever had Took to their heels and they run Hold on to what ever is closest to you It's all lonesome Robin can do, one last time ----------------------------------------------------------------- note: death of Robin Hood @death @outlaw Recorded by Bob Coltman Copyright Bob Coltman filename[ LONEROBN SOF LONESOME ROBIN (corrected Digital Tradition version) (Bob Coltman) Rise up on your bed of straw, And see if you can't bend back your bow one last time; You're sick with your wounds and you think you don't care, But you know it'll prey on your mind. And wherever your arrow falls to the ground, We'll lay lonesome Robin down, one last time. No more Robin, no more, your outlaw days are over. Funny how hot is the sun, Now that you can't run away to the shade; And you can't help thinkin' of the deer you have run, And of all the games you have played; And wonderin' what Marian found to do, That's better than comin' to see you, one last time. No more Robin, no more, your outlaw days are over. When you were a little boy, You had to go to bed early while the sun still shone; 'Twas just like sleep was the end of the world, And tomorrow would never come. Now lonesome Robin can't you just close your eyes, And pretend that the sun will still rise one last time. No more Robin, no more, your outlaw days are over. Now time has took your time away, Time and contraptions have whittled you down; And all the times that you ever have had Have took to their heels and gone. Hold on to whatever is closest to you, It's all lonesome Robin can do, one last time. No more Robin, no more, your outlaw days are over. note: death of Robin Hood @death @outlaw Recorded by Bob Coltman Copyright Bob Coltman filename[ LONEROBN SOF Is whittled the right word? Bob say that yes it is. On Spotify, I found recordings of this song by Ed Trickett, Guy Carawan, and by a New York Irish group named Jameson's Revenge. |
Subject: Info: The Honest Farmer From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 12:58 AM "The Honest Farmer" is in the Digital Tradition, and it seems to be an exact transcription of the Bob Coltman recording. Good song, and not one you hear often. HONEST FARMER or BOLL WEEVIL (from the Digital Tradition) I saw an honest farmer, His back was bending low. Picking out his cotton. He couldn't hardly go. He piled it up in rail pens Until the merchant come. That he might take their cotton And he might pay them some. Goodbye, boll weevil, You know you've ruint my home. You know you've got my cotton And the merchant's got my corn, I saw him in the summer, 'Twas hot as it could be. Strolling through the harvest field. The sweat was running free. He flang the cradle round him. And gripped the golden grain. Drew forth his handkerchief And wiped the sweat again. His footsteps they growed weary As he marched up the hill. Reached the little cabin And sot upon the sill. His wife she knelt beside him. Her hair turned silvery gray. Trust now in the Savior. We'll find a home some day. @farm @bug tune: Palms of Victory From Fiddlin' Jim Carson Recorded by Bob Coltman DT #664 filename[ BOLWEEV3 SOF |
Subject: Info: Kissing Song (Jean Thomas) From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 01:05 AM The Digital Tradition entry says "The Kissing Song" is by Jean Thomas, but the Bob Coltman album notes credit it to "Trad., Day." Anybody know for sure where this cute song comes from? If you explore this entry [ http://louisville.edu/library/music/pdf/thomasaid.pdf ], you'll find that the "Kissing Song" is in box 6, item 25, of the Jean Thomas collection at the University of Louisville - but it appears it's just one song sheet among her many papers. Ah, I think Richard Matteson has the answer on his Bluegrass Messangers Website. He says, "James William "Jim" Day (1861-1942) of Rowan County was a Kentucky fiddler. He was discovered by traditional folk music entrepreneur Jean Thomas, who changed his name to Jilson Setters, the Singin’ Fiddler of Lost Hope Hollow." Further on, Richie says "The Kissing Song" came from Day - but Richie does not say that Day was the songwriter. Here's Bob's response to my query:
KISSING SONG (from the Digital Tradition) When a man falls in love with a little turtledove He will linger all around her underjaw. He will kiss her for her mother and her sister and her brother Till her daddy comes and kicks him from the door. Draws a pistol from his pocket, pulls the hammer back to cock it And vows he'll blow away his giddy brain. His ducky says he mustn't, 'tisn't loaded and he doesn't. And they're kissing one another once again. Oh, the old folks love it, and the gals ain't above it. Everybody's got a finger in the pie. They'll act a little haughty, and they say it's very naughty. But you bet your life they're kissing on the sly. When a girl is seventeen she thinks it's very mean If she cannot catch on someone for a mash. She'll pucker up her mouth in a pretty little pout And finger Underneath his big mustache. It'd make a fellow quiver, he would like to jump the river. She will stick as tight as granulated glue, It's no use to tell her you are someone else's feller, She will masticate your smeller if you do. If you want to kiss her neatly, very sweetly and completely. If you want to kiss her so's to fix her nice. Just when you go to kiss her take a dab or two and miss her. And mash her in the kisser once or twice. This song was frequently sung by "Blind Bill" Day, who was discovered by song collector Jean Thomas. Bob Coltman recently discovered that the song can be credited properly as a vaudeville or stage song, words and music by Billy Carter, 1882. @courtship @humor Recorded by Bob Coltman filename[ KISSNG SOF The Max Hunter Collection has a very different recording of this song by Glenn Ohrlin. |
Subject: Info: Red Ransom (Bob Coltman) From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 01:52 AM Bob's "Red Ransom" is in the Digital Tradition. RED RANSOM (from the Digital Tradition) (Bob Coltman) Red Ransom, old red rover It'll be over before long I knowed you when you was a rover But now your roving days are done And walk, Old Ransom, walk around Walk down the middle of the best street in town And a woman, old woman, come along and stare old Ransom down She walk like a lady grand Don't steal my money, don't touch my hand Just you keep your distance, you dirty old derelict man And mama and papa walk along They grab their little boy when they see Ransom And they say, stay away from people that don't belong And down on the playground to play Old Ransom sad, watching little children all day They call on the phone, Cop, make the old man go away I've heard old Ransom claim That he once was the hero of a baseball game Crossed the ocean and won himself a boyhood fame He had him money to spare A house and a car and a lady fair And a new suit of clothes that made all the ladies stare But now old Ransom's poor And he ain't got his house or his lady no more And the years have shut down on him like a cellar door He's old and dirty and sad He's lost everything that he ever has had And they set the dogs on him 'cause they think he might do something bad. @bum @aging Copyright Bob Coltman filename[ REDRANSM SOF |
Subject: Info: What Kind of Shoes? From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 02:06 AM The Digital Tradition has a version of "What Kind of Shoes" that appears to be a direct transcription of the Bob Coltman recording (I think Bob almost sings "gonna," but Bob tells me the correct word here is "gwine." Maybe he never heard the Sandy Paton lecture against the use of "gwine" and "Negro dialect.) Great song, though. Bob, is this arrangement (with the interjections) your own, or did you get it from somebody else?
What kind of shoes you gwine to wear, golden shoes? (2x) (I'm goin' to wear my old work shoes!) Golden shoes I'm bound to wear, And they outshine the glittering sun. cho: Oh, yes. I'm gwine to jine that heavenly choir. Oh, yes, soldier of the Cross. What kind of harp you gwine to play, golden harp? (2x) (I'm gonna play my old French harp!) Golden harp I'm bound to play. And they outshine the glittering sun. What kind of robe you gwine to wear, white robe ? (2x) (I ain`t a-gonna wear no robe!) Long white robe I'm bound to wear. And they outshine the glittering sun. What kind of crown you gwine to wear, starry crown ? (2x) (I don't expect to get no crown!) Starry crown I'm bound to wear. And they outshine the glittering sun. What kind of song you gwine to sing, happy song? (2x) (I'm gonna sing the blues!) Happy song I'm bound to sing. And there ain't no trouble any more. What kind of day it gwine to be, happy day? (2x) (I expect it be a hot day for me!) Happy day it's bound to be. When I 'pear by the glittering throne. Recorded by Coltman, Lonesome Robin @religion @gospel filename[ WHATKIND SOF Q posted a much more serious version from the Fisk Jubilee Singers (click):
Posted By: Q 10-Jun-10 - 03:32 PM Thread Name: Jubilee Songs, Fisk Jubilee Singers Subject: What Kind of Shoes Are You Going to Wear?
No. 47. What Kind of Shoes Are You Going to Wear? |
Subject: Info: Weaver Bird (Bob Coltman) From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 02:18 AM Gee, I'm beginning to think that every song from this album is in the Digital Tradition Here's "Weaver Bird": WEAVER BIRD (from the Digital Tradition) (Bob Coltman) Weave, weave, the weaver bird. Weave, weave and spin. Weave till my love comes home. Then stop and sing. Woman, old woman, wandering in the plain, Alexander found her, riding in the rain, Little rag moppet she clutched in her hand, Singing a strange song, hard to understand. Woman, old woman, you seem very weak, The Keys of Paradise is what I seek. Woman old woman, I've searched very far, Do you know someone who knows where they are? Young master, I know them, they're right around here, I'll lead you to them, without any fear, She jumped on his saddle, and they rode along, The old woman singing her funny old song. They came to a place where the road it ran dark. Here they lie buried, old woman remarked. She bared her old teeth and she pulled out her knife. And in half a minute took poor Alec's life. The keys were within you, my frivolous boy. Now you have used them, so may you enjoy. All Keys of Paradise lock up your breath, And the door that they open leads only to Death. Copyright Bob Coltman filename[ WEAVBIRD SOF Gee, this song sounds so sweet when I'm listening to it on the car stereo as I'm driving. This is the first time I've paid attention to it. I'm going to have to stop and think about this one for a while... |
Subject: RE: Bob Coltman CD: Lonesome Robin From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 02:31 AM There are three versions of "George Collins" (Child #85) in the Digital Tradition, but it's the second version on the Bob Coltman recording:
George Collins rode out one cold winter night. He rode through the snow so white When George Collins returned home again He was taken down sick and he died. His little Alice was in her room Sewing on her silk so fine When she heard her George was dead She laid all her silk aside. She sobbed, she sighed, she mourned and cried When she entered the chamber of death George, oh George, you're all my heart. Now I have nothing left. Her mother said, Alice, don't weep, don't you mourn There's other young men just as fine. Yes, Mother, I know there's other young men, But none can ever be mine. The golden sun sinking in the west Just at the close of the day. There in his last place of rest They laid her George away. Child #85 @love @death filename[ GEOCOL2 TUNE FILE: GEOCOL2 CLICK TO PLAY SOF |
Subject: ADD: Slippin' and Slidin' Up the Golden Street From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 03:12 AM I found "Slippin' and Slidin' Up the Golden Street" at http://weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Slippin'_And_Slidin'_Up_the_Golden_Street,_Take_2 Slippin' And Slidin' Up the Golden Street, Take 2-Julius Daniels w/Bubba Lee Torrence Daniels, slide in Vestapol, Torrence, Vestapol This isn't exactly the version Bob Coltman sings, but it's good. SLIPPIN' AND SLIDIN' UP THE GOLDEN STREET (Guitar starts line) horses' feet? Don't you hear them horses' feet? Don't you hear them horses' feet Just slippin' and slidin' up the golden stream? REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Ah, takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him Goin' into Heaven gonna take up my stand Goin' into Heaven gon' take up my stand Goin' into Heaven, gon' take up my stand I'm gonna challenge old Satan like a natch'l man REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him Mother and Father 'member well Mother and Father 'member well Mother and Father 'member well Lord, your daughter Lizabeth a-ringin' in Hell REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him Mind me, sister, how you walk on the cross Mind me, sister, how you walk on the cross Mind me, sister, how you walk on the cross Says, your right feet slip and your soul get lost REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him Wonder what old Satan's grumblin' 'bout Wonder what old Satan's grumblin' 'bout Wonder what old Satan's grumblin' 'bout Says, he's lock up in the Hell and he can't get out REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him Mother and Father 'member well Mother and Father 'member well Mother and Father 'member well Says, your daughter Lizabeth a-ringin' in Hell REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him Eve and Adam was the first Eve and Adam was the first Eve and Adam was the first Lord, God created from the dust REFRAIN: Takin' my Lord away, 'way, oh Lord, away Takin' my Lord away, gon' tell 'em where to find him |
Subject: Info: Captain Hanley and Sweet Mazie From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 03:20 AM Here's another one that's in the Digital Tradition. And of course we all know that it's built on Captain Wedderburn's Courtship, Child #46. CAPTAIN HANLEY AND SWEET MAZIE (from the Digital Tradition) (Bob Coltman) Old Captain Hanley was wounded in the war Come a-rapping, come a-tapping, come a-knocking on Mazie's door His old peg leg didn't faze him none Looked little Mazie over and he said to her, Hon: I'm an old soldier I'm a-gonna roll you soon as I can I got teeth to keep my gold in Whiskers on my soul And I'm a-gonna roll you once And then I'll roll you again He drew out his hanger and he backed her to the wall His beard was so prickly, it made her skin crawl Now hold it, said Mazie, not so daggone fast First you must answer some questions I'm a-gonna ask Where is my needle and where is my thread And what do I keep down at the foot of my bed And how many stitches in this long nightgown That's three you must answer if you want to roll me down Needle's in the haystack, you've run out of thread You keep your skimpies at the foot of your bed And not too many stitches in your nightgown to tear I'll roll you down if you just show me where Now what is the thing that I most desire And what is the thing that I do most require And what is the thing that's both pointed and round Answer me that if you want to roll me down Now I've got the thing that you most do desire And I've got the thing that you most do require And pointed and round is here under my hand I'll roll you down if you'll just tell me when Well will you be careful and will you be true Gentle my body and humor my rue Be kind to my clothes as you rip them away What, tell me what, will my dear mother say You know I can't answer a one of those To Hell with your mother, to Hell with your clothes To Hell with your questions, I'll give you a kiss And if that don't keep you quiet, I'll try some of this Now old Captain Hanley had no more to say He hauled on her nightie and he ripped it away Took off his britches and his regimental hat Ain't gonna tell you what happened after that. note: son of Child #46 (NOTE: See alsoÿCAPWEDER) Recorded by Coltman- Son of Child Copyright Bob Coltman, 1973 @parody @courtship filename[ CAPHANLY SOF |
Subject: ADD: Forty Years Ago (Bob Coltman) From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 04:01 AM I think I'm going to take a break here and see if Bob will save me the effort of transcription and send me the lyrics for "Forty Years Ago." Here's the chorus:
Shimmerin' in the bright sunshine; Eyes like ??? (fools?) way back in the woods, And lips like strawberry wine. Next morning: Yep, he sent 'em. Thanks for your help, Bob. FORTY YEARS AGO (Bob Coltman) Don't you 'member when you was a girl, And the roads were never too long, Come to see you 'fore the moon was up, And sing you a brand-new song,
Golden hair of forty years ago, Shimm'rin' in the bright sunshine, Eyes like pools way back in the woods, And lips like strawberry wine. And kisses behind the barn, Golden hours stole away Down on your daddy's farm, CHORUS Years gone by, but I don't care, I never will forget, Years ago, I loved you so, And, girl, I love you yet. CHORUS Might just chase you up the hill, Just like way back then, Take me back to forty years ago, I'd do it all over again. CHORUS Copyright Bob Coltman |
Subject: RE: Bob Coltman CD: Lonesome Robin From: GUEST,Kendall Date: 23 Oct 13 - 07:43 AM Bob is one of my most favorite song writers. At the top of my list: Lonesome Robin. Before they close the minstrel show Patrick Spencer |
Subject: RE: Bob Coltman CD: Lonesome Robin From: Elmore Date: 23 Oct 13 - 11:15 AM As I said in an earlier thread, this is one of my favorite albums. I highly recommend it. I particularly like Lonesome Robin (of course), Red Ransom, and Weaver Bird. |
Subject: Info: Vandy Vandy From: Joe Offer Date: 23 Oct 13 - 01:40 PM The last song on the album is "Vandy, Vandy," which has an interesting science fiction connection. We never did decide definitively whether the song is traditional, or an invention of science fiction writer Manly Wade Wellman (1903-1986). Lyrics and discussion are at http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=85197&messages=23 -Joe- VANDY VANDY (from the Digital Tradition) (Manly Wade Wellman) Vandy, Vandy, I've come to court you Be you rich or be you poor If you'll give me good attention I will love you forever more For I love you and I can't help it, oh yes I do Vandy, Vandy, here's gold and silver Vandy, Vandy, here's a house and land Vandy, Vandy, here's a world of pleasure It'll be yours at your command What do I care for your gold and silver What do I care for your house and land What do I care for your world of pleasure All I want is a handsome man For I love him and I can't help it, oh yes I do I love a man who's in the army And he's been gone full seven long year If he be gone full seven years longer I won't court no other dear Wake up, wake up, the dawn is a breaking Wake up, wake up, it's almost day Open up your doors and your divers windows See your true love march away For I love you and I can't help it, oh yes I do sometimes sung with chorus of WHEELFOR filename[ VANDYVAN @love @courtship @soldier SOF |
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