Lyr Add: I'm A-Gettin' Ready t'Go!

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M A-GETTIN' READY T'GO
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 05 Sep 97 - 11:53 AM

Here's an old favorite of mine (origin unknown) as played by the Critton Hollow String Band of Paw Paw, W. Va. It sounded great with fiddle, guitar, hammered dulcimer and mandolin.

I'M A-GETTIN' READY T'GO
As performed by the Critton Hollow String Band

1. I had a dream the other day
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go)
The Devil come an' he took me away
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go)
I'd always heard that place was hot,
So I asked him if it was or not
Well he wouldn't say "yes" or "no" or what,
I'm a-gettin' ready t'go.

CHORUS: Sweet Home (Sweet Home)
Love I'll have in Heaven
Sweet Home (Sweet Home)
Hear me moanin, Lo'
Sweet Home (Sweet Home)
Love I'll have in Heaven
Hold the gates wide open
Cause I'm a-gettin' ready t'go!

2. He showed that infernal land
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go)
Where the imps was dancin' hand in hand
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go)
Well, y'oughta seen them little devils prance,
But I showed them a brand new dance
When a pitchfork jabbed me right in the pants!
I'm a-gettin' ready t'go! CHORUS

3. I asked when I'd get out again
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go)
He looked at me with a devilish grin
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go)
Now the way he laughed, I thought I'd croak
He said, "Now I'll tell you a joke:
When you go up, you'll go in smoke!"
I'm a-gettin' ready t'go! CHORUS

4. Well, Lord, that awful dream I had
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go!)
It left me feelin' mighty bad
(I'm a-gettin' ready t'go!)
So I took my Bible and a mouthful of cheese,
And fell right down on my bended knees.
I got more religion than a dog's got fleas.
I'm a-gettin' ready t'go! CHORUS x 2

(Sorry I don't have chords to go along with it.)

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: Earl
Date: 05 Sep 97 - 05:06 PM

This was recorded by Michael Hurley on his LP "Snockgrass" where he claimed authership. He sometimes reworks old songs as well as writing wonderfully quirky originals. This could fall in either category.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 10:21 AM

Dear Earl,

Thanks for the lead on Michael Hurley. Do you happen to know what label "Snockgrass" is on and when it was released? Any info would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: Earl
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 01:01 PM

"Snockgrass" is on Rounder Records (3043) released in 1989. As far as I know is not availible on CD.

Michael Hurley has been recording since about 1970 but for some reason no one has noticed. Hia latest CD is called "Wolfways" on KOCH records. His most successful was "Have Moicy" recorded with the Holy Modal Rounders and Jeffery Fredricks and the Clamtones (also on Rounder). Both are worth owning but, unfortunatly, neither has "I'm Getting Ready to Go."

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: Dale Rose
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 05:17 PM

The song goes back a lot farther than that, at least to Riley Puckett of the Skillet Lickers. I am sure I have the recording somewhere.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: Earl
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 11:59 PM

I'm sure Dale's right. As much as I like Michael Hurley he's not good at crediting his sources.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: GUEST,Andy Leader
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 09:39 AM

Michael has been recording since about 1964. His first recording was for Folkways, some beautiful and idosyncratic acoustic songs. In the late 60's, early 70's he resurfaced in St. Albans, Vermont where he played with an electric band called Automatic Slim and the Fat Boys. He seems to have a talent for avoiding the fame his wonderful songs ought to have brought him.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: John Hardly
Date: 26 Oct 01 - 10:04 AM

'nother great version appears on Joel Mabus' "Clawhammer/Flatpick" cd.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: GUEST,Jeffrey R. Broido
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 07:12 AM

If you're still looking for the chords, Michael Hurley plays this in the key of C and they're as simple as can be.

C                                          G7       C
I had a dream the other night; I'm Gettin' Ready to Go. etc.

Then:

F                                     C
I'd always heard the place was hot; I asked him if it was or not.

G                                  C   G7               C
He wouldn't say yes or no or what; I'm Gettin' Ready to Go.

Chorus:

C                                                             G
Sweet home; lovin' heaven heaven. Sweet home; hear me moanin' low.

C               
Sweet home; lovin' heaven heaven. Hold the gates wide open;

C          G7       C
I'm Gettin' Ready to Go.

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: I'm A-Gettin Ready t'go!
From: GUEST,Jeffrey R. Broido
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 07:16 AM

Oops! When I sent this, the font was fixed width but the display is proportional, so the chords aren't placed properly.

In the first line: the G7 is above "Ready" and the second C is above "Go"

In the second line, the C is above "asked".

In the third line, the first C is above "Gettin'", the G7 is above "Ready" and the second C is above "Go".

In the fourth line, the G is above "low"

In the sixth line, the G7 is above "Ready" and the second C is above "Go".

Sorry about that!