Lyr Add: songs by Uncle Dave Macon

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 07:41 PM

Check cduniverse, deepdiscountcd and Camsco!
http://www.cduniverse.com/sresult.asp?HT_Search_Info=uncle+dave+macon&HT_Search=ARTIST&image.x=0&image.y=0&cart=257360652&style=music&altsearch=yes

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 07:29 PM

Andrez: If you want to learn about current or recent recordings, try allmusic.com. Practically every CD ever issued by a major label is listed there, and quite a few LPs and minor labels are there, too--at least for US labels. I don't know about Australia, though.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Andrez
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 10:50 AM

Hi,

What a cool thread. I'd appreciate it if someone could provide some details as to what is available recording wise of Uncle Dave's output.

Are there any digitally remastered reissues? If so is there a link that someone could post so I can buy a CD or CD set? I wasnyt able to find anything on Amazon a few days ago so any info would be appreciated as I'm a long way in the land of OZ.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 05:13 PM

Guest - A good source for a lot of old-time music and song recordings is the Honking Duck. It is a collection taken from original recordings and can be listened to online or tracks can be downloaded to your own computer. Check it out if you haven't already been there.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: OTP
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 11:31 PM

Something to muse upon:
Until I worked on the Bear Family project I hadn't realized just how autobiographical Uncle Dave's songs were. There are lots of local references and even a mention about him working for the railroad when he was younger. In the Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase he refers to his dogs, Rockwood, Old Fly, Old Mule and Limber. In Walk Tom Wilson the first verse refers to the game of Rolleyhole, an elaborate form of the game of marbles still played in Middle Tennessee. He lived much of what he sang about and deliberately chose songs for his repertoire the he could personally relate to. I also was struck by the use of antiquated terms like Billie (comrade or companion) and Doney (girl friend or sweetheart). Hillbillie used to mean something different. And we don't even have to mention The Gayest Old Dude That's Out or the New Dude In Town who's a regular la, la la (the girls all say). Some things never change.

Anybody remember the old tune - Head for the Roundhouse Jenny! (The Boys Cain't Corner You There)?
Paul

Subject: Lyr Add: WALKING IN SUNLIGHT (HJ Zelley/GH Cook)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 08:43 PM

I am so glad I saw this thread. First of all, the lyrics of "WALKING IN SUNLIGHT" (H.J. Zelley/G.H. Cook)

Walking in sunlight all of my journey
Over the mountains, through the deep vale
Jesus has said 'I'll never forsake thee'
Promise divine that never can fail

Chorus:
Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight
Flooding my soul with glory divine
Hallelujah, I am rejoicing
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine

Shadows around me, shadows above me
Never conceal my saviour and guide
He is the light, in Him, there's no darkness
Ever I'm walking close to his side

seem to me to be very similar to a song I heard in a Hollywood movie on TV some years ago, but I think it was "Beautiful Sunlight, Beautiful Sunlight", etc. A nice tune that I can still remember even though I only heard it once. Can't remember the name of the film, who acted in it, or what it was about; can anyone help (I think it was set in more or less modern days in the USA)? One scene might have involved a mental patient impersonating a doctor called Dr. Baird leading to the real Doctor Baird being mistaken for the mental patient and put in a padded cell or straightjacket, but possibly this is a completely different film.

Clearly, Uncle Dave Macon was some influence on my favourite band, the Incredible String Band (Original members Robin Williamson has recorded "Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel" and Clive Palmer has recorded "Rise When the Rooster Crows" though uses some different lyrics to the ones given above.

Several of the other songs recorded by Macon were recorded by The Holy Modal Rounders, another of my favourites (eg Sail Away Ladies). No doubt some of my other favourite artists have recorded some songs UDM wrote or performed.

I also have several Uncle Dave Macon songs on a CD called Hard Times in the Country (or something similar - there is a song with that title on it) which I got from Roots and Rhythm records several months ago. It includes The Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train, From Earth to Heaven, etc. It is a very enjoyable album (with good songs by others also) but unfortunately has developed a fault with some tracks jumping so needs replaced).


I think this thread will run and run!

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: tarheel
Date: 02 Jun 05 - 07:45 PM

thank you OTP...dang ,learn something new in here all the time...never knew those word existed foir the song...i listen to it msany times and it seemed like OLLIE to me...but again,thanks for the correct words!
the " curls in the ocean" i thought represented the white foam as the waves break at the beach...
but thanks again and now..i'll be singing it right!!!!
you're terrific OTP!!!!

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: OTP
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 10:50 PM

I'd be glad to help with any lyric questions I can. After listening to Uncle Dave for 33 years I'd be remiss in not sharing. When Mr. Kirk taught me songs and tunes and I'd finally "get it" he would say to me, "now that song is yours and you have to pass it along to someone else". So here goes...

Over the Mountain:

The name of the girl is Annalee or as UDM says Ann i lee or 'ilee
They looked like the 'pearls' in the ocean

Hope that helps,
Paul

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 07:09 PM

Pleased that people are still "Butting In".
OTP - if you have extra information are you interested in sharing it with us here - or elsewhere?
Let us know!
Thanks!
Quack!!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: Lyr Add: OVER THE MOUNTAIN (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: GUEST,tarheel
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 03:21 PM

I searched all through the threads here and did not see my favorite Uncle Dave Macon song, OVER THE MOUNTAIN.
..................................................................

1. I'm always lighthearted and easy.
Not a care in this world have I,
Because I am loved by an Ollie
And I wouldn't forget if I tried.
She lives far away o'er the mountain
Where the little birds sing in the trees,
And the cabin's all covered with ivy,
And my Ollie, she's waiting for me.

CHORUS: It's over, it's over the mountain
Where the little birds sing in the trees,
And the cabin's all covered with ivy,
And my Ollie, she's waiting for me

2. Now the day I said goodbye to Ollie,
That day I shall never forget,
For my tears bubbled up from their slumber,
And I fancy I see them yet.
They looked like the curls on the ocean
As she told her tale of love,
And she said, "My dear boy, don't forget me
'Til we meet here again or above." CHORUS

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: BanjoRay
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 06:09 AM

Great to have you on board, Paul. We have a good few Uncle Dave fans here in the UK, mostly members of FOAOTMAD

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,OTP
Date: 01 Jun 05 - 12:44 AM

Hi folks,
I wrote the final transcription for the Bear Family complete UDM. I learned a lot of Uncle Dave's songs personally from Mr. Kirk McGee who helped me sort out lyrics that I couldn't hear at the time. I lived around Nashille for 20 odd years and played old-time music for ten years with The Stillhouse Reelers a fine four-piece string band. I am a two-time National Old-Time Banjo Champeen (Uncle Dave Macon Days) and still play Macon and McGee tune every day. I spent several months on the record project and believe it to be about as complete as it can be (bar the typos from Bear Family). It certainly made a difference that I lived there and knew well that part of the country, as well as having the fabulous opportunity to met and play with a number of Opry old-timers (Herman Crook and Lewis Crook, Sid Harkreader, Deford Bailey, Omer Forrster, Blythe Poteete and many others of that generation). It didn't hurt as well that I married a girl whose family first settled that part of Tennessee in the 1790s. Some of the tunes I listened to 3 or 4 hours a day for a solid week to try and understand the meaning of the lyrics, but I got 'em! I hope now that there is a compendium of Uncle Dave's songs that you all sing 'em loud and often. That is how to keep their memories alive.

Sorry for buttin' in,
Paul Ritscher

Subject: Lyr Add: CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN DEER RACE
From: Stewie
Date: 14 May 05 - 09:09 PM

CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN DEER RACE

Away and away we're bound for the mountain
Bound for the mountain, bound for the mountain
Over the mountain and the wild steed's a-bounding
Away to the chase, away, away

We'll heed not the cold, the tempest nor the danger
For over the mountain away goes the ranger
Over the mountain, the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase, away, away

Oh, Rover, Rover, see him, see him
Rover, Rover [it's] catch him, catch him
Over the mountain the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase, away, away

Oh, listen to the hound bells, sweetly ringing
Over the mountain, the wild deer springing
Over the mountain, the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase, away, away

See there the wild deers, trembling, panting
Trembling, panting, trembling, panting
One moment pausing, no longer standing
Away to the chase, away, away

Oh, Rover, Rover, see him, see him
Rover, Rover [it's] catch him, catch him
Over the mountain the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase, away, away

Now we're set just right for the race
With the hounds and the horses right in the chase
The deer is a-bouncing, and the hound is a-sounding
Right on the trail that leads o'er the mountain
Over the mountain the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase away, away

Oh listen to the hound bells heavy bay
   sounding tide o'er the way
All night long till the break of dawn
    merrily the chase goes on
Over the mountain, the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase, away, away

Oh, Rover, Rover, see him, see him
Rover, Rover [it's] catch him, catch him
Over the mountain the hills and the fountain
Away to the chase, away, away

Listen to old Rockwood fall in there,
   will you – getting on a hot trail now
Hear ol' Flyin' Mule step in – Whee –
Listen to the cricket – Whee – Whee

Source: Uncle Dave Macon 'Cumberland Mountain Deer Race' recorded on 26 January 1938 in Charlotte, NC, and issued as Bluebird B7951 in February 1939. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Travelin' Down the Road' County CCS-CD-115 and also in the Bear Family box set.

The above is the transcription at page 116 of the book accompanying the Bear Family Uncle Dave box set.   I can't hear any 'it's' in the Rover stanza and I think Uncle Dave is singing the plural 'Rovers, Rovers', which would be more logical, but I couldn't swear to it.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From:
Date: 13 May 05 - 10:20 AM

i was wonderin if yall have the lyrics for cumberland mountain deer race

Subject: Lyr Add: SHOUT MOURNER, YOU SHALL BE FREE
From: Stewie
Date: 18 Apr 05 - 10:49 PM

SHOUT MOURNER, YOU SHALL BE FREE

[Spoken]
Now folks, talk about your gentle in-folks
I'm going to give you the genteel

Banjo instrumental

Hot dog!

I saw Sal when she went out, I saw Sal pick out her route
Seen her lock the door, and I seen her hide the key
She's a mighty sharp nigger, but she can't fool me

Chorus:
Shout mourner, you shall be free
Shout mourner, you shall be free
When the good Lord sets you free

Did you have a song, baby, did you have a song

Oh, Miss Doe said you treated me mean
I'm a-tired of livin' on your pork and beans
You [she] may be warm, but I don't know
She ain't so warm 'til she melts the snow

Did you have a song, baby, did you have a song

Chorus

[Oh my little honey what happened in the lot
Keep out running in the buzzard trot]
The big mule throwed so the little mule kicks
That big nigger throwed the little in a ditch

Did you have a song, baby, did you have a song

Chorus

Me and my partner and two or three more
Hanging around Sam LaFevre's door
Buying whiskey and buying gin
Just a-getting right to go again

Gotta have a song, baby, gotta have a song

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Shout mourner, you shall be free' recorded in NYC on 8 September 1926 and issued as Vocalion 15445 in December 1926 and as Vocalion 5007 in February 1927.   Reissued on CD 3 in the Bear Family box set of Uncle Dave Macon recordings – BCD 15978 JM.

Note: what I have given in square brackets for the first 2 lines of stanza 3 is from the transcription on page 71 of the book accompanying the Bear Family box set. I don't think it is right, but I have no better idea of what he is singing. Any suggestions?

For information on this song, refer to this thread: CLICK HERE.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Apr 05 - 05:55 PM

I would love to index any of these that were based on spirituals (not minstrel-show stuff), if anyone has time to check them out by either the details that were posted above, or by any additional knowledge you might have.

If you find any, can you drop me a PM or list the titles AND THIS THREAD NUMBER in the African American Spiritulas permathread, please?

Thanks!

~Susan

Subject: Lyr Add: KISSIN' ON THE SLY (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Mar 05 - 01:15 AM

KISSIN' ON THE SLY

Spoken:
Now people listen, a kiss is nothing divided by two. Now you kiss an old maid once, she'll scream out with delight. You kiss her twice, she'll set up all night. You kiss her three times, she'll holler for more because she knows how the old thing works – she's been there before.

When a man falls in love with his little turtle dove
He will linger all around under her jaw
He will kiss her for a mother, a sister or a brother
Till her father comes and kicks him from the door

Pulls a pistol from his pocket and vows he will cock it
And blow away his giddy brain
His duckie says he mustn't , 'tisn't loaded and he doesn't
So they're kissin' one another each again

For the old maids love it, the widows are above it
They've all got a finger in the pie
Some girls think it haughty as it is so very naughty
But you can bet they're all a-kissin' on the sly

When a girl is seventeen, she'll think it rather mean
If she don't get on to something for a smash
She will pucker up her mouth with a pretty little pout
As she fumbles underneath a big moustache

She will make a fellow shrivel, she'll make him jump the river
And stick as close as granulated glue
You had better never tell her you're some other girl's feller
She will masticate your smeller if you do

If you want to kiss her neatly, kiss her sweetly and completely
If you want to kiss her so's to kiss her twice
When you get a chance to kiss her, make a dodge or two and miss her
Then slap it on and kiss her once or twice

Banjo instrumental

Hot dog!

Source: transcription at page 74 of book accompanying Bear Family Uncle Dave Macon box set [BCD 15978 JM].

Uncle Dave Macon 'Kissin' on the sly' recorded in New York City on 9 September 1926 and issued as Vo 15452, 5013. Uncle Dave solo, acc by own banjo.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'VE GOT THE MOURNING BLUES (Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 06:56 PM

WARNING: some lyrics in this song may offend.

In the square brackets is what I hear differently from the transcription in the Bear Family box set.

I'VE GOT THE MOURNING BLUES

Been in business and I've been in love
I used to fly high like a turtle dove
Had the blues a-many a time
There's just a woman on a poor man's mind

Chorus:
I've got the mourning blues, oh so bad
Honey, come and kiss me, they're the worst I've ever had

Ashes to ashes and it's dust to dust
Show me a woman that a man can trust
Nickel's worth of grease and a dime's worth of lard
I would buy more but the times is so hard

Chorus

There ain't no use me a-workin' so hard
For I've got a woman in the white folk's yard
She brings me meat and she brings me pie
I'm eatin' something of everything the white folks buy

Chorus

She brings me chicken and she brings me cake
You just ought to see me lick that plate
A big honey biscuit and a mutton[s] chop
Will make a nigger's lips go flippity flop

Chorus

There stands a fellow right over there          [Like there's a fellow …]
He's got blue eyes and he's got black hair
Talking to his sweetheart, she looks so neat
She calls him honey and he calls her sweet

Chorus

There stands a fellow right over yonder
He looks like he wants to founder    [ponder]
Look at that hair all around his mouth
Like he swallered a mule and left the tail a-hangin' out

Chorus

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'I've got the mourning blues' at page 67 of the book accompanying Uncle Dave Macon box set [Bear Family BCD 15978 JM].

Uncle Dave Macon 'I've got the mourning blues' recorded in New York City on 14 April 1926 and issued as Vo 15349, 5095.    Uncle Dave accompanied by Sam McGee on guitar.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'SE GWINE BACK TO DIXIE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 08:20 AM

I don't know whether these are the same words Uncle Dave sang.

There's a version of this in the DT called GOING BACK TO DIXIE. It has had its dialect deleted, and has a different 3rd verse, and no date or attribution.

The following lyrics are transcribed from The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music;
The Library of Congress American Memory Collection also has several copies.

I'SE GWINE BACK TO DIXIE
"Companion to 'Old Home Ain't What it Used to Be' "
C. A. White. 1874.

1. I'se gwine back to Dixie. No more I'se gwine to wander.
My heart's turned back to Dixie. I can't stay here no longer.
I miss de ole plantation, my home and my relation.
My heart's turned back to Dixie and I must go.

CHORUS: I'se gwine back to Dixie. I'se gwine back to Dixie.
I'se gwine where the orange blossoms grow.
For I hear the children calling. I see their sad tears falling.
My heart's turned back to Dixie and I must go.

2. I've hoed in fields of cotton. I've worked upon the river.
I used to think if I got off, I'd go back there, no, never.
But time has changed the old man. His head is bending low.
His heart's turned back to Dixie and he must go.

3. I'm trav'ling back to Dixie. My step is slow and feeble.
I pray the Lord to help me and lead me from all evil.
And should my strength forsake me, then, kind friends, come and take me.
My heart's turned back to Dixie and I must go.

[The Virtual Gramophone has 4 recordings of this song, made between 1902 and 1926, by Harry Macdonough, Henry Burr, and Florence Easton.

[Also recorded by Uncle Dave Macon, The Leake Country Revelers, and The Edison Quartet.]

Subject: Lyr Add: SHOO FLY, DON'T YOU BOTHER ME (D Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 02:42 AM

SHOO FLY, DON'T YOU BOTHER ME

Long banjo intro

Spoken: Hot dog! Get around here!

I went up to New York
I'se walkin' down Broadway
All them pretty girls lookin' at me
You oughta heard me say

Chorus:
Shoo fly, don't you bother me (x3)
For I belong to Tennessee

George Washington was a great man
A lie he'd never tell
But when he got the hatchet
Give that cherry tree hallelujah

Chorus

Trouble in the kitchen
It's worse up over head
Me love she said she'd have me, boys
She'd like to kill me dead

Chorus

Instrumental break

Chorus

An old man come mopin' in,
He's tired out of life
A young man comes skippin' in,
'Run kiss me, my dear wife'

Chorus

Snow up on the mountain
Sunshine on the lake
Hard times never get this child
He's too wide awake

Chorus

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Shoo Fly, Don't You Bother Me' recorded 9 Sept 1926 in NYC and issued as Vocalion 15448 in December 1926 and as Vocalion 5010 in February 1927. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP 15519.

See the SHOO FLY thread for information on this song.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: COUNTRY HAM AND RED GRAVY (Corrected)
From: Stewie
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 08:59 PM

Someone was seeking 'Country Ham and Red Gravy' in another thread. I posted an attempted transcription before this Uncle Dave thread was started. There is a link to it above in message 26 Feb 01 - 9.08. There are several inaccuracies in that transcription. Below is a transcription that I am pretty happy with now - corrections and disagreements are still welcomed though. Uncle Dave seems unphased by mixed tenses in the refrain - 'yell', 'heard', 'smell'.

COUNTRY HAM AND RED GRAVY

Talk about your old cow meat
Your mutton and your lamb
Come for to see them people's eyes shine
Show 'em that good sweet ham

Oh how them darkies yell
When they heard that dinner bell
Oh how that ham meat smell
Three miles away

Rich folk gone to market house
Buy'd that mutton and lamb
I'm goin' back to (the) butcher's shop
To get that good sweet ham

Oh how them people yell
When they heard that dinner bell
Oh how them onions smell
Three miles away

Talk about your fried chicken
It's nothing but a sham
If you want a real meal
Call for country ham

Oh how them boarders yell
When they heard that dinner bell
Oh how them onions smell
Three miles away

Talk about your red snapper fish
Hotcakes from the pan
I'm going back to farm smoke house
To get that good sweet ham

Oh how them poor did yell
When they heard that dinner bell
Oh how that ham meat smell
Three miles away

Talk about your fried chicken
You think you're livin' easy
That ain't nothin' to compare
With the country ham and gravy

Oh how them darkies yell
When they heard that dinner bell
Oh how them onions smell
Three miles away

Of all the meat I ever eat
Ain't gwine to tell you no sham
Bake it high, stew or fry
Still, it's good sweet ham

Oh how them boarders yell
When they heard that dinner bell
Oh how them onions smell
Three miles away

Source: Uncle Dave Macon 'Country Ham and Red Gravy' Recorded 24 January 1938. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Travelin' Down the Road' County CCS-CD-115.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Sep 03 - 11:18 PM

Jim posted the 1926 recording of 'I tickled Nancy' Here Uncle Dave recorded it twice, and the recording that I have under the title 'I'll Tickle Nancy' must be the one recorded 22 January 1935 in New Orleans and issued as Bluebird BB 5873. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP 15519. It has an extra stanza before the last stanza that Jim posted:

The next night that I met her, and the next night after that
We kissed one another and then she told me flat
'Of course, that means you'll take me to church'. Of course, I answered 'Yes'
In about a week we'll married be and the rest why you can guess

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: ONLY AS FAR AS THE GATE, DEAR MA
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Sep 03 - 10:31 PM

ONLY AS FAR AS THE GATE, DEAR MA
(G.Williams/J.P. Skelly)

My sweetheart's a sly little fairy, her age it is just seventeen
Her parents think she is too airy, but a sweeter girl never was seen
At night she steals out of the cottage, her mother cries after Kate
She answers, Dear Ma, I'm not going far
Just a-going as far as the gate

Chorus A:
Only as far as the gate, dear Ma, just down to the old garden gate
Oh, the night is so warm and there's no sign of storm
I love to stand by the gate

Of course, at the gate I am waiting, and sweet are the words that we say
While inside the old folks are debating the price of the next load of hay
Sometimes I call gently for Katy, she answers, Dear Ma, 'tis not late
The night is so warm and there's no sign of storm
I love to stand by the gate

Chorus B:
Only as far as the gate, dear Ma, just down to the old garden gate
Oh, the moon is so bright and it's such a fine night
I love to stand by the gate

They say she's too young to be married, but with them I cannot agree
Love's message I've carried to Katy, and a kiss was her answer for me
We'll wander way by the moonlight, much longer I'm sure we can't wait
Some night, by and by, to the parson's we'll fly
When Katy comes down to the gate

Repeat chorus A.

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Only As Far As the Gate, Dear Ma' recorded on 16 April 1926 and issued in June 1926 as Vocalion 15323. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP 15519.

Note: words by Gus Williams and music by J. Plumber Skelly 1882. Other old-time recordings: (Sid) Harkreader and (Grady) Moore 'Only As Far As the Gate' ca June 1926, Pmt 3035; Red Patterson's Piedmont Log Rollers 'My Sweetheart's A Shy Little Fairy' March 1927, Vi 21187; and Vernon Dalhart 'I'm Just Going Down to the Gate, Dear Ma' May 1929, Harmony 946-H.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN THE HARVEST DAYS ARE OVER (Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 11 Sep 03 - 02:45 AM

WHEN THE HARVEST DAYS ARE OVER

When the harvest days are over and the chaffs of wheat and clover
Have been gathered from the field and stored away
We'll be sorted in the morning for the bible gives us warning
That accounts shall all be rendered on that day

If we've laid up heavenly treasures, we'll receive unstinted measures
In that land of crown and mansions in the sky
If we've blown an earthly bubble, it will burst and burn like stubble
When the harvest days are over by and by   

Chorus:
When the harvest days are over, by and by (by and by)
And we stand around the judgment throne on high
We shall know what we have known, we shall reap what we have sown
When the harvest days are over by and by (by and by)

Day by day the seed we're sowing is increasing while it's growing
Wheat or tares, what shall the final harvest be?
What a wailing, what a weeping, what a sad eternal reaping
When the wicked hear his voice, 'Depart from me'

Let me love the righteous rather, hear ye blessed of the father
'For a kingdom I've prepared on high for you'
And in mansions up in glory we will shout redemption's story
When the harvest days are over by and by

Chorus

When the summer days are ended and the crops have all been tended
And we gather for the final harvest home
We'll receive our increased measures, endless drought or heavenly treasures
For we'll reap the kind of seed our lives have sown

To the spirit let us labour, love our self less than our neighbour
Then we'll reap eternal life and never die
We will drink of life's pure river, on its banks we'll rest forever (Hear me brother!)
When the harvest days are over by and by (by and by)

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon & The Delmore Brothers 'When the Harvest Days Are Over' recorded on 22 January 1935 in New Orleans and issued as Bluebird B5842 in April 1935. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP 15519.

Note: Meade groups this in with the 1900 love song 'When the Harvest Days Are Over, Jessie Dear' by H.Graham/Harry Von Tilzer which may be found on the Levy sheet music site linked by Jim above. The tune may be the same - I don't know - but the content is totally different.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: GIVE ME BACK MY FIVE DOLLARS (from Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 11:30 PM

GIVE ME BACK MY FIVE DOLLARS

[Spoken]: Well, friends, I'm mighty sorry to tell you, but mens are gettin' mighty sorry in my state, in Tennessee. Now I'm going to sing you a song of a young man that's married three weeks and got a divorce and wanted the poor old Methodist preacher to give him his five dollars back. But you must remember King David and King Solomon lived merry, merry lives for they had many, many wives but, when old age overtook them, they became very calm – King Solomon wrote the proverbs and David wrote the psalms.

We decided to get married, my little girl and I
The day I bought the licence, I let my freedom fly
We walked up to the preacher, said yes to all he said
And if I had to do it again, I'd shoot myself instead

Chorus:   
Oh, give me back my five dollars I paid for a wife
I was a fool to pay someone to sentence me for life

The first month she was sweet as a melon on the vine
I thought it was my lucky day when I asked her to be mine
She looked so doggone pretty she like to've took my breath
But when I saw my mother-in-law, I darn nigh choked to death

Chorus

I took her to our home up east, I told her to see the sights
She'd come in about daylight, oh 'Where did you spend your nights?'
She bought out half the city, silk dresses and gold braid
I could have bought the Brooklyn bridge with all the bills I paid

Chorus

So now, young men, stay single for married life's baloney
It would break a millionaire to pay her alimony
Oh, single men, stay single don't marry you a wife
A bachelor's life is heaven compared to married life

Chorus

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Give Me Back My Five Dollars' recorded in Charlotte, NC, on 26 January 1938 and issued as Bluebird B8325. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Travelin' Down the Road' County CCS-CD-115.

This is an Uncle Dave original composition. Text checked against Uncle Dave's little songbook reissued by the Tennessee Folklore Society. It is now out of print, but fox4zero kindly made a photocopy for me.

For a song in a similar vein see this thread: 'Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents' (Binkley Bros)

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 10:40 PM

According to Meade, Uncle Dave recorded 'Just Tell Them That You Saw Me' in April 1926 in NYC and it was issued in May. There were 2 earlier recordings, both by Vernon Dalhart, in August and September 1925. Recordings by other old-time artists included Buell Kazee [1927], John Ryan [1927], Andrew Jenkins & Carson Robison [1928], Frank & James McGravy [1931] and Clayton McMichen & His Georgia Wildcats [1939].

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST TELL THEM THAT YOU SAW ME (P Dresser
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 09:29 PM

Here's another one that you can hear at Honking Duck. Macon's words are practically identical to those in the sheet music at The Lester S. Levy Collection.

JUST TELL THEM THAT YOU SAW ME
(Paul Dresser, 1895.)

[Spoken:] Now, people, I'm gonna sing you a beautiful sympathetic song.

While strolling down the street one eve upon mere pleasure bent--
'Twas after business worries of the day--
I met a girl who shrank from me, in whom I recognized
My schoolmate in a village far away.
"Is that you, Madge?" I said to her. She quickly turned away.
"Don't turn away, Madge. I am still your friend.
Next week I'm going back to see the old folks, and I thought
Perhaps a message you would like to send."

CHORUS: "Just tell them that you saw me," she said. "They'll know the rest.
Tell them I was looking well, you know.
Just whisper, if you get a chance, to Mother dear and say
I love her as I did long, long ago."

"Your cheeks are pale. Your face is thin. Come tell me, were you ill?
When last we met, your eye shone clear and bright.
Come home with me when I go, Madge. The change will do you good.
Your mother wonders where you are tonight."
"I long to see them all again, but not just yet," she said.
"'Tis pride alone that's keeping me away.
Just tell them not to worry, for I'm all right, don't you know.
Tell mother I am coming home someday." CHORUS

* * *

Uncle Dave Macon recorded this in May, 1926; it was issued as Vocalion 15324. It is also sung by Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cut-Ups on "20 Old-Time Favorites," Rural Rhythm CD 211, 1997; and by Dan W. Quinn on the compilation album "The 1890's, Vol. 2: Wear Yer Bran' New Gown," Original Cast Record CD 9239, 2002.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 03:53 PM

Yes, but... the internal rhymes all occur on the odd-numbered lines, which are longer than the even-numbered lines.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 11:02 AM

Jim, in that stanza, there are rhymes within the lines - knee/me, eye/pie, cat/hat, fire/liar - and that's why I would opt for milk/silk even if milk occurs twice.

The 'Fagin' was probably a missprint in Meade. That is what he had in the song entry at page 266 and I went with that. However, it is spelled 'Fagan' at the songster reference at page 914. Looks like I opted for the wrong one.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 10:06 AM

I hope y'all found the thread from last year where I had looked up and listed the ones already posted here.... I was never able to get back to the project due to health and data management issues, but I did find a lot of stuff. Glad to see a "team" of you working on this.

~Susan

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 09:29 AM

Both The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music and The Library of Congress American Memory Collection have several songs by Barney Fagan (note spelling) but not this one, I'm afraid.

I have a slight bias against mentioning milk twice in the same song. I think it would be funnier if he spilled something else on his mother's finest silk.

I notice the song lists practically every condiment that is commonly kept on a southern dinner table: vinegar, molasses, mustard, pepper, ketchup. Only salt is missing, but salt wouldn't do much damage to silk. How about "Spills the coffee on his mama's nicest silk"?

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 01:59 AM

Jim, I agree he sings 'silk' when he should have sung 'milk', but I reckon the line was meant to be 'Spill the milk upon his mother's nicest silk'. What do you think?

'Since Baby's ...' was recorded on 21 June 1929 in Chicago and issued as Brunswick 362 in December 1929. According to Meade, words and music were by Barney Fagin 1883 and was printed in his 'Dashing Drum Major Songster' 1883.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: SINCE BABY'S LEARNED TO TALK (Macon)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 10:55 PM

Here's another one I transcribed from Honking Duck. The audio quality was much better on this recording, so I think I got it nailed, except for one part where Uncle Dave seems to stumble over the words. I think the line that begins "Spill the ..." was supposed to end with "silk" in order to rhyme with "milk," but he mistakenly began the line "Spill the silk" which caused him to mumble the end of the line.

The tune reminds me of "Keep on the Sunny Side."

SINCE BABY'S LEARNED TO TALK

I'm a real contented dad. See me smile. I'm awful glad.
I have news to tell you all. 'Twill make you laugh.
First, we'll call the neighbors in, let the jollities begin,
And after that, we'll kill the fatted calf.
When our baby got his tooth, we adored the little youth.
In ecstasy, we saw the darling walk.
'Twas our reg'lar jubilee between the baby's ma and me,
When first our little cherub learned to talk.

Oh, it's pleasant since the baby learned to talk.
Very agreeable since the baby learned to talk.
It was fun to see him walk, better still to hear him talk.
Oh, it's pleasant since the baby learned to walk and talk.

Oh, at dinner on my knee, oh, it really pleases me
To see that kid dissect a plate of hash,
Jam the fork into his eye, pour the vinegar on the pie,
And on his plate to mix a lot of trash.
Drop molasses on the cat, pour the mustard in my hat,
Spill the silk (?) upon his mama's nice ...,
Throw the pepper in the fire, tell his papa he's a liar,
And slyly mix the ketchup with the milk.

Oh, it's diff'rent since the baby learned to talk.
Very agreeable since the baby learned to talk.
It was fun to see him walk, better still to hear him talk.
Oh, it's pleasant since the baby learned to walk and talk.

As a moral, I suggest: of all things it is the best
To bring your children up as they should go.
Never let them stray behind. Always treat them good and kind.
To appease their ev'ry want, do not be slow.
And when you're old and gray, in the corner hid away,
With the rheumatics you're crippled, cannot walk,
I tell you what they'll do: kick the rheumatics out of you.
Oh, it's diff'rent since the baby learned to walk and talk.

Oh, it's diff'rent since the baby learned to walk.
Very diff'rent since the baby learned to talk.
Get so full it makes him stammer, slugs the old folks with the hammer.
Oh, it's diff'rent since the baby learned to walk and talk.

Subject: Lyr Add: HOLD ON TO THE SLEIGH (Corrected)
From: Stewie
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 08:06 PM

Hi Jim,

Lyle posted Uncle Willie's transcription to this one in the old-time music newsgroup last year. I don't think the recording has made it to CD yet. In his note to the reissue on a Vetco LP, Bob Hyland explained the spoken bit: 'The song is given a prelude on the banjo of an old ballad 'Sweet Marie' written in 1893'. This is how Uncle Willie heard it:

HOLD ON TO THE SLEIGH

(Spoken): All right, people, gonna give you a little 'Sweet Marie' now.

Just as the rain was over
And the snow was a-fallin' fast
Got my mule harnessed, boys,
And got him hitched at last

Drove up to Miss Lizy's
All for to take a sleigh
Would not tell about that mule
I'se scared he'd run away

Chorus:
Whoa, I tell you
Whoa, I say
Whoa, I tell you
Hold on to the sleigh

Well, off to town we went
All for to take a ride
Never felt better in the world
With Liza by my side

Said, 'Hold tight, Miss Lizy
'Sleigh's not very stout,
'Watch this mule lie back his ears
'I'm scared he'll kick us out'

Chorus

The mule was very fancy
And all so innocent
While I was a-makin' love to Liza
He run us in the fence (I declare!)

She says, 'Where you gwine, my darlin'
'You act just like a fool
'Hush your lovesick talk to me
'And try to hold your mule'

Chorus

'Gwine down to the parson's
'Now, Liza, you keep cool
'For I ain't got time to kiss you now
I'm busy with my mule'

Chorus

Source: transcription posted to rec.music.country.old-time newsgroup Click Here.

Uncle Dave Macon 'Hold On To The Sleigh' recorded on 9 September 1926 and issued in NYC and issued as Brunswick 114[E21926-27]. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'The Dixie Dewdrop' Vetco LP 101. See Meade et alia 'Country Music Sources' pp524-525 for numerous related old-time recordings under the generic title 'Whoa Mule'.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: HOLD ON TO THE SLEIGH (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 09:40 AM

Here's another one I transcribed from Honking Duck. Several words and phrases are highly doubtful; corrections are welcome.

HOLD ON TO THE SLEIGH

[Spoken:] All right, you can go get a little Sweet Marie now.

[Banjo solo]

1. Just as the rain was over and the snow was a-falling fast,
Got my mule harnessed, boys, and got him hitched to that.

2. Drove up to Miss Lizy's all for to take a sleigh.
Would not tell I bobbed that mule. I's scared he'd run away.

CHORUS: Whoa, I tell you. Whoa, I say.
Whoa, I tell you. Hold on to the sleigh.

3. We're off down ... all for to take a ride.
Never felt better in the world with Liza by my side.

4. Said, "Hold tight, Miss Lizy. Sleigh's not very stout.
Watch this mule I backed in here. I'm scared he'll kick us out." CHORUS

5. The mule was fairly prancing, all so innocent.
While I's a-making love to Lizy, he run us in the fence.

[Shouted:] I declare!

6. Just where you gwine, my darling? You act just like a fool.
Hold your lovesick talk to me and try to hold the mule. CHORUS

7. Gwine down to the parson's. Now, Liza, you keep cool,
For I ain't got time to kiss you now. I'm busy with the mule. CHORUS

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 08:37 PM

Gee! Someone changed the words on the recording before the last post!
Yep, you're right.

Subject: Lyr Add: CARVE THAT POSSUM (Corrected)
From: Stewie
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 07:42 PM

Hi, Jim and Q, deciphering this song was also annoying the hell out of me so I emailed Lyle Lofgren and asked if he would consult Uncle Willie's wordbooks. Uncle Willie [Willard Johnson] was an original member of Lyle's group which began in the 1960s as Uncle Willie and the Brandy Snifters. Uncle Willie was a master of deciphering the mutterings of old-time recording artists. Lyle kindly sent me Uncle Willie's transcription with which he agrees totally, as no doubt you will too. It is bloody amazing that once you know what it should be, you can hear it clearly! From the African-American songs, we should have guessed 'carve him to his heart'. I knew it wasn't 'on children' at the end of the verse lines, but I could have sworn it was 'carve, children, carve' at the end of the chorus. There you go. Have another listen with Uncle Willie's transcription in front of you and reckon that, like me, you will agree he was spot on:


CARVE THAT POSSUM

My dog treed, I went to see (carve him to his heart)
There was a possum up that tree (carve him to his heart)
And that possum began to grin (carve him to his heart)
I reached up and took him in (carve him to his heart)

Chorus A:
Oh, carve that possum,
Carve that possum, children,
Carve that possum, children,
Oh, carve him to his heart

Carried him home and dressed him off (carve him to his heart)
Hung him out that night to frost (carve him to his heart)
Well, the way to cook the possum sound (carve him to his heart)
Cook, fry, boil, and bake it brown (carve him to his heart)

Repeat Chorus A

Possum meat am good to eat (carve him to his heart.)
Always fat and good and sweet (carve him to his heart)
Sweet potatoes in the pan (carve him to his heart.)
Sweetest eating in the land (carve him to his heart.)

Chorus B:
Oh, carve that possum,
Carve that possum, children,
Carve that possum, children,
How? Carve him to his heart

Some eat early and some eat soon (carve him to his heart)
Some like possum and some like coon (carve him to his heart)
That possum's just the thing for me (carve him to his heart)
Old Rattler's got another'n up a tree (carve him to his heart)

Repeat Chorus B

Thanks to Lyle Lofgren,

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD:
From: Stewie
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 07:23 PM

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 11:50 AM

In the first verse second line, I hear "Sky wus barkin' up that tree,"

I agree with the "three-fo tatoes"

Now I can't get the song out of my head---

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Sep 03 - 09:19 AM

Re: CARVE THAT POSSUM

There aren't enough syllables for "three or four potatoes" (although that might be the intended meaning). It could be "three-fo' 'tatoes" or "three potatoes." Either way, it sounds odd to me. I would expect him to say either "potatoes" or "taters" but not "'tatoes." On the other hand, why would it be exactly three? Anyway, I decided "three potatoes" was most likely. And since I was uncertain, I decided to document the fact that I had found "grease" and "sweet" in other versions or other people's transcriptions, but I don't hear those words either. I probably should have shown it differently, e.g.

Three potatoes [or "Three-fo' 'tatoes"] in the pan

Subject: Lyr Add: CARVE 'IM TO DE HEART (Odum & Johnson)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 09:38 PM

The version from Thede, above, is very similar to the one in Odum and Johnson, 1925 (1976), "Carve 'Im To De Heart." Apparently a very common song. Last three verses; the first two are almost identical:

I went up dar to fetch 'im down,
Carve 'im to de heart.
I bus' him open agin de groun',
Carve 'im to de heart.

De way ter cook de 'possum nice,
Carve 'im to de heart,
Fust parbile 'im, stir 'im twice,
Carve 'im to de heart.

Den lay sweet taters in de pan,
Carve 'im to de heart;
Nuthin' beats dat in de lan',
Carve 'im to de heart.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 09:01 PM

Hi Jim,

I agree with you - there seems to be a 'h' sound rather than 'on', but I can't think what it might be. In fact, I am not sure the word is even 'children' - it sounds like it begins with a 'd' sound to me. However, I believe Uncle Dave is singing 'oh, carve, children, carve' in the last part of the chorus and this is clearest in the very last chorus. I can't hear 'grease' or 'sweet'; it seems to me he is simply singing 'Three or four potatoes in the pan'.

Meade indicates that Uncle Dave Macon & The Fruit Jar Drinkers was the only old-time group to record this. It was recorded on 7 May 1927 in New York City and issued as Vocalion 5151 in August 1927. It has been reissued on CD: Uncle Dave Macon 'Go Long Mule' County CO-CD-3505.

Earliest attribution in Meade is to Sam Lucas ca 1875. The Fiddler's Companion entry for this is:

CARVE DAT POSSUM [1]. See "'Possum Pie" and "Bile Them Cabbage Down." Old-Time, Song. USA; Tennessee, Oklahaoma. G Major. Standard. One part. Charles Wolfe (1991) identifies this as a piece written and performed by black minstrel Sam Lucas about 1870, that appears in a few collections of minstrel songs. Thede printed the following stanza with the tune, collected from Oklahoma fiddlers:
***
Carve dat 'possum Hannah,
Carve dat 'possum soon;
For de pan am ready,
An here am de spoon.
***
African-American collector Thomas Talley, in his book Negro Folk Rhymes (reprinted in 1991, edited by Charles Wolfe), gave the title as "An Opossum Hunt" and printed the text:
***
Possum meat is good an' sweet Carve him to de heart,
I always finds it good to eat, Carve him to de heart
Cho:
Charve dat possum!
Charve dat possum!
Charve dat possum!
Oh charve 'im to de heart!
***
My dog tree, I went to see Carve him to de heart,
A great big possum up dat tree Carve him to de heart,
I retch up an' pull him in, Carve him to de heart,
Dat ol' possum 'gin to grin, Carve him to de heart,
***
I tuck him home an' dressed him off Carve him to de heart,
Dat night I laind him in de' fros', Carve him to de heart,
De way I cooked dat possum sound, Carve him to de heart,
I fust parboiled, den baked him brown Carve him to de heart,
I put sweet taters in de pan, Carve him to de heart,
'Twas de bigges' eatin' in de lan' Carve him to de heart.
***
Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967; pg. 69. Vocalation 5151 (78 RPM), Uncle Dave Macon (1927).

POSSUM PIE. AKA- "Carve Dat Possum," "Bile Them Cabbage Down." Old-Time, Breakdown. USA. G Major. Standard. One Part. The tune is identified by Thede as a Negro 'banjo tune'.
**
Carve that 'possum Hannah,
Carve that possum soon;
For the pan is ready,
And I am the spoon.
**
Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967; pg. 69.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: CARVE THAT POSSUM (from Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Sep 03 - 01:19 PM

A version of CARVE THAT POSSUM has been posted here, but it's not Uncle Dave Macon's version. Following is my transcription from The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites, on "Requests Page Five". (Actually, I started by copying other transcriptions from the Internet--specifically, here and here--and then making a few corrections based on my own hearing.)

I must admit some serious doubts about the word "on" in the phrase "On, children, on!" and the word "come" in the chorus. I have left them the way I found them. Logically, it would make sense to use the same word in both places. It would also make sense for that word to be "carve," but I'm not convinced that that's what they're singing. Based on hearing alone, and disregarding logic, it sounds equally like "hard" or "horn" or "harm." It's possible that different singers sing different words. It seems that Uncle Dave sings the verse, two or more other singers sing the refrain "On, children, on" and all of them together sing the chorus.

My dog treed. I went to see. (On, children, on!)
There was a possum up that tree, (On, children, on!)
And that possum began to grin. (On, children, on!)
I reached up and took him in. (On, children, on!)

CHORUS: Oh, carve that possum. Carve that possum, children.
Carve that possum, children. Oh, come, children come.

Carried him home and dressed him off. (On, children, on!)
Hung him out that night to frost. (On, children, on!)
One way to cook the possum sound, (On, children, on!)
First parboil, then bake him brown. (On, children, on!) CHORUS

Possum meat am good to eat. (On, children, on!)
Always fat and good and sweet. (On, children, on!)
Three [or "grease" or "sweet"] potatoes in the pan, (On, children, on!)
Greatest eating in the land. (On, children, on!) CHORUS

Some eat early and some eat soon. (On, children, on!)
Some like possum and some like coon. (On, children, on!)
That possum's just the thing for me. (On, children, on!)
Old Rattler's got another'n up a tree. (On, children, on!) CHORUS

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 02:35 AM

Jim, after another listen, I reckon you are quite right. Thanks for the correction.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Sep 03 - 11:55 PM

Regarding FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN, which Stewie posted back at 18 Jan 02 - 02:58 AM:

I hear the first line of the second verse differently:

"I'll tell you now, since the bone-dry's come, you can't find whiskey that's good."

I take the "bone-dry" to mean Prohibition.

Subject: Lyr Add: ARCADE BLUES (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Sep 03 - 11:48 PM

Transcribed by me from www.honkingduck.com:

ARCADE BLUES
(1926)

[Spoken:] "Hot dog! Sung especially for Mr. Charlie Keys and Mr. Hyde in the Arcade who will play your records on both sides."

They got the arcade blues. (2x)
They got the arcade blues so bad.
Got the arcade blues. (2x)
That's a trouble I never had. (2x)

These silk-dressed women (2x)
This arcade's always had.
These silk-dressed women (2x)
Make a married man feel bad. (2x)

If you got a good woman, (2x)
I'd advise you to leave her at home.
These arcade boys (2x)
Won't let a good woman alone. (2x)

If you got a good woman, (2x)
Don't never bring her to town.
But a red-headed woman (2x)
Make a gray rabbit love a hound. (2x)

Gonna lay my head (2x)
Up on some railroad track.
It'll carry me away (2x)
But it will not bring me back. (2x)

A rubber-tired hearse (2x)
Like a great big Cadillac
Carry you over to the graveyard, boys, (2x)
That man won't bring you back. (2x)

Subject: Lyr Add: BAKE THAT CHICKEN PIE (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 12 Jul 03 - 08:07 PM

BAKE THAT CHICKEN PIE
As recorded by Uncle Dave Macon, 1927.

Whoa, if you want to see a darky made happy, I'll tell you what you do:
Slip over to the neighbor's yard, there take down a chicken or two.
Why, you slip around a dark night, when the chickens cannot see,
Want see that the bulldog's tied up, then sneak up to the tree,
For you take a pole just to knock 'im off, then slap him like a goat.
Well, if he hollers loudly, want to shove 'im up under your coat.

CHORUS: Bake that chicken pie, oh, put on lots of spice,
Oh, Lord how I'd like to have just a piece of that chicken pie.

Well, the pullets that flop their wings and crow, when the darky passes by,
Seems to say that they can't be caught, and there ain't no use for to try,
And worse than all that's happened, yes, did you ever hear the like before?
Whenever you go to travel you'll find, there's a lock on the chicken coop door. CHORUS

This country am a-gwine to the dogs at last, when the farmers sit and watch,
Big bull dog and a big steel trap in the watermelon patch,
And worse than all that's happened, yes, did you ever hear the like before?
Whenever you hear that er-er-er-er-er, there's a lock on the chicken coop door. CHORUS TWICE


See thread 61157, Bake that chicken pie, for comments: Chicken Pie

Subject: Lyr Add: CAP'N TOM RYMAN
From: Stewie
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:49 PM

The transcription of 'Rock about my Saro Jane' in the DT - CLICK - is missing a line in the chorus. There should be an extra 'Oh, rock about my Saro Jane' line; it should read:

Chorus:
Oh, there's nothing to do but to sit down and sing
And rock about, my Saro Jane
Oh, rock about my Saro Jane
Oh, rock about my Saro Jane
Oh, there's nothing to do but to sit down and sing
And rock about, my Saro Jane

In his book on the birth of the Grand Ole Opry, Charles Wolfe gives some fascinating information on how Uncle Dave came by this piece:

                           "Cap'n Tom Ryman"

In a further instance of historical irony, Uncle Dave liked to sing a song about the builder of the Ryman Auditorium, riverboat man Tom Ryman. The song, entitled 'Cap'n Tom Ryman', was collected from Macon by folklorist George Boswell for his then-unpublished collection of Tennessee folk songs. Uncle Dave never commercially recorded it, though he did record a related version as the widely known 'Rock About My Saro Jane'. Boswell's text reads as follows:

Cap'n Tom Ryman was a steamboat man,
But Sam Jones sent him to the heavenly land,
Oh, sail away
Oh, there's nothing to do but to sit down and sing
Oh, rockabout my Saro Jane, oh rockabout my Saro Jane,
Oh, rockabout my Saro Jane
Oh, rockabout my Saro Jane
Oh, rockabout my Saro Jane
Oh, there's nothing to do but to sit down and sing
Oh, rockabout my Saro Jane

Engine give a scratch and the whistle gave a squall
The engineer going to a hole in the wall,
Oh, Saro Jane
There's nothing to do but to sit down and sing
Oh, rockabout my Saro Jane

Uncle Dave, when asked about this song, gave this history to Boswell:

Now that tabernacle what was built down there where we play, Rev'rend Sam Jones converted Cap'n Tom Ryman. He had six steamboats on the Cumberland River and you ought to have seen that wharf just lined with horses and mules and wagons hauling freight to those boats and bringing it back. And Sam Jones preached the low country to him so straight he took them niggers all down there Monday morning and bought all that whiskey and poured it in the river. Took them card tables and built a bonfire and burned 'em up. Clean up. Niggers started this song.

The song would make an interesting case study in Uncle Dave's use of traditional material in his music. As with many of his pieces, the 'core' of the song seems borrowed from black tradition, as he always acknowledged. The chorus of 'Saro Jane' might have referred to a steamboat originally, and the piece could have been a form of work song. Yet the couplet at the beginning of each stanza seems to have been interchangeable, like a blues stanza. On Macon's 1927 recording of 'Rock About My Saro Jane' (Vocalion 5152), he sings words identical to those above except that he does not include the 'Cap'n Tom Ryman' stanza and does include several other stanzas which seem to have little in common with one another. Although Uncle Dave probably did sing the 'Tom Ryman' couplet earlier than 1950, when Boswell collected it, he probably used it simply as a random stanza in 'Rock About My Saro Jane'. But, after he saw the Ryman Auditorium become the home of the Opry, he might have shifted the emphasis of the song to the more topical subject of Tom Ryman. Macon was notorious for mixing parts of different songs and 'recomposing' them to suit himself, and some day some poor folklorist is going to ruin his liver trying to track them all down.
[Charles K. Wolfe 'A Good-Natured Riot: The Birth of the Grand Ole Opry, Appendix I to Chapter 6, 'Take It Away, Uncle Dave', The Country Music Foundation Press 1999, pp 116-117.]

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 06 May 03 - 08:05 PM

Abby Sale posted to the Ballad-L list a link to some wonderful photos of plank roads. Worth a look.

Plank Roads

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 01:45 AM

Further to the matter of 'dominecker' chooks, Gershon Legman in his notes to Randolph's 'Unprintable Ozark Folksongs and Folklore' gives this delightful quatrain:

Said the dominecker rooster to the bow-legged hen
I ain't had any since the Lord knows when
So rustle up your feathers and h'ist up your tail
'Cause I'm goin' to have a little if I have to go to jail

Legman also confirms Lin's definition above, stating that 'Dominecker' refers literally to 'gray-barred, rose-combed Dominique chickens'. He notes also that 'bow-legged', when referring to a girl or woman, almost always means having had extensive sexual experience. [Vance Randolph, Ed G. Legman 'Blow the Candle Out: Unprintable Ozark Folksongs and Folklore Vol II' Uni Arkansas Press 1992, p 599].

--Stewie.