Lyr Add: songs by Uncle Dave Macon

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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:
Date: 13 May 05 - 10:20 AM

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

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Stewie
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 08:03 PM

Amazon has the complete works box set from Bear Family:

CLICK

County sales also has the box set plus some on County and Old Homestead. The two on County are great, but I would avoid Old Homestead - my personal experience with them is that they are shoddily done and the painted surface of the disk on my copy of 'Early Recordings' lifted completely!

Put Uncle Dave Macon into the quick search box on the home page of County Sales:

CLICK.

If you don't want to purchase online, telephone Denys Williams at Hound Dog's Bop Shop in Melbourne. He can supply the box set and the Countys. His shop only opens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Alternatively, you could contact Steve Reid at Yesterday and Today Records in Paramatta who can supply any Bear Family records.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 09:16 AM

Tarheel, I've puzzled over that "Ollie" too.

Close as I can come, it sounds like "Amalie," accent on the second sylLAble. Fits the first verse reference better, and it is a popular 19th century girl's name.

Note he seems to slip in a quick first syllable before the "Ollie" in the second verse, that's what gave me a tipoff.

Gus Meade's Country Music Sources says it was written 1882 by William Scanlon. If anyone can turn up the original sheet music, we could clear this one up. Meade cites a few printed references but there's no way of knowing whether THEY are accurate.

I love it too. One of the prettiest ever.

Bob

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 09:19 AM

Oops, I missed the "Annalee" ref above & I'll defer to that, though because of the distortion of accent, for my money "Amalie" still sounds better when sung.
Bob

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Andrez
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 10:19 AM

Thanks for the info on recordings I'll spend some time on the weekend and go thru the links. My god though.........Hound Dogs Bop shop is actually still going strong after all these years? Next time I'm in sunny Melb I'll definitely look that shop up. Great thread here!

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: OTP
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 01:18 PM

Anna Lee or Annie Lee or Annie Lea is a name used in many songs of the later 19th century, such as "Carry Me Back to Tennessee" recorded by the Blue Sky Boys. Uncle Dave tended to slur syllabels and even drop tenses in order to keep the meter and to avoid grouping (for example) words ending in 's' next to words beginning with 's'. His word breaks tend to be rather sophisticated, but coupled with the Middle Tennesse linguistic tendency to slur and understate words (to say nothing of his beloved 'lemonade') it makes it difficult to hear. Part of listening to his songs is looking at the context of each particular word or phrase. Amalee is not a name I have ever heard, and in the larger context of Uncle Dave's work obscure names don't appear.

Paul

Subject: Lyr Add: OVER THE MOUNTAIN (William Scanlon)
From: OTP
Date: 12 Jul 05 - 03:16 PM

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Over the Mountain

I thought this might clarify the current thread, but it doesn't. I will alter my reading of Uncle Dave's version to "an Eily." It's kind of like passing a sentence around a table, it just comes out a little different each time. Plus, look - another verse!

Paul


Dear Mr. Ritscher:
Shirley Wall forwarded your research request concerning the lyrics to "Over the Mountain" by William Scanlon. I have pulled the sheet music in our collection, which is in a bound volume. It is dated 1882 and here are the lyrics:

1. I'm always light hearted and aisy, Not a care in the world have I,
Because I am lov'd by a Colleen, I couldn't forget if I try.
She lives far away o'er the mountain, Where I know she's still thinking of me,
Arrah! Cushla McChree were I with you, This moment how happy I'd be.

CHORUS: Its over, yes, over the mountain, Where the little thrush sings on the tree;
In a cabin all covered with ivy, There my Eily is waiting for me!

2. The day I bid good-bye to Eily, That day I will ne'er forget,
How the tears bubbled up from their slumber, I fancy I see them yet.
They look'd like the pearls in the ocean, As she wept the tears of love,
Says she, "Teddy my boy, don't forget me, 'Till we meet again here or above. CHORUS

3. Oh, water and land may divide us, Friends like the flow'rs come and go;
The face of my Eily will cheer me, For in that dear face I well know.
The imprint of love and devotion. Surrounded by thoughts chaste and pure,
Will serve as the star to the sailor, Whilst plodding the wold raging moor. CHORUS

Hope this helps. The name in this version is Eily, no where does it say Anna Lee. Let me know if there is something else we can help with.

Lucinda Cockrell
--
Lucinda Poole Cockrell, C.A.
Coordinator of Research Collections
The Center for Popular Music
MTSU Box 41
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
615/898-5884
615/898-5829 (FAX)
http://popmusic.mtsu.edu


2 of 48

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Ferrara
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 12:07 AM

Re: Over the Mountains. Thank you, Mrs. Cockrell, and OTP, too! So useful to get this information.

Still not absolutely sure what Uncle Dave actually sang; it almost seemed he changed it from verse to verse, but "my Eily" works well in most places. Maybe the song had been "folk processed" by the time he learned it, or maybe he was singing it from memory and changed a few things here and there.

For myself I'm going to let it all sift itself out, and listen to the recording until I just decide how I want to sing it. All the above guesses and information are great, thanks everyone.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Jul 05 - 11:24 PM

Maybe he had more than one girlfriend and kept getting them confused... :-)

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Gern
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:07 PM

Does anyone have the words to "Poor Sinner Fare Thee Well" and "Railroading and Gambling"?

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 05:49 PM

From The Traditional Ballad Index:

Railroadin' and Gamblin'

DESCRIPTION: Uncle Dave Macon surrealism. Singer has been in the state house and the court house; he is broke from gambling. Chorus: "Railroadin' and gamblin'/Pickin' up chips for mammy/Lawd, lawd, lawd/Take your feet out the sand, stick 'em in the mud."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1940 (recording, Uncle Dave Macon)
LONG DESCRIPTION: More Uncle Dave Macon surrealism. Singer has been in the state house (prison?) and the court house, and is broke from gambling despite his mother's advice. "Lawd, that preacher got, ain't that a sin/Johnny get your whiskers cut, here comes the wind." Chorus: "Railroadin' and gamblin'/Pickin' up chips for mammy/Lawd, lawd, lawd/Take your feet out the sand, stick 'em in the mud." You figure it out.
KEYWORDS: prison gambling railroading nonballad nonsense
FOUND IN: US(SE)
RECORDINGS:
Uncle Dave Macon, "Railroadin' and Gamblin'" (Bluebird 8325, 1940; on RoughWays2)
Notes: Almost certainly of minstrel origin; a few lines are in dialect. While I use the keyword "nonsense," I suspect there was meaning in the song once. - PJS
File: RcUDRaG

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Ferrara
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 07:33 PM

Does anyone have the words to "Me and My Henry," I think that's the title, it's in praise of his Ford auto.

Subject: Lyr Add: RAILROADIN' AND GAMBLIN' (Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:48 PM

'Railroadin' and Gamblin' seems to have been a source of contention for people who attempt to decipher Uncle Dave's lyrics. The main areas of dispute are the chorus and the 'Johnny get' verse. For all manner of mondegreens on the 'pickin' up chips' line do a search of the old-time music newsgroup archives. Lyle Lofgren of the Brandy Snifters reported that his group had discussed the song with Kirk McGee in the sixties. Although Kirk hadn't seen a text, he was close to Uncle Dave when he sang the song. As Lyle remembered Kirk's take, the chorus was:

Oh, railroadin' and gamblin'
Pickin' up chips for a mammy
Lord, lord, lord
Get your feet outa the sand
And put 'em in the mud
Get your feet outa the sand
And put 'em in the mud

Personally, I cannot hear an 'a' before 'mammy' and I agree with what is in the ballad index entry posted above by Jim:

Take your feet outa the sand
Stick 'em in the mud

For the 'Johnny get' verse the New Lost City Ramblers went with:

Says that preacher, 'golly ain't it a sin?
Johnny get your britches 'cause here comes the wind'

Lyle and the Brandy Snifters went with:

'Johnny get your wood cut, 'cause here comes the wind'

Lyle wrote to the oldtimey newsgroup:

'When we asked Kirk about what he thought the verse might mean, he looked at us as if we were daft. He said something like, "They were just words. Uncle Dave sang quite a few verses like that". My interpretation would be that it's a sin to not provide fuel for the cold weather ahead. It might be something else, though. This sounds like a "floating" verse, but I've never heard it in any other song'.

However, once again, my hearing concurs with that of the writer of the ballad index entry quoted above:

'Johnny get your whiskers cut, here comes the wind'.

Below is what I hear after consideration of various interpretations. To paraphrase the immortal lines of 'The Open Book' poem:

Now that I've opened the ledger on Uncle Dave interpreters just as they be
Some half-assed bronc stomper or free holy chomper
Will kick all the shit out of me

RAILROADIN' AND GAMBLIN'

What your mammy am told you, six months ago
Keep on your coat and hat, be ready to go

Chorus:
Oh railroadin' and gamblin'
Pickin' up chips for mammy
Lord, lord, lord

Take your feet outa the sand, stick 'em in the mud
Take your feet outa the sand, stick 'em in the mud

Been in the statehouse, been in that hall
Been in that courthouse, the worst place of all

Chorus

Says that preacher, 'God ain't that a sin'
'Johnny get your whiskers cut, here comes the wind'
Lord that preacher, 'God ain't that a sin
'Johnny get your whiskers cut, here comes the wind'

Cars on the roadside, cars on the track
Spent all my money, no way to get back

Chorus

Take your feet outa the sand, stick 'em in the mud
Take your feet outa the sand, stick 'em in the mud

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Railroadin' and Gamblin' recorded on 26 January 1938 in Charlotte, NC, and issued as Bb B8325. Reissued on County CD 115 and in Bear Family Uncle Dave Macon box set BCD 15978 JM.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: POOR SINNERS, FARE YOU WELL (Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 11:24 PM

Here is the transcription from book accompanying the Bear Family box set. I don't think what is in the square brackets is accurate, but I don't know what it should be either.

POOR SINNERS, FARE YOU WELL

Spoken:
Now people I'm going to analyse myself to you. You know I'm Methodist. And the last time I was home, I went to the colored church because there wasn't no white meeting going on. And the parson was very clever, he invited me in, and I heard him take his text from the two two verse of [the sixteenth epostle (sic) who took the epistle and fired at John]. And he got up and said: 'Now this is contribution day and I'm going to have the contribution box passed, and bear in mind there's one man in this house been goin' around with another man's wife, and if he don't put in five dollars in that box today, I'm a-gwine expose him. So I stayed there 'til the box went around and she come in with seventeen five dollar bills and one two-dollar bill with a note written plainly, pinned to it, saying, 'Brother, forever hold your peace, you'll get your other three dollars before the sun goes down'. Now I'm going to sing one of their favorite songs.

Gwine down on the river, down on Jordan's stream
All those children crying, Lord, Lord, I've been redeemed

Chorus:
Crying, mmmm, mmmm
Them-a golden slippers I'm bound to wear
Them-a golden slippers I'm bound to wear
Them-a golden slippers I'm bound to wear
Poor sinners fare thee well

Jews didn't believe in Jesus, not a word was said
Then he went down to Lazarus' grave,
Raised him from the dead

Chorus

Shout if you are happy!

Just come out of the water, ain't got fairly dry
If you don't mind old Satan make you tell a lie

Chorus

When I get to heaven, know I'm gonna smile
Sit down by my Saviour's side, be one welcome child

Chorus

Recorded by Uncle Dave Macon on 16 April 1926 and issued as Vocalion 15324 in June 1926.

Meade ('Country Music Sources') notes that the text at page 153 of Anthony J. Showalter 'The National Singer' (Dalton, Ga, A.J. Showalter Co, ca 1885) is a close approximation of the Macon recording.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 11:37 PM

Ferrara, if what you are after is 'On the Dixie Bee-Line (In that Henry Ford of Mine)', the lyrics have been posted to the forum in this thread:

CLICK.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Ferrara
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 08:33 PM

Yes!!! Thanks, Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,OTP
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 09:35 PM

I John 3:22 reads: And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Oldtimers I knew said that Uncle Dave could and would preach impromptu sermons whenever he felt the need. If one relates this chapter and verse (there are only 2 books of John with 22+ verses) to the intro of 'Poor Sinners Fare Thee Well' it is easy to see that this is what he was referring to. I have found that there is very little hidden meaning in Uncle Dave's singing and speaking, and altho he took liberties with the language (such as alliteration and ostentatious word-play) he 'said what he meant and meant what he said'.

Best,
OTP

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 09:57 AM

I love that song too, thanks for workin on the lyrics now i can play it. the whole theme of the flood is so cool. Sry i cant be of much help i have a hard time understanding the old dude myself. Tennessee jubilee is another tough one to crack, if anyone knows about it post it up sometime

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 11:25 AM

Uncle Dave could incorporate the preachin' right into the song. I'm still working on a detailed transcription of this: (He could sing it to open meetings for the Kansas School Board)

The Bible's True

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 06:33 PM

"Poor Sinners, Fare You (thee?) Well"-
I didn't find it here. Anyone have Macon's lyrics?

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Artful Codger
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 09:10 PM

If you start listening to the clip above and think "Huh?" when you hear "Will There Be Any Stars", don't worry: it IS the right clip; "The Bible's True" follows a little later.

This song, despite Uncle Dave's intentions, has always struck me as a satire of creationism, rather than support for it. It may be because of the spirited rendition I heard by The Lazy Aces (on The Young Fogies compilation.)

I like to tack on a reprise of the "God made the world" verse this-a-way:

God made the world,
Then he made man,
Woman for to read his beads
And beat him with a fryin' pan.

This infectious tune just begs for more verses.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 09:35 PM

Q, I posted the Bear Family box set transcription of Macon's 'Poor Sinners ...' above: Date: 16 Jan 06 - 11:24 PM. Do an edit 'find' on this page.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,gumpuddin
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 04:41 AM

Re: Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase


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

Stewie earlier in this thread says:
"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."



50 years ago, when I was growing up and visiting my cousins who lived in rural NC and loved to hunt ... I used to hear them talk to their dogs ...
and it sounded something like this:

"skit him, skit him"

What they were slurring was ... "Let's get him; Let's get him."

Perhaps this "Rover" stanza is


"sketch him, ketch him"
or
"'s catch him, catch him"
from
"Let'd catch him, catch him."

gp

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 23 Jun 06 - 05:16 AM

That would certainly make some sense.
Quack!
GtD.