Origins: Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia

Subject: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vir
From: kendall
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 10:43 PM

I cant believe the song is not in the data base. Does anyone have it?

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 10:55 PM

Have you ever tried a search engine Kendall? Did you try the past threads on Mudcat? Uh-huh..............OK, I'll bail you out this time.........

CLICK HERE

Spaw

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https://www.thelongmemory.com/songbook

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 10:58 PM

BOOKMARK THIS SITE----Utah Phillips On-Line Songbook

I know you like his stuff and this is pretty good material.

Spaw

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https://www.thelongmemory.com/songbook

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: Nancy King
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 11:22 PM

I have frequently heard a third verse sung to this song:

Someday I'll go back to West Virginia,
To the green rolling hills I love so well.
Someday I'll go home,
And I never more will roam --
These troubled times will follow me no more.

...but I don't know where it came from. Anybody have any more info on this?

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 11:32 PM

Emmylou does that verse on her album Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. I like her version a lot, but then again, if she sang 99 bottles of beer, it'd be a favorite of mine too. Back in a minute..........

Okay...Here's the Emmylou lyric, pretty much the same as we have..........Click Know idea where it came from.....the entire lyric there is attributed to Phillips.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 11:43 PM

From another Emmylou lyrics site....... Again, on additional credits for the extra verse.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: winniemih
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 08:41 AM

Hazel(Dickens) and Alice (Gerrard) sang the same last verse as in that last Emmylou site (..."I know I'll right the wrongs..." on their eponymous first record (I've always wanted to use that word in a sentence!). I got the impression that they had originated that last verse. Winnie

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 10:12 AM

Winniemih,

The third verse was, indeed, written by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 10:47 AM

Interesting Mike.........Do they get credit anywhere at all? Its a really good verse that ties the song together.

Just curious.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 11:44 AM

Spaw,

The songwriting credit on Hazel & Alice's recording says: "Bruce Phillips, additional lyrics by Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard."

In the liner notes to Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin's album of Utah Phillips songs, Phillips himself writes: "The last verse is by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard."

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 11:56 AM

Thanks for the research Mike, I appreciate it. My main association with the song is through the Harris album and I have heard it a few other times, but always with the other verse. When I looked this one up on the Phillips Songbook, knowing Kendall would probably prefer that (after all, its Kendall), I never paid any attention to the fact that the verse was missing. NANCY KING!!! Thanks for noticing!!!

Typically for most of us, when a major such as Harris does a song, we sometimes mistakenly assume it's as is, and in truth, Emmylou is pretty good about sticking to "original" lyrics most of the time. I was curious if writing credit was ever given and I appreciate your prompt answer Mike.......Thanks Mike.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 12:14 PM

Spaw,

I just looked on Emmylou's recording and its just credited to Phillips. However, I'm about 99.99% sure that she learned it from Hazel & Alice's album because there are a couple of other songs from it that she recorded around that time.

I also just looked on my original copy of the Phillips songbook. It was published in 1973, the same year that Hazel & Alice recorded that album.

There was a slightly earlier recording of "Green Rolling Hills" by Bottle Hill that did not include the third verse.

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 12:24 PM

Thanks again Mike. I had looked at my copy of Emmylou's album and found the same which is what really prompted me to wonder if anyone ever gave credit, which you've well answered. Funny the things you get curious about isn't it?

So where's Kendall? Just think, if he had actually learned how to search, we wouldn't have gotten into this.......but I'm glad we did and thanks to all!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: Mike Regenstreif
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 12:29 PM

Winniemih,

Just one minor correction. In looking back through the thread, I just noticed that you referred to the Hazel & Alice album as their first. They actually had two earlier LPs on Folkways that have been combined on one CD called "Pioneering Women of Bluegrass (Smithsonian Folkways)."

Mike Regenstreif

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: kendall
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 12:46 PM

First off, I DO know how to search. It is not in the dt, and I just wanted to make someone feel usefull! I have a tape of Jody S and Kate B but damned if I can find it. Lastly, thanks to all for the help.

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 12:56 PM

Yeah, thanks a lot Kendall..............oy.......................

BUT.......If you would search the FORUM AND THE DT using the "Digitrad and Forum Search" you would locate the thread with the info on it that will take you to the Phillips Songbook..........just thought I'd mention it...............hehehehehehehehehe..........ya' old coot! Damn but I'm glad you're back!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 01:49 PM

You're welcome, Spaw! And thanks all the info, folks--I'd wondered about that verse for a while (and apparently had the words wrong...)

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: JedMarum
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 02:34 PM

great song, and I love Emmy Lou's version, too.

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: kendall
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 04:15 PM

Hazel Dickens did a great job on it too. Spaw, did you miss me?

Subject: RE: Help: words to Green Rolling Hills of West Vi
From: GUEST,Fred
Date: 24 Mar 01 - 08:02 PM

The "Rise Up Singing" book also adds 2 other verses by S. Worcester, which I don't sing, since I too like the Emmy Lou version.

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Threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: open mike
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 12:17 PM

looking for green rolling hills of
west virginia by u.utah phillips
margaret christl did it as a sing-along
at her house concert this week and i was
reminded that i want to sing it more!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 12:59 PM

Thread 58068: Utah Phillips

Note the extra verse farther down the thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 01:15 PM

Emmylou Harris lyrics at Lyrics
(Click on Emmylou Harris in the Artist list)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 01:22 PM

Utah Phillips comments and lyrics (with music and chords) at his site: Green Rolling Hills

Beware of adds at the site with EmmyLou Harris lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: open mike
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 04:23 PM

these songs do not seem to be in the DT
can they be added?
I did not search threads,
just the data base,
and did not find Green Rolling Hills there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 04:37 PM

Not in DT, but put- green rolling hills in the Lyrics and Knowledge search box, and the thread with songs sung by Utah Phillips and posted by Stewie is listed.
But the best site for his songs is the Songbook which I linked in my last post.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 05:50 PM

It takes time for things to be added to the DT, and it isn't our decision what is added. So much material has been posted in the Forum, in any case, that it's unlikely that the DT will ever be able to incorporate it all. You should always search the Forum as well as the DT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: green rolling hills w. 'ginny
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 06:05 PM

It's always hard to decide whether singer-songwriter lyrics should be added to the Digital Tradition. Admittedly, the songs of Utah Phillips are wonderful to sing, and many would be considered part of the "folk canon," but you can find the lyrics and tunes to his most popular songs right here (click) at his Website. There was a John McCutcheon request up earlier today. Again, his songs are wonderful, but the entire texts of all of his songs are available here (click) at McCutcheon's Website.

If you take another kind of songwriter - Ani DiFranco, for example - should we include her lyrics in the DT? She writes some good songs, but who but Ani could sing most of them?

But despite all that, I think "Green Rolling Hills" should be in the Digital Tradition, and I predict it will be, sooner or later. In the meantime, just use the search box and put in a distinctive phrase from the song - not the title. "Nearest thing to heaven" might be a good phrase to search for.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: The Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia
From: Genie
Date: 07 May 13 - 03:17 PM

Since the links above keep becoming defunct and the DT doesn't have the last verse, here are the full lyrics as sung by Emmylou Harris with Mary Black. They are a slight variation on the ones in the DT and they include the last verse.

GREEN ROLLING HILLS (OF WEST VIRGINIA)
(Utah Phillips)
(As sung by Mary Black and Emmylou Harris on "Singing Through The Hard Times: A Tribute to Utah Phillips")

CHORUS:
The green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear
And I cannot linger here
They'll keep me and never let me go

My daddy said "Don't ever be a miner,
For a miner's grave is all you'll ever own,
For the hard times everywhere,
I can't find a dime to spare.
These are the worst times I've ever known."
CHORUS

So I'll move away into some crowded city,
In some northern factory town you'll find me there .
Oh, I'll leave the past behind,
I'll never change my mind.
These troubled times are more than I can bear.
CHORUS

But someday I'll go back to West Virginia
To the green rolling hills I love so well.
Yes, someday I'll go home
And I know I'll right the wrong.
These troubled times will follow me no more
Yes, someday I'll go home
And I know I'll right the wrong.
These troubled times will follow me no more.
CHORUS

Lyrics © MUSIC MANAGEMENT

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Last verse is by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. -Joe Offer-

Subject: Story behind: Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia
From: Genie
Date: 07 May 13 - 03:58 PM

A folkie friend asked me if I knew the story behind this Utah Phillips song.   What "wrong" do the lyrics of the 3rd verse refer to?    Is it just the generic "the right" v. "the wrong" or is it a reference to something that happened that led to the 'narrator" leaving West VA?

Did Utah Phillips ever tell the story behind this song?

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Threads combined. Messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia
From: GUEST,GUEST - Gary
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:47 PM

I love this song ... but I am curious ... does anyone have any insight into "I'll never change my mind, these troubled times are more than I can bear" or "I know I'll right the wrong, these troubled times will follow me no more".

I am hoping that someone knows whether Utah was singing in general about poverty and joblessness ... or if there is a more specific event that drives the singer north and makes him bitter.

I suspect the answer might be already out there in one thread or another, but I can't find it ... thank you Mudcat Community in advance,
GUEST Gary

Subject: RE: Green Rolling Hills of West Virgina
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 May 13 - 07:05 PM

Thread 32355, Green Rolling Hills.....

Green Rolling Hills

Haven't looked but that thread may help.

Subject: RE: Green Rolling Hills of West Virgina
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 May 13 - 07:33 PM

Looks like he wrote the verse about troubled times, but the "right the wrong" is an add-on, not written by him. See DT

Subject: RE: Green Rolling Hills of West Virgina
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:41 PM

Utah wrote this song after a trip through West Virginia. They were having car trouble, and had stopped to get help filling up the radiator. There was a woman who helped them, and he started asking her about the people = why so many people in the towns seemed to want to get out and find work, while people in the hollers were more rooted - even though they were even more poor. She told him, "It's these hills. They keep you, and when they've got you they won't let you go."

The third verse ("Someday I'll come back to West Virginia") was written by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard. It was a good addition, and sometimes he sang it. Other times he didn't.

Dan

Subject: ADD: Green Rolling Hills of West Virginia
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 May 13 - 12:27 AM

Click here for an online copy of the Starlight on the Rails songbook by Bruce "Utah" Phillips. Unfortunately, the graphics are missing - but I imagine they'll come back.
As far as I know, "Green Rolling Hills" is the only song Utah Phillips wrote about anything east of the Mississippi. Anybody know of others?

-Joe-

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Here are the five verses printed in the Rise Up Singing songbook. Note that only the chorus and first two verses (in bold) were written by Bruce "Utah" Phillips, and the first verse in the Rise Up Singing songbook is slightly different from the original.

GREEN ROLLING HILLS (OF WEST VIRGINIA)
(Utah Phillips)

CHORUS:
The green rolling hills of West Virginia
Are the nearest thing to heaven that I know
Though the times are sad and drear and I cannot linger here
They'll keep me and never let me go

1. My daddy said don't ever be a miner,
For a miner's grave is all you'll ever own,
Well it's hard times everywhere, I can't find a dime to spare.
These are the worst times I've ever known."
CHORUS

2. So I'll move away into some crowded city,
In some northern factory town you'll find me there .
Though I'll leave the past behind, I will never change my mind,
These troubled times are more than I can bear.
CHORUS

3. Well I traveled to a crowded northern city,
So far away and lonesome from my home;
There were no jobs anywhere, and I could not linger there;
So I started out once more to search and roam.
CHORUS

4. While traveling all around the open country,
Finding people in the same sad shape as me,
This one lonely thought came clear, we've nothing left to fear,
We must fight and win the battle to be free.
CHORUS

5. But someday I'll go back to West Virginia
To the green rolling hills I love so well.
Yes, someday I'll go home and I know I'll right the wrongs,
And these troubled times will follow me no more.
CHORUS

verses 3 & 4 were written by S. Worcester; verse 5 by Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard.