Chords/Tune Req: Sourdough/Miner's Song (Staines)

Subject: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 03:18 PM

This is an violin solo played at the end of "Sourdough" on Bill's CD, "The First Million Miles". I can learn it off the CD, if I have to, but I was hoping someone might know where I could find a gif/sheet music of it online. It is really beautiful, very haunting.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: mousethief
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 05:17 PM

I have two of Bill's songbooks (they're out in the van, actually). I'll check and see if they have that song, and if they have that song, if they have the violin solo.

Alex

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Sorcha
Date: 30 Mar 01 - 06:12 PM

All I found was guitar song books, and I don't know how helpful they would be.....usually, "not" for violin.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 09:42 PM

Bill Staines' song has been posted here in the thread called "Lyr Req: Gold Miners' Songs (American)."

By the way, the first line of his song, "When first unto this country a stranger I came," or something near it, also appears in 4 other songs in the DT:
WHEN FIRST TO THIS COUNTRY
WHEN FIRST INTO THIS COUNTRY
PRETTY SARO 2
BANKS OF THE BANN (3)

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Thread #6228   Message #694046
Posted By: GUEST,MAG at work
19-Apr-02 - 07:45 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Gold Miners' Songs (American)

Subject: Lyr Add: SOURDOUGH/MINER'S SONG (Bill Staines)

I'll see if I can remember all the words to the Bill Staines song mentioned way above. I like it a lot and am always hitting "replay" on my tape. I highly recommend it; the picking is impeccable, and the fiddle solo adds just the right note of melancholy.

SOURDOUGH/MINER'S SONG
(Bill Staines)

When first unto this country a stranger I came,
Pick and shovel on my back, no money to my name,
O, no money to my name.

I landed in old Juneau, Seattle down the line;
I boated 'cross the channel for to work the Treadwell mine,
O, to work the Treadwell mine.

Well, it was hard times in the old tin pit, 18 hundred down.
One day you'd make 2 dollars and the next you're glory bound,
O, the next you're glory bound.

So we dodged the rocks and the sudden slides and we swam out of the flood.
In the rain and cold, we dug for gold through the water and the mud,
O, the water and the mud.

Well, there's color in the eagle's eye, and in the sun at the break of day,
But there ain't no color I can find to keep me on that pay,
O, to keep me on that pay.

So it was straightway through the wilderness (only line I can't remember...)
Then down the frozen Yukon in the year of '99,
O, the year of '99.

God help the snow-blind traveller and help him on his way,
And bless the drunken fiddler when he finds the time to play,
And hear the words of the dyin' man left frozen in the cold,
And pity the weary miner who never found his gold,
O, who never found his gold.

There's 50 thousand of us here out on the beach at Nome,
And there ain't but 1 in 50 who can pay his way back home,
O, can pay his way back home.

Please pardon the inconsistencies. It's a great song.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:05 PM

Wow, I'd forgotten about this! Thanks, Jim.

Joe, I understand now!! Thanks for the email, I will try it out and see if it is the same. Sheesh, I couldn't figure out why the email about some old miner's song! **BG**

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:42 PM

Oh, I didn't notice the date of your request, kat....
Sorry my response is a little late.
[grin]
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 10:46 PM

That's okay. Just know that from this day on you shall be "Better Late Than Never-Joe!" **bg**

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Musicman
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 11:11 PM

the tune played by the guitar at the beginning and at the end of the song by the violin is called Sourdough.. and is in print in the 2nd songbook... (pg37)

i can make a midi for you if you need it... pm me if so..

musicman

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 12:06 AM

Have done, Musicman, thanks! Ya'll are just grand!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 02:46 AM

Thanks to Musicman for the tune, and a nice one it is. I don't know exactly what it is about it - sounds almost nautical to me. Whatever it is, it makes me feel pensive. There's something really good about it.

-Joe Offer-

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Click to play

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: mutineer
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 12:16 AM

Hmm..this song sounds interesting..never heard it before though. Is it a Staines' original or a traditional piece...I know Solas does a great tune by the name of 'Miner's Life' which many folk singers have covered....
Paddy

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Musicman
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 03:13 PM

the song is a staines original.. about the Treadwell mine in Juneau Alaska....
there is this blurb about the mine from this site.


"Juneau, Alaska was founded in 1880 after Joe Juneau and Richard Harris discovered placer gold in Silverbow Basin. This discovery brought a rush of propectors into the region and by 1881 the first claims were staked over the world famous Treadwell Dike. Mining operations grew steadily over the next 36 years bringing miners, engineers and financiers from around the world. Then catastrophe struck one day in April, 1917 and three of the four mines comprising the Treadwell Complex flooded. The great enterprise came to a screeching halt."

it is a great song....
Bill still sings it in concert.....

ask him next time you see him....
his tour schedule is here.

musicman

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: GUEST,Stephanie
Date: 16 May 04 - 05:46 PM

Hello. I have just heard the "Sourdough-The Miners Song" and am very interested in knowing who the fiddler is playing the solo. I love fiddle music and have never heard such a beautiful piece. My whole family would love to know who this person is.

I appreciate your help,

Stephanie

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Musicman
Date: 17 Oct 04 - 04:31 PM

Stephanie,
The violinist on The Miner's Song is Stuart Shulman. Stuart played violin for Jonathan Edwards on many of his albums.

Bill Staines (visiting Paul Evenden)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: MAG
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 02:31 PM

Let us not forget Bill's impeccable finger picking on this song.

I periodically try to learn it, in memory of my gold struck great great grandfather who pretty much did himself in going to that gold rush as an old man.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bill Staines' 'The Miner's Song'
From: Musicman
Date: 18 Oct 04 - 07:24 PM

which part of the song? the melody or the song itself?
his style of playing (upsidedown) does render itself to some unique patterns that he can do with the picking....

anyway.. just had a great visit with him here in vancouver... he's off to alaska for a week now........

MM

Subject: RE: Chords/Tune Req: Sourdough/Miner's Song (Staines)
From: GUEST,minnesota staines fan
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 08:54 PM

The missing line is: "to Fairbanks down the line"

Also my recording has the 50,000 verse before the double verse rather than after and one additional verse at the end:

I wish I was in Portland or in some other seaport town.
I'd sail around this whole wide world and lay this cradle down,
O lay this cradle down.


GH

Subject: RE: Chords/Tune Req: Sourdough/Miner's Song (Staines)
From: GUEST,chipperdog
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 03:46 PM

Can anyone help me with the chords - and or tuning of this song. I can find only 1 instance on youtube of Bill Staines performing this song.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MigGu1qH4
The only thing I can really tell from this is that is looks somewhat complicated. THis is such a beautiful song -- I desperately want to learn it.

Subject: RE: Chords/Tune Req: Sourdough/Miner's Song (Staines)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 07:54 PM

It's in G capo 4th
G                   Am7       G          D
When first unto this country a stranger I came
C               G             D          Em
a pick and shovel on my back no money to my name
D            G
no money to my name

Alternating bass....break is pertty straight forward...listen to the CD you'll be surprised what you can do ...play along with it. Good Luck, G Lynch

Subject: RE: Chords/Tune Req: Sourdough/Miner's Song (Staines)
From: GUEST,G Lynch
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 08:10 PM

above chords didn't post right
(g)When first unto this

(aM7)country a (g)stranger I (D)came
(C)a pick and shovel    (g) on my back
   
no (d)money to my (EM)name
             no (D)money to my (G)name