Songs about Jimmie Rodgers

Subject: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 10:32 PM

Any Mudcatter know if there is a recording
Titled 'The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers'
and name of the singer who recorded it!

I have Ernest Tubb's 'The Passing Of Jimmie Rodgers'
and several other tribute songs to Jimmie Rodgers
but do not recall that specific one

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 10:49 PM

Hi Gene, I'm pretty certain there IS a song called "The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers", but for the life of me I can't recall who did it...possible Ramblin' Red Lowrey.

Someone will find it, but....let me mention two superb songs ABOUT Jimmie.."The Train Carryin' Jimmie Rodgers Home" (sung by the Nashville Bluegrass Band) and "Blue Railroad train" by the Delmore Brothers.

Good luck

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: masato sakurai
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 10:58 PM

Gene Autry?

~Masato

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 11:11 PM

Think you may have nailed it Masato. By the way, thanks for your wonderful input here in general.

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 12:48 AM

Yep, Gene Autry. I never would have guessed.

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: Mark Clark
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 01:10 AM

As I recall, Autry was a huge fan of Jimmie Rodgers and started his singing career as a Rodgers clone.

“The Train Carryin' Jimmie Rodgers Home” is a Greg Brown tune.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 02:57 AM

shortly after posting this I got an email from Dale that BEAR FAMILY has a Tribute CD to Jimmie Rodgers that includes 'The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers' by both Gene Autry and also Bradley Kincaid.

Thanks to all who responded

MEMORIES OF JIMMIE RODGERS-BCD 15938

Jimmie Rodgers inspired countless musicians to try to imitate his distinctive song stylings. Gene Autry, Jimmie Davis, Cliff Carlisle, Red Foley and Stuart Hamblen were only a few of those who did.

With Rodgers' death on May 26, 1933, a series of tribute songs began to unfold. Whether inspired by genuine desire to show respect fo the man who would become known as the 'Father of Country Music', or merely by a desire to cash in on a potential commercial bonanza, or some strange combination of both, the tributes speak eloquently of the man and his music.

Singers like Bradley Kincaid and radio stars Asher and Little Jimmie Sizemore, whose musical debts to Rodgers were minimal, were joined by those like Autry and Dwight Butcher, who were fans and, frankly, Rodgers imitators, in paying their musical respects over the next several years.

Also among them were W. Lee O'Daniels Light Crust Doughboys, with an eloquent vocal by Leon Huff, WLS star Kenneth Houchins, who faithfully captures the Rodgers sound. Even Rodgers' widow and her protege, Ernest Tubb, recorded their own tributes, with several of them written by Rodgers' sister-in-law and longtime song source, Elsie McWilliams.

In May 1953, twenty years after Rodgers' death, Tubb and another Rodgers devotee, Hank Snow, helped establish the Jimmie Rodgers Day celebrations as an annual event in Rodgers' hometown, Meridian, Mississippi. The entertainment for the dinner program at the 1957 celebration was provided by Tubb, Snow, the Wilburn Brothers and Jim Reeves. Collector Eugene Earle captured the evening's entertainment on tape.

Now, another forty years later, it is available, mostly for the first time, together with some of the best of the contemporary tributes to Jimmie Rodgers.

DWIGHT BUTCHER: When Jimmie Rodgers Said Goodbye

GENE AUTRY: The Life Of Jimmie Rodgers; The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers; Good Luck Old Pal ('Til We Meet Bye And Bye); When Jimmie Rodgers Said Goodbye

W. LEE O'DANIEL: Memories Of Jimmie Rodgers

BRADLEY KINCAID: Jimmie Rodgers Life; The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers; Mrs. Jimmie Rodgers Lament

ASHER SIZEMORE & LITTLE JIMMIE: Little Jimmie's Goodbye To Jimmie Rodgers

KENNETH HOUCHINS: When Jimmie Rodgers Said Goodbye; Good Luck Old Pal

BRADLEY KINCAID: The Life Of Jimmie Rodgers; The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers

ERNEST TUBB: The Last Thoughts Of Jimmie Rodgers; The Passing Of Jimmie Rodgers

MRS. JIMMIE RODGERS: We Miss Him When The Evening Shadows Fall; My Rainbow Trail Keeps Winding On

ERNEST TUBB: The Women Make A Fool Out Of Me

WILBURN BROS: Nothing At All

ERNEST TUBB & WILBURN BROS: Mr. Love

HANK SNOW: Anniversary Blue Yodel

JIM REEVES: Waitin' For A Train

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Mar 03 - 10:05 AM

I transcribed these excerpts from sound samples found at Yahoo! Music.

Here's Gene Autry's song:

...to blossom in heaven above.
There are millions who miss you, friend Jimmie,
Miss that soft voice that made millions happy,
May God in his mercy grant your friends their one prayer,
That they'll meet...

And here's Bradley Kincaid's song:

...sorry that you had to go
But on records we'll hear you forever
You sing songs that we cherish so.

When you sing in that heavenly choir,
Won't you sing "You and My Old Guitar"
And your sweet song, "Blue Yodel..."

The tune of Kincaid's song is clearly "Red River Valley," but Autry's is a tune I don't recognize. Oddly, it doesn't seem to rhyme.

Subject: RE: Help: The Death Of Jimmie Rodgers
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 09:30 PM

That song was recorded by Gene Autry

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PASSING OF JIMMIE RODGERS (E Tubb)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 05:29 PM

You can hear this recording on YouTube.


THE PASSING OF JIMMIE RODGERS
Words and music by Elsie McWilliams
As recorded by Ernest Tubb, 1936. (Bluebird B-6693)

Our beloved American blue yodeler—
Jimmie Rodgers, you all knew by name—
Went to New York
Some new songs to record,
But his frail health could not stand the strain.

O’er the wire soon a message came flying
Which left many eyes filled with tears:
He gave up the strife
In the prime of his life,
Said goodbye after thirty-five years.

His world mourned his untimely passing,
Leaving much of his work still undone.
Although you search ev’rywhere,
There is none to compare
With this yodeling singer who’s gone.

Many songs he has written to cheer you,
But left here with some still unsung.
Though unworthy am I,
Yet I’m happy to try
To finish the task he begun.

With his mem’ry as my inspiration,
I’ll pick up the torch he lay down.
I’ll enter the race,
Work hard in his place
To banish your sighs and your frown.

I’ll sing all the songs he has written.
I’ll follow his steps day by day.
So dry up your tears
As I try through the years
To yodel your blues away.

[YODEL]

Subject: Lyr Add: JIMMIE RODGERS' LAST THOUGHTS (E Tubb)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 06:09 PM

You can hear this recording at the Internet Archive.


JIMMIE RODGERS' LAST THOUGHTS (MY BLUE BONNET DREAMS)
Words and music by Elsie McWilliams
As recorded by Ernest Tubb, 1953. (Decca 28696)

Last night a had a dream of old Texas,
Down where the bluebonnets gleam,
And it brought to me thoughts of my loved ones
Last night in my bluebonnet dream.

I dreamed I was back in old Texas,
The best home that I ever knew,
Pickin’ sweet bluebonnet flowers
With the dear ones whom I love so true.

And at dawning my dream had not vanished;
It is still in my heart, so it seems,
Though there are no scenes here in New York
Like the ones in my bluebonnet dreams.

For I’m far from Anita and Carrie,
Just awaiting the time when I can
Return to the scenes of my fireside,
Back to my bluebonnet land.

I know that soon I’ll be goin’
To the best pals that I’ve ever known,
Leaving this cold lonely city,
Going back to my bluebonnet home.

For my dream last night made me lonely,
And I know I can no longer stay
Away from the side of my loved ones
In my bluebonnet home far away.

[Ernest Tubb recorded the same song in 1936 under the title THE LAST THOUGHTS OF JIMMIE RODGERS. You can hear that recording on YouTube but I like the 1953 recording better.]

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN JIMMIE RODGERS SAID GOOD-BYE (Tubb)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 06:59 PM

You can hear this recording at the Internet Archive.


WHEN JIMMIE RODGERS SAID GOOD-BYE
Words and music by Dwight Butcher and Lou Herscher.
As recorded by Ernest Tubb, 1953. (Decca 28696)

There’s an old guitar that’s lonely
For its master’s gone away.
He’s is singin’ to the angels
Way up in heaven today.

He left a blues song for the brakeman.
For the baby, a lullaby.
To all sweethearts, he left a love song
When Jimmie Rodgers said goodbye.

He left a yodel for the cowboy.
They’ll sing it now with a tear-dimmed eye,
For he left ev’ry prairie lonely
When Jimmie Rodgers said goodbye.

They’ll miss him down in Alabama.
In Tennessee, you’ll hear them sigh.
Mississippi lost their blue yodeler
When Jimmie Rodgers said goodbye.

Though the freight trains keep on rollin’,
He caught a fast one on the fly,
But he left his guitar behind him
When Jimmie Rodgers said goodbye.

It’s twenty years since God called him
To his home up there on high,
But he left me so much to guide me
When Jimmie Rodgers said goodbye.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DEATH OF JIMMIE RODGERS (Gene Autry)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 08:08 PM

You can hear this recording at the YouTube.


THE DEATH OF JIMMIE RODGERS
Words and music by Bob Miller.
As recorded by Gene Autry, 1933. (Melotone 12733)

1. The angels have taken you, Jimmie,
To God in his wisdom and love,
For they needed another sweet singer
To blossom in heaven above.
There are millions who miss you, friend Jimmie,
Miss that soft voice that made millions happy.
May God in his mercy grant your friends their one prayer
That they’ll meet you, Jimmie, up there.

2. I know you’ll be yod’lin’ in heaven,
In that angelic choir way up there,
In that land where there’s peace and there’s comfort,
Where souls shall be free from care;
And as vespers in heaven start ringin’,
Surely angels will pause while you’re singin’.
May God in his mercy grant your friends their one prayer
That they’ll meet you, Jimmie, up there.

3. I wonder if you hear me, Jimmie,
Way up in that heavenly blue.
There’s no words can express to you, Jimmie,
Just how much I thought of you.
You’ve inspired me, old pal, like no other;
And I’ve loved you, Jim, just like a brother.
Oh, I know that I’ve lost a true friend and real pal,
And I miss you Jimmie, old pal.


[Another recording by Bradley Kincaid can also be heard at YouTube. Kincaid omits the verse 3 and instead repeats the second half of verse 1. He also inserts a yodel at the end of verse 1.]

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LIFE OF JIMMIE RODGERS (Gene Autry)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Oct 19 - 09:15 PM

[You can hear this recording at YouTube.]


THE LIFE OF JIMMIE RODGERS
Words and music by Bob Miller.
As recorded by Gene Autry, 1933. (Conqueror 8168)

Jimmie Rodgers was borned in Dixie, ‘bout thirty-five years ago,
From poor but honest parents; they were proud of him, we know.
Ever since he’d been a youngster, he played his ol’ guitar,
And all the neighbors predicted he’d win fame wide and far.

When Jimmie grew up to manhood, he went to Tennessee.
He worked on the Southern Railroad; a reckless brakeman was he;
But his health began to fail him, and he didn’t last there long,
But he always wore a big smile and yodeled his brakeman’s song: YODEL

Then one day he made some records, and soon won lots of fame,
Brought happiness to millions; folks idolized his name;
And then in ev'ry nation, the voice of Jimmie was heard.
He sang to cheer the millions, sang sweeter than a bird.

Life is filled with sorrow; each day demands a toll.
We can’t predict tomorrow for any living soul.
So it was with Jimmie Rodgers, when angels called one day.
They needed a songbird in heaven, so they took Jimmie away.

There’s an old guitar that’s silent, that Jimmie used to play,
But the magic touch of music is missing there today.
Jimmie’s golden voice is up there, where angels sing sweet refrains,
Where God in his merciful heaven in glory ever reigns.

Subject: Lyr Add: GOOD LUCK OLD PAL (Gene Autry)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Oct 19 - 12:36 PM

[You can hear this recording on YouTube.]


GOOD LUCK OLD PAL ('TILL WE MEET BYE AND BYE)
Words and music by Gene Autry.
As recorded by Gene Autry, 1933. (Conqueror 8246)

YODEL

I just received a message, Jimmie, that you was gone (2x)
And my heart aches with sorrow as I sing this lonesome song. YODEL

But somehow or ‘nother I just can’t believe it’s so (2x)
That you’ve left me, old pal, and I’ll never see your happy smile no mo’. YODEL

Just the other day I told my dear old dad (2x)
That you were the best old buddy that I’ve ever had. YODEL

It was down in old Texas just a few days ago, it seems (2x)
When we harmonized together, "My Little Ol’ Home Down in New Orleans." YODEL

Now you’re singin’ to the angels up in that dark blue sky, (2x)
So I say: “Good luck, old pal, till we meet by and by.” YODEL.

Subject: RE: Songs about Jimmie Rodgers
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 19 - 01:14 PM

Wonderful recording of African tribeswomen singing a praise song to 'Mr Jimee Roger' on Bert Lloyd's Songs of the People (once made available by CJB on this forum
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Songs about Jimmie Rodgers
From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 09:02 AM

Shamefully, only just got to this thread and the excellent contributions.
Worth noting is a whole CD by Paul Bunch "Meridian Rising" (An Imagined autobiography of Jimmie Rodgers.} It is on Plowboy label (2016). 20 songs beautifully performed with apposite accompaniment.

Subject: Lyr Add: MY RAINBOW TRAIL KEEPS WINDING ON
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 07:14 PM

You can hear this recording at YouTube:


MY RAINBOW TRAIL KEEPS WINDING ON
Words and music by Elsie McWilliams.
As recorded by Mrs. Jimmie Rodgers [Carrie Rodgers], 1937. (Bluebird B-7339-A)

1. There’s a golden land of dreams that all true lovers find
At the end of the rainbow bright,
But somehow it seems that I cannot find mine
Though I’ve sought it with all of my might.

2. My rainbow trail keeps winding on,
There is no end, it seems;
But its colors glow because I know
You wait there in my dreams.

3. If you were only here beside me, dear,
To hold me by the hand,
We soon would reach that rainbow’s end
And find love’s golden land.

REPEAT 2 AND 3.

Subject: Lyr Add: WE MISS HIM WHEN THE EVENING SHADOWS FALL
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Oct 19 - 07:30 PM

You can hear this recording at YouTube


WE MISS HIM WHEN THE EVENING SHADOWS FALL
Words and music by Mrs. Jimmie Rodgers [Carrie Rodgers]
As recorded by Mrs. Jimmie Rodgers [Carrie Rodgers], 1936. (Bluebird B-6698, Montgomery Ward M-7085)

Now his chair is vacant, waiting, waiting there.
His Boston bull awaits his master's call.
Brown eyes are mutely asking: "Where is my pal?"
And the evening shadows fall.

Our little girl Anita sighs,
Puzzled pain in her young eyes,
As she whispers: "Mother dear, won't my daddy come at all?"
Then the evening shadows fall.

Mm-mm-hm.

His old guitar is silent, longing, longing so
For his magic fingers to caress its strings
And, oh, I want his arms, his kiss, his happy call,
But the evening shadows fall.

Comes a voice, not his, but we hear
From the radio cabinet so near
Requests for Jimmie Rodgers singing his "Home Call"
As the evening shadows fall.

"My wife by my side, my babe at my knee,
So happy just Carrie, Anita and me."

And it seems he's home again with his tunes,
And teasing Mister Mickey as he loved to do,
With his wife and his babe just loving us all,
But the evening shadows fall.

Mm-mm-hm.

Subject: RE: Songs about Jimmie Rodgers
From: Kingwood Kowboy
Date: 23 Oct 19 - 06:57 PM

Jimmie Rodgers Broke The First Country Heart
(07/06/2008) (song#5518)

It was the first country dance
Song of a country romance
A country boy loved a country girl
It was the first country song
About a love that went wrong
In the first honky tonk in the world

It was the first steel guitar
And the first crying fiddle
And city folks all called it plain dirt
It was the first country tune
Neath a country harvest moon
Before the first country hearts got hurt
Jimmie Rodgers broke the first country heart

- instrumental -

It was the first country song
About a love that went wrong
Played on the first country jukebox jive
It was the first country tear
Was shed for some country dear
First country love that didn't survive

We hear no more his guitar
He was the first country star
But his songs tear us apart
It was the first country song
About a love that went wrong
Jimmie Rodgers broke the first country heart