Lyr Req: Little Joe / Darling Little Joe

Subject: Little Joe
From: Joe T.
Date: 21 May 98 - 11:12 PM

The first line is .What will the birds do mother in the spring ,when they come to gather crumbs round my door. etc?

Subject: RE: Little Joe
From: Gene
Date: 22 May 98 - 10:07 AM

Could be Little Joe as recorded by the Stanley Bros, Monroe Bros. or Carter Family.

Subject: RE: Little Joe
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 22 May 98 - 12:58 PM

That's it, Gene. It is sometimes known among bluegrassers as Darling Little Joe. It's a classic dying baby song.

Subject: Lyr Add: DARLING LITTLE JOE (Norman Blake)^^
From: Bill D
Date: 22 May 98 - 04:54 PM

Got my version for Norman Blake...have also heard it by Cousin Emmy...(I have a couple of friends who are always requesting this..)

DARLING LITTLE JOE
(as sung by Norman Blake)^^

"What will the birdies do, Mother, in the spring
When they gather the crumbs 'round my door?
Will they fly from their nest in the top of the tree
And ask why Joe wanders out no more.

"What will the kitten do, mother, all alone,
To stray from his frolic for the day?
Will he lie on the rug beside my bed,
Like he did before I went away?

(different melody here...not a chorus, just a variation)
"And what of Thomas, the old gardener dear,
When you ask him for flowers for me?
Will he give you the rose he has tended with care,
The fairest of that lot 'round the tree?

"I saw the tears come into his honest eye-
He said it was the wind that brought them there;
But he gazed on my cheeks, growin' paler each day,
And his hand trembled over my hair.

(instr break)

"Keep Tag, Mother, my little dog;
Blind and helpless, it's true.
Watch over him as older he grows,
Sleepin' the whole summer thru.

"Show him my coat, mother, that he may know
That his master then will be dead
Speak to him kindly, and often of Joe,
And pat him on his brown, shaggy head.

(instr break)

"And you, dearest Mother, shall miss me but awhile.
For in Heaven I shall no larger grow.
And any kind angel, you meet at the gate,
Can take you to your darlin' Little Joe.

Subject: Lyr req: Little Joe
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 05 Sep 99 - 10:05 AM

I can't find the lyrics for this song:

   Little Joe - Performed by Hank Snow

I don't remember much of it. The last verse goes something like:

And you dearest mother
Shall miss me a while
In heaven I will no longer grow
And any kind angel
You meet at the gate
Will take you to your darling
Little Joe

I think it goes roughly to the same tune as John Hardy.
Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Joe
From: Barbara
Date: 05 Sep 99 - 11:19 AM

Hi Paul. I did a Forum Search and came up with lots of versions of Little Joe; so you might try that. Or give me a line so I can tell which one it is.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hayseed, Little Joe
From: Gene
Date: 05 Sep 99 - 03:32 PM

Also check this previous FORUM THREAD - *DARLING LITTLE JOE*

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hayseed, Little Joe
From: MandolinPaul
Date: 06 Sep 99 - 09:44 AM

Thanks Gene.

That's the one. Now can anyone help with "A Hayseed Like Me"?

P.

Subject: RE: Little Joe
From:
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 08:00 PM

Bill D,

    I have been searching for Norman Blake version of "Darling Little Joe", any help?

Subject: Lyr Add: DARLING LITTLE JOE
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 08:39 PM

Many versions of "Darling Little Joe" or "Little Joe." Randolph has four, and one from Max Hunter is in the DT as "Darlin' Little Joe."
This one from Randolph, with music-

Lyr. Add: Darling Little Joe (2)

Oh mother, dear mother, you may miss me for awhile,
For in Heaven no larger will I grow,
And any kind angel will know at the gate
When you call for your darling little Joe.

What will my kitten do, mother, all alone,
Will she stop in her frolics for a day?
Will she lie on the rug by the side of the bed
As she did when I went away?

Then love Tige, mother, my poor little dog,
For you know he will mourn me for true.
Speak kindly to him and often of Joe
And pat him on his brown shaggy head.

What will old Thomas the gardener say
When you ask him for flowers for me?
Will he give you the rose he has tended so long,
The first fairest rose on the tree?

I saw the tears coming in his honest old eyes,
And he said 'twas the wind brought them there,
As he gazed on my face growing paler each day,
And his hand trembled over my hair.

There's poor Uncle Jack in the far-away camp,
He'll feel sad o'er the letter that you'll write.
Only tell him, dear mother, I have gone to the front,
Marching nearer and nearer the fight.

Mrs L. A. Thomas, Anderson, MO, 1927. Randolph, vol. 4, No. 712A, pp. 176.
Other versions in Randolph have the 1st verse about the birds.
This song seems to have been a composed piece that caught the fancy of many folk singers. Similar tear-jerkers in threads and the Levy and Hunter Collection about orphans dying, etc.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DEATH OF LITTLE JOE (Marston, 1866)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 09:01 PM

The sheet music of the original is in the Levy Collection as "The Death of Little Joe," music and lyrics by V. E. Marston, 1866, pub. by G. Andre & Co., Philadelphia.
It starts with the verse about the birds. Several verses have been added by later singers, and the chorus is usually omitted.

Lyr. Add: The Death of Little Joe

1.
What will the birds do, mother, this spring!
The dear birds that come to the door,
Will they tap on the window or hop on the step,
Asking why Joe goes out no more.

Refrain
Little Joe will soon, will soon be sleeping,
Sleeping calmly in the cold, cold ground,
Mother dear, O cease your weeping,
For your darling boy in heaven will soon be crowned,
Mother dear, O cease your weeping,
For your darling boy in heaven will soon be crowned.
For in heaven he'll soon be crowned,
For in heaven he'll soon be crowned.

2.
And Tiger, oh mother, love Tiger for me,
I know he will mourn for me true,
So keep him when idle and useless he grows,
Sleeping all the long summer day through.

3.
And you, mother darling, will miss me for awhile,
Yet in heaven no larger I'll grow,
So any kind angel will know when you ask
At the gate for your own Little Joe.

Subject: RE: Little Joe
From: Mark Clark
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 11:08 PM

The Carter Family version is posted in another thread.

      - Mark