Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll (Woody Guthrie)

Subject: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: Parsa
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 04:21 PM

Hi, I'm new to Mudcat. It's a fantastic resource!

I'm looking for the lyrics/chords for "Roll, Columbia, Roll" by Woody Guthrie. It is one of the songs on from his Columbia River Collection (Bonneville Power Authority, 1941). This is not the same song as "Roll On, Columbia", although I believe it contains Guthrie-floaters from that song and from "Grand Coulee Dam."

"Roll, Columbia, wont you roll roll roll..."

I have the TRO Woody Guthrie Songbook, the TRO Best of Woody Guthrie, and Hard Hitting Songs for Hard-Hit People, and the song isn't in them. However, it probably is in the larger song book from the 60s which I don't own.

Parsa

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: MMario
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 04:33 PM

partial lyrics:

Now river you can ramble
where the sun sets in the sea.
But while you're rambling river,
you can do some work for me.

Roll Columbia, won't you roll, roll, roll.
Roll Columbia, won't you roll, roll, roll.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: Parsa
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 05:00 PM

Yeah, that's one of the Grand Coulee Dam floaters.
Since the verses are similar to Roll On, Columbia, I would assume they are another fast, highly-modified version of Goodnight Irene. However, the chorus is from another common tune, and I can't seem to make my brain make the connection as to what it is.

Hehe, did Woody actually write any tunes himself?

Parsa

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Apr 03 - 07:01 PM

I have 'Roll On, Columbia', also written by Woody Guthrie, but it doesn't look like that's the one you're after.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 05:21 PM

You'll find a brief recording sample here (click). Verses sound like "Wabash Cannonball" to me.
I sure wish somebody would publish a comprehensive Woody Guthrie songbook.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: Parsa
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 05:47 PM

Geez, yeah, and I knew "Grand Coulee Dam" was to the tune of Wabash Cannonball. Now what's the chorus? Hmmmm...

I actually have the song on CD, but thanks for the link as it jogged my memory. It's too bad the Bonneville Power Authority never used his songs at the time. As I recall he did 28 songs in 30 days. If one song was good, it would have been worth it for them. However, they got a bunch of classics, many of which could be Pacific Northwest anthems. I bought the documentary video in Okemah--the one that talks about Woody's project for the Power Authority. However, shortly after I got the tape home, it broke. Errrr!

Parsa

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll
From: Parsa
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 11:56 AM

OK... there's actually a songbook for the whole Columbia River Collection. I just bought it online. I'll post lyrics later.
The book is "Roll On Columbia: The Columbia River Collection"

One source is the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives store:
Woody Guthrie Store

The other source is SingOut! It has the songbook and the CD for $23, or you can buy them separately:
SingOut Legacy Books
Search for "Roll On Columbia."

Parsa

Subject: Lyr Add: Roll, Columbia, Roll (Woody Guthrie)
From: Parsa
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 12:37 AM

Roll, Columbia, Roll
Words and music by Woody Guthrie
(Stanza music is a variation of Wabash Cannonball)


There's a great and peaceful river in a land that's fair to see,
Where the Douglas fir tree whispers to the snow-capped mountain breeze.
The cliffs are solid granite and the valley's always green,
This is just as close to heaven as my trav'lin feet have been.

Chorus:
Roll Columbia won't you roll..., roll..., roll...,
Roll Columbia won't you roll..., roll..., roll....

Stand upon her timbered mountain, look across her silver strand,
See the crops and orchards springing to the touch of nature's hand.
And it's further up the river where your eye will meet the skies
Where you'll see the steel and concrete of the big Grand Coulee rise.

Chorus

There at Priest and Cascade rapids men have labored day and night,
Matched their strength against the river in its wild and reckless flight.
Boats and rafts were beat to splinters but it left men dreams to dream
Of the day when they would conquer the wild and wasted stream.

Chorus

Uncle Sam took up the challenge in the year of '33
For the farmers and the workers and for all humanity.
Now river you can ramble where the sun sets in the sea,
But while you're rambling river you can do some work for me.

Chorus

Now there's full a million horses charged with Coulee's 'lectric power
Day and night they'll run the factory and they never will get tired.
Well a coal mine gets dug out and an oil well it runs dry,
But Uncle Sam will find his power where the river meets the sky.

Chorus


TRO Copyright 1958, 1963, 1984
Ludlow Music, Inc New York, NY

________

Variation:

In the actual recording for The Columbia River Collection, Woody sings:
"Of the day that they would conquer..."
and
"Now there's full three million horses..."


Chords:

There's (F) ... land (Bb) ...
... Douglas (C) ... breeze (F).
(F)... valley's (Bb) ...
... just (C) ... been (F).

Roll (C) ... roll (F), roll, roll.
Roll (C) ... roll, roll, roll (F).


Submitted by Steven Varner

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Click to play

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Roll, Columbia, Roll (Woody Guthrie)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Nov 03 - 03:59 AM

I bought the "Columbia River Collection" songbook, mostly to post this song - and then I forgot to. I'm glad Steven didn't forget. I did post a MIDI, so now our information on this song is complete. Thanks, Steven.
-Joe Offer-

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I also came across this website at the University of Oregon, which gives information about a video titled Roll On, Columbia: Woody Guthrie and the Bonneville Power Administration. It's available to individuals for $25.