Lyr Req/Add: Early (Greg Brown)

Subject: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From:
Date: 05 Aug 98 - 08:45 PM

Part of the words go: OOOOeeeee Ain't the mornin' light pretty, While the dew is still wet, so bright and early......It's a one horse town but it's alright with me. /That's all I know. What's the title? Recordings I could find? -- Thanks, Cindy in OK

Subject: ADD: EARLY (Greg Brown)-Fink/Marxer version
From: Roger Himler
Date: 05 Aug 98 - 09:24 PM

The song is Early by Greg Brown

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EARLY
(Greg Brown)

Early one morning I walked out alone.
I looked down the street no one was around.
The sun was just comin' up over my home,
On Hickory Street in a little farm town.

CHORUS:
Ooo Eee ain't the morning light pretty,
While dew is still heavy so bright and early?
My home on the range is a one horse town,
And it's allright with me.

Clouds rolled the prairie, the prairie brought life.
Little towns blossomed soon there were many
All scattered like fireflies across the dark night.
One was called early and they sure named it right.

Many dry summers have burned out the fields,
Scorched the fine colors and cut back the yields.
But the rains have returned to wash away our fears,
It's the fullest green summer that we've seen in years.


Transcribed from the self-titled recording by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer on the Sugar Hill label.

Enjoy the song, it is a sweet one.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From: Cindy in OK
Date: 08 Aug 98 - 12:15 PM

I appreciate your help. I've heard this done and the husband and I are looking to expand our repertoire for the upcoming Nat'l Cowboy Symposium in Lubbock, TX next month. - Cindy

Subject: RE: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 98 - 04:08 PM

Can anybody post the tune? I'm also looking for Greg Brown's "Iowa Waltz." The lyrics for "Iowa Waltz" are in the "Rise Up Singing" songbook, but not the tune.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From: Dale Rose
Date: 08 Aug 98 - 05:02 PM

The song was written about the town of Early, Iowa. Greg Brown's version is definitely worth a listen~~sound sample at Music Boulevard: http://www.musicserver.com:8080/scripts/audio.exe?/user12345/~j-454149/33651000220 00a09.ra

. . . BUT, if you can find it by Robin and Linda Williams, THAT is the version to listen to! It was on their 1979 June Appal recording, Dixie Highway Sign.

I have tried several times to send this, but it would not go (luckily I had saved it to Word) so now I can add for Joe that Iowa Waltz is on Brown's Iowa Waltz album. Sound sample at Tunes: http://www.tunes.com/tunes-cgi2/tunes/release/39564/1/4

Subject: RE: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 98 - 07:22 PM

Dale's link to "Early" didn't work for me, but click here for a link to an album called "Full Circle" by Boston area folksinger Gail Rundlett, who does a wonderful rendition of the song. Click here for the Greg Brown recording of the song. I'd still like to see MIDI versions of these songs. Anyone?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From: Dale Rose
Date: 08 Aug 98 - 09:48 PM

I think it did not work because the line was too long for Word, so those last few characters got clipped off. Anyhow, a search for Greg Brown at musicboulevard.com will bring up his albums. It's on his 44 & 66 album.

Subject: RE: Ain't the mornin' light pretty?while the dew
From: Cindy in Ok
Date: 09 Aug 98 - 05:27 AM

Thank y'all for all the help - ckh

Subject: Lyr Add: EARLY (Greg Brown)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 07:29 AM

Just so it might show up in the next edition of the DT.

EARLY
(Greg Brown)

Early one morning I walked out alone,
I looked down the street; no one was around.
The sun was just comin' up over my home,
On Hickory Street in a little farm town. And

[chorus:]
Oooo-ee, ain't the mornin' light pretty,
When the dew is still heavy, so bright and early.
My home on the range; it's a one-horse town,
And it's alright with me.

The plow broke the prairie, the prairie gave plenty,
The little towns blossomed and soon there were many.
Scattered like fireflies across the dark night,
And one was called Early, and they sure named it right. 'Cause

[repeat chorus]

Many dry summers parched all the fields,
They burnt the fine colors and cut down the yield.
But the rain has returned to wash away our tears,
It's the fullest green summer that we've seen for years. And

[repeat chorus]

Roger in Baltimore

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This is a transcription of the Greg Brown recording. The earlier post from Roger has slightly different lyrics, and comes from Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer. -Joe Offer, Nov 2014-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Early by Greg Brown
From: GUEST,harpy
Date: 17 Jun 05 - 11:45 AM

that is a beautiful song, roger. thanks for the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Early (Greg Brown)
From: black walnut
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:36 AM

Oooo-ee! I was just searching for these lyrics in my CD collection but gave up - I knew I'd find them here on the Mudcat somewhere.    Thanks R in B!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Early (Greg Brown)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Sep 15 - 07:07 PM

Another great version is by Cathy Barton with Dave Para.