Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Azizi
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 08:17 AM

Somewhat off-topic, the 2nd verse of the version that Jon W. 21 Aug 98 - 12:16 PM shared seemed familiar to me. I thought I had read a verse like that in Thomas W. Talley's 1922 collection Negro Folk Rhymes-Wise and Otherwise, so this morning I looked for and found that verse:

How To Get To Glory Land

If you want to git to Glory Land,
I'll tell you what to do.
Jes grease yo' heels wid mutton sue,
W'en de Devil's atter you.
Jes grease yo' heel an' grease yo' han'
An' slip 'way-over into Glory Lan'.

(p.96, Kennikat Press Edition, 1968)

**

Here's another reference from that same book about "stick some plaster on their heels/and draw them up to Glory" ("Glory" and "Glory Land" means heaven:

Mammy an' daddy's dead an'gone.
Did you ever hear deir story?
Dey sticked some plaster on deir heels,
An' drawed 'em up to Glory.

(from "Plaster", Thomas W. Talley,Negro Folk Rhymes-Wise and Otherwise, pp. 60-61)

**

Also, more recently Bo Diddley's song "Dearest Darling" includes this verse which has a similar theme:

If I get to heaven before you do
I'll try to make a hole and pull you through

http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/b/bodiddley598/dearestdarling335180.html

**

I'm sure there are probably other 19th century, twentieth century examples of this floating theme if not those floating verses.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 11:57 PM

Better known as "Hop Light Ladies", aka Hop High Ladies, The Cake's all Dough, Uncle Joe, Walk Light Ladies, etc., etc.

Old time fiddle tune, see The Fiddler's Companion:
Hop Light Ladies

Recorded by Whitter, Riley Puckett, Fiddlin' Johnny Carson, Uncle Dave Macon, etc.

Evolved from the old minstrel song, "Hop Light Loo" (and show your pretty stocking...)
Harding B 15(131b), Fortey (London), bet. 1858-1885, Bodleian Collection; American "Hop Light Loo, de debil's in de bee gum," 19th c. minstrel, Harris, Philadelphia (at American Memory).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: GUEST,Mary Ratcliff
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 10:46 PM

This is soooooo cool. I remember my cousins and I used to sing this song alot when we were kids. When we ran out of verses, we'd make new ones up. I think it must have been taught to us by my grandmother. I didn't even know the part about the hop high ladies, it was just the Did you ever go to meeting Uncle Joe, Uncle Joe (x3) I don't mind the weather if the wind don't blow, and other various verses in between. It was a very fun song to sing because you could keep on adding to it endlessly. Imagine 3 pink-cheeked children riding in the back of a pickup truck singing songs. It was really delightful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Aug 98 - 02:56 PM

Click here for a song recorded by the New Lost City Ramblers called "Johnson Boys," which seems to be related. Click here for another version of "Johnson Boys," which does not seem to be as closely related.....or maybe neither one is related, but I think I see where there might be a connection.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Pete Peterson
Date: 22 Aug 98 - 12:11 PM

I often use the refrain "how I get enough time Lord I never will know"

I think the Holy Modal Rounders have some good verses too

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Jon W.
Date: 21 Aug 98 - 12:16 PM

Thanks guys, the version I have has only a couple of verses, both different from what you gave:

Do you love fried chicken Uncle Joe, Uncle Joe (3x)
Don't mind that weather when the wind don't blow

If you want to go to heaven I'll tell you what to do
Just grease your belly in a mutton stew
Climb right up on the devil's hand
And slide right over to the promised land

I appreciate the additions, as well as the refrain, which I couldn't understand from my recording.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Zorro
Date: 20 Aug 98 - 09:16 PM

A fine version is done by the New Lost City Ramblers. Sorry, I don't know all the words. "Prettiest girl that ever I knew was cross eyed jane from Kalamazoo, She was long lean and lanky with great big legs, walked like she was walking on soft boiled legs. The refrain is the same as Chet posted above.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies
From: Chet W.
Date: 20 Aug 98 - 07:42 PM

Here's what I use:

Did you ever go to meeting Uncle Joe (3x),
I don't mind the weather if the wind don't blow.

CHORUS: Hop High Ladies, Hop High Ladies, the cake's all dough,
Hop High Ladies, Such gettin' upstairs I never have saw.

How do you like the ladies, Uncle Joe (3x),
I don't mind the weather if the wind don't blow. CHORUS

Did you ever see the devil, Uncle Joe (3x),
If I don't see him here I'll see him down below. CHORUS

Plastic candy wrappers, Uncle Joe (3x),
I don't mind the weather if the wind don't blow. CHORUS

The last verse was authored by Harry Sweet of somewhere in New York.

Chet W.

Subject: Lyr Req: Hop High Ladies/Ms McCloud's Reel
From: Jon W.
Date: 20 Aug 98 - 01:01 PM

Does any have lyrics for Hop High Ladies, which is sung to the dance tune Ms McCloud's Reel? Or any other words sung to that tune?