Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)

Subject: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: oombanjo
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 03:17 PM

I know that there are a lot of links for this one, but I have not found the version that I am after, or the Tab. I assume that its played out of G modal, and have heard a version on a Tim O'Bryan tape (that I no longer have) and a similar version by the Rough Deal String Band. The verses go; Oh the cuckoo is a pretty bird, she warbles as she flies, but you never hear her warble till the fourth day of July. Thats as much as I know, any help with lyrics/tab is appreciated.    Chee3rs Oombanjo.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 03:30 PM

If you paste "cuckoo" or "fourth day of July" into the search box in the Digital Tradition/thread search box you'll come up with lots of relevant stuff.

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: THE CUCKOO (from Peter, Paul & Mary)
From: Eugene Judge
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 05:01 PM

It's not on any of my 3 Rough Deal String Band CDs. Found two sets of lyrics, maybe not what you are looking for, both have references to July in them. Parts of both are similar to Rough Deal's "Jack of Diamonds" but there's no mention of a cuckoo in that song.

THE CUCKOO
Peter, Paul & Mary

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, she sings as she flies
She never gets lonesome till the first day of July.
I've gambled in England, and I've gambled down in Spain.
I gambled with five aces, now I've gambled my last game.

Oh, it's gamblin' that's brought me prison,
And it's gamblin' that's brought me pain
I'll never see the cuckoo or hear her song again

Jack o' diamonds, jack o' diamonds, I know you of old
You robbed my poor pockets of silver and of gold.

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird, she sings as she flies
She never gets lonesome till the first day of July.

www.sing365.com

Cuckoo Lyrics
Kristin Hersh

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She wobbles when she flies
She don't ever hire a cuckoo
Till the fourth day of July
Jack of diamonds
Jack of diamonds
I know you of old
You rob my poor pockets of silver and gold

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
I wish that shh was mine
She don't ever drink water
She only drinks wine

Gonna build me a log cabin
On a mountain so high
So I can see Willy
When he goes on by

Oh the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She wobbles when she flies
She don't ever hire a cuckoo
Till the fourth day of July

www.lyricsdepot.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 11:34 PM

Try "At Home with Clarence Ashley" a Folkways album from the 60s with the best (and best known) version of "the Cuckoo"

One of my favorite numbers, I've played it since I first learned it from Peter Stampfel in Milwaukee 1960 or so.

CB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: oombanjo
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 03:54 PM

Thanks all, you hit it first time, CHEE3RS OOMBANJO.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: GUEST,Redhorse at work
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 08:21 AM

Isn't Clarence Ashley's original recording on the Anthology?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: GUEST,fretless
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 12:51 PM

Anthology vol. 3, #57 for Ashley. Robin & Linda Williams recorded a version of it, too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: GUEST,Cain
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 11:46 AM

where can I find the far better verion of cuckoo bird done by Hobart Smith

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Cuckoo (clawhammer banjo)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 11:53 AM

Smithsonian Folkways CD 40141 "Hobart Smith In Sacred Trust. The 1963 Fleming Brown Tapes. A "must ave" if you are in to Hobart Smith.

Hoot