DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie

Subject: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 04:34 PM

This is an edited DTStudy thread, and all messages posted here are subject to editing and deletion.
This thread is intended to serve as a forum for corrections and annotations for the Digital Tradition song named in the title of this thread.

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Search for other DTStudy threads

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Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 04:38 PM

We have a number of songs in the Digital Tradition that were written by Jean Ritchie, or that have been attributed to her for one reason or another. This thread will serve to explore those songs, and to correct and annotate Jean Ritchie lyrics in the Digital Tradition. Feel free to ask questions or make comments about Jean Ritchie songs here. Your comments and questions will be incorporated into the completed information in this thread.
Watch this space....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 04:50 PM

I'll be asking Jean to comment on songs, and to give us information on how to request permission to record or perform her songs.
-Joe-

Subject: DTStudy: Black Waters
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 04:54 PM

BLACK WATERS
(Jean Ritchie)

  A                        E          A
I come from the mountains, Kentucky's my home
                                      E          A
Where the wild deer and black bear so lately did roam
       D                                      A
By the cool rushing waterfall the wildflowers dream
                                   E
And through every green valley, there runs a clear stream
            A                        D
Now there's scenes of destruction on every hand
A                         E            A
And only black waters run down through my land

       D                              A
   Sad scenes of destruction on every hand
                                   E            A
   Black waters, black waters, run down through my land

Well, the quail, she's a pretty bird and she sings a sweet tongue
In the roots of tall timber she nests with her young
The the hillside explodes with the dynamites roar
And the voice of the small bird is heard there no more
And the mountain comes a sliding so awful and grand
And the flooding black waters rise over my land

In the coming of springtime we planted our corn
In the ending of springtime we buried our son
In the summer come a nice man saying everything's fine
My employer just requires a way to his mine
Then they tore down my mountain and covered my corn
Now the grave on the hillside 's a mile deeper down
And the man stands a talking with his hat in his hand
While the poison black waters rise over my land

Well I ain't got no money, not much of a home
I own my own land, but my land's not my own
But, if I had ten million, somewheres thereabout
Well, I'd buy Perry county and throw them all out
And just sit down on the banks with my bait and my can
And watch the clear waters run down through my land

Well, wouldn't that be just like the old promised land?
Black waters, black waters no more in my land
Black waters, black waters no more in my land

Copyright Geordie Music Publishing, Inc.
recorded by Jean Ritchie
@environment @mining @water
filename[ BLAKWATR
TUNE FILE: BLAKWATR
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

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This is a "scratch-written" song by Jean Ritchie.

Comments, Jean?

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Corrected Version:

Here is the complete text, just so we have all the corrections all together. Jim Ringer did a recording of this song on his Folk-Legacy CD, "Waitin for the Hard Times to Go." He did a great job on this powerful song.

BLACK WATERS
(Jean Ritchie)

I come from the mountains, Kentucky's my home,
Where the wild deer and black bear so lately did roam;
By cool rushing waterfalls the wildflowers dream,
And through every green valley there runs a clear stream.
Now there's scenes of destruction on every hand,
And there's only black waters run down through my land.

CHORUS
Sad scenes of destruction on every hand,
Black waters, black waters run down through the land.

O the quail, she's a pretty bird, she sings a sweet tongue;
In the roots of tall timbers she nests with her young.
But the hillside explodes with the dynamite's roar,
And the voices of the small birds will sound there no more;
And the hillsides come a-sliding so awful and grand,
And the flooding black waters rise over my land.

CHORUS
Sad scenes of destruction on every hand;
Black waters, black waters run down through the land.

In the rising of the springtime we planted our corn,
In the ending of the springtime we buried a son,
In summer come a nice man, said, "Everything's fine-
My employer just requires a way to his mine"-
Then they threw down my mountain and covered my corn,
And the grave on the hillside's a mile deeper down-
And the man stands and talks with his hat in his hand
As the poisonous waters rise over my land.

CHORUS
Sad scenes of destruction on every hand;
Black waters, black waters run down through the land.

Well, I ain't got no money and not much of a home;
I own my own land, but my land' s not my own.
But if I had ten million somewheres thereabouts-
I would buy Perry County and I'd run 'em all out!
Set down on the bank with my bait in my can,
And just watch the clear waters run down through my land!

CHORUS
Well, wouldn't that be like the old Promised Land?
Black waters, black waters no more in my land!


Source: Celebration of Life - Jean Ritchie, Geordie Music Publishing © 1971

Subject: DTStudy: Blue Diamond Mines
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 04:58 PM

BLUE DIAMOND MINES
(Jean Ritchie [writing as 'Than Hall])

I remember the ways in the bygone days
When we was all in our prime
How us and John L. gave the old man hell
Down in the Blue Diamond mines
Where the whistle would blow 'fore the rooster crowed
Full two hours before daylight
When a man done his best, and he earned his good rest
And had seventeen dollars at night

In the mines, in the mines, in the Blue Diamond mines
I have worked my life away
In the mines, in the mines, in the Blue Diamond mines
Oh, fall on your knees and pray

You old black gold, you've taken my soul
Your dust has darkened my home
And now that I'm old, you're turning your back
Where else can an old miner go
Well, first it's Big Block and then Leatherwood
And now it's Blue Diamond too
The pits are all closed, and it's "go find a job"
What else can an old miner do

Your union is dead and you're shaking your head
They say mining's had its day
But you're stripping off my mountain top
And you pay me three dollars a day
Well, you might get a poke of welfare meat
A little poke of welfare flour
But I tell you right now, you won't qualify
Less you work for a quarter an hour

John L. had a dream but it's broken, it seems
Our union is letting us down
Last week they took away my hospital card
And it's "why don't you leave this old town"
Well, you go downtown and you hang around
Well, maybe it ain't so bad
Then you come back home and they meet you at the door
And it's "what did you bring me, dad"

Copyright Geordie Music
First heard from Ringer & McCaslin. They did it well. JN
@mining @work @union
filename[ BLUDIAM
TUNE FILE: BLUDIAM
CLICK TO PLAY
JN

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version:

BLUE DIAMOND MINES
(Jean Ritchie [writing as 'Than Hall])

I remember the ways, in the bygone days
When we was all in our prime;
How us and John L., we give the Old Man hell
Down in the Blue Diamond Mines.
When the whistle would blow 'fore the rooster crow,
Full two hours before daylight;
When a man done his best, and he earned his good rest
Had seventeen dollars at night

In the mines, in the mines, in the Blue Diamond Mines,
I have worked my life away;
In the mines, in the mines, in the Blue Diamond Mines,
O fall on your knees and pray

You old black gold, you have taken my soul,
Your dust has darkened my home.
And now I am old, and you turn your back,
Where else can an old miner go?
It's Big Leatherwood, Algoma Block, and now it's Blue Diamond too,
Well, the pits are closed, get another job -
What work can an old miner do?

Now your union is dead, and they shake their heads,
Well minin' has had its day.
But they're strippin' off my mountain top
And they pay me three dollars a day.
O you might get a littel poke of welfare meal, (meat??)
Get a little poke of welfare flour,
But I tell you right now, you won't qualify
Till you work for a quarter an hour.

John L. had a dream, but it's broken it seems,
Now the Union's a-lettin' us down;
Last week they took away my hospital card,
Said, "Why don't you leave this old town?"
Come on downtown, boys, we'll hang around,
Well, maybe it ain't so bad.
Go on back home and they meet you at the door,
And it's "what did you bring me, Dad?"

Copyright Geordie Music, 1964, 1971
from Jean Ritchie - Celebration of Life: her songs...her poems (1971, Geordie Music Publishing)

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This is a "scratch-written" song by Jean Ritchie.

And now, Jean, over to you...

Subject: DTStudy: Loving Hannah
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 05:12 PM

LOVING HANNAH

I went to church last Sunday
My true love passed me by
I could see her mind was a changing
By the roving of her eye

By the roving of her eye
By the roving of her eye
I could see her mind was a changing
By the roving of her eye

My love she's fair and proper
Her hands are neat and small
And she is quite good looking
And that's the best of all

And that's the best of all
And that's the best of all
And she is quite good looking
And that's the best of all

Oh Hannah, loving Hannah
Come give to me your hand
You said if you ever married
That I would be the man

That I would be the man
That I would be the man
You said if you ever married
That I would be the man

I'll go down by the river
When everyone's asleep
And think on loving Hannah
And then sit down and weep

And then sit down and weep
And then sit down and weep
And think on loving Hannah
And then sit down and weep

@courting
variant of Handsome Molly
recorded by Sandy and Caroline Paton
filename[ LOVHANNA
TUNE FILE: LOVHANNA
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

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"Loving Hannah" is a Ritchie family song, adapted and copyrighted by Jean Ritchie.

Jean, anything else you can tell us about the background of this song?

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Also see these threads (click).

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Jean Ritchie Version

Here's the version from Jean Ritchie's Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians:


LOVING HANNAH
(a Ritchie family song, adapted and copyrighted by Jean Ritchie)

I rode to church last Sunday,
My truelove passed me by,
I knew her mind was a-changing
By the roving of her eye.

By the roving of her eye,
By the roving of her eye,
I knew her mind was a-changing
By the roving of her eye.

My love is fair and proper,
Her hands and feet are small;
And she is quite good-looking,
And that's the best of all.

And that's the best of all,
And that's the best of all,
And she is quite good looking,
And that's the best of all.

O Hannah, loving Hannah,
Come give to me your hand,
You said if you ever married,
That I would be the man.

That I would be the man,
That I would be the man,
You said if you ever married,
That I would be the man.

I'll go down by the waters
When everyone is asleep,
I'll think of loving Hannah,
And then sit down and weep.

And then sit down and weep,
And then sit down and weep,
And think on loving Hannah,
And then sit down and weep.

I wish I were in London
Or some other seaport town,
I'd set my foot on a bally boat
And I'd sail them seas all around.
I'd sail them seas all around,
I'd sail them seas all around,
I'd set my foot on a bally boat
And I'd sail them seas all around

© 1964 Jean Ritchie/Geordie Music Publishing Company

Excerpt from Jean's notes:

Older menfolk in the Ritchie family, rather than the women for some unknown reason, sang this song: Balis, my Dad, and his cousin Jason and Isom Ritchie. In the sixties, banjo players were singing a more modern version, "Handsome Molly."

Subject: DTStudy: West Virginia Mine Disaster
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 12:07 AM

WEST VIRGINIA MINING DISASTER
(Jean Ritchie)

Say, did you see him walking? it was early this morning
He passed by your house on his way to the coal
He was tall, he was slender, and his blue eyes so tender
His occupation was miner, West Virginia his home

It was just about noon, I was feeding the children
Ben Moseley come running for to give us the news
Number eight is all flooded, many men are in danger
And we don't know their number, but we fear they're all doomed

So I picked up the baby and I left all the others
For to comfort each other and pray for our own
There's Timmy, fourteen, and there's John not much younger
Soon their own time will be coming to go down the black hole

Now if I had the money to do more than just feed them
I'd give them good learning, the best could be found
And when they grew up they'd be checkers and weighers
And not spend their life drilling in the dark underground

And it's what will I tell to my three little children?
And what will I tell his dear mother at home?
And it's what will I tell to my poor heart that's dying?
My heart that's surely dying since my darling is gone

Say, did you see him walking? it was early this morning
He passed by your house on his way to the coal
He was tall, he was slender, and his blue eyes so tender
His occupation was miner, West Virginia his home

@work @mining
Copyright Jean Ritchie
filename[ WVMINING
MC

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version:

WEST VIRGINIA MINE DISASTER
(Jean Ritchie)

Say, did you see him going? it was early this morning?
He passed by your houses on his way to the coal.
He was tall, he was slender, and his dark eyes so tender,
His occupation was mining, West Virginia his home.

It was just before twelve, I was feeding the children.
Ben Mosely came running to bring us the news;
Number eight is all flooded, many men are in danger,
And we don't know their number, but we fear they're all doomed.

So I picked up the baby and I left all the others
To comfort each other and pray for our own;
There's Timmy, fourteen, and there's John not much younger,
Their own time soon will be coming to go down the black hole.

O if I had the money to do more than just feed them,
I'd give them good learning, the best could be found.
Then when they'd grow up, they'd be checkers and weighers,
And not spend their time drilling in the dark under ground.

Now what can I say to his poor little children?
Or what can I tell his old mother at home?
Or what can I say to my heart that's clear-broken?
To my heart that's clear-broken if my darling is gone?

Say, did you see him going? it was early this morning?
He passed by your houses on his way to the coal.
He was tall, he was slender, and his dark eyes so tender,
His occupation was mining, West Virginia his home.

© 1969, 1971, Geordie Music Publishing.

from Jean Ritchie - Celebration of Life: her songs...her poems (1971, Geordie Music Publishing)

Subject: DTStudy: Dear Companion (Version 1)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 12:15 AM

DEAR COMPANION

I once did have a dear companion
Indeed I thought his love my own
Until a dark eyed girl betrayed me
And then he cares no more for me

Just go and leave me if you wish to
It will never trouble me
For in your heart you love another
And in my grave I'd rather be

Last night you were sweetly sleeping
Dreaming in some sweet repose
While I, a poor girl, broken hearted
Listened to the wind that blows

When I see your babe a laughing
It makes me think of your sweet face
But when I see your babe a crying
It makes me think of my disgrace

@love
recorded by Edna Ritchie on Folk Legacy and by the Carter Family and by Jean Ritchie
filename[ DEARCOMP
TUNE FILE: DEARCOMP
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

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Jean Ritchie Version

DEAR COMPANION
(adapted by Jean Ritchie)

I once did have a dear companion,
Indeed I thought his love my own,
Until some black-eyed girl betrayed me,
And now he cares no more for me.

Last night you were so sweetly sleeping
And dreaming in some soft repose,
While I, a poor girl, broken-hearter
Was listening to the wind that blows.

I never did think of being without you,
I never could think of you a-being gone,
But all night long that wind keeps crying,
Farewell, truelove, I'm left alone.


© 1963, Stormking
from Jean Ritchie's Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians

An excerpt from Jean's notes;

This is our family tune, and the words are the ones common in my part of the country, with the exception of the last verse which I began singing a long time ago, when my very first "truelove" took another girl to the pie supper!

Subject: DTStudy: The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 12:17 AM

THE L & N DON'T STOP HERE ANYMORE
(Jean Ritchie)

Oh, when I was a curly-headed baby
My daddy set me down upon his knee
Said, Son, you go to school and learn your letters
Don't be no dusty miner like me

For I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler
Coal cars roaring and a tumbling past my door
Now they're standing rusty, rolling empty
And the L & N don't stop here any more

I used to think my daddy was a black man
With scrip enough to buy the company store
But now he goes downtown with empty pockets
And his face as white as a February snow

Last night I dreamt I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before
Them old cudsy vines had covered up the doorway
And there was trees and grass, well agrowing right thru the floor

I never thought I'd live to love the coal dust
Never thought I'd pray to hear the tipple roar
But, Lord, how I wish that grass could change to money
Them greenbacks fill my pockets once more

@train @mining
Copyright Geordie Music Publishing, Inc.
recorded by Guy Carawan
filename[ L&NNOMOR
TUNE FILE: LNNOMORE
CLICK TO PLAY
SOF

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version;

THE L and N DON'T STOP HERE ANYMORE
(Jean Ritchie)

O when I was a curly-headed baby,
My daddy set me down upon his knee;
Said, "Son, you go to school and learn your letters,
Don't be no dusty miner like me.

CHORUS
For I was born and raised at the mouth of the Hazard Holler,
Coal cars roarin' and a rumblin' past my door;
Now they're standin' rusty, rollin' empty,
And the L and N don't stop here any more.

I used to think my daddy was a black man
With scrip enough to buy the company store,
But now he goes downtown with empty pockets
And his face as white as February snow.

Last night I dreamt I went down to the office
To get my payday like I done before;
Them old cudsy-vines had covered up the doorway
And there was trees and grass, well a-growin' right through the floor.

I never thought I'd live to love the coal dust;
Never thought I'd pray to hear the tipple roar,
But, Lord, how I wish that grass could change to money,
Them greenbacks fill my pockets once more.

© 1963, 1971, Geordie Music Publishing.

from Jean Ritchie - Celebration of Life: her songs...her poems (1971, Geordie Music Publishing)

Subject: DTStudy: My Dear Companion (Version Two)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 12:44 AM

MY DEAR COMPANION
(Jean Ritchie)

Oh have you seen my dear companion
For he was all this world to me
I hear he's gone to some far country
And that he cares no more for me

I wish I were a swallow flying
I'd fly to a high and lonesome place
I'd join the wild birds in their crying
Thinking of you and your sweet face

Oh have you seen my dear companion
For he was all this world to me
But now the stars have turned against me
And he cares no more for me

Oh when the dark is on the mountain
And all the world has gone to sleep
I will go down to the cold dark waters
And there I'll lay me down and weep

Oh have you seen my dear companion
For he was all this world to me

Copyright Geordie Music
filename[ DEARCOM2
AMT
oct99

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version (needs work)

MY DEAR COMPANION
(Jean Ritchie)

Oh have you seen my dear companion,
For he was all this world to me.
I hear he's gone to some far country,
And that he cares no more for me.

I wish I were some swallow flying,
I'd fly to a high and lonesome place;
There join the wild birds in their crying,
Remembering you and your sweet face.

Oh have you seen my dear companion,
For he was all this world to me.
But now the stars have turned against me,
And so he cares no more for me.

Oh when the dark is on the mountains,
When all the world has gone to sleep,
I will go down to the cold dark waters,
And there I'll set me down and weep.

Oh have you seen my dear companion,
Oh have you seen my dear companion,
Oh have you seen my dear companion,
For he was all this world to me.

Copyright Geordie Music - date???

Transcribed by ear from the 1995 Jean Ritchie CD, Mountain Born

I could use some help on these lyrics - I'm not sure I've got it 100% correct. This song isn't in any of the four Jean Ritchie songbooks I have.

Subject: DTStudy: Now Is the Cool of the Day
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 01:41 AM

COOL OF THE DAY
(Jean Ritchie)

Now is the cool of the day
Now is the cool of the day
This earth is a garden, the garden of my Lord
And he walks in his garden
In the cool of the day

My Lord, he said unto me
Do you like my garden so fair
You may live in this garden if you'll keep the grasses green
And I'll return in the cool of the day

Then my Lord, he said unto me
Do you like my pastures so green
You may live in this garden if you will feed my sheep
And I'll return in the cool of the day

Then my Lord, he said unto me
Do you like my garden so free
You may live in this garden if you'll keep the people free
And I'll return in the cool of the day


I think there's another verse to this. JN

Copyright Jean Ritchie
@religion
filename[ COOLDAY
JN

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version:

NOW IS THE COOL OF THE DAY
(Jean Ritchie)

My Lord, He said unto me,
Do you like My garden so fair?
You may live in this garden if you keep the grasses green,
And I'll return in the cool of the day.

Now is the cool of the day,
Now is the cool of the day,
O this earth is a garden, the garden of my Lord,
And He walks in His garden
In the cool of the day.

Then my Lord, He said unto me,
Do you like My garden so pure?
You may live in this garden if you keep the waters clean,
And I'll return in the cool of the day.

Then my Lord, He said unto me,
Do you like My pastures so green?
You may live in this garden if you will feed My lambs,
And I'll return in the cool of the day.

Then my Lord, he said unto me,
Do you like My garden so free?
You may live in this garden if you'll keep the people free,
And I'll return in the cool of the day.


© 1971, Geordie Music Publishing
from Jean Ritchie - Celebration of Life: her songs...her poems (1971, Geordie Music Publishing)

Subject: DTStudy: Come Fare away (Marnie)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 02:44 AM

COME FARE AWAY

Bright is the morning and brisk is the weather;
Steady the wind o'er the sweet singing sea.
Proudly, the tall ship arrives in the harbor;
Come fare away with me.

Marnie, come fare away,
Come fare away with me;
There's an island of dreams
Over the rolling sea.

Sails at the ready, we're bound for Newfoundland;
Hasten, my darling, and do not delay.
Trees tall and green there, and fish by the millions;
Come fare away with me.

CHORUS

Leave your belongings, for things do but bind us;
Hemmed in, the life here it won't do for me.
Fretting and trouble, we'll leave them behind us;
There is a land that's free.

CHORUS

Lace on your good shoes of stout highland leather;
Bring a warm shawl and a cup for the tea.
There is a new life, we'll build it together;
Come fare away with me.

CHORUS

----------------------------------------------------------------

Words by Jean Ritchie, melody adapted from an old hymn.
Copyright Geordie Music Publishing, Inc.
Recorded by Ed Trickett on "The Telling Takes Me Home," FSI-46
1972.
@travel @love
filename[ FAREAWAY
TUNE FILE: FAREAWAY
CLICK TO PLAY
TUNE FILE: FAREAWY2
CLICK TO PLAY
DC

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version:

the Digital Tradition was a fairly accurate transcription, except for the last verse.

COME FARE AWAY WITH ME (MARNIE)
(Jean Ritchie)

Bright is the morning and brisk is the weather,
Steady the wind o'er the sweet singing sea;
Proudly the tall ship arrives in the harbor,
Come fare away with me.

Marnie, come fare away,
Come fare away with me;
There's an island of dreams
Over the rolling sea.

Sails at the ready, we're bound for Newfoundland.
Hasten, my darling, and do not delay!
Trees tall and green there, and fish by the millions -
Come fare away with me.
CHORUS

Leave your belongings, for things do but bind us;
Hemmed-in the life here, it won't do for me;
Fretting and troubles, we'll leave them behind us.
There is a land that's free.
CHORUS

Lace on your stout shoes of good Highland leather,
Bring a warm shawl and a cup for the tea;
There'll be a new life, we'll build it together,
Come fare away with me.
CHORUS

©1971 Geordie Music Publishing
from Jean Ritchie - Celebration of Life: her songs...her poems (1971, Geordie Music Publishing)

Subject: DTStudy: Last Old Train's A-Leavin'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 02:56 AM

LAST OLD TRAIN'S A-LEAVIN'
(Jean Ritchie)

Standin' on the mountain, standin' on the mountain
Standin on the mountain, don't you want to go?

cho: O the last old train's a-leavin', the last old train's a-leavin'
Thew last old train's a-leavin', don't you want to go?

Hear the hills a-fallin' (3x)
Don't you want to go?

Hear the nightbirds callin' (3x)
I don't want to go.

See the timber burning
Don't you want to go?

See my newground turning
I don't want to go.

See the people going
Don't you want to go?

See my redbuds glowing
I don't want to go.

Standing on the mountain
Don't you want to go.

Copyright 1969, 1971 by Geordie Music Publishing
@home @parting @train
filename[ LASTRAIN
TUNE FILE: LASTRAIN
CLICK TO PLAY
RG

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

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Corrected Version

LAST OLD TRAIN'S A-LEAVIN'
(Jean Ritchie)

Standin' on the mountain, standin' on the mountain,
Standin on the mountain, don't you want to go?

cho: O the last old train's a-leavin', the last old train's a-leavin',
The last old train's a-leavin', don't you want to go?

Hear the hills a-fallin' (3x)
Don't you want to go?
Hear the nightbirds calling (3x)
I don't want to go!
[Chorus]

See the timber burning (3x)
Don't you want to go?
See my newground turning (3x)
I don't want to go!
[Chorus]

See the people going (3x)
Don't you want to go?
See my redbuds glowing (3x)
I don't want to go!
[Chorus]

Standin' on the mountain (3x)
Don't you want to go?
[Chorus]

Copyright 1969, 1971 by Geordie Music Publishing

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 05 - 01:01 PM

Mudcat froze up on me last night, so I had to stop. I'll be posting more later.
Can anybody help with the lyrics of Jean's "country" version of "My Dear Companion"?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: DTStudy: Thousand Mile Blues
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 12:44 AM

THOUSAND MILE BLUES
(Jean Ritchie)

Farewell, farewell, you old true love
I must leave you for a while
The birds do sing on every tree
He's gone for a thousand miles, little love
He's gone for a thousand miles

Oh, a thousand miles, that is very far away
And you will be gone so long
Oh, who will bear me sweet company
Or converse with me and sing me a song, little love
Or converse with me and sing me a song

Yes, a thousand miles, that is very far away
But I won't be gone so long
Your mama can bear you sweet company
And your papa can sing you a song, little love
And your papa can sing you a song

Well, I wisht I was in some dark holler place
Where the turtle doves mourn so low
I would tell them about you a-going away
And I'm sure they would mourn the more, little love
And I'm sure they would mourn the more

Well, the sun has to rise in the East, my dear
And the moon go down in the West
And it's ever' little bird has to try its wings
Before it can build its nest, little love
Before it can build its nest

filename[ THOUMIL3
JN
oct96

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Corrected Version

The DT version is almost correct, except for the first line. Note added tune.

THOUSAND-MILE BLUES
(Jean Ritchie)

Farewell, farewell, my own true love;
I must leave you for a while.
The birds do sing on every tree,
He's gone for a thousand miles, little love,
He's gone for a thousand miles.

O a thousand miles, is very far away,
And you will be gone so long.
Oh, who will keep me sweet company,
Or converse with me and sing me a song, little love,
Or converse with me and sing me a song?

Yes, a thousand miles, is very far away,
But I won't be gone so long.
Your Mama can keep you sweet company,
And your Papa can sing you a song, little love,
Your Papa can sing you a song.

I wish I was in some dark holler place,
Where the turtle doves mourn so low.
I would tell them about you a-goin' away,
And I'm sure they would mourn the more, little love,
And I'm sure they would mourn the more.

Well, the sun has to rise in the east, my dear,
And the moon go down in the west;
And it's every little bird has to try its wings,
Before it can build its nest, little love,
Before it can build its nest.


© 1971, Geordie Music Publishing

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Click to play

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 04:54 PM

Joe- In "Black Waters," the lines in italics were supposed to be just for the two "extra" lines in that verse. They are sung to the same melody as the two lines before them. The two lines following them should not be in italics. Otherwise this version is correct.   Jean

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I got confused on the other thread because the message order was scrambled. I think I have it corrected corrected correctly now, Jean. The only remaining question is minor - on "they threw down my mountain," is "mountain" singular or plural?
-Joe-

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Subject: DTStudy: Aunt Sal's Song (Bashful Courtship)
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 05:21 PM

Correct title to The Bashful Courtship is Aunt Sal's Song. When the Pine Mountain Settlement School was founded, in 1911, 'Uncle'William Creek and Aunt Sal, his wife, furnished the land for the school and invited Katherine Petit (who started the Hindman Settlement School, in Knott County) to begin the Pine Mountain school. The Creeches were beloved there, and treated as the grandparents of the new school.The local traditional songs of the people were collected and honored by the teachers of both schools,and actual songbooks were made for school use as the students brought in their family songs.

Aunt Sal, however, was very religious. After joining the church she sang only hymns and gave up what she called "ditties," (non-religious music). She made one exception; when asked, she would always sing the same song, her funny one about the man who didn't know how to court. Over the years it got its name, Aunt Sal's Song.

Aunt Sal's Song is not copyrighted, at least not by myself nor the Ritchie Family. Whether the Pine Mountain School has done so I do not know, but their website is easy to find- I believe that it can be listed as trad., but write the school if you'd like to be sure.

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Thanks, Jean. Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics and the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index.
-Joe Offer-

Aunt Sal's Song

BASHFUL COURTSHIP
or Not Know How to Court

A gentleman came to our house
He would not give his name
I knew he came a courting
Although he was ashamed
Oh, although he was ashamed

He moved his chair up by me side
His fancy pleased me well
I thought the spirit moved him
Some handsome tale to tell
Oh, some handsome tale to tell

But there he sat the life long night
And never a word did say
With many a sigh and bitter groan
He ofttimes wished for day
Oh, he ofttimes wished for day

The chickens they began to crow
And daylight did appear
"How do you do, good morning, sir
I'm glad to see you here,
Oh, I'm glad to see you here"

He was weary all the lifelong night
He was weary of his life
Said, "If this is what you call courting, boys,
I'll never take a wife,
Oh, I'll never take a wife"

And when he goes in company
The girls all laugh for sport
Saying, "Yonder goes that ding dang fool
That don't know how to court,
Oh, that don't know how to court"

@courting
recorded by Edna Ritchie and Jean Ritchie
filename[ HOWCOURT
SOF

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PLEASE NOTE: Because of the volunteer nature of The Digital Tradition, it is difficult to ensure proper attribution and copyright information for every song included. Please assume that any song which lists a composer is copyrighted ©. You MUST aquire proper license before using these songs for ANY commercial purpose. If you have any additional information or corrections to the credit or copyright information included, please e-mail those additions or corrections to us (along with the song title as indexed) so that we can update the database as soon as possible. Thank You.

---

Aunt Sal's Song (The Man Who Didn't Know How to Court)

DESCRIPTION: "A gentleman came to our house, He would not tell his name." He comes to court, but acts ashamed. He sits silent next to the girl. Finally he gives up, saying courting isn't worth it. The girls laugh at the "ding-dang fool [that] don't know how to court."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1935
KEYWORDS: courting humorous
FOUND IN: US(Ap,SE,So)
REFERENCES (5 citations):
BrownIII 15, "Courting Song" (1 text)
Lomax-FSNA 101, "Aunt Sal's Song" (1 text, 1 tune)
Ritchie-SingFam, pp. 233-234, "[Aunt Sal's Song]" (1 text, 1 tune)
Chase, pp. 140-141, "The Bashful Courtship" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, HOWCOURT
Roud #776
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Johnson Boys" (theme)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Not Know How to Court
Bashful Courtship
File: LoF101

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Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions

The Ballad Index Copyright 2005 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

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Lyrics from Jean Ritchie's Singing Family of the Cumberlands:

Aunt Sal's Song

A gentleman came to our house,
He did not tell his name;
I knew he came a-courting
Although he were ashame,
O, although he were ashame.

He hitched his chair up to my side,
His fancy pleased me well;
I thought the spirit moved him
Some handsome tale to tell,
O, some handsome tale to tell.

But there he sat the livelong night
And never a word did say,
With many a sigh and bitter groan
He ofttimes wished for day,
O, he ofttimes wished for day.

The chickens they began to crow
And daylight did appear,
"How do you do, good morning, sir
I'm glad to see you here,
O, I'm glad to see you here."

He was weary all the livelong night,
He was weary of his life,
"If this is what you call courting, boys,
I'll never take a wife,
No, I'll never take a wife."

Now when he goes in company
The girls all laugh for sport,
Saying, "Yonder goes that ding-dang fool
That don't know how to court,
O, that don't know how to court."

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Click to play

I'm not totally happy with how the MIDI sounds (I've never heard the song sung), but it's an exact transcription from Jean's book. -JRO-

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The version from Alan Lomax, The Folk Songs of North America is from The Settlement School in Pine Mountain, Kentucky. The lyrics are almost the same as the two versions above. Lomas says this version is known as "Aunt Sal's Song" because Aunt Sal often sang it at Pine Mountain. Here are the tunes from Lomax:

Click to play

Click to play (arrangement)

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There are some minor but interesting differences in the version from the Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore, Volume 3, #15:

Courting Song

A gentleman came to see me,
He wouldn't tell his name.
I knew he came a-courting
Although he was ashamed,
Oh, although he was ashamed.

He drew his chair up by my side.
His manner pleased me well.
I hoped the spirit moved him
A loving tale to tell.
Oh, a loving tale to tell.

And there he sat the livelong night
And never a word did say.
With many a sigh and bitter groan
I often wished for day.
Oh, I often wished for day.

The chickens they began to crow,
The daylight did appear.
"Howdy do, good morning, sir,
I'm glad to see you here,
Oh, I'm glad to see you here."

He was weary of the livelong night,
He was weary of his life.
"If this is what you call courting, boys,
I'll never take a wife,
Oh, I'll never take a wife."

Whenever he goes in company
The girls all laugh and sport;
They say, "There goes a blamed old fool
Who don't know how to court.
Oh, who don't know how to court."

Collected by Mrs. Sutton on the Watauga River near the Tennessee line, from the singing of a schoolteacher with whom she spend the night.

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Roud says the song is on the Folk-Legacy recording Edna Ritchie, Viper, Kentucky - that one isn't out on CD yet, so I don't have it [hint to Sandy Paton].

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Chase is a skinny book that seems to keep moving from one shelf to another here - and i can't find it today. Can somebody look up the song in Chase and see if there are significant differences?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 07:21 PM

Hello- I'm interested in the origins of Come Fare Away
Thanks
Julia

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 05:54 PM

Come Fare Away was composed several years ago in support of some of my friends who chose to move to Canada rather than going to fight in Vietnam. I wanted the song to remind folks that my friends' reason for resettling was the same one which brought our ancestors from the old countries- of England, Scotland and Ireland- to find a new life, and freedom.   Jean

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jan 06 - 07:24 PM

This is a practice editing box for Jean. Jean, use your editing button to add something here.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: GUEST,KJP
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 12:51 PM

I would like to use Jean Ritchie's song, "The Cool of the Day" as a theme for my consulting business. It aligns perfectly with our vision/mission of renewal in natural and rural environments. I would be willing to send her our complete vision/mission statement, if that would be helpful.

I am a bluegrass gospel singer, and have opportunities to share messages such as are expressed in this song in various venues, as a part of my consulting business. It is powerful, and would be used to draw attention to our need to get involved in reversing situations where we haven't cared for the Lord's garden as we should have.

Thanks

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 04:09 PM

Hi, KJP. It can be hard to find out how to license songs in the folk genre, because many of them are not listed with the major agencies. This one, however, is listed by the Harry Fox Agency's songfile.com Website. I guess I can't give you a link to the song record itself, but you can go to http://www.harryfox.com/ and follow the Songfile link to search for the song. It's listed as "Now Is the Cool of the Day."

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Archivist-

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 07:22 AM

I came across this message from Jean, and I wanted to make sure it didn't get lost.

The Mudcat Café ^TM
Thread #108112   Message #2249126
Posted By: kytrad
30-Jan-08 - 07:22 PM
Thread Name: What did your Dad used to sing?
Subject: RE: What did your Dad used to sing?

Joe Bowers-

My name is Joseph Bowers; I have a brother Ike
I come from old Missouri- all the way from Pike.....a long 18th Century ballad. He knew and sang many more, too many to name here. The song he used to rock me to sleep with, was, The Uncloudy Day, a fairly modern hymn, but he knew and joined in all the Old Regular Paptist songs that were "lined out" at The Little Zion Church.

He always said he wasn't much of a singer, so he hardly ever sang solo, but would always join in if he knew the going song. He loved to play his dulcimer and would often play every verse of a long ballad (e.g. Barbry Ellen), never singing but thinking the words until the story (inside his head) was finished. Most singing, by one person, or family group in that time and place was unaccompanied. It seemed to take us a long time to put the two together.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 08:01 AM

I see many of the the MIDI links no longer work. I have moved the MIDI files to another location, but I don't have the location information here. I'll change the links when I get home.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: maeve
Date: 01 Oct 14 - 08:18 AM

Thank you, Joe. Such a resource!

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Songs of Jean Ritchie
From: mkebenn
Date: 16 May 16 - 09:50 AM

I sought the lyrics to L&N, having forgotten some of them, and found this Lord. Mike