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17 Nov 14 - 11:23 AM (#3677814) Subject: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: GUEST,Hootenanny Listening to my copy of the Emmett Lundy Vinyl recording of the L of C tracks. There is a copy on the sleeve of a letter written to Kelly Lundy by Elizabeth Lomax in which she says "meanwhile don't forget the words to 'Johny Love Her' which you promised to send". This obviously refers to the tune variously known as 'John Lover', 'John Lover is Gone' and 'Johnny Lover'. Does anybody know the lyrics to which she is referring. The only time I have heard words to this melody are those which John Whelan contributed for Kate Lissauer's version in comparitively recent times. I like playing the tune and would be interested in the words sung in Virgina at tat time (1941). Hoot |
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17 Nov 14 - 11:56 AM (#3677818) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: Stewart John Lover's Gone - Words, Johnny Whelan (1998); tune, trad. "Johnny's Gone to War" Formerly a fiddle tune called 'John Lover's Gone' from the playing of old-time banjo player, Wade Ward. Johnny Whelan, from Somerset, added wonderful words in a American Civil War setting. Sung by Kieron Means. Recorded by Kate Lissauer on "Ain't No Grave." John Lover's dead, That's what his mother said John Lover's dead, That's what his mother said Chorus: John Lover went to the war, John Lover's gone Yes John Lover went to the war, Johnny Lover's gone He died on another man's ground, Killed by a stranger's round As he walked on another man's land, He was killed by a stranger's hand He died on another man's ground, And that's where his body was found He died on another man's ground, Killed by a stranger's round Chorus She walked away so slow, She's nothing left to show She's got no boy to grow The crops in the ground with the rain and sun Cried John Lover's gone The crops in the ground with the rain and sun Cried John Lover's gone (these last four lines to the tune of the chorus) Now John Lover's dead, And she never held his head John Lover's dead, And she never held his head As he bled on the ground with the rain and sun Cried John Lover's gone As he bled on the ground with the rain and sun Cried John Lover's gone (these last four lines to the tune of the chorus) John Lover's dead, That's what his mother said John Lover's dead, That's what his mother said Chorus Oh John, oh, Oh John oh. "Johnny Whelan's been a banjo player for thirty years, initially influenced and inspired by Derroll Adams and Tom Paley. He plays both clawhammer and traditional finger picking styles. He lives in Somerset, England, and currently performs with Buffalo Gals old-time string band. He wrote the words to accompany my recording of the traditional tune John Lover's Gone on my first album, Ain't No Grave . I learned the tune from Dwight Diller, and Wade Ward is commonly cited as an older source for the tune. Johnny thought that the tune sounded like it would have had a song to it, and that the song would be a lament." (Kate Lissauer) Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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17 Nov 14 - 12:11 PM (#3677823) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: Stewart And sung by Kieron Means Sheet music Cheers, S. in Seattle |
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17 Nov 14 - 02:52 PM (#3677865) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: Sean Belt So, these are probably not the words that would have been documented prior to 1941. "John Lover's Gone" is a great tune that I've heard for many years, but never heard anyone sing with it. |
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18 Nov 14 - 04:51 AM (#3677998) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: GUEST,Mike Yates I was once listening to Walt Davis, from North Carolina, and some of his friends at a back-yard session. They played "John Lover" and somebody sang "Old John Lover's gone away/Old John Lover's gone/He's gone away to the western country/Old John Lover's gone." I have, though, no idea as to how old the verse was. |
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18 Nov 14 - 04:52 AM (#3677999) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: GUEST,Hootenanny Thanks, but as I made clear in my posting I am asking about words that Kelly Lundy apparently knew in 1941. I have been aware of Kate and John's version since they first performed it and thought John did a good job. I find the Mearns treatment above far too "syrupy". I first heard the tune played by The Pine River Boys in 1974 at an election meeting down at Dugspur in Virginia. That band featured two fine banjo players Howard Hall and Abe Horton and their playing got all the attendees up on the floor flatfooting. I've always liked the tune but became more interested in it when I took up the banjo myself and always felt that there should be words somewhere referring to John Love. Is there someone down in Southern Virginia that can help here? |
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18 Nov 14 - 04:57 AM (#3678002) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: GUEST,Hootenanny Morning Mike, Your beat me by one minute. Yes I can remember you singing those few words. I didn't realize that you picked them up from one of those sessions with Walt Davis. I thought they were yours. I wonder if Kate (Lundy) Golding knows them. |
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15 Jun 18 - 05:39 PM (#3931088) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: GUEST John Lover’s Gone – trad from John Hollandsworth D Now listen while I sing to you about a boy who roamed D One who left a happy life to fight a distant foe A D He’s gone to the western country, Johnnie Lover’s gone A D A D He’s gone away to the western country, yes, John Lover’s gone He thought he’d have a better life, a better one than here He thought he’d be a general away from family dear Now I don’t want a feather bed to keep me good and warm All I want’s John Lover back, back here in my arms Well sugar’s good for catching flies and salt will draw the cows But how to catch a rambling man ain’t no girl here knows how 1st verse cho |
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15 Jun 18 - 06:10 PM (#3931092) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Appalachian Fiddle Tune - Words ? From: GUEST,Hootenanny Thanks guest. Is this from a recording by John or did you get it from him personally? I met and played alongside him a few years ago in London. If only I had known. |