Lyr Req: Better Times a-Coming

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Lyr Req: Better Times a-Coming

28 May 01 - 09:53 AM (#471704)
Subject: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: GUEST,Olle Strandberg

I'm looking for the lyrics to the old-timey-song (or perhaps bluegrass)BETTER TIMES A COMIN', that old man Charlie Acuff sings on his CD from 1999 with the same name. The chorus goes: "Take away on the old banjo, Keep the guitar strumming, Pour a little water in the soup, and better times acoming". Please, anybody!?

28 May 01 - 10:09 AM (#471712)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: Sorcha

Serendipity strikes again! This happend to be at a site I just found something else on. Better Times A'Coming

28 May 01 - 07:08 PM (#471950)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: Jeep man

I got the words,now if someone can help me with the tune. Does anyone know of a Midi or download? Thanks, Jeep man

29 May 01 - 11:34 AM (#472300)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: Jeep man

refresh

29 May 01 - 09:22 PM (#472733)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: Jeep man

Still lookin. refresh J

21 Apr 02 - 05:28 PM (#695058)
Subject: Lyr Add: BETTER TIMES A-COMING
From: Jim Dixon

Copied from http://www.nsknet.or.jp/~motoya/B/Better_times_a-coming.html

BETTER TIMES A-COMING

Well, the cows went dry. The hens don't lay. There's no place I can borrow.
Give the landlord all the news and the rent comes due tomorrow.
Lots of money in the bank. They say that's where they keep it.
Not only wouldn't they loan me some, they wouldn't let me see it.

CHO: So pick away on the old banjo. Keep that guitar strumming.
Put more water in the soup. There's better times a-coming

Well, Mary Lou could pull a plow if only I would let her.
Twice as strong as any ox and she don't smell much better.
I didn't kiss that Mary Lou but once, and then I had to leave her.
Make's my collar get so tight, I start to burn with fever. CHO.

Well, a man came by the other day a-huntin' manual labor.
I told him I hadn't seen the guy. Why don't he ask the neighbor?
So come on, boys, get your gals and kick your heels up higher.
Don't let no one steal your gal. Just hold her a little tighter. CHO.

My rooster used to chase a hen. He just kept getting thinner.
He nearly ran himself to death, so I brought him in for dinner.
Cotton crops are mighty poor. The weeds are really a-growin'.
I need a woman pretty bad to help me with the hoein'. CHO.

21 Apr 02 - 08:28 PM (#695170)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: masato sakurai

Jim & Jesse sang it. Sound clip is HERE (Disc: 4).

~Masato

21 Apr 02 - 10:36 PM (#695281)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: masato sakurai

Jim & Jesse sang it at Newport Folk Festival (Click here for sound clp).

21 Apr 02 - 11:00 PM (#695297)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyr.Rec: Better Times A Comin'.
From: Art Thieme

I sang this song for over 25 years.

My first verse was :

May the Lord above send down a dove,
With wings as sharp as razors,
To cut the throats of the lousy bloats,
That cuts the poor man's wages.

So pick away on the old banjo...

Art Thieme

31 Mar 12 - 12:38 PM (#3331626)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Better Times a-Coming
From: GUEST,Dave Cannon

I played banjo on that CD. My wife played tenor guitar. It is Pick away on that old banjo. You can do what most folks do and just listen to the CD over and over.

18 Sep 20 - 02:12 PM (#4072395)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Better Times a-Coming
From: GUEST,Benjie

Anyone know who wrote this song, or how old it is?

19 Sep 20 - 06:31 PM (#4072507)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Better Times a-Coming
From: cnd

Looks like the words were by Cal Veale and the first released recording was by Ray Godfrey and not Jim and Jesse -- though I admit theirs was the only version I'd heard before today.

Rose Maddox also credits a Chester Smith, but he must have arranged the music, because all the early versions I've found credited Cal Veale.

Veale himself had a very short recording career himself (link) mostly as a rockabilly-esque artist