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01 Nov 02 - 11:27 AM (#816097) Subject: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST,Richie Lyr. ADD: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL- NO. 4 ^^ Of all the banjo songs that have been sung of late, There is none that is now so often called on, As the one I sing myself, and apply it to the times, It's called "On the Other Side of Jordan." CHORUS: So I pulled off my coat, and rolled up my sleeve, Jordan's a hard road to trabble, So I pulled off my coat and rolled up my sleeve, Jordan's a hard road to trabble I believe. Around the Crystal Palace there are a great many shows, Where all the country green horns are drawn in-- There're snakes and alligators, mammouth mules and big 'taters, That were raised upon the other side of Jordan. The sovereign of the seas, she went to Liverpool, In less than fourteen days, too, according, Johnny Bull he wiped his eyes, and looked with surprise, At this clipper from the Yankee side of Jordan. The ladies of England have sent a big address About slavery, and all its horrors, according, They had better look at home, to their own white slaves, That are starving on the English side of Jordan. They have got o bearded lady down at Barnum's show, And lots of pictures outside, according, She's going to take her eye-lashes for a pair of mustaches, For to trabble on the other side of Jordan. The Duchess of Southerland, she keeps the Stafford House, The place where the "Black Swan" is boarding; At a musical party, they asked for a song, And she gave them--On the other side of Jordan. Our great father, Washington, he was a mighty man, And all the Yankees do their fighting according, They will raise the flag of freedom whereever they can, Till they plant it on the other side of Jordan. CHORUS: So I pulled off my coat, and rolled up my sleeve, Jordan's a hard road to trabble, So I pulled off my coat and rolled up my sleeve, Jordan's a hard road to trabble I believe. Notes: From American Memory Collection 1880's no date given probably 1860's. There was a debate over Uncle Dave Macon's Version where he says "Alligator Mountain." Note in the 2nd verse, "alligators, mammouth" perhaps derived by Macon from this. Also interesting to note "Other Side of Jordan" title is introduced here. -Richie |
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01 Nov 02 - 11:57 AM (#816121) Subject: RE: Lyr. ADD: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVE From: Jerry Rasmussen I do the Uncle Dave Macon version of this, which is probably already in the DT. Some of the verses seem timeless. "The public schools and the highways Are causing quite an alarm You get a country boy educated just a litlle And you can't keep 'em down on the farm" "You can talk about your evangelists, You can talk about Henry Ford, too But Henry's shaking more Hell out a people Them all them evangelist's do." A wonderful song, and fun to do... Haven't heard your version, Richie... my ears hear Allegheny Mountains... makes a whole lot more sense than Alligator mountains. "It rained forty days and it rained forty night And it rained on the Allegheny Mountains It rained forty horses and a dominicker mule (whatever that is) And they fell on the other side of Jordan" Jerry |
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01 Nov 02 - 07:20 PM (#816423) Subject: RE: Lyr. ADD: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVE From: Bev and Jerry According to The Levy Sheet Music Collection Jordan was composed by "Old Dan Emmet" and published in 1853. Completely different words but the chorus is virtually the same. Other sets of lyrics include Richmond is a Hard Road to Travel (Double Decker String Band), Salmon is a Hard Road to Travel (Debby McClatchy) and El Camino is a Hard Road to Travel (us). Bev and Jerry |
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01 Nov 02 - 07:47 PM (#816453) Subject: RE: Lyr. ADD: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVE From: masato sakurai JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL (Daniel Decatur Emmett) is in the DT. Uncle Dave Macon's version is posted in these threads: Lyr Req: Jordan Am A Hard Road To Travel and ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics. Song sheets at American Memory; No. 2 is not in the collection. Jordan is a hard road to travel. As written and sung by Phil Rice, the celebrated banjoist. J. Andrews, No. 38 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.] ["I am guine to sing a song and I'l make it as I go"] Jordan is a hard road to travel. No. 3. Andrews', Printer, No. 38 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.] ["Abraham and Isaac sat down to play the cards"] Jordan is a hard road to travel. No. 4. Andrews', Printer, No. 38 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.] ["Of all the banjo songs that have been sung of late"; Richie's edition above] Jordan is a hard road to travel. No. 5. Andrews', Printer, No. 38 Chatham Street, N. Y. [n. d.] ["Oh, I lookee to de East, an' I loookee to de West"] Jordan is a hard road to travel. No. 6. Andrews , Printer, 38 Chatham St, N. Y. [n. d.] ["I am going to sing a song, and funny it will be"] ~Masato |
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01 Nov 02 - 08:59 PM (#816512) Subject: RE: Lyr. ADD: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVE From: GUEST,Richie Thanks Masato for your brilliant grasp of the web and providing the necessary links. There are other listings on American Memory as well under different names. From an earlier Post: Dominicker comes from Dominique, now called Dominica, one of the Windward Islands. The word is old, known in print since 1809 so perhaps a lot older. Island planters came to the southern states as the island soil quickly wore out and Dominica is mountainous. A "dominicker" fowl is barred, usually with a rose comb and yellow legs. I have 24 different versions of "Jordan is a Hard Road" in my database and have not used the versions in my library. I'm not sure how many we need here, -Richie |
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01 Nov 02 - 11:23 PM (#816597) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST,Richie I'm posting Riley Puckett's version, "The Other Side of Jordan." I have edited out the offensive racial slurs to make this version practical to be sung. I was wondering if this was wrong, or what people thought about editing for racial content. "The Other Side of Jordan/Jordan is a Hard Road To Travel" from Riley Puckett (Transcription Stewie- edited): If I was the president of the United States Well I'd make my laws recorded The *sinners I'd sell, let the British all go I'd put 'em on the other side of Jordan Chorus: Haul off your overcoat, roll up your sleeve Jordan am a hard road to travel I believe Haul off your overcoat, roll up your sleeve Jordan am a hard road to travel [Whistles melody above guitar] If you want to do well go down to the hotel Get your washing and your board on the credit If they ask you when you'll pay just tell 'em right away They may get (it) on the other side of Jordan Chorus and whistling Two little *boys went out to play All the people thought they's a-fightin' When they hollered to the big *one get out of the way 'Cos little Boys going to **the other side of Jordan. Chorus and whistling Daddy caught a turkey in the woods the other day Well he put him in the oven for to cook him He jerked back his head and he knocked off the lid Well he gobbled on the other side of Jordan Chorus and whistling David and Goliath had a fight the other day Found one thing certain He hit Goliath on the head with a bar of soft soap And it sounded on the other side of Jordan Chorus and whistling *offensive racial lyrics **lyrics unclear -Richie |
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02 Nov 02 - 08:27 AM (#816736) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST definitely wrong. post it as written or heard or leave it alone. we are grownups and able to decide for ourselves what is offensive. |
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02 Nov 02 - 08:31 AM (#816739) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: Jerry Rasmussen We'll decide what offends others? Jerry |
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02 Nov 02 - 08:54 AM (#816755) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: masato sakurai The original "The Other Side of Jordan" lyrics are HERE. |
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02 Nov 02 - 07:44 PM (#817144) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST,Richie Thanks for the feedback- I'm not worried about posting the lyrics on Mudcat but I am concerned about the promotion/distribution of offensive lyrics. Would they be OK in a songbook? Or on a family oriented web-site? Or should the version song not be sung? When is it OK to change lyrics? -Richie |
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02 Nov 02 - 08:49 PM (#817175) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST,Richie Here's an unusual title for the "Jordan" song. Normally, I just edit mistakes out but this time I didn't- see footnote. We don't think anything about editing obvious mistakes, do we. I'm going to start a different thread about editing lyrics. Sorry I included it here- probably not the place for it- Richie Lyr. Add: Dead Rabbits Fight With the Bowery Boys Melody : Jordan is a Hard Road To Travel They had a dreadful fight, upon last Saturday night, The papers gave the news accordin; Guns, pistols, clubs and sticks, hot water and old bricks, Which drove them on the other side of Jordan. CHORUS: Then pull off the coat and roll up the sleeve, For Bayard is a hard street to travel; So pull off the coat and roll up the sleeve, The Bloody Sixth is a hard ward to travel I believe. Like wild dogs they did fight, this Fourth of July night, Of course they laid their plans accordin; Some were wounded and some killed, and lots of blood spill'd, In the fight on the other side of Jordan Then pull off the coat, &c. The new Police did join the Bowery boys in line, With orders strict and right accordin; Bullets, clubs and bricks did fly, and many groan and die, Hard road to travel over Jordan. Then pull off the coat, &c. When the new police did interfere, this made the Rabbits sneer, And very much enraged them accordin; With bricks they did go in, determined for to win, And drive them on the other side of Jordan. Then take off the coat, &c. At last the battle closed, yet few that night reposed, For frightful were their dreams accordin; For the devil on two sticks was a marching on the bricks, All night on the other side of Jordan. Then pull off the coat, &c. Upon the following day they had another fray, The Black Birds and Dead Rabbits accordin; The soldiers were call'd out, to quell the mighty *rios And drove them on the other side of Jordan. Then pull off the coat, &c. If you want all the good songs, 38 Chatham street, There a printer lives, you may rely on; Lay in a large stock and supply all your friends, And they'll sing them on the other side of Jordan. Then pull off the coat, &c. Note: American Memory Pub. July 4, 1857. *riots |
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02 Nov 02 - 09:01 PM (#817179) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST,Al The preacher was a fine old man The church was always full People 'd come from miles around Just to hear him sling the bull Al |
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05 Nov 02 - 10:58 PM (#819583) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: JORDAN IS A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL From: GUEST,Q Thomas W. Talley, Negro Folk Rhymes, taken from his 1921 Ms. Reprinted in 1990 new edition, p.219. THE OTHER SIDE OF JORDAN Oh, de Devil an' Black Jack, dey wuz a playin' seben-up, Dat 'ar game up dat call fer a half a dollar, Chile, de Devil kick'd de Jack from de bottom of de pack, An' de Imps 'cross Jurdon heard 'im holler! Refrain: Pull off you' coat boys, roll up yo' sleeves, Jurdon's a hard road to travel! Pull off yo' coat boys, roll up yo' sleeves, Jurdon's a hard road to travel! Oh, I wish I wuz de devil, wid his hawns an' hoofs an' shovel, Den I'd han' down to de Imps a liddle burden, Put de Niggers in a hiddle, lak de ducks all in a puddle; An' den lan' 'em on de tother side of Jurdon. Oh, de Missus an' ole Mosser wus got heaps of kinds of meat, It wuz sheep an' ham an' lam' an' hog an' mutton. Black Jack step'd up to de house, stuffed a ham down in his mouf, Den he brung awau de balunce jes'a struttin'. Charles A. Wolfe, the editor of the new edition, says "Talley preserved both words and music to this in his 'Negro Traditions' manuscript, where it appears in the story, 'The Devil's Daughter'." He goes on to say that the song "possibly has roots in the minstrel tradition and is related to "Jordon Am A Hard Road To Travel," published as early as 1853...." {refers to Dan Emmett and words by T. F. Briggs). The music Talley preserved is not copied in his book. The following is a white version collected from B. B. McKellops, MO, 1933. She said "this piece was known to her family as long ago as 1840." From Vance Randolph, Ozark Folksongs, vol. 2, p. 390, new edition, 1980. THE OTHER SIDE OF JORDAN Oh, I look to the East an' I look to the West An' I seen old Nick a-comin', With four bay horses all in a-breast Acrost on the other side of Jordan. Refrain: Off with your coats, boys, an' roll up your sleeves, Jordan is a hard road to travel, I believe, Off with your coats boys, an' roll up your sleeves, Jordan is a hard road to travel, I believe. Jonah in the whale, forty days and forty nights, No way to get out for certain, Jonah took a straw, tickled the whale under the jaw, An' it throwed him on the other side of Jordan. |
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15 Apr 08 - 09:13 PM (#2316854) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel From: GUEST,Ken Brown - Anchorage I think this is in a Jimmy Driftwood version, but can't find the complete lyrics: ...If ever I should marry in this here world, I'd marry sweet Sally Gordon She owns half the land in the United States, And a place on the other side of Jordon So, roll up your sleeves... |
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16 Apr 08 - 02:48 AM (#2316993) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel From: The Borchester Echo Most people will be aware of the Bellowhead version (from Burlesque, 2006) which they got from Roy Palmer's Room For Company collection. This was culled from a number of broadside ballads which circulated in England following Daniel Decatur Emmet's (also responsible for Dixie, Old Joe Clark & The Blue-Tailed Fly) version published in the US in the 1850s. I looked to the East, I looked to the West I saw John Ball a-coming and a-calling With the four blind horses riding in the clouds To look on the other side of Jordan. Chorus Pull off your old coat and roll up your sleeves Jordan is a hard road to travel I believe. Thunder in the couds, lightning in the trees What do you think that I told him? It's goodbye son till the next kingdom come And I'll meet you on the other side of Jordan. The ladies of England have made a big address About slavery and hrdships according They better look at home to their own white slaves They're starving on the other side of Jorda There were snakes in Ireland not many years ago St Patrick saw the vermin all a-crawling But with his shillelagh he hit them on the head And he drove them 'cross the other side of Jordan. Jonah he spent three days in ther belly of a whale Three days and two nights then according He tickled him with a straw which caused him to laugh And he chucked him on the other side of Jordan. |
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16 Apr 08 - 03:14 AM (#2317004) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel From: open mike I have heard it sung as "Jordan am a hard road to travel, I believe" |
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16 Apr 08 - 03:28 AM (#2317009) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel From: GUEST,PMB Jordan is a hard road to travel? When thou from here away shouldst pass, Any neight and all, To Demi Moore thou comest at last, And Christ tak up thy saul! |
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07 Jul 09 - 04:27 AM (#2673628) Subject: Lyr Add: JORDAN (from Roy Palmer) From: Valmai Goodyear There is another version in Roy Palmer's 'Ballad History of England'. Substituting John Ball for John Bull changes the flavour somewhat. The verse about bank failures strikes a chord. JORDAN dated 1857 in Roy Palmer's Ballad History of England (Words from memory as the book went back to the library a year ago) I looked to the East and I looked to the West I saw John Bull a-coming according With four blind horses driving through the clouds To look upon the other side of Jordan Pull off my old coat, roll up my sleeve Jordan is a hard road to travel, I believe The Spirit of the Seas she came to Liverpool In less than fourteen days all according John Bull he rubbed his eyes and he gazed with surprise At a Yankee ship the other side of Jordan There were snakes in Ireland not very long ago St Patrick saw that vermin all a-crawling He upped with his shillelagh and hit them on the head And sent them to the other side of Jordan There was a dreadful shindig and mutiny in India Sir Colin Campbell went there, according And with our British boys he tamed those *black Sepoys And sent them to the other side of Jordan There is great stagnation all in the British nation The banks they are all failing too, according I'm very much afraid if we don't get better trade We'll be going to the other side of Jordan Jonah spent three days in the belly of the whale Three days and two nights too, according He tickled him with a chaff which made him for to laugh And he chucked him on the other side of Jordan The ladies of England have made a big address 'Bout slavery and horrors too, according But they'd better look at home unto their own white slaves Who are starving on the English side of Jordan Adam and Eve in Eden's garden dwelt Eating all the best fruit, according Adam laid Eve all under a gooseberry bush While looking on the other side of Jordan Adam and Eve they wore out their old clothes They had nothing to put on according So they took fig leaves **and made themselves a coat To cover up the other side of Jordan *I sing 'fierce' ** Not sure about the second half of this line Valmai (Lewes) |
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16 Nov 09 - 12:47 AM (#2766774) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel From: GUEST,leeneia 'When is it okay to change lyrics?' I suppose that in the rare event that one is giving a talk on music from a certain period in time, then it is important to leave the lyrics as they were. However, if I'm singing them for entertainment, I change whatever I want. It's my voice, my instrument and my energy. I don't have to expend them on things I don't enjoy. |
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14 Feb 23 - 01:00 AM (#4165155) Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Jordan Is a Hard Road to Travel From: Joe Offer It's OK to change lyrics when you are performing them. When you are posting them, please post them as you found them in your source - and give attribution to your source. If you want to make changes, post the changes AFTER the lyrics you've posted from your source, and clearly identify them as your own. |
