Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)

26 Sep 04 - 01:00 PM (#1281506)
Subject: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Jim Dixon

Someone has asked for the lyrics to Jimmy Driftwood's TUCUMCARI (not to be confused with Jimmie F. Rodgers' TUCUMCARI—a different song) in several other threads:
Jimmie Driftwood Story
Lyr Req: Jimmie Driftwood song / The Baby O
Lyr Req: Razorback Steak (Jimmy Driftwood)

Requests tend to be overlooked when they are buried in threads about other songs or other topics. When you request something, it's best to start a new thread UNLESS there is already a thread about that particular song.

Anyway, I was able to assemble some fragments from various sound samples. Perhaps someone else can do better:

...skin of an otter.
The big chief said, "You braves may fight for the hand of my daughter Cari
And the one who lives to tell the tale is the one that she will marry."

Cari hid on the top of the hill where the braves would fight their duel.
The love she had for Tucum burned in her heart like a fuel.
When Tucum....

While he was searchin' for her lips, she pulled her silver dagger
She stabbed it deep into his heart, which made him scream and stagger
She knelt right down by Tucum's side. She could not keep from cryin'.
She plunged her dagger in her own heart, ... her love a-dyin'.

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26 Sep 04 - 06:13 PM (#1281726)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Peace

Tucumcari was mentioned in the great ol' movie, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" I think.

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26 Sep 04 - 07:54 PM (#1281816)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Tucumcari, a sleepy little town since Route 66 is no more, once had 2000 motel rooms. Now there's a subject for a bawdy song or three!

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26 Sep 04 - 07:56 PM (#1281821)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Peace

The name has lotsa possibilities for puns.

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26 Sep 04 - 09:09 PM (#1281860)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Cruiser

Possible origins of the name Tucumcari from:

Tucumcari

Tucumcari Mountain follows Bulldog Mesa. The origin of the word "Tucumcari" is difficult to trace. At one time, the area was in Comanche territory and these Indians were reported to have used the peak for smoke signals across the valley to the plains. Since the Comanche word for a lookout spot is "tukamukari," and since the mountain was an excellent vantage point for raiding Comanche war parties, this meaning of the word makes sense. More romantic, however, is the legend that surrounds this name. The folktale revolves around two lovers -- Tocom and his Apache girlfriend, Kari. According to the story, Tocom was murdered by his rival, Tonapon. In her grief, Kari killed Tonapon and then committed suicide. When Kari's father, Wautonomah heard the news, he stabbed himself, crying out "Tocom! Kari!" as he drew his last breath

The Driftwood song uses the Apache names mentioned above. As a kid, I also heard another meaning of Tucumcari, but it was a bit lewd.

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26 Sep 04 - 10:03 PM (#1281891)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: GUEST

a wagon train headed for the oregon territory in the early 1800s
was being led by a tough, burly wagon master named 'AL'.

the settlers were set upon by hostile indians and fought a
fierce battle. The battle was finally won by the settlers
with more fire power but several were wounded and a few died.

The wagon master's last request before he died was that they
named the next place they camped after him.

He bade the chief scout and remaining settlers to honor his last wish.

The scout whispered in the wagon master's ear just before
he died, "I promise we will, Mr. Buqueque!"

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28 Sep 04 - 03:51 PM (#1283431)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: GUEST,Arkie

I am planning to look for this when I can get some help at the library at the Ozark Folk Center. Several of Jimmy's song books are located there. I tried today on my own and could not locate the songbooks. I will have to wait until tomorrow when one of the staff is present.

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29 Sep 04 - 01:29 PM (#1284172)
Subject: Lyr Add: TUCUMCARI (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: GUEST,Arkie

Here are the words curtesy of the Ozark Folk Center's Resource Center.

TUCUMCARI
By: Jimmy Driftwood

Tucum was an Indian brave out in New Mexico
Cari was a beautiful maid and she loved old Tucum so.
They promised they would both be true
And someday they would marry.
But they both died on the top of a mountain
And they call it Tucumcari.

Tonopon also fell in love with the big chief's only daughter
He had ten thousand nuggets of gold tied up in the skin of an otter.
The big chief said, "you braves may fight
For the hand of my daughter Cari
And the one who lives to tell the tale
Is the one that she shall marry."

Cari hid on the top of the hill where the braves would fight their duel
The love she had for Tucum burned in heart like a fuel.
When Tucum fell by Tonopon's knife
Up rushed the maiden Cari.
Tonopon caught her in his arms
Said, "Right here we will marry."

While he was searching for her lips, she pulled her silver dagger
She stabbed it deep into his heart
Which made him scream and stagger.
She knelt right down by Tucum's side
She could not keep from crying.
She plunged her dagger in her own heart
When she saw her love was dying.

When Big Chief saw the tragedy, he burst the skin of the otter
The nuggets rolled all over the hill
And around his dying daughter.
He took the dagger from her hand
His voice rang o'er the prairie.
The last words that they heard him say
Was "Goodbye Tucumcari".

The Indian maidens and the braves out in New Mexico
Still fall in love just like they did
A long, long time ago.
They sing and dance and make romance
And when they want to marry
The song they sing in the native tongue
Is "Goodbye Tucumcari".

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29 Sep 04 - 01:38 PM (#1284184)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Muchos gracias, Arkie.

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29 Sep 04 - 05:21 PM (#1284329)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: greg stephens

Funny, this thread appeared and the same night Tucumcari was the answer to a quiz question on Mastermind ("Where was the train going in The Good the Bad and the Ugly?").

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29 Sep 04 - 09:17 PM (#1284533)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: John in Brisbane

Arkie, did the book also contain the music? If you were able to copy it I'm sure that one of us could provide the notation for Mudcat posterity.

Regards, John

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29 Sep 04 - 09:19 PM (#1284535)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Peace

J i B:

Chugga, chugga, chugga, chug, whoooooo;
Chugga, chugga, chugga, chug, whoooooo.

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29 Sep 04 - 11:51 PM (#1284610)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Arkie

Unfortunately the books only have the words. I do not know what lead sheets might be in existence. Most of Jimmy's collection of music was donated to the University of Central Arkansas but the last I heard the Center to focus on Driftwood's collection has been abandoned.

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30 Sep 04 - 05:04 AM (#1284737)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: VIN

Yes it was mentioned in 'Good, Bad & Ugly' (or was it for a few dollars more?)..............Lee Van Cleef (one of the best baddie faces on screen) was buying a ticket to Tucumcari and someone said somethin like, 'Say mister, this train don't stop at Tucumcari' and old slanty eyes lowered the book he was reading, took the pipe out of his mouth and said with a seering smile 'This train'll stop at Tucumcari'....never realised the place actually exists.....so there you go......tis a sad day when you learn nowt!

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30 Sep 04 - 09:42 AM (#1284886)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: GUEST,Arkie

My wife and I were camping our way accross the country some years back and arrived in Tucumcari about dusk. We stopped at a gas station to fill the tank and as we sat there we could hear thunder off in the distance. Having camped through one downpour, we were not anxious to do it again right away and we asked the attendant about the prospect for rain. His reply was he would not be too concerned, it had not rained there for three years.

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30 Sep 04 - 09:50 AM (#1284892)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Peace

From something said above, it did exist but doesn't exist. However, after this thread it will exist again if only in our collective memory.

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30 Sep 04 - 02:09 PM (#1285083)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

According to the Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce website, the town's first name was "Six-shooter Siding," from its beginning in 1901 as a tent city for the railroad builders.

The poster for the 2001 Diamond Jubilee of Route 66 is still available for $10.00 plus S/H of $3.95 (MO, check or Paypal) from
Tucumcari Chamber of Commerce
Drawer E,
Tucumcari, NM 88401

A good one showing the Bill Curry painting of a cowboy giving directions to a girl. The car is a Corvette, and the cowboy's transportation is- of course! (18" x 24")
www.tucumcarinm.com/html/shopping.html
Tucumcari poster

For visitors, the Blue Swallow Inn, on the National Historic Register, is recommended (1939, typical Route 66 motel) although they also have Best Western, etc.
I believe the population is about 7000.

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01 Oct 04 - 10:59 PM (#1286620)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Cruiser

Yes Tucumcari exists, however my favorite bad-guy-with-an-honor-code Lee Van Cleef pronounced it "Two cum car ee" in one of those "Man with No Name" trilogies.

The common pronunciation is "Two cum kerry"

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02 Oct 04 - 12:16 AM (#1286644)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Cruiser

Tucumcari Sound Sample by Driftwood


Scroll down to Disc 2 track 21

The song's melody is similar to Barbara Allan.

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02 Oct 04 - 10:31 AM (#1286842)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: GUEST,Arkie

Cruiser, thanks for posting the sound sample.

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04 Oct 04 - 10:23 PM (#1288755)
Subject: Lyr Add: TWO-GUN HARRY FROM TUCUMCARI
From: Jim Dixon

Not the kind of thing anybody here probably wants to sing, but what the heck! Who knew there was yet another song about Tucumcari? I ran across this while looking for something else.

To play a complete mp3 file of this song, click the link near the bottom of this page.

TWO-GUN HARRY FROM TUCUMCARI
As sung by Dorothy Shay

If you're ever travelin' west,
I wish you would give my best
To a guy whose name is Two-Gun Harry.
When your train gets into town,
You'll see him hangin' round
In a station that they call Tucumcari.

CHORUS: Two-gun Harry
From Tucumcari,
Oh, I always loved him from the start;
So I'm goin' back to marry
Two-Gun Harry from Tucumcari,
For he threw his lassoo round my heart.

When you hit the station yard,
Just give him my regards.
Won't you tell him please that he must wait thar,
'Cause I'm hittin' that ol' track
And surely comin' back
Even if I have to hop on a freight car. CHORUS

When he's standin' up, of course,
You can tell he rides a horse
Cause his legs is kind o' bent from the saddle;
And you'd know him anywhere,
'Cause he has a certain air
That he gets from bein' close to the cattle. CHORUS

In Tucumcari,
Tucum-carry me back to Harry.

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04 Oct 04 - 10:49 PM (#1288770)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Cruiser

Jim, an interesting 1940's Big Band sound.

Surely there are no more songs about Tucumcari out there.

To be complete, here is my favorite version of the song, circa 1959.

Scroll down and listen to sound sample track 13.

Tucumcari by Jimmy Rodgers

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04 Oct 04 - 11:48 PM (#1288810)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tucumcari (Jimmy Driftwood)
From: Stewie

'Tucumcari' is on the second disc in the Bear Family Jimmie Driftwood 3-CD box set 'America' BCD15465. Jimmie's note to the song is similar to what was posted above by Cruiser:

I stopped in Tucumcari, New Mexico, at a gift shop and an Indian told me this story. I could not wait to write the song, as I heard it in my mind immediately. According to the legend, there was a great Indian chiefin what is now New Mexico. He had a daughter named Cari who loved the brave, Tucum. But another brave, the powerful, Tonopon, wanted her. The chief decreed that the suitors would fight and the survivor would marry his daughter. Tucum was fatally wounded. Thereupon Cari stabbed Tonopon, then herself. Overcome by grief, the Big Chief killed himself, and with his last breath cried, 'Tucum-Cari, Tucum-Cari'. So the Indians called the mountain Tucumcari. JD

--Stewie.

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05 Oct 04 - 06:43 AM (#1289015)
Subject: Lyr Add: WILLIN' (Lowell George)
From: Brian Hoskin

Tucumcari also features in the Lowell George song Willin':


WILLIN'
Words and Music by Lowell George
As recorded by Little Feat on "Sailin' Shoes" (1972)

1. I've been warped by the rain, driven by the snow.
I'm drunk and dirty, don't you know,
And I'm still willin'.
And I was out on the road late at night,
I seen my pretty Alice in every headlight.
Alice, Dallas Alice.

CHORUS: And I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari,
Tahachapi to Tournapaw.
Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made,
Driven the back roads so I woudn't get weighed.
And if you give me weed, whites and wine
And you show me a sign,
I'll be willin' to be movin'.

2. Well, I've been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet,
had my head stoved in but I'm still on my feet,
And I'm still willin'.
Smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico,
Baked by the sun every time I go to Mexico,
And I'm still--CHORUS


copyright 1970 Abraham Music

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