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14 Jan 07 - 10:12 PM (#1936813) Subject: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Richie I seems like the Rye Whiskey/Jack O' Diamonds are old songs. Yet the Traditional Ballad Index EARLIEST DATE is 1910. Is this short version by Perrow from 1905 the earliest version? 43. HOW ARE YOU OFF FOR GREENBACK? D. From Missouri; cowboys; MS. of Frederick Braun; 1905.) Oh, it's beefsteak when I'm hungry, And it's whiskey when I'm dry; If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die. Are some the the related versions older? Talley's version below seem to pre-date the Civil War: I'll Eat When I'm Hungry I'll eat when I'se hongry, An' I'll drink when I'se dry; An' if de whitefolks don't kill me, I'll live till I die. In my liddle log cabin, Ever since I'se been born; Dere hain't been no nothin' 'Cept dat hard salt parch corn. But I knows whar's a henhouse, An' de tucky he charce; An' if ole Mosser don't kill me, I cain't never starve. |
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14 Jan 07 - 10:14 PM (#1936818) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Richie Traditional Ballad Index: Rye WhiskeyDESCRIPTION: A song of intense alcoholism: "Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry; If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die." "If the ocean was whisky and I was a duck, I'd dive to the bottom...." Many verses about how drink has affected the singer's lifeAUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1910 (Lomax) KEYWORDS: drink rambling floatingverses FOUND IN: US(Ap,SE,So) REFERENCES (20 citations): Belden, pp. 374-377, "The Guerrilla Boy" (4 texts, 1 tune; the first of two texts filed as "C" is this song) BrownIII 50, "Jack of Diamonds" (4 texts, all short; some may be "Jack of Diamonds (II)") Hudson 79, pp. 207-208, "Jack of Diamonds" (1 short text); 117, pp. 258-259, "O Lillie, O Lillie," mostly a "Jack of Diamonds" text but with verses which mix it with "The Rebel Soldier"; also 116, p. 258, "I'll Eat When I'm Hungry" (1 fragment, a single stanza based on this song but probably belonging with "The Rebel Soldier": "I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry, If the Yankees don't kill me, I'll live till I die") Randolph 405, "Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey" (6 texts, 1 tune); also 494, "Tie-Hackin's Too Tiresome" (1 fragment, 1 tune, an extract from a longer version) Randolph/Cohen, pp. 344-345, "Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 405A); pp. 375-376, 'Tie Hackin's Too Tiresome" (1 text, 1 tune -- Randolph's 494) Fuson, p. 157-159, "His Wants," "My Welcome," "I'll Live Till I Die (second, ninth, and tenth of 12 single-stanza "jigs") (3 fragments, all sometimes found with this song though all are floating verses) Sandburg, p. 307, "Way Up On Clinch Mountain" (2 text, 1 tune, but only the "A" text belongs here; "B" is perhaps "Sweet Lulur") Lomax-FSUSA 64, "Rye Whiskey" (1 text, 1 tune) Lomax-ABFS, pp. 170-173, "Rye Whiskey" (1 text+minor fragments, 1 tune) Botkin-AmFolklr, pp. 855-857, "Rye Whisky" (1 text, 1 tune) Chase, pp. 142-143, "Clinch Mountain" (1 text, 1 tune) PSeeger-AFB, p. 69, "Rye Whiskey" (1 text, 1 tune) Rorrer, p. 92, "If the River Was Whiskey" (1 text, built around W. C. Handey's "Hesitating Blues" but with most of the verses from this song) Darling-NAS, pp. 286-287, "Jack o' Diamonds" (1 text, heavily mixed with "Logan County Jail"); pp. 287-288, "Rye Whiskey" (1 text) MWheeler, pp. 112-113, "Beefsteak When I'm Hongry" (1 text, 1 tune, a mixed fragment I file here on the basis of the first verse; the others are from elsewhere) Thomas-Makin', p. 121, (no title) (1 text, all floating verses, some of which are, or can be, part of "Rye Whiskey" and all of which are drink-related) Silber-FSWB, p. 233, "Rye Whiskey" (1 text) Pankake-PHCFSB, p. 5, "Rye Whiskey" (1 text, 1 tune) Saffel-CowboyP, pp. 211-213, "Jack o' Diamonds" (1 text; this particular Lomax offering contains elements of "Jack o Diamonds/Rye Whisky," "The Wagoner's Lad," The Rebel Soldier," and others) DT, RYEWHISK* MOONSHI4* (RYEWHISx) Roud #941 RECORDINGS: Jules Allen, "Jack O' Diamonds" (Victor 21470, 1928; Montgomery Ward M-4464, 1934) Fiddlin' John Carson, "The Drunkard's Hiccups" (OKeh 45032, 1926; rec. 1925) Wilf Carter, "Rye Whiskey" (Bluebird [Canada] 58-0058, 1948) Yodeling Slim Clark, "Rye Whiskey" (Continental 8012, n.d.) Homer & Jethro, "Rye Whiskey" (King 571, 1947) Harry Jackson, "Jack o' Diamonds" (on HJackson1) J. E. Mainer's Mountaineers "Drunkard's Hiccoughs" (Bluebird B-8400, 1940) New Lost City Ramblers, "Drunkard's Hiccups" (on NLCR08) Elmo Newcomer, "Rye Whiskey" (Cromart 100, n.d. but prob. mid-1930s) Bill Nicholson w. Zane Shrader, "Jack of Diamonds" (AFS; on LC14) Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, "If the River Was Whiskey" (with verses from this song though also related to "Hesitation Blues" or Handy's "Hesitating Blues"; Columbia 15545-D, 1930; on CPoole02) Tex Ritter, "Rye Whiskey, Rye Whiskey" (Vocalion 5493, c. 1931; Vocalion 04911, 1939) (Edison Bell Winner [U.K.] W-21, 1933); "Rye Whiskey" (Capitol 40084, 1948) Reaves White County Ramblers, "Drunkard's Hiccups" (Vocalion 5247, 1928) Hobart Smith, "Drunken Hiccups" (on LomaxCD1706) Pete Seeger, "Whiskey, Rye Whiskey" (on PeteSeeger07, PeteSeeger07b) Jilson Setters [pseud. for James W. "Blind Bill" Day], "Way Up On Clinch Mountain" (Victor 21635, 1928; on RoughWays1) Woltz's Southern Broadcasters, "Jack O' Diamonds" (Herwin 75561, c. 1927) CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "The Wagoner's Lad" (floating lyrics) cf. "Greenback Dollar" cf. "Sailing Out on the Ocean" (floating lyrics) cf. "Jack of Diamonds (I)" (lyrics) ALTERNATE TITLES: Jack O'Diamonds Drunken Hiccups Notes: This song merges almost continuously with "The Wagoner's Lad" (which itself has offshoots such as "I'm a Rambler, I'm a Gambler"); see that song also for the full list of variants. The "Jack of Diamonds" subfamily of this song is well known, and perhaps would be considered by some a separate song, but contains so much mixture with this song that I don't see any way to separate them. - RBW File: R405 Go to the Ballad Search form The Ballad Index Copyright $TrueYear by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. |
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15 Jan 07 - 09:19 AM (#1937187) Subject: Lyr Add: RYE WHISKEY (from Tex Ritter) From: Richie I think Tex Ritter, whose son John Ritter carried on the family name as a popular actor in TV sitcoms like Three's Company and Hooperman, was the first to record the song under the title Rye Whiskey in 1932. Perrow also has a better version under the title "The Drunkard's Song" which was also collected in 1905. Here are Tex Ritter's lyrics from and on-line site: RYE WHISKEY- Tex Ritter Recorded in 1932- NYC Jack o' Diamonds, Jack o' Diamonds and I know you of old You've robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold. It's a whiskey, you villain, you've been my downfall You've kicked me, you've cuffed me, but I love you for all CHORUS: It's a whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If I don't get rye whiskey, well, I think I will die I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry If the hard times don't kill me, I'll lay down and die I'll tune up my fiddle and I 'll rosin my bow I'll make myself welcome, wherever I go Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die Beefsteak when I'm hungry red liquor when I'm dry Greenbacks when I'm hard up and religion when I die They say I drink whiskey, my money's my own All them that don't like me, can leave me alone Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die Sometimes I drink whiskey, sometimes I drink rum Sometimes I drink brandy, at other times none But if I get boozey, my whiskey's my own And them that don't like me, can leave me alone Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck I'd dive to the bottom to get one sweet suck But the ocean ain't whiskey and I ain't a duck So we'll round up the cattle and then we'll get drunk Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If the whiskey don't kill me, I'll live till I die My foot's in my stirrup, my bridle's in my hand I'm leaving sweet Lillie, the fairest in the land Her parents don't like me, they say I'm too poor They say I'm unworthy to enter her door It's a whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If I don't get rye whiskey, well, I think I will die Sweet milk when I'm hungry, rye whiskey when I'm dry If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die I'll buy my own whiskey, I'll make my own stew If I get drunk, madam, it's nothing to you Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die I'll drink my own whiskey, I'll drink my own wine Some ten thousand bottles I've killed in my time I've no wife to quarrel, no babies to bawl The best way of living is no wife at all Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live till I die Way up on Clinch Mountain I wander alone I'm as drunk as the devil, oh, let me alone You may boast of your knowledge an' brag of your sense 'Twill all be forgotten a hundred years hence Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, you're no friend to me You killed my poor daddy, God damn you, try me |
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15 Jan 07 - 09:28 AM (#1937192) Subject: Lyr Add: RYE WHISKEY (from Ramblin' Jack Elliott) From: JeremyC It seems like a few verses I've heard in the song are floating verses--the "beefsteak when I'm hungry" line, for instance. Ramblin' Jack's version, as best as I can remember: Jack o' diamonds, jack o' diamonds, I know you of old You've robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold And whiskey, rye whiskey, you've been my downfall You've kicked me and you've cussed me but I love you for all It's beefsteak when I'm hungry, rye whiskey when I'm dry A greenback when I'm hard up, go to hell when I die I'll go to yonder holler and build me a still I'll give you a gallon for a five dollar bill 'cause it's Whiskey, rye whiskey, whiskey I cry If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die (I think there's some yodeling/screeching here, plus some hiccups) If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck I'd dive to the bottom and never come up. (sing this sadly:) But the ocean ain't whiskey, and I ain't a duck I'll just play jack o' diamonds and trust in my luck 'cause it's Whiskey, rye whiskey, whiskey I cry If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die Her parents don't like me, they say I'm too poor 'Twere them who said not to knock at her door If her parents don't like me, my money's my own Them that don't like me can leave me alone 'cause it's Whiskey, rye whiskey, whiskey I cry If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die (and he closes it with more yodeling and this weird reverse-forced-air shriek that's amazingly hard to do) |
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15 Jan 07 - 09:29 AM (#1937196) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: John on the Sunset Coast Hell, I'd rather drink it than sing it any day! Akchewally, with a voice like mine, it's better to do anything with it but sing. |
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15 Jan 07 - 09:44 AM (#1937212) Subject: Lyr Add: THE DRUNKARD'S SONG (from E C Perrow) From: Richie Here's Perrow's other 1905 version. I think he got a bit carried away with the dialect (uv=of). THE DRUNKARD'S SONG SONGS AND RHYMES FROM THE SOUTH BY E. C. PERROW. VI. SONGS CONNECTED WITH DRINKING AND GAMBLING.* I. THE DRUNKARD'S SONG. A. (From East Tennessee; mountain whites; from memory; 1905.) Way up on Clinch Mountain, I wander alone; I'm es drunk es the devil; Oh, let me alone! Tink-a-link-tink, tink-a-link-tink, Tink-a-link-tink-a-link! Tink-a-link-tink, tink-a-link-tink, Tink-a-link-tink-a-link! I'll play cards and drink whiskey Wherever I'm gone; En if people don' like me, They ken let me alone. I'll eat when I'm hungry En drink when I'm dry; En ef whiskey don't kill me, I'll live till I die.** O Lulu, O Lulu, O Lulu, my dear! O Lulu, my dear! I'd give this whole world Ef my Lulu wuz hyeur. Way up on Clinch Mountain Where the wild geese fly high, I'll think uv little Allie En lay down en die. Jack u' diamonds, Jack u' diamonds, I know you uv ole; You rob my pore pockets Uv silver en gol'. You may boast uv yore knowledge En brag uv yore sense; But 'twill all be furgotten One hundred years hence. B. (From Mississippi; country whites; MS. of Dr. Herrington; 1909.) Oh brandy and whiskey I wish you no harm, But I wish I had a jug full as long as my arm. *Continued from vol. xxvi of this Journal (1913), p. 173. **Compare Berea Quarterly, October, 1910, p. 26. |
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15 Jan 07 - 11:24 AM (#1937315) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Charley Noble This song has got to be older than 1905. The earlier person I heard sing it was Tony Kraeber in the 1940's on his OLD CHISHOLM TRAIL recording. He did it complete with concluding hic-ups. There used to be a family website for Kraeber but it seems to have disappeared. He also recorded with Jean Ritchie, and was black-listed in the 1950's red-scare. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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15 Jan 07 - 02:20 PM (#1937464) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Q (Frank Staplin) Some lines similar to "The CUCKOO" (The cuckoo is a fine bird, she sings as she flies,...). A verse- Meeting is a pleasure, parting is a grief, And inconstant lover is worse than a thief, A thief can but rob you and take all you have An inconstant lover will bring you to the grave. And there is "THE WHISKEY" Whiskey, you are my own darling, I love you both early and late And indeed above all other objects For you I'd pledge my estate And indeed above all other objects of Champaign, wine or grog When I'd have you in my belly I thaink I'd jump right out of a bog Whiskey you are my own darling I love you both night and day. Etc. Bodleian Collection, 2806 c.8(226), nd, no printer noted. May not be pertinent, but the scan in in the first and the old, old thought in the second... The later Victorian period mentality may be the reason for the hard-to-fill gap to the 20th c. |
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15 Jan 07 - 09:13 PM (#1937822) Subject: Lyr Add: RYE WHISKEY (from Tony Kraber) From: Richie Charlie, I happen to have Kraber's lyrics: RYE WHISKEY Tony Kraber Hootenanny at Carnegie Hall Recorded at three "hoots" in 1958 and 1959 Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, I've known you of old, You've robbed my poor pockets Of silver and gold. Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, You're no friend to me; You've killed my poor pappy, Goddamn you, try me. It's whiskey, rye whiskey, Whiskey, I cry. If you don't give me rye whiskey, I surely will die. It's beefsteak when I'm hungry, Rye whiskey when I'm dry. Greenbacks when I'm hard up, Oh heaven when I die. I got to go yonder, And build me a still. And I'll give you a gallon, For a five dollar bill. It's whiskey, rye whiskey, Whiskey, I cry. If a tree don't fall on me, I'll live 'til I die. If the ocean was whiskey, And I was a duck, I'd dive to the bottom And never come up. But the ocean ain't whisky And I ain't a duck, So I'll play the Jack of Diamonds And trust to my luck. It's whiskey, rye whiskey, Whiskey, I cry. If you don't give me rye whiskey, I surely will die. Her parents don't like me, They say I'm too poor; They say I'm unworthy To darken her door. Her parents don't like me, My money's my own. And them that don't like me, Can leave me alone. O Mollie, O Mollie I told you before. Don't make me no pallet, I'll lay on the floor. It's whiskey, rye whiskey, Whiskey, I cry. If you don't give me rye whiskey, I surely will die. |
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15 Jan 07 - 10:11 PM (#1937853) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Richie I thought the melody of "Rye Whiskey" was of Scottish origin. Anyone have any thing on this? Apparently the song can be traced back to the Civil War through versions entitled, "The Rebel Soldier." Sharp collected one version which I have somewhere. An Arkansas version mention the Confederate officer Price: I'll go the Price's army, At home I can't stay. For the home quarrels and Federals, Have driven me away. From Texas: Go build me a cottage, On yonder mountain high. Where old General Price, Will help me to cry. From Missouri "A Roving Soldier" I eat when I get hungry, I drink when I get dry, If the rebels don't kill me, I'll live 'till I die. |
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15 Jan 07 - 10:55 PM (#1937875) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Goose Gander Samuel Bayard discussed this tune . . . . "Either as a dance or a song, this tune has had many titles . . . the air has had the names of Johnny Armstrong, Todlen Hame, Bacach, Robi Donadh Gorrach, Wagoner's Lad, Clinch Mountain, The Cuckoo, Rye Whiskey, Jack of Diamonds and a number of others." Samuel Bayard, Dance to the Fiddle, March to the Fife (University Park & London: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1982), p.567 If I had to guess, I'd say the melody is probably lowland Scots or Northumbrian in origin. |
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15 Jan 07 - 11:01 PM (#1937876) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Richie The Rebel Soldier is discussed in some detail in this thread. Q as usual made some nice posts. The lyrics are very similar to Rye Whiskey/Jack O' Diamonds lyrics. Obviously the Rye Whiskey/Jack O' Diamonds originated with the Rebel Soldier. thread.cfm?threadid=50984 |
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15 Jan 07 - 11:18 PM (#1937885) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Q (Frank Staplin) "The Rebel Prisoner," the earliest form of "The Rebel Soldier" dated in print (1874, "Allan's Lone Star Ballads"), was posted in thread 50984: Rebel Prisoner It follows the typical form of "One morning, one morning in May," and besides the common stanza "O Mollie! O Mollie!," contains the verse: "With a bottle of good Brandy and a glass of wine, You can drink with your own true love, while I weep for mine, You can drink with your own true love , while I weep and moan; I am a rebel prisoner and Dixie is my home." There are a steam-dozen of the 'May' verses in the UK, and the lament seems to be based on these. Randolph speculated a resemblance in form to "The Forsaken Damosel." (17th c. or so). |
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15 Jan 07 - 11:31 PM (#1937895) Subject: Lyr Add: REBEL SOLDIER / POOR STRANGER (from Sharp From: Richie I'm including this here also. I sight-sang the melody. The melody is not the same as Rye Whiskey. It's in 2/2 time. It is a different song with similar lyrics. It does introduce whiskey in the lyrics, which is the element (liquid) we are looking for! THE REBEL SOLDIER or THE POOR STRANGER Collected by Cecil Sharp EFSSA Version A. Sung by Mrs. Eloza Pace Kentucky 1917 One morning, one morning, one morning in May, I heard a fair damsel lamenting and say, I heard a fair damsel lamenting, and mourn, "I am a poor strange girl, and far from my home." "O William! O William! It's for your sake alone That I left my old father, my mother and my home, I left my poor mother, to weep and to mourn, For I am a poor strange girl, and far from my home. Adieu to old Kentucky, no longer can I stay, Since hard times and misfortunes have forced me away. Hard times and misfortunes they occasion me to mourn, Saying, "I am a poor strange girl, and far from my home." Oh don't you remember on last Saturday night, The promise you made me whilst by my side you sat? You told me you loved me, your heart lay on my breast, And if we never married, you could never rest. Go build me a cottage on yon mountain high, Where the wild geese can see me as they do pass me by, Where the turtle dove and hear me, and help me to mourn, Saying, "I am a poor strange girl, and far from my home." There's a bottle of good old whiskey and a glass of good wine, You can drink with your own true love, while I mourn for mine, You can drink with your own true love, while I mourn for mine, Saying, "I am a poor strange girl, and far from my home." Notes: Almost identical to Francis D. Allan, 1874- The Rebel Prisoner posted by Q in the other thread. |
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15 Jan 07 - 11:41 PM (#1937899) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Richie The melody goes back a ways. From Kuntz: ROBIE DONUA GORACH {or "Robi Donadh Gorrach," "Robaidh dona gorach"} (Daft Robin). AKA and see "Daft Robin," "Johnnie Armstrong," "Tod(d)lin' Hame," "The Wagoner's Lad," "Bacach," "The Drunken Hiccups [1]," "Rye Whiskey [1]," "Jack of Diamonds [3]," "Clinch Mountain," "The Cuckoo [5]." Scottish, Slow Air (4/4 time). A Major. Standard. AABBCCDDEEFF. "An Old Highland Song" (as noted in Gow's collection) set by Nathaniel Gow (1763‑1831), though published under his father Niel's name. Johnson (1984) says the title translates literaly as "Silly Naughty Robbie." Source for notated version: Niel Gow's Strathspey Reels, vol. i, pg. 36 [Johnson]. Johnson (Scottish Fiddle Music in the 18th Century), 1984; No. 24, pgs. 61‑62. DAFT ROBIN (Robie Donua Gorach). Scottish, Air. A Major. Standard. AABB (O'Farrell): AABBCCDDEEFF (Gow). Gow notes it is an "old Highland song." Carlin (The Gow Collection), 1986; No. 538. O'Farrell (Pocket Companion, vol. III), c. 1808; pg. 14. |
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16 Jan 07 - 09:06 AM (#1938165) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Charley Noble Richie- Thanks for correcting my mispelling of Tony Krager's name above and for posting his version of "Rye Whiskey." Here's a short obit of Kraber from 1986: "Tony Kraber Dead at Age 81; An Actor, Singer and Director Published: September 12, 1986 Tony Kraber, a retired actor, director and singer, died of emphysema Tuesday at his home in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. He was 81 years old. Mr. Kraber had been seen on and Off Broadway since 1927. He was a founding member of the Group Theater, producing such triumphs of the 1930's as the Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Men in White,' Saroyan's 'My Heart's in the Highlands' and Odets's 'Waiting for Lefty.' In 1952, Elia Kazan, the Broadway and Hollywood director, accused Mr. Kraber of being a Communist at a hearing before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Mr. Kazan said they had been in the same Communist unit. Mr. Kraber refused to respond to the charge. Earlier Mr. Kraber had held executive positions in radio and television and was well known as a folk singer, having recorded several albums of American ballads and folk songs. Mr. Kraber went on to make films, including the prize-winning documentary ''Boundary Lines.' In 1977, he appeared as the old man in the New York production 'Nobody Heard the Lions Roar.' He is survived by his wife, the former Wilhelmina Barton; a son, Karl, of Austin, Tex., and two granddaughters." I sure hope wherever Tony is now that that they appreciate his singing and fine sense of humor. Charley Noble |
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16 Jan 07 - 11:28 AM (#1938333) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Goose Gander From Voices From the Dust Bowl Rye Whiskey performed by Bill Robinson, Jesse Robinson, and Sherman Loop. From the Max Hunter Collection Rye Whiskey as sung by Donnie Koonce, Springfield, Missouri on March 13, 1975 Jack O'Diamonds as sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on March 12, 1970 From the Wolf Folklore Collection Rye Whiskey sung by: Lowell Harness / Recorded in Pangburn, AR 7/29/63 Rye Whiskey sung by: Lowell Harness / Recorded in Mountain Home, AR 6/15/63 |
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16 Jan 07 - 01:20 PM (#1938450) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Q (Frank Staplin) Thanks for the links. Olie Gilbert's words depart from the usual. |
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16 Jan 07 - 01:51 PM (#1938480) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Goose Gander Yeah, it would be interesting to know where Ollie Gilbert's verses come from, but in the meantime here's something from Canada . . . "I'll eat when I'm hungry and drink when I'm dry If the river don't drown me, I'll live till I die If the river don't drown me while over it I roam For I am a river driver and far away from home." Source: Edith Fowke, "American Cowboy and Western Pioneer Songs in Canada," Western Folklore, Vol. 21, No. 4 (October 1962), p. 251 |
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16 Jan 07 - 04:25 PM (#1938671) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Goose Gander From Lomax Southern States Recording Trip . . . Drunkard's Lament by Lake N. Porter 4/29/1939 Rye Whiskey by Frank Goodwyn 4/30/1939 I'll Eat When I'm Hungry by Ray Wood 4/13/1939 Rye Whiskey by Elmo Newcomer 5/3/1939 |
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17 Jan 07 - 10:27 AM (#1939446) Subject: RE: origin: Rye Whiskey From: Goose Gander ALL FOR YOU, MY DARLING There's silver in the mountain, Gold in the mine! All for you, my darling, The day that you'll be mine! Bread when you're hungry Whiskey when you're dry, Money in your pocket, And heaven when you die! Source: Casey Jones and other Ballads of the Mining West, collected by Duncan Emrich, illustrated by Bob Cormack (1942). |
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31 May 08 - 12:54 AM (#2353516) Subject: RE: Origin: Rye Whiskey From: open mike Don Edwards, Cowboy singer has a song reminiscent of this with a chorus: Hard Times in the Country, Hard Times I cry, If these times don't kill me, I'll live 'til I die |
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31 May 08 - 01:52 PM (#2353781) Subject: RE: Origin: Rye Whiskey From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Michael Morris: The quatrain you asked about is one version of the refrain of an otherwise unrelated song, "The River Driver's Lament," with a very different tune and story. Just goes to show how popular that "eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm dry" couplet became. Bob |
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31 May 08 - 03:31 PM (#2353838) Subject: RE: Origin: Rye Whiskey From: Art Thieme I often did it with a Jew's Harp. I don't know where I got the version I sang, but usually sang it with these words: I'm an old rebel soldier, That's just what I am, For your great land of freedom I don't give a damn. I fought in the army With Robert E. Lee, Ain't no goddamn Yankee Can reconstruct me. Art Thieme |
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31 May 08 - 07:47 PM (#2354012) Subject: RE: Origin: Rye Whiskey From: Joe_F It follows that, if I do not live till I die, a tree will not have fallen on me. |
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17 Dec 21 - 10:29 AM (#4129206) Subject: Rye Whiskey in Yissiah From: Felipa There is a Yiddish version of Rye Whiskey, but it appears to be a translation from English by Teddi Schwartz BRONFN 1. Bronfn, oy, bronfn, oy, her vi ikh shray. Ven me hot in zikh bronfn iz ales keday. 2.Ven der yam iz fun bronfn, oy, vi er iz groys. Ot shpring ikh arayn, un kum keyn mol aroys. 3. Bronfn, oy, bronfn, bay nakht un bay tog. Tomer krigt ir keyn bronfn, vet bald zayn a klog. 4. Bronfn in droysn, un bronfn in zal. Tomer krigt ir keyn bronfn, makh ikh a skandal. 5. Far mir git mir bronfn, un far aykh ken zayn kvas. Az me git nit keyn bronfn, oy, ver ikh in kas. 6. Bronfn, oy, bronfn, oy, git es mir bald. Tomer krig ikh keyn bronfn, shray ikh-gevald 7.Bronfn, oy, bronfn, ikh shver bay mayn bord: oyb ir zhalevet mir bronfn, gey ikh oys oyfn ort. 8. Ikh gefel nit ir tatn, un ikh makh nit keyn sod. Az dem, vos ikh gefel nit, dem hob ikh in bod. 9. Ikh gey mir keyn dorem, vu me darf nit keyn rekl. Abi nor ikh hob mir mayn bronfn in pekl. 10. Bronfn, du treyst mikh, du goldene zaft. Nor bronfn, du tayvl, du host mikh farshklaft. 11. Bronfn, oy, bronfn, ikh ken dikh shoyn lang. Fun dir iz mayn tate gegangen a gang. translation: 1. Whiskey, whiskey, listen to me scream. If you drank a little whiskey, everything is fine. 2. If the sea is full of whiskey it's very big. I jump into the sea and I don't want to go back. 3. I'm ready to drink whiskey night and day. If you don't bring me whiskey I will complain. 4.Whiskey in the street, whiskey in the hall. If you don't bring whiskey, I'll make a scandal. 5.Give me whiskey ,and you can drink kvass. If you don't give me whiskey, I get angry. 6..Give me whiskey immediately. If there's no whiskey in the house, I raise a cry. 7. Whiskey, whiskey, I swear by my beard: If you don't give me whiskey, I will die on the spot . 8. My girlfriend's father doesn't like me. If someone doesn't like me, I don't care. 9.I'm heading south Where it's warm and no need to wear a jacket. All I need is a bottle of whiskey. 10.Whiskey is my consolation, You are golden juice. Whiskey you are the devil , And I am your slave. 11.Whiskey, I've known you for a long time. Whiskey, because of you my father passed away. The last two verses immediately put me in mind of songa the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem recorded, Whiskey You're the Devil - Whiskey you're the devil, You're leading me astray Over the hills and mountains and to Amerikay The Moonshiner Moonshine, Dear Moonshine, O how I love thee, You killed me old father, but dare you try me. O bless all moonshiners and bless all moonshine, Its breath smells as sweet as the dew on the vine. |
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17 Dec 21 - 12:16 PM (#4129217) Subject: RE: Origin: Rye Whiskey From: Lighter A first-person article in the Washington, D.C., "National Tribune" (May 16, 1901), p. 2, that reminsisces about Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1858-1859, quotes the following "chorus": I'll eat when I'm hungry And drink when I'm dry; If the Indians don't kill me, I'll live till I die. |