When I had but Fifty Cents From Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers. On Marimac cassete. Key on Cassette is C
I took my girl to a fancy ball, it was a social hop
We stayed all night until the break of daylight
Just waiting for the music to stop.
We went in- to a rest- a- raunt, the finest on the street
She said she wasn’t hung-ery but this is what she eat
A dozen rolls, a plate of slaw, a chicken and a roast
A pair of doves with apple sauce, a soft shell crab on toast
A big barbecue with crackers too, her appetite was immense
When she called for pie,I thought I’d die, for I had just fifty cents
You ‘bet I wasn’t hung-ery, I didn’t care to eat
I’ve got money in my clothes to bet she cant be beat
I thought if she ate that way all the time
She’d surely break a bank
She said she wasn’t thirsty, but this is what she drank
A glass of ale, a gin cocktail, it made me shake with fear
A ginger pop with rum on top, and then a schooner of beer
A whisky skin, a glass of gin, she should have had more sense
When she called for more, I fell on the floor, for I had but fifty cents
You ‘bet I wasn’t hung-ery, I didn’t care to eat
Expecting every moment, to be kicked out in the street
She said she’d bring her friends around
Someday, and we’d have fun
I showed the man my fifty cents, and this is what he done
He mashed my nose, he tore my clothes, he hit me on my jaw
He grabbed me by my collar and slammed me out the door
He caught me where my clothes were lose, he kicked me through the fence
Take my advice, don’t try it twice when you’ve got but fifty cents
Wagoner's Lad The
From Buell Kazee Anthology of American Folk Music
The heart is the fortune of all womankind
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Controlled by their parents until there are wives
Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives
I’ve been a poor girl, my fortune is sad
I’ve always been courted by the wagoner's lad
He courted me daily by night and by day
And now he is loaded and going away
Your parents don't like me because I am poor
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door
I work for my living, my money's my own
And if they don't like me they can leave me alone
The Wagoner's Lad continued
Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
Come sit down beside me as long as you stay
My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
So fare you well, darling, I'll be on my way
Your wagon needs greasing, your whip is to mend
Come sit down here by me as long as you can
My wagon is greasy, my whip's in my hand
So fare you well, darling, no longer to stand
Walking in my Sleep From Brad Leftwich. Round Peak Style Clawhammer Banjo. Words from Tommy Jarrell. Key G
When you see that gal of mine, just tell her if you can
When she goes to make up bread, to wash them dirty hands
Chorus:
Walking in my sleep, babe, I’m walking in my sleep
Up and down that Dixie line, just walking in my sleep
When you see that gal of mine, tell her if you please
When she goes to make up dough, roll up those dirty sleeves
Pain in my finger, there’s a pain in my toe
Pain in my anklebone, I ain’t gonna work no more
Watermelon on the Vine From Gid Tanner and Skillet Lickers. On Hear those Southern Fiddle and Guitar Records. Rounder LP
1. See that watermelon, smiling through the fence
I really wish that watermelon was mine
But the white folks are foolish and the niggers have a lot of sense
Or they wouldn’t leave it hanging on the vine
Chorus:
Hambone is sweet, chicken am good
Rabbit is so very, very fine
But give me, oh give me, oh how I wish you would
That watermelon hanging on that vine
2. You can talk about your apples, your peaches and your peas
‘Simmons a-growing on the tree
But bless your heart my honey for you’re the gal for me
Or they wouldn’t leave it hanging on the vine
3. I went to get that melon, it was on one Sunday night
Stars they had just begun to shine
But when I left that old man’s field I left there on a run
But I never left it hanging on that vine
When Sorrows Encompass Me Round
When sorrows encompass me 'round
And many distresses I see
Astonished I cry can a mortal be found
Surrounded with troubles like me
Few seasons of peace I enjoy
And they are succeeded by pain
If e'er a few moments of praise I employ
I have hours and days to complain
Oh when will my sorrows subside
Oh when will my sufferings cease
Oh when to the bosom of Christ be conveyed
To the mansions of glory and bliss
May I be prepared for that day
When Jesus shall bid me remove
That I may in rapture go shouting away
To the arms of my heavenly love
My spirit to glory convey
My body laid low in the ground
I wish not a tear at my grave to be shed
But all join in praising around
No sorrow be vented that day
When Jesus hath called me home
With singing and shouting let each brother say
He's gone from the evil to come
Immersed in the ocean of love
My soul like an angel shall sing
Till Christ shall descend with a shout from above
And make all creation to ring
Our bodies in dust shall obey
And swifter than thought shall arise
Then change in a moment go shouting away
To mansions of love in the skies
Wagon Yard From Lowe Stokes and his North Georgians. Vocal by Arthur Tanner. On County LP 504 Mountain Songs. Key on LP is A Capo on 2 nd fret to get into A
I am a jolly farmer, last night I came to town
To bring a bale of cotton, I’d worked the whole year round
I put my team in the wagon yard, and bought me a bottle of gin
I went out to see the electric lights, and watch the cars come in
I met a dude out on the street, the clock was striking nine
He says, come on old hayseed, take a drink its mine
I must have bought a dozen drinks, cos it hit my pocket book hard
I wish I’d bought me a half a pint and stayed in the wagon yard
(Instrumental)
Listen to me farmers, I’m here to talk with sense
If you want to see them electric lights, just look right over the fence
Don’t monkey with them city doves, you’ll find they’re slick as lard
Just go and get you a half a pint, and stay in the wagon yard.
(Instrumental)
I’m a deacon in a horse shed church, down near Possum Trot
If the sisters find about my spree, they’re bound to make things hot
I went out on a party, I led the pace that kills
When I woke up that gang had gone and left me all the bills
I found them over on the corner, near Soul Salvation Hall
That drunken bunch were out there singing, Jesus paid it all
They put me up in a driver’s box, Lord my pillow was hard
I wish I’d had me a half a pint, and stayed in the wagon yard
We’ll Die In The Pig Pen Fighting
Barrow says to the old sow
I tell you what I know
I see old farmer coming
And I don’t want to go
I don’t want to go,
I don’t want to go
Old sow says to the barrow
I tell you what lets do
Let’s get old farmer’s broad-axe
He’ll die in the pig pen too
Die in the pig pen too,
Die in the pig pen too
We’ll die in the pig pen fighting
Die, die in the war
We’ll die in the pig pen fighting
Die with a biting jaw.
Die with a biting jaw.
Die with a biting jaw.
White House Blues From Charlie Poole.
1. McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doc said to "McKinley, I can't find that ball"
From Buffalo to Washington
2. Roosevelt in the White House, he's doin' his best
McKinley in the graveyard, he's takin' his rest
He's gone a long old time
3. Hush up little children, now don't you fret
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
4. Roosevelt in the White House, drinkin' out of a silver cup
McKinley in the graveyard, he never wakes up
He's gone a long, long time
5. Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone a long old time
6. Look here little children, now don't you fret
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
7. Standing at the station, just lookin' at the time
See if I could run it by half-past nine
From Buffalo to Washington
8. Hey the train, she's just on time
She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock till nine
From Buffalo to Washington
9. Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line
Blowing at every station, Mr McKinley's a-dyin'
It's hard times, hard times
10. Look a-here, you rascal, you see what you've done
You’ve shot my husband with that Iver Johnson gun
Carry me back to Washington
11. Doc on the horse, he tore down through main
Said to that horse, "You've got to outrun this train
From Buffalo to Washington"
12. Doctor came a-running, taked off his specs
Said "Mr. McKinley, better cash in your checks
You're bound to die, bound to die"
Whoa Mule
Saddled up my old grey mule, took her down town
Before I had time to strike up a trade, a buzzard tied her down.
Chorus
Whoa mule, whoa; whoa mule I say
I aint got time to kiss you now. My mule just ran away
Jaybird died of whooping cough, Bluebird died of colic
Along came a toad with a fiddle on his back, and all went to the frolic
Chorus
Peter was a little boy, Peter was not stout
Peter got the whooping cough and Peter petered out
Instrumental
Chorus
End
Why Should I Be Lonely (Jimmie Rodgers-Estell Lovell/Peer International, BMI)
From: Tom, Brad and Alice
The moonlight tonight is shining so bright
Everything seems to make me feel lonely
Brings to my mind that sweet happy time
And the days when your love was my own
Chorus:
Why should I feel lonely why should I feel blue
When another has taken away from me the best friend that I ever knew
She's taken the sunshine with her leaving the clouds for me
Why should I feel lonely when there's nobody lonely for me
Violets so blue are calling for you
And the roses' sweet scent is unfolding
I feel your soft kiss and the love that I miss
Every night when your picture I hold
repeat chorus
Why should I feel lonely when there's nobody lonely for me
Wildwood Flower
I will twine and will mingle my waving black hair
With the roses so red and the lilies so fair
The myrtle so green of an emerald hue
The pale emanita and violets of blue
Oh he promised to love me, he promised to love
To cherish me always all others above
I woke from my dream and my idol was clay
My passion for loving had vanished away
Oh he taught me to love him, he called me his flower
A blossom to cheer him through life's weary hour
But now he has gone and left him alone
The wild flowers to weep and the wild birds to moan
I'll dance and I'll sing and my life shall be gay
Wildwood Flower continued
I'll charm every heart in the crowd I survey
Though my heart now is breaking, he shall never know
How his name makes me tremble, my pale cheeks to glow
I'll dance and I'll sing and my life shall be gay
I'll banish this weeping, drive troubles away
I'll live yet to see him, regret this dark hour
When he won and neglected his frail wildwood flower
Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
cho: Will the circle be unbroken,
By and by, Lord, bye and bye?
There's a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky.
I was standing by the window
On one cold and cloudy day;
And I saw the hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away.
Lord, I told the undertaker,
"Undertaker, please drive slow;
For this body you are hauling,
Lord, I hate to see her go"
I followed close behind her,
tried to hold up and be brave
But I could not hide my sorrow
When they laid her in the grave.
Went back home, Lord, my home was lonesome
Since my mother, she was gone;
All my brothers, sisters crying
What a home so sad and lone.
Now my mother, she's crossed over
Where so many have gone before.
And I know, Lord, I will meet her
Just waiting at glory's door.
Alternative version:
I was standing by my window on a cold and cloudy day,
when I saw the hearse come rollin' for to carry my mother away.
Refrain:
Will the circle be unbroken
by and by Lord, by and by?
There's a better home a-waitin'
in the sky Lord, in the sky.
I told the undertaker, "Undertaker, please drive slow,
for this body you are haulin', Lord, I hate to see her go." (refrain)
Well I followed close behind her, tried to hold up and be brave.
But I could not hide my sorrow when they laid her in the grave. (refrain)
I went back home an found it lonely, 'cause my mother now was gone.
All my brothers and sisters crying in our home so sad and alone. (refrain)
Oh, we sang the songs of childhood, hymns of faith that made us strong;
all the ones that mother taught us, hear the angels sing along. (refrain)
I was singing with my family. I was singing with my friends.
We all can sing together, 'cause the circle never ends. (refrain)
One by one their seats were emptied. One by one they went away.
Now my family, they are parted. We will meet again someday? (refrain)
I was born down in the valley, where the sun refused to shine.
But I'm climbin' to the highland, gonna make that mountain mine! (refrain)
Wolves a Howlin’
Yellow Rose of Texas From Brad Leftwich, Round Peak Clawhammer Banjo, key D?
The yellow rose of Texas, I’m going back to see
There ain’t no other cowboy, knows her but me
She’s the sweetest rose of color this cowboy ever knew
Her eyes are bright like diamonds and sparkle like the dew
I’m going back to Texas, I’m now on my way
When I get back to Texas, In Texas I’ll stay
When I get back to Austin, how happy I will be
With the yellow rose of Texas a-sitting on my knee
YOU'VE GOT TO STOP DRINKING SHINE Gid Tanner, vocal w/ banjo, 12/6/1930
(Spoken): "All right boys, the state says cut out that shine. That's
what you oughta do."
1. The state has cut this whiskey out,
But they let you have a little wine;
Most everybody's gettin' on a drunk
And they must be drinkin' that shine.
CHORUS:
God don't like it, I know (3)
Scandal and a shame.
God don't like it, I know (3)
Scandal and a shame.
2. Some men won't pay their honest debts,
Let their bills get far behind;
Draw their money every week
And drink it all up in shine.
CHO.
3. This old world's gwine-a be lost,
Keep on like it's goin';
God's folk cannot have a church
When the people are drinkin' that shine.
CHO. (with "It's scandal and a shame" 1st time through)
4. (They) say the yellow corn
Makes the very best kind;
Better go to makin' it up in bread
And stop that makin' that shine.
CHO. (with "It's a scandal and a shame" both times)
4. If you are a soldier of the cross,
Make it up in your mind;
Serve the Lord with all-a your might
And stop that drinkin' that shine.
CHO. (with "It's scandal and a shame" both times)
You Aint Talkin to Me Highwoods String Band. No 3 Special. Rounder LP 0074
I went up to a ladies house, to beg a bite to eat
She fed me on some pork and beans, and pie and coffee sweet
She said now Bill, I sure did feed you good
Will you step out in my backyard, And chop a stack of wood
Oh, you aint talkin to me, you aint talkin to me
I may be crazy all like that, but I got good sense you see
You aint talkin to me, you aint talkin to me
You fed me good, But I cant chop wood, you aint talkin to me
Oh me and my wife, had ups and downs, All through our married life,
She said to me one day Bill, Lets stop this solemn strife,
We went out on the lake, one evening just about dusk,
She says now Bill we’ll drown ourselves, no-one will weep for us,
Chorus: Oh, you aint talkin to me
etc
When the lake runs dry its time to die, you aint talkin to me
Now hunting with my buddy Jake, on a bright and sunny day
I run into a big old bear, and he would not go away
Jake says he’s awful big, we’ll need some help its clear
I’ll run back and get the boys, and you just keep him here
Chorus: Oh, you aint talkin to me
Etc
You hold the gun, I’d rather run, you aint talkin to me etc