Folk Music Collection

29

description

This collection of folk music, compiled by Stan Paregien Sr, contains both the lyrics and the guitar chords for some of the most popular American folk songs. This material is presented, free of charge, purely for educational and instructional use.

Transcript of Folk Music Collection

Page 1: Folk Music Collection
Page 2: Folk Music Collection

Folk Music Collection

Collected by Stan Paregien Sr

[email protected]

The following pages contain some of my favorite folk songs, complete with

both the lyrics and with the guitar chords.

These songs are presented here at no charge. We simple list them for your

information and instruction. It is not our intention to violate anyone's

legitimate copyright.

If you have an objection to a song being listed here--and you are a person

with legal standing in the matter, then we will be glad to resolve any issue you

may have.

To everyone else, here's hoping you enjoy playing these great old songs as

much as I do.

Page 3: Folk Music Collection

OKLAHOMA HILLS by Woody Guthrie

He wrote this in 1937. His cousin Jack Guthrie recorded it without his permission in 1944. Through a big hit with it. As a

compromise with Capitol Records, Woody Guthrie was given co-authorship. Copyright renewed 1973 by

Michael H. Goldsen, Inc. Named the official Oklahoma Woody Guthrie state Folk Song in Nov. 2001

1. [D] Many months have come and gone

Since I [G] wandered from my [E] home

In those [A] Oklahoma Hills where I was [D] born

Many a page of life has turned

Many a [G] lesson I have [E] learned

Yet I [A] feel like in those hills I still be- [D] long.

CHORUS

[D] 'Way down yonder in the Indian nation

I [G] rode my pony on the reser- [E] vation

In those [A] Oklahoma Hills where I was [D] born

Way down yonder in the Indian nation

A [G] cowboy's life is my occu- [E] pation

In those [A] Oklahoma Hills where I was [D] born.

2. But as I sit here today

Many [G] miles I am a- [E] way

From the place I rode my [A] pony through the [D] draw

Where the Oak and Blackjack trees

Kiss the [G] playful prairie [E] breeze

In those [A] Oklahoma Hills where I was [D] born.

3. As I turn like a page

To the [G] land of the great O- [E] sage

To those [A] Oklahoma Hills where I was [D] born

Where the black oil rolls and flows

And the [G] snow-white cotton [E] grows

In those [A] Oklahoma Hills where I was [D] born. [G] [D]

Page 4: Folk Music Collection

This Land Is Your Land

Words & music by Woody Guthrie of Okemah, Okla. Feb. 23, 1940. Since he could not read music, he

put this song to the melody of an old favorite of the Carter Family titled, “This World Is On Fire”. He

wrote his song in 1940 to counteract a song he thought wrongly present a siruppy, all-is-well view of

America; that song was Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” a big hit at that time for Kate Smith.

Here is the song as Woody wrote it, with a clear Marxist advocacy of the abolishment of private

property rights and the establishment of communal property .

[REPEAT AS CHORUS]

1. [G] This land is [C] your land.

This land is [G] my land,

From Cali -[D] fornia [D7] to the New York [G] island.

From the redwood [C] forest, to the Gulf Stream [G] waters-

[D] This land was [D7] made for you and [G] me.

2. [G] As I was [C] walking that ribbon of [G] highway

I saw a- [D] bove me [D7] that endless [G] skyway,

I saw be- [C] low me that gold en [G] valley;

[D] This land was [D7] made for you and [G] me.

3. I've roamed and [C] rambled and I followed my [G] footsteps

To the sparkling [D] sands [D7] of her diamond [G] deserts;

And all a - [C] round me a voice was [G]sounding:

[D] This land was [D7] made for you and [G] me.

4. When the sun came [C] shining, and I was [G] strolling,

And the wheat fields [D] waving [D7] and the dust clouds [G] rolling.

As the fog was [C] lifting, a voice was [G] chanting:

[D] This land was [D7] made for you and [G] me.

5. As I went [C] walking, I saw a [G] sign there,

And on [D] the sign it said [D7] "No Tres- [G] passing."

But on the [C] other side it didn't say [G] nothing.

[D] That side was [D7] made for you and [G] me.

6. In the shadow [C] of the steeple I saw [G] my people,

By the [D] relief office I [D7] seen my [G] people;

As they stood there [C] hungry, I stood there [G] asking

[D] Is this land [D7] made for you and G] me?

7. Nobody [C] living can ever [G] stop me,

As I go [D] walking [D7] that freedom [G] highway;

Nobody [C] living can ever make me [G] turn back

[D] This land was [D7] made for you and [G] me.

Page 5: Folk Music Collection

So Long, It’s Been Good

to Know Yuh

Words and music by Woody Guthrie (born in Okemah, Okla). Also known as “Dusty Old Dust”. Copyright

1940. He lived for a time, during the Dust Bowl, in Pampa (*Gray County), Texas. The Weavers had a hit in

1951 with a different version, which Woody wrote in the studio on the spur of the moment. A long drought

and poor farming methods led to the Dust Bowl days of the 1930's as tons of topsoil blew hundreds of miles

away. The worst day was “Black Sunday” on April 14, 1935 when a wind clocked at 60 mph drove a wall of

dust across southeast Colorado, southwest Kansas and the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas. People starved

out and left their farms for California and other places. John Steinbeck wrote vividly of that era in his novel,

“Grapes of Wrath”.

1. I've [C] sung this song, but I'll [G] sing it again,

of the [C] place that I lived on the [G7] wild windy plains.

In the [C] month called April, the [F] county called Gray*,

and [C] here's what all of the [G7] people there did [C] say . . .

CHORUS

“So long, . . . it's been good to know yuh.

[G] So long, . . . it's been good to [C] know yuh.

So [C7] long, . . . it's [F] been good to know yuh.

This [C] dusty old dust is a- [G7] getting my home.

And I've got to be drifting a- [C] long.

2. A dust storm hit, an' it [G] hit like thunder,

it [C] dusted us over, an' it [G7] covered us under.

It [C] blocked out the traffic an' [F] blocked out the sun,

and [C] straight for home all the [G7] people did [C] run, singin' . . .[repeat chorus]

3. We talked of the end of the [G] world, and then,

we'd [C] sing a song an' then [G7] sing it again.

We'd [C] sit for an hour an' [F] not say a word,

and [C] then these [G7] words would be [C] heard . . .

4. Sweethearts sat in the [G] dark and sparked,

they [C] hugged and kissed in that [G] dusty old dark.

They [C] sighed and cried, [F] hugged and kissed,

in- [C] stead of marriage, they [G7] talked like [C] this: Honey...

5. Now, the [C] telephone rang, an' it [G] jumped off the wall,

that [C] was the preacher, a- [G] makin' his call.

He [C] said, "Kind friend, this [F] may be the end,

an' you [C] got your last chance of sal- [G7] vation from [C] sin!"

Page 6: Folk Music Collection

Do Re Mi Words & music by Woody Guthrie. Copyrighted 1961.

1. [G] Lots of folks back east, they say,

[C] Leavin' home every [D7] day,

[G] Beatin' the hot old dusty [C] way

To the [G] Cali- [D7] fornia [G] line.

Cross the desert sands they [C] roll

Getting [G] out of that [D7] old dust [G] bowl.

They [C] think they're going to a sugar [G] bowl.

But here is what they [C] find:

The [D7] police at the port of entry say,

“You're number fourteen-thousand for to- [G] day.”

CHORUS

Oh, if you ain't got the do – re – me, folks,

If you ain't got the do – re – [D7] mi,

Why, you better go back to beautiful Texas,

Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia Tennes- [G] see.

California is a garden of Eden,

A paradise to live in or [C] see.

But be- [G] lieve it or not

You won't [C] find it so [G] hot,

If you [D7] ain't got the do – re – [G] mi.

2. If you want to buy you a home or farm,

[C] That can't do nobody [D7] harm,

Or [G] take your vacation by the mountains or [C] sea,

Don't [G] swap your old [D7] cow for a [G] car,

You'd better stay right where you [C] are.

You [G] better take this [D7] little tip from [G] me,

'Cause I [C] look through the want ads every [D7] day,

But the headlines on the papers always [G] say . . .

[REPEAT CHORUS]

Page 7: Folk Music Collection

Going Down the Road

Words and music by Woody Guthrie and Lee Hayes. Copyright 1960. Also called, “I Ain't

Going to Be Treated this Way”). References: Woody Guthrie's novel, “Bound for Glory,” and

John Steinbeck's novel, “Grapes of Wrath” (and the films made of both books.) Many verses.

I'm [G] blowin' down this old dusty road;

Yes, I'm [C] blowin' down this old dusty [G] road.

I'm [C] blowin down this old dusty [G] road, Lord God,

And I [D7] ain't a-gonna be treated this a- [G] way.

I'm going where the water tastes like wine.

Yes, I'm [C] going where the water tastes like [G] wine.

I'm [C] going where the water tastes like [G] wine, Lord God,

And I [D7] ain't a-gonna be treated this a- [G] way.

I'm going where them dust storms never blow.

Yes, I'm [C] going where them dust storms never [G] blow.

I'm [C] going where them dust storms never [G] blow, Lord God,

And [D7] I ain't a-gonna be treated this a- [G] way.

They say I'm a dust bowl refugee.

Yes, they [C] say I'm a dust bowl refu- [G] gee.

They [C] say I'm a dust bowl refu- [G] gee, Lord God,

And I [D7] ain't a-gonna be treated this a- [G] way.

I'm goin' down that road feelin' bad.

Yes, I'm [C] going down that road feelin' [G] bad.

I'm [C] going down that road feelin' [G] bad, Lord God,

And I [D7] ain't a-gonna be treated this a- [G] way.

I'm gonna change this damned old world around.

Yes, I'm [C] gonna change this damned old world a- [G] round.

I'm [C] gonna change this damned old world a- [G] round, Lord God,

And I [D7] ain't a-gonna be treated this a- [G] way.

Page 8: Folk Music Collection

They Laid Jesus Christ

in His Grave

by Woody Guthrie (born in Okemah, Okla., in 1912). Roughly to the tune of "That Dirty Little Coward that

Laid Poor Jessie (James) in His Grave."

1. Jesus [G] Christ was a man who [C] travelled through the [G] land,

A hard working man and [D] brave.

He [G] said to the [G7] rich, "Give your [C] goods to the [G] poor."

But they laid Jesus [D7] Christ in His [G] grave.

[C] Jesus was a man, a [G] carpenter by hand.

His followers true and [D] brave.

One [G] dirty little [G7] coward called [C] Judas [G] Iscariot,

Has laid Jesus [D7] Christ in His [G] grave. [C] [G]

2. He went to the preacher, he [C] went to the [G] sheriff,

He told them all the [D] same,

"Sell [G] all your jewelry and [C] give it to the [G] poor."

But they laid Jesus [D7] Christ in His [G] grave.

3. When Jesus came to town, [C] the working folks a- [G] round,

Believed what He did [D] say.

Bankers [G] and the preachers, they [C] nailed Him on a [G] cross,

And they laid Jesus [D7] Christ in His [G] grave.

4. Poor workin' people they [C] followed Him a- [G] round,

Sung and shouted [D] gay.

Cops [G] and the soldiers they [C] nailed Him in the [G] air,

And they laid Jesus [D7] Christ in His [G] grave.

5. This song was written [C] in New York [G] City,

Of rich man, preacher and [D7] slave.

If [G] Jesus was to preach what He [C] preached at Gali- [G] lee

They would lay Jesus [D7] Christ in His [G] grave.

Page 9: Folk Music Collection

Riding In My Car

Written by Woody Guthrie for children.

[C] Take me [G7] riding in the car car

Take me [C] riding in the car car

I'll take you [F] riding in the car

[G7] I'll take you [C] riding in my car.

Click, clack [G7] open up the door, girls

Click, clack [C] open up the door, boys

Front door, [F] back door, clickety clack

[G7] Take you [C] riding in my car.

Climb, climb, [G7] rattle on the front seat

Spree I spraddle [C] on the back seat.

Turn my key, [F] step on my starter.

[G7] Take you [C] riding in my car.

Engine it goes [G7] brrrmm, brrrmm.

Engine it goes [C] brrrmm, brrrmm.

Front seat, [F] back seat, boys and girls.

[G7] Take you [C] riding in my car.

Trees and the houses [G7] walk along.

Trees and the houses [C] walk along.

Truck and a car [G] and a garbage can walk along.

[G7] Take you [C] riding in my car.

Boom buh buh, [G7] buh buh buh buh, . . . boom buh boom

Boom boom, [C] buh buh buh buh, . . . boom buh boom

Boom boom, [F] buh buh buh buh, . . . boom buh boom

[G7] Boom boom, [C] buh buh buh buh, . . . boom

I'm gonna let you [G7] blow the horn.

I'm gonna let you [C] blow the horn.

A-oora, a-oorah, [F] a-oogah, oogah.

[G7] I'll take you [C] riding in my car.

Page 10: Folk Music Collection

You Are My Sunshine

By Jimmie Davis (Governor or Louisiana) & Charles Mitchell. This song is one of the best-known and most often recorded songs

of all time. It was listed as #73 on the CMT “Top 100 Country Songs” list in 2003. It was a big hit for Tex Ritter in 1948.

1. The other [D] night dear as I lay sleeping,

I dreamed I [G] held you in my [D] arms.

When I a- [G] woke, dear, I was mis- [D] taken.

And I hung my [A] head and [D] cried.

Chorus:

You are my sunshine my only sun-shine.

You make me [G] happy when skies are [D] gray.

You’ll never [G] know dear how much I [D] love you.

Please don’t take my [A] sunshine a- [D] way.

2. I’ll always love you and make you happy,

If you will [G] only say the [D] same.

But if you [G] leave me to love a- [D] nother,

You’ll regret it [A] all some [D] day.

3. You told me once dear you really loved me.

And no one [G] else could come be- [D] tween.

But now you’ve [G] left me and love a- [D] nother.

You have shattered [A] all my [D] dreams.

4. (Written by Stan Paregien, Sr)

The other night, boys, as I lay sleeping,

I dreamed I [G] ate a giant marsh- [D] mellow.

When I a- [G] woke, my pillow was [D] missing.

And I grabbed my [A] stomach and I [D] cried.

Page 11: Folk Music Collection

My Oklahoma Home

This was not written by Woody Guthrie; it was written by siblings Agnes Cunningham and Bill Cunningham between

1955 and 1965 about a family member's experience in Watonga, Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl days. Recorded by

Pete Seeger in 1967 and in 1997 by Bruce Springsteen. [See Springsteen's remarkable video of this song on

www.YouTube.com .] Red print = audience

1. When they [G] opened up the strip,

I was [C] young and full of [G] zip.

I wanted some place to call my [D] home.

And [G] so I made the race and I

[C] staked me out a [G] place

And settled down a- [D] long the Cimar- [G] ron.

It blowed a- [C] way (blowed away),

It blowed a- [G] way (blowed away).

My Oklahoma home, it blowed a- [D] way.

Well it [G] looked so green and fair

When I [C] built my shanty [G] there.

My Oklahoma [D] home, it blowed a- [G] way.

2. Well I planted wheats and oats,

Got some [C] chickens and some [G] shoats.

Aimed to have some ham and eggs to feed my [D] face.

Got a [G] mule to pull the plow,

I got an [C] old red muley [G] cow.

And I also got a [D] fancy mortgage on this [G] place.

Well it blowed a- [C] way (blowed away).

It blowed a- [G] way (blowed away).

All the crops that I've planted blowed a- [D] way.

Well you can't [G] grow any grain

If you [C] ain't got any [G] rain.

Everything except my [D] mortgage blowed a- [G] way.

3. Well it looked so green and fair

When I [C] built my shanty [G] there.

I figured I was all set for [D] life.

I put [G] on my Sunday best

With my [C] fancy scalloped [G] vest.

Then I went to town to [D] pick me out a [G] wife.

Page 12: Folk Music Collection

She blowed a- [C] way (blowed away),

She blowed a- [G] way (blowed away).

My Oklahoma woman blowed a- [D] way.

Mister, [G] as I bent to kiss her,

She was [C] picked up by a [G] twister.

My Oklahoma [D] woman blowed a- [G] way.

My Oklahoma Home – p. 2 [NOTE: Skip verses 4 & 5, if needed]

4. Well then I was left alone

Just [C] listening to the [G] moan

Of the wind around the corners of my [D] shack.

So I [G] took off down the road,

[G] When that ol' south wind [G] blowed.

I traveled with the [D] wind upon my [G] back.

I blowed a- [C] way (blowed away),

I blowed a- [G] way (blowed away).

Chasin' that dust cloud up a- [D] head.

Well once it [G] looked so green and fair

And now it's [C] up in the [G] air.

My Oklahoma [D] farm is over [G] head

5. And now I'm always close to home; it don't [C] matter where I [G] roam,

For Oklahoma dust is every- [D] where.

Makes no [G] difference where I'm walkin', I [C] hear my chickens [G] squawkin'

I can hear my wife a- [D] talking in the [G] air.

It blowed a- [C] way (blowed away), it blowed a- [G] way (blowed away).

Yeah my Oklahoma home it blowed a- [D] way.

But my [G] home, Sir, is always near; it's up [C] here in the atmos- [G] phere.

My Oklahoma [D] home it blowed a- [G] way.

6. Well I'm a roamin' Oklahoman but I'm [C] always close to [G] home.

And I'll never get homesick until I [D] die,

'Cause no [G] matter where I'm found, my [C] home's all a- [G] round.

My Oklahoma [D] home is in the [G] sky.

It blowed a- [C] way (blowed away), it blowed a- [G] way (blowed away).

Yeah my Oklahoma home it blowed a- [D] way.

Yeah it's [G] up there in the sky in that [C] dust cloud over n' – [G] by.

[SLOWLY]

My Oklahoma [D] home it blowed a- [G] way.

Page 13: Folk Music Collection

She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain

(When She Comes)

Originated as a Negro spiritual and became popular with everyone.

Lots of different versions and verses. 4/4 TIME

1. She’ll be [G] comin’ round the mountain, when she comes. [TOOT, TOOT]

She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain, when she [D7] comes. [TOOT, TOOT]

I can [G] hear that engine pantin’, and the [C] passengers a-chantin’.

She’ll be [D7] comin’ ‘round the mountain, when she [G] comes.

[TOOT, TOOT]

2. She’ll be drivin’ six white horses, when she comes. [WHOA, BACK]

She’ll be drivin’ six white horses, when she [D7] comes. [WHOA, BACK]

When you [G] hear that whistle tootin,’ you can [C] gamble sure as shootin’.

She’ll be [D7] drivin’ six white horses, when she [G] comes.

[WHOA, BACK – TOOT, TOOT]

3. We will all go out to meet her, when she comes. [HI, BABE]

We will all go out to meet her, when she [D7] comes. [HI, BABE]

We will [G] all go out to meet her, yes, [C] everyone will greet her.

We will [D7] all go out to meet her, when she [G] comes.

[HI, BABE - WHOA, BACK -- TOOT, TOOT ]

4. We will have chicken and dumplin’s, when she comes. [YUM, YUM]

We will have chicken and dumplin’s, when she [D7] comes. [YUM, YUM]

We will [G] kill the old red rooster, [C] when she comes.

And we will [D7] have chicken and dumplin’s, when she [G] comes.

[YUM, YUM -- HI, BABE -- WHOA, BACK -- TOOT, TOOT ]

Page 14: Folk Music Collection

Cabin on the Hill

Author: B.L. Shock, 1943. Hit for Lester Flatt (lead vocal) & Earl Scruggs (lead guitar) and others. This song features the “echo” style (after each

phrase) of 4-part harmony popular in gospel songs. It can be found at cut #7 on my Bluegrass CD #1 (05-06-28). Strum, strum (stop) = 1 time

NOTE: The underlined words are done a cappella style. “3/5” = 3rd

string, 5th

fret

INTRO – Mandolin: 3/5 2/0 2/2 2/0 3/5 3/4 3/2 A, 3/0, G, C, G

Guitar: 3/0 3/2 2/0 3/2 3/0 4/4 4/2 A, 4/0, D, G, C, G

There's a happy childhood [G] home . . . . In my memory I can see

Standing out upon the hill . . . . . Neath the shadow of the [D] tree.

( 'Neath the [A] shadow of the [D] tree)

If I only had my [G] way, . . . . . It would give my heart a thrill

Just to simply wander back . . . . [D] To the cabin on the [G] hill.

To the [C] cabin on the [G*] hill *Strum once & stop

CHORUS:

Oh, I want to wander [G] back . . . . To the cabin on the hill

'Neath the shadow of the tree . . . . I would like to linger [D] still.

(I would [A] like to linger [D] still)

Just to be with those I [G] love . . . . Joy my heart would over fill

And I want to wander back . . . . [D] To the cabin on the [G] hill

To the [C] cabin on the [G*] hill. *Slow strum. Stop.

BRIDGE (repeat intro)

2. But the saddest of it [G] all . . . . I can never more return

To that happy childhood home . . . . Matters not how much I [D] yearn.

Matters not [A] how much I [D] yearn.

If I only had my [G] way . . . . It would give my heart a thrill Just to simply

wander back . . . . [D] To the cabin on the [G] hill To the [C] cabin on the

[G*] hill) *Strum once & stop

Page 15: Folk Music Collection

Old MacDonald

Had a Farm

1. [C] Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

And on his farm he [F] had a [C] COW, E – I – [G] E - I – [C] O.

With a moo – moo here and a moo – moo there,

Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo – moo.

Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

2. Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

And on his farm he [F] had a [C] PIG, E – I – [G] E - I – [C] O.

With a oink – oink here and a oink – oink there,

Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere an oink – oink.

Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

3. Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

And on his farm he [F] had a [C] DUCK, E – I – [G] E - I – [C] O.

With a quack – quack here and a quack – quack there,

Here a quack, there a quack, everywhere a quack – quack.

Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

4. Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

And on his farm he [F] had a [C] _______ *, E – I – [G] E - I – [C] O.

With a ______ – ______ here and a ______ – ______ there,

Here a ______, there a ______, everywhere a ______ – _______.

Old MacDonald [F] had a [C] farm, E – I – [G] E – I – [C] O.

*OTHERS: Goat, chicken, rooster, horse, dog, cat.

Page 16: Folk Music Collection

Up the Lazy River

Performed by the Mills Brothers. Play lazily, slowly.

1. [E] Up the lazy river by the old mill run,

The [A] lazy lazy river in the [A7] noon-day sun.

[D] Layin' in the shade of an [A7] old oak tree,

[G] Throw away your troubles, dream a dream with me.

2. [E] Up the lazy river where the robin's song

[A] Awaits a bright new mornin' as we [A7] just roll along.

[C] Blue skies up a- [C7] bove, [G] every one's in [E] love.

[A] Up the lazy [D] river, how [G] happy we would [E] be.

[A] Up the lazy [D] river with [G] me.

Down In The Valley 3/4 Time

Down in the [A] valley, the valley so [E7] low

Late in the evenin’ hear the train [A] blow.

Hear the train blow, love, hear the train [E7] blow.

Late in the evening, hear the train [A] blow.

The train won’t stay love, it goes right [E7] through.

It will be gone love, and so will [A] you.

Before you go love, for old time’s [E7] sake,

Put your arms around me. Feel my heart [A] break.

E7 E7 E7 E7 A A A A

Roses love sunshine, violets love [E7] dew.

Angels in heaven know I love [A] you.

Know I love you, drear, know I love [E7] you.

Angels in heaven know I love [A] you.

The train is gone love, and out of [E7] sight.

Goodnight my darling, darling good- [A] night.

A A A A E7 E7 E7

Goodnight my darling, darling good- [A] night.

Page 17: Folk Music Collection

Sixteen Tons

Words & music by Merle Travis. Copyright 1947 by Unichappell Music Inc. and Elvis

Presley Music. Copyright Renewed. Number 1 hit for Ernie Ford in the 1950's.

1. Some . . .[Em] people say a man is made out of mud.

A poor man’s made out of muscle and blood.

Muscle and blood and [Am] skin and bones,

A [C7] mind that’s [Em] weak and a back that’s strong.

Chorus

You load . . . [Em] sixteen tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt.

Saint Peter, don’t you call me ‘cause [Am] I can’t go.

I [Em] owe my soul to the company store.

2. I was . . . born one mornin’ when the sun didn’t shine.

I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine.

I loaded sixteen tons of [Am] number nine coal,

And the [C7] straw boss [Em] said, “Well a-bless my soul.”

3. I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain.

Fightin' and trouble are my middle name.

I was raised in the canebrake by an [Am] ol' mama lion.

Cain't no [C7] high-toned woman [Em] make me walk the line.

CHORUS

1. If you see me comin', better step aside.

A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died.

One fist of iron, the [Am] other of steel.

If the [C7] right one don't get you,

Then the [Em] left one will.

CHORUS

Page 18: Folk Music Collection

John Henry Adapted by Stan Paregien, Sr. (Sept., 2003); Stan wrote verses 2 and 5.

1. When [D] John Henry was a little bitty boy

No bigger than the palm of your [A7] hand,

He picked [D] up a twelve-pound [G] hammer and said,

"This [D] hammer's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord.

This hammer's gonna [A7] be the death of [D] me."

2. Now John Henry was a legend 'round here,

The best steel-driver God ever [A7] made.

They [D] put many a [G] good man up against him,

And he [D] put every one in the shade, Lord, Lord.

He put every [A7] one in the [D] shade. [by SP]

3. Well, one day the Captain said to John Henry,

"I'm gonna bring me a steam drill [A7] 'round.

I'm [D] gonna put that [G] steam drill on the job,

And [D] beat you at puttin' steel rails down, Lord , Lord.

And beat you at [A7] puttin' steel rails [D] down."

4. The race got started and after a while the

Captain said, "I believe the tunnel's fallin' [A7] in."

John Henry [D] gave a long and [G] lonesome cry,

"No, that's [D] just my hammer suckin' wind, Lord, Lord.

"That's just my [A7] hammer suckin' [D] wind."

5. The man who invented the steam drill,

He though it would do mighty [A7] well.

The [D] steam drill stayed [G] close the first hour,

But [D] John Henry finally beat it all to hell, Lord, Lord.

John Henry finally [A7] beat it all to [D] hell. [by SP]

6. John Henry was hammering on the mountain,

And his hammer was a-striking [A7] fire.

He [D] worked so hard that he [G] broke his poor heart,

He [D] laid down his hammer and he died, Lord, Lord.

He laid down his [A7] hammer and he [D] died.

7. They took John Henry to the graveyard,

Laid him six-feet under the [A7] sand.

Every [D] time a train comes [G] rollin' round they say,

"Yonder [D] lies that steel-drivin' man, Lord, Lord.

"Yonder lies that [A7] steel-drivin' [D] man."

Page 19: Folk Music Collection

Waitin' For A Train Jimmie Rogers, “The Blue Yodeler”

[C] All around the water tank

[F] Wait'n for a [C] train.

A [F] thousand miles a- [C] way from home,

[D] Sleep'n in the [G] rain.

I [C] walked up to a brakeman

To [F] give him a line of [C] talk.

He [F] said, "If you've got [C] money,

I'll [D] see that you don't [G] walk."

I [C] didn't have a nickel,

Not a [F] penny could I [C] show.

He [F] said, "Get off you [C] railroad bum."

And he [D] slammed that boxcar [C] door.

Yo-da-lay-dee-oh, yo-da [G] lay-dee-aye, yo-da [C] lay-dee.

Well, he put me off in Texas,

A [F] state I dearly [C] love --

The [F] wide open spaces all a - [C] round me,

The [D] moon and stars up a- [G] bove.

No- [C] body seems to want me

Or [F] lend me a helping [C] hand.

I'm [F] on my way from [C] Frisco

Goin' [D] back to Dixie [G] land.

My [C] pocket book is empty.

My [F] heart is full of [C] pain.

I'm a [F] thousand miles a- [C] way from home,

[D] Waitin' for a [C] train.

Yo-da-lay-dee-oh, yo-da [G] lay-dee-aye, yo-da [C] lay-dee.

Page 20: Folk Music Collection

Side by Side Words & music by Harry MacGregor Woods. Big hit for Kay Starr in 1948. Woods also wrote "When the

Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbing Along," "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover," and "Try A Little

Tenderness." He composed his songs on the piano, despite the fact that he was born without fingers on his

left hand. Unerlined words should be held for 3 beats.

Oh we [C] ain't got a barrel of [F] mon . . . [C] ey.

Maybe we're ragged and [F] fun . . . [C] ny.

[C7] But . . . we'll [F] travel along [C] singing a [A7]song

[D7] Side [G] by [C] side.

Don't know what's coming to- [F] mor . . . [C] row.

Maybe it's trouble and [F] sor . . . [C] row.

[C7] But we'll [F] travel the road [C] sharing our [A7] load,

[D7] Side [G] by [C] side.

Through all kind of weather, [A7] what if the sky should fall?

[D7] Just as long as we're together , it [G] doesn't matter at all.

When [C] they've all had their quarrels and [F] part . . . [C] ed,

[C7] We'll be the same as we [F] start . . . [C] ed,

[C7] Just [F] traveling along, [C] singing a [A7] song

[D7] Side [G] by [C] side.

Page 21: Folk Music Collection

Side by Side on Our

Wedding Night

Paradody of the song, "Side by Side". Friend Paula Botts sent to me a video clip by the

guy who sang bass for years with the Florida Boys Quartet. He was singing the following

“sequel” to “Side by Side”. I have adapted and reworked it some for our use. It is funny.

This is a story about a man who had some big surprises on his wedding night. Hold

underlined words for 3 beats.

We were [C] married on a [F] Fri . . . [C] day,

My girl was right there be- [F] side . . . [C] me.

[C7] Our . . . [F] friends were all [C] gone,

We were in the motel a- [A7] lone,

[D7] Side [G] by [C] side.

We were [C] so happily [F] wed . . . [C] when

She got ready for [F] bed . . . [C] then.

[C7] Her . . . [F] teeth and her [C] hair

She placed on a stuffed [A7] chair,

[D7] Side [G] by [C]side.

One glass eye so very [F] shi- . . . [C] ny,

One hearing aide big as a [F] golf . . . [C] ball.

[C7] Next she . . . [F] took off her right [C] leg

And placed it up against the [A7] wall.

[D7] Side [G] by [C] side.

I just stood there broken- [F] heart- . . . [C] ed,

For most of my new wife had de- [F] part- . . . [C] ed.

[C7] So that . . . [F] first night I slept on the [C] chair.

Because . . . . more of her was over . . . [A7] there.

[D7] Side [G] by [C]side.

Page 22: Folk Music Collection

When You and I

Were Young, Maggie

4/4 Written by George W. Johnson (lyrics) and James Austin Butterfield (music) in 1866. It was

first published as a song in 1866. The lyrics tell of the tragic love story of Maggie Clarke and

George Johnson who, in the early 1860s, courted in Canada near Hamilton Ontario. They were

married in 1864, but Maggie died less than a year later. Her husband immortalized their short life

together in a poem which he published in a book of verse entitled "Maple Leaves". A young

Englishman by the name of James Butterfield was so touched by the poem that he set it to music.

Traces of the old mill can still be seen at Albions Falls near Hamilton. Recorded by such people

as Irish tenor James McCormack in 1925, crooner Perry Como in the 1950s, and cowboy singer

Don Edwards.

1. [D] I wandered to- [D7] day to the [G] hill, Maggie,

To [D] watch the scene be- [A7] low.

The [D] creek and the [D7] old rusty [G] mill, Maggie

Where we [D] sat in the [A7] long, long [D] ago .

The [G] green grove is gone from the [D] hill, Maggie,

Where the [A] birds sang [E7] loud from the [A7] trees,

When I [D] first said I [D7] loved only [G] you, Maggie,

And [D] you said you [A7] loved only [D] me.

CHORUS:

But [G] now we are aged and [D] old, Maggie

The [A] trials of [E7] life nearly [A7] done.

Let's [D] sing of the [D7] days that are [G] gone, Maggie,

When [D] you and [A7] I were [D] young.

2. Our [G] dreams they have never come [D] true, Maggie

Our [A] hopes, they [E7] never were to [A7] be.

When I [D] first said I [D7] loved only [G] you, Maggie,

And [D] you said you [A7] loved only [D] me.

The [G] green grove is gone from the [D] hill, Maggie

Where [A] once the [E7] wild flowers [A7] sprang.

The [D] old rusty mill [D7] is now [G] still, Maggie,

Since [D] you and [A7] I were [D] young.

CHORUS

Page 23: Folk Music Collection

The Ballad of

Jed Clampett

Words & music by Paul Henning. Performed by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Theme song of the hit TV comedy show, "Beverly

Hillbillies".

1. [G] Come and listen to my story 'bout a [D] man named Jed.

Poor mountaineer, barely [G] kept his family fed.

Then one day he was [C] shootin' at some food

And up through the [D] ground came a bubbling [G] crude.

(Oil, that is, Texas tea, black gold)

2. First thing you know, old [D] Jed's a millionaire.

Friends said, Jed, move away from [G] here.

Said that California was the [C] place he ought to be.

So [D] he loaded up the truck and they moved to Bever- [G] ly.

(Hills, that is, swimming pools and movie stars)

3. Ol' Jed bought a mansion. [D] Lawdy it was swank

Next door neighbor was [G] pres'dent of the bank,

Lotsa folks objected, but the [C] banker found no fault,

'Cause [D] ol' Jed's millions was a- [G] layin' in the vault

(Cash, that is! Capital gains, Depletion money!)

4. Well, now it's time to say goodbye to [D] Jed and all his kin.

They would like to thank you folks for [G] kindly dropping in.

You're all invited back again to [C] this locality

To [D] have a heaping helping of their [G] hospitality.

(Beverly Hillbillies, that's what they call 'em now

Nice folks, Y'all come back now, hear?)

Page 24: Folk Music Collection

Big Rock Candy

Mountain Words and Music by Harry McClintock as sung on the *“O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

soundtrack (2000). Key of C, Starting pitch: G. Intro: C G C G C G C

1. One (C) evening, (G7) as the (C) sun went (G7)down

And the (C) jungle (G7) fire was (C) burning,

Down the track came a (G7) hobo, (C) hiking,

And he said, "Boys, (G7) I'm not (C) turning.

I'm (F) headed for a (C) land that's (F) far a-(C) way

Be-(F) side the crystal (G) fountains.

So (C) come with (G7) me, we’ll (C) go and (G7) see

The (C) Big Rock (G7) Candy (C) Mountain.

2. In the (C) Big Rock Candy Mountains

There's a (F) land that's fair and (C) bright,

Where the (F) handouts grow on (C) bushes

And you (F) sleep out ev'ry (G) night.

Where the (C) boxcars all are empty,

And the (F) sun shines ev'ry (C) day

On the (F) birds and the (C) bees and the (F) cigarette (C) trees,

The (F) lemonade (C) springs where the (F) bluebird (C) sings

In the (G7) Big Rock Candy (C)Mountains.

3. In the (C) Big Rock Candy Mountains,

All the (F) cops have wooden (C) legs,

And the (F) bulldogs all have (C) rubber teeth

And the (F) hens lay soft-boiled (G) eggs.

The (C) farmer's trees are full of fruit

And the (F) barns are full of (C) hay.

Oh I’m (F) bound to (C) go, where there (F) ain't no (C) snow,

Where the (F) rain don't (C) fall and the (F) wind don't (C) blow

In the (G7) Big Rock Candy (C) Mountains.

4. In the (C) Big Rock Candy Mountains,

You (F) never change your (C) socks,

And the (F) little streams of (C) alcohol

Come a- (F) trickling down the (G) rocks.

The (C) brakemen have to tip their hats

And the (F) railroad bulls are (C) blind,

There's a (F) lake of (C) stew and of (F) whiskey, (C) too,

You can (F) paddle all a-(C) round ‘em in a (F) big ca-(C) noe

In the (G7) Big Rock Candy (C) Mountains.

Page 25: Folk Music Collection

5. In the (C) Big Rock Candy Mountains,

The (F) jails are made of (C) tin,

And (F) you can walk right (C) out again,

As (F) soon as you are (G) in.

There (C) ain't no short-handled shovels

No (F) axes, saws or (C) picks-

I'm a-(F) going to (C) stay, where you (F) sleep all (C) day

Where they (F) hung the (C) jerk that in-(F) vented (C) work

In the (G7) Big Rock Candy (C) Mountains.

(whistling*) C C C C/F F C C/F C F C [each chord=1 beat]

I’ll (F) see you (C) all this (F) comin’ (C) fall

In the (G7) Big Rock Candy (C) Mountains.

Let Me Call You

Sweetheart

[C] Let me call you sweetheart,

I’m in [F] love [A7] with [D7] you.

[G7] Let me hear you whisper [F] that you

[C] love me, [G7] too.

[C] Keep the love light glowing in

Your [F] eyes [A7] so [D7] blue.

[F] Let me call you [C] sweetheart,

[A7] I’m in [D7] love [G7] with [C] you.

REPEAT

Page 26: Folk Music Collection

She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round

the Mountain (When She Comes)

Originated as a Negro spiritual and became popular with everyone. Lots of different versions

and verses. 4/4 TIME

1. She’ll be [G] comin’ round the mountain, when she comes. [TOOT, TOOT]

She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain, when she [D7] comes. [TOOT, TOOT]

I can [G] hear that engine pantin’, and the [C] passengers a-chantin’.

She’ll be [D7] comin’ ‘round the mountain, when she [G] comes.

[TOOT, TOOT]

2. She’ll be drivin’ six white horses, when she comes. [WHOA, BACK]

She’ll be drivin’ six white horses, when she [D7] comes. [WHOA, BACK]

When you [G] hear that whistle tootin,’ you can [C] gamble sure as shootin’.

She’ll be [D7] drivin’ six white horses, when she [G] comes.

[WHOA, BACK – TOOT, TOOT]

3. We will all go out to meet her, when she comes. [HI, BABE]

We will all go out to meet her, when she [D7] comes. [HI, BABE]

We will [G] all go out to meet her, yes, [C] everyone will greet her.

We will [D7] all go out to meet her, when she [G] comes.

[HI, BABE - WHOA, BACK -- TOOT, TOOT ]

4. We will have chicken and dumplin’s, when she comes. [YUM, YUM]

We will have chicken and dumplin’s, when she [D7] comes. [YUM, YUM]

We will [G] kill the old red rooster, [C] when she comes.

And we will [D7] have chicken and dumplin’s, when she [G] comes.

[YUM, YUM -- HI, BABE -- WHOA, BACK -- TOOT, TOOT ]

Page 27: Folk Music Collection

Roll In My Sweet

Baby’s Arms

This song is loved by banjo pickers.

1. I [G] ain’t going to work on the railway.

I ain’t going to work on the [D7] farm.

Well, I’ll [G] lay around this shack

Till the [C] mail train comes back.

And I’ll [D7] roll in my sweet baby’s [G] arms.

CHORUS:

Roll in my sweet baby’s arms.

Roll in my sweet baby’s [D7] arms.

Gonna [G] lay around the shack

Till the [C] mail train comes back,

And I’ll [D7] roll in my sweet baby’s [G] arms.

2. Where were you last Saturday night

While I was lying in [D7] jail?

[G] Walking the streets with some [C] other man;

[D7] Wouldn’t even go my [G] bail.

3. I know your parents don’t like me.

They turned me away from your [D7] door.

If I [G] had my life to live [C] over,

I wouldn’t [D7] go there no [G] more.

4. Mama’s a ginger bread baker.

Sister can weave and can [D7] spin.

[G] Daddy’s got an interest in that [C] old cotton mill.

Just [D7] watch that money roll [G] in.

Check back from time to time, as we will add more songs periodically.

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