Category: Mountain/southern us

East Virginia

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Mp3: East Virginia
This love song was also passed around by word of
mouth, throughout the Appalachain Mountains for many years.I learned it
at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

This recording was made in the late 50’s at my home, 57 East Division
Street, in Chicago. I used a Pentron reel to reel tape recorder running
at 7 1/2 IPS.

Lyrics:
East Virginia

[F#m] I was born and raised in East [E] Virginia
[F#m] North Carolina I did roam
[F#m] And there I met the fairest [E] maiden
[F#m] Her name and age I do not know

Her hair it was of a light brown color
Her cheeks they were of a rosy red
And on her breasts she wore white lilies
Where I long to lay my head

I’d rather be in some dark ‘holler’
Where the sun don’t never shine
Than to see he wed another
And to know that she’s never be mine

I was born and raised in East Virginia
North Carolina I did roam
And there I met the fairest maiden
Her name and age I do not know

� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

Wayfaring Stranger

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Mp3: Wayfaring Stranger
This song was passed around by word of mouth,
throughout the Appalachain Mountains for many years. Its roots are
possibly from an old Irish tune. The singer is taking comfort in his
faith that the temporal aspects of this life are but for a moment, and
that an incalculably more pleasant eternity lies ahead.
Lyrics:
[Em]I am a poor [Am] wayfaring [Em] stranger
Wandering [Am] through this world of [Em] woe
But there’s no sorrow, [Am] toil or [Em] danger
In that bright [Am] land to which [Em] I go

I’m [G] going [C] there to see my [G] father
I’m going [C] there no more to [G] roam
I’m just a [Am] going over [Em] Jordan
I’m only [Am] going over [Em] home

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me
I know myway is rough and steep
But golden fields lie out before me
Where all the saints their vigils keep

I’m going there to see my mother
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m just a going over Jordan
I’m only going over home

I’m going there to see my Saviour
To sing His praise forevermore
I’m just a going over Jordan
I’m only going over home

� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

Alberta

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Mp3: Alberta
This is a song sung by the stevedores who worked on
the Ohio River. There were two types of river songs. The first was the
fast ‘Jump Down Turn Around’ type. The other kind was slow and blusey.
That could be because when it came time to load and unload these boats,
it was a pretty busy session. There was lots of time in between to sing
songs like this one.
Lyrics:
[D] Alberta let your [C] hair hang [D] low,[C]
[D] Alberta let your [C] hair hang [D] low,
[G] I’ll give you more [Bm] gold than your [F#m] apron can [G] hold
[D] If you’ll just let your [C] hair hang low [D]

Alberta what’s on you mind
Alberta what’s on you mind
You keep me worried, you keep me bothered all the time
Alberta what’s on you mind

Alberta don’t treat me unkind
Alberta don’t treat me unkind
My heart feels sad ’cause I want you so bad
Alberta don’t treat me unkind

Alberta let your hair hang low,
Alberta let your hair hang low,
I’ll give you more gold than your apron can hold
If you’ll just let your hair hang low

Happy Valentine’s Day
Roger McGuinn � 1998 McGuinn Music

Lost Jimmy Whelan

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Mp3: Lost Jimmy Whelan

There are versions of this song, where the ghost of Lost Jimmy Whelan comes back to tell the fair maiden that they are both better off now that he is no longer burdened with the cares of this world.

I recorded this for the Folk Den just minutes after hearing of the unfortunate death of Bob Gibson. If it hadn't been for Bob, I might never have learned this, or any other folk song.

Thank you Bob, for everything!

Lyrics:
Am G F E7
All alone as I strayed by the banks of the river
C Dm Am
Watching the moonbeams as evening drew neigh
Am G F E7
All alone as I rambled, I spied a fair damsel
C Dm Am
Weeping and wailing with many a sigh.

Weeping for one who is now lying lowly
Mourning for one whom no mortal can save
As the foaming dark waters flow silently o'er him
Onward they sweep over young Jimmy's grave

Oh Jimmy why can't you tarry here with me
Not leave me alone all distracted in pain
But since death is the dagger which has cut us asunder
Then wide is the gulf, love between you and I

All alone as I strayed by the banks of the river
Watching the moonbeams as evening drew neigh
All alone as I rambled, I spied a fair damsel
Weeping and wailing with many a sigh.

Easter

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Mp3: Easter

This is a song that was performed by Lead Belly on his 12-string guitar. It's interesting to note that although it's in the key of E minor, Leadbelly played only major chords while singing the minor melody line, as he did with all his songs in a minor key. The effect is very unusual and quite appealing.
Lyrics:
[E] On Easter morn' He rose
On Easter morn' He rose
On Easter morn' He rose [B7] for me
[E] One day when I was [E7]lost
They [A] hung Him on a [E] cross
They [A] hung Him on a [B7] cross for [E] me

The sky turned dark and gray
The sky turned dark and gray
The sky turned dark and gray for me
One day when I was lost
They hung Him on a cross
They hung Him on a cross for me

He bowed His head and died
He bowed His head and died
He bowed His head and died for me
One day when I was lost
They hung Him on a cross
They hung Him on a cross for me

They laid Him in a tomb
They laid Him in a tomb
They laid Him in a tomb for me
One day when I was lost
They hung Him on a cross
They hung Him on a cross for me

On Easter morn' He rose
On Easter morn' He rose
On Easter morn' He rose for me
One day when I was lost
They hung Him on a cross
They hung Him on a cross for me