1. |
Carve That Possum
03:48
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My dog treed, I went to see – carve him to the heart
He had a possum up a tree – carve him to the heart
That possum he begin to grin—carve him to the heart
I reached up and took him in—carve him to the heart
CHO: Carve that possum, carve that possum children
Carve that possum, oh carve him to the heart
Carve that possum, carve that possum children
Carve that possum children, oh carve him to the heart.
I carried him home and dressed him off…
I hung him out that night in the frost…
They say to cook the possum sound…
First parboil, then bake him brown…
Possum meat it’s good to eat…
Always fat and good and sweet…
Put potatoes in the pan…
The sweetest meat in all the land…
Some eat early and some eat soon…
Some like possum and some like coon…
Possum’s just the thing for me…
Old Rattler’s got another one up a tree…
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2. |
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Our darling wandered far away while she was out at play
Lost in the woods, she couldn't hear a sound
She was our darling girl, the sweetest thing in all the world
We searched for her but she couldn’t be found.
CHO. I heard the screams of our little girl far, far away
Hurry daddy there’s an awful, dreadful snake
I ran as fast as I could, through that dark and dreary wood
But I reached our darling girl too late.
Oh, I began to sigh, I knew that soon she’d have to die
For that snake was warnin me close by
I held her close to my face, she said daddy kill that snake
It’s getting dark, tell mommy goodbye.
To all you parents I must say, don’t let your children stray away
They need your love to guide them along
Oh God I pray, we’ll see our darling some sweet day
It seems I still hear her voice around our home.
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3. |
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4. |
Lost Love
03:31
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All the flowers that I loved in the wildwood
Have sent up their beautiful bloom
And the many dear friends of my childhood
Have slumbered for years in the tomb.
CHO:
It’s no wonder I’m broken hearted
And stricken with sorrow shall be
We have met, we have loved, we have parted
My flower, my companion and me.
Oh the rose that I loved I remember
And the smile that I never more shall see
Since the cold chilly winds of December
Stole my flower, my companion from me.
Oh just think on that lovely bright morning
When our spirits from earth shall be free
We shall meet those we love in the dawning
My flower, my companion and me.
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5. |
Whoa Back Buck
03:59
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CHO: Whoa back Buck and gee by the lamb
Who made the back band, whoa goddam
Whoa back Buck and gee by the lamb
Who made the back band, whoa goddam.
Whoa goddam and whoa goddam
Who made the back band, whoa goddam.
18, 19, 20 years ago
I taken my gal to the country store
I taken my gal to the country store
And I bought my gal some calico.
I taken my gal to the country store
I bought my gal some calico
I taken my gal to a party-o
But I wouldn’t let her dance for to sell her soul.
Now you take Sal and I’ll take Jane
They're both good lookin but they ain’t the same
Now you swing Sal and I’ll swing Sue
Mighty little difference between them two.
Now Tom won't buck and Brad won't pull
Alice gonna cut that other little bull
Now whoa back Buck and gee by the lamb
Who made the back band whoa goddam.
Chicken in the bread tray mighty good stuff
Mama cook the chicken but we never get enough
Now jawbone walk and jawbone talk
And jawbone eat with a knife and fork.
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6. |
White House Blues
02:43
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Look here you rascal see what you done
You shot my husband with an Ivor Johnson gun
Carry me back, to Washington
Doc saw his horse, he throws down the reins
Says to his horse, you gotta outrun that train
From Buffalo to Washington
Doc come a-running, and took off his specs
Said Mr McKinley you’d better cash in your checks
Bound to die, you're bound to die
McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doc says McKinley I can’t find the ball
Bound to die, you're bound to die
There's just one thing that torments my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
I'll be gone a long, long time
Hush up you little children and don't you fret
You've got a pension after you're papa's dead
He'll be gone a long, long time.
Yonder comes the train, she's comin' down the line
Blowin' at every station, Mr McKinley's a-dyin'
Hard times, hard times.
Roosevelt’s in the white house doing his best
McKinley’s in the graveyard, a-takin a rest
Hard times, hard times.
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7. |
O & K Train
02:51
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I hear that train a-coming
Bending round the curve
With the old car wheels a-rolling boys
She's straining every nerve.
I won’t work on the railroad
I won’t work on the farm
But I’ll lie right round til the paycar comes
I’ll roll in mama’s arms.
I hear that train a-coming
She’s running so slow
Hear that she’s a-coming boys
And I am bound to go.
I hear that train a-coming
Running up the track
She’s just from Kansas City boys
And now she’s going back.
I hear that train a-coming
Bending round the curve
With the old car wheels a-rolling boys
She's straining every nerve.
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8. |
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9. |
Sewing Machine Blues
02:23
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ROOSTER CROWED & I LOOKED AROUND
JUST AT THE BREAK OF DAY
I REACHED FOR HER BUT I GOT HER GOWN
SHE HAD GONE AWAY--
NO SHOES ON THE FLOOR, NO HAT ON THE RACK
HER GRIP HAD GONE ASTRAY
HER TRACKS ON THE GROUND, A NOTE IN THE BACK
I’LL SEE YOU ANOTHER DAY.
CHO: HAS ANYBODY SEEN CORRINE
SAME OLD MIDNIGHT QUEEN
SHE LEFT A-RUNNIN LIKE A SEWIN MACHINE
HAS ANYBODY SEEN CORRINNE.
OLD FARMER JONES SAID SHE PASSED HIS HOUSE
MAKIN ABOUT 102
HER KIMONO WIDE OPEN, HER HAIR HANGIN DOWN
IN HER HANDS SHE HAD HER SHOES--
SHE SAYS I’LL PUT EM ON FURTHER DOWN THE LINE
IF HE ASKES FOR ME JUST TELL HIM YOU SAW ME,
I’M ACROSS THE TEXAS LINE.
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10. |
Fair Beauty Bright
03:36
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I once love and courted a most fair beauty bright
I courted her by day and I courted her by night
Her parents said ‘no’ they never would agree
They locked her in a tower and threw away the key.
Then to the wars, to the wars I did go
To see if I’d forget my beauty bright or no
For 7 long years I served there in vain
For 7 long years till I returned again.
Then to her parents I was forced to go
To see if I could wed my own true love or no
Her mother saw me coming, she wrung her hands and cried
My daughter loved you dearly and for your sake she died.
Then I was struck like a man that was slain
Tears from my eyes fell like showers of rain
My grief like a mountain is more than I can bear
My true love’s in her grave, and I wish that I was there.
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11. |
Killema Cranky
02:50
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12. |
Snagtooth Sal
02:52
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Well I was young and happy and my heart was light and gay
Singin' always singing' on a sunny summer's day
Happy as a lizard in the Waco chapparal
Walkin' down thru Laramie with Snagtooth Sal.
CHO: Sal, Sal, my heart is broke today
Broke in two forever when they laid you in the clay
I would give creation to be walkin' with my gal
Walkin' down thru Laramie with Snagtooth Sal.
Well she told me that she loved me and she swore she'd be my pal
She's turned me down completely did my Snagtooth Sal
I thought I had her safely in my aching heart's corral
But she's died and left me longing for my Snagtooth Sal.
Just bury me tomorrow where the lily flowers spring
Underneath the willow where the little robins sing
You may yearn to see me now but never more you shall
Walkin' down thru Laramie with Snagtooth Sal.
And plant a little stone above that little mound of sod
Says right here lies a lovin and a busted heart beGod
And never more you'll see me walking proudly with my gal
Walking down thru Laramie with Snagtooth Sal.
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13. |
Little Bessie
04:55
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Hug me closer, closer mother
Put your arms around me tight
For I’m cold and tired mother
And I feel so strange tonight.
Something hurts me here dear mother
Like a stone upon my breast
And I wonder, wonder mother
Why it is I cannot rest.
All day long while you were working
As I lay upon my bed
I was trying to be patient
And think of what you said.
How the king, our blessed Jesus
Loves his lambs to watch and keep
How I wish he’d take me mother
In his arms that I might sleep.
Just before the lamps were lighted
Just before the children came
In the room so still and quiet
I heard someone call my name.
All at once a window opened
On a field of lambs and sheep
Some were at the brook a-drinking
Some were laying fast asleep.
In a moment I was looking
On a world so bright and fair
It was filled with little children
And they seemed so happy there.
They were singing oh so sweetly
Sweetest songs I ever heard
They were singing sweeter mother
Than our little yellow bird.
All at once a window opened
Upon one so bright and fair
That I knew it must be Jesus
When he said my child come here.
Come up here my little Bessie
Come up here and live with me
Where little children never suffer
In the long eternity.
Then the mother pressed her closer
To her own dear burdened breast
On the heart so near its breaking
Lay the heart so near its rest.
At the solemn hour of midnight
In the dark and silent deep
Laying on her mother’s bosom
Little Bessie fell asleep.
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14. |
Bell's Waltz
03:15
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15. |
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Well met, well met said an old true love
Well met, well met said he
I’m just returning from the salt salt sea
And it’s all for the love of thee
Come in, come in said an old true love
And stay awhile with me
It’s been 3/4 of a long long year
Since together we have been.
No I can’t come in and I can’t sit down
I haven’t but a moment’s time
They say you’re married to a house carpenter
And your heart shall no longer be mine
Will you forsaken your house carpenter
And go along with me
I’ll take you to where the grass grows green
On the banks of the deep blue sea.
Then she picked up her little babe
And kisses gave it 3
Saying stay right here my darling little babe
And keep your papa company.
They hadn’t been on board but about 2 weeks
I’m sure it was not 3
When this fair lady began to weep
And she wept most bitterly
Well are you weeping for your silver or your gold
Or are you weeping for your store
Or are you weeping for your house carpenter
Whose face you’ll never see any more?
No I’m not weeping for my silver or my gold
And neither for my store
I am weeping for my darling little babe
Whose face I’ll never see any more.
They hadn’t been on board but about 3 weeks
I‘m sure it was not 4
When they sprung a leak in the bottom of the ship
And sunk for to rise no more.
What hills what hills are those my love
That shine so bright and high
Those are the hills of heaven my love
But not for you and I.
What hills, what hills are those my love
That lie so dark and low
Those are the hills of hell my love
Where you and I must go.
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16. |
Stormy Waters
03:13
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17. |
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You’ve left me and gone but my love lingers on
& I just can’t forget you it seems
It’s easy to see you’re not thinking of me
But I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.
CHO: When I lay there sleeping I’m dreaming and scheming
And all of my wishes come true
So sleep come and take me til the songbirds awake me
I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.
You’re glad to be free, you’re not thinking of me
& I know I’m no part of your schemes
But your lips sweet and tender you’ll fondly surrender
When I kiss you tonight in my dreams.
CHO: You’ll be by my side on a cool moonlit ride
While the harvest moon shines thru the trees
I’ll be feeling my best when the sun goes to rest
Cause I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.
I was part of the cast but the play didn’t last
And I’m gone and forgotten it seems
But the thrill I knew then I will know once again
When I see you tonight in my dreams.
CHO: We’ll stroll hand in hand on the soft moonlit sand
While the nightingale sings from above
So sleep come and take me til the songbirds awake me
I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.
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18. |
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Time is filled with swift transition
Naught of earth unmoved can stand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Hold to his hand, God’s unchanging hand
Hold to his hand, God’s unchanging hand
Build your hopes on things eternal
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
Trust in him who will not leave you
Whatsoever years may bring
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to him cling.
Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay
Seek to gain the heavenly treasures
They will never pass away.
When your journey is completed
If to God you have been true
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.
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Alice Gerrard Durham, North Carolina
A singer and songwriter, Alice’s recordings with Hazel Dickens during the 1960s and ’70s influenced a generation of women musicians from Laurie Lewis to the Judds. Nominated for a Grammy in 2015, she was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Assoc. Hall of Fame in 2017. A documentary film about Alice, "You Gave Me a Song" premiered at the Full Frame Independent Film Festival in 2019. ... more
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