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1.
If you don’t want to get in trouble If you don’t want to get in trouble If you don’t want to get in trouble You better let that liar alone. Well let me tell you people what a liar will do He’s always comin with somethin new Steal your heart with false pretense Make out like he’s your bosom friend. When a liar takes a notion to bend the truth Lay around his neighbors to get the news Nearly every day when you look out You can see that liar comin to your house. He’ll tell you such a lie to surprise your mind Mix a little truth for to make it shine When he finds out you believe what he says Then that liar’s gonna have his way. When everything is in perfect peace Here comes that liar with his deceit When he gets his business fixed just right Then that liar’s gonna cause a fight. Well he makes out like he loves you so well Everything he hears he must come and tell Let me tell you sister if you only knew What a certain somebody said about you He studies up a lie, tell it so smooth That you think absolutely that it must be true He’ll urge you out to trace the tale If you don’t mind you’ll be put in jail A hypocrite, a liar both kicks up a fuss They’re both very bad but a liar’s the worst.
2.
I got a swing in my walk, I got a song in my talk I’m a weekday workin’ woman, weekend queen Time clock lady with a lazy dream, I ain’t got no fancy furs diamond rings or silks, But I’m just right for Saturday night It’s payday at the mill. 8 hours sewin up collars and sleeves The pay’s too little and I gotta live cheap So I stitch and I sew, I sew and I stitch And all I get’s tired while the boss gets rich But look out now I’m countin’ the hours, til I break out of this old jail I’m just right for Saturday night It’s payday at the mill. Hard to be a working woman in a boss man’s world If I slow down they’ll find another girl But Saturday’s a-comin’ and the only time I’ll keep, is to the rhythm and the beat Fancy duds, dancing shoes Good times where you been hid I’m just right for Saturday night It’s payday at the mill. Now there’s some weary mornings at quarter to 6 When I wish I had a man to bring a pay check in But you can’t have it all and you can't disagree that I come when I want, go when I please So backstep you good old boys, I’m kicking up my heels I’m just right for Saturday night It’s payday at the mill.
3.
Tu m’as pris pour voyager, pour voyager dans le gran bois. Pour voyager dans le gran bois, pour combattre la misere et pleurer de la créve de faim. J‚ai passe devant la porte, la porte de ton papa. Il etait assis sous un arbre, apres charcouter la misere, et pleurer de la créve de faim. J‚ai passe devant la porte, la porte de ta maman. Elle etait assis sur la gallerie, apres radouter la misere, et pleurer de la créve de faim. J‚ai passe devant la porte, devant la porte de ta maison. Moi j‚etais dans mon buggy , Apres, crier la misere et pleurer avec mon grand top.
4.
Wish I was in Bowling Green settin’ in my chair One arm around my whiskey keg The other round my dear Other round my dear, oh Bowling Green Oh, good old Bowling Green. If I was a bumblebee sailing thru the air Take my true love by my side Touch him if you dare Touch him if you dare, oh Bowling Green Oh, good old Bowling Green. If you see that gal of mine tell him once for me If he loves another man I'll set him free I'll set him free, oh Bowling Green Oh, good old Bowling Green. Sailing thru this whole wide world, sailing thru alone Sailing thru this whole wide world Aint got no home, Aint got no home, oh Bowling Green Oh, good old Bowling Green.
5.
C’est une fille de quatorze ans Voila grand Dieu, c’est une belle brune Un jour elle a dit a son papa Papa je veux me marier Taise-toi fille jeune, t’as pas encore, Encore quinze ans Elle avait pris q’un seul ‘tit frere Pour la reconsoler de nuit et jour’ Reconsole-toi ma cher soeur, Papa te mettra dans un couvent Dans un couvent des orphelins, Et ou on prie a Dieu mais bien souvent Son beau gallant, il est parti en guerre Il s’est battu quatre ans de temps Quand il est revenu de sa revolt, Droit au logis de chez sa pere Bonsoir, bonsoir mes beaux yeaux noirs Je vouvrais les revoir encore une fois Il a repondu, “La belle a toi, Elle est plus la pour la revoir encore Oh elle est mort et enterre Trois jours de temps Qui est pas bien longtemps Je me ferai faire un beau crepe noir, Et dessus-moi je la porterai Bonsoir, bonsoir mes beaux yeux noirs, Tu es dans ta tombe Je t’aime toujours.
6.
Jolie Blon, regardez donc quoi t’as fait Tu m’as quitte pour t’en aller Pour t’en aller chère, avec un autre que moi Mais quel espoir et quel avenir mais moi je vais avoir Jolie blon, mourir c’est ire pas de rien C’est que de reste dans la terre aussi longtemps Je voir pas quoi faire donc Si tu t’reviens pas bebe Va venir avec mois dans la Louisiane Jolie blonde, tu m'as laissé moi tout seul Pour t'en aller chez ta famille Si t'aurais pas ecouté tous les conseils de les autres Tu serais ici avec moi aujourd'hui
7.
O my best friend called me the other day She said you know I’ve got a man I want to give away He’s a charming boy if you have nothing at stake Won’t you take him please just for safety’s sake. I’m not the kind to fool around With any old charmin’ boy in this town I’m tellin you now I don’t want no rake I will check him out just for safety’s sake O he came by about a quarter to 9 And I surely must say he was lookin fine Had a mouth like a rose, eyes deep as a lake O I kept my distance for safety’s sake We sat for an evening 2 cats in a cage In opposite corners our senses engaged I told myself this is a chance you must take And he stayed all night just for safety’s sake My god what a night Til the dawn’s early light The touch of his hand made me quiver and quake O the hell I tell you with safety’s sake. Half of the men I had occasion to see They wanted of me what I just couldn’t be But my mama once told me it’s cheatin to fake O you’re cheatin yourself just for safety’s sake’ You know I love whiskey I’m crazy for gin But the way that you love me I know it’s a sin The sound of your laughter would make my heart ache Oh the hell I tell you with safety’s sake So ladies here is advice for free You’d do yourself well just to listen to me A lot of these people are out on the take And you got to be careful for safety’s sake But if your best friend is tried and true I know she won’t send over no bummers to you You just never know what love you might make If you let down your guard for safety’s sake Well you might lose your mind Your heart it may break But you can’t live your life just for safety’s sake.
8.
I’ve been throwing old horseshoes Over my left shoulder I’ve spent most all my life Searching for that 4-leaf clover Yet you run with me Chasin’ my rainbows Honey I love you too, That’s the way love goes. Cho: That’s the way love goes babe That’s the music, ah babe For the whole wide world to sing It never gets old--it only grows. Losin’ makes me sorry You say don’t you worry Honey I love you too That’s the way love goes.
9.
Mama made papa be quiet as a mouse Papa climbed up on top of the house Made a lot of whoopee, made lot of noise Stood up and cheered with the rest of the boys Now baby’s in the cradle, brother’s gone to town Sister’s in the parlor flying up and down Mama’s in the kitchen messing all around Papa’s on the housetop and won’t come down Blues they come, blues they come Nobody knows where the blues come from Blues they go, blues they go And everybody’s happy when the old blues go. Papa saw a chicken out in the yard Picked up a rock and hit him hard’ Hit him hard, killed him dead Now the chicken’s in the gravy and the gravy’s on the bread. Hush you little baby don’t you cry Blues are gonna leave you by and by Papa come in as sure as you’re born Put the baby in the cradle, tossed the blues outdoors.
10.
Voir ma fille quoi c’est mal Je vas faire pour te donner de l’argent pour toi garder Cher ‘tite blond Tu joue aux cartes, et tu bois whiskey Tu fume des cigarettes, tu devrais pas Ca fait pas rien Quand je t’ai demander, pour toi tu quittes tout ca Tu m’as repondu, tu preferais me quitter moi Mais ca c’est dur J’ai fait mon idee, en faisant mon paquet Que je t’aurais quitter, pour m’en aller C’est pour toujours.
11.
I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay And pensively stood by his tomb When in a low whisper I heard something say How sweetly I sleep here alone. The tempest may howl & the loud thunder roar And gathering storms may arise But calm is my feeling, at rest is my soul The tears are all wiped from my eyes. The cause of my master compelled me from home No kindred or relatives nigh I met the contagion & sank to the tomb My soul flew to mansions on high. Go tell my companion & children so dear To weep not for me now I’m gone. The same hand that led me thru scenes most severe Has kindly assisted me home.
12.
I was raised in the country, a dirt farmers child Just a stop on the road to a dirt farmer’s wife It was a world of never-ending hard work, til at night the tv Changed my world to pretty ladies, easy riches, & dreams-- Still, it was hard to leave warm hearts & lovin’ behind And mama & papa tried to smile as they cried But the tv ladies all promise & guile They beckoned to me & they smiled as they lied-- Cho:Sky over Michigan take me back home again My soul is weary of my discontent Let me rest my eyes, lift my spirit on high Wipe the trouble from my mind you Michigan sky. I traded quiet country evenings for bright city sounds Hard work & worry for hard work & doubt And this dirty old factory job in Detroit town is a far cry From a glass slipper & a satin ball gown. If wishes were dollars the tv ladies fine Would work every day at my job on the line And I’d catch one of those evening clouds & I’d just lay back & ride & let the wind blow me home thru a Michigan sky. . .
13.
Glory at the meetinghouse, glory in the fields Glory to the birds, the little fishes and the eels Glory to the sunshine, glory to the rain Glory to the fiddler when he plays the tune again. Glory to the old folks, glory to the young Glory to the sinners who are having all the fun Glory to the sunshine, glory to the rain Glory to the fiddler when she plays the tune again. Glory to the flowers, glory to the trees Glory to the mountains and the rivers and the sea Glory to the sunshine, glory to the rain Glory to the fiddler when she plays the tune atain. Glory at the meetinghouse, glory in the fields Glory to the birds, the little fishes and the eels Glory to the sunshine, glory to the rain Glory to the fiddlers when they play the tune again.
14.
Goin across the sea, Goin across the line Goin across the ocean love To see that boy of mine. Cho: Won’t you come and go Come my love and go Leave this world of sorrow And troubles here below. I wish I had a nickel Wish I had a dime Wish I had a pretty little boy To kiss and call him mine. Remember what my mama told me It has come to pass Drinkin’ and a gamblin’ Will be my ruin at last.
15.
Sad Affairs 04:07
You didn’t give me much warning When you told her me wanted to leave me That old truth that I counted on, together forever Sure did deceive me And now I’m lonesome and blue And wonder what you’re doin I looks for you in places, faces remind me of you But a thought grows on my mind— CHO: These are sad affairs, such sad affairs But the saddest affair Is that most likely Soon if not sooner I won’t even care. I was so looking forward To the kids bein’ grown, to my time, oh my time Hold hands cross the table, candles at bedtime Smiles in the morning And now I reach out at night Trace your body with my mind I still feel your touch—hush baby don’t you cry Cause that thought stays on my mind.
16.
17.
When you meet one on the way What’s the news, what’s the news Pray what’s the order of the day What’s the news, what’s the news I’ve got good news today Music helps you find the way That’s what we’re here to say That’s the news, that’s the news. When you meet one on the way What’s the news, what’s the news You have always something to say What’s the news, what’s the news Since my soul learned how to sing I feel joy in everything That’s the message we’re here to bring That’s the news, that’s the news. When you meet one on the way What’s the news, what’s the news Pray what’s the order of the day What’s the news, what’s the news I’ve got good news to tell Music helps to keep you well Soothes the soul and makes you whole That’s the news, that’s the news. When you meet one on the way What’s the news, what’s the news You have always something to say What’s the news, what’s the news We’ll tell you with no shame In song we will proclaim Music helps to spread the flame That’s the news, that’s the news. That’s the news, oh that’s the news That’s the news, oh that’s the news Music helps to spread the flame That’s the news, that’s the news
18.
Voices of evening, voices of night Hold me and calm me til mornings grey light Til the chains that bind me fall to the ground My spirit shall soar, and I will be found. Voices of evening, voices of night Blessings on those who have finished the fight And praises for all who have felt of the sky Remember this woman who cannot fly. Voices of evening, voices of night Whisper to me of a world of delight Oh open these eyes that in death must be closed And let me see peace and truth finally unfold.
19.
20.
Grasshopper sittin’ on a sweet potato vine Grasshopper sittin’ on a sweet potato vine Grasshopper sittin’ on a sweet potato vine Having a mighty fine time. Kitty cat sittin’ in the sweet potato patch Kitty cat sittin’ in the sweet potato patch Kitty cat sittin’ in the sweet potato patch About to make a mighty fine catch. Grasshopper sittin’ on a sweet potato vine Grasshopper sittin’ on a sweet potato vine Grasshopper sittin’ on a sweet potato vine June bug says will you be mine.
21.
22.
I got the left hind leg of a rabbit Things are coming my way All I got to do is just reach out and grab it Things are coming my way Oh me, oh my I feel happy all the time I ain’t got nothing to worry my mind Because things are coming my way. I got the left hind leg of a rabbit, Things are coming my way All I got to do is just reach out and grab it Things are coming my way Oh me, how good I feel I come calling in an automobile I can eat chicken and I don’t have to steal Because things are coming my way. I got the left hind leg of a rabbit Things are coming my way… All I got to do is just reach out and grab it Thingsn are coming my way Oh me I feel so fine If it starts raining I don’t pay no mind ‘ Like a pie in the oven or a fruit on the vine You know things are coming my way. My clothes are tailor made and my shoes are patent leather And things are coming my way All I got to do is just stitch myself together And things are coming my way Oh me, me oh my I feel happy all the time I ain’t got nothing to worry my mind Because things are coming my way. I got the left hind leg of a rabbit Things are coming my way All I got to do is just reach out and grab it Things are coming my way

about

Originally issued in 1981 and 83 as two LPs, and reissued as 1 CD in 1999, The Harmony Sisters: Alice Gerrard, Irene Herrmann, and Jeanie McLerie—a trio of singers and instrumentalists recorded and toured throughout the 1980s. The Harmony Sisters grew out of longtime friendships, similar interests, and a love of traditional music (and, of course, food). Together they play fiddle, banjo, cello, and guitar. Their repertoire is a mix of original and traditional material and runs the gamut from unaccompanied songs to string band and Cajun music with some southwest dance tunes thrown in for good measure. They celebrate traditional and contemporary music in a vibrant tapestry of songs and tunes from the roots of American culture.

credits

released January 1, 1999

Tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 16, 18 were originally recorded by Mike Rivers at Gypsy Studios in Arlington, VA and mixed and edited by Mike Rivers and Alice Gerrard; Tracks 2, 5, 10, 13, 15, 17, 22 were recorded by Paul Speer at Nova Studio, Seattle, WA, and mixed and edited by Paul Speer and Irene Herrmann; tracks 9, 14 were recorded at home by Alice, Jeanie and Irene with help from Mike Seeger; tracks 4, 21 were recorded live at radio station KPFK, Los Angeles by Howard and Roz Larman.
Front cover photo by Laurie Stokes
Design and layout by Adam Ford.

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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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