Arts Council — Songbook

Feast Here Tonight

Traditional

Key: A

AThere's a rabbit in the log and I ain't got my dog

How will I get him I Eknow

I'll Aget me a briar and twist it in his hair

That Eway I'll get him I Aknow

I Dknow (yes I know) I Aknow (I surely know)

That's how I'll get him I Eknow

I'll Aget me a briar and twist in his hair

That way I'll Eget him I Aknow

I'll build me a fire and I'll cook that old hare

Roll him in the flames and make him brown

Have a feast here tonight while the moon is shining bright

And find me a place to lie down

To lie down (to lie down) to lie down (to lie down)

Find me a place to lie down

Have a feast here tonight while the moon is shining bright

And find me a place to lie down

I'm going down that track with my coat and my bag

Soles on my shoes are nearly gone

A little ways ahead there's a farmer's shed

That's where I'll rest my weary bones

Weary bones (weary bones) weary bones (you lazy bones)

That's where I'll rest my weary bones

A little way's ahead there's a farmer's shed

That's where I'll rest my weary bones

Lonesome Road Blues

traditional

Key: A

No chord chart available.

Tunes

Waterbound

traditional

Key: A

AWaterbound and I can’t get across

EWaterbound and I can’t get across

AWaterbound and I can’t get F#across

ADown in ENorth CaroAlina

F# A

F# A E A

Wake up Charlie let’s go home…

Dance all night with a bottle in my hand…

Miss Me When I'm Gone

Carter Family

Key: A

AYou're going to miss me when I'm gone

You're going to Dmiss me when I'm Agone

You know, you're going to miss me when I'm Egone

AYou're going to miss me by my walk

You're going to Dmiss me by my talk

You Aknow, you're going to Dmiss me when I'm Agone

You're going to miss me by my hair

You're going to miss me everywhere

You know, you're going to miss me when I'm gone

You're going to miss me by my knees

You're going to miss me if you please

You know, you're going to miss me when I'm gone

Oh when I'm Dgone, When I'm Agone

You know, you're going to miss me when I'm Egone

You're going to Amiss me by my walk

You're going to Dmiss me by my talk

You know, you're going to Emiss me when I'm Agone

Hop High Lulu

traditional

Key: A

AWell where did you get them Ghigh top Ashoes?

And that dress that you Gwear so Afine?

I got my shoes from a Grailroading Aman

And my dress is from a driver Gin the Amine

Dhop high, hop high

Hop high my Elulu Agirl

Dhop high, hop high

Hop high my Elulu Agirl

Well where have you been my pretty lulu girl?

Where have you been so long?

Well I've been in the pen with the rough and rowdy men

And honey I'm goin' back again

Well I'll pawn you my watch and I'll pawn you my chain

I'll pawn you my gold wedding ring

To pay my little lulu girl's fine

I'll pawn you my wagon and my team

Angel Band

traditional

Key: A

AMy latest sun is Dsinking Afast,

My race is Enearly Arun,

My longest trials Dnow are Apassed,

My triumph Ehas Abegun

EOh come angel Aband,

ECome and around me Astand,

DBear me away on your Asnow white wings,

To my immortal EhomeA

DBear me away on your Asnow white wings,

To my Eimmortal Ahome

Oh, bear my loving heart to him

Who bled and died for me,

Whose blood now cleanses from all sins,

And give me victory

I've almost reached my heavenly home,

My spirit loudly sings,

The holy ones, behold they come,

I hear the noise of wings

Caffeine

Hokum High Rollers

Key: C

No chord chart available.

Tunes

Battle of New Orleans

traditional

Key: C

In C1814 we took a little trip

Along with Colonel Jackson down the Gmighty Mississippi

We Ctook a little bacon and we took a little beans

And we Fcaught the bloody British in the Gtown of New OrCleans

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin'

There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago

We fired once more and they began to runnin'

On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

We looked down the river and we seed the British come

And there must have been a hundred of 'em beatin' on the drum

They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring

We stood behind our cotton bales and didn't say a thing

Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise

If we didn't fire our muskets 'till we looked 'em in the eyes

We held our fire 'till we seed their faces well

Then we opened up our squirrel guns and gave 'em wellllll...

Yeah they ran through the briers and they ran through the brambles

And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go

They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em

On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

We fired our cannon 'till the barrel melted down

So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round

We filled his head with cannonballs 'n' powdered his behind

And when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind

Wild Bill Jones

traditional

Key: C

As DI went out for to Ctake a little Dwalk

I walked upon that CWild Bill DJones

He was Da'walking and a'talking by my Ctrue lover's Dside

And I Dbid him to Cleave her Dalone

Boys pass around that long-necked bottle

Let's all get on a spree

Today was the last of that Wild Bill Jones

tomorrow be the last of me

He said my age is twenty-one

Too old to be controlled

I drew my revolver from my side

And destroyed that poor boy's soul

He reeled and he staggered, and he fell to the ground

And then he gave one dying moan

He wrapped his arms around my little girl's neck

Saying honey won't you take me home

They sent me to prison for twenty long years

This poor boy longs to be free

But Wild Bill Jones and that long-necked bottle

Have been the ruin of me

Darling Corey

traditional

Key: C

No chord chart available.

CC Rider

traditional

Key: C

CCC Rider, see what you gone C7done

FCC Rider, see what you gone Cdone

Ghey, hey, Fhey, Chey

You made me love you, now your man done come ...

Standin in the kitchen in that morning gown ...

Lookin right at her when that sun went down ...

My home is on the water, I don't like the land at all ...

Goodbye Booze

Charlie Pool

Key: C

She tore my Bbclothes

She swelled my Fhead

So goodbye Cbooze I'm going to Fbed

I had a good Bbtime, but we couldn't Fagree

So you see what Cbooze has done for Fme

Oh goodbye booze forever more

My boozing days will soon be o'er

I had a good time, but we couldn't agree

So you see what booze has done for me

Well she slammed my head

She broke my heart

So goodbye booze its time we part

I had a good time ...

Well she whispered low, how sweet it sounds

Won't don't you take another ride on the merry go round

I had a good time ...

Tennessee Waltz

traditional

Key: C

I was Cdancin' with my darlin to the C7Tennessee FWaltz

When an Cold friend I Amhappened to Dsee. G

I introcduced him to my darlin' and C7while they were Fdancin'

my Cfriend stole my Gsweetheart from Cme.

I Cremember the C7night and the FTennessee CWaltz

'cause I know just how Ammuch I have Dlost G

Yes I Clost my little darlin' the C7night they were Fplayin'

That Cbeautiful GTennessee CWaltz

Now I wonder how a dance like the Tennessee Waltz

Could have broken my heart so complete

Well I couldn't blame my darlin', and who could help fallin'

In love with my darlin' so sweet

Well it must be the fault of the Tennessee Waltz

Wish I'd known just how much it would cost

But I didn't see it commin', it's all over but the cryin'

Blame it all on the Tennessee Waltz

She goes dancin' with the darkness to the Tennessee Waltz

and I feel like I'm falling apart

and it's stronger than drink and it's deeper than sorrow

this darkness she left in my heart

Cripple Creek

Traditional

Key: G

Hey, FI got a gal at the Bbhead of the Fcreek,

Goin' up to see her about Ctwo times a Fweek.

Kiss her on the mouth, Bbsweet as any Fwine,

Wrap herself around me like a Csweet potato Fvine.

FGoin up Cripple Creek, Bbgoin on a Frun,

goin up Cripple Creek to Chave a little Ffun.

Goin up Cripple Creek, Bbgoin in a Fwhirl,

goin up Cripple Creek to Csee my Fgirl.

Now the girls up Cripple Creek, about half-grown,

jump on a boy like a dog on a bone.

Roll my britches up to my knees,

wade ol Cripple Creek whenever I please.

Now, Cripple Creek's wide and Cripple Creek's deep,

wade old Cripple Creek before I sleep.

Hills are steep and the roads are muddy,

and I'm so dizzy that I can't stand steady

Take a Whiff on Me

Memphis Jug Band

Key: G

GGoing down Sixth Street, coming down Main

CTrying to bum a nickel for to buy cocaine

DHey, hey, honey take a whiff on Gme

Take a whiff on me, take a whiff on me

All you rounders take a whiff on me

Hey, hey, honey take a whiff on me

I've got a woman, she's ten feet tall

Her head in the kitchen, feet in the hall

Hey, hey, honey take a whiff on me

Two old women fishing in a creek

ain't caught a man since late last week

Hey, hey, honey take a whiff on me

Cocaine's for horses not for men

doctor say it'll kill you but he won't say when

Hey, hey, honey take a whiff on me

I'm a-walkin' down the road with my hat in my hand

Lookin' for a woman who needs a banjo man,

Hey, hey, baby take a whiff on me.

Rueben

traditional

Key: G

GOl Reuben made a train & he put it on a track

He ran it to the Lord Fknows Gwhere

Oh me, oh my ran it to the FLord knows Gwhere

Should been in town when Reuben's train went down

You could hear that whistle blow 100 miles

Oh me, oh my you could hear the whistle blow 100 miles

Last night I lay in jail had no money to go my bail

Lord how it sleeted & it snowed

Oh me, oh my Lord how it sleeted & it snowed

I've been to the East, I've been to the West

I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow

Oh me, oh my I'm going where the chilly winds don't blow

Oh the train that I ride is 100 coaches long

You can hear the whistle blow 100 miles

Oh me, oh my you can hear the whistle blow 100 miles

I got myself a blade, laid Reuben in the shade,

I'm startin' me a graveyard of my own.

Oh, me, oh lordy my, startin' me a graveyard of my own.

Ol Reuben made a train & he put it on a track

He ran it to the Lord knows where

Oh me, oh my ran it to the Lord knows where

Train on the Island

traditional

Key: G

GTrain on the island, listen to em blow

Cthought I heard my true love say

Gyonder comes my beau

yonder comes my beau, oh lord

Dyonder comes my Gbeau

Train on the island, headed way out west

me and my love done broke up

perhaps its for the best

me and my love done broke up

perhaps its for the best

Train on the island, can't your hear em roar

another day on the island

wasted on the shore

another day on the island

wasted on the shore

Train on the island, headed way up north

go and tell my true love

you don't know what she's worth

go and tell my true love

you don't know what she's worth

Policeman

traditional

Key: G

GPoliceman come, knock on my door this morning

CPoliceman come, knock on my door this Gmorning

CPoliceman come, Gknock on my door

Dshot him in the head with Cmy .44 this Gmorning

I've got a secret I ain't gonna tell...

Keep my whiskey in a coconut shell

Down went the trigger, bang went the gun...

Should have seen him run

Good Ole Mountain Dew

traditional

Key: G

There's a Gvending machine

down the road here from me

where you Cput in a quarter or Gtwo

You put your money in

and before you begin

you're chugging that Dgood ole mountain Gdew

They call it that ole mountain dew

And them that refuse it are few

I'll hush up my mug if you'll fill up my jug

With that good ole mountain dew

My uncle Mort he's sawed off and he's short

He measures bout four foot two

But he thinks he's a giant when you give him a pint

Of that good old mountain dew

My brother Bill's got a house on the hill

where he buys it by the case or two

And the buzzards in the sky get so sick they can't fly

from smelling that good ole mountain dew

St James Infirmary

traditional

Key: G

No chord chart available.

Summertime

George Gershwin

Key: G

EmSummertime,

and the livin' is easy

Am7Fish are jumpin'

and the Emcotton is B7high C7 B7

EmYour daddy's rich,

and your momma's good lookin'

So Ghush little baby,

C7don't B7you Emcry

One of these mornings,

you're gonna rise up singing

Then you'll spread your wings

and you'll take to the sky

But till that morning,

there's a nothin' can harm you

With daddy and mommy

by your side

This Land Is Your Land

Woody Guthrie

Key: G

GThis land is Cyour land

this land is Gmy land,

From CalifDornia

to the New York GIsland,

From the Redwood FCorests

to the Gulf Stream waGters;

DThis land was made

for you and Gme.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway,

I looked above me, there in the skyway,

I saw below me, the Golden Valley;

This land was made for you and me.

I roamed and rambled,

and followed my footsteps

Through the sparkling sands of

her diamond deserts,

And all around me this voice kept saying,

"This land was made for you and me."

Oh, my loving Cmother,

when the world's on Gfire,

don't you want God's Dbosom

to be your Gpillow?

Tide me Cover in the Rock of GAges

Rock of DAges cleft for Gme.

Oh my loving father...

As the Sun was shining, and I was strolling

Through the wheat fields waving

and the dust clouds rolling,

I could feel inside me

and see all around me,

This land was made for you and me.

Jesse James

traditional

Key: G

GJesse James was a man, the Cfinest in the land

GHe robbed the Glendale trDain

GHe stole from the rich and Cgave to the poor

GHe had a heDart, a soul and a brGain

It was on a Friday night the moon was shining bright

They robbed the Glendale train

And people all did say, from many miles away

It was those outlaws Frank and Jesse James

CJesse had a wife who mourned for his lGife

Three children, they were brDave

GThat dirty little coward who shCot Mr. Howard

Has lGaid Jesse JaDmes in his grGave

It was Robert Ford that dirty little coward

I wonder how he does feel

For he ate of Jesse's bread and slept in Jesse's bed

and he laid Jesse James in his grave

He was standing on a chair just dustin' a picture there

Thought that he heard a noise

He turned his head around and the bullet smashed him down

and they laid poor Jesse on the floor

People held their breath

when they heard about his death

wondered how he ever came to fall

It was Robert Ford, that little coward,

shot Jesse while he hung a picture on the wall

The Cuckoo

traditional

Key: G

GmOh the cuckoo, she's a pretty bird,

and she warD7bles, as she Gmflies

And she never, hollers cuckoo,

until the 4th D7day, of Gmuly

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds,

I knowed you from old

You rob my, poor pockets,

of my silver, and my gold

Going to build me a log cabin

on a mountain so high,

So I can see Kevin

as he goes on by

I played cards in England

I played cards in Spain

I'll bet you $100

I'll beat you next game

Shady Grove

traditional

Key: G

GmShady Grove, my little love

Shady Grove I D7say

GmShady Grove, my little love

I'm D7bound to go Gmaway

When I was a little boy

I wanted a Barlow knife

And now I want little Shady Grove

To say she'll be my wife

Peaches in the summertime

Apples in the fall

If I can't get the girl I love

I don't want none at all

Wish I had a banjo string

Made of golden twine

I'd play that song on my banjo string

And make that girly mine

Some come here to fiddle and dance

Sme come here to tarry

Some come here to fiddle and dance

I come here to marry

Hesitation Blues

traditional

Key: G

No chord chart available.

Lonesome Valley

traditional

Key: G

You gotta Gwalk that lonesome valley

You gotta Dwalk it by Gyourself

Ain't nobody Celse can walk it Gfor you

You gotta Dwalk it by Gyourself

They say John, he was a Baptist

He ate locusts and honey too

But he had to walk that lonesome valley

And you will have to walk it too

You gotta sleep in that lonesome graveyard

You gotta sleep there by yourself

Can't nobody else sleep there for you

You gotta sleep there by yourself

You know your mama truly loves you

And your woman she does too

Though they may beg you to go with them

You know they can not go for you

Will The Circle Be Unbroken

The Carter Family

Key: G

I was Gstanding by my window

On one Ccold and cloudy Gday

when I saw that hearse come rolling

for to carry my Dmother aGway

Will the Gcircle be unG7broken,

By and Cby, Lord, by and Gby?

There's a better home a-waiting,

In the sky, Lord, Din the Gsky.

Lord I told that undertaker

undertaker please drive slow

for this body you are hauling

Lord, I hate to see her go

I will follow close behind her

try to hold up and be brave

but I could not hide my sorrow

when they laid her in her grave

Who Broke the Lock

Highwoods String Band

Key: G

No chord chart available.

Worried Man's Blues

traditional

Key: G

No chord chart available.

Little Girl & Dreadful Snake

traditional

Key: G

No chord chart available.

Highway Home

traditional

Key: G

Black smoke a-rising and it surely is a train

Surely is a train, Lord, it surely is a train

Black smoke a-rising and it surely is a train

I'm on my long journey home

Lost all my money but two dollar bill

Two dollar bill, Lord, two dollar bill

Lost all my money but two dollar bill

I'm on my long journey home

GTraveling the highway home

I'm Ctraveling the highway Ghome

Oh narrow's the way thank God I can say

I'm traveling the Dhighway Ghome

Going toward the sunset of time

Traveling the highway home

Rid this world of sin far behind

Traveling the highway home

Well ol' Satan said I’d never be

Traveling the highway home

When I resisted he had to flee

Traveling the highway home

Sometimes the road seems weary and long

Traveling the highway home

But in my heart there's always a song

Traveling the highway home

Rank Stranger

Stanley Brothers

Key: G

I wandered Gagain to my Dhome in the Gmountains

Where in youth's early dawn I was happy and Afree D

I looked for my Gfriends, but I Dnever could Gfind them

I found they were all rank Dstrangers to Gme

Everybody I met (everybody I met)

Seemed to Cbe a rank Gstranger (seemed to Cbe a rank Gstranger)

No mother nor dad (no mother or dad)

Not a friend could I Asee (not a friend could I Dsee)

They knew not my Gname (they knew not my name)

And I Dknew not their Gfaces (and I Dknew not their Gfaces)

I found they were all (I found they were all)

Rank strangers Dto Gme (rank Dstrangers to Gme)

"They've all moved away, " said the voice of a stranger

"To a beautiful land by the bright crystal sea"

Some beautiful day I'll meet 'em in heaven

Where no one will be a stranger to me

John the Revelator

traditional

Key: G

EmWho's that writin'? John the Revelator

Who's that writin'? John the Revelator

Wrote the B7book of the seven Emseals

Who's that writin'? John the Revelator

Wrote the book of the seven seals

Moses to Moses watching the flock,

saw the burning bush and he had to stop

God said Moses, take off your shoes

out of the flock, it's you that I choose

Ezekiel walking in the valley of bones

he was dry, thirsty and alone

God said bones, get up and move

Ezekiel he didn't know what he should do

Mole in the Ground

traditional

Key: D

DI wish I was a mole in the ground

Yes, I wish I was a mole in the Aground

If I's a Dmole in the ground

I'd Groot that mountain down

And I Dwish I was a Amole in the Dground

Oh, I wish I was a lizard in the spring

Yes, I wish I was a lizard in the spring

If I's a lizard in the spring

I'd hear my darlin' sing

And I wish I was a lizard in the spring

Oh, Kempe wants a nine dollar shawl

Yes, Kempe wants a nine dollar shawl

With a nine dollar shawl

She could beat them all in all

Kempe wants a nine dollar shawl

Oh Kempe, let your hair roll down

Kempe, let your hair roll down

Let your hair roll down

and your bangs curl round

Oh Kempe, let your hair roll down

I been in the bend so long

Yes, I been in the bend so long

I been in the bend

with the rough and rowdy men

Baby, where you been so long?

Oh, I don't like a railroad man

No, I don't like a railroad man

Oh the railroad man

He'll kill you if he can

Drink up your blood like wine

Been All Around This World

traditional

Key: D

DUpon the Blue Ridge Mountain, there I'll take my stand

AUpon the Blue Ridge Mountain, Gthere I'll take my Dstand

GRifle on my shoulder, Dsix gun in my hand

I've Gbeen all Aaround this Dworld

Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door

Before I have to walk on in with my old 44

I've been all around this world

Where'd you get that wedding dress and the shoes you wear so fine

I got em from a driver who's moved on down the line

I've been all around this world

Working on that new railroad, mud up to my knees

Working for Big John Henry, you know he's so hard to please

I've been all around this world

Mama and Papa, little sister makes 3

Hanging from the gallows, you'll see the last of me

Lord, Lord, I've been all around this world

Hang me, oh, hang me, so I'll be dead and gone

I don't mind the dying, it's being alive so long

I've been all around this world

Tunes

Whiskey for Breakfast

traditional

Key: D

No chord chart available.

Needlecase

traditional

Key: D

No chord chart available.

On This Cold Prison Wall

George Tolbert

Key: D

No chord chart available.

Tunes

Soldiers Joy

traditional

Key: D

No chord chart available.

Who's That Knocking At My Window

Carter Family

Key: D

No chord chart available.

Angeline the Baker

traditional

Key: D

No chord chart available.

Raleigh & Spencer

traditional

Key: D

No chord chart available.