Little Brown Jug

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Little Brown Jug – Click To Play

My wife, Camilla and I were watching the wonderful James Stewart movie “The Glen Miller Story” recently. Glen Miller made a hit record with an arrangement of this song. I looked it up and found that it was written in the late 1800s and was originally a drinking song. It became popular duding The Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933 when the United States prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. These days it’s just a folk song and is even inappropriately listed in the “Children’s Songs” category. It’s definitely not a theme song for AA. Happy Octoberfest!

Little Brown Jug

[A] Me and my wife live [D] all alone
[E] In a little log hut [A] we call our home
She loves gin [D] and I love rum,
[E] Tell you what [A] we have some fun!

Chorus:
[A] Ha, ha, ha, [D] you and me,
[E] Little brown jug, [A] don’t I love thee!
[A] Ha, ha, ha, [D] you and me,
[E] Little brown jug, [A] don’t I love thee!

When I go toiling on my farm
I take the little brown jug under my arm;
Place it under a shady tree,
Little brown jug, you set me free. ‘ CH

‘Tis you that makes me friends and foes,
‘Tis you that makes me wear old clothes;
But, seeing you’re so near my nose,
Tip her up and down she goes. CH

If I’d a cow that gave such milk,
I’d dress her in the finest silk;
Feed her up on oats and hay,
And milk her forty times a day. CH

The rose is red, my nose is too,
The violets blue and so are you;
And yet, I guess, before I stop,
We’d better take another drop. CH

Turn Turn Turn

mp3:
Turn Turn Turn – Click To Play

The photo above was taken in 2005 at Dolly Parton’s recording studio in Nashville. She was such a pleasure to work with and so professional. We will sorely miss her!
I made this recording in my home studio. It’s not Dolly’s recording or a sample of the Byrds record. It’s here curtesy of April First Productions from my “Sweet Memories” album.
You can find footage shot with a Palm Treo 650 smartphone of Dolly recording with me here:
Dolly Parton & Roger McGuinn “Turn Turn Turn”
Dolly invited me to sing this song again with her on a back porch being filmed for an IMAC movie. That’s where I first met Marty Stuart.

Dolly Parton Film Shoot
Marty Stuart and me

Turn Turn Turn

[D] To everything – [G] turn, turn, [A] turn
[D] There is a season – [G] turn, turn, [A] turn
[G] And a time to every[A] purpose under [D]heaven

[D] A time to be [A] born, a time to [D] die
A time to [A] plant, a time to [D] reap
A time to [A] kill, a time to [D] heal
A time to [G] laugh, A] [a time to [D] weep

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late!

Handsome Molly

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Handsome Molly – Click To Play

“HANDSOME MOLLY” is a well worn bluegrass song. Scruggs and Flat are the best known performers but it’s been covered by lots of others. It’s a sad story of love lost. The part about sailing around the world on a steamship is an interesting and unusual spin for a song from the South

Handsome Molly

[A] Well, I wish I was in London,
Or some other seaport town
[E] I’d put my foot on a steamboat
I’d sail the ocean [A] ’round.
CH While sailing ’round the ocean,
While sailing ’round the sea
I’d think of handsome Molly
Wherever she might be.

Don’t you remember, Molly
You gave me your right hand?
You said whenever you’d marry
I would be the man. CH
But you broke your promise
Go with whom you please
My poor heart is aching
You are at your ease. CH

I go down to the river
Though everyone’s asleep
I think of handsome Molly
An’ I begin to weep. CH
So I wish I was in London,
Or some other seaport town
I’d put my foot on a steamboat
I’d sail the ocean ‘round. CH

I Can’t Feel At Home Any More

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I Can’t Feel At Home Any More – Click To Play

This is a hymn by an anonymous author that my wife Camilla sings to me as we read the Bible and pray for folks. I love the tune so much that I decided to add it to the Folk Den for July, the month of my birth. I’ve added new lyrics but I’m not planning on going anytime soon.

I Can’t Feel At Home Any More

[A] This world is not my home, [D] I’m just a-passing [A] through
[A] My treasures are laid up [B7] somewhere beyond the [E7] blue
[A] When the angels beckon me to [D] Heaven’s open [A] door
[A] Then I won’t feel at home in this [E7] world [A] anymore

Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like you
If Heaven’s not my home, oh Lord, what would I do?
When the angels beckon me to Heaven’s open door
Then I won’t feel at home in this world anymore

Heaven’s expecting me that’s one thing I do know
I fixed it up with Jesus a long long time ago
He will take me to the light on God’s celestial shore
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore

Oh, I have a loving mother over in glory land
I don’t expect to stop until I shake her hand
She’s gone on before just waiting at heaven’s door
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like you
If Heaven’s not my home, oh Lord, what would I do?
When the angels beckon me to Heaven’s open door
Then I won’t be at home in this world anymore

The Ballad of Monte Proser

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The Ballad of Monte Proser – Click To Play

In the early 1960’s I worked for Bobby Darin. We played casinos in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe. We also played in famous night clubs such as the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angelas, the Copacabana in New York and the Latin Casino in Philadelphia. The Copa was a very prestigious venue started by Monte Proser in 1940 although it was later taken over by Jules Podell who worked for mob boss Frank Costello.

I was curious about the background of the Copa so I did some research and found two books on the subject. The first one “The Copa: Jules Podell and the Hottest Club North of Havana”, written by Jules’ daughter Mickey about her luxurious life growing up on New York’s upper east side and how her schoolmates teased her about her father being a gangster, a fact from which she was well shielded. The second was “Mr. Copabanana” by Jim Proser, Monte’s son. I enjoyed Jim’s book so much that I wrote this contemporary folk song about Monte.

The Ballad of Monte Proser

[D] In the heart of New York City, [Em] a place that’s known to all,
[G] There stood a legendary club where [A7] dreams would rise and fall,
[D] Monte Proser was the man [Em] who brought it all to life,
[G] The Copacabana, where the [A7] stars would shine so bright.

The lights would dim, the crowd would cheer, excitement in the air,
As Monte Proser’s magic filled the room with light and flair,
With feathered showgirls dresses in mink, wearing sparkling gowns,
The Copacabana, was the toast of New York town.

(Chorus)
[D] Oh, the Copacabana, [G] where dreams would come alive,
[D] Monte Proser’s vision, was a place where [A7]worlds collide,
[D] From Sinatra to Martin, the [G] legends took the stage,
[D] The Copacabana, where [A] memories were [D] made.

(Bridge)
[C] The Copa was a haven, [Em] where troubles stayed outside,
[Am] Between those hallowed walls, [D] was a magic carpet ride,
[C] A melting pot of culture, [Em] where all were welcome in,
[Am] Monte Proser’s legacy, would [D] thrive through thick and thin.

But time moves on, and things must change, his curtains finally fell,
Yet the spirit of the Copa, it lingered on so well,
Though Monte Proser’s left us, the legend carries on,
The Copacabana, its story lived so long

(Chorus)

10 O’Clock

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10-O’Clock – Click To Play

Bob Gibson and Bob Camp were an amazing duo on the level of the Beatles! They are credited with writing “10-O’Clock” which has been covered by numerous folk artists, the most prominent being Judy Collins. I was privileged to be musical director on “Judy Collins #3 in 1963. This song is on the first side.

10-O’Clock

Chords:
[D] Ten [Am] o’clock, [D] all’s [Am] well, [D] ten [Am] o’clock, [D] all’s [Am] well
[Em]Town crier [Am] calling, [Em] swinging his [Am] bell
[Em] Ten [Am] o’clock, [Em ] all’s [Am] well

[F] Except for the [Am] girl with the[F] tear in her [Am] eye
[F] Whose sailor had [C] left with a [D] bitter [Am] good bye 
[F] He swore on his [Em] life [F] they never would [Em] part
[C] But he sailed and he [Em] left with her [D] heart

SONG:
Ten o’clock, all’s well, ten o’clock, all’s well
Town crier calling, swinging his bell
Ten o’clock, all’s well

Except for the girl with the tear in her eye
Whose sailor has left with a bitter good bye
He swore on his life they never would part
But he sailed and he left with her heart

Eleven o’clock, all’s well, eleven o’clock, all’s well
Town crier calling, ringing his bell
Eleven o’clock, all’s well

Oh where were her words when he turned to go
Of the new life within her now he’d never know
She walked through the night full of grief and despair
Crying why has he gone and where

Twelve o’clock, all’s well, twelve o’clock, all’s well
Town crier calling, ringing his bell
Twelve o’clock, all’s well

She thought of her man who had sailed away
Not even a kiss when he left that day
She walked to the dock where the sea meets the town
And she stepped from the shore and she drowned

Daddy Roll Em

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Daddy Roll Em – Click To Play

I first heard this song at the Gate of Horn in Chicago. Bob Gibson and Bob Camp were an amazing duo on the level of the Beatles! “Daddy Roll ‘Em” has been covered by numerous folk groups, each claiming a copyright on their arrangement. The Brother Four said it was about a long haul trucker. But the lyrics would suggest that it’s more about a cattle drive in the mid 1800s.

Daddy Roll ‘Em

[Em] They call me [Am] daddy, [Em] daddy [Am] roll ’em

[Em] They call me [Am] daddy roll ’em [Em] down down down

[Am] And when I [D] roll ’em ’em

[Am] I really [D] roll ’em on

[Am] They call me daddy roll ’em down[Em] [B7]

[G] Ten more miles till we [D] make that mountain Lord

[G] Ten more miles till we’re [D] on hard ground

[G] Julie gal can’t [D] you hear calling to you

[G] They call me daddy roll ’em [D] [B7] down

[Em] They call me [Am] daddy, [Em] daddy [Am] drive ’em

[Em] They call me [Am] daddy drive ’em [Em] down down down

[Am] And when I [D] drive ’em

[Am] I really [D] drive ’em on

[Am] They call me daddy drive ’em down[Em] [B7]

[G] Julie gal can’t [D] you hear calling to you

[G] Julie gal don’t [D] you understand

[G] So many miles [D] I can hardly count ’em now

[G] I feel you pulling me [D] by my hand

Repeat first and second chorus

Words & new music adaptation by Roger McGuinn

Black Eyed Susie

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Black Eyed Susie – Click To Play

Origin of “Black Eyed Susie” in Bluegrass
“Black Eyed Susie” is believed to have originated in Great Britain, with roots tracing back to a melody called “Rosasolis,” set by Giles Farnaby around 1560-1600.
The song made its way to America, where it evolved into a popular tune in the Southern and Western regions during the early 20th century.

Musical Characteristics
“Black Eyed Susie” features a lively tempo and showcases the virtuosity of bluegrass musicians.
The lyrics often vary, reflecting the song’s folk roots and adaptability over time.
This blend of British origins and American folk traditions has solidified “Black Eyed Susie” as a staple in bluegrass music.

Black Eyed Susie Lyrics:

[G] Black eyed Susie [C] went to town
[G] All she wore was a [D] gingham gown

CHORUS:
[G] Hey Black eyed Susie
[D] Ho Black eyed Susie
[G] Hey Black eyed Susie
[D] Black eyed Susie [G] Jane
CH
I may get drunk I may get woozy
But I’m comin’ home to Black eyed Susie
CH
Black eyed Susie’s long and tall
Sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall
CH
Hey old man I want your daughter
To chop my wood and carry my water
CH
All I want in this creation
Pretty little wife on a big plantation.
CH
Up Red Oak and down salt water
Some old man gonna lose his daughter.
CH
Black eyed Susie went huckleberry pickin’
Came home late and took a lickin’.
CH
Love my wife and love my baby
Love my biscuits sopped in gravy.
CH
Goin’ back home with a pocket full of money
Somebody there gonna call me honey.
CH

Sally Ann

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Sally Ann – Click To Play

“Sally Ann” is a traditional song from the 1800s. It’s been used as a dance tune. I tried to pin down where Sandy Land is but got mixed results. Some say it represents the southeastern shore of Maryland and other say it’s in Texas. In both casees there is a reference to growing sweet potatoes or yams.

Sally Ann
[D] Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in [Bm] sandy land
[D] Make my living in [A7] sandy land
I’m gonna marry you [D] Sally Ann

Did you ever see a possum Sally Ann
Dragging his slick tail through the sand
Playing the banjo in a band?
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann

I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
Make my living in sandy land

Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in sandy land
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann

Did you ever see a possum Sally Ann
Dragging his slick tail through the sand
Playing the banjo in a band?
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann

I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
Make my living in sandy land

Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in sandy land
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann

I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
I’m gonna marry you Sal Sal
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann
Make my living in sandy land

Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in sandy land
Make my living in sandy land
I’m gonna marry you Sally Ann

The Parting Glass

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The Parting Glass – Click To Play

This Traditional Celtic song is a favorite in all the world as the last song of the night at the pub. It’s also a fine way to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome in the New Year!!!

The Parting Glass

Oh of all the money that e’re I spent
I spent it in good company
and of all the harm that e’re Ive done
alas it was to none but me
for all I’ve done for want of wit
to mem’ry now I can’t recall
so fill to me the parting glass
good night and joy be with you all

Oh of all the comrades that e’re I’ve had
they are sorry for my going away
and of all the sweethearts that e’re I’ve had
they would wish me one more day to stay
but since it falls unto my lot
that I should rise and you should not
I’ll gently rise and softly call
good night and joy be with you all