Mary Had A Baby

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This is an old Christmas spiritual that I found without a melody. In keeping with the folk process, I came up with a tune.

My guitar is tuned down to C#, where Lead Belly used to tune his Stella 12-string.

Lyrics:
[E] Mary had a baby oh my Lord
[A] Mary had a baby oh my Lord
[G] Mary had a baby [B7] oh my Lord
[A] People keep a-comin' an' the [B7] train done gone

What did she name Him oh my Lord
What did she name Him oh my Lord
What did she name Him oh my Lord
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone

She named Him Jesus oh my Lord
She named Him Jesus oh my Lord
She named Him Jesus oh my Lord
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone

Where was He born oh my Lord
Where was He born oh my Lord
Where was He born oh my Lord
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone

Born in a stable oh my Lord
Born in a stable oh my Lord
Born in a stable oh my Lord
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone

And where did she lay Him oh my Lord
And where did she lay Him oh my Lord
And where did she lay Him oh my Lord
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone

She laid Him in a manger oh my Lord
She laid Him in a manger oh my Lord
She laid Him in a manger oh my Lord
People keep a-comin' an' the train done gone

Copyright (c) 1998
Roger McGuinn
McGuinn Music

Wagoner’s Lad

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Last week, I had the pleasure of performing at a
tribute concert for The Harry Smith Anthology, sponsored by the
Smithsonian, The Folk Alliance, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

It was a wonderful night of music and re-acquaintance with old
friends. Ella Jenkins was there, whom I hadn’t seen in over thirty
years, as well as the New Lost City Ramblers, and new friends, Jeff and
Jay from Wilco.

This is one of my favorite songs from the Anthology. It’s one of
those melodies that stays with you long after you’ve heard the song.

The original recording is from 1928, by Buell Kazee, with just vocal
and 5-string banjo. I have done it again, keeping the sound as close to
the original as possible.

The format is interesting; the first verse is by a narrator, the
second by the girl, the third by the boy and the fourth and fifth verses
are split between the boy and girl.

She’s trying to talk the Wagoner’s Lad into staying with her, and he’s dead set on leaving.

Lyrics:
[G] Oh hard is the [C] fortune of all women [G] kind.
They’re [D] always [G] controlled, they’re always [D] confined
Controlled by their [G] parents until they are [D] brides
Then [C] slaves to their husbands for the rest of their [G] lives

Oh I am a poor girl, my fortune is sad
I have always been courted by the wagoner’s lad
He courted me daily both by night and by day
And now he is loaded and going away

Your parents don’t like me because I am poor
They say I’m not worthy of entering your door
I work for my living, my money’s my own
And if they don’t like me they can leave me alone

Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
Come sit down beside me as long as you may
My horses ain’t hungry, they won’t eat your hay
So fare thee well darling, I’ll be on my way

Your wagon needs greasing, your whip’s for to mend
Come sit down beside me as long as you can
My wagon is greasy, my whip’s in my hand
So fare thee well, darling, no longer to stand
� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

Wild Goose

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'Wild Goose' is a sea chantey, that some say has political overtones; the implication being that the 17th century Irish patriots who fled their country to take service with foreign kings were known as 'Wild Geese.'

But the song is also a subtle joke on the sailor's difficulty in luring pretty young women. The wild goose is a fresh water bird and would not be seen flying over the ocean for any extended period of time.

When we were in Anchorage last month, a flock of wild geese flew in and landed on a portion of Cook Inlet, behind our hotel. We were walking after dinner, and loved the sight, and sounds of the birds honking in the twilight. I sang this song to them, and as I sang, they stopped honking and listened. As soon as I finished, the honking resumed! I repeated this several times, and each time they would quiet down during the song. It was amazing!

Lyrics:
Did you ever see a wild goose
Sailin' o'er the ocean?
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!
It be just like one of them pretty girls
When she gets the notion
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!

The other day I was walking down by the river
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!
When I spied one of them pretty girls, her topsails all a-twitter
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!

I said 'Fair young maden, how you doin' this mornin'?
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!
She said' 'None the better for the seeing of you.'
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!

Did you ever see a wild goose
Sailin' o'er the ocean?
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!
It be just like one of them pretty girls
When she gets the notion
Ranzo, Ranzo, Way- hey-ay!

Go To Sea Once More

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‘Go To Sea Once More’ is a favorite song of mine. I
have wonderful memories of walking into the old Gate of Horn in Chicago,
and hearing Alan Rebeck and Albert Grossman singing it. They would be
at a table near the door, Alan would straddle his chair with its back
facing outward and his classical guitar propped on top. He and Grossman
would harmonize on this and other sea chanteys for hours.

This, as many a sailing song, warns of the dangers of the sea as well of those of shore leave.

I decided to record this song for the Folk Den because we’re on tour
in Anchorage, Alaska, and there is a reference to the Acrtic Sea in the
song. I don’t know of an Arctic Sea, but there is an Arctic Ocean on the
north coast of this state.

Thanks to Anchorage radio station, KOOL FM for donating their studio
and to Brian Roberts ( kool973@alaska.net ) for engineering the
recording.

Lyrics:
When [Em] first I come to [D] Liverpool, I [C] went upon a [Em] spree
Me money at last I spent it fast, got drunk as [D] drunk could [B7] be
And [Em] when me money was all gone ’twas then that I [D] wanted [B7] more
[Em] But a man must be blind or be [D] out of his mind to [C] go to sea once [Em] more

I spent that night with Angeline, too drunk to roll in bed
Me clothes they were new and me money was too in the morning with ’em she fled
And as I walked the streets alone, the whores they all did roar
There goes Jack Tarr, that poor sailor lad, he must go to sea once more

As I was walkin’ down the street, I run into Rapper Brown
I asked him for to take me in and he looked at me with a frown
He said last time you was on-board with me you chalked no score
But I’ll take your advance and I’ll give you the chance
and I’ll send you to sea once more

He shipped me aboard of a whaling ship bound for the Arctic Sea
Where the cold winds blow through the frost and the snow and Jamaica rum would freeze
Alas I had no luck with me gear, for I’d spent all me money ashore
‘Twas then that I wished that I was dead of safe with the girls ashore

Some days we catchin’ whales me lads some days we catching none
With a twenty foot oar stuck in your hand from four o’clock in the morn’
And when the day is over lads, you sit on your weary oar
It’s then that you wish that you were dead, you’d go to sea no more

So come all you bold seafaring lads who listen to my song
And when you go out on them long trips, pray that you don’t go wrong
Take my advice, drink no strong drink, don’t go sleepin’ with no whore
But get married lads and have all night in and go to sea no more

� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

South Australia

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South Australia is a capstan shanty used by the wool traders who worked the clipper ships between Australian ports and London.

This is well known as a farewell song, sung at the docks as the big
ships were leaving. The men grew a sentimental attachment to the song
and were even known to request a rousing chorus on their death beds, so
that they could die happy.

Lyrics:
[D] In South Australia [G] I was [D] born
[G] Heave [D] away! [G] Haul [D] away!
[D] South Australia [A] round Cape [D] Horn
And we’re bound for [A] South [D] Australia

[G] Haul away you [D] rolling king
[G] Heave [D] away! [G] Haul [D] away!
[G] All the way you’ll [D] hear me sing
And we’re bound for [A] South [D] Australia

As I wlaked out one morning fair
Heave away! Haul away!
It’s there I met Miss Nancy Blair
And we’re bound for South Australia

There ain’t but one thing grieves my mind
Heave away! Haul away!
It’s to leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
And we’re bound for South Australia

I run her all night I run her all day
Heave away! Haul away!
Run her before we sailed away
And we’re bound for South Australia

I shook her up I shook her down
Heave away! Haul away!
I shook her round and round and round
And we’re bound for South Australia

And as you wollop round Cape Horn
Heave away! Haul away!
You’ll wish that you had never been born
And we’re bound for South Australia

� 1998 McGuinn Music Roger McGuinn

This Train

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On June 1, 1997 Camilla and I boarded a flight for
London to begin a tour of the U.K. We had decided to travel light with
just carry-on bags and one guitar. I brought my Martin D-12-45 in a
leather gig bag. Our idea was to take the trains of Europe for the whole
tour.

From the outset, people in the U.K. said ‘you’ll never be able to do
it!’ But the trains were all on time and as efficient as any form of
transportation we’d ever seen, and it was great fun!

We even took the Eurostar through the English Channel to France and
took French trains through the whole country from the north to the
south. We flew home from Nice on July 1, 1997 with a love of the people
of the U.K. and France, and of their wonderful train system. I wish the
trains in the United States worked as well!

With that in mind, I thought this old gospel song about a heavenly
train would be appropriate for the Folk Den this month. Sorry it was a
little late.

Lyrics:
[E]This train is bound for glory this train
This train is bound for glory [B7] this train
[E]This train is bound for glory
[A]Don’t carry nothin’ but the righteous and the holy
[E]This train is [B7]bound for glory [E]this train

This train don’t carry no gamblers this train
This train don’t carry no gamblers this train
This train don’t carry no gamblers
No crap shooters, no midnight gamblers
This train don’t carry no gamblers this train

This train is leavin’ in the morning this train
This train is leavin’ in the morning this train
This train is leavin’ in the morning
Great God a new day’s dawning
This train is leavin’ in the morning this train

This train don’t carry no rustlers this train
This train don’t carry no rustlers this train
This train don’t carry no rustlers
No street walkers no two-bit hustlers
This train is leavin’ in the morning this train

This train is bound for glory this train
This train is bound for glory this train
This train is bound for glory
Don’t carry nothin’ but the righteous and the holy
This train is bound for glory this train

� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

East Virginia

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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

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

Brisbane Ladies

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I first heard this song when Hoyt Axton sang it to me
at the Troubadour in Los Angeles in 1962. He wanted me to sing harmony
on it for his recording ‘THE BALLADEER,’ on Horizon Records, WP 1601.

We recorded it live at the Troubadour later that week, and when it
came out, I was surprised to see the credit ‘Here as well is the
delightful Australian folk ballad, Brisbane Ladies, on which Jimmy
McQuinn of the Chad Mitchell Trio harmonizes with Hoyt.’

In spite of the misspelled name, I was glad to have been able to sing with Hoyt. I really loved the song too!

Here’s a new recording of Brisbane Ladies done especially for the
Folk Den. The harmony part is the same one I sang on the Hoyt Axton
record.

Lyrics:
(Saul Mendelsohn)

[Em] Farewell and adieu to [G] you, Brisbane [D] ladies
[Em] Farewell and adieu, you [G] maids of [D] Toowong
[Em] We’ve sold all our [D] cattle and we [C] have to get a [Em] movin’
[Em] But we hope we shall [D] see you [C] again before [Em] long.

cho: We’ll rant and we’ll roar like true Queensland drovers
We’ll rant and we’ll roar as onward we push
Until we return to the Augathella station
Oh, it’s flamin’ dry goin’ through the old Queensland bush.

The maids of Toomancie they look so entrancing
Like bawling young heifers they’re out for their fun
With the waltz and the polka and all kinds of dancing
To the rackety old banjo of Henry Gunn.

Then on to Nanango, that hard-bitten township
Where the out-of-work station-hands sit in the dust,
Where the shearers get shorn by old Tim, the contractor
Oh, I wouldn’t go near there, but I flaming well must!

Then fill up your glasses, and drink to the lasses,
We’ll drink this town dry, then farewell to them all
And when we’ve got back to the Augathella Station,
We hope you’ll come by there and pay us a call.

Written by Saul Mendelsohn, printed as a broadside.
repr. Queensland Boomerang, 1891. In most Australian
collections; cf. ‘Spanish Ladies’

Tune: Spanish Ladies (minor version)
� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

Sailor Lad

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Bravado must have played an important part in the
lives of the old square-rigger sailors. They had to face harsh realities
with real courage, but when they made up songs, the situations were
often idealized.

In this chantey the sailors’ prowess with women in various ports, is
conveniently overshadowed by their love of freedom and the sea.

Lyrics:
[D] Oh I’m a rake and rambling sailor lad
[G] And I’m newly home from the port of [A] Trinidad
[D] With my heart still tingling from the deep salt sea
And our [G] good ship [A] longing to be [D] free

There were three girls in jolly Portsmouth town
And they had a reputation of renown
And they tried to keep us clinging till the wedding bells were ringing
But we left ’em and we sailed for the sea

[ F#7] Oh [G] honey, I’ve got [E7] pockets full of [A] money
And we’ll [D] rant [F#m] and [Bm] roar [A] till we [G] reach our [F#m] homeland [A] shore
[D] With my heart still tingling from the deep salt sea
And Our [G] good ship [A] longing to be free

� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn