Alberta

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This is a song sung by the stevedores who worked on
the Ohio River. There were two types of river songs. The first was the
fast ‘Jump Down Turn Around’ type. The other kind was slow and blusey.
That could be because when it came time to load and unload these boats,
it was a pretty busy session. There was lots of time in between to sing
songs like this one.
Lyrics:
[D] Alberta let your [C] hair hang [D] low,[C]
[D] Alberta let your [C] hair hang [D] low,
[G] I’ll give you more [Bm] gold than your [F#m] apron can [G] hold
[D] If you’ll just let your [C] hair hang low [D]

Alberta what’s on you mind
Alberta what’s on you mind
You keep me worried, you keep me bothered all the time
Alberta what’s on you mind

Alberta don’t treat me unkind
Alberta don’t treat me unkind
My heart feels sad ’cause I want you so bad
Alberta don’t treat me unkind

Alberta let your hair hang low,
Alberta let your hair hang low,
I’ll give you more gold than your apron can hold
If you’ll just let your hair hang low

Happy Valentine’s Day
Roger McGuinn � 1998 McGuinn Music

In The Evenin’

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This is another song that I recorded at my home, 57
East Division Street in Chicago, in 1957, on a Pentron reel-to-reel tape
recorder, at 7 1/2 IPS. I used to sing this at the Cafe Roue, on Rush
Street, where I was paid ten dollars a night.

Happy New Year!!!

Lyrics:
In The Evenin’

E A7 E A7

In the evenin, in the evenin

E A7 E7

Baby when the sun goes down

A A7 A A7

In the evenin, in the evenin

E E7

Baby when the sun goes down

A E A A7 E

Ain’t it lonesome baby when you’re not around

A E B7

And the sun goes down

When the fun, the fun’s all over

Baby when the whiskey’s all gone dry

A man gets to thinkin’

A guy was born to die

In the evenin’ in the evenin’

Baby when the sun goes down, and you’re not around

It’s goodbye my friends and pals

I’ve got to be goin’ my way

But I, I’m gonna see you all

Some old rainy day

In the evenin’ in the evenin’

Baby when the sun goes down, and you’re not around

In the evenin, in the evenin

Baby when the sun goes down

In the evenin, in the evenin

Baby when the sun goes down

Ain’t it lonesome baby when you’re not around

And the sun goes down

� 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

What Child Is This

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(Lyrics 18?? by William Chatterton Dix, to the melody of 'Greensleeves')
Lyrics:
Em D

What child is this,who, laid to rest,

C B7

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Em D

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

C B7 Em

While shepherds watch are keeping.

G D

cho: This, this is Christ the King,

C Bm

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

G D

Haste, haste, to bring him laud

C B7 Em

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Come, peasant, King to own Him;
The King of Kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him.

Special thanks to Bruce Kula for 12-string guitar accompaniment.
Merry Christmas 1996! All the best ….. Roger

Golden Vanity

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There were a lot of sea chanties that dealt with the
subject of the Captain's daughter. Can you imagine
the desire that the common sailors must have felt for
the only pretty woman on board ship, during a long
voyage? They must have nearly gone mad.

In the same manner, the Captain would have guarded his
daughter with an overwhelming sense of protective jealousy.
That's what happens in this story. After using the poor
cabin boy to do his dirty work, the cruel Captain leaves
him to drown, thus saving his daughter for himself.

I've loved this song, ever since learning it at the
Old Town School of Folk Music in the late '50s. Although
I performed it at the coffee houses on Rush Street in Chicago,
I never got around to recording it until now.

Lyrics:
C

Oh there was a lofty ship and a lofty ship was she

F G

And the name of that ship it was the Golden Vanity

C Am

And she feared she would be taken by the Turkish Enemy

F G C Am

As she sailed on the lowland, lowland low

F G C

As she sailed on the lowland sea

Up stepped a little cabin boy, a cabin boy was he

And he said to the Captain what will you give to me

If I sneak alongside the Turkish Enemy

And I sink her in the lowland, lowland low

And I sink her in the lowland sea

Oh I will give you silver and I will give you gold

And the hand of my daughter your bonnie bride will be

If you'll sneak alongside of the Turkish Enemy

And you'll sink her in the lowland lowland low

And you'll sink her in the lowland sea

So he jumped overboard and overboard jumped he

And he swam alongside of the Turkish Enemy

And with a little drilling tool he boar-ed holes three

And he sank her in the lowland lowland low

He sank her in the lowland sea

Then he turned himself around and back again swam he

'Til he came to the side of the Golden Vanity

But the Captain would not heed, for his daughter he did need

And he left him in the lowland lowland low

He left him in the lowland sea

Well his shipmates brought him out, but upon the deck he died

And they wrapped him in his blanket that was so soft and wide

And they cast him overboard and he drifted with the tide

And he sank beneath the lowland lowland low

He sank beneath the lowland sea

And he sank beneath the lowland lowland low

He sank beneath the lowland sea

© 1998 McGuinn Music – Roger McGuinn

Lost Jimmy Whelan

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There are versions of this song, where the ghost of Lost Jimmy Whelan comes back to tell the fair maiden that they are both better off now that he is no longer burdened with the cares of this world.

I recorded this for the Folk Den just minutes after hearing of the unfortunate death of Bob Gibson. If it hadn't been for Bob, I might never have learned this, or any other folk song.

Thank you Bob, for everything!

Lyrics:
Am G F E7
All alone as I strayed by the banks of the river
C Dm Am
Watching the moonbeams as evening drew neigh
Am G F E7
All alone as I rambled, I spied a fair damsel
C Dm Am
Weeping and wailing with many a sigh.

Weeping for one who is now lying lowly
Mourning for one whom no mortal can save
As the foaming dark waters flow silently o'er him
Onward they sweep over young Jimmy's grave

Oh Jimmy why can't you tarry here with me
Not leave me alone all distracted in pain
But since death is the dagger which has cut us asunder
Then wide is the gulf, love between you and I

All alone as I strayed by the banks of the river
Watching the moonbeams as evening drew neigh
All alone as I rambled, I spied a fair damsel
Weeping and wailing with many a sigh.

Boatman

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After the War of 1812, thousands of people moved to Ohio from the eastern states. Many came from New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. Immigrants arrrived from Germany and Great Britain.

The Erie Canal opened in 1825. The Ohio and Erie Canal, joining Cleveland and Portsmouth, was completed in 1845. For 25 years these canals were busy trade routes, piloted by burly, aggressive boatmen on long narrow craft. These keelboats were sharp at both ends, built on a keel and ribs.

Gradually the railroads replaced the keelboat as a form of commercial transportation and the canal traffic was greatly reduced.

I chose this song because we are on the road and traveling through Ohio. We stopped at Bill Lee's house in Dublin Ohio, and recorded this at his studio. We used a Martin D-41, 6-string and a 5-string banjo. The background vocals were provided by the Ohio River Boys.

Lyrics:
D
BOATMAN SING BOATMAN DANCE

A7 D
BOATMAN LOVE MISS MARY ANN

D
DANCE BOATMAN DANCE

D A7 D
DANCE BOATMAN DANCE

D G
DANCE ALL NIGHT 'TIL THE BROAD DAYLIGHT

G A7 D
GO HOME WITH THE GALS IN THE MORNING

G D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

G D A7 D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

G D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

G D A7 D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

D
BOATMAN DANCE BOATMAN SING

D A7 D
BOATMAN DO MOST ANYTHING

D
DANCE BOATMAN DANCE

D A7 D
DANCE BOATMAN DANCE

D G
DANCE ALL NIGHT 'TIL THE BROAD DAYLIGHT

G A7 D
GO HOME WITH THE GALS IN THE MORNING

G D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

G D A7 D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

G D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

G D A7 D
HEY HO BOATMAN ROW SAILING DOWN THE RIVER ON THE OHIO

Tribute to Bob Gibson

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I got a letter from Bob Gibson the other day:

'From the Computer of … Bob Gibson

August 15, 1996

Dear Friends,

As my health has declined, I have found that I may miss
music more than anything else. I miss making music,
listening to music and being around others who have
music in their blood. So, I'm going to have a party and
invite everyone to bring their voices, instruments and
songs!

Please join me, just north of Chicago, at the Sheraton
North Shore on Friday, September 20, 1996 to visit and jam!
I've arranged for a small sound system, a no host bar,
light refreshments, and a view of the Chicago skyline. I
would like to see you, hear you and just say hello.

This may be the last chance I have to see many of you. I
am finding it increasingly difficult to do the simplest
things and traveling is really a challenge. I won't be
able to play and sing with you, but I'm really looking
forward to being an audience of one! Please RSVP to my
daughter Susan by September 15, 1996.

I hope to see you there.

Bob

John Brown and Spanky McFarlane wrote a new
version of 'Sweet Betsy From Pike' for this
occasion.

I won't be able to attend, but I wanted to sing
their song, here in the Folk Den for Bob.

The capo is on the third fret.

'Bobby From Chi'

To the tune of 'Sweet Betsy From Pike'
Lyrics by: John Brown & Elane McFarlane

Lyrics:
C Em F C

Oh don't you remember sweet Bobby from Chi?

C Am Dm G

He sang in a cellar, a folk-singin' guy

F

He picked on the banjo and 12-string guitar

C Em F C Em Am G

At the old Gate of Horn, what a wonderful bar!

And down in that cellar, all smoky and damp

He sang of Old Blue with young Bobby Camp

The crowd was ecstatic, my gosh what a scene

With liner notes written by Shel Silverstein

They gave the old folk songs a twist that was new

Camp hollered 'I'm sorry your mother turned blue'

In three-button suits they were polished and lean

They kept off the weight with that pure methadrene

Now all us young folkies thought Bob was the rage

We'd sneak in the 'Gate' and we'd sit near the stage

But we didn't go there just lookin' for kicks

We'd check out his changes and copy his licks

Oh don't you remember sweet Bobby my friend?

We'll be playing your music from now 'til the end

Now here's to you Bobby, a toast from the heart

Make Saint Peter smile with that 12-string guitar

Cold Coast of Greenland

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Lyrics:
A F#m
FAREWELL AND ADIEU LOVE
D A
I'M BOUND FOR TO SAIL
A F#m
TO THE COLD COAST OF GREENLAND
D A
TO CAPTURE THE WHALE
F#m D
AND THERE'LL BE NO TEMPTATION
D A
TO TARRY THERE LONG
A F#m
FOR THE WIND AND THE SNOW LOVE
D A
WILL SING US THEIR SONG

IT'S A HARD SEA TO TRAVEL
THROUGH THE STORM AND THE GALE
AND THERE'S NO COMPENSATION
BUT TO HUNT FOR THE WHALE
WITH OUR OILSKINS AND SLICKERS
AND OUR BOOTS TO THE KNEE
WE WILL ROLL AND WE'LL PITCH
THROUGH THE COLD GREENLAND SEA

OH THE PRIZE THAT WE SEEK LOVE
IS AS BOLD AND AS FINE
AS THE FASTEST OF STEEDS
OR THE FINEST OF WINE
HE COULD EASILY SEND US
WITH THE POWER OF HIS TAIL
TO A WATERY GRAVE
AH THE GREAT GREENLAND WHALE

FAREWELL AND ADIEU LOVE
I'M BOUND FOR TO SAIL
TO THE COLD COAST OF GREENLAND
TO CAPTURE THE WHALE
AND THERE'LL BE NO TEMPTATION
TO TARRY THERE LONG
FOR THE WIND AND THE SNOW LOVE
WILL SING US THEIR SONG

New York Girls

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This is another example of a young sailor's warning about the dangers of shore leave. Getting drunk and into trouble with the women in seaport towns was a common theme that ran through many sea chanties. This verse in the song 'Go To Sea No More' is another illustration of the sailor's admonitions.

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 sleeping with no whore
But get married lads and have all night in
And go to sea no more

Lyrics:
G
As I walked down the Broadway
C
One evening in July
G C
I met a maid who asked me trade
C D
And a sailor John says I

To Tiffany's I took her
I did not mind expense
I bought her two gold earrings
And they cost me fifteen cents

G
AND AWAY, YOU SANTEE
C G
MY DEAR ANNIE
C Am
OH, YOU NEW YORK GIRLS
D G
CAN'T YOU DANCE THE POLKA?

Says she, 'You Limejuice sailor
Now see me home you may'
But when we reached her cottage door
She this to me did say

My flash man he's a Yankee
With his hair cut short behind
He wears a pair of long sea-boots
And he sails in the Blackball Line

He's homeward bound this evening
And with me he will stay
So get a move on, sailor-boy
Get cracking on your way

So I kissed her hard and proper
Afore her flash man came
And fare ye well, me Bowery gal
I know your little game

I wrapped me glad rags round me
And to the docks did steer
I'll never court another maid
I'll stick to rum and beer

I joined a Yankee blood-boat
And sailed away next morn
Don't ever fool around with gals
You're safer off Cape Horn

Buffalo Skinners

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At four o'clock in the morning when the bars all closed in Chicago, a few of us would go out for breakfast. There were musicians, singers and people who worked at the various bars and nightclubs along Rush Street. Herb O'Brian was a tall fellow with a mustache and a big bass voice who worked as the bartender at Easy Street. He liked to drink 151 proof rum and sing one song a cappella, over and over as we ate steak and eggs. Here is the song he sang.
Lyrics:
[Bm] 'Twas in the town of [A] Jacksburo, in the [G] year of [Bm]'73
That a [D] man by the name of [G] Kre- [A] ggo come [D] walking up to [G] me
Saying [D] how you doing young [G] fel- [A] ler and [D] would you like to [G] go
To [Bm] spend the summer [A] pleasantly on the [G] range of the [Bm] buffalo

Me being out of employment, to Kreggo I did say
This summer on the buffalo range depends upon the pay
For if you pay good wages, transportation to and fro'
It's likely I go with you to the range of the buffalo

Yes I will pay good wages, and transportation too
If you'll agree to work for me until the season's through
But if you do get homesick and you try to run away
You'll starve to death on the buffalo range, and also lose your pay

With all this fancy talking he set up quite a plan
Some ten or twelve in number, all able bodied men
Our trip it was a pleasant one as we hit the westward road
Until we reached Las Cruces in old New Mexico

Well then our pleasures ended and our troubles they begun
When lightning struck the wagon boys and made the buffalo run
A thousand head a-breathin' fire, stampeding they did go
And outlaws waiting to pick us off from the hills of Mexico

Well the working season ended but the drover would not pay
He said 'you boys been extravagant , your all in debt to me'
But the cowboys never heard such a thing as a bankrupt drover-o
So they left his bones to bleach in the hills of Mexico

Across the Rio Grande my boys and homeward we are bound
No one on this buffalo range will ever more be found
Go home to your wives and sweethearts, tell others not to go
To spend the summer pleasantly on the range of the buffalo