The Wild Colonial Boy


The Wild Colonial Boy is a traditional Irish song. It’s the story of a young lad who sailed from his home in Castlemaine, County Kerry, Ireland to Australia in the early nineteenth century and became a sort of Robbin Hood “robbing from the rich to feed the poor.” This is an account of his adventure.

Lyrics:

[D] There was a wild [G] colonial boy,
[A7] Jack Duggan was his [D] name
He was born and raised in [Em] Ireland,
in a [A7 place called [D] Castlemaine
He was his father’s [Em] only son,
his [A7] mother’s pride and [D] joy
And dearly did his [G] parents love
the [A7] wild colonial [D] boy

At the early age of sixteen years,
he left his native home
And to Australia’s sunny shore,
he was inclined to roam
He robbed the rich, he helped the poor,
he shot James MacEvoy
A terror to Australia was
the wild colonial boy

One morning on the prairie,
as Jack he rode along
A-listening to the mocking bird,
a-singing a cheerful song
Up stepped a band of troopers:
Kelly, Davis and Fitzroy
They all set out to capture him,
the wild colonial boy

Surrender now, Jack Duggan,
for you see we’re three to one.
Surrender in the King’s high name,
you are a plundering son
Jack drew two pistols from his belt,
he proudly waved them high.
“I’ll fight, but not surrender,”
said the wild colonial boy

He fired a shot at Kelly,
which brought him to the ground
And turning round to Davis,
he received a fatal wound
A bullet pierced his proud young heart,
from the pistol of Fitzroy
And that was how they captured him,
the wild colonial boy

Mama Don’t Allow


This is an old blues from the Memphis area. It’s in a G tuning and mostly one chord.

Lyrics:

Oh please sit by my side
Yes I’m down
Feel my love inside now
Yes I’m down, cause

Mama don’t allow no
Staying out all night long

Oh right now baby sit down
On my knee
I said everybody tell me
They tell me

Mama Don’t allow no
Staying out all night long

Oh kiss me baby one day
On my way
My sweet baby’s gone
Walk away, fine!

Mama don’t allow no
Staying out all night long

Dives And Lazarus


This is a story Jesus told about a rich man and a beggar. They both died and the beggar was comforted while the rich man suffered in eternal flames.

Luke 16:19–31, New International Version:
“
19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Lyrics:

Guitar tuned down to D

1. [Em] As it fell out [G] upon a [D] day,
[G] Rich Dives made a [D] feast,
[Em] And he invited [G] all his [D] friends,
[G] And gentry of the [Em] best.

2. [G] Then Lazarus laid him [D] down and [G] down,
And down at Dives’ [D] door;
[Em] Some meat, some drink, [G] brother [D] Dives,
[Em] Bestow [D] upon the [Em] poor.

3. Thou’rt none of my brother, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my door;
Nor meat nor drink will I give to thee,
Nor bestow upon the poor.

4. As it fell out upon a day,
Poor Lazarus sickened and died;
There came two Angels out of Heaven,
His soul therein to guide.

5. Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus,
And come along with me;
There’s a place in Heaven prepared for thee,
To sit upon an Angel’s knee.

6. As it fell out upon a day,
Rich Dives sickened and died;
There came two serpents out of Hell,
His soul therein to guide.

7. Rise up, rise up, brother Dives,
And come along with me;
There’s a place in Hell prepared for thee,
To sit upon a serpent’s knee.

8. Then Dives looked with burning eyes,
And saw poor Lazarus blest;
One drop of water, Lazarus,
To quench my flaming thirst!

9. Oh! were I but to live again,
For the space of one half hour,
I would make my peace and so secure
That the Devil should have no power

Scarborough Faire


This is a traditional English song

Lyrics:

[Em] Are you going to [D] Scarborough [Em] Faire?
Parsley, [C] sage, [D] rosemary and [Bm] thyme.
[Em] Remember [D] me to [Bm] one who lived [Bm] there.
[Em] She once [D] was a [Bm] true love of [Em] mine.

Have her make me a cambric shirt
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Without no seams, nor fine needle work.
Then she’ll be a true love of mine.

Love imposes impossible tasks
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Though not more than any heart asks.
And I must know she’s true love of mine

When thou has finished thy task.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Come to me my hand for to ask.
For then you’ll be a true love of mine

The Preacher And The Bear


A popular minstrel song form the 1800s.

Lyrics:

[C] A Preacher went out a-huntin’ was [F] on one Sunday [C] morn
It was against his religion, but he [D] took his rifle [G] along
[C] He shot himself three mighty fine quail
and [F] one little measly [C] hare
[F] And on his way [C] returning [Am] home,
[D] he met a great big [G] Grizzly [C] Bear

[Am] Now the bear marched out in the middle of the road
[Em] Right up to the Preacher [Am] you see
[D] The Preacher got so excited, he climbed up a cinnamon [G] tree
[C] The bear sat down upon the ground,
the [F] Preacher climbed out on a [C] limb
[F] Well he cast his [C] eyes to the [D] Lord in the skies,
[G] These words he said to [C] Him

[C] Oh Lordy, didn’t you deliver [F] Daniel from the lion’s [C] den
Also, deliver Jonah, from the [D] belly of a whale and [G] then
[C] Three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace
so the [F] Good Book do [C] declare
[F] Oh Lord, if you [C] can’t help [D] me,
[G] Please don’t help [C] that bear

[C] Now the Preacher was up in that tree,
[F] I think it was [C] all night
[C] He said Mr Bear if you bother me,
[D] I’ll give you an awful [C] fight
Just about that time the limb let go
and the [F] Preacher came a-tumblin’ [C] down
[F] You could see him getting his [C] razor [D] out
[G] before he hit the [C] ground

[Am] Now he hit the ground cuttin’ right and left,
[Em] he put up a very good [Am] fight
[D] Then the bear grabbed the Preacher,
and he squeezed him a little too [G] tight
[C] The Preacher dropped his razor, the [F] bear held on with a [C] vim
[F] Well he cast his eyes to the [C] Lord in the [D] skies
[G] These words he said to [C] Him
CH
[C] They fought all the way to the river,
[F] it was a terrible [C] fight
That bear just kept a-hanging on,
but the [D] Preacher was a-doing all [G] right
[C] He dragged that beast right down in the water
[F] it was three times in and [C] out
[F] Then the bear got up and he [C] limped [D] away
[G] and the Preacher began to [C] shout

[C] Oh, Lordy, didn’t you deliver [F] Daniel from the lion’s [C] den
Also, deliver Jonah, from the [D] belly of a whale, [G] Amen,
And oh Lord, it may-not look like much from way up there,
But the hardest job I ever done was a-baptizing that bear.

Reminds me of this joke:

The Atheist and the Bear!

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that the evolution had created. “What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!”, he said to himself.

As he was walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. He turned to look. He saw a 7-foot grizzly charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing.

He ran even faster, so scared that tears were coming to his eyes. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.

At that instant the Atheist cried out “Oh my God!….”
Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
Even the river stopped moving.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, “You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don’t exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?”

The atheist looked directly into the light “It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?”

“Very well,” said the voice.
The light went out.
The river ran again.
And the sounds of the forest resumed.
And then the bear dropped his right paw ….. brought both paws together…bowed his head and spoke:

“Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful…AMEN!”
Author Unknown

Frankie And Johnny


This traditional blues based on a true story of a love affair gone wrong.

Lyrics:

[E] Frankie and Johnny were lovers
Oh! Lord, how they did love
[A] Swore to be true to each other
Just as true as the stars up [E] above
He was her [B7] man, but he was doin’ her [E] wrong

Frankie she was a good woman
Just as everyone knows
She gave her man a hundred dollars
Just to buy a new suit of clothes
He was her man but he was doin’ her wrong

Johnny went down to the corner
He asked for a glass of beer
Frankie went down in an hour or so
Said my loving Johnny been here?
He is my man but he’s doing me wrong

I ain’t gonna tell you no stories
I ain’t gonna tell you no lies
I saw your lovin’ Johnny
Making love to Nellie Bligh
He is your man but he’s doing you wrong

Frankie went home in a hurry
She didn’t go there for fun
She hurried home just to get a hold of
A big old forty-four gun
He is her man but he’s doing her wrong

Roll me over darling
Roll me over so slow
Roll me on my right side
Cause my left one hurts me so
He was my man but he was doing me wrong

Cupid’s Garden


This traditional song (Roud 297) is about an 18th century tea garden located on the south side of the River Thames in London. It was named after Abraham Boydell Cuper. It became known as “Cupid’s Garden because of the questionable morals of its visitors and as a result, lost its licence in 1736.

Lyrics:

[G] ‘Twas down in Cupid’s [D] Garden I [C] wandered for to [D] view
[G] The sweet and lovely [D] flowers [C] that in the [D] garden [G] grew,
[G] And one it was sweet [D] jasmin, the [C] lily, pink and [D] rose;
[G] They are the finest [D] flowers [C] that in the [D] garden [G] grow
[C] that in the [D] garden [G] grow.

I had not been in the garden but scarcely half an hour,
When I beheld two maidens, sat under a shady bower,
And one it was sweet Nancy, so beautiful and fair,
The other was a virgin and did the laurels wear
and did the laurels wear.

I boldly stepped up to them and unto them did say,
“Are you engaged to any young man, come tell to me, I pray?”
“No, I’m not engaged to any young man, I solemnly declare;
I mean to stay a virgin and still the laurels wear”
and still the laurels wear.

So, hand in hand together, this loving couple went;
To view the secrets of her heart was the sailor’s full intent,
Or whether she would slight him while he to the wars did go.
Her answer was, “Not I, my love, for I love a sailor bold”
for I love a sailor bold.

It’s down in Portsmouth Harbour, there’s a ship lies waiting there;
Tomorrow to the seas I’ll go, let the wind blow high or fair.
And, if I should live to return again, how happy I should be
With you, my love, my own true love, sitting smiling on my knee
sitting smiling on my knee.

Rock A My Soul


Rock A My Soul is a classic African-American spiritual originating in the southern United States. It refers to a parable in Gospel of Luke of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man had his reward in life but the poor beggar Lazarus suffered greatly. In death Lazarus went to enjoy the comfort of the bosom of Abraham and the rich man was tortured in Hades.

The counterpoint of the two choruses is just for fun. You gotta go in through the door.

Lyrics:

CH 1)

[E] Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham
[B7] Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham
[E] Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham
[B7] Lord rock a my [E] soul

CH 2) Overlap

[E] So high you can’t get over it
[B7] So low you can’t get under it
[E] So wide you can’t get around it
[B7] You gotta go in through the [E] door

[E] I would not be a sinner
And I’ll tell you the reason [B7] why
If by chance my Lord should [A] call me
[B7] Then I wouldn’t be ready to [E] die

Why don’t you rock a my soul
In the bosom of Abraham
Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham
Rock a my soul in the bosom of Abraham
Oh rock a my soul
Why don’t you rock a my soul

I went down in the valley
To find me and place to pray
I felt my soul so happy
That I sang my prayers all day

CH out

(c) 2017 McGuinn Music /
New Lyrics By Roger McGuinn

Cat Come Back


This is a comic children’s song written by Harry S. Miller in 1893. It has since been adopted by numerous folk singers.

This is dedicated to all cat lovers, especially Cynthia Kula and Morgan Fairchild.

Lyrics:

[E] Old Mr. Johnson had some troubles of his own
He had a little kitty cat that wouldn’t leave his [B7] home
[E] He tried one day to give the cat away
So he gave it to the preacher and thought he [B7] would [E] stay.

[E] But the cat come back, [A] thought he was a goner
[E] But the cat come back, [B7] cat come back
[E] The very next day the [A] cat come back
[E] Oh he thought he was a goner
But he [B7] couldn’t stay [E] away

Gave it to a railroad engineer,
Take the little kitty cat away from here
But the boiler busted so they say
And the cat come back the very next day

But the cat come back, thought he was a goner
But the cat come back, cat come back
The very next day the cat come back
Oh he thought he was a goner
But he couldn’t stay away

He gave it to a man in a hot air baloon
Told him to give it to the man in the moon
But the balloon busted so they say
And the cat come back the very next day

But the cat come back, thought he was a goner
But the cat come back, cat come back
The very next day the cat come back
Oh he thought he was a goner
But he couldn’t stay away

(c) 2017 McGuinn Music /
New Lyrics By Roger McGuinn

All The Good Times Are Past And Gone


Another favorite traditional bluegrass standard.

Lyrics:

[A] All the good times are [D] past and [A] gone
All the good times are [E] o’er
[A] All the good times are [D] past and gone
[A] Little darlin’ don’t you [E] weep no [A] more.

Now don’t you see that turtle dove
Flyin from pine to pine
It’s mournin’ for It’s own true love
Just like I mourn for mine.

All the good times are past and gone
All the good times are o’er
All the good times are past and gone
Little darlin’ don’t you weep no more.

Now don’t you see that passenger train
Coming around the bend
It’s taking me from this lonesome old town
Never to return again

All the good times are past and gone
All the good times are o’er
All the good times are past and gone
Little darlin’ don’t you weep no more.

Come back, come back my own true love
And stay with me a while
If ever I’ve had a friend in this world
You’ve been a friend for many a mile

(c) McGuinn Music /
New Lyrics By Roger McGuinn