mp3: Vicar of Bray – Click To Play This is an 18th century satirical song about a clergyman staying in power no matter who was king. Here is a detailed annotation of the lyrics: Lyrics: [D] In good King [A] Charles’ [D] golden [A] days, [D] when loyalty no [A] harm [D] meant, [D] A … Continue reading "Vicar of Bray"…

mp3: Star of County Down – Click To Play This lovely Irish song was written in the 1800s by Cathal MacGarvey from Ramelton, County Donegal. The tune is traditional and has been used in “Dives and Lazarus” as well as “My Love Nell” and the hymn, “I Heard The Voice of Jesus.” Lyrics: [Gm] Near … Continue reading "The Star of County Down"…

mp3: Columbus Stockade Blues – Click To Play “Columbus Stockade Blues” is a classic bluegrass song written by Thomas Darby in the 1920s. Lyrics: Columbus Stockade Blues [G] Way down in Columbus, Georgia [D7] Want to be back in [G] Tennessee Way down in Columbus [D7] Stockade Babe don’t you ever think of [G] me … Continue reading "Columbus Stockade …

mp3: Blow The Candle Out – Click To Play “Blow The Candle Out” is an old English sailors song (though not necessarily a sea chantey) dating from 1724 or earlier and also known and sung in Ireland, Scotland, and the U.S. In this version a young man is about to enter military service for three … Continue reading "Blow The Candle Out"…

mp3: Boil ‘Em Cabbage Down – Click To Play This is a rare recording of me playing with Bobby Darin and his band at the Coconut Grove nightclub in Hollywood circa 1963. I’m playing my Vega 5-string banjo and singing harmony. Lyrics: [G] Boil ’em cabbage boys[C] down, [G] turn the ho-cakes [D7]round [G] The … Continue reading "Boil ‘Em Cabbage Down"…

mp3: Scottish Reel – Click To Play It is the Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and time for a Scottish Reel to dance in the refreshing season filled with birds, flowers and love. A wee bit of a dram might make it all the more delightful. My wife Camilla suggested that the Rickenbacker 12-string with … Continue reading "Scottish Reel"…

mp3: Low Bridge Everybody Down – Click To Play The Erie Canal was America’s first “Super Highway” running from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Construction began in 1817 and was completed in 1825. It ran 363 miles and created great wealth for New York City. Eventually railroads replaced it for commercial use. It … Continue reading "Low Bridg…

mp3: Copper Kettle – Click To Play A. F. Beddoe claims to have written this song in 1953 as part of the folk opera “Go Lightly, Stranger.” However Pete Seeger says he heard the song in 1946, sung by a tall stranger named Frank. Joan Baez learned the song from Bob Gibson and recorded it … Continue reading "Copper Kettle"…

mp3: Old Time Religion – Click To Play “Old Time Religion” is a classic Spiritual from the Old South! It’s something to think about in these days of Scientific Delirium Madness! Lyrics: [G] Give me that old time religion, Give me that [D] old time [G] religion, Give me that old time [C] religion, Lord … Continue reading "Old Time Religion"…

mp3: Stella Got A New Dress – Click To Play Bob Gibson wrote this song with Bob Camp in the early 60s. Gibson was my first influencer for folk music. In 1957 He came to the Latin School of Chicago and performed a 45 minute set that blew me away! I ran up to Louise … Continue reading "Stella Got A New Dress"…