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Songs
of Work, Love & Death
This is the big list as of March 2008, except for the ones we haven't
added yet.
Leave Her Johnny (trad.)
This is an end-of-the-voyage song that gives
a suspect kind of sentimentality to what we figure was really a
rush to get ashore and paid off as soon as possible.
Haul Away Joe (trad.)
A shanty.
Our version comes from Liam Clancy and Louie Killen.
Evangeline (Robbie
Robertson) Another river song. St. Paul used
to be quite the haven for gangsters. Not the gambler in this song
who probably lived a bit further down the Mississippi.
Rain And Snow (trad.)
A traditional Applachian song that was picked
up by the bluegrass players over the years. Our version was inspired
not by the Grateful Dead, but by the Be Good Tanyas from British
Columbia.
Country Life
(trad.) This traditional English song has
a rousing chorus and great energy. We learned it from The Watersons
and then "eddie-fied it."
Angel From Montgomery
(John Prine)
Most people know this one. Maybe from hearing
Bonnie Raitt sing it. We’ve been doing it a long time. An
arrangement credit to the lovely Barb Rose.
I’ll Fly Away
(Alfred E. Brumley) An old timey song that
got really popular as part of the “O Brother” collection.
We learned it in a traditional version but have given it what we
call our “Memphis” treatment.
Cape Cod Girls (trad.)
This chantey is notable because the verses
do not refer to drinking, bending, rolling, women or the robust
pursuit of pleasure ashore in any way. It is a sea song that we
like the sound of and that we learned really quickly. It pretty
much came out good the first time we sang it.
Hard On the Beach Oar (trad.)
This name was attached to the song “Shawneetown”
by English singer Johnny Collins from whom we learned it. The song
was assembled by folk musicologist Dillon Bustin from various scraps
of lyrics. The melody is his creation. We worked out our version
on a john boat ride up the River from St. Paul.
All I Have To Do Is Dream
(Boudleaux Bryant) This is a great song for
harmonizing. Just like the Everly Brothers.
You Ain’t Going Nowhere
(Bob Dylan)
This song has a great chorus and verses with
very little meaning. There are a lot of different versions that
Dylan himself has recorded. This is a song that falls into that
“we all knew it and liked it so we sang it” category.
This Land Is Your Land
(Woody Guthrie)
How could we not sing this one? It
is holding up quite well. Everyone
chimes in on the chorus, of course.
Aragon Mill/Factory Song
(Si Kahn) (Bruce Springsteen) We put these
two songs together for fairly obvious reasons. For the hard times.
Canaan’s Land
(trad.) This is one of those Appalachian songs
that probably spans traditions on both sides of the Atlantic. Our
version is inspired by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver; virtuoso bluegrass/gospel
players.
Stand By Me
(Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller)
A classic most famously sung by Ben E. King
who is sometimes given a partial writing credit. We sang this for
a while before the current version blossomed during a quiet afternoon
performance at a local coffee shop. It was originally a gospel song.
Long Black Veil (Danny
Dill, Marijohn Wilkins) A great song for singing.
It’s been done by a lot of people; Johnny Cash, the Rolling
Stones (?) and the Chieftains among them.
Dig My Grave (trad.)
A song with roots that are difficult to trace
and which have grown into a number of different versions. Our version
comes from a recording on the McGarrigle sisters’ song collection,
“The McGarrigle Hour”.
Waltzing Matilda (Banjo
Patterson) This is the only Banjo Patterson
song we do. This song has quite a history involving a lot of different
lyrics and debate about where they came from. It dates back to the
late 1800’s. It can be sung lots of different ways.
Paradise (John Prine)
This is another song that most people who
were listening to music in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s
know. Sometimes they don’t know the title, but they know the
song. This was one of the first songs we learned and was part of
the four song set we sang at our first ever public performance.
Wyoming sang lead at first, then Cherokee, then Curtice and now
Baker.
Find the Cost of Freedom
(Steven Stills)
Some people think we should do more Crosby,
Stills, Nash & Young songs. Some of them, we think, haven’t
aged so well. This one we think has held up.
Rivers of Babylon
(Brent Dowe, F. McHaughton) This was on “The
Harder They Come” soundtrack that it seems was in everybody’s
album collection. But, Jimmy Cliff didn’t write it. This was
written and performed first by a group called “The Melodians”.
Another river song. Psalm 137 in case
you want to know.
Down By the Riverside
(trad.) A song that is fun to sing and delivers
a straightforward message. Everyone
is singing along before the 1st verse is finished.
Forever Young (Bob
Dylan) We couldn’t figure this one out
for several years. Whatever the inspiration was, though, it has
turned into one of our favorites. We do this for all occasions
Bully In the Alley
(trad.) This song is said to be of Caribbean
origin. There is a lively debate as to the exact meaning of “bully”
in the context of this song. We generally take the view that it
refers to an alcoholically impaired state of being.
Roll The Old Chariots
(trad.) A shanty that provides almost a limitless
opportunity to sing about the things guys think about. This was
the second song we learned together.
Boney Was a Warrior (trad.)
The history of the Napoleonic era is summarized
in nine simple verses. Jean Francois is mentioned too.
Paddy Works On the Railway
(trad.)
Of the many different versions of this song
about working on the American railway in the 1800’s, we do
a version that touches on eight years in the 1860’s. This
was one of those songs that we picked up very quickly. We
sang this on KTCA's Alamanac program.
What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?
(trad.) One of the most well known
of traditional chanteys. Stan Hugill tells us this is a very old
chantey, based on an Irish dance tune, which was typically sung
in quick time. We hope our version of this classic helps answer
one of the most persistent questions still bedeviling the traditional
music play list.
Rollin’ Down to Old Maui
(trad.) A rousing story describing the joys
of a respite in Hawaii from the rigors of the north Pacific whaling
grounds. Our version is mostly from Stan Rogers.
Land of A Thousand Dances
(Chris Kenner, Fats Domino) Yes. A
thousand dances. This is Wyoming’s homage to Wilson Pickett.
This May Be The Last Time (trad.)
Curtice brought this one to the group and
we are still looking for the way to really do this song justice.
Black Muddy River
(Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter) A beautiful
tune and harmonies that enticed all of us right away. And, a song
that is great to sing when we are sitting on the River. The
Persuasions treatment influenced our version.
I Bid You Goodnight
(trad.) Another song with Caribbean origins.
This has been done by a number of contemporary groups (the Grateful
Dead) but the most recorded original version was by Joseph Spence
singing with the Pindar family.
Parting Glass (trad.)
An end of the night song that may be heard
at the end of a session in an Irish pub. We owe our version to Cullen,
McPhail & Callery performing as the Voice Squad. The Scots also
claim this.
A Health To The Company
(trad.) The only song we sing in unison, although
sometimes we sneak a few harmonies in. We learned this version from
The Chieftains.
A Rovin’ (trad.)
A well-known tale of a sailor ashore looking
for sexual gratification. Said to be one of the oldest known chanteys.
Is there a connection there?
A Sailor’s Prayer
(Tom Lewis) This contemporary song has a classic
feel and timeless subject matter. Cherokee brought this to the group
after a trip to Seattle.
All For Me Grog (trad.)
Another song of sailors ashore and the relative
merits of trading in your clothes for something to drink. Baker
taught this one to us.
Angel Band (trad.)
This is a traditional song that the Stanley
Brothers made famous. Our version is pretty much a combination of
Emmylou Harris, Tim O’Brien and Doc Watson.
Roseville Fair (Bill Staines)
This song has nothing to do with Roseville,
Minnesota. But, it is a pretty tune nonetheless.
South Australia (trad.)
A shanty.
We once had the pleasure of singing this with Louis Killen, one
of world’s best singers of traditional song. He has recorded
many collections devoted to sea music.
Starlight On the Rails
(Bruce “Utah” Phillips) This may
be the only real railroad song we sing. Baker brought this to the
group. He remembered it from his old days as a folk musician.
The Mermaid (trad.)
This is a catchy, but unforgiveably silly
song.
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This is a painting by Geoff Hunt. You
can learn more about him at here.
We admire him greatly because of all the paintings he did for the
Aubrey-Maturin series.
This is the cover art from Mauritius Command, by Patrick
O'Brian.
There are many places on the Internet
where you can buy his artwork.
Fire Marengo (trad.)
A chantey that was almost certainly sung on
ships at port in the southern U.S. And is likely of African-American
origin. Although Marengo was the site of one of Napoleon’s
many famous battles, that does not appear to be what the title refers
to. In fact, no one seems to know for sure what it means.
Fire (Bruce Springsteen)
Although the Pointer Sisters had a pop hit
with this song, it was written by The Boss. We have seen a video
of him performing this song with an accordian accompaniment.
Fire Down Below (trad.)
The third song in our “fire” medley,
this is another chantey with roots in the Caribbean. We
learned it from renowned sea song scholar Bob Walser; coincidentally
also a resident of the Twin Cities. One of the lines refers to the
Midway Plaisances in San Francisco which is said to have been one
of the first entertainment venues to feature hoochee coochee dancers.
This song refers to them as “hula” dancers. Baker and
Wabasha do an interpretive dance on this one.
Bold Reilly-O (trad.)
Our version of this song is sung at a slow
tempo. Less as a work song than a heartfelt song of farewell. It
is our prettiest sea song.
Amazing Grace
(John Newton)
A familiar, moving song. Written by a former ship’s captain
who had sailed in the slave trade for years. After being delivered
from a storm at sea, he devoted his life to his faith, eventually
becoming a minister. Click
here for the story. At one performance we were backed up by
40 pipers.
Down In The Valley To Pray
A familiar spiritual. There are a number of
different versions of this one. Ours was inspired by Doc Watson.
Roll The Woodpile Down
(trad.) A worksong that appears to have been
from the southern U.S. Stan Hugill suggests this may originally
have been a river song.
The Dodger
A folk song that tells us to be cautious about
the motivations of many people in our world. We learned this from
Twin Cities legends, Spider John Koerner, Dave Ray and Tony Glover.
Down In the Boondocks
(Joe South) This is one of our early songs.
In fact, it was the first song we sang in the first set of the first
public performance we did as The Eddies. The West Side of St. Paul
is the boondocks to some people.
Take Me To The River
(Al Green, Mabon Hodges) An Al Green chestnut.
Many people heard the Talking Heads do this in the late ‘70’s.
We fiddled around with this one a lot before we got it where we
liked it. It’s one we had to sing as we watched the river
running through downtown St. Paul.
Fifteen Men On A Deadman’s Chest
This song is taken from lines in Robert Louis
Stevenson’s “Treasure Island”. It was written
for a Broadway musical in 1901. It tells the story of pirates who
come upon the scene of a battle for some treasure. It is a classic
lose-lose-win situation.
Rosin The Beau
(trad.) This is a very well known Irish song
that relates the story of the funeral of Rosin the Beau. It is great
for singing along on the chorus. The
melody is also used on Acres of Clams.
Barrett’s Privateers
(Stan Rogers)
Stan Rogers really nailed this rousing ballad
of greedy dreams and promises of wealth being brought down in the
violent pursuit of them.
Blow the Man Down
(trad.) This is one sea song that most people
have heard. There are many versions that are sung. Most can be categorized
as either stories about “sailor on shore gets drunk and gets
in trouble with the law” or poetic musings that disguise references
to women with descriptions of ships. Our version falls into the
second category.
Whiskey Johnny (trad.)
A shanty with many verses about the allure
and destructive power of drink. Stan Hugill thought this was one
of the older chanteys to be passed down to the present. Kids love
this one.
Away Rio (trad.) A
chantey with verses appropriate for a farewell. The Rio, by the
way, almost certainly refers to the Rio Grande of Brazil which was
a major stop for ships in the cross Atlantic trade.
Dark As A Dungeon
(Merle Travis)
A great mining/work song that we understand
was written by Merle Travis in the span of twenty minutes while
sitting in a cab in Los Angeles.
Ecce Sum Paupere (Middle
Ages religious people) This round, sung in
Latin, was the original Club Song of the Sydney Bidwell Literary
Society. We rarely perform it in public. This is where it all started.
Fiddler’s Green (John Connelly)
This modern song has lyrics focused on the
fisherman’s imaginary paradise, Fiddler’s Green. John
Connelly is a renowned accordionist from the east coast of England.
Good Night Irene (Huddy
Ledbetter)
Everybody knows this one. The line about jumping
in the river to drown is always close to home as we sit on the dock
by the River to sing our cares away.
Hard Times Come Again No More
(Stephen Foster) Another American classic
set in the difficult world of the pioneers. This is the only song
that we try to perform with a piano if at all possible.
I Saw the Light (Hank
Williams)
A song of redemption by the king of the heartbreak
and despair song.
If It Don’t Work Out
(John D. Loudermilk) A beautiful song that
is familiar to most people even if they can’t quite remember
where they heard it before. Wyoming likes to sing this when he is
in a romantic mood.
Night Rider’s Lament
(Michael Burton) A contemporary cowboy song
with a great melody. This song features some of the roughest yodeling
that you are likely to hear from any group actually performing in
public.
No Woman No Cry (Bob
Marley)
A Bob Marley classic that, despite the obviously
intense personal lyric, is just too sweet not to sing on a regular
basis.
Pack Up Your Sorrows (Richard
Farina, Pauline Marden) This song is a classic
from the 1960’s folk music revival. Richard Farina died young.
Books have been written about him. We
made up the last verse that we sing.
Please Don’t Bury Me
(John Prine)
Other than the traditional songs we do, the
songwriter that we cover the most is John Prine. He is that good.
This song is fun and mentions Milwaukee. Cherokee
hails from there.
Martin Said (trad.)
This song is known as “Who’s The
Fool Now” by some. A song with lyrics some may think nonsensical
and baudy. It is said that this song came about at a time when there
were those in England who believed a reconciliation between the
protestant Church of England and the Catholic Church was in the
works. The nonsense lyrics of this song were the 16th century equivalent
of “when monkeys fly out of my butt” referring to the
actual chance the churches would reconcile.
Why Don’t You Try Me Tonight?
(Billy Young?) We can’t quite pin down
the writer of this earthy invitation for informal carnal relations.
We learned it from Ry Cooder.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
(A. Carter) This is a classic. Our version
is rough but heartfelt.
Oh Canada! (original
French: Calixa Lavallee, Judge Adolphe-Basile Routhier; English
lyrics: Robert Stanley Weir) We sing this
in honor of Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada.
A note about spelling: Cherokee prefers "chantey"
and Baker prefers "shanty." Here
is what Wiki says.
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