In Jan Karon’s Christmas story, “Shepherds Abiding,” she wrote, “In the face of losing everything one hoped for, lighting a tree was an act of faith.” The main character, Father Tim, is cheered by the sight.
Friday, December 23, 2022
An Act of Faith
Friday, November 18, 2022
What We Talk About When We Talk About Chili
… valuable books should, in a civilized country, be within the reach of every one, printed in excellent form, for a just price; but not in any vile, vulgar, or, by reason of smallness of type, physically injurious form, at a vile price. For we none of us need many books, and those which we need ought to be clearly printed, on the best paper, and strongly bound. And though we are, indeed, now, a wretched and poverty-struck nation, and hardly able to keep soul and body together, still, as no person in decent circumstances would put on his table confessedly bad wine, or bad meat, without being ashamed, so he need not have on his shelves ill-printed or loosely and wretchedly-stitched books; for though few can be rich, yet every man who honestly exerts himself may, I think, still provide, for himself and his family, good shoes, good gloves, strong harness for his cart or carriage horses, and stout leather binding for his books. And I would urge upon every young man, as the beginning of his due and wise provision for his household, to obtain as soon as he can, by the severest economy, a restricted, serviceable, and steadily—however slowly—increasing, series of books for use through life; making his little library, of all the furniture in his room, the most studied and decorative piece; every volume having its assigned place, like a little statue in its niche, and one of the earliest and strictest lessons to the children of the house being how to turn the pages of their own literary possessions lightly and deliberately, with no chance of tearing or dog’s ears.That is my notion of the founding of Kings’ Treasuries; and the first lecture is intended to show somewhat the use and preciousness of their treasures: but the two following ones have wider scope, being written in the hope of awakening the youth of England, so far as my poor words might have any power with them, to take some thought of the purposes of the life into which they are entering, and the nature of the world they have to conquer.
Friday, July 22, 2022
Introducing... Our AO Folk Songs for 2022-2023!
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Then read her brief but terrific introductory comments here, where she shared some of her easy but brilliant ideas for living the folk singing life.
And if you’re still not quite sure why we AO folks make such a fuss about singing, please read Folk Songs: Some Real Life Experiences for a hearty dose of encouragement.
You may also enjoy my essay Folk Songs, Unplugged.
Many heartfelt thanks to Nicole Capehart RamseyRebecca Capehart Judyand Caitlin Bruce Beauchamp for sharing their invaluable insights about this year’s song lineup. I love you girls so much, and I love that folk songs matter so much to you, and that you’ve all grown up to be folk singing mamas.
Folk Song for April 2023: Red River Valley
Recordings that feature all of the typical verses are a real challenge to find! This live performance by Stevie Nicks and Chris Isaak (who learned the song as small children from their grandparents) absolutely nails it. They sing the exact set and sequence of the lyrics I remember from childhood.
Red River Valley
From this valley they say you are going
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway awhile
Do you think of the valley you're leaving
O how lonely and dreary ’twill be
Do you think of the fond hearts you're breaking
And the sadness you’ve cast over me
CHORUS
Come and sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the one who has loved you so true
I have waited a long time my darlin’
For the sweet words you never would say
Now, alas, all my fond hopes have vanished
For they tell me you’re goin’ away
As you go to your home by the ocean
May you never forget those sweet hours
That we spent in the Red River Valley
And the love we exchanged with the flowers
[CHORUS]
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Folk Song for June 2023: I'll Fly Away
These lyrics best follow this a cappella recording by Truth & Peace, which uses the traditional version found in hymnals.
I’ll Fly Away
1. Some glad morning when this life is o’er
I’ll fly away
To that home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away
CHORUS
I’ll fly away oh glory
I’ll fly away (in the morning)
When I die hallelujah by and by
I’ll fly away
2. When the shadows of this life have grown
I’ll fly away
Like a bird from prison walls has flown
I’ll fly away
[CHORUS]
3. Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I’ll fly away
[CHORUS]
Folk Song for March 2023: Whoopie Ti Yi Yo, Git Along Little Dogies
This is an old classic western song which has appeared in several old Western movies and TV shows, and has been recorded widely by cowboy singers, folk singers, and country singers. It's written in ¾ time (a waltz), which lends an air of clip-clopping along on horseback.
Roy Rogers sang this song in the film, West of the Badlands. These lyrics follow his version.
Whoopie Ti-Yi-Yo, Git Along Little Dogies
1. As I was a-walkin one morning for pleasure,
I spied a cow-puncher all riding alone;
His hat was throwed back and his spurs were a-jingling,
And as he approached he was singin' this song,
CHORUS
Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies,
It's your misfortune, and none of my own.
Whoopee ti yi yo, git along little dogies,
For you know that Wyoming will be your new home.
2. It’s early in spring we round up the dogies,
We mark ‘em and brand ‘em and bob off their tails;
Round up the horses, load up the chuck-wagon,
Then throw the dogies out on the north trail.
[CHORUS]
3. Your mother was raised a-way down in Texas,
Where the jimson weed and sand-burrs grow;
We'll fill you up on prickly pear and cholla
Until you are ready for Idaho.
[CHORUS]
Lynn's Youtube Playlist for AO Folk Songs 2022-2023
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Folk Song for November 2022: The Fox
The recording by Peter, Paul, and Mary is jolly and funny, while the Nickel Creek recording showcases superb musicianship (this track is from their 2000 debut album, which was nominated for 2 Grammys)— and is perfectly suitable for dancing a reel if you’re so inclined!
Peter, Paul, and Mary's version (Youtube)
Nickel Creek's version (Youtube)
The Fox
Oh the fox went out on a chilly night
Prayed for the moon to give him light
For he had many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o
Many a mile to go that night before he reached the town-o
He ran till he came to a great big pen
Where the ducks and the geese were kept therein
He said, "A couple of you are gonna grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
A couple of you are gonna grease my chin before I leave this town-o!"
He grabbed the grey goose by the neck
Threw the ducks across his back
He didn't mind the "quack, quack, quack"
And the legs all danglin' down-o, down-o, down-o
He didn't mind the "quack, quack, quack" and the legs all danglin' down-o
Then old mother Flipper Flopper jumped out of bed
Out of the window she popped her head
Cryin', "John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o
John! John! The grey goose is gone and the fox is on the town-o!"
Then John he ran to the top of the hill
Blew his horn both loud and shrill
The fox he said, "I better flee with my kill
For they'll soon be on my trail-o, trail-o, trail-o,"
The fox he said, "I better flee with my kill for they'll soon be on my trail-o!"
Well he ran till he came to his cozy den
There were his little ones, eight, nine, ten
Cryin', "Daddy, daddy, better go back again
'Cause it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o
Daddy, Daddy, better go back again cause it must be a mighty fine town-o!"
Then the fox and his wife, without any strife
Cut up the goose with a carving knife
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o
They never had such a supper in their life and the little ones chewed on the bones-o!
Lynn's Youtube Playlist for AO Folk Songs 2022-2023
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