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!
TERM 1
TERM 2
TERM 3
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]
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.
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
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.
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
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.
Folk Song for January 2023: The Mermaid
Important to know: In maritime folklore, the sighting of a mermaid spelled certain doom for sailors and their ships.
Fun fact: JRR Tolkein wrote a song in Old English to the tune of The Mermaid.
Feel free to omit a verse or two for very, very young children, if that seems best. But... learn one verse at a time and I suspect they will surprise you!
My search for lyrics turned up innumerable variations, and no two were alike. The lyrics here most closely follow this recording by Smithsonian Folkways.
The Mermaid
On Friday morning we set sail
Not being far from the land
It was there we espied a fair mermaid
With a comb and a glass in her hand
CHORUS:
And the ocean's waves do roll
And the stormy winds do blow
And we poor sailors are skipping at the top
While the landlubbers lie down below below below
While the landlubbers lie down below
The boatswain at the helm stood
And was steering his course right well
With tears a-standing in his eyes,
Saying oh how the seas do swell
[CHORUS]
And then spoke the mate of our gallant ship
And a well-spoken man was he
Saying, “I have a wife in fair Plymouth town
And this night a widow she will be.”
[CHORUS]
Then spoke the captain of our gallant ship
And a valiant man was he
Saying, “For the want of a longboat
We shall sink to the bottom of the sea.”
[CHORUS}
And up spoke the cookie of our gallant ship
And a gruff old soul was he
Saying, “I care much more for me pots and me pans
Than I do fer the bottom of the sea!”
[CHORUS]
Then up spoke the boy of our gallant ship
And a well-spoken lad was he.
Saying, “I have a mother in fair Bristol town
And this night she will weep for me.”
[CHORUS]
The moon gave light and the stars shone bright
And my mother is looking for me
She may look, she may weep with a watery eye
She may look to the bottom of the sea.
[CHORUS]
Then once around spun our gallant ship
And twice around spun she
And the third time around spun our gallant ship
And she sank to the bottom of the sea
[CHORUS]
Do check out the Brobdingnagian Bards' lively version with comic touches and slightly different lyrics.
Lynn's Youtube Playlist for AO Folk Songs 2022-2023
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.
Folk Song for May 2023: Crawdad Song
😅
Crawdad Song has roots in African-American blues and gospel. If the tune sounds familiar, it may be because it’s essentially the same as the old gospel song This Train is Bound for Glory. Do check it out these old recordings by Big Bill Broonzy, Pop Winans, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (all linked on my playlist). Wonderful!
Froggie Went a-Courtin’ is another song that uses a very similar tune, making it fun and easy to learn alongside Crawdad Song. Pete Seeger’s version is great. The Spoon Lady (with whom Wendi Capehart was borderline obsessed!) combines the two songs. Don't miss The Spoon Lady, whatever you do!
Our lyrics for Crawdad Song most closely follow the Smithsonian Folkways version by Cisco Houston, (which cannot be added to YouTube playlists, but you'll find an Amazon affiliate link for it on our Folk Songs page at AO, and as always you can bookmark the Youtube link here.)
Crawdad Song
1. You get a line and I'll get a pole, Honey
You get a line and I'll get a pole, Babe
You get a line and I'll get a pole
We'll go down to the crawdad hole
Honey, Baby mine
[A fun, optional verse; try singing a child’s name instead of “now”]
Well get up now, you slept too late, Honey
Get up now, you slept too late, Babe
Get up now, you slept too late
The crawdad man done passed your gate
Honey, Baby mine
2. What ya gonna do when the lake runs dry, Honey
What ya gonna do when the lake runs dry, Babe
What ya gonna do when the lake runs dry
Sit on the bank, watch the crawdads die
Honey, Baby mine
3. Well, I heard a duck say to a drake, Honey
I heard a duck say to a drake, Babe
I heard a duck say to a drake
There ain’t no crawdads in this lake
Honey, Baby mine
4. Well, yonder comes a man with a sack on his back, Honey
Yonder comes a man with a sack on his back, Babe
Yonder comes a man with a sack on his back
Got all the crawdads he can pack
Honey, Baby mine
5. Well the man fell down and he broke that sack, Honey
The man fell down and he broke that sack, Babe
The man fell down and he broke that sack
See those crawdads backing back
Honey, Baby mine
6. Well I sell crawdads three for a dime, Honey
I sell crawdads three for a dime, Babe
I sell crawdads three for a dime
And your crawdads ain’t as good as mine
Honey, Baby mine
Now you get a line and I'll get a pole, Honey
You get a line and I'll get a pole, Babe
You get a line and I'll get a pole
We'll go down to the crawdad hole
Honey, Baby mine
Lynn's Youtube Playlist for AO Folk Songs 2022-2023
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.
Folk Song for February 2023: Wayfaring Stranger
You could while away many hours on YouTube listening to amazing versions from around the world which span several decades.
Wayfaring Stranger
I am a poor, wayfaring stranger,
While traveling through this world of woe.
Yet there's no sickness, toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go.
I'm going there to see my Father,
I'm going there no more to roam.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather o'er me,
I know my way is rough and steep.
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me,
Where God's redeemed their vigils keep.
I'm going there to see my Mother,
She said she'd meet me when I go.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
I want to wear a crown of glory,
When I get home to that good land.
I want to shout Salvation's story,
In concert with the blood-washed band.
I'm going there to meet my Saviour,
To sing His praise forevermore.
I'm only going over Jordan,
I'm only going over home.
Lynn's Youtube Playlist for AO Folk Songs 2022-2023
These affiliate links help support AmblesideOnline.