A long time ago I was a pretty fair singer and an okay guitar player. Now we are 86, and it doesn’t come as easily as it once did. But my daughter Markie (and the aforementioned Roger) insist that I record a bunch of songs for posterity. So I’m starting. The first five were done in my kitchen (right at the end of “Motherless Chile” you can hear my dog Henry going out of the doggie door). And on some you may herar me talking to Henry, because he’s the only one I have to talk to right now who’s here all the time. So it’s very homey. Maybe I’ll be able to do better sometime; maybe I won’t. But I’m forced to continue. Haven’t sung or played in years, and these recording show it, but what the hell, some of Alan Lomax’s weren’t so hot, either.
Lindy Lou
Motherless Chile
Noah’s Dove
Peter Grey
The Cruel War is Raging
Here’s one of my very favorite songs of all time. I’ll record a better version later, I hope.
I Met Her in Venezuela
Here are a couple of very old songs that I like for some reason. Maybe it’s because their subjects are a) booze, and b) tobacco. There are myriad verses to both, but I just like the melody and the concept.
Bring us in good ale
Tobacco
I’ve sung this song for as long as I can remember.
Cotton Eyed Joe and I know where I’m going
My kids used to love singing this one with me.
Drill Ye Tarriers, Drill
My Spanish needs help, but that doesn’t keep me from singing in that language.
El Preso Numero Nueve
I have a dog I love named Henry. But I’ve always loved Ol’ Blue.
Old Blue
About a thousand people have sung this one. I like Josh White’s version. Here’s mine.
House of the Rising Sun
What can I say? I love this old song.
Spanish is the Loving Tongue
A lovely old song of love lost and found.
Another wistful old song about love lost and found.
