Ani Difranco: "Barroom Girls"

with Anais Miller and Animal
Paradise, Ca.
10/17/09

oh the barroom girls go by your side
like the ponies who pass on a carousel ride
and all of the colors go around in a swirl
when you dance in the arms of the barroom girls
--gillian welch

Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard

Paul Simon at the BBC in 2006

well i'm on my way
i don't know where i'm going
i'm on my way
i'm taking my time
but i don't know where

Elephant Beer Blues

Tom Waits on Danish television from days of yore.

Highwaymen: "Silver Stallion"

i'm gonna chase the sky forever
with the woman and the stallion and the wind
and the sun is gonna burn into a cinder
before we ever pass this way again
and we're gonna ride
we're gonna ride
ride like a one-eyed jack of diamonds
with the devil close behind
we're gonna ride

Tim Buckley: "The Dolphins"

this old world may never change the way it's been
and all the ways of war can't change it back again
i've been searching for the dolphins in the sea...
--fred neil

Sitting On Top Of The World

Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys

Jokerman

Caetano Veloso from 1992

standing on the waters casting your bread
while the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
distant ships sailing into the mist
you were born with a snake in both of your fists
while a hurricane was blowing
freedom just around the corner for you
but with the truth so far off
what good will it do?
jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
bird fly high by the light of the moon
oh oh oh jokerman
--bob dylan (from "jokerman ")

Nanci Griffith: "Across The Great Divide"

with Emmylou Harris, Pete Kennedy, Nina Gerber and friends

i've been walking in my sleep
counting troubles instead of counting sheep
where the years went i can't say
i just turned around and they've gone away
i've been sifting through the layers
of dusty books and faded papers
they tell a story i used to know
it was one that happened so long ago
it's gone away in yesterday
now i find myself on the mountainside
where the rivers change direction
across the Great Divide
--Kate Wolf

Kate Wolf: "Redtail Hawk"

the redtail hawk
writes songs
across the sky
there's music
in the waters
flowing by
you can hear
a song each time
the wind sighs
in the golden
rolling hills
of California
--Kate Wolf

with Nina Gerber and Rick Byars from 1980
(enjoy it while it lasts)

Jess Klein: "Travelin' Woman"

hot off the griddle from Threadgill's in Austin, Texas
10/24/09

And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

Liam Clancy at the Bitter End in New York City from 2008.

waltzing matilda
waltzing matilda
who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?
and their ghosts may be heard
as they march by that billabong
who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?
--eric bogle (from "and the band played waltzing matilda ")

Sandy Denny: "Sail Away To The Sea"

with The Strawbs

what will you take to remember me by
i've no money to buy you a smile
i can't say the words to bid you farewell
so i'll carry them with me a while
down the road to where i must go
there's nothing between you and me
i'll take a boat down the river my love
and sail away to the sea
i'll sail away to the sea

Peter, Paul and Mary: "Hangman"

slack your rope, hangman
slack it for a while.
i think i see
my true love coming,
riding many a mile.
true love, have you
brought me hope
or have you paid my fee
or have you come
to see me hanging
from the gallows tree?

Donovan: "The Pied Piper"

1972



people call me

the pied piper

pay the piper

call the tune

Todd Snider: "Statistician's Blues"

Great American Music Hall,
San Francisco, Ca.
2/18/07

A Profile Of Hazel Dickens

a profile in two parts of Hazel Dickens from PBS.

Jackson Browne/David Lindley: "For A Dancer"

keep a fire for the human race
let your prayers go drifting into space
you never know what will be coming down
perhaps a better world is drawing near
and just as easily it could all disappear
along with whatever meaning you might have found
don't let the uncertainty turn you around
go on and make a joyful sound
--jackson browne (from "for a dancer")

Judy Collins/Pete Seeger: Three Bob Dylan Songs

Judy Collins and Pete Seeger from 1966.
Daddy You've Been On My Mind , Farewell , and Bob Dylan's Dream .

Here's That Rainy Day

Barney Kessel (1927--2004)

maybe i should have saved those leftover dreams
funny, but here's that rainy day
here's that rainy day they told me about
and i laughed at the thought
that it might turn out this way

where is that worn-out wish that i threw aside
after it brought my lover near?
funny how love becomes a cold rainy day
funny, that rainy day is here

--jimmy van heusen/johnny burke

Mundy/Sharon Shannon: "Galway Girl"

when i woke up i was all alone
with a broken heart and a ticket home
and i ask you, friend, tell me what would you do
because her hair was black and her eyes were blue
i've traveled around, i've been all over this world
boys, i've never seen nothing like a Galway girl
--steve earle (from "the galway girl")

David Byrne: "(Nothing But) Flowers"

years ago
i was an angry young man
i'd pretend
that i was a building
standing tall
by the side of the road
i fell in love
with a beautiful highway

Steve Earle: "The Mountain"

there's a hole in this mountain and it's dark and it's deep
and god only knows all the secrets it keeps
there's a chill in the air only miners can feel
there are ghosts in the tunnels that the company sealed

Dougie MacLean: "Ready For The Storm"

the waves crash in
the tide rolls out
it's an angry sea
but there is no doubt
that the lighthouse
will keep shining out
to warn a lonely sailor
the lightning strikes
and the wind cuts cold
through the
sailor's bones
through the
sailor's soul
'til there's nothing left
that he can hold
except a rolling ocean
oh but i am ready
for the storm
yes i am ready for the storm
i'm ready for the storm

2009 Fylde Folk Festival

Gerry Dignan: "Come By The Hills"

come by the hills to the land
where life is a song
and sing while the birds fill the air
with their joy all day long
where the trees sway in time
and even the wind sings in tune
and the cares of tomorrow
must wait until this day is done

Joni Mitchell: "A Case Of You"

4/27/83
Den Haag, The Netherlands

oh i am a lonely painter
i live in a box of paints
i'm frightened by the devil
and i'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
i remember that time you told me
you said "love is touching souls"
surely you touched mine
because part of you pours out of me
in these lines from time to time
oh you are in my blood like holy wine
you taste so bitter and so sweet
oh i could drink a case of you darlin'
and still i would be on my feet
i would still be on my feet
--joni mitchell (from "a case of you ")

Honey You Don't Know My Mind

Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys
Berkshire Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Great Barrington, Ma.
July 1985

honey you don't know my mind
i'm lonesome all the time
you're born to lose a drifter that's me
you can travel for so long
then a rambler's heart goes wrong
baby you don't know my mind today

Country Gentlemen: "Matterhorn"

1994

We started out from Bern one sunny Augast morn
There was just the four of us against the Matterhorn
There was Albert the Australian, and John the Irishman
Me and Bill from Britain, mad dogs in the sun
Matterhorn, Matterhorn
Men have tried and men have died
To climb the Matterhorn
That mighty Matterhorn

Two miles up we lost John and the rations fell below
Now Al and Bill are lying in an avalanche of snow
Now here I am all alone and I know I cannot stop
Two more yards in front of me before I reach the top
Matterhorn, Matterhorn
Men have tried and men have died
To climb the Matterhorn
That mighty Matterhorn

Now here I am a-dying upon the Matterhorn
Not a grave for me to lie in nor a thing to keep me warm
The Queen would surely knight me if I could get back down
But it's closer here to heaven than it is back to the ground
Matterhorn, Matterhorn
Men have tried and men have died
To climb the Matterhorn
That mighty Matterhorn

Christy Moore: "Voyage"

with Johnny Duhan and Declan Sinnott

with no maps to guide us
we steered our own course
rode out the storms
when the winds were gale force
sat out the doldrums in patience and hope
working together we learned how to cope
life is an ocean and love is a boat
in troubled water that keeps us afloat
when we started the voyage
there was just me and you
now gathered around us
we have our own crew

Derek Lamb: "How The Money Rolls In"

my father makes counterfeit money
my mother makes synthetic gin
my sister sells kisses to sailors
my god how the money rolls in
rolls in rolls in
my god how the money rolls in

my brothers a slum missionary
he saves fallen women from sin
he'll save you a blonde for a shilling
my god how the money rolls in
rolls in rolls in
my god how the money rolls in

Tim O'Brien: "Pretty Fair Maid In The Garden"

The Station Inn
Nashville, Tn
8/8/09
with Casey Driessen--fiddle
Kenny Malone--drums
Mike Bub--bass

I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Cadillac Sky
Fan Fest, Nashville, Tn.
11/3/09

no blinding light
or tunnels to gates of white
just our hands clasped tight
waiting for the hint of a spark
if heaven and hell decide
that they both are satisfied
illuminate the no's
on their vacancy signs
if there's no one beside you
when your soul embarks
i will follow you into the dark

Kris Kristofferson: "Closer To The Bone"

Sunny Side Of The Mountain

Hawkshaw Hawkins

don't forget me little darling while i'm growing old and gray
just a little thought before i'm going far away
i'll be waiting on the hillside where the wild red roses grow
on the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters flow

don't forget about those days we courted many years ago
don't forget all the promises you gave me and so
i'll be waiting on the hillside on the day that you will call
on the sunny side of the mountain where the rippling waters fall

tell me darling in your letter do you ever think of me
please answer little darling tell me where you can be
it's been so long since i've seen you but my love still lingers on
don't forget me little darling though our love affair seems gone

Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

Willie Nelson on Austin City Limits

-------------------------------------

in the twilight glow i see her
blue eyes crying in the rain
when we kissed goodbye and parted
i knew we'd never meet again

love is like a dying ember
and only memories remain
but through the ages i'll remember
blue eyes crying in the rain

someday when we meet up yonder
we'll stroll hand in hand again
in the land that knows no parting
blue eyes crying in the rain

--fred rose

Bar G Wranglers: "Ghost Riders In The Sky"

an old cowboy went riding out
one dark and windy day
upon a ridge he rested
as he went along his way
when all at once a mighty herd
of red eyed cows he saw
a-plowing through the ragged sky
and up the cloudy draw
their brands were still on fire
and their hooves were made of steel
their horns were black and shiny
and their hot breath he could feel
a bolt of fear went through him
as they thundered through the sky
for he saw the riders coming hard
and he heard their mournful cry
yippie yi ohhhhh
yippie yi yaaaaay
ghost riders in the sky

Ben Gibbard: "Silver Lining"

a Rilo Kiley cover from
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, Ca.
9/10/07

and i'm not going back
into rags or in the hole
and our bruises are coming
but we will never fold
and i was your silver lining
as the story goes
i was your silver lining
but now i'm gold

Joan Baez: "Copper Kettle"

get you a copper kettle
get you a copper coil
cover with new made corn mash
and never more you’ll toil
you'll just lay there by the juniper
while the moon is bright
and watch them jugs a-filling
in the pale moonlight