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fbforever
- FB Fan -
USA
30 Posts |
 Posted - 08/10/2005 : 18:58:50
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Long but interesting post I've got.
It seems like All Around the World
is similar in history to Man of Constant Sorrow which at least 20
artists have covered from Dylan to Rod Stewart.
I emailed a reporter who wrote in her Newport concert review:
''Been All Around the World," a galumphing tune about shooting up.
I told her I thought it was about a guy on death row and she replied:
hi john,
i believe you're right about the tune being done during the
honeycomb sessions. black told me after the newport set that it's an
old folk tune, a traditional so old the composer isn't even known, and the one new (old) song the band learned for newport.
Got the following from
http://www3.clearlight.com/~acsa/introjs.htm?/~acsa/songfile/I2VEBEEN.HTM
History
The origins of this song are uncertain, and I'm not sure where Jerry learnt it from. I am grateful for Matt Schofield's help in putting this history together. It includes a version titled Dixon and Johnson, and versions by Justus Begley, Dave Van Ronk and Joe Val.
The 'Hang Me' verse is thought to derive from "My Father Was A Gambler", a US ballad, which is thought to be about a murderer who was hanged in 1870. The chorus given in Ozark Folksongs from a 1929 field recording is:
Hang me, oh hang me, an' I'll be dead an' gone
Hang me, oh hang me, an' I'll be dead an' gone
I wouldn't mind the hangin', but to lay in my grave so long
To lay in my grave so long
One possible source for the song is `Dixon and Johnson' which seems to have been a later introduction into the States from UK - collected in 1890s in UK but only later in the US, sometimes as The Three Butchers - again from Ozark Folksongs a field recording from 1941 (the tune given is fairly similar to that we know for I've been All Around This World):
Dixon and Johnson went riding out one day
Dixon and Johnson went riding out one day
They rode up on a mountain ten thousand miles away
Oh Lord, I've been all around this world
They rode up on a woman, as cold as cold or more
They rode up on a woman, as cold as cold or more
He wrapped her in his coat and set up behind him
Oh Lord, I've been all around this world
and another 6 or so verses. The 'story' doesn't match "I've Been All Around The World" though.
George Milburn's The Hobo's Handbook 1930 reportedly has a song called I've Been All Around This World - but copies of that are rare (and expensive!).
There's a song called The Horse Trader's Song in which each stanza ends:
I've been around the world
But there's no real similarity in any other way.
The oldest version that seems to have quite a bit in common with the one sung by Garcia is that sung by Justus Begley, vocal/banjo, Hazard, KY, for the Archive of Folk Song, Library of Congress, 17 Oct 1937:
I started out from Memphis with two dollars and a dime
I started out from Memphis, boys, with two dollars and a dime
But I landed in old Hazard, boys, I did not have a shine
Lord, I've been all around this world
I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees
I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees
The boss come round to boss me, boys, I done just as I pleased
God knows, I been all round this world
I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice
I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice
They took from me my money, boys, I begged them for my life
God knows, I've been all around this world
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track
My doney girl has left me, boys, I know that she won't come back
God knows, I've been all around this world
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains and there'll I'll take my stand
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains, boys, and there I'll take my stand
With a rifle on my shoulder, boys, and a six-shooter in my hands
God knows, I've been all around this world
The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail
The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail
They said to me, old fellow, now you know you're allowed no bail
God knows, I've been all around this world
They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd
They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd
The sentence was to hang me and leave my wife and child
God knows, I've been all around this world
The sentence was to hang me, well I don't care if you do
The sentence was to hang me, well I don't care if you do
But look out boys, when you hang me, it's liable to injure you
God knows, I've been all around this world
Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three
Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three
Came weeping to the gallows, boys, and see the last of me
God knows, I've been all around this world
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone
Just think about old Justus, boys, they sung it 'fore he was gone
God knows, but he went all around this world
Dave Van Ronk sings a version called "Hang Me, Oh Hang Me":
Chorus
Hang me, oh hang me, I'll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, I'll be dead and gone
Wouldn't mind mind the hanging, but the laying in the grave's so long
Poor boy, I've been all around this world
I've been all around Cape Giradeau, parts of Arkansas
All around Cape Girardeau, parts of Arkansas
Got so goddam hungry, I could hide behing a straw
Poor boy, I've been all around this world
Went up on the mountain, there I made my stand
Went up on the mountain, there I made my stand
Rifle on my shoulder, and a dagger in my hand
Poor boy, I've been all around this world
[chorus]
Put the rope around my neck, hung me up so high
Put the rope around my neck, hung me up so high
Last words I heard him say, won't be long now before you die
Poor boy, I've been all around this world
[chorus]
Joe Val sang a version that was much closer to Garcia's:
Up on the Blue Ridge mountains, oh there I'll take my stand
Up on the Blue Ridge mountains, oh there I'll take my stand
With a rifle on my shoulder, six shooter in my hand
Lord knows, I've been all around this world
Oh Lulu, my Lulu come and open the door
Oh Lulu, my Lulu come and open the door
Before I have to open it with my old forty-four
Lord knows, I've been all around this world
She took me to her parlor and cooled me with her fan
She took me to her parlor and cooled me with her fan
She whispered low and and [her mamie's heard?], just a luckless travelling man
Lord knows, I've been all around this world
Hang me oh hang me, so I'll be dead and gone
Hang me oh hang me, so I'll be dead and gone
I wouldn't mind your hanging boys, but your staying in jail so long
Lord knows, I've been all around this world
Now papa and mama and little sister makes three
Now papa and mama and little sister makes three
They'll walk me down to the gallows boys, that's the last you'll see of me
Lord knows I've been all around this world
Grandpa Jones recorded a version in around 1943-44 for the King label, with almost identical lyrics to those Garcia sang. This may be the earliest commercial recording (and Joe Val credits the song to Grandpa Jones). [Thanks to Jim Nelson for this information].
Another twist on the origins of this song is the liner notes for Drew Reid's album "The American War":
"I Been All Around This World (Traditional) - This is part of a fine body of old tunes written along the same theme. I hadn't heard this song for years until I attended a Pat McCune concert, and thanks to Pat for doing some research on it for me. This one is a partisan song of Kentucky. Sometimes the actions of the "unofficial" troops outdid the Regulars in savagery and intensity."
Been all around this world
Artist/Band: Garcia Jerry
I started out from Memphis with two dollars and a dime,
I started out from Memphis, boys, with two dollars and a dime,
But I landed in old Hazard, boys, I did not have a shine --
Lord, I've been all around this world.
I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees,
I went to work on the railroad, boys, the mud up to my knees.
The boss come round to boss me, boys, I done just as I pleased --
God knows, I been all round this world.
I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice,
I went up to the Midway Inn with money to shoot some dice.
They took from me my money, boys, I begged them for my life --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track,
The new railroad is finished, boys, the cars are on the track.
My doney girl has left me, boys, I know that she won't come back --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains and there'll I'll take my stand,
I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains, boys, and there I'll take my stand,
With a rifle on my shoulder, boys, and a six-shooter in my hands --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail,
The officers came and arrested me and they take me down to jail.
They said to me, "Old fellow, now you know you're allowed no bail." --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd,
They take me to the court house, boys, and there I had a crowd.
The sentence was to hang me and leave my wife and child --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
The sentence was to hang me, well I don't care if you do,
The sentence was to hang me, well I don't care if you do.
But look out boys, when you hang me, it's liable to injure you --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three,
Father and mother, boys, and little sister make three,
Came weeping to the gallows, boys, and see the last of me --
God knows, I've been all around this world.
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone,
You all can sing this song, boys, when I am dead and gone.
Just think about old Justus, boys, they sung it 'fore he was gone --
God knows, but he went all around this world.
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand
A rifle on my shoulder, six-shooter in my hand
Lord, Lord, I've been all around this world
Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door
Lulu, my Lulu, come and open the door
Before I have to walk on in with my old forty-four
Lord, I've been all around this world
Mama and papa, little sister makes three
Mama and papa, little sister makes three
They're coming in the morning, that's the last you'll see of me
Lord, lord, I've been all around this world
Hang me, oh hang me, so I'll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, so I'll be dead and gone
I wouldn't mind your hanging boys, but you wait in jail so long
Lord, I've been all around this world
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand
Up on the Blue Ridge mountain, there I'll take my stand
A rifle on my shoulder, six-shooter in my hand
Lord, Lord, I've been all around this world
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Edited by - fbforever on 08/10/2005 19:11:53 |
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Niue
7443 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2005 : 01:09:17
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That's impressive! Thanks a bunch for the extensive research.
(now could you do the same with Sad Man's Song? :))
Denis
"We brush our teeth with tequila." - Guitar Wolf |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6214 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2005 : 01:32:55
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haha, john, damn, that's some info!
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God save the Noisies |
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The Marsist
= Cult of Ray =
Ireland
730 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2005 : 07:15:10
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well done youv really pushed the boat out there man
"To be known as an underdog - that can only be a good thing. It's better than sucking."
- Frank Black
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2005 : 07:24:57
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there is a great version of the song by a dude called Lightnin' Wells who is a white dude who plays some mean acoustic blues. you can get it on itunes, his version is called "I've Been All Around This World."
Lyrics:
Crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains, there i'll take my stand
Crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains, there i'll take my stand
Thistle in my pocket and a rifle in my hand, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
Lulu, oh Lulu, come and open the door
Lulu, oh Luli, come and open the door
Before i have to open it with my ol' 44, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
Took me to her parlor and she cooled me with her fan
Took me down to her parlor and she cooled me with her fan
She whispered low in her mother's ear "I love that gambling man," oh Lord, i've been all around this world
(guitar solo)
When you meet a rich gal, pass and treat her fine
When you meet a rich gal, pass and treat her fine
When you meet that poor gal, just ask her to be mine, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
Hang me, oh hang me, and i'll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, now i'll be dead and gone
Well i wouldn't mind the hanging but you lay in jail so long, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
Papa and Mama and Little Sister makes three
Papa and Mama and Little Sister makes three
They'll carry me down to the gallows thats the last they'll see of me, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
(guitar solo)
Hang me, oh hang me, and i'll be dead and gone
Hang me, oh hang me, now i'll be dead and gone
Well i wouldn't mind the hanging but you lay in jail so long, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
Papa and Mama and Little Sister makes three
Papa and Mama and Little Sister makes three
They'll carry me down to the gallows thats the last they'll see of me, oh Lord, i've been all around this world
-Brian
If you move I shoots!
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Edited by - Broken Face on 08/11/2005 10:23:01 |
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All around the world - Origin
