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Ballad of America Volume 2: America Singing

by Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band

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1.
Wabash Cannonball 04:30
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chorus: Listen to the jingle, the rumble, and the roar As she glides along the woodlands, through hills and by the shore Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear those lonesome hoboes call While traveling through the jungle on the Wabash Cannonball verses: From the great Atlantic Ocean to the wild Pacific shore From sunny California to ice-bound Labrador She's mighty tall and handsome, she's known quite well by all She's the 'boes accommodation on the Wabash Cannonball This train, she runs to Memphis, Mattoon, and Mexico She rolls through East St. Louis and she never does it slow As she flies through Colorado, she gives an awful squawl They tell her by the whistle, the Wabash Cannonball Our eastern states are dandy, so the people always say From New York to St. Louis and Chicago by the way From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters fall No changes can be taken on the Wabash Cannonball Now here's to Boston Blackey, may his name forever stand And always be remembered by the 'boes throughout the land His earthly days are over and the curtains round him fall We'll carry him home to victory on the Wabash Cannonball
2.
Go Tell Aunt Rhody 02:50
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chorus: Go tell Aunt Rhody Go tell Aunt Rhody Go tell Aunt Rhody The old gray goose is dead verses: The one she's been saving (x 3) To make her feather bed She died in the mill pond (x 3) Standing on her head She left nine little goslins (x 3) To scratch for their own bread The goslings are crying (x 3) Because their mother's dead The gander is weeping (x 3) Because his wife is dead
3.
Skip to My Lou 03:43
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chorus: Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou Skip to my Lou, my darling verses: Lost my partner, what'll I do? Lost my partner, what'll I do? Lost my partner, what'll I do? Skip to my Lou, my darling I'll get another one prettier than you (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Little red wagon, painted blue (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Fly in the sugar-bowl, shoo fly shoo (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Pigs in the parlor, what’ll I do? (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Rats in the bread tray, how they chew (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Catch that red bird, skip to my Lou (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Can’t get a red bird, a blue bird’ll do (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling Can’t get a blue bird, a black bird’ll do (x 3) Skip to my Lou, my darling
4.
Buffalo Gal 02:19
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chorus: Buffalo gal won't you come out tonight Come out tonight, come out tonight Buffalo gal won't you come out tonight And dance by the light of the moon verses: As I was walking down the street Down the street, down the street A pretty little gal I chanced to meet Oh, she was fair to view She was the prettiest gal I’ve seen in my life In my life, in my life And I wished to the Lord she’d be my wife Then we would part no more Oh, yes, dear boy, I'm coming out tonight Coming out tonight, coming out tonight Oh, yes, dear boy, I’m coming out tonight And we’ll dance by the light of the moon I danced with that gal with a hole in her stocking And her heel kept a-rockin' and her toe kept a-knockin' I danced with that gal with a hole in her stocking And we danced by the light of the moon
5.
Blue Tail Fly 03:10
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chorus: Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care Jimmy crack corn and I don’t care Master’s gone away verses: When I was young I used to wait On master, handing him his plate I brought his bottle when he got dry And brushed away the blue tail fly He used to ride each afternoon I'd follow with a hickory broom The pony kicked his legs up high When bitten by the blue tail fly The pony run, he jump, he pitch He threw my master in the ditch My master died and who'll deny The blame was on the blue tail fly We layed him under a simmon tree His epitaph is there to see "Beneath this stone I'm forced to lie A victim of the blue tail fly" Old master's dead and gone to rest They say all things is for the best I won't forget until I die My master and the blue tail fly The skeeter bites right through your clothes A hornet strikes you on the nose The bees may get you passing by But, oh, much worse, the blue tail fly
6.
Oh Susanna! 03:09
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chorus: Oh, Susanna Oh, don't you cry for me For I'm goin' to Louisiana With my banjo on my knee verses: I come from Alabama With my banjo on my knee I'm goin' to Louisiana My true love for to see It rained all night the day I left The weather it was dry The sun so hot I froze to death Susanna, don't you cry I had a dream the other night When everything was still I thought I saw Susanna A-coming down the hill A red, red rose was in her hand The tear was in her eye I said, "I come from Dixie land Susanna, don't you cry" I soon will be in New Orleans And then I'll look around And when I find Susanna I'll fall upon the ground But if I do not find her I will surely die And when I'm dead and buried Susanna, don't you cry
7.
On Top of Old Smokey 03:19
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On top of Old Smokey All covered with snow I lost my true lover By a-courtin' too slow Well a-courting's a pleasure And parting is grief But a false-hearted lover Is worse than a thief A thief he will rob you And take all you have But a false-hearted lover Will send you to your grave And the grave will decay you And turn you to dust Not one girl in a hundred A poor boy can trust They'll hug you and kiss you And tell you more lies Than the crossties on the railroad Or the stars in the skies They'll tell you they love you Just to give your heart ease But the minute your back's turned They'll court whom they please I'll go up on Smokey On the mountain so high Where the wild birds and the turtle doves Can hear my sad cry As sure as the dewdrops Fall on the green corn Last night she was with me Tonight she is gone
8.
Bile Them Cabbage Down 02:44
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chorus: Bile them cabbage down, down Bake that hoecake brown The only song that I can sing is Bile Them Cabbage Down verses: Raccoon has a bushy tail Possum’s tail is bare Rabbit’s got no tail at all But a little bunch of hair Raccoon and the possum Racin’ cross the prairie Raccoon ax the possum Did she want to marry? Possum is a cunnin’ thing He travels in the dark And never thinks to curl his tail ‘Till he hears old Rover bark Possum up a ‘simmon tree Raccoon on the ground Raccoon say to the possum ‘Won’t you shake them ‘simmons down?’ Jaybird died with the whoopin’ cough Sparrow died with the colic Along come the frog with a fiddle on his back Inquirin’ his way to the frolic
9.
Down in the Valley 05:39
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Down in the valley Valley so low Hang your head over Hear the wind blow Hear the wind blow, love Hear the wind blow Hang your head over Hear the wind blow If you don't love me Love whom you please But throw your arms round me Give my heart ease Give my heart ease, dear Give my heart ease Throw your arms round me Give my heart ease Down in the valley Walking between Telling our story Here's what it sings Here's what it sings, dear Here's what it sings Telling our story Here's what it sings Roses of sunshine Violets of dew Angels in heaven Know I love you Know I love you, dear Know I love you Angels in heaven know I love you Build me a castle Forty feet high So I can see her As she goes by As she goes by, dear As she goes by So I can see her As she goes by Bird in a cage, love Bird in a cage Dying for freedom Ever a slave Ever a slave, dear Ever a slave Dying for freedom Ever a slave Write me a letter Sent it by mail And back it in care of The Birmingham jail Birmingham jail, love Birmingham jail And back it in care of The Birmingham jail
10.
Pick a Bale of Cotton 03:24
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chorus: Oh, Lawdy, pick a bale a cotton Oh, Lawdy, pick a bale a day verses: You got a jump down, turn around Pick a bale a cotton Got a jump down, turn around Pick a bale a day Me an' my partner can Pick a bale a cotton Me an' my partner can Pick a bale a day Had a little woman could Pick a bale a cotton Had a little woman could Pick a bale a day Went to Corsicana to Pick a bale a cotton Went to Corsicana to Pick a bale a day I b'lieve to my soul I can Pick a bale a cotton I b'lieve to my soul I can Pick a bale a day
11.
I've Been Working on the Railroad 03:25
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I've been working on the railroad All the live long day I've been working on the railroad Just to pass the time away Can't you hear the whistle blowing Rise up so early in the morn Can't you hear the Captain shouting "Dinah blow your horn" Dinah won't you blow Dinah won't you blow Dinah won't you blow your horn Dinah won't you blow Dinah won't you blow Dinah won't you blow your horn Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah Someone's in the kitchen I know Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah Strummin' on the old banjo Fee, fie, fiddle-ee-i-o Fee-fie fiddle-ee-i-o Fee, fie fiddle-ee-i-o Strummin' on the old banjo
12.
Red River Valley 04:59
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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 cowboy who loved you so true verses: 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 pathways a while I've been thinking a long time, my darling Of the sweet words you never would say Now, alas, must my fond hopes all vanish? For they say you are going away Do you think of the valley you're leaving? O how lonely and how dreary it will be Do you think of the kind hearts you're breaking? And the pain you are causing to me They will bury me where you have wandered Near the hills where the daffodils grow When you're gone from the Red River Valley For I can't live without you I know
13.
Crawdad Song 04:04
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chorus: You get a line, I'll get a pole, honey You get a line, I'll get a pole, babe You get a line, I'll get a pole We'll go down to the crawdad hole Honey, baby, mine verses: Hurry up, babe, you slept too late, honey Hurry up, babe, you slept too late, babe Hurry up, baby, you slept too late The crawdad man went past your gate Honey, baby, mine Yonder come a man with a sack on his back, honey Yonder come a man with a sack on his back, babe Yonder come a man with a sack on his back He’s totin’ all the crawdads he can pack Honey, baby, mine Whatcha gonna do when the lake runs dry, honey Whatcha gonna do when the lake runs dry, babe Whatcha gonna do when the lake runs dry Sit on the bank, watch the crawdads die Honey, baby, mine What did the hen duck say to the drake, honey What did the hen duck say to the drake, babe What did the hen duck say to the drake Ain't no crawdads in that lake Honey, baby, mine
14.
Old Blue 04:39
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chorus: Yah, old Blue You good dog, you verses: I had a dog and his name was Blue And I betcha five dollars he's a good dog, too Come on, Blue You good dog, you I shouldered my gun and I tooted my horn And I went to get a possum in the new ground corn Come on, Blue You can come too Old Blue bayed, and I went to see Blue had a possum in a ‘simmon tree Come on, Blue You good dog, you That possum come out on a swinging limb Blue barked at the possum, possum growled at him Come on, Blue You good dog, you Blue grinned at me and I winked at him I shook out the possum out, Blue took him in Come on, Blue You good dog, you Baked that possum nice and brown And I layed them sweet potatoes round and round Come on, Blue You can have some, too Well, Old Blue died and he died so hard He shook the ground in my backyard Go on, Blue You good dog, you Dug his grave with a silver spade Lowered him down with a golden chain Go on, Blue You good dog, you When I get to heaven first thing I'll do Take my horn and blow for Blue Go on, Blue I'm comin' too Come on Blue, come on Blue There's a possum in Heaven for me and you Go on, Blue You good dog, you
15.
Billy Barlow 03:17
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"Let's go a-huntin’,” says Risky Rob "Let's go a-huntin’,” says Robin to Bob "Let's go a-huntin’,” says Dan'l to Joe "Let's go a-huntin’,” says Billy Barlow "What shall we hunt?" says Risky Rob "What shall we hunt?" says Robin to Bob "What shall we hunt?" says Dan'l to Joe "Hunt for a rat," says Billy Barlow "How shall we get him?" says Risky Rob "How shall we get him?" says Robin to Bob "How shall we get him?" says Dan'l to Joe "Borrow a gun,” says Billy Barlow “How shall we haul him?” says Risky Rob “How shall we haul him?” says Robin to Bob “How shall we haul him?” says Dan’l to Joe “Borrow a wagon,” says Billy Barlow "How shall we divide him?" says Risky Rob "How shall we divide him?" says Robin to Bob "How shall we divide him?" says Dan'l to Joe "Hack him to pieces," says Billy Barlow "I'll take shoulder,” says Risky Rob "I'll take side,” says Robin to Bob "I'll take back,” says Dan'l to Joe "Tail bone mine,” says Billy Barlow "How shall we cook him?" says Risky Rob "How shall we cook him?" says Robin to Bob "How shall we cook him?" says Dan'l to Joe "Each as you like it,” says Billy Barlow "I'll broil shoulder" says Risky Rob "I'll fry side,” says Robin to Bob "I'll bake back,” says Dan'l to Joe "Tail bone raw!" says Billy Barlow
16.
Home on the Range 05:05
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chorus: Home, home on the range Where the deer and the antelope play Where seldom is heard a discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day verses: Oh, give me a home Where the buffalo roam Where the deer and the antelope play Where seldom is heard A discouraging word And the skies are not cloudy all day Where the air is so pure The zephyrs so free The breezes so balmy and light That I would not exchange My home on the range For all the cities so bright Oh, give me a land Where the bright diamond sand Flows leisurely down the stream Where the graceful white swan Goes gliding along Like a maid in a heavenly dream Oh, I love these wild flowers In this dear land of ours The curlew I love to hear scream I love the white rocks And the antelope flocks That graze on the mountain tops green The red man was pressed From this part of the West He's likely no more to return To the banks of Red River Where seldom if ever Their flickering campfires burn How often at night When the heavens are bright With the light of the glittering stars Have I stood here amazed And asked as I gazed If their glory exceeds that of ours

about

This is the second CD in Matthew Sabatella’s Ballad of America series, which tells the story of the United States through traditional folk songs. The songs in this collection are among the most commonly sung in the history of the United States. They present uniquely American musical blends, with roots in European and African traditions and branches that have sprouted countless regional and personal variants throughout the country. Collectively, these songs of work, fun, and love transcend social and ethnic boundaries, painting a broad picture of America during the 18th and 19th centuries when music making was, for many, an integral part of everyday life.

Ballad of America Volume 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land was released in 2005 to universal acclaim. The album focuses on the Westward Expansion of the United States, following the paths of the pioneers, sailors, lumberjacks, immigrants, ‘49ers, farmers, slaves, soldiers, cowboys, and railroaders who moved the country across the continent and into the 20th century.

On the strength of live performances that supported the release of Volume 1, New Times Broward/Palm Beach named Sabatella Best Acoustic Performer, writing that his “best asset is easily his voice, urgent but unforced, sweetly melancholy in telling personal stories and powerfully evocative in rendering antiquated songs intimate again.” On stage and on the new album he plays guitar, clawhammer banjo, and mountain dulcimer. He is backed by the Rambling String Band, which features Lynn Griffith on banjo, mandolin, and vocals; Chris DeAngelis on bass fiddle and vocals; Jack Stamates on fiddle; and Sean Edelson on mandolin and guitar.

As the group performed at festivals, museums, libraries, coffeehouses, and nightclubs throughout 2005, their repertoire expanded to include folk songs that were well known compared to the relatively obscure selections that made up the bulk of Ballad of America Volume 1. When the musicians entered Liquid Ghost Recording Studios (Boca Raton, FL) in February 2006, their goal was to capture fresh, live performances of songs they felt should be known by every American. They wanted to keep the songs alive in the hearts, minds, and voices of everyone who has heard and sung them, introduce them to anyone who hasn’t heard and sung them, and help preserve them for future generations to hear and sing.

Ballad of America Volume 2: America Singing brings those goals beautifully to fruition.

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released November 9, 2006

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Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band Florida

With vocals, guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass fiddle, Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band bring to life music that is woven into the fabric of the United States: traditional folk songs, fiddle tunes, old-time country, bluegrass, Appalachian music, ragtime, blues, spirituals, railroad and cowboy songs, work songs, sea shanties, reels, breakdowns, ballads, and more. ... more

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