Category: Songs

Hot Corn Cold Corn is a standard bluegrass tune.

History

Hot Corn, Cold Corn is a traditional American folk song. The original author is unknown.

Key signature

Hot Corn, Cold Corn is generally played in the key of G Major. 

Alternate keys include A Major and D Major.

Melody

Here is the basic melody of Hot Corn, Cold Corn, as written in the key of G Major:

Sheet music

Here is a free PDF of the sheet music for a basic version of the Hot Corn, Cold Corn melody:

Hot Corn, Cold Corn (G Major) from PickinBluegrassDownload

Chord progression

There are two chords in Hot Corn, Cold Corn.

Hot Corn, Cold Corn has a 1 – 5 chord progression.

Chords

Here are the chords to Hot Corn, Cold Corn when the tune is played in G Major:

G  (Hot corn, cold corn, bring along a demijohn)

D  (Hot corn, cold corn, bring along a demijohn)

G  (Hot corn, cold corn, bring along a demijohn)

D  (Fare thee well, Uncle Bill. See you in the morning)

G  (Yes, Sir)

Lyrics

Upstairs, downstairs, out in the kitchen,

Upstairs, downstairs, out in the kitchen,

Upstairs, downstairs, out in the kitchen,

See Uncle Bill just a reelin’ and a pitchin’,

Yes Sir.

Chorus:

Hot corn, cold corn, bring along a demijohn,

Hot corn, cold corn, bring along a demijohn,

Hot corn, cold corn, bring along a demijohn,

Fare thee well, Uncle Bill. See you in the mornin’,

Yes Sir.

Old Aunt Peggy, won’t you fill them up again,

Old Aunt Peggy, won’t you fill them up again,

Old Aunt Peggy, won’t you fill them up again,

Ain’t had a drink since Lord knows when,

Yes Sir.

(Chorus)

Yonder comes the preacher and the children are a crying,

Yonder comes the preacher and the children are a crying,

Yonder comes the preacher and the children are a crying, 

Chickens are a runnin’ and the toenails are a flyin’,

Yes Sir.

(Chorus)

All I need to keep me happy

Is two little boys to call me Pappy

One named Paul and one named Davy

One likes ham and the other loves gravy,

Yes Sir.

(Chorus)

Preachers in the pulpit taking in the money,

Children in the beehive taking in the honey,

Old Aunt Peggy went and sold the farm,

Another drink of whiskey can’t do me any harm,

Yes Sir.

(Chorus)

Saw Uncle Gary with Long Tall Sally,

Along came Nancy, Sally jumped back in the alley,

Long Tall Sally, she’s built for speed,

But Nancy’s got everything that old Gary needs,

Yes Sir.

(Chorus)

I had a little dog, and his name was Ned,

He ran those chickens till he fell dead,

He got choked on old cornbread,

Sure am sorry that dog is dead,

Yes Sir.

Videos

Here are some fantastic videos featuring the song Hot Corn, Cold Corn:

Robert Earl Keen plays Hot Corn, Cold Corn

Dave Rawlings Machine plays Hot Corn, Cold Corn

String Bean & The Osborne Brothers play Hot Corn, Cold Corn

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Let’s learn the song Long Journey Home!

Long Journey Home

Long Journey Home is a traditional American folk song. The original author is unknown.

Long Journey Home is generally considered a standard bluegrass tune. 

Key signature

Long Journey Home is generally played in the key of G Major. 

Alternate keys include A Major and Bb Major.

Melody

Here is the basic melody of Long Journey Home, as written in the key of G Major:

Chord progression

There are three chords in Long Journey Home.

Long Journey Home has a 1 – 4 – 5 chord progression.

Here is the chord progression, with two digits per bar of melody:

1 1 1 1
1 1 4 1
1 1 1 1
1 5 1 1

Chords

Here are the chords for Long Journey Home in the key of G:

G (Lost all my money but a two dollar bill)

G (Two dollar bill boys)  C (two dollar)  G  (bill)

G (Lost all my money but a two dollar bill)

G (I’m on my)  D (long journey)  G  (home)

Lyrics

There’s black smoke a’ rising and it surely is a train,

Surely is a train, boys, surely is a train.

There’s black smoke a’ rising and it surely is a train,

I’m on my long journey home.

Chorus:

Lost all my money but a two dollar bill,

Two dollar bill boys, two dollar bill.

Lost all my money but a two dollar bill,

I’m on my long journey home.

Cloudy in the East, and it looks like some rain,

Looks like some rain, boys, it looks like some rain.

Cloudy in the East, and it looks like some rain,

I’m on my long journey home.

(Chorus)

There’s a little girl a’ waiting, and she’s on down the line,

On down the line, boys, on down the line.

There’s a little girl a’ waiting, and she’s on down the line,

I’m on my long journey home.

(Chorus)

Homesick and lonesome, and I’m feeling kinda blue,

Feeling kinda blue, boys, feeling kinda blue.

Homesick and lonesome, and I’m feeling kinda blue,

I’m on my long journey home.

(Chorus)

It’s dark and a’ raining, and I want to go home,

Want to go home, boys, I want to go home.

It’s dark and a’ raining, and I want to go home,

I’m on my long journey home

Videos

Here are some fun video recordings of this song.

Billy Strings and his Dad play Long Journey Home

Bill Monroe & Doc Watson play Long Journey Home

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper play Long Journey Home

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Let’s look at the old-time tune Say Darling Say (Say, Darlin’, Say).

Say Darling Say

Say Darling Say is an American Appalachian Old-Time version of the traditional children’s lullaby Hush Little Baby (Don’t Say A Word). The song was first popularized by Earnest “Pop” Stoneman & The Sweet Brothers.

Key Signature

Say Darlin’ Say is most commonly played in the key of D Major. Alternate keys include A Major.

Lyrics

Say, little darling, won’t you marry me,
Live in a holler ‘neath the old oak tree,
Say, darling, say.
‘Neath the old oak tree, we’ll make our home,
Nevermore this world to roam,
Say, darling, say.

Say, little darling, if you were mine,
You wouldn’t do nothing but starch and iron,
Say, darling, say.
Starch and iron would be your trade,
I’d get drunk and lay in the shade,
Say, darling, say.

Say, little darling, won’t you marry me,
Live in a holler ‘neath the old oak tree,
Say, darling, say.
Live in the holler ‘neath the old oak tree,
Children bouncing on daddy’s knee,
Say, darling, say.

Hush, little darling, don’t say a word,
Papa’s gonna buy you a mockingbird,
Say, darling, say.
If that mockingbird don’t sing,
I’m gonna buy you a diamond ring,
Say, darling, say.

If that diamond ring is brass,
Mama’s gonna buy you a looking glass,
Say, darling, say.
If that looking glass gets broke,
I’m gonna buy you a billy goat,
Say, darling, say.

If that billy goat won’t pull,
Papa’s gonna buy you a cart and bull,
Say, darling, say.
If that cart and bull falls over,
I’m gonna buy you a dog named Rover,
Say, darling, say.

If that dog named Rover don’t bark,
Mama’s gonna buy you a horse and cart,
Say, darling, say.
If that horse and cart fall down,
You’re still the sweetest little baby in town,
Say, darling, say.

Let’s learn the tune Wayfaring Stranger!

Wayfaring Stranger

Wayfaring Stranger is a traditional American folk hymn.

Key signature

Wayfaring Stranger is most commonly played in the key of A minor. It is also commonly played in D minor and E minor, depending on the instruments used and the vocal range of the lead singer.

Melody

Here is the basic melody for the song, Wayfaring Stranger, written in A minor:

Lyrics

I am a poor wayfaring stranger,
Traveling through this world of woe,
There is no sickness, toil, or danger,
In that bright land to which I go.

I’m going there to see my father,
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on,
I’m just going over Jordan,
I’m just going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather o’er me,
I know my pathway’s rough and steep,
But golden fields lie out before me,
Where weary eyes no more shall weep.

I’m going there to see my mother,
She said she’d meet me when I come,
So I’m just going over Jordan,
I’m just going over home.

I’ll soon be free from every trial,
This form will rest beneath the sun,
I’ll drop the cross of self-denial,
And enter in my home with God.

I’m going there to see my Savior,
Who shed for me his precious blood,
So I’m just going over Jordan,
I’m just going over home.

I’m just going over Jordan,
I’m just going over home.

Let’s learn the song, Lazy John!

Lazy John

Lazy John is an old bluegrass standard. It’s certainly not the most common on the list, but it does get played now and then.

Key signature

The song Lazy John is commonly played in the key of G Major and also often played in A Major.

Lyrics

Work all week in the noonday sun,
Fifteen cents when Saturday comes,
Going to a dance to have some fun,
Why don’t you get away, lazy John.

Chorus:
Lazy John, lazy John,
Why don’t you get your day’s work all done,
You’re in the shade, and I’m in the sun,
Why don’t you get away, lazy John.

My gal lives at the end of the road,
Her eyes are crossed, and her legs are bowed,
But we sure have a lot of fun,
Why don’t you get away, lazy John.

(Chorus)

Going to a dance Saturday night,
Ain’t coming home til the bald daylight,
Then I’ll take my girl back home,
Why don’t you get away, lazy John.

(Chorus)

Let’s learn the song Rove Riley Rove!

Rove Riley Rove

Rove Riley Rove is a traditional American Appalachian tune.

Lyrics

I went up on a mountain,
Gave my horn a blow,
Thought I hear my true love say,
Yonder comes by beau.

Chorus:
Rove Riley, rove,
Rove Riley, rove,
Rove Riley, poor boy,
Ain’t got nowhere to go.

Mama give me meat,
Mother give me bread,
Pretty girl, give me one sweet kiss,
Like to done killed me dead.

(Chorus)

Went up on a mountain,
Done stripped me a load of cane,
Make me a barrel of molasses,
Sweet Miss Liza Jane.

(Chorus)

Daddy had a great big house,
A hundred stories high,
Every story in that house,
Was filled with chicken pie.

Let’s learn the song The Blackest Crow!

The Blackest Crow

The Blackest Crow is an American Civil War-era tune.

Lyrics

As time draws near my dearest dear, when you and I must part,
How little you know of the grief and woe in my poor aching heart.
Each night I suffer for your sake, you’re the girl I love so dear,
I wish that I was going with you or you were staying here.

I wish my breast were made of glass wherein you might behold,
Upon my heart, your name lies wrote in letters made of gold.
In letters made of gold, my love, believe me when I say,
You are the one that I will adore until my dying day.

The blackest crow that ever flew would surely turn to white,
If ever I prove false to you, bright day will turn to night.
Bright day will turn to night, my love, the elements will mourn,
If ever I prove false to you, the seas will rage and burn.

And when you’re on some distant shore, think of your absent friend,
And when the wind blows high and clear, a light to me pray send.
And when the wind blows high and clear, pray send your love to me,
That I might know by your hand light, how time has gone with thee.

Let’s learn the tune Golden Slippers!

Golden Slippers

Golden Slippers is a bluegrass standard song. James A. Bland wrote Golden Slippers as “Oh, Dem Golden Slippers” in around 1879.

This song was originally called Dem Golden Slippers (or Oh, Dem Golden Slippers), and it was written as a parody of a spiritual song called Golden Slippers. The parody became more popular than the original spiritual and is still played today, generally under the shorter name, Golden Slippers.

Lyrics

Oh, my golden slippers are laid away,
Cause I don’t spect to were’em till my wedding day,
And my long tailed coat that I love so well,
I will wear up in the chariot in the morn.
And my long white robe that I bought last June,
I’m gonna get changed cause it fits too soon.
And the old grey horse that I used to drive,
I will hitch him to the chariot in the morn.

Chorus:
Oh, them golden slippers,
Oh, them golden slippers,
Golden slippers I’m gonna wear
Because they look so neat.
Oh, them golden slippers,
Oh, them golden slippers,
Golden slippers I’m a gonna wear
To walk the golden street.

Oh, my old banjo hangs on the wall,
Cause it ain’t been turned since way last fall,
But the folks all say we’ll have a good time,
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.
There’s old Brother Ben and his sister Luce,
They will telegraph the news to Uncle Bacco Juice,
What a great camp meeting there will be that day,
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.

(Chorus)

So, it’s goodbye, children, I will have to go,
Where the rain don’t fall, and the wind don’t blow,
And your ulster coats, why, you will not need,
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.
But your golden slippers must be nice and clean,
And your age must be just sweet sixteen,
And your white kid gloves you will have to wear,
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.

(Chorus)

I’ll Fly Away is a standard bluegrass tune. 

Composer

This gospel hymn was originally written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932. Brumley was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 1972 – the year the Hall of Fame was established.

Key signature

I’ll Fly Away is generally played in the key of G Major. 

Alternate keys include A Major and Bb Major.

Melody

Here is the basic melody of I’ll Fly Away, as written in the key of G Major:

Chord progression

There are three chords in I’ll Fly Away.

I’ll Fly Away has a 1 – 4 – 5 chord progression.

Here is the chord progression, with one digit per bar of melody:

1 1 1 1
4 4 1 1
1 1 1 1
1 5 1 1

Will the Circle be Unbroken is a standard bluegrass tune. This folk hymn was originally written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel.

Key signature

Will the Circle be Unbroken is generally played in the key of G Major. 

Alternate keys include A Major and Bb Major.

Melody

Here is the basic melody of Will the Circle be Unbroken, as written in the key of G Major:

Chord progression

There are three chords in Will the Circle be Unbroken.

Will the Circle be Unbroken has a 1 – 4 – 5 chord progression.

Here is the chord progression, with one digit per bar of melody:

1 1 1 1
4 4 1 1
1 1 1 1
1 5 1 1