Topic: "Casey Jones"--Vernon Dalhart

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Vernon Dalhart, born Marion Try Slaughter, was one of the early stars of Country Music.  This version of "Casey Jones" is from 1925, and was really influential.  I don't know who the guitarist, harmonica player and Jews harp player are who accompanied him, but they're all aces.



Come all you rounders, if you want to hear
A story about a brave engineer
Now Casey Jones was the rounder's name
On a six-eight wheeler, boys, he won his fame

The caller called Casey at half-past four
He kissed his wife at the station door
He mounted to the cabin with his orders in his hand
Took his farewell trip to the Promised Land

Casey Jones, mounted to the cabin
Casey Jones, with his orders in his hand
Case Jones, mounted to the cabin
Took his farewell trip to the Promised Land

"Put in your water and shovel in your coal,
Put your head out the window, watch the drivers roll.
I'll run her 'til she leaves the rails,
'Cause I'm eight hours late with the Western mail."

He looked at his watch and his watch was slow
He looked at the water and the water was low
He turned to the fireman and then he said,
"We're gonna reach Frisco, but we'll all be dead."

Casey Jones, gonna reach Frisco
Casey Jones, but we'll all be dead
Casey Jones, gonna reach Frisco
We're gonna reach Frisco but we'll all be dead

Jews harp solo

Casey pulled up at the Reno Hill
He whistled for the crossing with an awful shrill
Switchman could knew by the engine's moan
That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones

He pulled up within two miles of the place
Number Four was staring him right in the face
He turned to the fireman, said, "Boy, you better jump,
'Cause there's two locomotives that are going to bump."

Casey Jones, two locomotives
Casey Jones, that are going to bump
Casey Jones, two locomotives
There's two locomotives that are going to bump

Harmonica solo

Casey said just before he died
There's two more roads that he wanted to ride
The fireman said, "What can they be?"
"It's the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe."

Mrs. Jones had on her feathers fine
Just received the message that Casey was dyin'
Said, "Go to bed, chillen, and hush your cryin',
'Cause you got another Papa on the Salt Lake line."

Mrs. Casy Jones, got another Papa
Mrs. Casey Jones, on the Salt Lake line
Mrs. Casey Jones, got another Papa
Got another Papa on the Salt Lake line

Harmonica solo

Edited 10/29 to pick up corrections from Gumbo

All best,
Johnm

[Gumbo]

Always a great tune!

1.1 sp. COME
1.4 SIX-EIGHT WHEELER, boy ... is what it sounds like to me whether or not that makes sense to anyone.

4.2 PUT your head out ...

[Johnm]

Thanks for the catches, Gumbo.  I have made the changes you suggested.
All best,
Johnm

[Lignite]

Vernon Dalhart plays the harmonica and the jew's harp and that's Carson Robison on the guitar.

[Johnm]

Thanks for that information, Lightnin'.  Vernon Dalhart was really a nice harmonica player and Carson Robison sounds great.
All best,
Johnm

[waxwing]

1.4 SIX-EIGHT WHEELER, boy ... is what it sounds like to me whether or not that makes sense to anyone.

Probably abbreviating 6-8-6 to fit the meter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6-8-6

Among the biggest steam engines made.

Wax

[Gumbo]

Thanks, Wax.It's great when it makes sense, too!

[Lignite]

Here's a better copy of Casey Jones by Vernon Dalhart from my collection. Check out the cool ending which the Youtube presenter cut off (or else it's a recording from a different session. Sounds identical to me, though).
http://picosong.com/fAvA

[uncle bud]

Thanks Lightnin'! That's a nice version. I haven't heard much Dalhart myself. Agreed, cool ending.

[Johnm]

Yes, thanks for that, Lightnin'.  Vernon Dalhart sure played nice straight harp!