Topic: Fiddlin' Arthur Smith Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Fiddlin' Arthur Smith recorded "I'm Bound To Ride" at a session in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 3, 1937, backed by the Delmore Brothers, Alton, playing guitar and Rabon, playing tenor guitar.  On this particular track, Arthur Smith sang and played the banjo, and it is some ripping banjo playing.  This tune came out many years ago as part of the RCA Vintage re-issue series on an album called "Smoky Mountain Ballads".  Here is "I'm Bound To Ride":



INTRO SOLO

Comin' through old Nashville, comin' through a-flyin'
Study 'bout my little darlin', couldn't keep from cryin'
REFRAIN: Honey babe, I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go?

SOLO

Goin' through Atlanta, just to look around
If things don't suit me, gonna hunt another town
REFRAIN: Honey babe, I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go?

SOLO

Workin' on the railroad, savin' all I can
Lookin' for that woman, ain't got no man
REFRAIN: Honey babe, I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go?

SOLO

Standin' on the corner, ten thousand miles from home
Study 'bout the good times, done past and gone
REFRAIN: Honey babe, I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go?

SOLO

If I die a railroad man, bury me under the ties
So I can hear old Number 4 as she goes rolling by
REFRAIN: Honey babe, I'm bound to ride, don't you want to go?

SOLO

Edited April 5 to pick up correction from Harry
Edited April 6 to pick up correction from banjochris

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

5.1  If I die a railroad man, but me bury me under the ties

[Johnm]

Thanks, Harry.  I'm going to kill my spell-check.  It constantly makes non-grammatical assumptions which I don't notice because I'm typing what I meant to type.  Grr.

[banjochris]

One other little suggestion, John – I think in the first line it should end
comin' through a-flyin'

Chris

[Johnm]

Right you are, Chris, thanks very much for the help.  It makes a lot more sense, too, which is always nice.  Thanks!

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is Arthur Smith on fiddle and vocals backed by the McGee brothers, Sam on guitar and Kirk on banjo.  I've always loved the way they did this song.  The House of David was evidently a religious sect that sponsored bearded baseball teams that toured around--proof once more that truth is stranger than fiction!  This recording is from a Folkways album that is really great.  I was unbelievably fortunate to see this trio in concert when I was thirteen, in a show put together by Mike Seeger, in which they split the bill with Maybelle Carter.  I'll never forget, Sam McGee picked "Late Last Night When Willie Came Home" on a banjo-guitar.  Anyway, here is "House of David Blues":



FIDDLE SOLO X 2

Gee, but ain't it grand, don't you hear that band play those House of David Blues
All the folks from town are gathering around, to see the funny things they do
When ham was sellin' for a dollar a pound, I eat so many rabbits made me hop all around
Oh gee, but ain't it grand, don't you hear that band play those House of David Blues

FIDDLE SOLO X 2

Gee, but ain't it grand, don't you hear that band play those House of David Blues
All the folks from town are gathering around, to see the funny things they do
Well, a dominicker rooster and bow-legged hen, they go together but they ain' no kin
Oh gee, but ain't it grand, don't you hear that band play those House of David Blues

FIDDLE SOLO

All best,
Johnm