This is one of my favourite Billy Bragg songs. He was commissioned to set unpublished Woodie Guthrie lyrics to music, and this is one of his most soulful attempts. The melody and lyrics of the chorus just create such an incredible sense of yearning and timelessness. A song that would make even the most rooted seek to ramble.
^Notice how I'm playing with an invisible pick? Neat, huh?
I've posted the lyrics below. You'll notice that in my version I've merged the first two verses and switched "see" for "be" in the third verse, and theres a few other minor changes. Oh, and I mispronounced his home town. Oh well, that's folk music, people!
Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key
Music by Billy Bragg, words by Woodie Guthrie
I lived in a place called Okfuskee
And I had a little girl in a holler tree
I said, little girl, it's plain to see
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
She said it's hard for me to see
How one little boy got so ugly
Yes my little girly that might be
But there ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
We walked down by the Buckeye Creek
To see the frog eat the goggle-eye bee
To hear the west wind whistle to the east
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Oh my little girly will you let me see
Way over yonder where the wind blows free
Nobody can see in our holler tree
And there ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
Her mama cut a switch from a cherry tree
And laid it on the she and me,
It stung lots worse than a hive of bees
But there ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Now I have walked a long long ways
And I still look back to my Tanglewood days
I've led lots of girls since then to stray
Saying ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
My previous covers
Tonight Will Be Fine by Leonard Cohen:
https://steemit.com/openmic/@thebigdelay/open-mic-week-40-my-cover-of-tonight-will-be-fine-by-leonard-cohen
Been Smoking Too Long by Nick Drake:
https://steemit.com/openmic/@thebigdelay/open-mic-week-39-my-cover-of-been-smoking-too-long-by-nick-drake
really calming.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks man, it's really great to get people's reactions. Just listening to your collab with @juliakponsford now, sounds sweet. Upped and resteemed.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Way to go. I really like her art/videos composition. @juliakponsford
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Wow, just noticed how dusty my guitar is!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
LOL! yup.. you should clean it up. Keep the good music going!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
btw you got a new follower
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks! Right, off to find that duster...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks so much to all who have voted so far, that means a lot to me :) Follow me for more covers, plus original songs and poetry :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Nice performance mate! I hadn't heard that song before but it's nice, got a mellow vibe to it and I like some of the chord changes. Just make sure you get a duster out next time you change your strings!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I know, right; it's a disgrace. Thanks for voting. I'm checking out your multi instrumental jam, it's really nice. Upped and followed etc.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Cheers!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Keep it up.. really liked it..!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, I really appreciate your feedback :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This is so nice, i love your interpretation :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, that means a lot to me. Loving your stuff.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Very nice man! Getting that strum down. Eventually it will come very natural. Just FEEL IT!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Nice job, you can really tell it's done by Billy Bragg, you put it across really well! Is this song on that album he did that was all recorded in train stations across America? Think I heard it before..
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, I appreciate your kind words. It was from Mermaid Avenue which he recorded with Wilco in the late nineties.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I noticed you have also done One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong by Leonard Cohen, I love that song! I play it myself sometimes when I've got the inner strength. I'm gonna listen as soon as I get to a cafe with headphones - got a bandwidth shortage at home.. But looking forward to it. I like your taste!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, Clint, great to hear from another fan of that song! You clearly also have awesome taste ;) Checking your REM cover now and liking it!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit