John Hardy Blues- Roy Harvey (WV) 1931 REC
[From recording by Roy Harvey, Jess Johnston & the West Virginia Ramblers, "John Hardy Blues" (Champion 16281, June 3, 1931;). Sung to the tune of John Hardy- first verse is from John Hardy, the rest has been adapted from "Maid Freed."
The "ten thousand miles" line is a floating lyric found in other songs.
R. Matteson 2015]
John Hardy Blues- Roy Harvey, Jess Johnston & the West Virginia Ramblers, Champion 16281, June 3, 1931.
[Intro, fiddle]
1. I've been to the east and I've been to the west
Been all around this wide world.
Been to the river and I've been baptized
And I'm standing on the hanging ground, I do know,
standing on the hanging ground
2 Hangman, hangman, hold your rope,
Just a little while,
I thought I heard my father's voice
He has been traveled ten thousand miles, I do know,
He's traveled ten thousand miles.
[fiddle break]
3. Did you bring any silver or gold,
Or money to pay my fee?
Or did you come for to see me hung upon this hanging tree, I do know,
Upon this hanging tree.
4. No, I didn't bring no silver nor gold
Or money to pay your fee.
But I did come for to see you hung, upon this hanging tree, I do know
Upon this hanging tree.
[fiddle break]
5. Hangman, hangman hold your rope,
Just a little while.
I thought I heard my sweetheart's voice
She had traveled ten thousand long miles, I do know.
She traveled ten thousand long miles.
6. Oh yes I've brought you silver and gold
And money to pay your fee,
But I have come for to take you home, I do know,
And keep you there with me,
And keep you there with me.