7369 old music 2402 - KET

When First to This Country
(Traditional)
This is an ancient English ballad (narrative song) that I first learned as a child
from my parents, who learned it from a folklorist’s field recording in the 1930s. I
added the autoharp accompaniment.
When first to this country a stranger I came,
I courted a fair maid and Nancy was her name.
I courted her for love, and her love I didn’t obtain.
Do you think I’ve any reason or right to complain?
I rode to see my Nancy, I rode both day and night,
I courted dearest Nancy, my own heart’s true delight.
I rode to see my Nancy, I rode both day and night
Till I stole a fine gray horse from Captain William White.
The sheriff’s men had followed and overtaken me.
They carted me away to the penitentiary.
They opened up the door and then they shoved me in,
They shaved off my head and they cleared off my chin.
They beat me and they banged me and they fed me on dry beans
Till I wished to my own soul, I’d never been a thief.
With my hands in my pockets and my cap set on so bold,
With my coat of many colors like Jacob’s of old.
Skip to my Lou
(Traditional)
One of the best known of the old folk songs is played here with an unusual
instrumental combination and a chorus (which is also a harmony) made by my
father. The harmonica has been popular in this country since its first production in
Germany in the mid-1800s. The banjo ukulele was a development on the fringe of
the Hawaiian music fad in the 1920s. I play it in styles adapted from banjo and
guitar.
Chorus:
Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou (3 times)
Skip to my Lou, my darling
Repeat chorus
Little red wagon painted blue (3 times)
Skip to my Lou, my darling
(chorus)
Lost my partner, what’ll I do (3 times)
Skip to my Lou, my darling
(chorus)
I’ll get another one prettier’n you (3 times)
Skip to my Lou, my darling
(chorus)
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