Lyrics for Class, December 16, 2025

Here are the lyrics for class, December 16, 2025.

Do not be afraid to bring (legal) Christmas cheer!

Enjoy!

See y'all in class!

Lyrics for Class December 09, 2025

Here are the lyrics for class, December 09, 2025.

Here are the last (for the time being) country lyrics.

Here are lyrics from two important Rodgers and Hammerstein shows.

See y'all in class!

Listening List for December 09, 2025

Here is the listening list, finishing out the origins of Country and returning to Broadway.

ORIGINS OF COUNTRY MUSIC (CONCLUSION)

HONKY TONK

HONKY TONK TRAIN BLUES
performed by Meade Lux Lewis (1927)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDeeK7-GlYg

HONKY TONK MUSIC
performed by Jelly Roll Morton (1938)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgQUDFyBqFw

WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU
performed by Ernest Tubb (1941)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IobZdWEc9uM

HANK WILLIAMS

HONKY TONKIN' (1947)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsH3C94b4IU

I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY (1949)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WXYjm74WFI

YOUR CHEATIN' HEART (1952)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS4LCoh0VGQ

BACK ON BROADWAY

OKLAHOMA (1943)
by Richard Rogers, Oscar Hammerstein II

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING
performed by Hugh Jackman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNEUtN21cuU

I CAN'T SAY NO
performed by Vicki Simon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmPbMcsNT7g

OKLAHOMA!
performed by Gordon McRae (and ensemble)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmPbMcsNT7g

SOUTH PACIFIC (1949)
by Richard Rogers, Oscar Hammerstein II

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
performed by Ezioo Pinza, Mary Martin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drHTYCRVoYQ

THERE IS NOTHIN' LIKE A DAME
(ensemble)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGtyYoFUwDk

BALI HA'I
performed by Juanita Hall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1X_qNMVFZA

YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFULLY TAUGHT
performed by Bill Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPf6ITsjsgk

Lyrics for December 02, 2025

Here are the new lyrics for December 02, 2025.

Enjoy!

Listening List Before Class (December 02, 2025)

This time we're headed West of the Mississippi....

WAY OUT WEST

OH SHENANDOAH
traditional
performed by Glen Campbell (1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k09G2A_vZ8

performed by Cowboy Nation (2000)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBvBWb9nGH8

HOME ON THE RANGE
by Daniel E. Kelley, Brewster M. Higley (1874)
performed by Gene Autry (1947)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtysUMM-Ce8

GIT ALONG, LITTLE DOGIES
traditional
performed by Roy Rogers (1940)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2cFji4CmHE

DON'T FENCE ME IN
by Cole Porter, Robert Fletcher (1934)
performed by Roy Rogers (1945)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEOdcR6CJZ4

A very different take on the song:
peformed by Ella Fitzgerald (1956)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw1KdIDRwww

TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS
by Bob Nolan (1929-34)
performed by the Sons of the Pioneers (1935)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mH0-leTYJI

I WANT TO BE A COWBOY'S SWEETHEART
by Patsy Montana (1934)
performed by Patsy Montana (1935)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYwYscqXJQ

STEEL GUITAR RAG (instrumental)
by Leon McAuliffe (1936)
performed by Bob Willis & His Texas Playboys (1936)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehnxV5SL2Cw

MAIDEN'S PRAYER (instrumental)
based on "Modlitwa Dziewicy", by Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska (1856)
performed by Bob Willis & His Texas Playboys (1938)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKqt1lxAs4o

COOL WATER
by Bob Nolan (1936)
performed by Vaughn Monroe and Sons of the Pioneers (1948)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM-Zh4NsSUY

(GHOST) RIDERS IN THE SKY: A COWBOY LEGEND
by Stan Jones (1948)
performed by Stan Jones (1948)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka90ERKLTJQ

THE WAYWARD WIND
by Stanley Lebowsky, Herb Newman
performed by Patsy Cline (1961)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VIniJcrfAI

DESPERADO
by Glenn Frey, Don Henley
performed by the Eagles (1973)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q93wc3-deU

PANCHO AND LEFTY
by Townes Van Zandt (1972)
performed by Emmylou Harris (1974)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LQeRqTBK4

Lyrics for November 25, 2025

Here are the lyrics for class on November 25, 2025.

Enjoy and See y'all in class!

Listening List Before Class (November 25, 2025)

 Here are some songs to listen to before class!

HILLBILLIES AND BEYOND!

EARLY HILLBILLY MUSIC

WILDWOOD FLOWER
based on "I'll Twine 'Mid the Ringlets" by John Philbrick Webster, Maud Irving (1860)
performed by the Carter Family (1928)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0DMhqlH20k

performed by the Soulmates (2019?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwq8UxDoJ3w

CAN THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN
based on "Will the Circle be Unbroken" by Ada R Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel (1907)
performed by the Carter Family (1935)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjHjm5sRqSA

MINING SONGS

DARK AS A DUNGEON
by Merle Travis (1946)
performed by Merle Travis (1951)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BvbJLTg_FQ

16 TONS
by Merle Travis (1946)
performed by Tennesseee Ernie Ford (1955)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9j91-18Kb4

BLUEGRASS

ROCKY TOP
by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant (1967)
performed by the Osborne Brothers (1967)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al2KhNTB1Po

performed by Backwoods Bluegrass Band (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvFrDivPk4

FOX ON THE RUN
by Tony Hazzard (1968)
performed by the Country Gentlemen (1971)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZMVUdHH49E

performed by the Backwoods Bluegrass Band (2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59fPdZj6HzM


SOUTHERN NOT-QUITE HILLBILLIES

HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
by Jimmie Rodgers(?) and Elsie McWilliams(?) (1928)
performed by Jimmie Rodgers
content warning: yodeling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3L2qf3q-ok

RAGGED BUT RIGHT
by anonymous
performed by Riley Puckett (1934)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuplqkI4WYU

Enjoy!

Lyrics for November 18, 2025

Here are the new lyrics for this week.

Enjoy!

Listening List for November 18, 2025

In addition to the songs we didn't get to last time (starting with 'It Ain't Necessarily So) here are some songs to get you acquainted with the predecessors of Country Music.

Part one: THE BRITISH FOLK CONNECTION

An eclectic list of some British folk songs that display features later found in Country Music.

THE SEXUAL LIFE OF THE PRE-INDUSTRIAL BRITISH ISLES

Good clean, dirty fun:
SPOTTED COW
peformed by Steeleye Span
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yrXqcCGx9o

Can't Get No Satisfaction:
MY HUSBAND'S GOT NO COURAGE IN HIM
performed by the Silly Sisters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgEp2MGx30M

Two rather different versions of the same sordid (but true!!!!!) story:
ROSIE ANDERSON

performed by Smalltalk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV5-AsCHaPU

performed by the Silly Sisters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzMXDwsuxxk

SAME STORY – DIFFERENT SONGS

Two very different versions of the same story:
TWO SISTERS / CRUEL SISTER

Jolly Irish tune hiding gruesome deaths:
performed by Clannad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhnPOUyEomc

Haunting and atmospheric:
peformed by Pentangle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd-Rbia4SSU


Three very different versions of the same story:
D(A)EMON LOVER / HOUSE CARPENTER

Reimagined as a 1970s pop song:
performed by Steeleye Span
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yie8QRDfSUo

Janus version, traditional and modern for the times (1969):
performed by Pentangle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1YXPc5WKY8

Neo-traditional take (with Scottish accent):
performed by Alasdair Roberts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74_cLoeZZy0

OVER TO AMERICA, THE SAME, YET DIFFERENT

HOUSE CARPENTER

Undelicate and raw:
performed by Clarence Ashley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka0DOsIo4uE

Refined concert version:
performed by Joan Baez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCQK3ii1uJs


KNOXVILLE GIRL
Irish murder ballad, transformed for American realities.
performed by the Louvin Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkAdcEEHdRk

BARBARA/BARBRY ALLEN/ELLYN (among many variants, the most widespread folk song in English)

Hoedown hillybilly version:
performed by the Button Collective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNk0a6_R0hY

Seventies pop-crooning semi-gothic version:
performed by Art Garfunkel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om5wGY9ty_Y

Atmosphereic a capella version:
performed by Jean Ritchie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTSP0ifyhO4

See y'all in class!

Lyrics for November 04, 2025

Here are the lyrics for tomorrow, November 04, 2025.

There is a very big jump in song quality this week (compared to last week).

For most of them, we will see videos of the songs in the context of the show so it's a good idea to become acquainted with the lyrics ahead of time. I've tried to regularize the lyrics for some of the songs from Show Boat and Porgy and Bess but I might have missed a thing or two.

See y'all in class!

Listening List for November 04, 2025

I know it's a holiday, but... take a few moments from parties to become acquainted with the listening list for this coming week.

 

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

by Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed (1929)

from "Hollywood Revue of 1929)

performed by Ukelele Ike (Cliff Edwards)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRcr_5qWa-o

 

SHOWBOAT

all songs by Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II (1927)

excerpts form 1936 filmed version

 

CAN'T HELP LOVIN' THAT MAN

performed by Helen Morgan, Irene Dunne, Hattie McDaniel, Paul Robeson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cZmvLixcTA

 

OL' MAN RIVER

peformed by Paul Robeson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df4VdyGIqJ8

 

BILL

performed by Helen Morgan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c83IYf424ak

 

ANYTHING GOES

by Cole Porter (1934)

 

peformed by Cole Porter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN2KHeEWqZM

 

performed by Patti LuPone (song begins at 0:30)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpjaqswBVIA

 

PORGY AND BESS

all songs by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin and DuBose Howard (1935)

 

SUMMERTIME

peformed by Harolyn Blackwell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7-Qa92Rzbk

 

I GOT PLENTY OF NOTHING

Michael Preacely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gg2Jv2ebns

 

IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO

Sammy Davis Jr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ijhn3FlDQs

 

I LOVES YOU PORGY

performed by Cynthia Haymon and Bruce Hubbard (song starts at 2:35)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNYCt1ju8fo

 

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN

all songs by Irving Berlin (1946)

 

YOU CAN'T GET A MAN WITH A GUN

performed by Ethel Merman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAYqKNTP5Q4

 

THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS

pefromed by Ethel Meerman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIiQMsDQ0Uo

Lyrics for October 28, 2025

Here are the lyrics for Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Enjoy!

See y'all in class!

Some Things to Listen to before Class on October 28, 2025

Here some videos to listen to before class on October 28, 2025.

 SONG STRUCTURE

RHYMES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suXGrzXCNzU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCfSSo8W0G4

 

TIME SIGNATURES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fwLCgtlvY8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoSZ1yhxgqA

 

EARLY BROADWAY

THE YAMA YAMA MAN

Karl Hoschna, Collin Davis (1908)

from "The Three Twins"

performed by Ada Jones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1YVCIkIc6E

performed by Ginger Rogers (as Irene Castle as Bessie McCoy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCB2xsrm4vk

 

ITALIAN STREET SONG

by Victor Herbert, Rida Johnson Young (1910)

from "Naughty Marietta" (1910)

performed by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy (1935)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n94pvclfugk

performed by Anna Moffo (televised appearance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9RjDV96Uok

INDIAN LOVE CALL

by Rudolf Frimi, Herbert Stothart, Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II (1924)

from "Rose Marie"

performed by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald (1936 film)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMD_5H0Nqqo

performed by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald (commercial recording)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyT-VSE6M1k

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

by Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed (1929)

from "Hollywood Revue of 1929)

performed by Ukelele Ike (Cliff Edwards)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRcr_5qWa-o

SHOWBOAT

all songs by Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II (1927)

excerpts form 1936 filmed version

CAN'T HELP LOVIN' THAT MAN

performed by Helen Morgan, Irene Dunne, Hattie McDaniel, Paul Robeson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cZmvLixcTA

 

OL' MAN RIVER

peformed by Paul Robeson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df4VdyGIqJ8

BILL

performed by Helen Morgan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c83IYf424ak

See y'all in class!

Lyrics for October 21, 2025

This week we will finish Stephen Foster.

We will also begin examining the structure of songs.

Here are the song structure lyrics in Word.

Here are the song structure lyrics in a pdf.

Enjoy!

Lyrics for Class, October 14, 2025

Here are the lyrics for class tomorrow.

Here they are in Word.

Here they are in a pdf.

Enjoy! And See y'all in class!

Listening List for October 14, 2025

Due to beginning of year confusion and a major computer problem (since resolved) I'm a bit behind where I want to be.

Nevertheless, here is a listening list before class.

The lyrics to the songs can easily be found so I'm not including them yet.

The list has two sections. The first is:

BEFORE STEPHEN FOSTER

Old Zip Coon / Turkey in the Straw (1834)
Original (racist) lyrics:
(2nd South Carolina String Band)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubXiEW40bUA


Instrumental
(Tennessee Mafia Jug Band)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Ntl1uIHVc

With new lyrics:
(Andy Z)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0JlANsF9kw

Polly Wolly Doodle (1843)
(Tom Roush)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_xhgRKvQzQ

The second is:
STEPHEN FOSTER

Oh Susanna! (1848)
(Tom Roush)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lhBYeufe1c

Camptown Races (1850)
(2nd South Carolina String Band)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSN5SdL_ohY

Old Folks at Home (1852)
(2nd South Carolina String Band)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksBcIEJ822Y

My old Kentucky home (1853)
(John Prine)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYQ4WnFG_0I

Hard times come again no more (1854)
(Jan de Gaetani)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57iE6ElmdCM

Jeannie with the light brown hair (1854)
(Jan de Gaetani)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvEA0RnX_GU

Old Black Joe (1860)
(Mills Brothers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEw3B5p0Sww

Beautiful dreamer (1864)
(Marilyn Horne)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-drAf-BQaRc

Things to think about:

Why have so many of Foster's songs survived while that of most of his contemporaries has not?

What (if anything) makes Foster's songs sound American (rather than British, Irish or other European)?

Should his, at times, problematic lyrics remain, be changed? 

Is it a good idea to project modern standards into the past?

Materials for Class October 07, 2025

Here are the lyrics for the Class Overview (nb. the lyrics are incomplete as only parts of the songs are played in class).

Here they are in a Word document.

Here is a PDF.

Enjoy!