The Dying Soldier (Brother Green) Performance
Added 2022-03-12 12:00:01 +0000 UTCI learned "Brother Green" (The Dying Soldier) from a 1920s recording of Rev. Buell Kazee of Magoffin County, Kentucky. My instrument is an 1888 Thompson & Odell "The Luscomb" banjo tuned eBEG♯B (three frets below gDGBD).
Oh brother Green come kneel by me
For I am shot and bleeding,
Now I must die no more to see
My wife and my dear children.
The southern foe has laid me low
On this cold ground to suffer,
Stay brother stay and lay me away
And write my wife a letter.
Tell her that I'm prepared to die
And that we'll meet in Heaven,
For I believe in Jesus Christ
My sins are all forgiven.
Go tell my wife she must not grieve
Go kiss my dearest children,
For they will call for me in vain
When I am gone to heaven.
Comments
glad to hear Clifton singing he believes in Jesus!
josh waller
2022-04-09 17:32:04 +0000 UTCI like it. first heard it from Buell Kazee and then Clifton
josh waller
2022-03-19 22:46:04 +0000 UTCYes....so happy you have posted this song for us. I remember asking you about it some time ago. Looking forward to the lesson and learning it myself from you. Thanks, as always.
Frederick Newbill
2022-03-18 17:58:36 +0000 UTCThere is a similar song from the same era known as Write a Letter to my Mother. It has a very similar theme. There's good historical context for it as well. There have been a couple versions made, based off of notation in the Library of Congress.
Chris Coppit
2022-03-17 01:03:38 +0000 UTCI first heard this song from a recording of Leroy Troy, and my eyes definitely lit up when I saw you had done a version as well. Lovely playing, Mr. Hicks!
Chris Coppit
2022-03-15 20:19:24 +0000 UTCIt's perfectly understandable that your time is spent on the demands of life. I thank you just the same for your research and videos. All the best to you.
Jonas Siler
2022-03-14 02:38:58 +0000 UTCThanks Clif, the your banjer always does my heart good. God bless.
Josh Z
2022-03-14 00:21:38 +0000 UTCSomeone did ask me recently to do a Stageit concert, but I declined. I'm just too busy. On top of my archaeology and banjo work, I've also been roped into a construction job.
Clifton Hicks
2022-03-13 12:34:19 +0000 UTCRight fine pick'n and sing'n there Clifton and masterfully performed in the old timey tradition. The 19 century certainly had its sad lyrics put to forlorn and lonesome dark melodies. Thanks again brother, you always get it just right. Any chance you're planning another Stageit concert sometime?
Jonas Siler
2022-03-13 11:36:31 +0000 UTCBuell Kazee was a Baptist Minister. In the Baptist faith, Christians often refer to each other as "brothers and Sisters". It's also used to refer to friends or contemporaries in the South. Some in the military also use it toward other members. A internet search seems to point to some of the lyrics being from the civil war timeframe. just a guess though.
josh waller
2022-03-12 20:37:36 +0000 UTCComing soon! I actually posted this by accident somehow. Lesson and tab for "Wild Bill Jones" (guitar) will be up next time.
Clifton Hicks
2022-03-12 15:31:48 +0000 UTCIs “brother green” referring to something specific? Didn’t know if it was a reference to a uniform or some kind of signifier. Or just a name
Matt Spears
2022-03-12 14:26:18 +0000 UTCIs there any chance you can do a tab for this song. Would love to learn it.
Charlie Brown
2022-03-12 12:39:46 +0000 UTC
