"Run, Jimmy, Run" Performance
Added 2020-03-03 17:43:53 +0000 UTCgCGCE relative, f# B F# B E♭ actual. I learned this song from the recording of Florie Stewart on "The Pine Breeze Recordings" (Jubilee Records, Ron Williams et al.). Other sources are Doc Watson & Tom Ashley's "Run Jimmy Run" (https://youtu.be/AaCjGOVmceU), Moses Platt's "Run N***** Run," and Jackson Wells' "Run Boy Run." The subject matter of this song is tragic. However, it seems likely that this piece originated in antebellum African American tradition. For that reason I consider it worth preserving.
Jimmy run he run his best
He run his head in a hornet's nest
(Poor boy!)
Jimmy run Jimmy flew
Jimmy tore his shirt in two
(There he goes...)
Jimmy run past my gate
Run Jimmy run you slept too late
Jimmy run through my field
Blacksnake bit him on the heel
(Yelp!)
Run Jimmy run patrol will get you
Run Jimmy run you better get away
Comments
I think most of the old folk songs mention war in a negative light. However, even songs as dreadful as "German War" just made me want to go all the more.
Clifton Hicks
2020-03-13 01:05:20 +0000 UTCHey Clifton, I have a question for you! So we know that since time and memorial, the higher ups have been blaming all the "sins" of our cultures on music. That kids minds would be warped from listening to anything from Rock n' Roll to Rap. Elvis was going to turn teens promiscuous, Bob Dylan would turn them into radicals, Dr. Dre would spawn gangsters and in the UK these days "Drill Rap" is making kids stab each other! Truthfully, punk rock turned me into a menace for a good many years! My question for you is, do you think the old folk tunes that "glorify war" may have nudged you even the slightest bit in the direction of joining the forces? Thanks in advance, Dean Watt
Dean Watt
2020-03-05 17:31:09 +0000 UTCI love all of the songs you put on patreon. I set on my porch every night and work on them. Thanks for everything you do!
Flint sampson
2020-03-03 19:46:57 +0000 UTCAlthough painful, so many of these songs preserve the African American experience. Thanks for bringing historical context to this.
Nick Conner
2020-03-03 18:46:48 +0000 UTCJimmy Driftwood sang a version called Run, Johnny, Run. Lyrics had the chorus, ‘Run, Johnny, Run, the Federals will get you! Run, Johnny, Run, you better get away!’
Jim Jacquet
2020-03-03 17:52:57 +0000 UTCThanks once again for preserving musical and cultural history, Clifton! ❤️ 🪕
Cindy Gilchrist
2020-03-03 17:48:36 +0000 UTC
