Clifton Hicks

Cold Icy Mountain | Performance (two-finger)

Added 2018-11-26 17:27:18 +0000 UTC

I learned this song originally from Matt Kinman who's himself learned it from George Gibson--the source for must current versions. Since then I have heard Gibson sing and play it many times, and have further informed my own version by listening to recordings of Daw Henson's "Old Piney Mountain" and related songs such as "My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountain," "Green Icy Mountain," "Going Across the Mountain" &c. The banjo is down-tuned considerably from standard G tuning to eBEG#B

I'm going across that cold icy mountain (x2)

That'll be my home that'l be my home (x2)

Stop and feed my baby candy (x2)

For I never expect to see it anymore

Stop and tell my mamma howdy (x2)

For I never expect to see her anymore

All's I drink are the tears I shed (x2)

For I never expect to see you anymore

All's I eat are green willow shoots (2x)*

And I never expect to see you anymore

I'm going across that cold icy mountain (x2)

That'll be my home that'll be my home (x2)

* The term "green willow shoots" apparently refers to the young cattail plant (Typha domingensis) whose roots, shoots and green (premature) flowers are edible. These have traditionally been used as a survival food by cultures around the globe.