"German War" | Discussion & Lesson
Added 2018-11-13 19:12:39 +0000 UTCf#DGAD (Jump to 05:56 to skip the intro talk.)
In this video I discuss the story behind the song and go through the basics of playing a simplified overhand (clawhammer) version of "German War." Look out for a close-up of this approach and please comment below with suggestions, criticism &c.
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Come all you good people whomever you may be
I hope you'll pay attention and listen unto me,
My name don't make no difference the truth to you I'll tell
I am a brave volunteer and I'm sure I wish you well.
At the age of sixteen I joined that army grand
We left old Kentucky and sailed to a foreign land,
Our captain he informed us and I'm sure he thought it right
Before the morning comes boys I am sure you'll have to fight.
I saw them Germans coming Lord I heard them give their yell
My feelings at that moment no human's tongue can tell,
We saw their shining rifles their bullets 'round us flew
Now all my strength had left me and all my courage too.
Our captain stood beside me he gave me good advice
He told me how to surrender so I might save my life,
My friends shot down beside me tears falling from my face
O how I love you brother but I can't take your place.
We fought throughout the morning before the battle was done
The dead and the dying lay under the bloody sun,
And then I thought of mother who asked me for to stay
And not to go with strangers and sail so far away
I've been in the midst of battle I know it's harshness well
I've been across that great ocean and rode down the streets of Hell,
I've lived a life of misery I've been where Death he roams
I'll tell you from experience boys you had better stay at home!
Comments
I just learned “German war” thanks to your videos. I can’t believe I can play this song now not only up picking but also in the two finger style. Thank you so much, Clif! Now I have to try singing along!
Jesus-David Jerez-Gomez
2023-03-21 22:32:25 +0000 UTCYeah me too. It asks me to become a Patreon again?
John Herd
2018-12-13 00:12:37 +0000 UTCHi Clifton, for some reason I'm locked out of some of your lessons even though I'm a full member, please can you look into this for me. Thanks. Dave
David Bryan Tompkins
2018-12-10 21:32:20 +0000 UTCYes. "German War" is also pretty trancey. I suspect this phenomenon is a big part of why many are drawn to the banjo.
Clifton Hicks
2018-11-20 13:47:02 +0000 UTCOff topic... but I was playing your version of Pretty Polly the other day at a music shop and someone told me it put them in a trance. There's really something about that song and the drone string where people seem to get in another state of mind. I just mention it because you've brought it up a few times and it seems to be universal.
Alex Nemet
2018-11-20 02:00:42 +0000 UTC🤯 I'll give it a try!
Clifton Hicks
2018-11-16 01:57:39 +0000 UTCCould you do some up-picking on this one at some point? Maybe it has a little too much going on? I've been trying and least found the knott county lick works on the high string at 3rd fret. That high part I can't quite get to sound smooth though.....
Taylor Davis
2018-11-16 00:21:35 +0000 UTCI don't drink too much, but when I do...
Clifton Hicks
2018-11-15 13:12:09 +0000 UTCFirst, on the subject of dark beers, I’m sitting here drinking a homebrewed stout. Turned out pretty good! Second, very nice, Clifton. Love this song...and thank you for the overhand style. I still haven’t tried much in two finger, but I will eventually! I promise. I love the sound too much to not eventually dive into it. Damn do I frustrate myself when I try it! I can finger pick a guitar and ukulele, but I’ll be damned if I can finger pick a banjo!
Mike Rebitzke
2018-11-15 06:02:02 +0000 UTCMmmm...dark beers.
Micheál Mac Labhrás
2018-11-14 10:43:11 +0000 UTCAs you said, this is definitely one of the more tricky ones you have done on here so far. Helped me get a pretty decent start. Looking forward to the close-ups and trying this one BEFORE a few dark beers! Thanks!
Taylor Davis
2018-11-14 01:20:52 +0000 UTCI love this song. I put in a lot of work learning the two finger version from one of your videos. Doesn't hold a candle to your performance, I'm sorry to say.
Dwayne Strohm
2018-11-14 01:14:39 +0000 UTCMany thanks indeed!
Scott Danneker
2018-11-14 00:29:18 +0000 UTCYes. Please continue with the disection of this piece. I am now working on the first run as described here.
Scott Danneker
2018-11-14 00:28:52 +0000 UTC
