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High and Lonesome Sounds

by Theo

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1.
The Wandering Boy 02:38
lyrics
[Roscoe Holcomb's The Wandering Boy conveys more sorrow and tenderness than I've heard any other a cappella song manage. I can only hide behind my guitar in shame and reverence] As I travel this wide world over Friends I find wherever I roam But to me there's none like Mother None like Mother dear at home They may treat me very kindly Bid me welcome everywhere But it just only reminds me Of a loving mother's care I remembered well how Mother Used to slew the slightest pain With her tender words and kisses She'd soon make me well again Oh God wilt thou have mercy On my darling precious boy Save, protect him Lord I pray thee Let not sin his soul destroy
2.
Virgin Mary 03:05
lyrics
[A hymn by Joan Baez] Virgin Mary had one son Ooh, glory hallelujah Ooh, pretty little baby Glory be to the new born King "Mary how you call that pretty little baby? Ooh, glory hallelujah Ooh, pretty little baby Glory be to the new born King" "Some call Him Jesus, think I'll call Him Savior Ooh, I think I'll call Him Savior Ooh, I think I'll call Him Savior Glory be to the new born King" Riding from the East there came three wise men Ooh, came three wise men Ooh, came three wise men Glory to be the new born King Said, "Follow that star, you'll surely find the baby Ooh, surely find the baby Ooh, surely find the baby Glory be to the new born King" Virgin Mary had a one son Ooh, glory hallelujah Ooh, pretty little baby Glory be to the new born King
3.
We Shall Overcome 04:21
lyrics
[A song which shines light in dark places. Popularised by Pete Seegar and others, who played and taught it during the US civil rights movement. But this song itself evolved among African-Americans over many years prior, and it's musical influences probably stretch back 220 years to a Catholic hymn called O Sanctissima] We shall overcome We shall overcome We shall overcome, someday Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, someday We'll walk hand in hand We'll walk hand in hand We'll walk hand in hand, someday Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, someday We shall live in peace We shall live in peace We shall live in peace, someday Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, someday We are not afraid We are not afraid We are not afraid, today Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, someday The whole wide world around The whole wide world around The whole wide world around, someday Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, someday
4.
Little Travellers 01:31
lyrics
[An adaptation of 'Morningtown Ride' by Malvina Reynolds. Dad sung it something like this when we were kids, on the way back home from road-trips] Rocking, rolling, riding Out along the bay All bound for Woodend-town Many miles away Daddy’s at the engine Mummy rings the bell I swing the lanterns To show that all is well Claire bear lifts her head up Lawsy gives a snore All the little travellers Inside are snug and warm
5.
Tear The Fascists Down 02:39
lyrics
[Woodie Guthrie on how unity beats tyranny] There's a great and a bloody fight 'round this whole world tonight And the battle, the bombs and shrapnel reign Hitler told the world around he would tear our union down But our union's gonna break them slavery chains Our union's gonna break them slavery chains I walked up on a mountain in the middle of the sky I could see every cloud and every town I could see all the people in this whole wide world That's the union that tore old Hitler down That's the union that'll tear these fascists down When I think of the men and the ships going down While the Russians fight on across the Don There's London in ruins and Paris in chains Good people, what are we waiting on? Good people, what are we waiting on? Yes I thank the Soviets and the mighty Chinese vets Allies the whole wide world around To the battling British, thanks, you can have ten million Yanks If it takes 'em to tear the fascists down, down, down If it takes 'em to tear the fascists down
6.
Friendly World 02:44
lyrics
[Originally written by Ken Darby. Most beautifully and hilariously performed by Andy Kaufman] In this friendly, friendly world with each day so full of joy Why should any heart be lonely? In this friendly, friendly world with each night so full of dreams Why should any heart be afraid? The world is such a wonderful place to wander through When you've got someone you love to wander along with you With the skies so full of stars and the river so full of song Every heart should be so thankful Thankful for this friendly, friendly world

about

Covers of songs by Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and others. Kept it simple with this one. One mic, one track, and not much fuss. See 'lyrics' for info on the songs themselves.

For me, renditions of old tunes and folk songs aren't tributes to ancient relics, they feel more like evocations which can help us make sense of the here and now. I reckon some songs survive for so long because their core message transcends a particular place and time.

The High Lonesome Sound is a film about the essential role of music in the lives of Eastern Kentuckians in the 60s, and it inspired me to record these songs. It's pretty haunting and worth a watch: psyche.co/films/faith-struggle-and-song-intertwine-in-this-classic-film-on-appalachian-music

credits

released October 2, 2021

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Theo Melbourne, Australia

Born; raised. Part-time vessel for words and music. Apolitical body language expert, aspiring techno oligarch, virgo, 5-time divorcee x

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