Bumbastories Weekend Sing-Along

A couple of songs, recorded the other day, for you to sing along with. The words are very kindly provided by Bumba, so you have no excuse not to join in. We’re even giving you a selection of three songs. If you don’t like one, then try another. First, Banks of the Ohio

I asked my love to take a walk, just a walk, just a ways with me And as we walked then we would talk about our coming wedding day So only say that you’ll be mine in our home we’ll happy be Down beside where the water flows Down by the banks of the Ohio. I took her by her lily-white hand I led her down that bank of sand I pushed her in where she would drown I watched her as she floated down Only say… I started home bout quarter past one I cried my God what have I done? I killed the only woman I loved Because she would not be my bride Only say… Very next day at half past four Sheriff walks right through my door He said, “Now son, dontcha try to run You’re gonna pay for this deed you’ve done” Only say… Certainly a sad, sad lament, a tragic story. Why is it such a pleasure to sing? To continue, sing along with Worried Man Blues, a prison song that speaks of heavy worries, but holds a sort of hope. Maybank and Bumba like to play these songs, but you will definitely help if you sing along. Worried Man Blues

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song It takes a worried man to sing a worried song It takes a worried man to sing a worried song I’m worried now, but I won’t be worried long Over by the railroad tracks I laid down a stake Over by the railroad tracks I laid down a stake Over by the railroad tracks I laid down a stake When I woke up I had shackles on my feet It  takes a worried man….. I asked the judge what might be my fine I asked the judge what might be my fine I asked the judge what might be my fine He said twenty-nine years on the Rocky mountain line It takes a worried man…… Around my leg I got twenty-nine links of chain Around my leg I got twenty-nine links of chain Around my leg I got twenty-nine links of chain And on each link the initials of my name It takes a worried man…. Editor’s Note: You’ll notice that sometimes the lyrics differ from the traditional ones you might know. Firstly, there are many versions of these old folk songs. It’s just something that happens over time. Secondly, Bumba gets them wrong sometimes. For instance, the lyrics in Worried Man Blues about laying down a stake over by the railroad tracks seems to be something that Bumba has come up with. He’s not sure himself, but he likes the image and he’s also too lazy to go check.   Long Black Veil,

another sad one, but a popular folk/country song nonetheless, and we say beloved nonetheless because it’s loved nonetheless by nuns as well as by men and women of all habits and persuasions – as a good song to sing along with. Please feel free. And have a good weekend! And please note the new Page called Bumba Books in the newly-formatted Header. All of Stephen Baum’s (that’s Bumba to you) three novels are available there for purchase. More info and special offers to follow. Check it out. Ten years ago on a cold, dark night there was somebody killed ‘neath the town hall light There were few at the scene, but they all did agree That the slayer who ran looked a lot like me She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me. The judge said, “Son what is your alibi? If you were somewhere else, then you won’t have to die” I spoke not a word though it meant my life I had been in the arms of my best friend’s wife She wallks these hills……. Now the scaffold is high and eternity is near She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear But sometime at night when the cold wind moans In a long black veil she cries o’er my bones She walks these hills in a long black veil She visits my grave when the night winds wail Nobody knows, nobody sees, nobody knows but me.