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The Last Tree

by Jack Warshaw

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1.
I am a poor and a rambling boy Many are the shores it's I have been In Cumberland City I paid my way Spend my money at the ball in play In Cumberland City I married me a wife Loved her as I loved my life She's treated me kind both night and day Caused me to rob the road highway So my pretty little miss, now fare thee well Love you so well no tongue can tell If pleasure no more on earth I see I wouldn't treat you as you're a treatin' me Oh my pretty little miss sixteen years old Hair just as yeller as the shinin' gold Oh the prettiest face and the neatest hands God bless the ground on where she stands Now my mother sits and weeps and moans Sister says she's left alone My true love weeps in deep despair With her dark brown eyes and her curly curly hair I'll get me some paper and it's I'll sit down drop a few lines to Gov'ner Brown And every word shall be the truth Pray for the Gov'ner to turn me loose I'll buy me a ticket in Greenville Town Get on the train and it's I'll sit down Oh the wheels will roll and the whistle will blow Take me six months to get back home Come young and old and stand around See me laid in this cold ground I'm not ashamed or afraid to die But I hope to see you bye and bye
2.
Take a trip with me in nineteen thirteen To Calumet, Michigan in the copper country I'll take you to a place called Italian Hall And the miners are having their big Christmas ball I'll take you in a door and up a high stairs Singing and dancing is heard ev'rywhere I'll let you shake hands with the people you see And watch the kids dance 'round the big Christmas tree. There's talking and laughing and songs in the air And the spirit of Christmas is there ev'rywhere Before you know it you're friends with us all And you're dancing around and around in the hall You ask about work and you ask about pay They'll tell you they make less than a dollar a day Working their copper claims, risking their lives So it's fun to spend Christmas with children and wives. A little girl sits down by the Christmas tree lights To play the piano so you gotta keep quiet To hear all this fun; you would not realize That the copper boss thug men are milling outside The copper boss thugs stuck their heads in the door One of them yelled and he screamed, "There's a fire" A lady she hollered, "There's no such a thing; Keep on with your party, there's no such a thing." A few people rushed and there's only a few "It's just the thugs and the scabs fooling you." A man grabbed his daughter and he carried her down But the thugs held the door and he could not get out. And then others followed, about a hundred or more But most everybody remained on the floor The gun thugs, they laughed at their murderous joke And the children were smothered on the stairs by the door. Such a terrible sight I never did see We carried our children back up to their tree The scabs outside still laughed at their spree And the children that died there was seventy-three The piano played a slow funeral tune, And the town was lit up by a cold Christmas moon The parents, they cried and the people, they moaned, "See what your greed for money has done?"
3.
She’s wearin’ red lipstick and a bright purple roughe A shingle bob haircut and a shot of good booze Refrain Hurry down sweet daddy, come blowin’ your horn If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone Come along young fella, everything settin’ right Husband’s gone away till next Saturday night [Refrain] She’s raring to go, got red shoes on her feet Her mind’s sittin’ right for Tin Lizzie’s seat [refrain] Red rooster says, “Cockle doodle do do.” Rich woman says, “Any dude will do” [refrain] With rosy red garters, pink hose on her feet Turkey red bloomer, with a rumble seat [refrain] Stop at the fashion shop, pick the one looks best? This red hot mama wants a brand new dress [refrain] Every Sunday mornin’ down to church she goes Wings sprouted out, the preacher told her so [refrain] Dress skirt cut high, neck line cut low Don’t think her a sport, keep on watchin’ her go [refrain]
4.
Way down in the land of the hills and hollers Way down in the land of the lonesome pines Way down where the land is scarred and blasted Live the men who work in the mountain mines There’s lots of dog holes right in this county Where none of the men are organized They’re told they’re lucky to work at all And most believe the bosses’ lies We drill and blast in a three foot seam Then the scoop moves in through the narrow hole Under your feet is coal black water The only roof is tons of coal We go to the meetins at the union local But they ain’t done much since John L died Every once in awhile the government man Sends another report to the Bureau of Mines Those big bulldozers they roar like thunder They strip the land and then move on They take our topsoil and mountain forest And leave the dead and broken land Them little dog holes in every hillside They work ‘em out till the coal is gone They take our strong and healthy miners And leave the dead and broken men Down in Kentucky and West Virginia Across the land we love so dear The operators lay down the law Just like they done for forty years Oh the years have come and the years have gone But the time has come to tell the man We’ve dug our graves for long enough You take your hole – we’ll take our land
5.
Liza Jane 03:13
Look-a-here, Liza, listen to me You're not the gal that you promised to be Didn't you say you would always be true You went out driving with Mr Brown I am the laughing stock of the town People said to never trust you Chorus Throw up your hands, babe, I'm a-gonna go I was a good man while I had the dough So it's goodbye Miss Liza I'm a-gonna leave you You know when I go, I'm the fellow with the dough-dough-dough So sing a little song, travel along, yes travel along Bid you good-day, babe, I'm on my way Goodbye Miss Lisa Jane Give me here my gold watch and chain Give me that umbrella they said it might rain Give me the clothes that I paid for, too Down in the trunk and hand me them things Give me here my diamond ring Get Mr. Brown to dress you all up new Chorus
6.
Matty Grove 06:24
It was on a high holiday Very first day of the year Matty Grove to church did go God's holy word to hear God's holy word to hear First to come down was a lady in red Then a lady in pearl Last to come down was Lord Banner's wife The fairest among them all She set her eyes on Matty Grove Matty Grove on she "What will you take little Matty Grove To spend this night with me." "To spend this night with you," said he "Would cause no end of war For I know you to be Lord Banners wife By the gold rings that you wear." "So what if I be Lord Banner's wife Lord Banner is not at home He's gone down to London Town To fetch young Henry's throne" A little foot page was a-standing there He took to his heel and run He run till he came to the water side Then he bent his breast and swum "What news, what news my little foot page Is my castle burning down? Or is my lady brought to bed Of a daughter or a son." "Your castle is not burning down You have no daughter nor son Little Matty Grove's in bed with your wife They lie as they was one." They hadn't been in bed but an hour or more Nor yet fell fast asleep When up there stepped Lorn Banner himself And stood by their bed feet "How do you like my blanket sir? How do you like my sheets? How do you like my gay young wife That lies in your arms asleep?" "Right well do I like your blanket sir Right well do I like your sheets Better do I like your gay young wife That lies in my arms asleep." "Arise and dress little Matty Grove As fast as ever you can It'll never be said in the morning sun That I slew a naked man" "By my side hand two broad swords They cost so deep in purse And you shall have the better one And I shall have the worst" Little Matty had the very first blow He struck and hit the floor Lord Banner had the second blow And Matty struck no more He took his lady by the hand Set her on his knee "Come tell to me which you love best Little Matty Grove or me." "Right well do I like your cheek, said she Right well do I like your chin Better do I like little Matty Grove Than you and all your kin." He took his lady by the hand Led her through the hall Took her to the uppermost room And slew her before them all "Go bury these lovers in one grave Bury them soft within But lay my lady on the top For she's of a nobler kin."
7.
COLORADO GIRL Townes Van Zandt I'm goin' out to Denver See if I can't find I'm goin' out to Denver See if I can't find That lovin' Colorado girl of mine The promise in her smile shames the mountains tall The promise in her smile shames the mountains tall She can bring the sun to shining tell the rain to fall It's been a long time, mama, since I heard you call my name Been a long time mama, since I heard you call my name I got to see my Colorado girl again Be there tomorrow Mama, don't you cry Be there tomorrow Now, mama, don't you cry I got to kiss them New York City girls good-bye I'm goin' out to to Denver See if I can't find I'm goin' out to to Denver See if I can't find That lovin' Colorado girl of mine That lovin' Colorado girl of mine
8.
THE LAST TREE © Jack Warshaw 2020 Only after the last tree has been cut down Only after the last river has been poisoned Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten. -Cree Indian prophecy I’ve worked my way round this green growing land A land turned to dust again and again They come then they’re gone, they dig and they spoil Fracking for gas, drilling for oil When the last tree is cut down When the last river is fouled When the last fish is caught Then will you know You can’t eat your gold They come and they build wherever they can Spread concrete and blacktop all over the land Their factories poison, infecting our streams Crushing our hopes and killing our dreams When the last tree is cut down… They pay us in pennies, then give us the sack And leave us with nothing but the shirt on our back They give us religion, and tell us to pray That stairway to heaven hides misery today When the last tree is cut down… They use up the air, they use up the soil They use up the ocean, they use up the world So come all you people, and listen to me Let’s show ‘em right now, what it means to breathe free When the last tree is cut down…
9.
Heather Heyer 2 © Jack Warshaw 2018/9 Her name was Heather, 30 years of age She helped poor folks in Charlottesville and many did she save They wear the scars of fear and pain ‘till they can take no more Broke down and regulated like slave masters did before She often wept and spoke out in the cause of liberty She held the law above the goons who breed their bigotry She stood against injustice, she spoke for civil rights Her friends all praised her words but never thought she’d pay the price She held a lamp of freedom, won with blood and tears She held the light of day against the night of hate and fear As she stood there in the sunlight, and as she stood her ground The Dodge roared down on 4th Street, and there it cut her down The driver of that Dodge, he loved Hitler so they said Another white supremacist, another victim dead Then Trump he sent a message- regards and sympathy But never showed his face or laid the blame where it should be The day the 12th of August, two thousand seventeen The day when Death drove down the road a-raging and obscene Her name was Heather Heyer, 30 years of age Charlottesville is quiet now as she lies in her grave
10.
© Jack Warshaw 2010 When first we met together I thought that time stood still Let me call you in the morning, you know I surely will When we sat and talked together, your gentle words flowed out Didn’t know until that moment what love is all about When we walked along together, arm in arm so tight And I kissed you by the river, I knew it felt just right When we played a game together, in the summer sun So soon the game was over, but another just begun When we drank a glass together, wine of deepest red Your eyes they spoke so truly, though not a word was said When we cooked and ate together, what more could I desire? Each taste that graced upon my tongue set my soul on fire When we kissed together, standing at your door I said that I would love you, now and forever more When we lay together, arms and legs entwined You knew that I was yours, and I knew that you were mine So I’ll say again I love you, like a flower loves the sun And though it’s been a long, long time, I’d say we’ve just begun
11.
When I go to Baltimore Make my pallet on your floor Come along and follow me We’ll go down in history Chorus : Green green rocky road Promenade in green Tell me who ya love Tell me who ya love See that crow up in the sky He don’t crow nor can he fly He can’t walk nor can he run He’s black paint splashed on the sun Chorus : See Miss Jane runnin’ to the ball She don’t stumble, she don’t fall Don’t she sing and don’t she shout When she sing, come runnin’ out Chorus : Hooka tooka soda cracker Does your mama chaw tobacca If your mama chaw tobacca Hooka tooka soda cracker Chorus : When I go to Baltimore Make my pallet on your floor Get up girl and follow me We’ll go down in history Chorus
12.
All Used Up 03:58
I spent my whole life making somebody rich Busted my back for that son of a bitch And he left me to die like a dog in a ditch And told me I'm all used up He used up my labor, he used up my time Plundered my body and squandered my mind Then he gave me a handout, sweet talk and wine And he told me I'm all used up My kids are in hock to a god you call Work Slaving their lives out for some other jerk And my youngest in 'Frisco just made shipping-clerk He don't know I'm all used up Some young people reach out for power and gold They don't have respect for anything old Then for pennies they're bought, and for promises sold Someday they'll be all used up They use up the oil, they use up the trees They use up the air and they use up the seas Well, how about you, friend, and how about me What's left, when we're all used up I'll finish my life in this crummy hotel It's lousy with bugs and my God, what a smell But my plumbing still works and I'm clear as a bell So don't tell me I'm all used up Outside my window the world passes by Gives me a handout, then spits in my eye And no one can tell me, 'cause no one knows why I'm still living, if I'm all used up Sometimes in a dream I sit by a tree My life is a book of how things used to be And the kids gather 'round and they listen to me And they don't think I'm all used up And there's songs and there's laughter and things I can do And all that I've learned I can give back to you And I'd give my last breath just to make it come true No, I ain’t all used up
13.
A pretty fair miss, all in her garden Handsome cowboy, come a-riding by Sayin, pretty fair Miss, come be my sweetheart Come go with me and be my bride O no kind sir, you’re a nice young fellow How can you court a girl like me When I have a lover among those cowboys Three years away he’s gone you see Perhaps he's dead, or maybe drownded Perhaps he's by some Indian slain Perhaps he's to some pretty girl married An' will never return again O, if he's drowned, I hope he's happy Or if he's by some Indian slain And if he's to some pretty girl married I'll love the girl that married him He thrust his hands into his pockets His fingers being both long and small Drew forth the ring that she had give him An' straight before him she did fall He picked her up just like a feather An' kisses gave her, one, two, three Saying, I’m your long and lonesome cowboy Returning home for to marry thee Come all you young an' tender ladies Take a warning from a girl like me If you’ve a lover, among those cowboys Keep faith that he’ll return to thee.
14.
He came from the heartland of my country Born in the year of fifty three Raised with all the care a kid could wish for His hometown was a lucky place to be School days now being left behind him Got drafted in year of seventy two And when the war in Vietnam was over He wondered how he ever made it through Lookin’ for a job then wasn’t easy He travelled like the journeymen of old Worked his way across the wide horizon Sometimes it felt like being bought and sold He built cars up in Flint and down in Dearborn Drilled for oil out on the Texas plain Last week they laid him off the Gulf Coast shipyard Now it looks like he’ll never work again They’re sayin’ these dark days will soon be over But talk is cheap and words are wearing thin Those fifty seven years say so completely It’s gonna be a bit too late for him Grandpa knew about the Great Depression And what it felt like being down and out Drifting down the mean streets of your cities Never knowing what the next day’s all about I never asked for nothing I ain’t worked for Still proud to call this Land of the Free But that can only buy a welfare check now To take care of my own family Them Wall Street big shot bastards still don’t notice They’re living on the bitter price we paid A million marchers chants are getting louder Another broken promise that they made And still they live the dream we worked to give them Their laws still cut us down, right to the bone Yesterday I couldn’t pay the mortgage Tomorrow they’ll come and take our home
15.
Pretty Saro 04:16
I come to this country in eighteen oh nine, I saw many a true love, but I never saw mine. I looked all around me and found I was alone. And me a poor stranger, and a long way from home. Down in some lonesome valley, in some lonesome place, Where the wild birds do whistle their notes to increase, I think of pretty Saro whose waist is so neat, And I want nothing better than to be with my sweet. I wish I were a poet and could write a fine hand, I would send my love a letter that she’d understand. I'd send it by messenger where the deep waters flow And think of pretty Saro wherever I go. My love she won’t have me, as I understand, She wants some freeholder, and I have no land. But I work for a living my money’s my own And if she don’t like me she can leave me alone It's not the long journey I'm dreading to go Nor leaving of this country for the debts that I owe; There is but one thing that troubles my mind, That's a-leaving pretty Saro, my true love, behind. Oh I wish I was a little dove, had wings and could fly, Straight to my love's bosom this night I'd draw nigh And in her little small arms all night I would lay And think of pretty Saro till the dawning of day. Farewell my dear father, likewise my mother too, I'm a-going to ramble this country all through. And when I get tired, I'll sit down and weep And think of pretty Saro, then take my long sleep.
16.
You read it in the papers, you watched it on TV You followed it on Twitter, repeated endlessly A simple little slogan, it read "Take back control" You thought you cast your vote, but you really sold your soul You sold away your freedoms that sweat and tears have won You sold your children's birthright for tens of years to come You sold a wealth of nations, joined in harmony For lies and empty promises that can never come to be Now they show true colours, hauled up on the mast Stand up for Queen and country, marching forward- to the past Soaring prices, lower wages, your money sunk to hell Hurry to the auction 'till there's nothing left to sell The beggars’ bowl is brought before the bandits at the gate Hoping stupid Uncle Sam will make Britannia great A power-hungry President wears a twisted grin The victor gets the spoils, you've been hooked and rooked again. Now Bozo and the billionaires still defend the fraud They've already moved their cash to safer shores abroad They tell you "It's the people's will," while they bleed you dry And never give a damn if you live or how you die. So, merry old Britannia, what will become of thee? Will you stand for rule of law and uphold democracy? Will our people come together, rise up and take control? And break the band of Bozos who’ve come to claim your soul? You read it in the papers, you watched it on TV You followed it on Twitter, repeated endlessly A simple little slogan, it read "Take back control" The day you cast your vote, was the day you sold your soul.
17.
I am a roving gambler, gambled all around Any place I see a deck of cards I lay my money down. I had not been in Washington many more weeks than three Till I fell in love with a pretty little girl, she fell in love with me. She took me to her parlour, cooled me with her fan Whispered low in her mother's ear, "I love the gambling man." Daughter, Oh dear daughter, how could you treat me so To leave your dear old mama and with a gambler go? Mama, Oh dear mama, you know I love you well But the love I bear for the gambling man no human tongue can tell. I’ll not marry in the spring, I’ll marry in the fall I’m gonna marry that gamling man, winner takes it all I’ll not marry in the fall, I’ll marry in the spring If you ever see me back again I’ll wear his wedding ring I've gambled out in Frisco, gambled down in Spain I'm headed back to Georgee to gamble my last game
18.
I’ve been working ‘round this country Now my race is nearly run Seen ten thousand dawns a-breaking Seen ten thousand setting suns Fare thee well, come tomorrow I’ll be gone from this old town There’s a home in the valley Where I’m bound, where I’m bound Sailing on the widest ocean Sailing on the sea so blue In my dreams I see a harbour In my dreams I look on you Fare thee well, come tomorrow I’ll be gone from this old town There’s a girl in the valley Where I’m bound, where I’m bound There’s a tree by the river Planted there when I was young Now it stands broad and handsome In the place from which it sprung Fare thee well, come tomorrow I’ll be gone from this old town There’s a child in the valley Where I’m bound, where I’m bound I have lingered, contemplated Why I ever chose to roam If I stay here any longer I may never see my home Fare thee well, come tomorrow I’ll be gone from this old town There’ll be peace in the valley Where I’m bound, where I’m bound

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Traditional and original folksongs with guitar, 5-string banjo, autoharp, fiddle, mouth harp and bass. Includes American and British political and topical songs.

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released February 14, 2020

Jack Warshaw

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Jack Warshaw UK

Veteran of the 1960s folk revival, he passionately believes, writes and sings with authenticity and respect for traditional American styles and song carriers. He has met, learned from or worked with such legends as Pete, Mike and Peggy Seeger, Tom Paley, Ewan MacColl, Bob Dylan, Mississippi John Hurt, Clarence Ashley, Dave Van Ronk, Stuart Burns and many others. Watch Youtube. Bio on Wikipedia ... more

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