BLUEGRASS

 

 

Amazing Grace

John Newton

G                                      C                G                                                    D

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; That saved a wretch like me.
G                                  C            G                 Em            D        G

I once was lost but now I’m found, Was blind but now I see.

T’was grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fear relieved.
How precious did that grace-appear, The hour I first believed

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, Than when we first begun

 

America

Katherine Lee Bates

G                                 D                                                         G

O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,
G                                             D                       A           D

For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!

G                     D                                                 G/G7

America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
            C                                 G                        Em               D         G

And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea

 

Are You Washed?

Elisha A. Hoffman

                        G

Have you been to Jesus for His cleansing power

                                                                        D

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
                 G                            C        

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour

                        G             D                             G

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus:
                        G                     C               G                                                   D

Are you washed, in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
                        G                                             C        

Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow,

                        G             D                             G

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by your Savior’s side

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the crucified

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside these garments that are stained with sin

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean

Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Arkansas Traveler

Traditional

    D                                                          A

O Once upon a time in Arkansas, An old man sat in his little cabin door,

        D                                                                      D          A                         D

And Fiddled at a tune that he liked to hear, A jolly old tune that he played by ear.

               D      G                   D                            A             D                                            A

It was raining hard, but the fiddler didn’t care, He sawed away at the popular air,

               D            G                     D      A                 D                     A                  D

Tho' his roof tree leaked like a water fall, that didn't seem to bother the man at all.

 

A Traveler was riding by that day, And stopped to hear him a practicing away;

The cabin was afloat and his feet were wet, But still the old man didn't seem to fret.

So the Stranger said

"Now the way it seems to me you had better mend your roof" said he.

But the old man said, as he played away "I couldn't mend it now it’s a rainy day”

 

The Traveler replied: "That's all quite true, But this I think is the thing for you to do;

Get busy on a day that’s fair and bright, Then patch the old roof till it's good and tight."

But the old man kept a [playing at his reel

And tapped the ground with his leathery heel:

"Get along", said he, "for you give me a pain: 

My cabin never leaks when it doesn't rain."

 

Ballad of Jed Clampett

Flatt and Scruggs

G                                                         Am                  D

Come and listen to a story ‘bout a man named Jed

D                                             G

Poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed
G                                             C                     C#

Then one day he was shootin’ for some food,
         D                                                                  G

And up through the ground come a bubblin’ crude
(Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea)

Well the first thing you know old Jed’s a millionaire
Kin folk said Jed move away from there
Said California is the place you oughta be
So they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly
(Hills that is, swimming pools, movie stars)

Well now it’s time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin
They would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin’ in
You’re all invited back again to this locality
To have a heapin’ helpin’ of their hospitality
(Beverly Hillbillies, that’s what they call ‘em now,
Nice folks. Y’all come back now, ya hear?)

 

Banjo in the Hollow

Traditional

G         C         G         D-G

G         C         G         D-G

C         G         C         G         C         G         D         G

C         G         C         G         C         G         D         G

 

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Julia Ward Howe

G

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
            C                                                            G

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
               G                                                          B                    Em

He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
            C         D         G

His truth is marching on

 

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on

 

Bile ‘em Cabbage Down

Traditional 

Chorus:

G                                 C                     G                                 D
Bile ‘em cabbage down, boys, Turn them hoecakes 'round,

G                        C                    G                   D         G
Only song that I can sing is Bile ‘em cabbage down.

 

Raccoon has a bushy tail, Possum's tail is bare. 
Rabbit ain't got no tail at all but a Little bitty bunch o' hair. (Chorus)

 

Raccoon and the possum, Racin' cross the prairie.

Raccoon ask the possum, Did she want to marry. (Chorus)

 

Possum is a cunnin' thing, Travels in the dark, 
Never thinks to curl her tail 'Til she hears ol' Rover bark. (Chorus)

 

‘Possum up a ‘simmon tree, Raccoon on the ground,

Raccoon say to the ‘possum, “Won’t you shake them ‘simmons down?” (Chorus)

 

Jaybird died of the whoopin' cough, Sparrow died of the colic. 
'Long come a frog with a fiddle on his back Inquirin' his way to the frolic. (Chorus)

 

Blue Moon of Kentucky

Bill Monroe

G                                                          C

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
G                                                                         D

Shine on the one that's gone and proved untrue
G                                                          C

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
G                                           D                            G

Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue

               C                                           G
It was on a moonlight night the stars were shining bright
                               C                                           G                            D

When they whispered from on high your love has said good-bye

Blue moon of Kentucky keep on shining
Shine on the one that's gone and said good-bye

 

Blue Ridge Cabin Home

Flatt and Scruggs

G                                                         C

There’s a well-beaten path in the old mountainside

                        D                                 G

Where I wandered when I was a lad
            G                                             C

And I wandered alone to the place I call home
                        D                         G

In those Blueridge hills far away

Chorus:

G                                              C
Oh I love those hills of old Virginia
                        D                                 G

From those Blueridge hills I did roam
            G                                                         C

When I die won’t you bury me on the mountain
            D                                                         G

Far away in my Blueridge mountain home

Now my thoughts wander back to that ramshackle shack
In those blue ridge hills far away
Where my mother and dad were laid there to rest
They are sleeping in peace together there

I return to that old cabin home with the sigh
I’ve been longing for days gone by
When I die won’t you bury me on that old mountain side
Make my resting place upon the hills so high

 

Bluegrass Breakdown

Bill Monroe

G         G         F          G         F          G         D         G

G         G         C         G         C         G         D         G

 

Bugle Call Rag

Benny Goodman

C         G         D         G

C         G         D         G

 

Bury Me

Monroe Brothers

G                     C                                 G                                 D

Bury me beneath the willow, Under the weeping willow tree
G                                      C                            G         D                                 G

So she will know where I am sleeping, And perhaps she’ll think of me

My heart is sad and I’m in sorrow, Weeping for the one I love
When shall I see her oh no never, ‘Til we meet in heaven above

Tomorrow was to be our wedding, God oh God where can she be
She’s gone a courting with another, And no longer cares for me

She told me that she did not love me, I could not believe it was true
Until an angel softly whispered, She no longer cares for you

Place on my grave a snow white lily, To prove my love for her was true
To show the world I died of grieving, For her love I could not win

 

Cabin in the Hills of Caroline

Flatt and Scruggs

G                                                         C                     G

There’s a cabin in the pines in the hills of Caroline
G                                                                     D

And a blue-eyed girl is waiting there for me
G                                                         C                     G

I’ll be going back to stay and from her I’ll never stray
G                                  D                    G

And the cabin in the hills of Caroline

Chorus:

C                                                          G
Oh, the cabin in the shadow of the pines
G                                                         D

And the blue-eyed girl down in Caroline
G                                                             C                    G

Someday she’ll be my wife and we’ll live a happy life
G                                 D              G

In a cabin in the hills of Caroline

I’m packin’ my grip gonna take a long long trip
Back to the hills of Caroline
I want to see that blue-eyed girl, she’s the sweetest in the world
And the cabin in the hills of Caroline

And when it’s late at night, and the moon is shinin’ bright
And the whippoorwill is callin’ from the hill
Then I’ll tell her of my love, beneath the stars above
How I love her and I know I always will

 

Callin' You

Hank Williams

G                                                                     C                        G

When you stray from the foal and there's trouble in your soul

G                                                                     D

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

                        G                                             C                        G

When your soul is lost in sin and you're at your journey's end

                        G                     D                     G

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

 

Chorus:

            C                     G                                                                     D

Callin' you, callin' you, can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

            G                                                         C                     G

He will take you by the hand, lead you to that promised land

                        G                     D                     G

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

 

As you journey day by day, and temptation comes your way

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

If you follow in His light, He will always guide you right

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

 

When your soul is burdened down, and your friends cannot be found

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

If you follow Him each day, He will brighten up your way

Can't you hear the blessed savior callin' you?

 

Cripple Creek

Traditional

G                                 C         G         G                          D                G

I gotta gal and she loves me, She’s as sweet as sweet can be,
She’s got eyes of baby blue, Make’s my gun shoot straight and true.

Chorus:

G
Goin’ up Cripple Creek goin’ in a run

G                                             D
Goin’ up Cripple Creek to have a little fun.

Cripple Creep’s wide and Cripple Creek’s deep

I’ll wade old Cripple Creek before I sleep
Roll my britches to my knees, I’ll wade old Cripple Creek when I please. 

I went down to Cripple Creek, To see what them girls had to eat
I got drunk and fell against the wall, Ole corn likker was the cause of it all.

 

Cumberland Gap

Traditional

G                Em                       G               Em                    D                          G

I laid down took a little nap, Forty one miles from the Cumberland Gap

 

Chorus:

G                            Em

Cumberland Gap, Cumberland Gap

G                                           D                    G

Forty one miles from the Cumberland Gap

 

I got a gal in Cumberland Gap, She’s got a baby calls me pap.

 

Daniel Boone on Pinnacle Rock, He killed injuns with an old flintlock.     

 

Cumberland Gap’s a mighty fine place, Can’t get water to wash your face.

 

Cumberland Gap with It’s cliffs and rocks, home of the panther, bear, and fox.

 

Me and my wife and my wife’s pap, Danced our way home to Cumberland Gap.

 

Dancin’ With the Angels

Peter Rowan

G                                             D                     G

Dancin' with the angels while the lions roar

 

                        G                                                   C               G

There's a pathway of darkness, there's a pathway of light

            G                                 D

They meet at the old crossroads
            G                                    C                  G

The Lord is a-calling if your spirit will hearken
G                                 D                         G

All is forgiven, lay down your weary load

 

Chorus:

                        G                     C                                 G

You'll be dancin', dancin', dancin' with the angels

G                                 A                     D

Just like old Daniel in the lions' den
G                                                         C                          G

The door will be open and the feast spread out before you
G                                             D                     G

Dancin' with the angels while the lions roar

 

Oh, Satan's dark powers are hungry for confusion
Once satisfied ever greedy for more
If you look to your heart there's a Spirit there a-bloomin'
If it's bright and shining Satan can harm you no more (chorus)

 

Kind angels of mercy are waiting there to greet you
Standing on the shore of everlasting light
They say "Come and join us across the shining waters
Our lanterns of love will guide us through the night” (chorus)

 

Dixie Breakdown

Don Reno

G         C         G         D

G         C         D         G

 

Do Lord

Traditional

G                                                                                 G7

I’ve got a home in Glory land that outshines the sun

C                                                                                 G

I’ve got a home in Glory land that outshines the sun

G                                                                                 Em

I’ve got a home in Glory land that outshines the sun

            G         D                     G

Look away, beyond, the blue

 

Do Lord, O Do Lord, O Do remember me (x3)

Look away, beyond, the blue

 

I took Jesus as my Savior you take Him too (x3)

Look away, beyond, the blue

 

Don't Get Above your Raisin'

Flatt/Scruggs

G

Now I got a gal that's sweet to me, she just ain't what she used to be

C                                                                     G

Just a little high-headed, that's plain to see

                        D                                                         G

Don't get above your raisin', stay down on earth for me

 

Now look here gal don't you high-head me, I ain't forgot what you used to be

When you didn't have nothin', that was plain to see

Don't get above your raisin', stay down on earth for me

 

Now you need not hold your head so high, every time that you pass me by

For it don't mean nothin', to me, you see

Don't get above your raisin', stay down on earth for me

 

Now look here gal you better be yourself, and leave that other stuff on the shelf

You're a country baby, that's plain to see

Don't get above your raisin', stay down on earth for me

 

Dooley

Traditional

G                                  C                             G                    D

Now Dooley was a good old man, he lived below the mill,
G                            C                           G      D      G

Dooley had two daughters and a forty gallon still.

One gal watched the boiler, the other watched the spout,
And mama corked the bottles when old Dooley fetched em' out.

Chorus:

G                                                          C

Dooley, slippin' up the holler, Dooley, trying to make a dollar,
G                                                          D                            G

Dooley, give me a swallow and I'll pay you back someday.

The revenuers came for him, slippin' through the woods,
Dooley kept behind them, though and never lost his goods.

Dooley was a trader, when into town he'd come,
Sugar by the bushel and molasses by the drum. (Chorus)

Now I remember very well, the day old Dooley died,
The women folk looked sorry and the men stood around and cried.

Now Dooley's on the mountain, he lies there all alone,
They put a jug beside him and a barrel for a stone.  (Chorus)

 

Down Yonder

L. Wolfe Gilbert

G

Down yonder someone beckons to me,

C
Down yonder some reckons on me.

G
I seem to see a race in memory

G
Between the Natchez and the Robert E. Lee.

A
Swanee shore I miss you more and more,

D
Ev'ry day, My mammy land, You're simply grand.

G
Down yonder when the folks get the news,

C
Don't wonder at the Hullabaloos,

G
There's daddy and mammy, There's Ephraim and Sammy,

A                     D                     G
Waitin' down yonder for me.

 

Dueling Banjos

Arthur Smith

G         C         G         D

G         G         G         G

 

Refrain:

C         G         D         G

C         G         D         G

 

Earl's Breakdown

Earl Scruggs

G         G         C         G         G         G         A         D

G         G         C         G         G         G         D         G         G

 

Farewell Blues

Traditional

C         G         C         C

C         G         C         C

A         A         D         D#

C         G         C         C

 

Fireball Mail

Traditional

                        G                                                                                 D

Here she comes, look at her go.  There she goes, eatin’ that coal.
                         G                                                  D                            G

Watch her fly, look at her sail, Let her by, by, by, the Fireball Mail.

Let her go, look at her steam, Here the low, whistle and scream.
Like a hound dog waggin’ its tail, Let her by, by, by, the Fireball Mail.

Engineer, makin’ up time, Tracks are clear, look at her climb.
See that freight, clear the rail, I’ll bet she’s late, late, late, the Fireball Mail.

Watch her swerve, look at her sway, Get that curve out of the way.
Watch her fly, look at her sail, Let her by, by, by, the Fireball Mail.

 

Five Speed

Johnson Mountain Boys

G         C         G         F          G         C         G         F          D         G

G         C         G         F          G         C         G         F          D         G

D         G         F          C         F          D

G         C         G         F          G         C         G         F          D         G

 

Flint Hill Special

Earl Scruggs

G         C         G         D

G         C         G         D         G         G

 

D         D         D         G

D         D         D         G

 

Foggy Mountain Breakdown

Earl Scruggs

G         Em      G         Em      G         D         G

 

Foggy Mountain Chimes

Earl Scruggs

G         G         G         G         G         G         G         D

G         G         G         G         G         G         D         G         G

 

D         D         D         D        

 

D         D         A         A

D         D         A         D

 

D         G

 

Foggy Mountain Special

Flatt and Scruggs

G         C         G         D         G

 

Foggy Mountain Top

Traditional

G                                 C                     G                                             D

If I was on some foggy mountain top, I’d sail away to the West
G                                      C                G                     G      D                G

I’d sail all around this whole wide world, To the girl I love the best

Now if you see that girl of mine, There’s something you can tell her
That she may as well not fool her time away, Just a courtin’ some other feller

Oh she caused me to weep and she caused me to mourn

She caused me to leave my home
Oh lonesome pines and the good old times, I’m on my way back home

Oh if I’d only listened to what my mama said, I would not be here today
Just lying around this old jailhouse, And wasting my poor life away

 

God Bless America

Irving Berlin

G                     D         D                     G/G7

God Bless America, Land that I love

C                                 G                                 G                     D                     G

Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with the light from above

 

D                     G                                 D                     G/G7

From the mountains, to the prairies, to the ocean, white with foam

C                     G/Em              G         D         G/G7

God Bless America, My home sweet home

C                     G/Em              G         D         G

God Bless America, My home sweet home

 

Groundspeed

Traditional

G         D         G         C         G         D         G

 

D         G         D         G         D         G         G7       C7       D         G

 

How Great Thou Art

Stuart K. Hine

G                                             C

Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder

                 G                D                                 G

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
               G                              C

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
                        G                     D                     G

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

                            G                 C                     G

Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
                              D                                  G

How great Thou art, How great Thou art
                        G                     C                     G

Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee
                             Am/D                           G

How great Thou art, How great Thou art

 

When Christ shall come, With shout of acclamation
To take me home what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim my God how great Thou art

 

How Mountain Girls can Love

Stanley Brothers

C                                 G                     D                                 G

Get down boys, go back home, Back to the girl you love
Treat her right, never wrong, How mountain girls can love

G                                                                     D                                                         G
Riding the night in the high cold winds, On the trail of the old lonesome pine
Thinking of you, feeling so blue, Wondering why you left me behind

Remember the night we strolled down the lane, Our hearts were so happy then
You whispered to me as I held you close, You hoped this night would never end

 

I am a Man of Constant Sorrow

Traditional

                                              D                            G
(chorus) In constant sorrow through his days

G                                            C                           D                            G
I am a ma-an of constant sorrow, I've seen trouble all my days.

G                                 C                                             D                          G
I bid farewe-ell to old Kentucky, The place where I was born and raised.

(chorus) The place where he was born and raised

For six long ye-ears I've been in trouble, No pleasures here on earth I found
For in this wo-orld I'm bound to ramble, I have no friends to help me now.

(chorus) He has no friends to help him now

It's fare thee we-ell my old lover, I never expect to see you again
For I'm bound to ri-ide that northern railroad, Perhaps I'll die upon this train.

(chorus) Perhaps he'll die upon this train.

You can bury me-e in some deep valley, For many years where I may lay
Then you may lear-rn to love another, While I am sleeping in my grave.

(chorus) While he is sleeping in his grave.

Maybe your friends thi-ink I'm just a stranger, My face you'll never see no more.
But there is one pro-omise that is given, I'll meet you on God's golden shore.

(chorus) He'll meet you on God's golden shore.

 

I Saw the Light

Hank Williams, Sr.

G                                                                     G7

I wandered so aimless my heart filled with sin
C                                             G

I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in
G                                

Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
G                        D                  G

Praise the Lord I saw the light

Chorus:
I saw the light I saw the light
No more darkness no more night
Now I’m so happy no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

Just like a blind man I wandered alone
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord I saw the light

 

I was a fool to wander and stray

For strait is the gate and narrow's the way

Now I have traded the wrong for the right

Praise the Lord I saw the light

 

I’ll Fly Away

Osborne Brothers

G                                                                     C         G

Some glad morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away
G                                                              G-D      G

To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away


Chorus:

G                                  C            G

I’ll fly away oh glory, I’ll fly away (in the morning)

G                                             Em     G-D    G

When I die hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have grown, I’ll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I’ll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away
To a land where joys shall never end, I’ll fly away

 

In the Garden

C. Austin Miles

G                                     G7                           C                          G

I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses

               D                              G         Em           A                     D
And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.

 

                G                                         D                                 C         D                 G

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own;

                G          B                   Em     C                   G             D     G
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing.

 

I’d stay in the garden with Him, Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling.

 

John Hardy

Traditional

C                                                                     G         C                                             G

Oh, John Hardy was a desperate little man, Strapped on his guns every day

C                                                                     G                     D
Shot down a man on the West Virginia line, You ought to see John Hardy getting away
                                                                        G

You ought to see John Hardy getting away

 

When he run up to Virginia around East Stone Bridge, Thought he would surely be free
And alone came a Marshall with a gun in his hand, Said: Johnny come along with me
Johnny come along with me

 

Oh, John Hardy came to save a little woman, The dress she wore was blue
And she howled up to Johnny as he rode on out of town

Said: Johnny, I’ll be true to you
Johnny, I’ll be true to you

 

I was let in to travel from the East to the West, From the North to the South in the town
But when the sun comes up tomorrow they’ll take John Hardy down

And shone to his hanging ground
They’re gonna let John Hardy swing down

 

Just a Closer Walk

Traditional

G                                             C-D     D7                                     G

I am weak but Thou are strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong
G         G7                   C              G                  D                               G

I’ll be satisfied as long, As I walk, blessed Lord, close to Thee

Chorus:
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, blessed Lord, let it be.


Through this world of toils and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares
None but Thee my burden bares, None but Thee, blessed Lord, none but Thee.

When my feeble life is o’er, Time for me will be no more
Guide me to that peaceful shore, Let me walk, blessed Lord, close to Thee

 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Traditional

G                                  C                                     G                                D

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms,

G                                           C                                 G                                      D     G

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

 

Chorus:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms,

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms

 

O how sweet to walk in the pilgrim way, O how bright the path grows from day to day.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear?  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near.

 

Liberty

Traditional

D         G         D         A         D

D         G         D         A         D

 

D         A         D         A         D

D         A         D         A         D

 

Little Cabin Home on the Hill

Bill Monroe

G                                 C                     G

Tonight I'm alone without you my dear

G                                                         D
It seems there's a longing for you still

G                                 C                     G
All I have to do now is sit alone and cry

G                                 D                     G
In our little cabin home on the hill

            C                                 G
Oh, someone has taken you from me

G                                 D
And left me here all alone

G                                             C                     G
Just to listen to the rain beat on my window pane

G                                 D         G
In our little cabin home on the hill

I hope you are happy tonight as you are
But in my heart there's a longing for you still
I just keep it there so I won't be alone
In our little cabin home on the hill

Now when you have come to the end of the way
And find there's no more happiness for you
Just let you thoughts turn back once more if you will
To our little cabin home on the hill