Get all 9 SaltyPaws releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of The Greatest Wish, Swallow the Anchor, Waggin’, Gospel Ship, Live Bait, Dog Paddle, Last Farewell, Will Play For Kibble, and 1 more.
1. |
Carolina Waggin’
06:48
|
|||
|
Carolina Waggin'
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
Now I'm going home.
But if I shall become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad,
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.
Heading down south to the land of the pines
I'm thumbing my way into North Carolina
Staring up the road and pray to God I see headlights
I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a-hopin' for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Rock me momma any way you feel
Hey momma rock me
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Rock me momma like a south bound train
Hey momma rock me
I don't know if you can see,
The changes that have come over me.
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away
I've been telling stories, singing songs,
That make me think about where I come from.
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today.
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
Now I'm going home.
But if I shall become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad,
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.
Running from the cold up in New England
I was born to be a fiddler in an old time string band
My baby plays a guitar, I pick a banjo now
Oh, north country winters keep a-getting me down
Lost my money playing poker so I had to leave town
But I ain't turning back to living that old life no more
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Rock me momma any way you feel
Hey momma rock me
Rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Rock me momma like a south bound train
Hey momma rock me
Now I have moved and kept on moving,
Proved the points that I needed proving,
Lost the friends that I needed losing,
Found others on the way.
But I'm steady thinking my way is clear,
And I know what I will do tomorrow,
When hands have shaken, the kisses flowed,
Then I will disappear.
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you're calling me
Now I'm going home.
But if I shall become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad,
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.
Walkin' to the south out of Roanoke
I caught a trucker out of Philly had a nice long toke
But he's a-heading west from the Cumberland gap
To Johnson City, Tennessee
I gotta get a move on before the sun
I hear my baby calling my name and I know that she's the only one
And if I die in Raleigh at least I will die free
So rock me momma like a wagon wheel
Rock me momma any way you feel
Hey momma rock me
Oh, rock me momma like the wind and the rain
Rock me momma like a south bound train
Hey, hey momma rock me
|
||||
2. |
The Widow's Promise
04:20
|
|||
|
THE WIDOW'S PROMISE
High upon a lonely moor a widow lived alone
An inn she kept, and as she slept, the pillow heard her moan
"Oh many is the traveler who's spent the night with me,
There's not a man in all creation gives content to me.
Oh some can manage once or twice, and some make three or four,
It seems to me a rarity is the man who can do more.
I'll do anything to find him, in Heaven or in Hell."
And as these words were spoken then, she heard the front door bell.
(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)
So boldly then the widow ran and the door she opened wide,
And as she did a tall and handsome stranger stepped inside.
She gave him bread and brandy, and when that he was fed,
He said, "Me dear, now have no fear, it's time to come to bed.
For I've heard your call way down below and I've come to see you right.
But you must come to Hell with me if I can last the night."
She said, "You randy devil, to this bargain I'll agree,
For Hell on earth, or Hell in Hell, it's all the same to me."
(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)
So then they both fell into bed, and the devil was working well,
He thought before the night was through she'd be in his Hell,
But when they came to number nine the widow cried out, "More!"
And when the twelfth time came around, again she cried for more.
At twenty-five the devil felt compelled to take a rest.
The widow she said, "Come raise your head and put me to the test."
At sixty-nine the widow laughed, "Again, again!" she cried.
The devil he said, "Well I can see just how your husband died."
(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)
At ninety-nine the devil he began to cry and weep
He said, "I'll give you anything if you let me go to sleep."
Before the morning light was up the devil hobbled home,
The widow, still not satisfied, once more was left alone.
There she lay and grumbled as she thought of ninety-nine.
"If only that old devil could have made it one more time!
I'll call him up again tonight and see what can be done.
With a bit more application, he could have made the ton."
But when she called to him that night, no devil did appear.
For the first time in eternity, the devil he shook with fear.
He said, "Of all the torment I've witnessed here in Hell,
I never knew what pain was 'till I rang your front door bell."
(Chorus: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door)
|
||||
3. |
Sullivan's Farewell
04:12
|
|||
|
Then in the wind, I shall return, and Sarah
when you feel the breeze upon your cheek,
it will be my breath.
Dearest Sarah, I am writing, now the battle is nigh
there are things that I must tell thee, if by chance I die.
Standing fast like those before us, certain in our cause.
only God knows what will happen, in the midst of war.
Memories of blissful moments, creeping over me
all our hopes are burned to ashes, all we yearn to be.
Please forgive me all my failings, watch our sons grow true
know my final breath escaping, whispers just of you.
July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington
My very dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing, perfectly willing, to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me, perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness.
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
|
||||
4. |
Rose of My Heart
03:31
|
|||
|
Rose of My Heart
We're the best partners this world's ever seen;
Together as close as can be,
But sometimes it's hard to find time in between
To tell you what you mean to me.
You are the rose of my heart.
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If you're tired, rest your head on my arm:
Rose of my Heart.
When sorrow holds you in her arms of clay,
It's raindrops that fall from your eyes.
Your smile is the sun come to earth for a day:
You brighten my blackest of skies.
You are the Rose of My Heart.
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
If your cold let my love keep you warm:
Rose of My Heart.
Hard times or easy times, what do I care?
There's nothing I'd change if I could.
The tears and the laughter are things that we share;
Your hand in mine makes all times good.
You are the Rose of My Heart.
You are the love of my life.
A flower not fading nor falling apart,
You're my harbor in life's restless storm:
Rose of My Heart.
|
||||
5. |
||||
|
Wild Mountain Thinking of You (Salty Paws)
Oh, the summer time is coming
And the leaves are sweetly blooming
And the wild mountain thyme
Blooms around the purple heather
Will you go, laddie, go?
And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, laddie, go?
I’ll think of you as I go
So when I leave you’re not alone
And no matter where we are
We’ll never be that far
‘cause I’ll think of you as I go.
If my true love, he won't go
I will surely find another
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, laddie, go?
And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, laddie, go?
I’ll think of you as I dream
So when it's dark, you'll be with me
And no matter where we are,
We can look up to the stars
‘cause I’ll think of you as I dream.
For it’s a long and winding road
But you don’t have to walk alone
Cuz no matter where we are
I will keep you in my heart
I’ll think of you as I go.
I will build my love a bower
At the foot of yonder fountain
And only if I'll pull
All the flowers of the mountain
Will you go, laddie, go?
And we'll all go together
To pull wild mountain thyme
All around the purple heather
Will you go, laddie, go?
|
||||
6. |
||||
|
Adieu sweet lovely Nancy, ten thousand times adieu,
I am going across the ocean, love, to seek for something new.
Come change your ring with me dear girl,
Come change your ring with me,
That it might be a token of true love --- when I am out to sea.
And when I'm far upon the sea, you'll know not where I am.
Fond letters I will write to you from every foreign land.
The secrets of your heart, dear girl,
Are the best of my good will,
So let my body be where it might --- my heart will be with you still.
There's a heavy storm arising, see how it gathers round,
While we poor souls on the ocean wide are fighting for the crown.
There's nothing to protect us, love,
Or keep us from the cold,
On the ocean wide, where we must fight --- like jolly seamen bold.
But when the war is over, there'll be peace on every shore,
We'll return to our wives and our families, and the ones that we adore.
We'll drink strong ale most merrily,
And spend our money free,
And when the money is all gone ––– we'll boldly go to sea.
Adieu, Sweet lovely Nancy.
|
||||
7. |
The Broken Token
04:36
|
|||
|
A fair young maid, stood in her garden,
she was tending her herbs and flowers there,
when who should pass by, but a handsome sailor
and he did stop his horse to stare.
I say young maid, if you be willing
leave your garden and come away with me,
for I have gold and silver in great fortune
and I will share it all with thee.
Oh, you are handsome sir and you are wealthy sir,
and a fine, fine husband you may be
but my heart is taken by another,
my true love who sails across the sea.
Around my neck, there hangs a token
Half of one that once was whole,
And my true love, he took the other,
Across the ocean for to go.
He sailed away to find our fortune
And I know he will return by and by
And when he's back, sir, we will be married
And tend this garden side by side.
Chorus
And what if he does find another?
What if he stays in a foreign country?
Or what if he dies out on the ocean?
Will you come and marry me?
Well if he dies, sir, then I shall mourn him,
If he lives, then I shall wait for he,
For he is my own true lover,
And I can never marry thee.
Chorus
Around my neck, there hangs a token
Half of one that once was whole
And my true love, she kept the other,
To keep my love burning in her soul
I sailed away to find our fortune,
And now I have returned by and by
And now I'm back, love, we can be married
And tend this garden side by side.
Different chorus:
Oh you are handsome sir,
You are wealthy sir,
And a fine, fine husband you will be,
And now you're back, love, we will be married
My true love who sailed across the sea.
My true love who sailed across the sea.
My true love who sailed across the sea.
|
||||
8. |
Lay Down Your Weary Tune
05:54
|
|||
|
Lay down your weary tune, lay down,
Lay down the song you strum,
And rest yourself 'neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum.
Struck by the sounds before the sun,
I knew the night had gone.
The morning breeze like a bugle blew
Against the drums of dawn.
The ocean wild like an organ played
The seaweed wove its strands
The crashin’ waves like cymbals clashed
Against the rocks and sand.
I stood unwound beneath the skies
And clouds unbound by laws
The cryin’ rain like a trumpet sang
And asked for no applause.
The last of leaves fell on the trail
And clung to a new love’s breast
The branches bare like a banjo frailed
To the winds that listened best.
|
||||
9. |
Pleasant and Delightful
04:32
|
|||
|
Pleasant and Delightful
It was pleasant and delightful on a fine summer's morn
And the fields and the meadows were all covered in corn;
And the blackbirds and thrushes sang on every green spray
And the larks they sang melodious at the dawning of the day,
And the larks they sang melodious; And the larks they sang melodious
And the larks they sang melodious at the dawning of the day.
Now a sailor and his true love were a-walking one day.
Said the sailor to his true love, “I am bound far away.
I'm bound for the East Indies where the loud cannons roar
And I'm bound to leave you Nancy, you're the girl that I adore,
And I'm bound to leave you Nancy (3×) you're the girl that I adore.”
Then the ring from off her finger she instantly drew,
Saying, “Take this, and keep it, and I will prove true.”
And as he embraced her, tears from her eyes fell,
She said, “May I go along with you?” “Oh no, my love, farewell,”
She said, “May I go along with you?” (3×) “Oh no, my love, farewell,”
“Fare thee well my dearest Nancy, no longer can I stay,
For the topsails are hoisted and the anchors aweigh,
And the ship she lies waiting for the fast flowing tide,
And if ever I return again, I will make you my bride,
And if ever I return again (3×), I will make you my bride.”
|
||||
10. |
Last Thing on My Mind
03:50
|
|||
|
There's a lesson too late for the learning
made of sand, made of sand
in the wink of an eye my soul is turning
in your hand, in your hand.
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
will there be not a trace left behind?
well I could have loved you better,
I didn't mean to be unkind
you know that was the last thing on my mind.
As we walk on my thoughts are tumbling
round and round, round and round
Underneath our feet the subway's rumbling
Underground, underground.
You've got reasons a plenty for going
this I know, this I know
for the weeds have been steadily growing
please don't go, please don't go.
As I lie in my bed in the morning
without you, without you
every song in my breast dies a borning
without you, without you.
|
||||
SaltyPaws Punta Gorda, Florida
When you think of wandering minstrels, do you ever think they might live on a boat? SaltyPaws is a sailing acoustic duo, living aboard their catamaran, sailing and singing the Atlantic eastern seaboard. You'll hear guitar and 5 string banjo, spiced with harmonica and concertina. Wherever the boat is in port, you'll find Bentley and Jim joining a jam, at an open mic, or busking a street corner. ... more
If you like SaltyPaws, you may also like:
Sorry I'm So Sensitive
by Bea Stewart
The second EP from Northern Irish singer-songwriter Bea Stewart runs from gentle folk to pillowy pop ballads, all perfectly executed.
go to album
The Room
by Fabiano do Nascimento & Sam Gendel
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 9, 2024
go to album
Stirring Americana set to acoustic arrangements and topped by the legendary Alice Gerrard’s lovely, world-wise voice.
go to album
Michelle Stodart’s folk music captures hope in melancholy, addressing the transformational aspects of the most challenging times.
go to album
Veneer (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
by José González
featured on Bandcamp Radio Aug 29, 2023
go to album
Introspective, homespun folk tunes from John Donne that feel informed by the sugary bleakness of '80s and '90s indie pop.
go to album
Das Nuvens
by Fabiano do Nascimento
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jun 20, 2023
go to album
