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Train On the Island

from Like the Willow Tree 1994 by Atwater-Donnelly

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Train On the Island
Traditional American
This version was collected by Joe Hickerson in 1964 and 1965 from Fields Ward who recorded it with the Bogtrotters for John A. Lomax in 1937.
The tune is June Apple, a southern fiddle tune which Aubrey learned from Cari Norris, granddaughter to Lily May Ledford of the original Coon Creek Girls.

lyrics

Train on the island, listen to it squeal
Go and tell my true love how happy I do feel

Chorus:
Train on the island, hear the whistle blow
Go and tell my true love I'm sick and I can't go

Bring me a drink of water, bring it in a cup
Me and my love we fell out, we ain't never gonna make up ...Chorus

Train on the island, heading to the West
Me and my love we fell out, perhaps its for the best ...Chorus

Show me the crow that flies so high, show me the one that falls
If I don't get the gal I love, I don't want none at all...Chorus

I went up on the mountain, went out on the plain
I went up on the other side to hear my darlin' sing...Chorus

Yonder comes my true love, how do you reckon I know?
I can tell her by her apron strings tied up in a double bow ...Chorus

Make me a banjo out of a gourd, string it up with twine
The only tune that I can play is "Wish That You Were Mine" ..Chorus

Train on the island, listen to it squeal
Go and tell my true love how happy I do feel...Chorus

credits

from Like the Willow Tree 1994, released April 9, 1994
Aubrey Atwater: vocals, banjo
Elwood Donnelly: vocals, train whistle
Steve LaValley: guitar

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Atwater-Donnelly Warren, Rhode Island

Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works, blending gorgeous harmonies with guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and Appalachian clog dancing and French Canadian footwork. ... more

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