Campfire Reunions

Hangman

Sung by Peter Paul and Mary.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my father comin’ ridin’ many a mile
Father have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes I have come to see you hangin’ from the gallows tree.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my mother comin’ ridin’ many a mile
Mother have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes I have come to see you hangin’ from the gallows tree.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my brother comin’ ridin’ many a mile
Brother have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from the gallows tree?

I have not brought you hope, I have not paid your fee
Yes I have come to see you hangin’ from the gallows tree.

Slack your rope hangman, slack it for a while
I think I see my true love comin’ riding’ many a mile
True love have you brought me hope or have you paid my fee
Or have you come to see me hangin’ from the gallows tree?

Yes I have brought you hope, yes I have paid your fee
For I’ve not come to see you hangin’ from the gallows tree.

Here’s a wonderful rendition of this song by Peter, Paul and Mary.
On the Road to Sedona

Original song by Vicky Oldham.

On the road to Sedona,
In my heart the only way I know,
On the road to Sedona,
Following my hopes and dreams I go.

For so long, I felt uncertain,
Imagining that everywhere’s the same,
I was chained to my vocation,
Lost in life, with no one else to blame.

Traveling cross Northern Arizona,
First time in this magic red rock place,
Captivated by my first impression,
One my thoughts never could erase.

On the road to Sedona,
In my heart, the only way I know,
On the road to Sedona,
Following my hopes and dreams I go.

Going down the canyon, I’m reflecting,
On people in my life and where I’ve been,
I finally see the light and hear the calling,
And my inspiration once again.

Aspiring as a a poet or a painter,
Discouraged in the past I never tried,
Following my dream in desperation.
Now I know my passion never died.

On the road to Sedona,
In my heart, the only way I know,
On the road to Sedona,
Following my hopes and dreams I go.

I’m not young, but I’m ready,
I can be whoever I will be,
So I make this promise and commitment,
As I reach my final destiny.

And as I cross the Gateway To Sedona,
The past is gone and fortune waits for me,
Red rock spires rise to greet me,
There’s no other place for me.

On the road to Sedona,
In my heart, the only way I know,
On the road to Sedona,
Following my hopes and dreams I go.

On the road to Sedona,
In my heart, the only way I see,
On the road to Sedona,
Sedona’s the only home for me.
Verde Valley, Emerald in the Desert

Song written and composed by Vicky Oldham in 2015.

(Key of D)

[VERSE 1]

A river winds across this desert valley,

Trees and vineyards follow where it goes.

Lush and green by summer, turning gold by fall,

This is the Verde Valley, so fair and beautiful.

[CHORUS]

Verde Valley, Verde Valley,

An emerald in the desert, where the river goes,

While eagles soar above, this place I know and love,

Clarkale to Camp Verde, where the river flows,

The Verde Valley ever is my home.

[VERSE 2]

Sycamores and sprawling desert willows,

Cloak the winding river with their green and golden tones,

With wildlife and birds, as the season turns,

Round the river valley, my Arizona home.

[CHORUS REPEAT]

Verde Valley, Verde Valley

An emerald in the desert, where the river goes,

While eagles soar above, this place I know and love,

Clarkale to Camp Verde, where the river flows.

The Verde Valley ever is my home.

[VERSE 3]

There’s Cottonwood and Clarkdale and Camp Verde,

and the quirky artsy mountain town Jerome,

Onward north to beautiful Sedona,

Where rocks with crimson hues by sunset glow.

[CHORUS REPEAT]

Verde Valley, Verde Valley

An emerald in the desert, where the river goes,

While eagles soar above, this place I know and love,

Clarkale to Camp Verde, where the river flows.

The Verde Valley ever is my home.

[VERSE 4]

Place of ancient glyphs and Indian ruins,

Early settler history, and mysteries to impart,

Where purple mountains rise into the azure skies,

My home the Verde Valley is forever in my heart…

[CHORUS REPEAT]

Verde Valley, Verde Valley

An emerald in the desert, where the river goes,

While eagles soar above, this place I know and love,

Clarkale to Camp Verde, where the river flows.

The Verde Valley ever is my home.
Always On My Mind

by Willie Nelson
(I play it in: key of G; sometimes capo 2)

Maybe I didn’t love you
Quite as often as I could have
Maybe I didn’t treat you
Quite as good as I should have
If I made you feel, oh, second best,
I’m sorry I was blind
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Maybe I didn’t hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I’m so happy that you’re mine
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
When you were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

Tell me
Tell me that your sweet love hasn’t died
And give me
Give me one more chance to keep you satisfied
I’ll keep you satisfied

Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
But you were always on my mind (you were always on my mind)
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind (you were always on my mind)
You were always on my mind
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra

“Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don’t you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, an Irish lullaby.”

Over in Killarney
Many years ago,
Me Mither sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Twas a simple little ditty,
In her good old Irish way,
And l’d give the world to hear
My mother sing today.

“Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don’t you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, an Irish lullaby.”

Oft in dreams I wander
To that cot again,
I feel her arms a-huggin’ me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a -hummin’
As in the days of yore,
When she rocked me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door.

“Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don’t you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, an Irish lullaby.”

This performance is a great example of the
Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Traditional hymn later popularized by the Carter Family.

(Guitar key, C, capo 2; No capo and ukulele? Key of A)

I was standing by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw the hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away.

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by Lord, by and by
There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky Lord, in the sky.

Well, I went back home, home was lonely
For my mother she was gone
And all my family there was cryin’
For out home felt sad and alone.

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by Lord, by and by
There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky Lord, in the sky.

Undertaker, undertaker, undertaker
Won’t you please drive slow
For that lady you are haulin’
Lord, I hate to see her go.

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by Lord, by and by
There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky Lord, in the sky.

There’s a better home awaiting
In the sky Lord, in the sky…

Randy Travis recorded an inspiring version of this song.
The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on.

Chorus:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.

Chorus

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
“As ye deal with my condemners, so with you my grace shall deal;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on.”

Chorus

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

Chorus

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

Chorus

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.

Chorus

Rendition by the United States Marines Band:
America the Beautiful

By Katharine Lee Bates

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!

America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!

America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

My preferred guitar key: G
God Bless America

By Irving Berlin

Intro sung by Kate Smith:
“While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. “

Everyone:

God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her,
Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her,
Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home.

God bless America, my home sweet home.

My preferred guitar key: D
You Are My Sunshine

Popularized/copyrighted by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take
My sunshine away

The other night, dear
As I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you
In my arms
When I awoke, dear
I was mistaken
So I hung my head and cried

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take
My sunshine away

Here are some inspiring performances of You Are My Sunshine, starting with the 1940 version that popularized the song.

And here is more of a home-grown blue grass version:
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right

Song written by Bob Dylan. However, this performance (and set of verses) by Peter, Paul, and Mary is perfect for our singalong.

(Guitar key: C; copo 3)

[Verse 1]
It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter, anyhow
And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don’t know by now
When the rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m travelin’ on
Don’t think twice, it’s all right

[Verse 2]
It ain’t no use in turnin’ on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
It ain’t no use in turnin’ on your light, babe
I’m on the dark side of the road
Still, I wish there were somethin’ you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talkin’ anyway
So don’t think twice, it’s all right

[Verse 3]
I’m walkin’ down that long, lonesome road, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
But goodbye is too good a word, gal
So I’ll just say fare thee well
I ain’t sayin’ you treated me unkind
You could’ve done better, but I don’t mind
You just sorta wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right.

[Verse 4]
It ain’t no use in calling out my name gal
Like you never did before
It ain’t no use in calling out my name gal
I can’t hear you any more.
I’m a thinkin’ and a wondering all the way down the road
I once loved a woman—a child I’m told
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
Don’t think twice, it’s all right.

Performance by Peter, Paul and Mary.
What A Wonderful World

Sung by Louis Armstrong

I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”

I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more
Than I’ll never know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Over the Rainbow

As sung by Judy Garland.

(Guitar key, G; Capo 2)

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?
Can’t Help Falling in Love

Sung by Elvis Presley for the film Blue Hawaii

Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you?

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be

Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you
For I can’t help falling in love with you
Teenager in Love

Each time we have a quarrel
It almost breaks my heart
‘Cause I’m so afraid
That we will have to part

Each night I ask the stars up above
“Why must I be a teenager in love?”

One day, I feel so happy
The next day, I feel so sad
I guess I’ll learn to take
The good with the bad

‘Cause each night I ask the stars up above
“Why must I be a teenager in love?”

I cried a tear for nobody but you
I’ll be a lonely one if you should say we’re through

Well, if you want to make me cry
That won’t be so hard to do
If you should say goodbye
I’ll still go on loving you

Each night I ask the stars up above
“Why must I be a teenager in love?”

I cried a tear for nobody but you
I’ll be a lonely one if you should say we’re through

Well, if you want to make me cry
That won’t be so hard to do
And if you should say goodbye
I’ll still go on loving you

Each night I ask the stars up above
“Why must I be a teenager in love?” (In love)
Why must I be a teenager in love? (In love)
Why must I be a teenager in love? (In love)
Why must I be a teenager in love?
This Land is Your Land

By Woodie Guthrie

(Ukulele, key of C, but start in F)

This land is your land, and this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
This land was made for you and me

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
And I saw above me that endless skyway
I saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me

I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
All around me a voice was a-sounding
This land was made for you and me

There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me
Sign was painted, said, “Private Property”
But on the back side, it didn’t say nothing
This land was made for you and me

When the sun comes shining, then I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
A voice come chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me

This land is your land, and this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
This land was made for you and me
Goodnight Irene

Performed by the Weavers

(Vicky’s settings: Key of E, capo 2)

Irene, goodnight
Irene, goodnight
Goodnight, Irene
Goodnight, Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams

Last Saturday night I got married
Me and my wife settle down
Now me and my wife are parted
I’m gonna take another stroll downtown

Irene, goodnight
Irene, goodnight
Goodnight, Irene
Goodnight, Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams

Sometimes I live in the country
Sometimes I live in town
Sometimes I take a great notion
To jump in the river and drown

Irene, goodnight
Irene, goodnight
Goodnight, Irene
Goodnight, Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams

Stop your rambling
Stop your gambling
Stop your staying out so late at night
Go home to your wife and family
Stay there by the fireside bright

Irene, goodnight
Irene, goodnight
Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams

Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene
I’ll see you in my dreams

Performed by the Weavers.
Red River Valley

Performed by Woodie Guthrie during a 1940s recording session.

(Vicky’s settings: Key of C, capo 2)

Come sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy that loved you so true.

Well they tell me my dear that you’re going
I will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For with you, you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened my life for awhile.

So come and sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember that Red River Valley
And the cowboy that loved you so true.

When you go to your home by the ocean
May you never forget those sweet hours
That we spent in that red river valley
And the love we exchanged with the flowers.

So come and sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember that Red River Valley
And the cowboy that loved you so true.

I have waited a long time, my darling
For those words that you never would say
Till at last my poor heart is breaking
For they tell me you’re going away.

So come and sit by my side, if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
Just remember that Red River Valley
And the cowboy that loved you so true.

Song sung by Woodie Guthrie (Smithsonian Folkways).
L-O-V-E

by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler.

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can

Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don’t break it
Love was made for me and you

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can

Love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don’t break it
Love was made for me and you

Love was made for me and you
Love was made for me and you
Jamaica Farewell

Sung by Harry Belafonte.

(Ukulele key G)

Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I’m sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackee, rice, saltfish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year

But I’m sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls swing to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I’ve been from Maine to Mexico

But I’m sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I’m sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town

Sad to say I’m on my way
Won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.
I Love You, For Sentimental Reasons

Performed by Nat King Cole.

I love you
For sentimental reasons
I hope you do believe me
I’ll give you my heart

I love you
And you alone were meant for me
Please give your loving heart to me
And say we’ll never part

I think of you every morning
Dream of you every night
Darling, I’m never lonely
Whenever you are in sight

I love you
For sentimental reasons
I hope you do believe me
I’ve given you my heart

I love you
For sentimental reasons
I hope you do believe me
I’ve given you my heart

The iconic version of this song is its performance by Nat King Cole.