Oh once upon a time in Arkansas
An old man sat in his little cabin door
And fiddled at a tune that he liked to hear
A jolly old tune that he played by ear

It was raining hard but the fiddler didn't care
He sawed away at the popular air
Though his rooftop leaked like a waterfall
That didn't seem to bother the old man at all

A traveler was riding by that day
And stopped to hear him a—fiddling away
The cabin was afloat and his feet were wet
But the old man still didn't seem to fret

So the stranger said Now the way it seems to me
You'd 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 is fair and bright
Then patch the old roof till it's good and tight

But the old man kept on 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

Verse:

I	I	I	I
V	V	V	V
I	I	I	I
I	I	V	I

Chorus:

I	IV	I	V
I	IV	I	V
I	IV	I	V
I	I	V	I

 

—Red Allen

Are you waiting just for me my darling
While I'm across the deep blue sea
Or have you found someone else my darling
Please tell me are you waiting just for me?

While I'm writing you tonight my darling
There's such a burning deep down in my breast
I know you promised that you would be faithful
Please tell me darling have you stood the test?

You've never given me of course I'm doubt you
You have always been so true and fine
But my spirit keeps on singing low
For appearing then a new love you might find

Verse & Chorus

I	I	I – IV	IV…
V	V	I	I

 

—Lilly Brothers

Are you tired of me my darling
Did you mean those words you said
When you spoke in fond affection
On the day that we were wed

Chorus:
Tell me could you live life over
Would you make it otherwise
Are you tired of me my darling
Answer only with your eyes

Did you ever rue the springtime
When we first each other met
And you told me that you'd love me
Words my heart can n'er forget

Verse:

I	IV	V	I
I	IV	V	I

Chorus:

V	I	IV	I
I	IV	V	I

 

—Joseph Spence

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
Oh won't you lay your head down on your savior's breast
Oh I love you, but Jesus loves you the best
And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight…
And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Lay down my dear sister, lay down and take your rest
Oh won't you lay your head down on your savior's breast
Oh I love you, but Jesus loves you the best
And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight…

Chant:
And I bid you goodnight, goodnight…
One of these mornings bright and early and fine

And I bid you…
Yes, his rod and his staff will comfort you

I'm singin' A for the Ark, that beautiful boat

Put it in the water, in the water she'll float

Singin' B for the Beast at the end of the wood

Gonna eat up all the children that would not be good

Oh John said I've seen a number of signs

I remember right well, I remember right well

Walking in Jerusalem just like John

Not a cricket, not a spirit going to shout me on

Jesus and Moses shall follow me on

Walking in the valley of the shadow of death

Lay down my dear brother, lay down and take your rest
Oh won't you lay your head down on your savior's breast
Oh I love you, but Jesus loves you the best
And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Verse:

I	IV – I	I	I – V
I	IV – I	IV – V	I
IV – V	I

Chant:

IV – V

I   :|

—The Carter Family

Far away in sunny mountains
Where the merry sunbeams play
There I wandered through the clover
Singing to a village maid

Chorus:
She was dearer than the dearest
Ever loving kind and true
And she wore beneath her bonnet
Amber tresses tied with blue

Fate decreed that we be parted
Ere the leaves of autumn fell
Then two hearts were separated
That had loved each other well

She was all I had to cherish
Ever loving kind and true
Now I see in every vision
Amber tresses tied with blue

She was dearer than the dearest
Ever loving kind and true
And she wore beneath her bonnet
Amber tresses tied with blue

Verse:

I	IV	I	V
I	IV	V	I

Chorus:

V	I	I	V
I	IV	V	I

 

I wish to the lord I'd never been born
Or died when I was young
I never would have seen your sparkling blue eyes
Or heard your lying tongue

Chorus:
All the good times are past and gone
All the good times are o'er
All the good times are past and gone
Little darling don't weep no more*

Don't you see that turtle dove
That flies from pine to pine
He's mourning for his own true love
Just like I mourn for mine

Come back, come back my own true love
And stay awhile with me
For if ever I've had a friend in this world
You've been that friend to me.

3/4
Verse and Chorus:

I	IV-I	I	V
I	IV-I	I-V	I

*Earliest recording by Fred & Gertude Gossett in 1930, the chorus ends with "Darlin' don't you weep for me." Also the Monroe Brothers and the Lilly Brothers chose this ending.