[dcab-l] More on "Gold Watch and Chain"

Bluegrassers:

 

Concerning "Gold Watch and Chain" I received this note from DJ Bill Miller:

 

Many, maybe most, of A.P. Carter's songs were based on pre-existing words and pre-existing music.  I don't know the specific history of "Gold Watch and Chain" but these songs were brought over from Europe for the most part.  One of A.P.'s special gifts was the ability to paraphrase the lines in a more modern way of speaking, and add appropriate new lines and verses, and touch up the melody to also make it sound more contemporary.  The bios of Carter indicate that he had a long period of time when he was obsessed and methodical with his songwriting, as many larger than life writers tend to be.

That doesn't mean Carter was any less of a genius.  Not at all.  It's a practice still used by songwriters today, including rock and contemporary country songwriters, although the lyrical adaptations are less obvious than in A.P.'s time.

 

 

Also, this note from John Mackin from bluegrass group M&M Express from Pittsburgh, Pa, concerning the 3^rd verse which I've heard attributed to Ricky Scaggs:

 

Ed, sounds really good.  My uncle, Mac Martin wrote that 3rd verse I believe in the late 60's. He recorded it on Rural Rhythm in the early 70's.

 

Ed