[dcab-l] Rattlesnake Hill: "Free From the Old Chain Gang"

Songwriters & Music Lovers:

 

"Free From the Old Chain Gang" was written and sung by Mac Wiseman, billed as

“The Voice with a Heart”, and was recorded on Jan 17^th, 1962 at Bradley Film and

Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and first appeared on the vinyl LP

“Bluegrass Favorites by Master Folk Singer Mac Wiseman”, on Capitol Records T

1800.  Personnel on that original 1962 recording:

 

Mac Wiseman   - Guitar & Vocal         Benny Williams - Mandolin

Ray Edenton      - Guitar                      Joe Drumright   - Banjo

Joe Zinkan        - Bass                       Buddy Harman  - Dobro

Buddy Spicher   - Fiddle                      Chubby Wise    - Fiddle

 

Rattlesnake Hill musicians on this 2016 Appalachian Jubilee live performance:

 

Ed Schaeffer                      Guitar & Vocal

John Bruce (Roscoe)         Banjo (also on picture below)

Unknown Bassist               From another Band on the Jubilee that Evening

 

A picture of an earlier Rattlesnake Hill ensemble at the Appalachian Jubilee:

 

 

To listen, click:  http://rattlesnakehill.org/Web_Music/edsmusic.html

 

Ed

                                                Old Chain Gang

 

Now Honey dear, I know you’re gonna ask

Where I’ve been since I saw you last

I’ve been down where the hammers clang

I’ve been down on the old chain gang

 

They set me up on a two year bid

I soon forgot what it was I did

Chained me down with a dozen men

Can’t believe I’m in your arms again.

That old chain gang is a tough old crew

Boss is hard I’m tellin you

Drug me out through the cell house door

Laid me out on the stone cold floor

 

Boss was off on a drunk one day

Drug my chain where the crow bar lay

Pulled her down, lock she sprang

Said goodbye to the old chain gang.

 

I hit the road, I flipped the brake

She’s goin fast but I couldn’t wait

I hit the floor with an awful bang

But said goodbye to the old chain gang

 

Now Honey dear if they hit my trail

It’s gonna land me back in jail

So kiss me quick, I’d rather hang

Than to go back to the old chain gang

 

Now Honey dear, I know you’re gonna ask

Where I’ve been since I saw you last

I’ve been down where the hammers clang

I’ve been down on the old chain gang

I’ve been down where the hammers clang

Breakin’ rocks on the old chain gang.