Description
The episode features several old-time music performances and conversation. The segment begins with a song about the Johnson boys. This is followed by an old-time dance tune called Sourwood Mountain. Next, a short ballad is played called The Banks of the Ohio, described as being about a difficult time between two sweethearts. An old fiddle tune called Bonapart's Retreat is played by Ora. The host asks Ora about words to Bonapart's Retreat, and she indicates there are real words that would be censored. Another performer then shares different words to the song.
The host mentions Ora is 84 years old and proud of her age. Ora states she likes to play for everybody. The host mentions a place he likes to play is Down Deep Gap with Doc Watson at the seafood place, where they play old time songs Doc. The host mentions reading about Ora in a magazine article about her receiving the North Carolina Folk Heritage award. He notes that the article says her father was a banjo player and her mother played the piano, which Ora clarifies is not entirely correct. Ora says her mother sang gospel music and folk songs, while her dad played fiddle and banjo and danced. Ora learned to play by listening by ear and plays by ear. Some highlights of her musical career mentioned include playing at the Smithsonian, going on a two-week tour with young people met there, and playing at the Merle Watson Memorial Festival and different places. She also spent six months in Florida in Miami playing. Other highlights include receiving an award from the Smithsonian and playing at the festival. She also went to Fiddler's Grove and won an award there.
When asked if she has goals left, she says she doesn't think so. Her advice to a young child getting discouraged is to keep on trying and play on. She attributes her not having spent the night in the hospital, except for one time in the emergency room for ear trouble, to music and dancing. When asked if she will dance now, she says she doesn't think so, but might do a step or two later. The host suggests the moral is to play music and dance, and you'll live a long time. Dancing is described as good exercise that keeps you limber.
The host notes this is Ora's third time on the show. The host then shares a story he wrote to go with a piece of music called What Wondrous Love Is This, which he plays on the Hammered Dulcimer. This is followed by the song What Wondrous Love Is This.
A tune recorded by many different groups called The Roving Gambler is played next. This is followed by a tune called Liza Jane, noted as one of many tunes by that name, and includes verses about molasses, a mama cat and kittens with swells on, a stolen hound dog, and missing a girl's mouth when trying to kiss her. The next song is East Virginia Blues. The host notes that a particular chorus is used that he hadn't heard before, and demonstrates it: "I don't want your green back dollar. I don't want your watching chain. All I want is your heart, darling. Won't you take me back again?". He notes that the ending is a little different. Ora Watson is credited with adding a twist at the end of the chorus: "All I want is your heart, darling. Won't you let me change your name?". He also mentions that sometimes they have done the song with the line "There I met little pretty little woman and Ora was her name".
Shortening Bread is played, which the host notes Ora has played many times and is his baby's favorite lullaby. A song called Where Could I Go is played, which the host heard growing up in church and Ora also heard in church. Next is a song beginning "Say that you love me, Katie". This includes verses about wishing to be a bumblebee building a nest in a true love's breast, wishing to be a honey bee stealing a kiss from sweet Katie's lips, and wishing to be a little fish swimming to the bottom of the sea. The song "To Canaan's Land I'm on My Way Where the Soul Never Dies" is performed. The episode concludes with a song called Ragtime Annie.
Subject
Folk music
Appalachian Region, Southern
North Carolina, Western
Shannon, Joe Wayne, 1949-2014
Watson, Ora, 1908-2004
Comments