Happy Ground Hog Day. The ground hog is not just an animal that goes outside on February 2nd and sees it's shadow. Alive this animal was a pest to gardens and farmers, but made a great song.
Here is Tony Thomas the Appalachian Troubadour plucking away at an American Folk Song. He plays a mellow tune and hits the bass notes clear.
One of the things I noticed about his picking is the intervals on the lower strings while he plucks out the chords and the melody.
And of course the little tidbits at the beginning and end of the video are worth the price of admission. It looks like he was about to share with us a family recipe but then he cut the video.
Tony sings slow enough for us to see that his lyrics are not the same as the Dillards, but the same point. The song sings of a chase to catch the pest and put him on the dinner plate.
These Dillard boys were not even from Appalachia. They are from Missouri, but they knew country living and the joy of catching a ground hog.
Way down yonder in the forks of the branch
Way down yonder in the forks of the branch
The old sow whistles and the little pigs dance
Groundhog, groundhog
Well come on Grandpa get your dog
Come on Grandpa get your dog
We're going up the holler to catch a groundhog
Groundhog, groundhog
Well yonder comes Jimmy with a ten foot pole
Yonder comes Jimmy with a ten foot pole
Twist that groundhog out of his hole
Groundhog, groundhog
Well come on Pappy bring your gun
Come on Pappy bring your gun
We got that groundhog on the run
Groundhog, groundhog
Well yonder comes Sally with a snicker and a grin
Yonder comes Sally with a snicker and a grin
Groundhog grease all over her chin
Groundhog, groundhog
The music and the picking and story put it clear that the groundhog was a way of life and catching a ground hog was a good day. Not only did they get rid of a pest but they had themselves a new banjo and shoe strings.
