Muddy Road (Clifton Hicks)

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Published 2024-01-26
I am playing on a Don Garner reproduction of an 1850s Levi Brown minstrel banjo that I bought from my friend Chris. It has geared tuners and a slotted headstock. It has a skinhead, 7B Nylgut strings, and a bridge I inherited from Chris. There are only three known Levi Brown originals in existence. I play here using the traditional two-finger style in "G-Standard" tuning (gDGBD). A special thanks to ‪@albinlof‬ who helped me figure out the melody!

I learned Muddy Road from Clifton Hicks (‪@CliftonHicksbanjo‬) of Copperhill, Tennessee. Clifton writes: "I learned "Muddy Road" from a 1960s recording of Claude Wolfenbarger of Grainger County, Tennessee. This song is known by various titles, including 'County Jail,' 'Fall On My Knees,' and 'Lonesome Road.' The A part melody is the same as 'Willie Moore.'"

You may find that you encounter these lyrics in many other folk songs. I'd love to hear what other songs include similar lyrics in the comments!
All Comments (8)
  • @chickenindoubleC
    The longest day I ever saw Was the day that I left my home I walked the porch from post to post Hung down my head and cried. Look up, look down that long muddy road Hang down your head and cry The best of friends must part sometimes Honey, why must you and I? Do you hear that lonesome turtle dove As he flies from pine to pine? He's mourning for his own true love Just as I mourn for mine.
  • @tylerjgifford
    What kind of banjo is that? Great tone and a great voice to accompany it.