Bill Schilling and Linda Sigismondi
Songs from Canal Days
The Songs: The songs on this recording evoke the feeling of life and times during
canal days including two traditional songs that were sung
by workers along the canal, two songs about the
Here are brief mp3 cuts from some of the songs on
the CD to give an idea of the sound. |
|
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The Performances: Bill and Linda sing these songs accompanying themselves on mountain
dulcimers, guitars, recorders, autoharp, banjo, banjo-guitar, bass guitar,
bowed psaltery, hammered dulcimer, jug, and more. Lyrics are included for all
of the songs. Written versions of the songs are also available in Linda’s Songs
from Canal Days for the Mountain Dulcimer and from Bill’s Dulci-More
Public Domain Songbook.
Bill Schilling |
Linda Sigismondi |
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330-332-4420 |
740-446-9244 |
To order: Send check or money order for $18.00 per CD ($15.00 for CD plus
$3.00 for shipping/handling) to Bill or Linda. PayPal
orders may also be made through the online store
link. Shipping/handling rates
on this site are for
Background
of the CD: At various dulcimer and folk festivals, Bill and Linda had been singing
around campfires, during workshops, and in concerts together for several years
before starting this recording. They drew from similar sources for different
arrangements of many songs and found ways to make them work together, but they
didn’t have any of the material on this recording in their repertoires. Each was approached separately during Dulcimer Days at
Bill Schilling has
been singing and playing various folk instruments for over 30 years. He has
performed for audiences of all ages in many settings from coast to coast. His
high-energy performances may include songs, slide programs, and/or stories. He
regularly works with various singing and instrumental partners
in different groups. Since Bill believes that his music
should be inclusive, he is involved in many organizations which share and
promote music including Dulci-More: Folk &
Traditional Musicians (Bill is the founder and leader); the annual Dulci-More Festival (Bill is the director); the Canton Folk
Song Society (Bill is one of the original members); of Folknet
(Bill is a charter Executive Committee Member & Vice-President); and
others. Bill has worked as the Folk Service Leader at the First United
Methodist Church of Warren and with other churches. He has books available.
Contact Bill at bill@billschilling.org
or check his web page at www.billschilling.org
for more information.
Linda
Sigismondi's interest in folk music began with singing
and playing guitar around the campfire at Girl Scout camp, and she has
continued since, adding mountain dulcimer to her repertoire in the early
1980’s. Linda is the founder and leader of the Banks of the Ohio Dulcimer Club which performs in southeastern
Songs from Canal Days
1 The Old Canal
2 A Canal Dance
3 The Old Skipper
4 Fairy Palace
5 It’s Pleasant
to Run in Full Moon 1:23
6 Canal Boat Wedding
7 The Er-i-e
Canal
8 The Erie Canal
9 In the Good Old Summertime
10 Little Sally Waters
11 The Clever Skipper
12 My Old Canal Mule
13 Erin’s Green Shore 4:26
14 Get That Boat 2:31
15 The Mules Ran Off
16 Last Trip in the Fall
17 That Old Towpath
Instrumentation
Vocal -- All Tracks 12
String Guitar -- 14, 15
6 String Guitar -- 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16
Autoharp -- 4, 17 Banjo
-- 7
Banjo Guitar -- 2, 11, 15 Bass Guitar -- 10, 17
Dulcimette -- 3 Hammered Dulcimer -- 15
High and Low Bowed Psaltery -- 9
Jug -- 2, 15 Kazoo
-- 15 Spoons -- 15
Alto Recorder -- 1, 5, 12, 15 Sopranino Recorder -- 1, 4
Soprano Recorder -- 12 Tenor Recorder -- 4, 9, 13, 15, 16
Linda Sigismondi
Vocal -- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16
6 String Guitar -- 2, 9, 12, 13, 16
Standard Mountain Dulcimer -- All Tracks
Baritone Mountain Dulcimer -- 4, 5, 11, 12, 15
Dulcimette -- 6 Bass Guitar
-- 7, 8
Clogging -- 2 Kazoo
-- 15 Shakes -- 15
Marge Diamond
Kazoo -- 15
The This song is to the tune "Little Old
Log Cabin in the Lane." Pearl Nye’s lyrics are detailed descriptions and
measurements of the canal, canal boats, and the locks. Below are 3 of the 78
verses he wrote for this song. There's a little silver ribbon runs across
the Buckeye State, 'Tis the dearest
place of all this earth to me, For upon its placid surface I was born some
years ago, And its beauty, grandeur, always do I see. Cleveland is the northern end, and
Portsmouth is the south, While its side cuts they are many, many,
Pal; And where e'er we
went we took along our Home, Sweet Home, you know, In those balmy days upon the old canal. There's naught in all
creation that to this can compare, Good times, rounds of
pleasure were our lot, dear Pal. No other people e'er were known to have such times as we, In those balmy days upon the
old canal. The locks were so majestic, vine-clad,
overhanging trees; Moss and flowers in profusion everywhere. The song of laughing water rippling, and
the tumble roar, Nature smiling, everything without a care. Birds would join in chorus, katydids and
crickets, too. Whippoorwills, owls, frogs, their parts
would play, dear Pal. The fish in schools would jump and keep our
hooks so bright and nice. It was great to be upon the old canal. The locks were fifteen in the clear and
ninety foot in length, Six to twelve foot lift; you'll find this
all along. The boats were the most beautiful,
fairy-like you know; How they'd blend and serenade in sweetest
song. Our boats, fourteen by eighty feet and
eighty tons their load. No people had such times as we, dear Pal. Our fairy palaces were so charming
everywhere we went, In those matchless days upon the old canal. |
A Canal Dance This song is set to the tune "Little
Brown Jug." These lyrics by Pearl Nye describe one of the social events
that would occur when the canal boat docked in a town for the night. The canalers would set up a little dance band and townfolk would come to the canal for entertainment. One night in Cleveland we had a dance, On the weightlock
platform we did prance, It was ice cream, cake, oh, what a time! In a little while the sun did shine. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Oh, what fun! We had that night, yes,
everyone. The mules would winnow, kick,
and prance. They tried so hard to join
our dance. Dear Dad thought he was young again, So his partner grabbed and did he spin! Till he hit a nail and took a fall, Yes, and how we laughed, oh, one and all! Some would clog, others buck and wing, But the old square dance beat anything; Yes it made you feel so young and gay, And after all, it was just play, play. At the lockhouse,
how the cats would yell! The dogs would bark, mules throw a spell; How the chickens cackled and would crow, Was better than Mr. Barnum's show! Well, I'm up in years, yet young, young,
young, But a better life could never come; Let others do as they choose, dear pal, But I will stay on the old canal. |
The Old Skipper This song is to the tune of "Whiskey
Waltz." Pearl Nye’s lyrics in this song tell a little about the type of
goods that were transported on the canal. I'm an old canal boat skipper with black
snake in hand, So fare you well, darling, my mules will
not stand. The line's on the deadeye, for I love the old towpath, best place I have
found. I've been on the lakes and the rivers, oh,
boy, But my dear Silver Ribbon is the place I
enjoy. 'Tis a place oh
so matchless, each day new things born, And I love to boat wheat and the big yellow
corn. There's tanbark and hoop poles, wet goods,
merchandise, Clay, coal, brick and lumber, cordwood,
stone, and ice. Yes, all that was needed, we boated, dear
Pal, Best time of our lives we had on the canal. I will not be a rover, for I love my boat, I am happy, contented, yet work, dream and
float. My mules are not hungry; they're lively and
gay. The plank is pulled in; we are off on our
way. |
This Nye song describes the route of the
Ohio and Erie Canal. It is set to the tune "On the Banks of Salee." We're going south tomorrow, Dear, But oh, what times and fun, We'll have en route to Portsmouth, 'Tis a grand and
glorious run. In Akron we will lay over, Yes, for a day or two, She's a romping gay old town, For there's much that's strange and new. But we'll run along together,
Dear, how happy we will be, On our little There's many bright historic spots, That often give you thrills, But you'll wonder all along, Shipyards, warehouses, mills. At Massillon we have gay times; Navarre is blessed with coal; Bolivar's historic fame, Will stir your very soul. Zoar, Zoar loves the canal, Women, children did much work; Baskets, buckets, anything, Yes, they helped remove the dirt. At Canal Dover you will smile, Also in Trenton, too, Lock Seventeen and Old Blue Hole, You will ne'er forget these views. Newcomerstown, Coshocton, Past Roscoe, interesting, true, You will often speak of them, And the world will seem like new. At Coalport
Dresden and Newark, Reservoir, Hebron, too, Sights and things you'll ne'er forget, And the scenery ever new. At Baltimore and Basil, Carroll, Lockville,
so gay, Canal Winchester, Groveport, Straight, Oh, of them there's
much to say. Lockbourne's big distillery, Columbus, endless chain; Circleville, so gay and cute, You will love to see again. There's Oh, yes, a real canal town; 'Tis no joke we
always stop, Though we're headed up or down. In Crooked Creek at Waverly, Also her lazy slip, At the big distillery, Most turtles of the trip. At Sunfish Creek, the largest spring, In all the This Ribbon Route's most beautiful, You'll praise and oft relate. The largest vine that's in the world, Is found near in these parts. A sycamore at Lucasville, So large, it jars the heart. Katydids and locusts, crickets, Birds, oh, all serenade, From Cleveland to our Rainbow Town, Then who should be afraid? So we'll enjoy it all along, And what things you will behold! The canal is so entrancing, 'Tis a life that
ne'er grows old. |
Fairy Palace Map This map shows the route of the Most of the songs on this recording have
their origins along the 308 miles of this silver ribbon. It was constructed
between 1825 and 1832, reached its height by 1850, and declined until its
close in 1913. A trip along its entire length in the 1830s took 4 days, much
faster than road travel in those days. Feeder canals connected other areas with
the Ohio and Erie Canal including the one into Columbus shown on this map and
the Sandy and Beaver Canal to the Ohio River (running near Bill’s home in
Columbiana County which included Lusk’s Lock shown on the front cover and the
partially restored lock in Beaver Creek State Park shown in some other
pictures). The 363 mile |
It’s Pleasant to Run in Full Moon This Pearl Nye song uses the music from “My
Sweetheart’s the Man in the Moon” in a melody that most folks will recognize. It’s pleasant to run in full moon; When it happens to be month of June; All’s balmy and light, lazy waters so
bright, And the boat sets as though she would
spoon. |
Canal Boat Wedding This is a song by Pearl Nye that describes
another aspect of life on the canal -- love and marriage. As with many
activities on the canal, the wedding is accompanied by music and dance. In a deck boat white and cozy Down the level a few miles, There lives a girl that I dearly love, With beautiful face and smile. Her cheeks are like the red, red rose, And her eyes are a lovely brown, Her hair is long and beautiful, I'll meet her when the sun goes down. And, oh, how I love, pretty
little Mary my canal boat fairy, Oh! my turtle dove, I'll meet
her when the sun goes down. Her father is a jolly chap And is glad to see me come. He's a skipper of the old line type, And of course I'm right at home. We have refreshments, eat a bite, And then we're off for a spell; The flowers on the old towpath, Whose beauty we can never tell. The canalers
smile and greet us, And of course we do the same, For they see and know this long time, There's going to be a change. When Monday comes we'll take a walk Until the parson we have found, Then to our boat we'll ride or float And be married when the sun goes down. Then dancing in the "stern midship", Oh, come all and join the fun. There will be song and music, feasting,
yes, Enough for everyone. For a gay time we do expect, Yes, the canalers
all from town, To see the "stern" and
"bowline" "tied", We'll be married when the sun goes down. |
The This song and the next are about events on
the Erie Canal in New York State. Though not by
Pearl Nye, these songs are included in this recording because they are
popular songs about canals. We were forty miles from Albany, Forget it I never shall. What a terrible storm we had one night On the Oh, the E-ri-e
was a-rising, and the gin was a getting low, And I scarcely think we're gonna get a little drink, Till we get to We were loaded down with barley, We were chock full up with rye, And the captain he looked down on me With his gol-darn
wicked eye. Well the captain, he came on the deck With a spyglass in his hand, And the fog it was so 'tarnal
thick That he could not spy the land. We were two days out from Syracuse, The vessel struck a shoal, And we like to all been foundered on A chunk o' We hollered to the captain On the towpath treadin'
dirt, He jumped on board and stopped the leak With his old red flannel shirt. The cook she was a grand old gal, She wore a ragged dress, We hoisted her upon the pole As a signal of distress. The wind began to whistle, And the waves began to roll, And we had to reef our royals On that raging old canal. When we got to Syracuse, The off-mule he was dead, And the nigh mule got blind staggers, And we cracked him on the head. The captain he got married, The cook she went to jail, And I'm the only son of a gun That's left to tell the tale. |
The This is another traditional song about work
on the Erie Canal. It emphasizes the importance of the mules in canal life.
Some sources credit it to Tin Pan Alley songwriter Thomas S. Allen. I've got a mule and her name is Sal, Fifteen miles on the She's a good old worker and a good old pal, Fifteen miles on the We've hauled some barges in our day, Filled with lumber, coal and hay, And every inch of the way we know, From Low bridge, everybody down! Low bridge, for we're coming
to a town! And you'll always know your
neighbor, You'll always know your pal, If you've
ever navigated on the We'd better look around for a job, old gal, Fifteen years on the You bet your life I wouldn't part with Sal, Fifteen years on the Giddap there gal, we've passed that lock, We'll make One more trip and then we'll go, Right back home to Buffalo-oh! I don't want to call when I want my Sal, Fifteen years on the She trots from her stall like a good old
gal, Fifteen miles on the I eat my meals with Sal each day, I eat beef and she eats hay, She ain't so slow
if you want to know, She put the "Buff" in Buffalo-oh! |
In the Good Old Summertime Pearl Nye wrote many short, one verse,
songs about the canal using popular melodies such as "In the Good Old
Summertime." On the towpath it is fine, in the good old
summertime. Running wild among the flowers, keeping up
the line. Our work is play, the line-deck high,
barefoot in sun tan we shine. Oh, tell me where's a better place, In the
good old summertime. |
Little Sally Waters “Little Sally Walker" is a children's
game song about love and marriage. Pearl Nye places the lovers on the canal
with a canal boat as their palace. Little Sally Waters was a fine young gal, She met, fell in love with the skipper on
the canal. All things went well till one day her
father said, "I'd rather see you buried than to
this canaler wed." She asked for the reason why he turned so
cold, Toward her true lover, so manly, kind and
bold. "That life is too romantic and for you
I fear, That you will soon regret it if you seek
his love to share." Little Sally Waters sitting
in the sun, Weeping, crying, for her
skipper to come. Rise, Sally, rise, wipe your
eyes now with your frock, Your little cappy's billed for here and at this port will dock. Oh, when he arrived, she quickly told him
all, Her father would ask him on her no more to
call. She said, "If you love me, I will go
with you, And prove to all that we can live a life
most noble, too." He quickly consented and to the parson
went, They married, so happy, a pleasant life
well spent. Like two little birds, they sing and float
along, And Sally often chuckles while they sing
this little song. Yes, they are so happy in the world their
own, A canal boat, the palace, master's home,
sweet home. All things are this to the life of golden
dreams, And next there to that heavenly land of
beautiful scenes. Whatever may come, their hearts are full of
joy, There's flowers about them no matter where
they go. They live for each other, one, and drift
along, And how they smile and chuckle when they
sing this little song. |
The Clever Skipper This is a humorous song that Nye learned
from his parents. There was a clever skipper, in Akron he did
dwell, Who had a lovely woman, and a tailor she
loved well. She was always pert to meet him – so listen
what I say. She was walking up South Howard Street, Who but the tailor did she chance for to meet? Tum a rally tally dally! Tum
a rally tally day! They wined, dined, and danced. It was late
by the clock, When up stepped the captain and loudly did
he knock, Tum a rally tally dally, Tum
a rally tally day. They were surprised, Tailor said, so quiet,
meek, "Now my lovely woman, oh, where shall
I creep?" Tum a rally tally dally! Tum
a rally tally day! "In yonder cupboard my husband has a
chest, Yes, in that cupboard, a cover, you may
hide," Tum... They hurried, she locked him up, coat,
boots, and hat, She locked him up with the balance of his
clothes, Tum... So she ran downstairs and opened the door, There stood the skipper with a couple
others more, Tum... She kindly saluted and gave to him a kiss, Says he, "My lovely woman, what do you
mean by this?" Tum... "I didn't come to rob you or break you
of your rest, I am going on south and came for my
chest," Tum... These two canalers
– jolly, brave, and strong, They picked up the chest and wagged it
along, Tum... They hadn't got more than the middle of the
town, Till the weight of the tailor made the
sweat trickle down, Tum... They set the chest down to take a moment's
rest; Says one to the other, "What the
devil's in the chest?" Tum... But neither of the two, the chest could
undo, Till up stepped the skipper with the
balance of the crew, Tum... He unlocked the chest in the presence of
them all, And there lay the tailor like a hog in a
stall, Tum... "Now I have got you, 'twill be like on
the sea, Not leave you here making trouble for
me," Tum... They took him on board for Portsmouth they
did steer, This is the last of the tailor we do hear, Tum... |
My Old Canal Mule This Nye song is to the tune "Irish
Washerwoman." This
song deals with the mule, upon which the canalers
depended for transportation. This world, it is great, you may get what
you want, There is trouble and fun, all depends on
your jaunt, But I love the latter with laughter and
song, And if you don't like it, move peacefully
on. I have an old friend, and we get along
fine, He works on the towpath, helps keep up the
line, Oh, how he would bray if he could hoist his
sail, But that he'll not do for he can't raise
his tail. He was in the army, and there you obey, But he was like others, got smart by the
day, He sure would act stubborn, would balk,
kick, and reel, And want to kick you at most every meal. So all became tired at last of his pranks, For when he felt like it, would run, break
the ranks, He'd bray like a wild ass on mountain, in
vale, 'Til a surgeon
got wise and cut a nerve in his tail. Oh, when he's off duty, you bet he can run, He's proud of his record, Old Son-of-a-Gun, Has good traits abundant, a friendly old
guy, But he's an old rounder, keep open your
eyes. Can squeal, winnow, prance, kick the
bucket, you know, For grain he is there, naught about him is
slow, What things he would do, you could cry,
laugh, or wail, But he says, "I am helpless, I can't
raise my tail." Whatever his failures, I like the old guy, He is a fun maker, my heart fills with joy, He's wise as a serpent, I'm sure he's no
dove, Sometimes when I laugh, he would send me
above. If he hears firecrackers or gunshot – look
out, A gay powder lover and may wheel about, He often gets mad, and on me would he sail, For I snicker and smile when he can't raise
his tail. He has a sharp eye and at me will he stare, I answered, "Lookout" – I will
not take a dare, It is then that he acts as though I were to
blame, For all of his troubles, whatever the name. Oft is playful and pleasant, so pert, like
a calf, He stares like a monkey and then I will
laugh, Oh, yes we are cronies till I hee-haw hail, And does he get mad when he can't raise his
tail. |
The Mules Ran Off This is an amusing tale about ornery mules,
particularly one named Old Fear. Nye used the melody from "Oh!
Susanna" by Stephen Foster. The mules ran off and I fell down, I really thought I'd croak. A bullfrog yelled, "Look out there,
boy, I'll jump right down your throat." That night was a hummer, Old
Fear was there in style; But I looked beyond his
capers, for I love my old canal. I sure felt funny, yes, I did; 'Twas muddy, all
was wet. And everything that had a voice, I seem to hear them yet. The mules I found in waiting, While our craft did gently float; The rain soon came in torrents, And we jumped into the boat. The turtles, fish would splash about, Muskrats, mink dive and swim. And every step I took that night, Old Fear would smile and grin. Next morning, all was bright and clear, The birds would smile in song. Yes, endless serenading, In turn, the whole day long. |
Last Trip in the Fall This is
a song about canalers during the winter
season when the boats were no longer running. Nye used the traditional melody
titled "Between Me and the Wall." At Nick Hert's
mine near Where we put on eighty tons, Seemed everything was right about, No matter where we'd turn. But we kept on a moving, For we must heed duty's call, And landed safe in Cleveland, Where we laid up
for the fall. Window-glass ice was everywhere, We handled lines with gloves. They soon were wet, our hands so cold, And that nobody loves. But soon we were all winter-set, Oh, yes, we're feeling fine. And eating nuts while cracking jokes Of things along the line. That winter was the limit, Oh, yes, for us Big Ditch boys. Had everything at our command That city folk enjoy. No matter how the cards would run My heart would sing and smile. I learned these things, yes years ago, Upon the old canal. The featherbedders were unique, The sideliners just the same. They worked and played just as they chose, 'Twas their part
in the game. But on our boat we loved to go; We moved just for the fun, While Missus Long Green Silver Dollar We kept on the run! But who in God's creation Can enumerate this life. 'Tis so unique
and lovely Where the heart is free from strife. I'm died in wool a Canaler,
I Don't care what be the sky. I'll stay upon the Great Big Ditch Until the day I die. |
That Old Towpath The melody of this song is "The Old
Oaken Bucket" by George Kiallmark. The lyrics
by Pearl Nye describe the beauty of nature along the canal. This song, like
many of his others, is the voice of a man in love with his work. Most dear to my heart are the scenes of the
towpath, No mortal its beauty can ever describe. Such blending of music and song, oh, so
glorious, As long on the boat or the mules I would
ride. It was so majestic and ne'er had an equal; My soul in its rapture would burst out in
song. While nature would smile everything full of
laughter, A wonderful picture, as we'd glide along. That beautiful towpath, such
splendor, so glorious; With dear Mother Nature I'd
ramble along. Upon that old towpath, oh, I was so happy; Most free of all mortals, the world ever
knew. I'd love to go back and remain there
forever; 'Twas so unexcelling, most beautiful, true. The air was so freighted with fragrance from
flowers; The moss, honey locust, clover, new-mown
hay. And, oh, nature's song, in what glee, she
would greet us, No picture so grand as she would there
display. Upon that old towpath, 'twas heaven, such
glory, As barefoot I'd revel in fun, laughter,
song. The snakes would uncoil, make a streak for
the water; The frogs jump and "chug,"
turtles waddle along. Those wonderful trees, bowing, waving so
graceful, The elms and willow, the sycamore, pines. The elders and alders, yes, all of their
kindred; And even our timid friend, Mrs. Grape Vine. The hills, valleys, creeks, rivers, yes,
all were with them, They'd smile, sing, and dance, 'twas an
excellent scene. I'd give all the world, yes, and whate'er my future, If I could live over, this wonderful dream. No place in creation can ever approach it; The Lord set His seal on it, beautiful,
grand. 'Twas God, man,
and nature all working together, A handiwork, marvelous, water and land. |
Whenever the
lyrics on the recording are not the same as the lyrics in this booklet, the
ones in the booklet are more likely to match the original source. Singers
sometimes don’t remember every lyric exactly as written or take some poetic
license to make the song their own.
All engineering, mixing, mastering, and design was done by Bill and Linda
in our home studios.
Our appreciation is extended to Marge Diamond
who worked with us to develop our arrangements as we played these songs in
practice and on stage; to Mary Lautzenheiser for
guiding us through and helping us do the final details of graphic design; to
Cynthia Calise, Dr. Ann Waters, Jeannette McCleery, and Randy Davis for critical listening and
critiques for our final mix; to Marcy Tudor for marketing strategies, and to
Rod Thompson and Carmen Arsuffi for photo sessions.
Bill would like to dedicate this recording to the memory of his mother,
Wilma Schilling. Although she was not a great fan of folk-style music, she was
generous in her support of the music and in her hospitality to Linda and Marge
during this project.
Bill and Linda are available for bookings together, individually, with
the Banks of the Ohio Dulcimer Club, with Dulci-More:
Folk & Traditional Musicians, or with others for concerts, festivals,
workshops, or other events using the material from this recording or other
traditional and contemporary material. Contact:
Bill Schilling |
Linda Sigismondi |
984 Homewood Avenue |
474 Kathy Street |
Salem, OH 44460-3816 |
Gallipolis, OH 45631 |
330-332-4420 |
740-446-9244 |
Contact Bill Schilling by
e-mail.
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