“Rambling Round”

Description

Singer describes rambling around cities and towns, and his life as a migrant fruit picker. He wishes he could settle down, but "I am just a refugee/As I go rambling round, boys."

Notes

This song verges on the status of an autobiography of Woody Guthrie, and to the best of my knowledge has never been found in tradition. The tune is an adaption of Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter's "Goodnight Irene." - RBW

Cross references

  • cf. "Goodnight, Irene" (tune)

References

  1. Cohen/Seeger/Wood, p. 118, "Rambling Blues" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. DT, GORAMB
  3. BI, CSW118

About

Alternate titles: “Rambling Round Your City”; “As I Go Rambling 'Round”
Author: Woody Guthrie
Earliest date: 1940s (recording, Woody Guthrie)