September 2024: Waterbound

Submitted by Judy Cook

“Waterbound” is a play-party song from Grayson County, Virginia. The earliest known recording was 1929 (unissued recording, Grayson County Railsplitters). It was recorded in 1938 by the Bogtrotters band of neighboring Galax, VA. The Grayson Co. Railsplitters’ recording is essentially identical to the canonical version sung in the folk revival, mostly learned from the Wade Ward/Bogtrotters recording. The recording I’ve chosen is of The New Golden Ring, led by Joe Hickerson, on the 1971 Folk-Legacy recording Five Days Singing – Volume 1.

I just got back from western North Carolina, where I enjoyed doing the first program in the newly renovated performance space in the 1904 Courtroom for the Ashe County Historical Society—a multi-media hour titled “Songs from These Mountains.” My closing song was “Waterbound.” My 45-year-old niece attended and remembered it well. I remember her standing on a kitchen chair and singing it beautifully when she was two years old.

Listen to The New Golden Ring singing “Waterbound:”

Lyrics: Waterbound

Traditional

Waterbound and I can’t get home
Waterbound and I can’t get home
Waterbound and I can’t get home
Down in North Carolina

Chickens crowin’ in the old plowed field
Chickens crowin’ in the old plowed field
Chickens crowin’ in the old plowed field
Down in North Carolina

Me and Tom and Dave goin’ home
Me and Tom and Dave goin’ home
Me and Tom and Dave goin’ home
Before the water rises

The old man’s mad and I don’t care
The old man’s mad and I don’t care
The old man’s mad and I don’t care
I’m going to get his daughter

If he don’t give her up, we’re gonna run away
If he don’t give her up, we’re gonna run away
If he don’t give her up, we’re gonna run away
Down in North Carolina

I’m going home with the one I love
I’m going home with the one I love
I’m going home with the one I love
Down to North Carolina

Judy Cook is an author, entertainer, and folk singer. She has been living in Oberlin, Ohio, with her husband Dennis since 2013. Since 1998, she has been touring throughout both Britain and the US. She is known for her repertoire and storytelling ability in song. Judy has one book and several CDs. Lyrics and recordings of her songs are on her website. You may reach her at judy@judycook.net.