Pearl Strings Down on the Farm
1. The Girl I Left Behind Me/The Yellow Rose of Texas–The Girl I Left Behind Me is an Irish tune that is over 300 years old. In a nod to its origins, we’ve used a pennywhistle and bodhran, and have the violin, banjo and pennywhistle all playing the melody. We combined it with The Yellow Rose of Texas, an American tune from the mid 19th century (if you consider Texas part of America)! Alisa-pennywhistle, Helen-violin, Judy-banjo, Jen-guitar, Barb-bass, June-bodhran.
2. Down on the Farm (I Want to Go Back to Michigan)—This Irving Berlin tune became popular when Judy Garland sang it in the movie Easter Parade. June’s happy vocals take us back to a simpler time. Helen’s violin solo is the icing on the cake. Jen and Alisa-ukulele, Judy-banjo, Barb-bass.
3. Jamaica Farewell—We love this song, Mon! Despite the fact that Harry Belefonte recorded it in 1956 before half the band was born, we all have special, fond memories of it! Vocals–Helen, Jen, June; Judy-synthesized steel drums, Jen-uke, Alisa-guitar, Barb-bass, Helen-claves.
4. Raggle Taggle Gypsy—This happy sounding song is actually a sad Irish ballad about the lady of the manor running off with the gypsy boy. She inexplicably left her two fine babes behind! Jen and Alisa put their hearts into the vocals. Helen-violin, Jen-pennywhistle, Judy-guitar, Barb-bass, June-bodhran.
5. Shoo Fly Pie—You can almost smell something in the oven as the ladies describe how good Mama’s shoo fly pie is! Vocals by June, Jen and Alisa. Judy-Guitar, Barb-bass, Helen, brush drum.
6. Bring on the Rain—We all like to believe when times get rough we can rise to the occasion. The words really hit home to Jen, who sings the lead. June adds the vocal harmonies. Helen-violin, Judy-guitar, Barb-bass.
7. Eleanor Rigby—It seems unlikely that the Beatles, most popular band ever would choose to sing a song about loneliness, but this song strikes a chord with all of us! Vocals on this were sung by Alisa, Jen and June. Helen-violin, Judy-cello, Barb-bass.
8. By the Light of the Silvery Moon—It’s always fun to have a song everyone can sing along with. This was fun for us as well as our audience. Vocals-Alisa, June, Jen. Alisa-guitar, Jen-uke, Helen-violin, Judy-banjo, Barb-bass.
9. Ashokan Farewell—This haunting fiddle tune by Jay Ungar was written in the style of the mid-19th century. Helen and Judy worked this up for the Columbia Stake Pioneer Trek and loved it so much that they added it to the Pearl Strings’ summer program. Helen-violin, Judy-guitar.
10. When You’re Next to Me—Mitch and Mickey sing this romantic song in our favorite mock-umentary, A Mighty Wind. June and Alisa sing it here. Helen-violin, Jen-guitar, Judy-banjo, Barb-bass.
11. Country Roads—John Denver may have written this song about West Virginia, but we each felt it was about our own home state as well! Alisa, June and Jen—vocals, Helen-violin, Alisa-guitar, Jen-Uke, Judy-banjo, Barb-bass.
12. How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm?—This song was written in the wake of WWI, but even more accurately reflects the changes brought about as the servicemen returned from WWII. Today we can blame the GI bill on the fact that most of us have no clue how to milk a cow! However, there’s a part of all of us that wants to go back to the farm. June-vocals, Helen-violin, Jen-uke, Judy-guitar, Barb-bass.
13. God Be With You Till We Meet Again—We’ve been ending our programs with this song for a few years now. We like to do it simply with vocals by June, Barb, Helen, and Judy. Helen also plays the violin, and Alisa accompanies on guitar.