Banjo Pickin’ Girl: Original is 30” by 40” Acrylic on canvas. C 2008.
Banjo Pickin’ Girl is based a song from the Kentucky all girl band popular in the 1930’s: The Coon Creek Girls- Lily May Ledford, vocal and banjo; Rosie Ledford, guitar; Violet Koehler, bass and vocal. The song was recorded May 30, 1938, in Chicago. Originally issued on Vocalion 04413 and Okeh 04413. The song originated from the “Baby Mine” songs-words Charles Mackay and music Achibald Johnson in 1874.
The painting of the Banjo Pickin’ Girl is based on an actual photo of Lily May Ledford. In a persimmons tree a possum watched a raccoon pump the water into the ocean. The shape of the state of Tennessee is found as a blue lake.
BANJO PICKING GIRL (lyrics)
Oh, I’m going ‘round the world, baby mine,
I’m going ‘round the world, baby mine.
I’m going ‘round this world, I’ll be a banjo picking girl,
I’m going ‘round this world, baby mine.
Oh, I’m going to Tennessee, baby mine,
I’m going to Tennessee, baby mine.
I’m going to Tennessee, don’t you try to foller me,
I’m going to Tennessee, baby mine.
Oh, I’m going ‘cross the ocean, baby mine,
I’m going ‘cross the ocean, baby mine.
I’m going ‘cross the ocean if I don’t change my notion,
I’m going ‘cross the ocean, baby mine.
Oh, if you ain’t got no money, baby mine,
If you ain’t got no money, baby mine.
If you ain’t got no money, get yourself another honey,
I’m going ‘round this world baby mine.