13. Rattlin' Bog
13. Rattlin Bog (traditional)
I brought this song back from a trip to Ireland. My good friend (and singing partner of 12
years) Erin Jacobs invited me to go with her (and her mom Teri and her Aunt Jo) back
when we first started singing together. I took my guitar, she took her flute and we
played at pubs, shops and homes from Dublin, across to Galway and back again. The
journey was a gorgeous awakening for me. I went to the Hill of Tara, where I'd dreamed
of going my whole life. I was hoping for some divine inspiration, and believe me I got it in
abundance. It was a land of music, nature, family, fellowship and Guiness. And I loved
every minute of it! Playing from this little songbook again was a great way to reminisce
about my time in the home land, and it's perfect for this record since it takes a little bit
of memory work (and great lung capacity) to get through it!
For the kid voices, I brought in all the Guittons: Anna, Jack and Josie. And yes, they
truly are the SuperDupers. For the bass part, it was Kevin's idea to use a tuba. He knew
of a great player at the school where he teaches. He's an 11th grader named
Jonathan Perkins who was a total joy to work with- and what an excellent music reader!
Mr. Wright is doing a great job with those band kids at ARC!
The tuba reminded me of a polka feel which led me to the accordion. I got my
accordion at Nashville Used about seven years ago. There's a terrific piano teacher I
worked with at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music who was also known for being an
amazing accordion player. When I got mine, I decided to take lessons from her. So I
showed up for my first lesson with Karen Krueger and there was this crazy skinny guy in
her office wearing liederhosen. She introduced us and said, "Here's your accordion
lesson. I've just signed you up to play with Das Polka Brueden (I think that was their
name! It meant the polka brothers). They've got a gig tonight at Bosco's. I'll show you
how to hold the accordion correctly and then you're on your own." It was amazing! I
swam in the deep end with those crazy polka brothers for a couple years, even did
some weddings. It was fun to pull that hilarious instrument out, again. And before you
turn your nose up at me, let me remind you that polka music may have a reputation for
being ridiculous, but it is actually very difficult- and most importantly, always makes me
laugh.
RATTLIN'BOG
CHORUS:
Ho, ro, the rattlin' bog, the bog down in the valley-o
Ho, ro, the rattlin' bog, the bog down in the valley-o
V1
Now in that bog there was a tree, a rare tree and a rattlin' tree
And the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o
CHORUS
V2
Now on that tree there was a branch, a rare branch and a rattlin' branch
And the branch on the tree
And the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o
CHORUS
V3
Now on that branch there was a limb, a rare limb and a rattlin' limb
And the limb on the branch
And the branch on the tree
And the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o
CHORUS
V4
Now on that limb there was a nest, a rare nest and a rattlin' nest
And the nest on the limb
And the limb on the branch
And the branch on the tree
And the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o
CHORUS
V5
Now in that nest there was a bird, a rare bird and a rattlin' bird
And the bird in the nest
And the nest on the limb
And the limb on the branch
And the branch on the tree
And the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o
CHORUS
V6
Now in that bird there was a song, a rare song and a rattlin' song
And the song in the bird
And the bird in the nest
And the nest on the limb
And the limb on the branch
And the branch on the tree
And the tree in the bog
And the bog down in the valley-o
CHORUS (twice)