De Boatman's Dance

Comment by Paul Draper on November 12, 2013 at 2:35pm

I grew up a few miles from the Ohio River in northern WV.  On my way to school, I used to watch the coal barges going up and down the river and thought to myself that the bargemen must have a grand life, at least compared with the drudgery of going to school.  This sentiment was captured more than a century ago in this song by Dan Emmett.  (Photos taken between Wheeling and Wellsburg, WV.)

Comment by Paul Draper on November 12, 2013 at 2:41pm

... that is, more than a century and a half ago...

Comment by Dave Culgan on November 12, 2013 at 2:47pm

Sounds great Paul, one of my favorite songs to do. Especially like the rhythm of the last verse.

Comment by Paul Draper on November 12, 2013 at 2:50pm

Thanks Dave.  It's tough to get all those words out.

Comment by Al Smitley on November 12, 2013 at 3:20pm

I know what you mean, Paul.  If I grew up in the early 19th C, I don't know what I'd do.  I hate yard work so I probably would have hated farming, too.  The thought of working on the river would have seemed intriguing.  That's probably why I have the first Bingham painting you showed hanging in my living room.  You can probably see it on one of Tim's video postings.

Comment by Paul Draper on November 12, 2013 at 4:18pm

Yeah -- I had the romantic vision of freedom and travel...

Comment by Paul Draper on November 12, 2013 at 4:37pm

An illusion, of course...

Comment by Al Smitley on November 13, 2013 at 6:05am

Oh yes. ......a couple of days working on the river and I would have been thinking about farming.

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