Gentle Annie

Comment by Wes Merchant on January 11, 2014 at 4:19pm

Stephen Foster died 150 years ago on Jan 13th, he was 37 years old and had 38 cents in his pockets. This is one his I really enjoy playing.

Comment by Al Smitley on January 12, 2014 at 5:19am

Wes, I see you live in Frederick.  Will you be at Antietam for the banjo gathering?

Comment by Wes Merchant on January 12, 2014 at 9:07am

I hope to this year, there is another event  that my wife and I have  done for a number a years that always falls on the same weekend. I do play out there from time to time, Kyle has me on the calendar for the first Saturday in April. Here's a song I'm working up it's a broadside with no indication of tune but seems to work well to the tunes of Irish Molly-O orTramps and Hawkers.

I left New Kent Court-house, all in the month of May, 

And from this great starvation I was glad to get away; 

They led me down into the boat, and laid me on the floor, 

I thought my soul I'd starve to death before I got to Baltimore. 

When I was in the regiment, it was three crackers a day, 

And, woe unto a soldier's life, I wished I was far away; 

The ladies at Baltimore, they were so very kind, 

And better people in the world you'll never, never find. 

They gave us bread and butter, and sometimes chicken-meat - 

You'll never wish in Baltimore for anything to eat; 

There was a Quaker lady so very kind to me, 

I often thought I'd live with her if ever I got free. 

She had a very kind daughter, as you shall plainly see - 

Could you have seen the boquet [sic] that she had sent to me; 

She had a boy that lived with her, the people knew all round, 

That a better boy than he, was never to be found. 

She used to say, young Edwin, you are gaining very fast, 

I wished my time at Baltimore, would never, never pass; 

I was so sick at Baltimore, I could hardly get my breath, 

And if the nurses had not fanned me, it would have caused my death. 

Our nurses, here in Baltimore, are very hard to beat, 

They are so very kind, and give you plenty to eat; 

There is our faithful doctor, he is never behind, 

He gives us very good medicine, and is so very kind. 

We had as good a steward as ever trod the ground, 

And often a good book, for me to read, he found; 

Our kind ward-master, a kind gentleman was he, 

He often came into the ward the sick ones for to see. 

There was a Pennsylvania lady, the truth to you I'll tell, 

For a month or more in Baltimore this lady she did dwell; 

She used to fetch fresh fish, which was the dish for me, 

I never shall forget this very kind lady. 

For to eat fresh fish it was to me but fun, 

But to repay their kindness it never can be done; 

The ladies in Baltimore I never shall forget, 

The kindest ladies I ever saw, live in Baltimore yet. 

Now kind people of Baltimore, I must bid you all adieu, 

For I have left the hospital, my journey to pursue; 

Now my song is ended, and I will sing no more, 

If you want to be treated kindly, just go to Baltimore. 

EDWIN ROSELL, 52d Pennsylvania, Co. G. 

Printed by James Young. 114 West Baltimore street.

Comment by Strumelia on January 12, 2014 at 9:03pm

A tender and touching song, beautifully played, Wes.

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