Story Behind The Song
My banjo-playing great-grandfather tried to sell a bunch of his songs in the 1940s, mainly, many of which I have. I have a rejection letter from a Chicago publisher, the text of which inspired these song lyrics. On purpose, this song is free of banjo, since the man who ought to have been playing that part died in 1949.
Song Description
This is a song with guitar, bass, hammered dulcimer, a classic old-time mountain instrument (which is also played in a lot of other music, but seeing as how I'm from Kentucky and am singing about a rejection letter I have to my great-grandfather from the mountains, it's a KY instrument for my money).
| Song Length |
2:38 |
Genre |
Folk - Rock, Folk - Country |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Content |
Subject |
Musician |
| Similar Artists |
Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
December, 1945, South Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Dearest Mr. Ball, we have these words for you
We have an ample quantity of sacred songs like yours
The word of God is living still, but it won't open doors
You probably fought for Uncle Sam
In trench and gas and fog
But I'm afraid your song won't fit into our catalogue
Yes music with a western feel is what we'd like to see
Or nice hillbilly novelties that make you slap your knee
Or sweet romantic ballads with moonlight and a kiss
We're always in the market but not for songs like this
You probably play with a little band
There's not much that you own
But I'm afraid your music has to stay in your small home
You'll probably die four years from now, in 1949
Your daughters' heads all full of songs
And they'll know every rhyme
Your banjo may leave memories
The laughter passed along
But Mr. Ball, our company can do without your song
But Mr. Ball, our company can do without your song