Lorena

[jtafaro]

This is a great version!  I am working on it on ukulele for a coffee shdting gig an do it on fiddle. Thanks!

[Wishuey]

@jtafaro

Many thanks!

[girl2313]

DOAMNE FERI

[Wishuey]

@girl2313

Always!

[hrothgleas]

Very good stuff. Thanks for posting this great old song.

Love the banjo.

[Wishuey]

@hrothgleas

Many thanks!

[BeMyBigHero]

Very well done --- Thank You, Sir!

[Wishuey]

@BeMyBigHero

Many thanks!

[comptongirl85]

aww this is a good song it reminds me of my friend lorena :)

[cvcoco]

Well done...thanks so much.

[Wishuey]

@cvcoco

Many thanks!

[hleota]

Maravillosa canción, me trae gratos recuerdos..

[Jordmate]

Beautiful ... where do I get the music for this wonderful song. I believe this was loved by the Union and the South during the 1863 civil war. Greetings from Australia.

[Wishuey]

@Jordmate

Thanks. I just Googled "Sheet music Lorena" and found it at "8Notes.com". It`s a great old song; still resonates over one hundred fifty years after it was written.

It was indeed sung by both Union and Confederate soldiers during our Civil War 1861-1865 although some, including the above website, say it was more popular in the south; could be, as they may have been a bit more sentimental and "romantic".

[k6musicteacher]

Such great playing of an old "civil war" song. I should rip you a little for not letting that last chord ring for a few beats but your playing is so great I just can't find it withing myself to do it. Thanks for posting this!

[Wishuey]

@k6musicteacher

Thanks; wish I could have done as you suggest but back then one could only upload so many kb, or whatever they are, while posting to YouTube. Being terminally "technology challenged" I couldn`t figure a way to get around it. "Lorena" is a long song and I wanted to get in as many of the verses as I could.

[lanoviadechuki]

Hello my name is lorena and me encanta esta canción.

[Wishuey]

@lanoviadechuki

Thanks!

[AnneChung75]

Hello my name is lorena and I dearly would love to get a copy of the sheet music for this song, my father namned me after. Could you please let me know where I can get the sheet music at.

[Wishuey]

Try Googling "Sheet music Lorena". I just did and found a bunch. Google knows all.

[vipergurn]

well done sir hooya

[Wishuey]

Many thanks!

[SamZorch]

Wishuey

Thanks a million for a terrific rendition of this wonderful song and tune. Even "strangled at fret 7" you and your Gibson ring true. Yes, "I would imagine the song resonates so because most of us probably have our own "Lorena" somewhere in our past. I know I do". And how many have gone to dusty dust thinking of her ...

Well done!

[Wishuey]

Thanks much.

[SirCoughsalot]

How I wish I could play my banjo like that.

[Wishuey]

Many thanks.

[Mandolin1944]

Nice work. Always have liked this song.  5 Stars.

[Wishuey]

Thanks much!

[antszabo]

thanks well played Sir!

[Wishuey]

Many thanks!

[lanafitzs]

As long as you sing the song with feelings as you have its beautiful and you version is poignant well done, I only heard this song a day ago and I'm hooked, this Irish woman loves you singing it

[Wishuey]

Thanks so much! It`s a great old song.

I assume by "UK" you`re in Ulster. My wife and I were in County Antrim last year; had a grand old time with a few local musicians at a session at the House of McDonnell, a fantastic old pub in Ballycastle.

[basserase]

I've only discovered your videos in the past week, but I'm a fan now. I only really became a John Hartford fan about a year ago after watching a video of him singing, "Where does an old River-man Go?" Tell the the pooch I said Hello.

[Wishuey]

Thanks!  Islay sends her regards....

[3ord]

Many girls were named Lorena after the Civil War because of this song.

[mara235]

Lovely song - I have just discovered the Civil War songs myself. Have you a version of '''Just Before the Battle Mother''? I would really like to hear that.

[Wishuey]

Thanks. I haven`t tried it yet but may give it a go; haven`t uploaded anything for awhile but hope to get back to it.

[MrsHaiirspray]

lol, my name is Lorena ,too

[Wishuey]

My goodness; had no idea there were so many Lorenas; good thin the tune isn`t called "Mary"....

[Stacitella]

my name is lorena = )

[Wishuey]

Hello Lorena!

[ldhummingbird]

Aw, you're too hard on yourself, sir. This is how the music was meant to be enjoyed when it was written.

[EvilCensor]

May I ask how you're banjo is tuned for this?.. I'm still relatively new to the banjo.

[Wishuey]

It`s tuned to the standard "open G" (g, DGB#D) but with a capo at the 7th fret, making it an open D tuning. I have the 5th tuned in unison with the 1st.

I really can`t recommend using a capo this far up the neck; wouldn`t encourage it.

[EvilCensor]

Thanks, appreciate the reply :)

[rmstudio]

Thats okay We all done things like that were we lock ourselves out the house or car. LoL. Thanks for the tunes and great playing. John is I am sure sitting on some big river boat watching over them boys and singing them great old tunes. I just hope someone carries on John ways of remembering the old tunes. Its a part of American Heritage history. John had a way of knowing appreciating that and keep it alive.

[EvilCensor]

Don't undersell yourself - that's just how it's supposed to sound.. well done :o)

[Wishuey]

Many thanks!

[lottasgat]

OMG WAT EEN CHIKKY

hahahahahahahha omg

[Wishuey]

Huh?

[rmstudio]

Once again a great performance of such a classic old Civil War tune. It just would not be the same without that banjo.

[Wishuey]

Thanks for the kind words; sorry I`ve taken so long to respond. Somehow, I`d managed to "block" myself; just figured it out.

[justdobbs]

John Hartford introduced me to this song. When I'm able to start making videos again, it's on my short list to put it on youtube. I enjoy hearing different versions, thank you for sharing yours.

[Wishuey]

Thank YOU.

[Richardironheart]

I'm italian but since a kid I loved Anglo-Am country and folk music. Lorena is one of my fav's along with Kathleen Mavourneen and Aura Lee... You are playing it wonderfully with your treasured and ancient banjo. I also remember a version from The Bachelors (more dramatic feeling) and one from The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It's a beautiful song and any musician gives it his own peculiar nuance and that's fine! Thanks a million for your posting.

[Wishuey]

Many thanks!

[Elvuz]

I'm a Pole and I like history very much. Also the U.S. history. I'm particularly mad on the history, customs, society and culture of the antebellum South. Thinking of those times always brings to me a sort of dreaming and melancholy. This song is one of my favourites. I even tried to translate it into Polish but never completed that work.

I respect you, Wishuey, your experience, passion and great work you make. Thanks!

[Wishuey]

Many thanks for your kind words.

[conkerexchange]

thankyou for this, it's lovely to hear! I'm another Lorena (also thinking I was one of only a few!). I'm from England. My mum read a book called Lorena. It's sort of like "Gone with the Wind" and is by Frank G Slaughter, if any of the other Lorenas out there would like to find it!

I can use this video to prove how to pronounce my name, as it is often mistakenly read as "lo ray na"!

Thnak you so much, it's a lovely song, and you sing and play it well!

[Wishuey]

Thank YOU so much! I had no idea there were so many Lorenas either. It`s wonderful to hear from you all.

[hCHASEs87]

how long have u been playin that banjer???

[Wishuey]

About fifty five years; should be a whole lot better.

[papastattoos]

Thank you, my father named me after this song, and this is the first time i have heard the full song. Thnk you - Lorena C.

[papastattoos]

Sorry I forgot to say it was the Civil war version I was named after.

[Wishuey]

Thank YOU!

[Dummschwaetzerqueen]

So I'm another Lorena from Germany this time, found this song and just love it now, thanks for playing it so nice ^^

[Dummschwaetzerqueen]

Well and of cause Lorena rules, always remember we're something special^^

[Wishuey]

Thanks!

[sturwarrior]

I am another Lorena :) and I loved this song!

Hugs from Spain.

[Wishuey]

Good grief! I think we should make plans for an "International Lorena Convention". The more hugs the better!

Thanks for the kind words.

[aidancody]

Australia back again ... got a bit of a guitar travis pick going to Faded Coat of Blue and this one brings back memories of the Civil War TV series about 20 years ago. From memory, Lorena was a platinum hit on both sides of the MD line. Whatever, looks like you got some nice banjoes there ... what's the deal with the capo re. tuning the fifth string? BTW, you're about my vintage and that AIN'T OLD!!! Is it?

[Wishuey]

The 5th string was tuned in unison to the 1st. Yes Lorena was a Civil War "mega hit" with both sides; so much so that a few commanders banned it, as it made soldiers so homesick some deserted.

If my luck holds I`ll turn seventy in a couple of months; doesn`t FEEL old....

[pirateswin]

my name happens to be lorena.

and this song is now my favorite.

and that old man is my hero.

[Wishuey]

Hi Lorena,

Thanks but I`m not THAT old.....(although I do have a few grandchildren almost your age.)

[maladroitmortal]

love this song, thanks for posting. my name is lauren but people have always called me lorena :)

[Wishuey]

Thank YOU. I had no idea there were so many "Lorenas" about. The more the merrier. It`s a great name, even when it`s a nickname.

[lorenasmiles]

hi wishuey,well done!from another lorena northern ireland

[Wishuey]

Hi Lorena and thanks. My wife and I were in your part of the world this past June; played some music with Dick Glasgow, his wife and a few friends at the House of McDonnell in Ballycastle, saw the Glens of Antrim, the Giants Causeway and freaked ourselves out on the Carrik a Rede rope bridge. Beautiful country!

[KFrindik]

Don't doubt yourself. Ya' did good.

[lorena2ktz]

hello i am lorena;)) good song!

[romanesqueartiste8]

me too! yes good song! =]

[2Qtnot2bthin]

can I have the song?

Can't find it anywhere.

Awesome video by the way!

xxoo

[Wishuey]

Thanks. Sure. I don`t own it. You can find the lyrics on-line. Try Google. That`s what I did.

[lottasgat]

OMG!

[lewdite]

This is beautiful... I'm subscribing!

[Wishuey]

Many thanks!

[Wishuey]

Well, now. I`ve only been listening to and watching Earl Scruggs for about fifty five years; wish I could do what he does but so it goes.

[basketcasetoo]

kyle10218: This is a very good version. John Hartford's version is the best.

As for banjo playing you need to hear the MASTER of the 5 string bango...EARL SCRUGGS.

[kyle10218]

wow papa this was one of your best I think you are THE BEST BANJO PLAYER IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE! LOVE KYLE B I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

[Wishuey]

Hmmm.....What with your being my granddaughter and all, I wonder if this is an objective comment.....

[Flint3162]

You can find John Hartford's version on the cd "Songs Of The Civil War" (Columbia)

[KamiiiLax3]

my friends name is lorena :)

[mexicanlion8]

my name is lorena this is the first song that i hear my name, is so beautiful, better then others, i am a spanish speaker but i am learning english.

thank you for singing this song, i love it. you play like a pro, i wish i could learn to play that way.

again thank you. kisses and hugs.

[MerlynSchutterle]

I capo the 5th string to A and play from the D shape. Get that nice low bass that way. John is tuned to E.

[jessyquedens]

"Wildwood Flower," huh? No wonder I like "Lorena." I also like the way you invite us into your library, and I'm charmed by all the Lorenas who've written.

You are right, no one can come up to John Hartford. But you've certainly made a very pleasing attempt!

[Wishuey]

Thanks for the kind words. I`m greatly enjoying the "Lorena letters" too.

[lolatoga18]

My name is Lorena and I never hear songs with my name,and I think is very sweet :)

I like the way you play these song!!!I didn't hear it before,sorry if my english is not very good,i'm spanish :P

how can I get that song? can you help me??

thank you anyways!you make me happy for 4 minutes!! :)

good luck,bye!!

[Wishuey]

Yiu have a great name! To get the words, just put "Lorena lyrics" in Google. That`s how I found them.

Your English is miles better than my Spanish and had you not mentioned it I would never have known you weren`t a native speaker!

Cheers,

Pete

[fabsbu7]

my first true LOVE, her name is LORENA. te amo mi reina! tu TB

[loey515]

ha my name is lorena wierd, i was just watching a vid of good charlotte "i want candy" and i was hmm maybe theres a song with my name lmao i found it

[happycatpanda]

this is where you can find almost all the LORENAS!

[Wishuey]

The more Lorenas the better!

[2ndfret]

One of the best songs ever written. you. do an oustanding job on it one complaint though you are to critical of your self.

[Wishuey]

There. See what I mean? I`m getting complaints. I must be terrible....Let`s see, how do the kids do it? LOL and :)?

How are the guts working out?

[2ndfret]

Hope I didn't offend you. I like the way you play these old songs us old timers are entitled to a mistake here and there happy Thanksgiving to you. Keep picking.

[Wishuey]

Yikes. I was KIDDING; thus the "LOL" and ":)" business. How are the gut strings working for you?

[2ndfret]

There working good .

[lanafitzs]

I live in County Down where St Patrick's buried, since hearing that song it's been going round in my head thanks for the chance to hear it sung with so much feeling

[Wishuey]

Thanks once more. Be careful the tune doesn`t turn into an "ear worm" you can`t get rid of......( - :

[Lorena1610]

:D Greetings from the Netherlands!!

[Wishuey]

I`m going to start a (virtual) Lorena collection! The more the better.

[Alexic99]

that's ma name!!!

[Wishuey]

Wow. I`m hearing from Lorenas from all over the world.

[happycatpanda]

although my account name is happycatpanda my name is lorena!!!!!!!!

[Wishuey]

And a fine name it is!

[lorenahernandez82]

Wow! Very nice song i love it! I'm happy to see that my name is also a beautiful song and not just the name of a woman who cut her hubby's weiner off! Thanks a lot for this song, you made my day! xoxoxo

[Wishuey]

Thanks. Lorena`s a great name and there have been plenty of more....um..reasonable Lorenas before and since Ms. Bobbit

[Lindsey0Tay0]

my best friend ever is named lorena her and her sister are like my sisters!!

she rocks!!

you do to Wishuey you have tallet from god!!

keep singing!

[Wishuey]

Many thanks!

[kam1953f]

Nice job, Wishuey. It's not everyone who will sing all the verses.

I just missed my chance to see John Hartford. A raging thunderstorm cancelled his concert at a local festival. I believe it was his last tour. Damn.

[Wishuey]

Thanks Kathy; don`t know that I`d call it "sing" but it`s the best I can do. All the verses barely fit YouTube`s space restrictions.

Cheers,

Pete

[hitekgearhead]

I've only ever read the lyrics before, how awesome to hear it finally. To all the other Lorenas out there, we ROCK!

[loey515]

lol yea we do 8} lol and i thought i was the only one with this name lol

[LOE307]

Thats my name! Thats my name!

[laurenalacey]

This song makes me teary- I was named after it...from the Johnny Cash version xx thanks for sharing xx

[granniejans]

Very authentically done. This is one of my Dad's favorite CW songs. He's a banjo picker, too and sings it all the time. Thank you for your version. I can imagine that you are singing it as a person of the period would have sang it.

[caspian96]

I have been looking for a recording of this song. Thank you for playing it!

[renopicker]

Hi Pete,

You've got a good voice! That's one of my favorites too. Keep them vocals coming!

[Wishuey]

Thanks Jason; just watched a bunch of yours again and can`t get over how close you come to old Don.

[Thunderhawk413]

Wishuey, THAT was awesome! I visited John Hartford's version, but liked yours better. There's just something soothing and authentic about your voice. Have you ever considered doing a video around a Civil War reenactment campfire to accompany this wonderfully touching song? It would be a great tribute to this unforgettable time in our history and to your very realistic style.

[Wishuey]

Many thanks. High praise indeed to be compared favorably to John Hartford.

There are quite a few reenactment activities hereabouts (Maryland) but I`m afraid I`m some fifty years older than the typical Civil War soldier would have been. Maybe I could reenact a grandfather visiting his grandson`s encampment....

[giggleblaggle]

Hmmm, If you're trying to sound like John Hartford, might I suggest that instead of using a capo to get the D tuning, just tune the banjo itself down to a low D tuning. That's what I'd do. Nice playing.

[Wishuey]

Thanks, but only John Hartford sounded like John Hartford. I`m not nearly good enough to try.

As for the low D tuning, the fingering only works, for me anyway, in "G" positions, thus the capo way up there where it doesn`t belong. Low D`s fine for "Home Sweet Home", "Ruby", "Choking The Strings", "Hard Times" and a bunch of others.

[sparkyfiddle]

I've always a real a soft spot for this song. Thanks for your version.

[TBaker1964]

All of your videos have been excellent! Really good job on this one, thanks for sharing.

[Wishuey]

Thanks!

[minstreljon]

Well done, one of my favorite songs. Where did you find the tabs for the song?

[Wishuey]

I`ve never used tablature; too complicated for me, so I just rely on my ears to get the message to my fingers. That`s probably why John Hartford sounds a hell of a lot better than I do...

[sleaponit21]

wishy, I was getting really concerned ? thought youd locked the dog up, or worse, then halfway thru haaaaa, nice one wishy

[tomdavison]

I recall Frank Warner and his sons playing this back in the...-well when I was a heck of a lot younger. Nice rendition, brings back memories. Thanks, TomD

[royoung2]

I enjoyed your video(s). I always wanted to learn to play the banjo. To many hobbies and fingers that do not work well anymore is my excuse. Great job, life is great!

[wolfieboyer]

Very good sir. That room looks like my kind of place, banjers and books.

[touch1dcs]

hahahaha

[touch1dcs]

How long have you been playing? Your really good.

[Wishuey]

Thanks. About fifty years. I ought to be a whole lot better..

[Lumotaku]

Good job I applaud you good sir.

[Wishuey]

Thanks neighbor.  (Ellicott City)