The State of Arkansas

A song for Depression Times, I heard it first some 45 or so years ago, a version sung and talked by Lee Hays of The Weavers. And I have never forgotten it.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Folk
• Hard&Times
• Lee
• Hays
• The
• Weavers
• Fingerstyle
• Guitar
• Arkansas
• Talking
• Blues
• Unsigned

[asimov13647]

I read the lyrics to this song in Lomax's book back in the 1960s. I had always wondered what the song sounded like. Now I know.

[TheFolksinger]

@asimov13647 Thanks for the comment. If you get the opportunity, try to hear Lee Hays sing this on some recording made during the time of The Weavers. He had exactly the right voice and "attitude" for the song.

[CJF28]

Could you tell me the chords to this song?

[TheFolksinger]

@CJF28 C to Am then F to C twice , then C to Am, C again, and then a quick F to C

At least on the first verse, then waffle around between the chords a bit and begin again.

[CJF28]

@TheFolksinger Sounds great, Thanks!

[TheFolksinger]

@CJF28 Most Welcome.

[TheFolksinger]

@celephais72 Must be a song or two that could come from your experiences. Cheers!

[celephais72]

@TheFolksinger I'm from Arkansas and still live here - I can tell you, it's pretty rough and wild still in the area I live! :D Very unsettled and I don't even get electricity out here - never have had it! I use solar panels to power my computer for a few hours a week, but otherwise, nothing! Truly "back-to-the-land"!

[TheFolksinger]

@TheErokese Thanks for the response. Actually, of course, we know now that today's Arkansas is not quite so tough as in the past--that is unless you read some of these other comments. I, too, used to sing this song to my kids, and they, now grown, still seem to enjoy it.

[TheErokese]

My papa used to sing this song to me when I was a very small boy. Thank you for posting it :)....bty from Kentucky