"Way Over Yonder" by Ron & Mike Ireland

Did you ever run across a version of an old song that was performed so well that you just couldn't get it out of your head? Well, that's exactly what happened last year when I heard Ron and Mike Ireland singing "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key." Song lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie; music was written by Billy Bragg.

The musicians performing the song in this video are Ron Ireland and Mike Ireland, who just happen to be father and son. Both men are brilliant musicians and their combined voices elevate this delightful old song to a completely new level.

I am honored that Ron and Mike gave permission for the making of this video. Thanks you so very much for your kindness and generosity!

Mike Ireland is a musician in NYC.
www.myspace.com/spirithouses
www.myspace.com/iamtheavalanche

Ron Ireland is a musician in Virginia.
www.youtube.com/RonIrelandMusic
http://www.ronirelandmusic.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/ronireland
http://www.myspace.com/resonatorghosty
http://www.facebook.com/pages/RonIreland

Ron Ireland's CDs are available on iTunes, CDBaby, amazon, Bandcamp, eMusic, Napster.

Mike Ireland's CDs are available on Bandcamp

All video images were either shot by me here in Virginia or were obtained royalty free from the internet. Photos of Ron and Mike were provided by Ron Ireland and are used with permission.

LYRICS:

''Way Over Yonder in a Minor Key ''
by Woody Guthrie / Billy Bragg

I lived in a place called Okfuskee
And I had a little girl in a holler tree
I said, little girl, it's plain to see
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

She said it's hard for me to see
How one little boy got so ugly
Yes, my little girly, that might be
But there ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

[chorus]
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Way over yonder in a minor key
Way over yonder in a minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me

We walked down by the Buckeye Creek
To see the frog eat the goggle eye bee
To hear that west wind whistle to the east
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

Oh my little girly, will you let me see
Way over yonder where the wind blows free
Nobody can see in our holler tree
And there ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

[chorus]
Way over yonder in a minor key
Way over yonder in a minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me

Her mama cut a switch from a cherry tree
And laid it on to she and me
It stung lots worse than a hive of bees
But there ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

Now I have walked a long, long way
I still look back to my tanglewood days
Ive led lots of girlies since then to stray
Saying, ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

[chorus x 2]

Way over yonder in a minor key
Way over yonder in a minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me
Way over yonder in a minor key
Way over yonder in a minor key
Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Ain't nobody that can sing like me

.

Category:

Music

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• Oklahoma

[RussianBreadmaker]

When I was young, I was good friends with Mike and I have fond memories of sleep overs at the Ireland household. Ron would pull out one of his many guitars and blow our minds and ears with his talent. Great people!

[suuzzee5]

@RussianBreadmaker Thanks so much for leaving this lovely and personal comment. I forwarded it to Ron to make sure he sees it. Thanks again!

[kiaweking]

I love it when two musicians get in sync and something like this comes out of it. And I'm beginning to have a new level of appreciation for the songs of Woody Guthrie.

Who's the boy with the frog in his mouth? Friend of yours? :-)

Aloha from Hawaii,

Thomas

[suuzzee5]

@kiaweking Aloha Thomas. Thanks so much for your kindness and for your comments here. Woody Guthrie's music has all the charm and heart a body could ever need. I love Ron and Michael's version of "Way Over Yonder." They are both so very talented and I hope they will record more songs together. Boy with frog = representation of how I imagine Ron might have been at that age. lol

[coolanddark]

That Billy Bragg album of songs he made up using forgotten lyrics by Woody is FANTASTIC!! And Suze!! You are a video production wizard!!!

[suuzzee5]

@coolanddark Hi Dan, thanks so much for your feedback. I love this song, and Ron and Mike's version is the best I've heard. As for video making, thanks a whole big bunch. Wish the day job wasn't necessary - I'd love to work with cameras all the time.

[suuzzee5]

@reliablebow Hi Michael, thank you so much! When wonderful musicians such as yourself find enjoyment in the music and the images, it makes me very happy. My videos are just vehicles to carry the song to new listeners, but they are truly fun to make. It's always the song that matters. Gosh, but I do love good music! Hugs, Suze

[suuzzee5]

@doctorcastille Hi Mike, thank you thank you thank you! You're such a fine musician yourself - your opinion means a lot. I've listened to your and Clint's music since my earliest days on youtube, and I just sent your link to Ron a few days ago. This video came about because I flipped out when I first heard this recording. It is quite simply The Best Version of ''Way Over Yonder'' that I ever heard. Thanks again, so much! Hugs, Suze

[doctorcastille]

Suze, this was terrific. I liked it so well I ripped the audio for my mp3 player. I know I will need to hear it a bunch more times. The video was perfect for the song as well.

xx mike

[suuzzee5]

@ottlakerambler Hi Dave - Thanks for the kind words.  I think we're stuck with a thumbs-up button. That's all we get these days. Hope you're doing well. Still making that wonderful music? Suze