Tailypo (Original)

An old, creepy Appalachian folktale recast as a ballad. You can find a prose rendition here: http://www.scaryforkids.com/tailypo/

Lyrics and chords (Capo 5):
[Am]Oh, the years grew colder for [G]Silas Stone
[Am]As his friends died off, and his [C]kids moved [Am]
He [Dm]packed his [G]bags and he packed his [Am]gun,
And took to the [G]mountains a[Am]lone.

He made his home in a shady grove,
And to help him hunt, raised three great hounds.
He named them You-Don't- and I-Don't-Know,
And Canticalico.

Chorus chords: Am, G, Em, Am Am, G, Em, Am

On an autumn eve as the fire burned low
And food was down to some old soup bones,
He went to hunt, as his hunger drove,
While the moon through the branches shone.

And a flash of fire from his rifle shot
Sent a creature screeching and sprinting off -
But it left its tail for the old soup pot,
And it served up juicy and hot.

Instrumental chorus

But as Silas under the covers snored
And the hounds lay slumbering upon the floor,
A voice like a distant thunderstorm
Shook through the cabin door:

Chorus:
Tailypo, tailypo -
Who has got my tailypo?
Tailypo, tailypo -
Give me back my tailypo!

And the three great hounds went coursing out,
How-ow-owlin', and growlin'-o.
They barked and bayed as away they raced,
But only two came home.

So Silas cursed, and Silas swore,
And he grieved I-Don't-Know something sore.
He was crouching down on his dark front porch
When the wind bore a rattling roar:

Tailypo, tailypo -
Who has got my tailypo?
Tailypo, tailypo -
Give me back my tailypo!

And the two great hounds went coursing out,
How-ow-owlin', and growlin'-o.
They barked and bayed as away they raced,
But only one came home.

And Silas stood by his cabin wall
With his trusty gun and his one last dog.
He had fixed his hopes on the long-off dawn
When he heard the shifter call:

Tailypo, tailypo -
Who has got my tailypo?
Tailypo, tailypo -
Give me back my tailypo!

And the one, last hound went coursing out,
How-ow-owlin', and growlin'-o.
He barked and bayed as away he raced,
But never did come home.

Poor Silas went where the moon shone clear
As two red eyes came flickering near:
His rifle barked, but his death was sure
As the whisper in his ear:

Tailypo, tailypo -
Who has got my tailypo?
Tailypo, tailypo -
Give me back my tailypo!

Now the little cabin in ruin lies
And the rafters yield to the forest sky.
But still, in the dark, when the wind blows right,
You'll hear through the whispering pines:

Tailypo, tailypo -
Who has got my tailypo?
Tailypo, tailypo -
Yes, I've got my tailypo!

(C) Copyright 2011 Patrick David DeSimio

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Tailypo
• scary
• folk
• tale
• legend
• Appalachian
• ghost
• story
• Halloween
• bluegrass
• original
• song
• acoustic
• guitar
• folklore
• bones
• Singer
• Songwriter
• Music

[TheUndeadharlequin]

Did you write this song yourself?? I'm impressed!

[PearseLames]

@TheUndeadharlequin Thanks! This song is one of mine, and took about four months to write - the ones based on existing stories are usually toughest, since the rhyme and meter has to be bent to accommodate the story rather than vice-versa.

[XDeadlyXSinner]

I couldn't help but to sing along! ^-^,

[PearseLames]

@XDeadlyXSinner You've made a very happy songwriter. Thanks!

[XDeadlyXSinner]

@PearseLames No Problems. You earned a Subscriber ^_^

[XDeadlyXSinner]

-cries- so beautiful

[darkhorn92]

@PearseLames slightly damned? what is that?

[PearseLames]

@darkhorn92 I think you're a pretty dern good animator, and really like your drawing style - it reminds me of Slightly Damned

[darkhorn92]

@PearseLames don't worry it was perfect the way it is. i am not a good animator but maybe it will help you to become popular for the halloween and many things

[PearseLames]

@darkhorn92 Thanks a bunch! I can't wait to see your animation :)

Let me know if you'd like a full band recording for it.