Pap-and-Paul-picking-and-grinning

Paul and Pap – Picking under the Dogwood tree back in the day

As I was pondering on what I could share for this week’s Pickin’ and Grinnin’ In The Kitchen Spot I remembered a video I stumbled on a few weeks back. It was filmed way back when Paul was still in college. Pap and Paul were doing the Delmore Brother’s song “Gonna Lay Down My Ole Guitar.” I thought I had previously shared the song, but a quick search of my posts showed I hadn’t. I then wondered if we’d ever even uploaded the song to our Youtube Channel.

Turns out we did upload a version of the song way back in 2009 and since that time over 7,000 folks have watched it.

The Delmore Brothers were among Pap’s all time favorite groups. He enjoyed their playing and singing, but as a songwriter himself, he was totally blown away by their song writing skills.

The duo were farm boys from Alabama. Their heyday was in the 1930s and 40s but their songs are still popular today especially in bluegrass/old time circles.

They played radio shows, were members of the Grand Ole Opry, and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Even though I’ve been familiar with The Delmore Brothers my entire life I’m amazed at how many famous standards they wrote.

To name a few: “Blow Your Whistle,” “Freight Train Boogie,” “Browns Ferry Blues,” “Midnight Special,” “Southern Moon Shine Down Again,” “When It’s Time For The Whipporwill,”  “I Won’t Be Worried Long,” “Sandmountain Blues,” “She Left Me Standing On The Mountain,” “Happy On The Mississippi Shore,” “Put Me On The Trail To Carolina,” “I’ve Got The Big River Blues,” and more.

Like many of the songs we do “Gonna Lay Down My Ole Guitar” is a mournful tune. I recall one of my aunts telling Pap that sure was a sad song to be singing after she heard them play it. Her point was valid, but somehow I’ve always been drawn to the sad songs and I guess Pap was too.

I hope you enjoyed the song and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. If you’d like to see the old video of the song that I found you can view it here on the Blind Pig and The Acorn Facebook page.

Tipper

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21 Comments

  1. Lovin how Paul shrugs that one shoulder when he sings & picks! Shows how much he enjoys his music and so do I. Sunday posts are special….I cant wait for those but those recipes are the bomb throughout the week! I share canned apples with everyone! I would love to win a cd!

  2. Oh, it does my heart and soul so much good to hear such old-time music. I’d love to have a CD!

  3. Tipper,
    I liked Pap and Paul’s rendition better than the original, maybe I’m a bit prejudice, but I just like the way they sing and play. Those old-timey songs are the best! …Ken

  4. Hi Tipper, As always I enjoyed Pap and Paul singing!! first sunday of Aug is Sisters Day,wish your Sisters a Happyday.God Bless. Jean

  5. My husband (and I) and his guitar playing buddies are of the age that this song rings all too true with them.
    Good song though.

  6. I’m sure glad Pap and Paul never decided to lay down their old guitar. They can make any song sound better than the original.

  7. I am drawn to these songs and music. My family didn’t have the talent your famiky does but I remember sitting, listening to uncles and grandparents singing along to a fiddle and guitars. Thank you for sharing — and the memories!

  8. Love the music that has that ole timey sound, and they really captured it on this one. I would love to win, as I cannot think of a better sound to listen to in my vehicle as I travel.

  9. I would love to win that cd. it would be a good 36th anniversary gift to me for keeping the same woman long enough to celebrate 36 years together. not very many stay together long enough to celebrate 20 much less 36.

  10. Thanks, again for a glimpse into the misrepresenting of your family. For two men singing and playing guitars they make a very full, rich sound on this song. A great way to begin the day, Thank you!

  11. That’s a good song, Tip. I listened to the post version and the older facebook version and they are both very good!

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