Story Behind The Song
My father plays guitar and bass - not banjo. But I wanted to play like him and learned. I honored him in this song.
One funny story about the recording - a kid played banjo and the banjo here is an overdubbing of two tracks of banjo. I had to go give an economics lecture to his high school class in exchange for his banjo playing.
Song Description
I am aware of the fragility of life and how records, tapes, discs, can capture music that would otherwise disappear with the person. That idea is reflected in the song. An admiration for a style of playing that is also limited in versatility by its nature is captured in the song.
| Song Length |
3:40 |
Genre |
Country - Bluegrass, Country - Americana |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Cheerful, Affable |
Subject |
Music, Father |
| Similar Artists |
Earl Scruggs, Mumford & Sons |
Language |
English |
Lyrics
CORE OF MY SOUL
The core of his soul was a lyric and a tune
He'd play a home-made banjo by the cold light of the moon
Folks would come from miles around to dance and to hear him play
Me, I'd go down there just to hear him say:
CHORUS:
The core of my soul is a lyric and a tune
I play a home-made banjo by the cold light of the moon
My daddy's daddy played it, my daddy he did too
And I've come here to bring their music to you.
My style is partly due to an inability
To play a wide variety of music competently
So you're going to be disappointed if you want virtuosity
But if you like a banjo tune listen to what my daddy showed me.
REPEAT CHORUS
Those were the good ol' days
Back when my Dad was playing banjo down at the dance hall
I used to go down there and think
"Man, I wish I could play like him."
Now the times have long since changed
And the highways all have names
And cars roll by like fishes in the sea
That banjo player's gone
And the only way you can hear his song
Is to buy a record from a man with a New York yawn.
My face is no longer fair, and these records are very rare
Especially the one about the cold light of the moon
These records mean to me, more than money, don't you see
'Cause that banjo man ain't there to play his tune.
And you see, the core of my soul, too, is a lyric and a tune
I play a Gibson guitar by the cold light of the moon
And when my life is over, don't mourn or turn away
Just listen for the sound of a song you've heard us play.
REPEAT CHORUS