Potluck Ramblers
Lyrics, Chords & Listen 
"Our band name is a great reference for playing a musical banquet, with something on the menu for everyone!"
For Festivals, Parties, Anniversaries, Wedding Receptions & Much More
Most of these songs were recorded at Potluck practice sessions (Plus a few bonus tunes as well)
You can be assured that the folk process was at work on our version of these tunes!
We sing songs people love to play and sing themselves!
TO LISTEN TO THE SONGS BELOW:
Simply click on the picture above each song, or Click on LISTEN below the lyrics
Oceans of Diamonds
Written by: Jimmy Martin
G C
Some people drink champagne, out under the stars
D G
While others drink wine, leaning over a bar
C
But all that I need dear, to make me feel fine
D G
Is to know that your love, will forever be mine
CHORUS
G C G
I'd give an ocean of diamonds, a world filled with flowers
D G
To hold you closely, for just a few hours
C
Hear you whisper softly, that you love me too
D G
Would change all the dark clouds, to the bluest of blue
Well I don't drink their champagne, and I don't drink their wine
So if you refuse me, my poor heart will pine
I'll be so lonely, 'til the day that I die
And as long as I live dear, you can still hear me cry
CHORUS (repeat twice and end with retard on last line)
Click here to LISTEN
Click here for : PONY EXPRESS 
Kyle, with Potluck; playing a Traditional tune......
(Listen for the rider to jump on his horse)
Put on your dancin' shoes!
Woo-hoo! 
Midnight Special
Written by: Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly) A D A
Well, you wake up in the mornin,’ you hear the ding-dong ring
E A
You go runnin’ to the table, it’s the same damn thing
D A
Knife and fork are on the table, nothin’ in your pan
E A
You say anything about it, you’re in trouble with the man
{Refrain}
D A
Let the midnight special shine it's light on me (3X)
E E
Let the midnight special shine it's ever-lovin' light on me
If you ever go to Houston; boy you'd better walk right
You'd better not gamble; and you'd better not fight
Sheriff Benson will arrest you; he’ll take you down
If the jury finds you guilty; you're penitentiary bound
{Refrain}
Yonder comes miss Rosie; how in the world do you know
You can tell her by her apron; and the dress she wore
Umbrella on her shoulder; piece of paper in her hand
She goes marchin’ to the governor, says, turn loose of my man
Refrain twice – retard ending
Click here to LISTEN
Take me in your lifeboat
Written by: Tommy Thompson
CHORUS
A D A
Take me in your lifeboat, take me in your lifeboat
E
It will stand the raging storm
A D A
Take me in your lifeboat, take me in your lifeboat
E A
It will bear my spirit home
A D A
Come brothers, sisters, don't fall asleep
E
Pray night and day, or you'll sleep in the deep
A D A
Fathers and mothers are praying so loud
E A
Saying Lord, won't you take us in your lifeboat
CHORUS
The clouds are so heavy, the wind is so loud
The thunder is roaring, breaking in the clouds
They pray to their shipmates for what they have done
They took the dying sinners in the lifeboat
CHORUS (REPEAT THEN RETARD ENDING)
Click here to LISTEN
Fever
Written by: John Davenport & Eddie Cooley
Am E
Never know how much I love you, never know how much I care Am D E Am
When you put your arms around me; I get a Fever that's so hard to bear
CHORUS:
Am E
You give me Fever, when you kiss me; fever when you hold me tight
Am D Am E Am
Fever - in the morning; fever all through the night
Sun lights up the daytime, moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name; and you know I'm gonna treat you right
CHORUS
Ev'rybody's got the Fever; that is something you all know
Fever isn't such a new thing; fever started a long time ago
CHORUS
(Frank Sinatra verse)
Romeo loved Juliet, Juliet she felt the same
When he put his arms around her, he said, "Julie, baby, you're my flame"
Click to LISTEN
Coal Tattoo
Written by: Billy Ed Wheeler
Dm Bb Dm
Travelin' down that coal town road,
Bb C7 Dm Listenin' to my rubber tires whine
Dm Bb Dm
Goodbye to Buckeye and White Sycamore,
Bb C7 Dm
I'm leavin' you behind
F C7 F
I've been coal miner all my life,
C7 Bb-C7
Layin' down tracks in the hole
F Bb F
Gotta back like an ironwood, bent by the wind;
Dm C Dm
Blood veins blue as the coal,
Dm C Dm
Blood veins blue as the coal
Somebody said, "That's a strange tattoo, you got on the side of your head”
I said, "That's the blueprint left by the coal. A little more and I'd been dead
I love the rumble and I love the dark. I love the cool of the slate
But it's travelin' down this new road, lookin' for a job
Travelin' and lookin' I hate; travelin' and lookin' I hate
I Stood for the union, I walked in the line, I fought against the company
I Stood for the U. M. W. of A., now who's gonna stand for me
Got no house and I’ve got no pay, just got a worried soul
And this blue tattoo on the side of my head,
Left by the number nine coal; left by the number nine coal
Some day when I'm dead and gone, to heaven the land of my dreams.
Not gonna worry on losin' my job, to bad times and big machines
Not gonna pay my money away, on bills and hospital plans
I'm gonna pick coal while the blue heavens roll
And sing with the angel band; and sing with the angel band
Click to LISTEN
Guitar players, you might find it a bit easier to navigate this tune by capoing at the 5th fret and playing the key of Am: Chords Verse - Am - F - Am; F - G7 - Am; Am - F - Am; F - G7 - Am
Chords Chorus: C - G7 - C; G7 - F-G7; C - F - C; Am - G - Am; Am - G - Am
Original by Jim
I'm Leavin' Mary Lou
Words & music by: Jim Cowles - Aug. 2010
(Written as a sequel to Ricky Nelson's famous, "Hello Mary Lou" - Jim says she wasn't such a great catch after all)
G C
Took Mary Lou to the dance, for a very special night
D G
Thought I was a lucky guy, she was a pretty sight
C
I stopped by the punch bowl, just to get her a little drink
D G
When I got back, with the punch, my heart began to sink
CHORUS:
D D7 C G
There were twenty guys around her, all askin' for a dance
A7 D D7
Twenty more behind them, just waitin' for their chance
G C
And she just ignored me, wouldn't give me the time of day
D D7 G
She danced with everyone but me, didn't even look my way
USE THIS TURN-AROUND AT END OF SONG:
"Yeah, you're the one I care about, I'm leavin' Mary Lou today"
Hope I'll get the last dance, it's the least that she could do
Me sittin,' drownin' in my tears and starin' 'cross the room
But when I locked on your blue eyes, I knew you understood
I'll take you home tonight Louise, I'm leavin' Mary Lou for good
CHORUS
Now I'm so glad I met you, don't need that girl no-more
The last dance became our first, Mary Lou is such a bore
Someone else can take her home, I'd rather be with you
You're the one I care about, I'm leavin' Mary Lou
CHORUS & END WITH TURN-AROUND
Click HERE to listen!
Early Mornin' Rain
Written by: Gordon Lightfoot
G Am D C G
In the early mornin' rain, with a dollar in my hand,
Am C G
And an achin' in my heart, and my pocket's full of sand
G Am D7 G
I'm a long way from home, and I miss my loved ones so,
Am D7 G
In the early mornin' rain, with no place to go
Out on runway number nine, big 707 set to go
But I'm out here in the grass, where the cold wind blows
Well the liquor tasted good, and the women all were fast
There she goes my friend, she's rollin' now at last
Hear the mighty engines roar, see that silver bird on high
She's away and westward bound, far above the clouds she’ll fly
Where the mornin' rain don't fall, and the sun always shines
She'll be flyin' o'er my home, in about three hours time
This old airport's got me down,it's no earthly good to me
Cause I'm stuck here on the ground, cold and drunk as I can be
You can't jump a jet plane, like you can an old freight train.
So I'd best be on my way, in the early mornin' rain.
REPEAT FIRST VERSE AND END WITH REPEAT OF LAST LINE:
“In the early mornin' rain, with no place to go”
Click to LISTEN
My Walkin' Shoes don't fit me anymore
Written by: Jimmy Martin & Paul Williams
Chorus
G
My walking shoes don't fit me anymore
D
My walking shoes don't fit me anymore
G C
Stay on your side of town, honey, I don't get around
G D G
My walking shoes don't fit me anymore
It's a long way from here to over yonder; my feet are getting mighty sore
I ain't coming back, you've made your mind to wander
My walking shoes don't fit me anymore
CHORUS
I'll be a longtime gone from you baby;
you'll never here me knock upon your door
I thought you were worth it once but I was crazy
My walking shoes don't fit me anymore
CHORUS
Click to LISTEN
Blue Moon
Written by: Richard Rogers & Lorenz Hart G Em C D7 G Em
Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone
C D7 G Em
Without a dream in my heart
C D7 G Em C D7
Without a love of my own
G Em C D7 G Em
Blue Moon, you know just what I was there for
C D7 G Em
You heard me saying a prayer for
C D7 G C G
Someone I really could care for
CHORUS
Am D7 G Em
And suddenly there appeared before me
Am D7 G Em
The only one my arms could ever hold
Am D7 G Em
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
Am D7
And when I looked the Moon had turned to gold
G Em C D7 G Em
Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone
C D7 G Em
Without a dream in my heart
C D7 G
Without a love of my own
BREAK
CHORUS/ENDING
And suddenly there appeared before me
The only one my arms could ever hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked the Moon had turned to gold
Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone; without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
(Retard ending & use rock & roll "amen")
Click to LISTEN
Willie and the Hand Jive
Written by Johnny Otis (performed by Bo Diddley)
G G G - F G
I know a cat named Way Out Willie
G G - F G
Got a cool little chick named Rockin' Millie
C C C - F C
He can walk and stroll and Suzy-Q
G G G - F G
Do that crazy hand jive too
Momma momma look at uncle Joe; doin' the hand jive with sister Flo
Uncle gave sister Flo a dime; said, do that hand jive one more time
CHORUS:
C G D G
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, do that crazy jive
C G D G
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive, do that crazy jive
Doctor, a lawyer and an Indian chief; they all dig that crazy beat
Way Out Willie give 'em all a treat; when he did that hand jive with his feet...
CHORUS
Willie and Millie got married last fall; they had a Willie Junior and that ain't all
The kid's got crazy and it's plain to see; he's doin' that hand jive on T.V. ...
END WITH CHORUS
Click to LISTEN
Heartstrings
Written by: Marshall Wilborn
G D Em
Way up north, where the snow flies
C D G D7
and the sun don't hardly shine
G D Em
If it weren't for, my true love
C D
I'd have long ago lost my mind
C D G (D7 after 1st verse only)
I'd have long ago lost my mind
There's good folks here and good folks there; most everywhere I go
But the land of my heart is down; where the snow white cotton grows
Where the snow white cotton grows
[chorus]
C Bm Am G
When the river runs over from the melting snow
C D G
We'll take to the higher ground
C Bm Am G
When the water goes down again, we'll saddle our old paint
C D G
And we'll be homeward bound
C Bm D G
Me and my love we’ll be homeward bound
[BREAK] play verse
Heartstrings hold tighter than the roots of a live oak tree
Holding through tornado wind
Tougher than timber, stronger than steel
They'll guide me back southward again
They'll guide me back southward again
[repeat chorus & end]
Click to LISTEN
Kyle, playing a Haunting Banjo solo
Listen as the train rumbles along the mountain side and around the bends
I'm In The Jailhouse Now
Written by: Jimmy Rodgers - 1927
D
I had a friend named Ramblin' Bob; He used to steal gamble and rob
G
He thought he was the smartest guy in town
Well I found out last Monday; That Bob got locked up Sunday
E7 A7
They've got him in that jailhouse way downtown
CHORUS:
D G
He's in the jailhouse now - he's in the jailhouse now
ECHO -----------------ECHO
A7
Well I told him once or twice, to quit playing cards and shootin’ dice
D
He's in the jailhouse now
Yodel...
Bob played a game called poker; Pinochle with Dan Yokum
But shooting dice was his favorite time
Now he's down in jail; no one to go his bail
The judge done said he refused to pay his fine
CHORUS:
He's in the jailhouse now; he's in the jailhouse now
ECHO------------------ECHO
I told him once or twice quit playin' cards and shootin' dice
He's in the jailhouse now
Yodel…
I went out last Tuesday; I met a little gal named Susie
Told her I was the coolest guy around
We started spendin’ my money; n’ she started callin’ me honey
We took in every honky-tonk in town
CHORUS:
We're in the jailhouse now; We're in the jailhouse now
ECHO--------------------ECHO
I told that judge straight to his face; I don’t like to see this place
We’re in the jailhouse now
Yodel twice for ending…
Click to LISTEN
Primrose Lane
Performed by Jerry Wallace; Written by: Wayne Shanklin & George Calender
A fun tune for bluesy instrumentals
G
Primrose Lane, life's a Holiday on Primrose Lane
Am7 D7 G D7
Just a Holiday on Primrose Lane, with you
G
Can't explain, when we're walkin' down Primrose Lane
Am7 D7 G
Even roses bloomin' in the rain, with you
CHORUS
C G7 C G7
Sweet perfume, those little old roses bloom
Am Am7 D7
And I want to walk with you, my whole life through
(Pause & Bass run)
G
Primrose Lane, life's a Holiday on Primrose Lane
Am7 D7 G D7
Just a Holiday on Primrose Lane, with you
Click to LISTEN
Trouble In Mind
Written by: Richard M. Jones 1927
(Potluck performs this in E - recommend a capo for guitar) CHORUS
C E7 C F
Trouble in mind, babe, I'm blue, but I won't be blue always
C G7 C G7
Yes, the sun gonna shine, in my back door someday
I'm goin' down, down to the river; I'm gonna take my rockin' chair
Lord, if the blues overtake me; I'm gonna rock on away from here
'Cause I'm trouble in mind, you know that I'm blue,
but I won't be blue always; yes, the sun gonna shine, in my back door someday
BREAK
I'm gonna lay, lay my head, on some sad, old railroad iron
Gonna let that 2:19, pacify my mind
CHORUS
BREAK
I'm all alone at midnight; And my lamp is burnin' low
Ain't never had so much trouble in my life before
CHORUS
Trouble in mind, that's true; I have almost lost my mind,
Life ain't worth livin, Sometimes I feel like dyin'
BREAK
You been a hard-hearted mama; Great God! You been so unkind
Gonna be a cold, cold papa; Cause you to lose your mind
Well it's trouble, oh trouble; Trouble on my worried mind,
When you see me laughin' baby, I'm just tryin'to keep from cryin'
Click to LISTEN!
Worried Man Blues
Traditional
A
I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
D A
I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
D
I went across the river and I lay down to sleep
E A
When I awoke, had shackles on my feet
CHORUS
A
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
D
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
A Fm
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
E A
I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long
VERSES
(3x) Twenty-nine links of chain around my leg
And on every link, the initial of my name
(3x) I asked that judge, what's gonna be my fine?
He said, ninety-nine years son, on that Rocky Mountain Line
(3x) I looked down that track as far as I could see
Little bitty hand, just a-wavin' after me
Make up your own verses!
Click to LISTEN
East Virginia Blues
Traditional
This is a old tune you often hear both folk & bluegrass bands do
D
I was born in East Virginia,
G D
North Carolina I did go
G D
There I met a fair young maiden,
A7 D
And her name I did not know
Oh, her hair was dark and curly,
And her cheeks were rosy red
On her breast she wore white linen,
Where I longed to lay my head
I don’t want your green back dollar,
I don’t want your watch and chain
All I want is your heart darling,
Say you’ll take me back again
The ocean’s deep and I can’t wade it,
And I have no wings to fly
I’ll just get me a blue eyed boatman
For to row me over time
I’ll go back to East Virginia,
North Carolina ain’t my home
I’ll go back to East Virginia,
Leave them North Carolinians alone
Click to LISTEN!
Walls of Time
Written by: Bill Monroe (the father of bluegrass)
G
The wind is blowing across the mountain
C C7
Down on the valley way below
G
It sweeps the grave of my darling
C C7 G
When I die, that's where I want to go
CHORUS:
G
Lord, send the angels for my darling
C C7
And take him to that home on high
G C C7 G
I'll wait my time out here on earth love & come to you when I die
I hear a voice out in the darkness; it moans and whispers through the pine
I know it's my sweetheart a calling; I hear him through the walls of time
Lord, send the angels for my darling; and take him to that home on high
I'll wait my time out here on earth love; and come to you when I die
Our names are carved upon a tombstone; I promised you before you died
Our love will bloom forever darling ; when we raise side by side
Lord, send the angels for my darling; and take him to that home on high
I'll wait my time out here on earth love; and come to you when I die
Click to LISTEN
A Voice In The Wind
Performed by: "Hot Rize" (Tim O'Brien) G C G
As I looked out, that beach of sand
Em G Em
I looked at sea, from the edge of the land
G
I watch the seabirds fly, where the ocean roars
D G
And I wonder why, my heart’s so sore
CHORUS
G C G
Your love has gone, said a voice on the wind
Em G - Em
As sweet as a song, of a violin
G
As sad as the sky, on a starless night
D G
Or the tear in your eye, in the pale moonlight
As the seabirds cry, out o’er the waves
I sit and sigh, over happy days
A lonesome soul, my heart does pine
For a love that lasts, till the end of time
From the end of the sea, to the edge of the sky
Where does love go, as the years roll by?
Here deep in my heart, you’ll always be
As sure as the shore, is kissed by the sea.
To Listen to Potluck perform this song, Click HERE
(Potluck performs this song in the Key of A - capo at 2nd fret and play key of G
BONUS:
Columbus Stockade Blues
Traditional
D
Way down in Columbus, Georgia
A7 D
I want to be back in Tennessee
Way down in Columbus Stockade
A7 D
My friends all turned their back on me
CHORUS:
D G D
Well, you can go and leave me if you want to
G A7
And never let it cross your mind
D
Cause in your heart you love another
A7 D
Leave me little darlin,’ I don't mind
The other night, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke I was mistaken
I was peekin’ through those bars
Many days with you I've rambled
Many days we’ve spent alone
Now you’ve gone to love another
And broken up our happy home
Bill Monroe - alternate last verse:
Many a night with you I've rambled
Many an hour with you I've spent
Thought I had your heart forever
Now I find it's only lent
Click to Listen: LISTEN
Gentle on my Mind
Words & Music by: John Hartford
G Am
It’s knowing that your door is always open and your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag rolled up
G
and stashed behind your couch
And it’s knowing I’m not shackled by forgotten words and bonds Am
And the ink stains that are dried upon some line;
that keeps you in the back roads, by the rivers of my memory
D7 G
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
It’s not clinging to the rocks and ivy planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said because they thought we fit together walking
It’s just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
when I walk along some railroad track and find
That you’re waving on the back roads, by the rivers of my memory
and for hours you’re just gentle on my mind
Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman crying to her mother ‘cause she turned and I was gone
I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me till I’m blind
But not to where I cannot see you, walking on the back roads
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind
I dip my cup of soup back from the
gurglin' cracklin' cauldron in some trainyard
My beard a ruffnin’ in a coal pile and a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Through cupped hands around the tin can,
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you’re waving from the back roads, by the rivers of my memories
Ever smiling, ever gentle on my mind
To hear a Potluck practice session recording of this song,
click
HERE
Two Hank Williams (Sr.) "Heart" favorites:
(Sorry, no recording on this one)
Your Cheatin' Heart BEST SUNG IN THE KEY OF B (G capo 4th fret)
G C
Your cheatin' heart will make you weep
D G
You'll cry and cry and try to sleep
C
But slee-eep won't come the whole night through
D G
Your cheatin' heart will tell on you
CHORUS
C G
When tears come down like fallin' rain
C D
You'll toss around and call my name
G C
You'll wa-alk the floor the way I do
D G
Your cheatin' heart will tell on you
BREAK
Your chea-tin' heart will pine some day; and crave the love you threw away
The ti-ime will come when you'll be blue; your cheatin' heart will tell on you
When tears come down like fallin' rain; you'll toss around and call my name
You'll wa-alk the floor the way I do; your cheatin' heart will tell on you
BREAK
REPEAT CHORUS TO END
When tears come down like fallin' rain; you'll toss around and call my name
You'll wa-alk the floor the way I do; your cheatin' heart will tell on you
(Sorry, no recording of this song on our site)
Cold Cold Heart
Words & Music by: Hank Williams (Sr.)
C G7
I tried so hard my dear to show that you're my every dream
C
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
C7 F
A mem'ry from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
G7 C
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your Cold Cold Heart
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
In anger unkind words are said that make the teardrops start
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your Cold Cold Heart
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life to try it just ain't smart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your Cold Cold Heart
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you the more we drift apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your Cold Cold Heart
To hear an old home recording of this tune by Jim, click HERE
Sweet Sunny South
(Collected by Cecil Sharp) - Traditional CAPO 4 – Play C (Key of E)
BANJO INTRO
C G
Take me back to the place where I first saw the light
C F
To my sweet sunny south take me home
C F C G7
Where the wild birds sing me to sleep every night
C G7 C
Oh, why was I tempted to roam?
Take me back to the place where the peach blossoms grow
To my place in the evergreen shade
Where the flowers on the river's green margins did grow
And share their sweet scent with the glade
BREAK
Oh the path to our cabin they say has grown green
And the stones are quite mossy around
And I know that the faces and forms that I love
Now lie in the cold mossy ground
Take me back, let me see what is left that I knew
Can it be that the old house is gone?
Dear friends of my childhood indeed must be few
And I must stand here all alone
BREAK
REPEAT 1ST VERSE - END WITH TURN-AROUND
To hear Jim sing this tune (home recording), click HERE
To tell us a song you think we should learn 
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