Expert: Mel Priddle - 10/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: my Grandmother had an old 78 when i was a kid, in the 50s.
all i can remember is the chorus. it goes--
"Ive been to St Louie and Abeline--ive through many a town,
but ive got me a woman in Denver-Boys,--and thats where im setteling down."  
Ive had several people tell me that it's a marty robbins song, but i cant find it in any of martys stuff, or anywhere else,  and considering that my grandmother had a 78 of it that she probably had for years, i think it was probably pre marty robbins. is anyone farmilar with this song? I am a performer, and would love to use it.

ANSWER: Hello Jerry,

That's a song called "Denver". It was written by Randy Sparks back in 1962 when he was the leader of The New Christy Minstrels. It appeared on the Christy's album "In Person".


I was drivin' a rig out o' Texas
All loaded an' bound for Cheyenne
Takin' my pleasures so freely
Just a good lovin' ramblin' man

I had a way with the ladies
Sweet Daddy was my middle name
Till I got to a place they called Denver
An' I ain't never been quite the same

I've been to Saint Louis an' Abilene
I've rambled through many a town
But I got me a woman in Denver, Lord
That's where I'm settlin' down

Well, I kissed her an' swore that I loved her
I told her some day she'd be mine
Then I laughed all the way back to Texas
Hah-hah, to think she'd believe that ol' line

Well, I got to pining for Denver
It's funny how things come to be
As I slipped the ring on her finger
Well, I knew that the laugh was on me

I've been to Saint Louis an' Abilene
I've rambled through many a town
But I got me a woman in Denver, Lord
That's where I'm settlin' down

Now all you young fellas take warning
You single men, run for your life
Be careful an' stay out o' Denver
For you'll wind up married for life

You'll walk down the street unsuspectin'
An' you won't believe what you see
'Cause the prettiest girls live in Denver
Lord, you'll wind up happy, like me

I've been to Saint Louis an' Abilene
I've rambled through many a town
But I got me a woman in Denver, Lord
That's where I'm settlin' down

Got me a woman in Denver, Lord
That's where I'm settlin' down


Glad to be of help. Cheers........Mel.







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: There is another song i remember from my youth. it is called Mr.and Mississippi.   
Oh i was born to wander, i was born to roam
and Mr. and Mississippi, made me feel at home.
Can you tell me who wrote it, and when?
         Thanks
         Jerry

Answer
Hello again Jerry,

"Mister And Mississippi" was written by Irving Gordon in 1950. It was a hit for Patti Page (#8), Dennis Day (#13) and Tennessee Ernie Ford (#18) in 1951.

It was also recorded by Gene Autry, Hank Penny, Eddy Arnold, Ronnie Hawkins, and The Browns.


I can't recall my Mother
I don't remember Dad
Mister and Mississippi
Was all I ever had

Oh, I was born to wander
Oh, I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

My cradle was the river
My school a river boat
My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat

My teacher was a gambler
The slickest one afloat
He taught me not to gamble
On a petticoat

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

The way a wand'ring gypsy
Loves the changing scenes
Just like the restless river
Loves old New Orleans

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

I'd love a tiny village
A quiet country town
A house, a little garden
With kiddies running 'round

You'd be a faithful husband
I'd be a trusting friend
Until I heard that steamboat
Comin' 'round the bend

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

Oh, I was born to wander
I was born to roam
And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home

And Mister and Mississippi
Made me feel at home


Information and lyrics for many of these old songs can be found at a site I am associated with: www.lyricsplayground.com


Glad to be of help. Cheers.......Mel.