I'm just on greenbean casserole duty today, so I had time to whip up a turkey for you guys. On closer inspection, I discovered that the first A part has a little too much stuffing, but I'm callling that an intro and saying it's all gravy. Happy Thanksgiving!
Nice one Marcie! That is a long time favorite of mine, although I don't play it nearly as well. A quintessential American fiddle tune. There are many, many twists on lyrics to this tune, but I took the liberty of making my own up when the kids were little. I think you will not be surprised to know that it was inspired by various road trips. The Dead Skunk Song (sung to Turkey in the Straw) There’s a dead skunk and I don’t know why He crawled to the middle of the road to die You can smell him a mile and a half away Particur’ly on a warm summer day CHORUS: Dead skunk in the middle of the road Dead skunk, now don’t cha know Scoop ‘im up and eat ‘im with a high tuck-a-ho There’s a dead skunk in the middle of the road Well g’ma’s in the kitchen, Uncle Frank’s in the barn You know that ol’ skunk is gettin’ mighty warm Grab me a shovel and a brown gunny sack Take a walk down the road, now I’ll be right back Now stoke up the fire and bile some grits Smellin’ that skunk is giving me fits Pass the red gravy and the warm cornbread Roadkill stew will keep us well fed You can bile ‘im you can bake ‘im, you can put ‘im in a pie You can make a furry hat or a striped neck tie You can feed ‘im to the preacher and the congregation too And they’ll gobble ’im up with a howdy-doody-doo! Copyright 2000
Those lyrics are absolutely hilarious. I can only imagine what other gems you've got stashed away, Martin. Awesome chording and vocals too.
Wonderful tune Marcy and well played. Brilliant Martin, reminds me of Loudon Wainwright's classic: Crossin the hiway late last night, should'a looked left, Should'a looked right Never saw the stationwagon car... Skunk got squasehed and there you are. You got your dead skunk in the middle of the road Dead skunk in the middle of the road Dead skink in the middle of the road Stinkin to high heaven. Take a whiff on me, that ain't no rose! Roll up yer window and hold yer nose You don't have to look and you don't have to see 'Cause you can feel it in your olfactory You got yer Dead skunk in the middle of the road Dead skunk in the middle of the road You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road Stinkin' to high Heaven! Yeah you got yer dead cat and you got yer dead dog On a moonlight night you got yer dead toad frog Got yer dead rabbit and yer dead raccoon The blood and the guts they're gonna make you swoon! You got yer Dead skunk in the middle of the road Dead skunk in the middle of the road You got yer dead skunk in the middle of the road Stinkin' to high Heaven!
You folks are having way too much fun. ROADKILL STEW
I'm really enjoying this thread. Marcelyn, that was a nice full sounding arrangement of Turkey in the Straw. Martin, I just heard the Louden Wainwright song on the radio a few days ago and thought it was hilarious, so your tune really got my attention. I think you could make a fabulous video for that tune with a few video clips and skunk pictures illustrating the story.
My sister told me about that Loudon Wainwright version after I sang this for her. Honest, I had no idea! Is it also to the Turkey in the Straw tune? I'll see if I can find it on YouTube.
Hahaha! I'm listening to it right now! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doqTSev-_lQ Love it! It just occurred to me that my Europeon friends have likely never had the honor witnessing that malodorous scent that is so ubiquitous on American highways and byways. Goodness! You must visit the States if for no other reason!
After seeing Loudon Wainwright perform that song live in Dublin in the early 70's I knew I just had to get over here and feast my olefactory glands on that odiferous scent... but EATING it?
Eddie, there is a contingent of "rednecks," not only in the South of our fair land, but scattered all about, that will eat anything on four legs with fur or two legs with feathers. I imagine skunk would be similar to groundhog or racoon - gamey and greasy.
I've been to the States twice - in and around Pittsburg PA, and driving the I70 from Denver to Aspen to spend a few days in Snowmass Village (in summer!) - even saw a young black bear on a parking lot but never had an olfactoric encounter of that kind. I might have been distracted, though, hadn't changed my socks for two days... But as the Irish say: to know beauty, one must live with it
There are those of us who like the smell when passing a dead one.... but some of us are strange! I probably would have a different idea if I were directly sprayed, or ever had to deal with de-skunking a dog who'd had a run-in with one!
I remember visiting relations in Ontario, Canada in the late 70s. We drove through Rainbow Country, as they call it, and at one point my aunt wrinkled her nose and said "skunk!" I smelt nothing at all. My theory is that Americans are more sensitive to smells than Europeans because, in a bigger country, they have access to more fresh air (and it just occurred to me that our videos are missing a full sensory dimension). So - whenever a European comes to visit you, don't forget your gas mask
Bertram, your aunt was no doubt just catching a little whiff. Trust me, when you really get a good noseful there will be no doubt left in your mind as to what it is. The only thing remotely similar is a wetland plant appropriately dubbed the "skunk cabbage."
Getting hungry - "roadkill stew with skunk cabbage" sounds like true pioneer cuisine.
Marcy, great sound from your mando Martin, very nice performance and interesting roadkill perspective But now back to the TURKEY:
Very nice, Manfred! I'd never noticed that rather than tapping your foot, you seem to be a human metronome!
Manfred, that was hotter than a polecat on a WalMart parking lot in mid July. Very nicely done.
Great stuff all around. Martin, I went around singing 'dead skunk in the middle of the road, dead skunk don't cha know..." most of the day on friday. Marcelyn and Manfred, well played, as usual, and a very fun tune for the holiday!
Wow, really nice, Manfred. I love the ornamentation in the A part especially.
Ohhhh, sorry Aaron. I hate that when a song gets stuck in my head, even if it is that great classic, "The Dead Skunk Song." Manfred, way to stuff that Turkey!
That's one top toe tap Manfred! Auf gehts Buam!
Nice playing Manfred, I like sound of your mandolin very much. It sounds deep and warm with a lot of sustain!
Thanks boys and girls. This version is from Mandolin Gold, one of my first tune books. Luurtie, thanks for your kind words on my mando. I have had it since July and can hardly put it down. I will never be a hard-driving Bluegrasser so I did not want the 'fast decaying tone' but rather a more complex tone and sustain.
