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Oct 24, 2026 - 4:17:08 AM
630 posts since 2/23/2019

Hi, just trying to create 1 format across versions of this song. I enjoy a Flat & Scruggs performance the most, and I think they do 3 iterations of the lyrical lines e.g. "I went across the river, I laid down to sleep" x3. However I noticed some performers like the Carter Family have done 2 iterations only. Is there a generally ascribed amount of lyrical repeats for this song at a jam?

Also what's the format that people generally sing it as - chorus first, then go into verse 1 and chorus again, or just verse-chorus?

Thanks

Oct 24, 2026 - 8:32:55 AM
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Helix

USA

17791 posts since 8/30/2006

First listen to Cisco Houston’s version with Woody Guthrie. They don’t do the Kingston Trio version. They do the bluegrass rest

Then listen to Carter Family.

Both are divergent of earlier versions.

I always have to defer to the K-farm version of verse chorus, when I think the longer rest is more interesting musically

I know I haven’t answered your question in
Tab Talk, but my hands play what my ears hear.

Oct 24, 2026 - 2:11:39 PM

630 posts since 2/23/2019

quote:
Originally posted by Helix

but my hands play what my ears hear.


Actually that last part was super helpful to me: people will play whatever I lead. 

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