Big Rock Candy Mountain Mandolin / Banjo Tab
Piano / flute letter notes included. The Big Rock Candy Mountain Sheet Music For The Mandolin / Banjo in the key of G Major. Suitable for Irish Bouzouki in GDAE tuning. Included are the letter notes. Words and music written by Harry McClintock. The song was used in the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou. The guitar chords are included in the first version.
THE BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN
The old-time hobo is disappearing from the American scene, the victim of prosperity and technological progress. Where once there were countless thousands of freight train freeloaders roaming the country, cooking mulligan stew in "jungles" beside the tracks, the Wall Street Journal reports only 55 showed up this year for the 59th annual convention of the knights of the road at Britt, Iowa. This is not a sudden development. The forces working toward the extinction of the bindle stiff have been at work for some time. It's been many years, for example, since the phrase "riding the rods" had any meaning. Steel-framed boxcars now universally in use have no exterior bracing. And modern diesel locomotives accelerate so fast leaving the yards that a bum hardly has a chance to catch a grabiron and swing aboard. Besides, unless he stays in one place and maintains a mailing address like a working stiff, he can't collect his welfare check. It takes a lot of character, in today's circum- stances, to remain true to the creed of the professional 'bo, to live in poverty and shirk work. The surviving 55 deserve to find the Big Rock Candy Mountain, with its cigarette trees and lemonade springs.
The old-time hobo is disappearing from the American scene, the victim of prosperity and technological progress. Where once there were countless thousands of freight train freeloaders roaming the country, cooking mulligan stew in "jungles" beside the tracks, the Wall Street Journal reports only 55 showed up this year for the 59th annual convention of the knights of the road at Britt, Iowa. This is not a sudden development. The forces working toward the extinction of the bindle stiff have been at work for some time. It's been many years, for example, since the phrase "riding the rods" had any meaning. Steel-framed boxcars now universally in use have no exterior bracing. And modern diesel locomotives accelerate so fast leaving the yards that a bum hardly has a chance to catch a grabiron and swing aboard. Besides, unless he stays in one place and maintains a mailing address like a working stiff, he can't collect his welfare check. It takes a lot of character, in today's circum- stances, to remain true to the creed of the professional 'bo, to live in poverty and shirk work. The surviving 55 deserve to find the Big Rock Candy Mountain, with its cigarette trees and lemonade springs.
The Big Rock Candy Mountain Sheet Music For The Mandolin / Banjo in the key of G Major
Alternative version below with just one verse and no chords.
In the letter notes version below all the F notes are # [ sharp ] and the c notes are natural. The capital letter notes are the low notes up to the B, and the small letters are the higher notes. [ Suitable for piano or flute ]
The Big Rock Candy Mountain piano letter notes for beginners
Below is the list of songs [ tabs ] included in the Mandolin ebooks. The price is €7.90
and I'll email the download links after payment. Standard tuning GDAE,
You'll receive every song listed below which is around 800 and a mix of folk, ballads, pop and rock.
Now including a free Beatles ebook of songs and another of Irish rebel songs plus Christmas songs and hymns.
Also included is a 500 page ebook of lyrics and chords for the mandolin / tenor banjo in 3 different easy keys.
Martin
and I'll email the download links after payment. Standard tuning GDAE,
You'll receive every song listed below which is around 800 and a mix of folk, ballads, pop and rock.
Now including a free Beatles ebook of songs and another of Irish rebel songs plus Christmas songs and hymns.
Also included is a 500 page ebook of lyrics and chords for the mandolin / tenor banjo in 3 different easy keys.
Martin
Big Rock Candy Mountain Lyrics
An old man playing the banjo
Meaning of "Big Rock Candy Mountain""Big Rock Candy Mountain" is a folk song that became popular in the early 1930s, famously recorded by Harry McClintock in 1928. It’s a visionary, whimsical song that describes a utopian, almost fantastical world where everything is perfect and all of life’s troubles are gone. The song is a humorous yet poignant commentary on the struggles of life, particularly for those living in poverty or facing hardship during the Great Depression.
Themes and Interpretation
Musical Style and Impact
Cultural and Emotional Significance
Themes and Interpretation
- The Desire for Escape and Utopia
- The song depicts an idyllic and imaginary world called the “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” where everything is easy and pleasant, and there’s no hard work or suffering. It represents the fantasy of escape from the harsh realities of life, particularly for those facing economic difficulties.
- Describing this world as a paradise where “the lake’s got no fish” and “the trees are full of money” evokes the idea of a perfect existence where all desires are fulfilled.
- Satire of the American Dream
- While the song paints a cheerful picture of an idealized land, it also serves as a satirical take on the American Dream. It reflects the idea that the promises of prosperity and happiness are often unattainable, particularly for working-class people who may have been disillusioned by the economic realities of the time.
- The song’s lighthearted tone hides a deeper critique of the struggle for material wealth and the ways people dream of escaping hardship, even if those dreams are unrealistic or far-fetched.
- The Allure of Simplicity and Freedom
- The song also touches on themes of freedom and simplicity. In the Big Rock Candy Mountain, there are no laws, no taxes, and no bosses. This represents a desire to live free from societal constraints and the burdens of the real world. It reflects a longing for a life of ease and joy, free from work or struggle.
Musical Style and Impact
- The song is characterized by its simple, catchy melody and folk style, often played with acoustic instruments like guitar or banjo.
- It was recorded during the Great Depression, a time when many Americans were struggling with poverty, unemployment, and economic despair, so the song’s fantastical nature offered both a momentary escape and a critique of the societal conditions.
- "Big Rock Candy Mountain" has been covered by many artists, including Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, and remains a staple of American folk music. Its catchy refrain and playful lyrics have ensured its lasting place in popular culture.
Cultural and Emotional Significance
- "Big Rock Candy Mountain" continues to be a humorous, albeit bittersweet, reflection of the longing for a better life. Its carefree tone contrasts with the desperation of real-world conditions, offering a blend of escapism and social commentary.
- The song is often seen as both a lament and a celebration of the human spirit's ability to dream, even in the face of hardship. It reminds listeners of the power of imagination and fantasy to help cope with the difficulties of life.
