Greasy Coat lyrics

[banjoprat]

I'm starting to learn to play greasy coat on banjo and I'd like to play it with my band,I have listend several version with several diferent lyrics,as my english is not good enough I'm a bit confused with the words,any help??

[tobias]

I'm not sure that tune has any lyrics. The old recordings from West Virginia by Edden or Burl Hammons have no lyrics. Just a straight up modal fiddletune.
I seem to remember hearing some modern bands singing for it, but I don't remember any lyrics.
"I don't drink and I don't smoke
something-something Greasy Coat"
Something like that...

/Tobias

[nickp]

Hi David, thanks for that excellent review of Gainsborough in the OT Herald. Here's a few variations although the first four lines are the one that are mainly sung

I don't drink, and I don't smoke, and I don't wear no greasy coat,
I don't spit, and I don't chew, and I don't kiss the girls that do. (or 'go with' instead of 'kiss')

I don't drink, and I don't smoke, and I don't wear no greasy coat
I don't kiss, and I don't tell, and all you sinners gonna go to hell

When I ride my house to town, I see that man in a greasy gown,
Preaching and praying and singing so fine, I see that pastor abiding his time.

Children chase, never get no will, It's better than taking a sleeping pill.
Staying awake is an awful fight, But it sure builds up when it's late at night.

Here's a few 'modern' lines

I've felt up, and I've felt down, but when I saw her, I felt "all-around"
Well I don't cheat, and I don't lie, but with a girl like you, I'd give it a try

Apparently the main source of the tune (not sure about the words) is Edden Hammons of West Virginia. There are a few suggestions about 'greasy coat' meaning a condom or possibly an old woolen coat with the lanolin left in the wool to help the waterproofing. Probably the most realistic interpretation is it refers to an unwashed and over-used coat. (I quote-) Folks (especially "down on their luck" former Confederate soldiers) often had to continue to wear their old uniform coats for longer than they would have liked, after the Civil War. This is probably what it refers to, but it's just a guess based on numerous references in old tunes where the singer is peeved about having to endure the indignations of being rather destitute. (end of quote).

[deleuran]

This is what I can come up with:

I don't drink and I don't smoke
And I don't go for the greasy coat.
I don't smoke and I don't chew
And I don't go for them that do.

When I ride my house to town,
I see that man in a greasy gown,
Preaching and praying and singing so fine.
I see that pastor abiding his time.

Children chase, never get no will.
It's better than taking a sleeping pill.
Staying awake is an awful fight,
But it sure builds up when it's late at night.

I eat my lunch with a greasy spoon.
I sweep it up with a greasy fru??.
Greasy pies and greasy meat,
They set with me on a greasy seat.

It's not very different from the one nickp has posted.

But try the Mudcat Cafe: www.mudcat.org/

I have had my luck before trying to find or figure out lyrics from old recordings.
Seems like there's always some people who can come up with either an answer or suggetions where to find them.

Jesper