This is a standard blues song. The coal business in WV had gone south. It’s based on my uncle Pat Hale, who had lost his job and gone to Ohio with other coal miners looking for work. My brother David, who was truly gifted with words, helped with lyrics.
I spent a lot of time camping at Indian Creek, and wrote this in 1958. It took 2-3 evenings to write it, and I sang it as a lullaby to Patrick as a baby. This video features Alan singing this song from a recording made in 1965. The photos were all taken by Alan’s brother … Read more
I had just arrived as band director at SAHS in august 1955. I was full of energy, anxious to lead a band that would play fine music. At the time, I was living at home (age 24, in South Charleston). After a few weeks of working in my new job, it occurred to me that … Read more
This arrangement of The Lord’s Prayer was composed in 1954 for performance as part of the Orthodox Liturgy/Service at St. George Orthodox Church in Charleston, WV. The regular Sunday service, which was performed by the priest and cantors, was interspersed with musical responses and liturgy by the choir. The Lord’s Prayer, performed at every service, was … Read more
With a couple of exceptions, the songs included here are all about the woods and waters. Mostly about camping and fishing on New River and Indian Creek with the “gang,” Hanry Hale (called Big Henry in one song), his sons and grandsons, along with a few close buddies. The songs were ‘written’ by me, with … Read more