This week, there was only one choice for the Weekend Song

The Pirates of Stone County Road

Wriiten by John Stewart

Dedicated to Roadman Howard, who was standing beside me when we heard this song, and who whispered when he was hearing the first notes, “Henry´s coming.” (I think I inanely whispered back, “D5 – C5.” I had always wondered whether I played the correct “signature chords”). And to Cozette, you´ll see why.

On May 15, 2003, John played ‘The Pirates of Stone County Road’ at The Borderline in London.

I wrote : ”In the garden of a friend I used to play with as a youngster we had a pile of old wooden logs with a tree leaning over it, and we often pulled up an old bed sheet and we were pulling for China.”

Cozette Haggerty wrote : ”HERE IT IS! THAT'S IT! So often when John plays this song, I scan the room's faces, fixated on John but at the same time they have that look, a look of being far off in the distance, dreaming of something unique in their own lives to which this song relates. I've seen so many tears on those faces, warm smiles reminiscing. They're here - but not really. It was particularly poignant at the Night Eagle in Oxford three weeks ago - I scanned that small room and saw a "Pirates Place" on nearly every face. We've all got our own "Pirates Place", just like Jan's. Isn't this the most alluringly charming song you've ever known?”

You have to agree, don´t you?

The version below is from “The Phoenix Concerts”, RCA, 1974, re-issued as a CD ("The Complete Phoenix Concerts") with bonus tracks by Bear Family Records, 1990. 'Pirates' is also on "California Bloodlines", Capitol, 1969, best re-issue together with "Willard" (originally also on Capitol, 1970) as a double CD on BGO, 2001, and on "The Last Campaign", Homecoming, 1985, re-issued as "American Hero", NEC, 1988, and on "The Essential John and Buffy", Feegie, 1995 (re-issued as "John Stewart and Buffy Ford Live at the Turf Inn, Scotland", Folk Era, 1996) and - wait, I´ll have to catch my breath - on "The Americans", Neon Dreams, 2002, as well as on the compilation double CD "Gold", Wrasse Records, 2000.

Great song. Not too difficult to play.

As this pirate looks at fifty, the cannons still thunder and there´s still something to plunder.

D 5 (variant)

E--------------------5----------

B-----------3-------------------

G-------------------------------

D----------------4--------------

A--------------------------------

E-XXXXX-----------------------

C5/E

E----------3--------------------

B--1----------------------------

G-------------------------------

D-----2-------------------------

A--------------------------------

E-XXXXX-----------------------

The Pirates of Stone County Road

Written by John Stewart

(D5) (C5/E) (D5) (C5/E)

(D5) It's a summer afternoon, somewhere in Kansas (C5/E)

Or Illinois or Oklahoma, (D5)

And the (C5/E)wind is blowing the leaves down the gutter

As the mailman comes by.(D5)

(C5/E) "Afternoon Mrs. Higgins, (D5) is it hot enough for ya?" (C5/E)

Over on Stone County Road, (D5) there's the smell of chicken frying. (C5/E)

(D5) (C5/E)

(D5) "Henry! (C5/E)

It's getting t'wards suppertime you know.

(D5) Henry!" (C5/E)

There she (D5)calls (C5/E)from her second floor (D5)room,

(C5/E) The end of a (D5)back porch after(C)noon,

Where we'd stand on the (Bm)bow

No (Am7)longer the (A7)back porch any(D)more.

(bass run: D D-C C-B B-A, to…)

And we'd (G)sail,(Em) (Am) (D)

Pulling for (G)China,(Em) (C) (D)

The (G)pirates of (Em)Stone County (C)Road,

All (Am)weathered (A)and (D)blown.

(bass run: D D-C C-B B-A, to…)

And we'd (G)sail,(Em) (Am) (D)

Ever in (G)glory,(Em) (C) (D)

'Till, (Am)(hold)hungry and tired,

The (G)(hold)pirates of Stone County (C)Road

(bass run: C C-B B-A on…) (Am) (hold)

Were turning for (D5)home. (C5/E)

(D5) "Henry! (C5/E)

You better be getting on up to bed now, (D5) don't ya know?

(C5/E) Henry!" (D5) (C5/E)

There she (D5)calls, (C5/E) from her high wicker (D5)chair,

(C5/E) As I climb to my (D5)room up the (C)stairs,

Where the wind through the (Bm)shutters

>From the (Am7)shadow of the (A7)bedpost on the (D)wall.

(bass run: D D-C C-B B-A, to…)

And we'd (G)sail,(Em) (Am) (D)

Pulling for (G)China,(Em) (C) (D)

The (G)pirates of (Em)Stone County (C)Road,

(Am)Weathered (A)and (D)blown.

(bass run: D D-C C-B B-A, to…)

And we'd (G)sail,(Em) (Am) (D)

Ever in (G)glory,(Em) (C) (D)

'Till, (Am)(hold)hungry and tired,

The (G)(hold)pirates of Stone County (C)Road

(bass run: C C-B B-A on…) (Am) (hold)

Were turning for (D5)home. (C5/E)

(D5) "Henry? (C5/E)

Can you hear me, Henry? (D5)

Are you up there Henry? (C5/E)

(D5) Henry? (C5/E)

(D5) Henry?” (C5/E) (D5) (C5/E) (G)

janhauenstein@gmx.de, Art Faller & Charlie Woodward