Clifton Hicks - Indian Tribes of Tennessee (Old Cumberland Land)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- Banjo Heritage 👉 / cliftonhicks
I learned "Indian Tribes of Tennessee" from recordings of Addie Graham, L.P. Carlock, Dee Hicks, and Bessford Hicks. Alternate titles include "The Cumberland," "Old Cumberland Land," and "Pioneer's Letter." It's mention of indigenous society in eastern Tennessee suggests the song was composed before 1830.
Many versions of the song include a reference to prehistoric mound-building in the area: "I found six hundred human graves all walled inside Freemason works, which made me think in days gone by some human race did pass this place."
The above verse is conspicuously absent from this version, printed in 1853:
When I first started away from you,
With grief and sorrow and trouble too,
You gave to me the parting hand,
And wished me safe on the Cumberland.
When we were on the ice and snow,
It rained it hailed the wind did blow,
And some of us did mourn and cry,
To think with cold we all must die.
But bless the Lord some relief is found,
We're landed here both safe and sound,
In a lonesome place but fruitful soil
There's milk and wine, and corn and oil.
I have one more line to write to you
Religion's dull and preachers few,
We're here in peace and like to be
With the Indian tribe on the Tennessee.
My friends behind I would like to see
If from this task I could get free,
To preach I'm bound and may it be
With the Indian tribe on the Tennessee.
And if on earth we meet no more
I hope to meet on Canaan's shore,
And there we'll sing and happy be
With the Indian tribe on the Tennessee.
(From page 143, The Revivalist: A New Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, by Glass,1853.)
"But a lesser-known song paints an even more particular picture of the area; this remarkable ballad is known variously as “Old Cumberland Land,” “The Cumberland,” or “The Indian Tribes of Tennessee.” An epistolary ballad in the form of a letter written by a woman who came from the East coast to settle with her family on the Cumberland Plateau, it told about the hardships they had to endure and the natural beauty they witnessed:
The day that I parted away from you
In sorrow, grief, and trouble too,
You gave to me your parting hand,
And wished me safe on the Cumberland.
Then on our journey we did steer,
O’er hills and valleys and rivers clear,
Through a desert place in a barren land,
We steered our course for the Cumberland.
When we got there, there was ice and snow;
It rained and hailed and the wind did blow,
Which caused us all to weep and cry,
Staying here with cold we all must die.
But thank the Lord our health we found;
We landed here both safe and sound,
In the happy land, Oh the fertile soil:
Here’s milk, here’s wine, both corn and oil.
We saw ten thousand human graves,
All walled in with mason’s sign,
Which made me think in the days of old,
Some human race had passed this place.
I’ve nothing more to write to you,
Since preaching’s scarce, and religion’s low,
We’re here in love, peace, and hope to be,
With the Indian Tribes in Tennessee.
My love to you I can’t unfold,
It’s like some lovely ring of gold,
It’s round, it’s pure, Oh: it has no end,
So is my love to you my friend.
"This particular version of the song was collected in 1935 from L. P. Carlock of Alpine, in Overton County; it had been handed down from father to son in his family. Other versions of the song have been found in southeastern Kentucky, in Fentress County, and in Crossville. Some omit the stanza about 'ten thousand human graves' walled in with 'the mason’s sign,' which possibly referred to Indian graveyards. Indian symbols would seem strange to settlers in the way a secret Masonic sign would seem strange. Few songs give as gripping a picture of the cruel winters that faced settlers in the wild new land on the Cumberland Plateau."
(From page 281, Rural Life And Culture In The Upper Cumberland, by Birdwell & Dickinson, 2004.)
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Any tabs exist for this?
Tab available here 👇
www.patreon.com/posts/love-somebody-46218388
@@CliftonHicksbanjo worth every penny! Thanks for the response and continuing to bring us these beautiful jams
I'm not sure how to express the way this makes me feel. Even as I listen to this, my heart breaks with the realization of what's going on in this country. When I hear this it reminds me not of easier times, but of simpler times. I think better times. I am truly grateful that there's still people working to keep this alive.
Thank you Clifton Hicks
I thought that was a Fake Background until the Deer took off, I couldn't imagine your Fingers could Pick in that Cold Weather.... Fantastic Song 👍👍👍
What deer? There was no deer, just dogs!
I’m pretty sure this man could pick even if a meeroite hit this planet
That man’s a veteran he can pick in any weather my friend. Body of steel.
Nothing like being in the hills with snow on the ground. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. Nothing wrong with an old banjo tune breaking the silence though.
Dogs no deer. At least that I saw
Brilliant Clifton...u Sir are a scholar to your craft...I am taking up Banjo at the tender age of 56..looking forward to it immensely...keep up the outstanding work Mr Hicks
Meant to ask you Clifton being an Englishman it may appear a strange request but loved your Bloody Bill Anderson and Marching through Georgia from a wee while back...do you have any other ACW songs or tales in your repertoire?
for a rare Civil War story and tune, listen to tracks 15 and 16 on this album: juneappalrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/last-possum-up-the-tree
@@CliftonHicksbanjo wow thanks Clifton.. what a great tale about John Hunt Morgan and that fiddle...brilliant loving that tune that follows too...your Country has such great stories about that glorious yet awful conflict....
Who doesn't love a good folk musician?
Dee Hicks was my grandpa!
I am never disapointed when clicking on a Clifton Hicks music video. Takes me back to a time when I had family up in the Tennessee Hills. Those were not trees up in those hills. And everytime ole Larr sent me home with a shoebox full of the stuff!
Definitely good times 😁
That's better than stepping in high cotton for sure. 😆
@@mattkissmyasstyrants8676 Always a good time my friend. I really miss that property. Back in those days the feds wouldn't even set foot up there. My how things have changed.
@@mattkissmyasstyrants8676 Ha ha ha, indeed it was.
Loved the song, now get inside, Clifton, lest you die of the snow and cold...
I entertained learning the banjo, and then I figured I like Clifton's playing way better.
Thank you, Clifton, for searching this, learning this and sharing this. Many of my ancestors fought to clear the Cherokee out of Tennessee. They took part in expeditionary war after expeditionary war. Singletons, Smiths, Laughlins, Alexanders, Whitesides and more. The Hicks too played a hand in those ventures. It is good to listen to you now and allow some tears to fall. Thank you.
More and more I desire my fix, thanks Clifton
Good Cold Morning Clifton 😎 this week in Montreal -34 🙃
This is true music,true America.This music resonates round my English heart
I need sunglasses for this video. Super nice backdrop and sound.
I love your old mountain soulful voice. WV native here.
This music transcends time, we could be into the George Jetson era with flying cars and id still be listening to you and mountain music. I knew I liked this type of music when oh brother where art thou came out but has taken on a new life the more I invest time in listening to the older stuff. I’m on a Ralph Stanley kick at the moment and love it.
Besides that I’m 56 and have hunted Native American artifacts in the fields since I was a teenager. I’m obsessed with the culture and especially the mound builders of North America. Utterly fascinating! All of it! Thank you Clifton for keeping this music alive for the next generation.
What a Fine song and an example of a people’s observation of those gone before us. Many people I knew in SE Kentucky had some Indian blood they were always proud of. Some of the folks I knew pretty much lived like their Indigenous Ancestors. A few homes you’d have to walk a half mile or so after the road ended. It was a sacred time in my life back them. I commend you for playing so well in the cold Clifton, something I’ve had the experience of doing a number of times. Kind Thanks for this amazing song! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania p.s. The snow there is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for bringing us this gorgeous stage!
Woods sure are purty when they are snowed up like that.
Hey, my mom's name is Penny Hicks, Daughter of enoch hicks. My mom told me for the longest time I had Indian in my blood, and didn't believe her till recently, when she told me the tennessee mountains and then found your song. Keep on rocking, long distance cousin :) my family moved from tennessee to Illinois, then to Florida...
Enoch Hicks sounds like a good old Tennessee Mountain name if I ever heard one!
This gave me chills. And not because you're outside in the snow. Love it!
Very good
This song was featured on 91.3 KXCI in Tucson
Great job Clifton! I think everyone in the eastern U.S. has been hit with snow, sleet or ice in the last week...stay warm!
Hope leatherstocking is keeping warm.
Thank you
I just can't stop listening and watching. Much respect.
Hauntingly bittersweet yet absolutely beautiful. You have a remarkable talent for bringing early American history to life. The real deal as my folks used to say. Thank you.
Thanks Clifton.
Love it !!
Greetings from the Northern U.K.
I searched for the compiler of the revivalist. I wasn't able to find anything on him, just found a bunch of Washington Glass companies. 600 graves in stone temples certainly rings a bell. Anyway been having fun learning this one the past two days, another treasure.
You really find some gold to play.
Looks beautiful down there.
I know ya don't get much of that weather down yonder. Enjoy !
Awesome,Clifton!!My African Grey danced to it.She enjoyed it,too...
Beautiful tune and breath taking backdrop.
The contrast between you and your background is perfect. So stark.
Schweet Clif! Thanks for the morning post 🪕
Pretty dog-gone GOOD!!! 💨
Made my day, music makes the world go round Thanks
I watch your videos sometime. I think of my family and things long gone. You look so true in your videos like someone I would love to shake hand with. There is some greatness in you Clifton can't even explain it with words. You're doing excellent job. Thank you.
In the icy woods
Good job. My wife has Kim down pine illegal Kentucky. Nice to here some history being sung there dude Good job 👍
Wow the background is like a wallpaper. Awesome cliff!
Dang I remember when you only had about 5 or 6 thousand followers. Keep plugging away at it brother, and thank u for your service.
Really very nice song, the fresh snow adds just the right atmosphere.
Beautiful. And some 1800"s real history.
Straight to my soul
Clifton in a snow globe...
Love this song, sad we have not gotten a lesson/tabs yet. Thanks for all the songs and anthropology work!
You are truly a master of this craft Clifton! Thanks for the inspiration and keeping of tradition, you're the reason I picked up the banjo at all. Prior to finding you the banjo was a gimmick, and all I knew was the bluegrass/dueling banjos sound and I hated it (and still do).
At the beginning of December the thumb-lead style finally clicked for me and I've been playing for at least an hour every day since. I've got Darling Cory down pretty well, albeit not nearly as sonic and complex as yours I am in love with it.
I played guitar for almost half my life and not once could I sing and play. I'm already basically as good on the banjo as I was on guitar.
Seeing this both excites and intimidates me because I see how much higher one can go with the instrument.
Much love buddy, thanks for doing what you do.🙏
At first I thought that was an avatar background. What a splendid history lesson and great old tune that depicts a snapshot of our rich but sorted American history, which much of unfortunately has fallen between the cracks. That song really stirs one to reflect on the human condition of the 1800s. Also thanks Clifton for the extensive background, the tabs and script, and for bringing the banjo part of American history into the 21st. Should I ever successfully build a time machine, I'm taking you with me. 👍👍
Watched this 4x now today amazing sound and the background with the deer thats a win win thank ya kindly
American music at its finest 🤠🤠
Got a hat identical to yours. One of the warmest most functional pieces of gear that I own and rarely go without this time of year. Really enjoyed the vid , thanks Clifton.
I also prefer the olive green Jeep Cap in wintertime, and yes, it is versatile piece of clothing.
I love them, but wished the brim was longer like a ball cap.
Thanks for Braving the Cold .
Very likeable tune 👍🏻
beautifully played sir
I really enjoyed
So that's where all my snow went! Awesome song to!
Makin sure my boys enjoy these history lessons.
Yay a new video of an old song from the frozen South! Hope your fingers thaw out soon and thanks for the classic tune!
Fabulous snowy video👌🤘
That's some mighty beautiful picking, and honest emotion conveyed in your singing once again. Thank you sir! Your neck of the woods is looking remarkably similar to mine by the backdrop, even though I am in South-Eastern Finland! We've got similar conditions for the past few days, not too cold, humid, everything is covered in frost.
It's 68° in Orange County Ca.
I hope your day is going great.
@@jeffalbillar7625 Thank you, I hope your day is going well also.
It's 0 degrees Celsius here by the Baltic Sea, 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Going to be a cold snap in February like there always is. Not particularly looking forward to -24 Celsius/-11 F and the like.
Very nice thank you..made my day
what a fantastic day that looked like
This is awesome
The goosebumps just keep coming.. Thanks Clifton.
U play it so well.....
Outstanding.
I Love your music mate! Love from the Netherlands..,you know your ancestors.
my uncle jim in mena arkansas will be dead soon from fast acting cancer
he was a marine infantryman in vietnam who gave alot for his country
he gave me my first acoustic 68 yamaha fg 75 taiwan made red label
he cant understand us because of the morphine sadly
i like to think he can hear this an it makes him feel at ease
a prayer for him if youd be so kind dear reader
😢
that has got to be the best back drop scenery ever * Great song Clifton*
Another great one. Thanks brother
beautiful song. excellent background too! i grew up in tennessee, miss those hills out east…
Wonderful sir!
Nice song well played ! Never disapointed
very well done. i really enjoy your music
Would you or Mr. Leatherstocking consider doing "house carpenter" I've always heard it was an old standard like some of the other songs on this channel.
Cool song (literally ❄️) 👍
Top shelf stuff as always, thank you for sharing Mr. Hicks.
Top notch picking to my ears good job!
You got the snow we were supposed to get down here! It went just north of us. Great song 🎵 👍
Very good, I love the setting too!
Beautiful…thanks for the reminder that wonderful places, music and people do exist in this country.
Very nice Cliff 🙂👍
Beautiful.
Clean
I see you got some snow as well. we're covered here va beach. I'm with the others man. I don't see how you're picking when it's that's cold. nonetheless great job bro. I'm nowhere near your level but one day I'll play for you sir to show you my appreciation for the inspiration.
Your style and feel as you play and sing the old time music is simply stunning! Thank you!
Great stuff
Brilliant, Mr Hicks! By any chance can we have a tutorial on this song, as well as false hearted lovers blues?
Keep up the great work!!
Man I wish there was someone around me like you that I could get lessons from. Looking to get my first banjo here soon.
Beautiful! In song and scenery!
From Mashteuiatsh...Love this!😄😁😆
Gotta love this music
Ahww, Go Clifton!!! You and your banjo are so 'as one' musical wondermasterpiece Beautiful indeed!
Another great performance!
Love it.Actually I really like all your stuff.
I personally am proud to have Cherokee heritage as well as Blackfoot and Lakota heritage I know the Cherokee is the only Eastern Woodland tribe indigenous to Tennessee that I am descended from but I'm proud to have all the Indian blood that I have
Awesome, dude !!!
Love this.
Beautiful ♥️
Badass