Waterbound / Ashborn Banjo low D

Here is a second version of Dirk Powell's "Waterbound" . After working up a Sawmill tuning version in F# Dave Kiphuth here in Connecticut said he believed Dirk is playing in E in Minstrel tuning or gDGBD-3 or three frets below G. Being that minstrel tuning is mostly at D I tried David Oakes's James Ashborn banjo down at dADE#A or gDGBD - 4 for the fun of it .. Thanks again to Pete Haynes for getting me something to do while fighting off this chest cold.
Here is a link to Dirks version
• "Waterbound" - Dirk Po...
And My version using Sawmill tuning
• Waterbound / Clawhamme...
I went out late one night,
The moon and stars were shining bright
A storm come up and the trees come down,
I tell you boys I was waterbound
Waterbound on a stranger's shore
River rising to my door
carried my home to the field below
I'm water bound, nowhere to go.
Carved my name on an old barn wall
Or no-one would know I was there at all
Stable's dry on a winter's night
If you turn your head you can see the light.
Black cat crawling on an old box car
A rusty door and a falling star
Aint got no dime in my nation sack
I'm waterbound and I can't get back
It's I'm going and I won't be back
If you don't believe me count my tracks
The river's long and the river's wide
I'll meet you boys on the other side
So say my name and don't forget
The water still aint got me yet
Ain't nothing but I'm bound to roam
I'm waterbound and I can't get home

[@guywolff]

Thanks for your interest .. Sorry my eyes are not so great so I have never tried tab .Jim is a great guy and I love his banjos .. Glad you got one .. Yours Guy

[@nimaighlle]

thank you for posting songs its hard to find a teacher

[@neillconnor]

Just re-visited this video guy. Have to say its my favourite of all the dirk powell covers ive heard

[@guywolff]

This is my favorite performance of the one I did at any rate.. Its nice and calm... I was in the middle of a cold at the time ... Nice hearing from you Niell , Hpoe you are well ...Guy

[@guywolff]

Thanks for the kind words... Yes I am just doing regular clawhammer. There are a ton of great players here on YT doing Minstrel style Stroke style playing . Just search either of those words and you will find a world of these wonderful old banjos !! All the best , Guy

[@dtaylerrr]

this is terrific friend.

[@neillconnor]

That was a brilliant rendition of the tune.
My banjo teacher reckons dirk does it in F c f c d tuned down to E to suit his voice .
Really liked your version Guy

[@guywolff]

Neill It took me 4 years to understand how to get there ,, Your Banjo teacher was and is so correct .. !

[@phill903]

Guy you play that fret less banjo so well :)

[@gadaya]

Great Guy!

[@tuckytunes]

this is thoroughly enjoyable. i've never examined one of these fretless banjos. it looks like the strings really move down a lot, and slowly, are you striking them with your nails like regular clawhammer on steel strings or are you using the flesh of your fingers like the thumb?

[@drewmannetter9870]

Do you or anyone else know where this song is tabbed out? I am not talented enough to learn by ear but would love to learn this song. I bought an Ashborn banjo from Jim Hartel a while back and love it. I will fool around in this tuning but will probably not be able to get it.

[@rsaathoff]

Are those minstrel strings or classic nylgut? If classic how can you play them that low? Arn't they too slack?

[@guywolff]

Yes these are Minstrel strings on a long fingerboard ...Also the bridge is very very tall and that helps a lot