John and Jack Anglin
Played by Bob Dylan during the summer tour 2001 (as sung in Anzio, Jul 24)
Tabbed by Eyolf ØØstrem
I’ve indicated the length of the phrases, as they are somewhat irregular.
I’ve only partly been able to decipher the lyrics of Dylan’s version, which differ considerably from Jim & Jack’s. His second verse is some of the most unintelligible singing I’ve ever heard from Dylan. Any clues, anyone?
/g-a-b | C . . . |. . . . | G . . . |. . . . |
| D . . . |. . . . | G . . . |. . .
. C . . . |. . .
Humming bird
. G . . . |. . .
Keep hummin'
. D . . . |. . . . |
I love to hear
. . G . . . |. . .
Your lonesome whistle whine
. C . . . |. . .
Hummin' bird
. G . . . |. . . .
Keep hummin'
D . . . G C/g G
I'm ridin' to the end of the line
G
Leavin' Cincinnati
C G
Way down bluegrass state
I believe she's coming,
D G
though I've seen that I'm too late
G
Now, I've been east and I've been west
C G
I've been [p]laying around
[...]
D G
[If it can't be found]
Hummin' bird Keep hummin' I love to hear Your lonesome whistle whine Hummin' bird Keep hummin' I'm ridin' to The end of the line
[... that I believe in] [some ...] [...] [...] I've been east, I've been west I've been every [track] [...], Humming bird One more time
Hummin' bird Keep hummin' I love to hear Your lonesome whistle whine Hummin' bird Keep hummin' I'm ridin' to The end of the line
Jim and Jack Anglin’s version:
E
Humming bird
B
Keep hummin'
F#
I love to hear
B
Your lonesome whistle whine
E
Hummin' bird
B
Keep hummin'
F# B
I'm ridin' to the end of the line
B
Leavin' Cincinnati,
E B
Headin' for the South
The bluegrass of old Kentucky
F# B
Brought my heart into my mouth
B
I've been east I've been west
E B
But now I'm goin' home
As the rollin' wheels beat polished steel
F# B
I sing this happy song
Hummin' bird Keep hummin' I love to hear your Lonesome whistle whine Hummin' bird Keep hummin' I'm ridin' to The end of the line
If you’re into cheap tricks, you can imitate the humming-bird-imitating harmony singing like this:
Dylan’s version:
G F# G F# G |-----------------|--------- |-3-----2-3-----2-|-3------- |-4-----3-4-----3-|-4---4--- |-----------------|-----5--- |-----------------|--------- |-----------------|---------
Jim & Jack’s version:
E D# E D# E : . . . : . |-4-----3-4-----3-|-4---0--- |-5-----4-5-----4-|-5---0--- |-4-----3-4-----3-|-4---1--- etc. |-----------------|--------- |-----------------|--------- |-----------------|---------