“Going Across the Sea”
Description
Floating lyrics, bound by the chorus, "Going (across the sea/to Italy) before long (x3) To see that gal of mine." Sample verses: "Yonder comes a pretty little girl, How do you reckon I know..."; "Finger ring, finger ring, shines like glittering gold..."
Long description
Floating lyrics, held together by the chorus, "(across the sea/to Italy) (x3) To see that gal of mine." Sample verses: "Yonder comes a pretty little girl, How do you reckon I know..."; "Finger ring, finger ring, shines like glittering gold..."; "I asked that gal to marry me... She said she wouldn't marry me If all the rest was dead."
Notes
Given that both songs are almost pure collections of floating verses, it may seem improbable to link "Italy" with "Going Across the Sea." The tunes, however, are the same; under the circumstances, that seems reason enough. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "Train on the Island (June Apple/June Appal)" (floating lyrics)
- cf. "Shady Grove" (floating lyrics)
- cf. "Troubled In My Mind" (floating lyrics)
- cf. "Took My Gal a-Walkin'" (floating lyrics)
- cf. "Chilly Winds" (floating lyrics)
Recordings
- Henry L. Bandy, "Going Across the Sea" (Gennett test pressing GEx14360, 1928; unissued; on KMM)
- R. D. Burnett & Lynn Woodard, "Going Across the Sea" (recorded for Gennett 1929, but unissued; on BurnRuth01)
- Crook Brothers String Band, "Going Across the Sea" (Victor V-40099, 1929)
- Zeb Harrelson & M. B. Padgett, "Finger Ring" (OKeh 45078, 1927; rec. 1926)
- Bascom Lamar Lunsford, "Italy" (Brunswick 227/Vocalion 5246, 1928) (on BLLunsford01)
- Uncle Dave Macon, "Going Across the Sea" (Vocalion 15192, 1926)
References
- BrownIII 111, "Wish I Had a Needle and Thread" (7 text, of which only "E" is really substantial; it is certainly the "Italy" version of "Going Across the Sea." The other fragments contain verses typical of "Shady Grove," "Old Joe Clark," and others)
- SharpAp 88, "Betty Anne" (1 text, 1 tune, with lyrics from "Shady Grove," "Fly Around, My Pretty Little Miss" and "Going Across the Sea")
- Roud #11516
- BI, RcItaly