Charlie was born in Spray, now part of Eden, Rockingham County, in the northern Piedmont region of North Carolina, near the Virginia border.
He learned banjo as a youth. Poole also played baseball, and his three-fingered playing technique was the result of a baseball accident. He bet that he could catch a baseball without a glove. Poole closed his hand too soon, the ball broke his thumb, and resulted in a permanent arch in his right hand.
Poole bought his first good banjo, an Orpheum No. 3 Special, with profits from his moonshine still. Later, he appeared in the 1929 catalog of the Gibson Company, promoting their banjo.
He spent much of his adult life working in textile mills.
Charlie Poole and his brother-in-law, fiddler Posey Rorer - whom he had met in West Virginia in 1917 and whose sister he married - formed a trio with guitarist Norman Woodlieff called the North Carolina Ramblers. The group auditioned in New York for Columbia Records. After landing a contract, they recorded the highly successful "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down Blues" on July 27, 1925. This song sold over 102,000 copies at a time when there were estimated to be only 600,000 phonographs in the Southern United States, according to Poole’s biographer and great nephew, Kinney Rorrer. The band was paid $75 for the session, which would be approximately $950.20 in 2011 dollars (Consumer Price Index).
Poole played the banjo. The guitar was played by Norman Woodlief, and later by former railroad engineer Roy Harvey from West Virginia. Fiddlers in various recording sessions were Posey Rorer, Lonnie Austin and Odell Smith.
The North Carolina Ramblers, a banjo-guitar-fiddle trio with Poole's plain-spoken tenor voice in the lead, in great part created the musical templates for two giants: the bluegrass of Bill Monroe and, by extension, the lyrical aspects of the modern country music of Hank Williams. Bill C. Malone, in his important history of country music, "Country Music, U.S.A." says, "The Rambler sound was predictable: a bluesy fiddle lead, backed up by long, flowing, melodic guitar runs and the finger-style banjo picking of Poole. Predictable as it may be, it was nonetheless outstanding. No string band in early country music equalled the Ramblers' controlled, clean, well-patterned sound."
For the next five years, Poole and the Ramblers were a very popular band. The band's distinctive sound remained consistent though several members came and left, including Posey Rorer and Norm Woodlieff. In all, the band recorded over 60 songs for Columbia Records during the 1920s. These hits included: "Sweet Sunny South", "White House Blues", “He Rambled”, and “Take a Drink on Me”.
Poole was essentially a cover artist, who composed few, if any, of his recordings. Nevertheless, his dynamic renditions were popular with a broad audience in the Southeast. He is considered a primary source for old-time music revivalists and aficionados. Songs like "Bill Morgan And His Gal", "Milwaukee Blues", and "Leavin' Home", have been resurrected by banjo players. Poole developed a unique fingerpicking style, a blend of melody, arpeggio, and rhythm (as distinct from clawhammer/frailing and Scruggs' variations).
In addition to being a talented musician, Poole was a fast living and hard drinking man. He packed several lifetimes of hard and fast living into his 39 years. Textile mill worker, semi-pro ballplayer, and hell-raiser supreme, Poole won his place among the giants of American roots music with his pathfinding work on the banjo, and for heading the innovative North Carolina Ramblers. The original Ramblers played around Spray and Leaksville, North Carolina beginning in 1917. In 1925, the recordings they made for Columbia allowed them to escape life in the textile mills.
Poole's life ended after a 13-week drinking bender. He had been invited to Hollywood to play background music for a film. According to some reports, he was disheartened by the slump in record sales due to the Depression. Poole never made it to Hollywood. He died of a heart attack in May 1931.
The ultimate cause of Poole's death is unknown. He suffered heart failure after excessive drinking. After his last bout with drinking, Poole was examined by a local doctor in Eden, who administered an injection of some kind -possibly to bring him down from the alcohol. Poole died after the injection on the table, and there is speculation that the injection may have been a factor in his death.
Poole’s music enjoyed a revival in the 1960s, and his renditions have been rerecorded by numerous artists, such as John Mellencamp with "White House Blues", The Chieftains and Grateful Dead with "Don’t Let the Deal Go Down", Holy Modal Rounders and Hot Tuna with "Hesitation Blues", and Joan Baez with "Sweet Sunny South". His recordings have also appeared on numerous compilations of old-time music. Since 1995, Poole's legacy has been carried on every year in Eden, North Carolina during the month of June when the Piedmont Folk Legacies, Inc, a non-profit organization, hosts the Charlie Poole Music Festival.
Columbia issued a three-CD box set of his music, entitled You Ain't Talkin' to Me: Charlie Poole and the Roots of Country Music in 2005. The album, produced by Henry "Hank" Sapoznik, was nominated for three Grammy awards. It chronicles the stompin' sides made for Columbia by Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers between 1925 and 1931, including such important songs as "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" (the first country mega-hit), "Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight, Mister?", "Old and Only In the Way" (the title of which was used by Jerry Garcia to name his 1970s bluegrass band with David Grisman, Old and In the Way), and "White House Blues", adapted by John Mellencamp, who in 2004 updated the politically charged lyrics and changed the title to "To Washington". In addition to 43 of Poole's original recordings, the package features performances by other early roots music players and singers, including Fred Van Eps, Arthur Collins, Billy Murray, Floyd Country Ramblers, Uncle Dave Macon and The Red Fox Chasers.
The original liner notes, by Peter Stampfel, state, "Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers recorded an incredible number of songs that are personal favorites of mine. Poole is, in fact, one of the great musicians of the century. No doubt about it." The album's cover art was created by Robert Crumb, the celebrated illustrator and an old-time music afficiando.
Kinney Rorrer penned a biography of Charlie Poole, entitled Ramblin’ Blues: The Life and Songs of Charlie Poole in 1982. Rorrer, a descendant of Poole's fiddler Posey Rorer, is the banjo player for the old-time music group The New North Carolina Ramblers.
Production of a documentary on Poole's life, tentatively titled North Carolina Rambler, was announced in 2007 by producer-director-cinematographer George Goehl. However, no word on the film's progress is available.
A double-CD album paying tribute to Poole was released by singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III in August 2009. The album, entitled High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, features 30 tracks, including new versions of songs originally recorded by Poole, as well as tunes composed by Wainwright and producer Dick Connette on the artist's life and times; it was awarded the Grammy for 'Best Traditional Folk Album' at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Whitehouse Blues
Charlie Poole & The North Carolina Ramblers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doc said to McKinley, "I can't find that ball",
From Buffalo to Washington
Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best
McKinley in the graveyard, he's taking his rest
He's gone a long, long time
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
Roosevelt in the White House drinking out of a silver cup
McKinley in the graveyard, he'll never wake up
He's gone a long, long time
Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone a long, long time
Look here, little children, (don't) waste your breath
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
Standing at the station just looking at the time
See if I could run it by half past nine
From Buffalo to Washington
Came the train, she's just on time
She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock 'till nine,
From Buffalo to Washington
Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line
Blowing in every station Mr. McKinley's a-dying
It's hard times, hard times
Look-it here you rascal, you see what you've done
You've shot my husband with that Iver-Johnson gun
Carry me back to Washington
Doc's on the horse, he tore down his rein
Said to that horse, "You've got to outrun this train"
From Buffalo to Washington
Doc come a-running, takes off his specs
Said "Mr McKinley, better pass in your checks
You're bound to die, bound to die"
"Whitehouse Blues" is a song by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers, recorded in 1926. The song is about the assassination of US President William McKinley in 1901 and the subsequent rise of Theodore Roosevelt. The song opens with the lines "McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled, Doc said to McKinley, 'I can't find that ball'." These lines are a reference to the assassination of President McKinley, who was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley's doctors were unable to find the bullet, and he died of gangrene eight days later.
The lyrics go on to reference Roosevelt, who became president after McKinley's death. The line "Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best" reflects the public's initial optimism about Roosevelt's ability to lead the country in the aftermath of McKinley's assassination. The song contains several references to the distance between Buffalo, where McKinley was shot, and Washington, where the government is located. The lines "From Buffalo to Washington" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the geographic span of the events being described.
Line by Line Meaning
McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
McKinley cried and moaned in pain
Doc said to McKinley, 'I can't find that ball'
The doctor told McKinley that he couldn't find the bullet
From Buffalo to Washington
From the city where McKinley was shot to the nation's capital
Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best
The new President, Theodore Roosevelt, is trying his best to lead the country
McKinley in the graveyard, he's taking his rest
McKinley is dead and buried in the cemetery
He's gone a long, long time
He has been dead for a long time
Hush up, little children, now don't you fret
Children should be quiet and not worry because their father will receive a pension after he dies
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
The children will receive financial support when their father dies
Roosevelt in the White House drinking out of a silver cup
Roosevelt is now President and enjoying the good life
McKinley in the graveyard, he'll never wake up
McKinley is dead and will never come back to life
He's gone a long, long time
He has been dead for a long time
Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
The only thing that troubles my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
The thought of dying and leaving his wife alone is troubling
I'm gone a long, long time
I will be dead for a long time
Look here, little children, (don't) waste your breath
Children should save their breath and not worry about their future
Standing at the station just looking at the time
Waiting at the train station and checking the time
See if I could run it by half past nine
Trying to catch the train to Washington by 9:30am
Came the train, she's just on time
The train arrived on schedule
She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock 'till nine
The train traveled a thousand miles in one hour
Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line
The train is approaching the station
Blowing in every station Mr. McKinley's a-dying
The train is announcing that McKinley is dying in every station
It's hard times, hard times
These are difficult times
Look-it here you rascal, you see what you've done
Addressing the shooter, blaming him for what he did
You've shot my husband with that Iver-Johnson gun
Accusing the shooter of using an Iver-Johnson gun to shoot her husband
Carry me back to Washington
Asking to be taken back to Washington, presumably to be with her husband during his last moments
Doc's on the horse, he tore down his rein
The doctor is riding a horse and urging it to go faster
Said to that horse, 'You've got to outrun this train'
The doctor is telling his horse to run faster than the train
Doc come a-running, takes off his specs
The doctor arrives running and takes off his glasses
Said 'Mr McKinley, better pass in your checks
The doctor tells McKinley that he is going to die
You're bound to die, bound to die'
You will definitely die
Contributed by Audrey W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MattHall
McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doc said to McKinley, "I can't find that ball",
From Buffalo to Washington
Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best
McKinley in the graveyard, he's taking his rest
He's gone a long, long time
Hush up, little children, now don't you fret
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
Roosevelt in the White House drinking out of a silver cup
McKinley in the graveyard, he'll never wake up
He's gone a long, long time
Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone a long, long time
Look here, little children, (don't) waste your breath
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
Standing at the station just looking at the time
See if I could run it by half past nine
From Buffalo to Washington
Came the train, she's just on time
She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock 'till nine,
From Buffalo to Washington
Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line
Blowing in every station Mr. McKinley's a-dying
It's hard times, hard times
Look-it here you rascal, you see what you've done
You've shot my husband with that Iver-Johnson gun
Carry me back to Washington
Doc's on the horse, he tore down his rein
Said to that horse, "You've got to outrun this train"
From Buffalo to Washington
Doc come a-running, takes off his specs
Said "Mr McKinley, better pass in your checks
You're bound to die, bound to die"
@SigP229R
+Slashplite McKinley hollered, McKinley squalled
Doc said to McKinley, "I can't find that ball",
From Buffalo to Washington
Roosevelt in the White House, he's doing his best
McKinley in the graveyard, he's taking his rest
He's gone a long, long time
Hush up, little children, now don't you fret
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
Roosevelt in the White House drinking out of a silver cup
McKinley in the graveyard, he'll never wake up
He's gone a long, long time
Ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
That is to die and leave my poor wife behind
I'm gone a long, long time
Look here, little children, (don't) waste your breath
You'll draw a pension at your papa's death
From Buffalo to Washington
Standing at the station just looking at the time
See if I could run it by half past nine
From Buffalo to Washington
Came the train, she's just on time
She run a thousand miles from eight o'clock 'till nine,
From Buffalo to Washington
Yonder comes the train, she's coming down the line
Blowing in every station Mr. McKinley's a-dying
It's hard times, hard times
Look-it here you rascal, you see what you've done
You've shot my husband with that Iver-Johnson gun
Carry me back to Washington
Doc's on the horse, he tore down his rein
Said to that horse, "You've got to outrun this train"
From Buffalo to Washington
Doc come a-running, takes off his specs
Said "Mr McKinley, better pass in your checks
You're bound to die, bound to die"
@Lisa8364
Charlie was my grandmother's, Emma Poole Porter, first cousin. They grew up much like brother and sister and were close until the day he died.
@heff434
Very cool! I've been told that my great grandfather was friends with Charlie Poole.
@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631
Wow.
@cordmiller679
Wow that is so cool! Do you have any fun stories of hers?
@LeeDixFreeman4
Charlie taught my great grandfather Dix Freeman Sr how to play
@dustbat
Thanks for this. So much I still do not know about the music I have loved over many years.🦇
@Lisa8364
G-ma passed away before I was born. A few stories passed down though. Most people know his 3 finger style was because of hand injury from playing ball as a child. There's a story about him riding a horse (drunk) up a staircase one night after he had played. He visited with G-ma when he got the movie deal and she tried to talk to him about his drinking but he told her he couldn't play unless he was drinking. She was said to have been heartbroken when he died.
@dukeofearlbanjo
Two and three finger style banjo is common practice and has been long before Charlie.
@Mo11y666
Cool story.
@gaylefeinberg1237
Americans have real talent..These songs and many others from our rich folk music past prove it.You don't have to be a rich snob to get your feelings out .Just honest.Thank's Charlie for bringing back memories of old time people who had it tough.