B… Read Full Bio ↴Chris Barber (born 17th April 1930) is an English jazz trombonist.
Barber was born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, and educated at St Paul's School in London. He is best known as a trombonist playing in the trad style with his Dixieland jazz band.
In 1953-1954 he was in a band called Ken Colyer's Jazzmen with Ken Colyer, Lonnie Donegan, , Jim Bray, Ron Bowden and Monty Sunshine. It was during this period that the band used to play Skiffle during their breaks and Lonnie Donegan sang the "Midnight Special" and "In the evening, when de sun go down" which turned out to be big sellers at the time.
At the end of a year there was a bustup and Ken Colyer stormed out to start up his own band and Chris Barber took over the band and renamed it. From an earlier conversation I had with Lonnie Donegan, I was led to believe the bust up concerned Ken Colyer and him.
My old Kentucky home
Chris Barber Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turned the corner and I'm doin' fine
Shootin' at the birds on the telephone line
Pickin' 'em off with this gun of mine
I got a fire in my belly, fire in my head
Gonna hi-di-hi 'til I'm dead
Sister Sue, short and stout
Mama thinks she's pretty and she's bein' kind
Papa thinks she's lovely and he's half blind
Don't let her out much except at night
I don't care 'cause I'm all right
Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
And the young folks lay on the floor
Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
Keep them bad times away from my door
Brother Gene, he's big and mean
He don't have much to say
He had a little woman that he'd whoop each day
But now she's gone away
Got drunk last night kickin' mama down the stairs
And I'm all right and I don't care
Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
And the young folks lay on the floor
Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
Keep them bad times away from my door
The lyrics in Chris Barber's My Old Kentucky Home are about a young boy who appears to be living in a somewhat dysfunctional family. The first verse talks about the boy's hobbies and interests, specifically shooting birds off telephone lines with his gun. The line "turpentine, dandelion wine" could suggest that the boy comes from a poor family, potentially using turpentine for cleaning and dandelion wine as a cheap form of alcohol. Despite this, the boy seems to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for life.
The second verse talks about the boy's sister, who is described as "short and stout." It is implied that she is not allowed out of the house very often, possibly due to her size or physical appearance. However, the boy doesn't seem to mind and feels "all right" with his own life. The final verse mentions the boy's brother, who is described as "big and mean." The brother has a history of violence towards his wife, and the night before the song takes place, he got drunk and kicked their mother down the stairs. Despite these issues, the boy reassures the listener that he is "all right" and doesn't seem overly concerned about his family's problems.
Some potential interpretations of this song include a commentary on poverty and the impact it can have on families, a critique of gender roles and stereotypes, or simply a snapshot of life in a rural Kentucky community. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they paint a vivid picture of a young boy's life and his perspective on the world around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Turpentine, dandelion wine
I used to drink homemade alcohol made from turpentine and dandelions
Turned the corner and I'm doin' fine
I've moved on from my old ways and I'm doing well now
Shootin' at the birds on the telephone line
I used to pass time by shooting birds with my gun
Pickin' 'em off with this gun of mine
I was able to successfully shoot and kill the birds with my gun
I got a fire in my belly, fire in my head
I have a lot of passion and energy within me
Gonna hi-di-hi 'til I'm dead
I plan on living my life to the fullest
Sister Sue, short and stout
I have a sister named Sue who is short and plump
She didn't grow up, she grew out
Sue didn't get taller, she gained weight
Mama thinks she's pretty and she's bein' kind
My mother finds Sue attractive and is being nice
Papa thinks she's lovely and he's half blind
My father also finds Sue attractive, despite having poor eyesight
Don't let her out much except at night
We don't let Sue go out in public often, unless it's nighttime
I don't care 'cause I'm all right
I don't mind that my sister doesn't go out often, as I'm doing well myself
Oh, the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home
The sun shines brightly where I'm from in Kentucky
And the young folks lay on the floor
The young people in my town like to relax and hang out on the floor
Keep them bad times away from my door
I hope to avoid any negative experiences or hardships
Brother Gene, he's big and mean
I have a brother named Gene who is large and intimidating
He don't have much to say
Gene isn't very talkative
He had a little woman that he'd whoop each day
Gene used to physically abuse his wife regularly
But now she's gone away
Gene's wife has since left him
Got drunk last night kickin' mama down the stairs
Gene got drunk and physically assaulted our mother by kicking her down the stairs
And I'm all right and I don't care
Despite my brother's behavior, I'm doing well and not bothered by it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALF CLAUSEN, STEPHEN C. FOSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ScotsjohnSE
Dear ULAJAZZ you always spoil us with the great music you so kindly share with us, many thanks! I have not been on for quite a while, it is so good to listen to what you share! Be well, JSE.
ScotsjohnSE
Dear Mr. James (ULAJAZZ), I can only imagine how busy Farm work must be; you probably get home and collapse into your easy chair at the end of a work day! Still you give so many of us such pleasure with the great music you so generously share! We owe you many, many thanks! Looking forward to your upcoming Posts! Thanks for making time to reply, and thanks for all that you do! Be well, JSE.
derrick baxby
I remember this from its first issue (the Dome, Brighton?). The review in Jazz Journal compared this track favourably with Bunk Johnson's. Nice clarinet (as usual !)
derrick baxby
Remember this from the original LP. Sleeve note writer compared this track favourably with the Bunk Johnson version. Very nice Sunshine (as always)
derrick baxby
Remember this from the original LP. Sleeve note writer compared this track favourably with Bunk Johnson's version. very nice Sunshine ( as always)
Antonin Culek
Poslouchejte takovou to hudbu a duše se vám uzdaví
honoredutrey
DOes anyone know why half of this recording has been cut out ? The full version lasts 7 minutes.You can find it here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JB8CJPOPLsM Perhaps the compiler wanted to leave out the wrong note that Pat Halcox hits on the second chorus ?
ulajazz
Hello John Like you I have been absent but not idle :) I have been struggling with the farm and little tym left for anything else. But at last managed to get back on line even that was a struggle. I hope to upload some more music soon and you will be advised :) just take care James ULAJAZZ