He was best known as a pioneer of the acoustic blues revival, but his work ranged from old English ballads to Bertolt Brecht, rock, New Orleans jazz, and swing. He was a pioneer of instrumental ragtime guitar, as well as an early supporter of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, among many others. Van Ronk was very influential on the music scene in New York City in the 1960s.
His professional musical career started when he moved from Brooklyn to Queens in 1951 and started doing pick-up work in traditional jazz outfits.
Van Ronk died of colorectal cancer (colon cancer) in 2002.
Green Green Rocky Road
Dave Van Ronk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got no carpet on my floor
Come along and follow me
We'll go down in history
Green green rocky road
Promenade in green
Tell me who d' you love
See that crow up in the sky
He don't crow nor can he fly
He can't walk nor can he run
He's black paint slattered on the sun
Green green rocky road
Promenade in green
Tell me who d' you love
Tell me who d' you love
Little Miss Jane runnin' to the ball
Don't you stumble don't you fall
Don't you sing and don't you shout
When I sing come runnin' out
Green green rocky road
Promenade in green
Tell me who d' you love
Tell me who d' you love
Hooka tooka soda cracker
Does your mama chew tobacco
If your mama chew tobacco
Hooka tooka soda cracker
Green green rocky road
Promenade in green
Tell me who d' you love
Tell me who d' you love
When I go to Baltimore
Got no carpet on my floor
Please get up and follow me
We'll go down in history
Green green rocky road
Promenade in green
Tell me who d' you love
Tell me who d' you love
The lyrics to Dave Van Ronk's song "Green Green Rocky Road" present a unique and intriguing blend of seemingly disparate images and themes. The verses rely on a series of surreal, dreamlike images and scenarios presented in the form of short vignettes. The first stanza presents Baltimore as a place where those who lack material possessions can make a name for themselves and leave a legacy. The second stanza describes a crow that is incapable of flight or mobility, but is still worthy of being viewed as a work of art. The third stanza presents a young girl named Jane as someone who is speedy and graceful, yet must maintain her silence unless prompted by the singer. The final stanza brings the song full circle with a repetition of the line about Baltimore being a place where people without carpets can leave their mark on history.
The chorus that recurs between each verse is simple, catchy, and serves as a welcome anchor amidst the series of offbeat images and musings presented in the lyrics. The phrase "Green green rocky road" is ambiguous and could be interpreted in several ways. It could be a reference to a physical path or trail that the singer is navigating. It could also be used to describe the twists and turns of a metaphorical journey through life. The phrase "promenade in green" could be seen as another reference to the path that the singer is traversing, or it could be interpreted to mean that the singer is walking through nature, enjoying the beauty of the trees and foliage around him. The final line of the chorus - "tell me who d' you love" - could be interpreted as a challenge of sorts, inviting the listener to consider who or what is most important in their lives and informing the way they approach the world.
Line by Line Meaning
When I go to Baltimore
Whenever I visit Baltimore
Got no carpet on my floor
I have no carpeting on my floor
Come along and follow me
Join me and follow my lead
We'll go down in history
Our names will be remembered forever
Green green rocky road
A bumpy, rocky road shaded with greenery
Promenade in green
Take a leisurely walk through nature
Tell me who d' you love
Let me know who you are in love with
See that crow up in the sky
Observe that crow flying in the sky
He don't crow nor can he fly
He can't even crow or soar
He can't walk nor can he run
He can't even walk or run
He's black paint slattered on the sun
He appears like black paint splashed on the sun
Little Miss Jane runnin' to the ball
A young girl, Jane, is racing to catch a ball
Don't you stumble don't you fall
Be careful not to stumble or tumble
Don't you sing and don't you shout
Refrain from singing and screaming
When I sing come runnin' out
When I perform, come join me
Hooka tooka soda cracker
An arbitrary phrase with no actual meaning
Does your mama chew tobacco
Does your mother consume chewing tobacco
If your mama chew tobacco
If your mother uses chewing tobacco
Hooka tooka soda cracker
Another meaningless phrase
Please get up and follow me
I am asking you to come along with me
We'll go down in history
Together we will be remembered for posterity
Green green rocky road
The uneven path surrounded by green foliage
Promenade in green
A leisurely stroll through nature
Tell me who d' you love
Who do you love?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Killer
This might just be the most perfect song I’ve heard in my entire life.
Alex Stoll
There really is something about it ain't there
Siemens.balabak Balabak
just discovered this amazing song yesterday and im in love with it .. may his soul rest in peace
Elizabeth Grossman
Now 70. Been listening to Dave since I was 12. Every song is still as fresh as the day my love for Dave’s style was born.
Dad Zor
I was honored to have Dave play at The Hearth, Pipersville, PA in the late 80's. My club hosted lots of great talent, but Dave remains a fond memory. His car broke down on the way to the gig, so I drove out to pick him up. A true gentleman. RIP
Troy Rossi
Just to let you guys know, this was recorded in 1963. Dave Van Ronk always sounded like an old man, no matter what age. Haha. Buy the book, Mayor of MacDougal Street, his memoir.
Ian Johnson
A well travelled song. The girls used a version to accompany a skipping game when I was a child in the late 1940s in Ipswich UK. I believe it started life in Scotland. DVR added some American woods!
Lårvæl⸸Stälkər
Oh my god, how DIFFERENT this version sounds to the one from Inside Llewyn Davies. I've heard and old, old man, barely playing his guitar, and I loved that version. And now I hear this and it makes me think how age changes you. I don't mean skills but the interpretation, the feeling of the song, the voice. Dave van Ronk.
Brassi3
Found this great singer in Bob Dylan's Chronicles. "He...sang like a soldier of fortune and sounded like he had paid the price. ...I loved his style. "
KingMinosxxvi
and stole it too ;)