Seeger's father was Charles Seeger (1886–1979), an important folklorist and musicologist; her mother was Seeger's second wife, Ruth Porter Crawford Ruth Crawford seeger (1901–1953), a modernist composer who was one of the first women to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship. ... (family photo)
One of her brothers is Mike Seeger, and the well-known songwriter Pete Seeger is her half-brother.
One of Peggy Seeger's first recordings was "American Folk Songs for Children" (1955), considered one of her most enduring, and probably the best-selling, collection of children's songs ever recorded.
Together with MacColl, Seeger joined The Critics Group, performing satirical songs in a mixture of theatre, comedy and song. Seeger and MacColl recorded as a duo and as solo artists; MacColl wrote "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" in Seeger's honor.
John Gilbert Is the Boat
Peggy Seeger Lyrics
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Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade
You see that boat a-comin'
Comin' 'round the bend
She's comin' in again
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade
She run peanuts and cotton
And then she run so many
Her men they run from her
Never get a penny
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade
You see that boat a-comin'
She's comin' 'round the bend
Loaded to the bottom
With Louisiana men
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o, di-dee o
John Gilbert is a boat
Di-dee o
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade
The song "John Gilbert Is the Boat" by Peggy Seeger is a traditional folk song that celebrates the life of a boat called John Gilbert that was used in the cotton trade in Cincinnati. The lyrics describe the boat's journey along the Ohio River and its cargo of cotton and peanuts. The song uses repetition to emphasize the importance of the boat and its role in trade, with the chorus repeating "John Gilbert is a boat, di-dee o" after each verse.
The song also touches on the hardships faced by the boat's crew, who worked tirelessly but often received no compensation for their labor. The line "Her men they run from her, never get a penny" speaks to the exploitation of laborers in the mid-19th century.
The song is a celebration of the hard work and persistence of those in the cotton trade, as well as an acknowledgement of the challenges faced by those in lower economic classes. Overall, "John Gilbert Is the Boat" is a poignant reminder of the importance of hard work and the value of recognizing the contributions of others, no matter their social or economic status.
Line by Line Meaning
John Gilbert is a boat
John Gilbert is a vessel used for transportation of goods
Di-dee o, di-dee o
A repetitive musical phrase used as a chorus
Runnin' in the Cincinnati trade
Operated and utilized for commercial trade in Cincinnati area
You see that boat a-comin'
Observation of the approaching boat
Comin' 'round the bend
Making its way down the river
Loaded down with cotton
Containing a heavy amount of cotton
She's comin' in again
Arriving at the dock or port once more
She run peanuts and cotton
Transported both peanuts and cotton at different times
And then she run so many
Handled a large quantity of cargo
Her men they run from her
Her crew worked hard, but saw little profit
Never get a penny
Did not receive adequate compensation for their labor
Loaded to the bottom
Carrying the maximum amount of cargo possible
With Louisiana men
Transporting workers from Louisiana
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: PEGGY SEEGER TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind