S (con’t)
SHE'LL BE COMIN' ROUND THE MOUNTAIN --- the story behind the song

From Fred Bush: What is the story behind this song? Who is the woman coming around the mountain, why is she in pajamas and driving six white horses?? Addenda: Someone came up with it being a Union song and the woman was some Union organizer and they gave me her name and I have now drawn a blank on it. It seems it was Ma something. I couldn’t find her on the internet so am still wondering.
     
Ed. Note: I have tried to check this interesting question out. The first information that I've turned up is in the Alan Lomax book, "Songs of North America" wherein he relates the song to railroading, and the steam engine.
But from Wikipedia, the online “open source” encyclopedia:

“The song was based on an old Negro spiritual titled When the Chariot Comes. . . the original lyrics

“O, who will drive the chariot When she comes? O, who will drive the chariot When she comes? O, “who will drive the chariot, O, who will drive the chariot, O, who will drive the chariot When she “comes?

King Jesus, he'll be driver when she comes, When she comes . . . .
She'll be loaded with bright Angels When she comes . . . .
She will neither rock nor totter, When she comes . . . .
She will run so level and steady, When she comes . . . .
She will take us to the portals, When she comes . . . .

“While it is not entirely clear who the "she" in the song refers to, there are various plausible interpretations. One interpretation suggests that "she" is the train that will be coming through the tracks that are being laid out by workers. Another possible interpretation suggests that "she" refers to union organizer Mary Harris "Mother" Jones going to promote formation of labor unions in the Appalachian coal mining camps. White horses are a symbol of the mythological stature of Mother Jones and the rest of the song is related to the celebration which would ensue after her arrival.”


SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO HOME
From Marty H.: Looking for the lyrics to Show Me the Way to Go Home

A. 1. Show me the way to go home
I'm tired and I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
And it went right to my head
Where ever I may roam
On land or sea or foam
You will always hear me singing this song
Show me the way to go home

Ed Note: Here’s the 2nd verse “extension,” from many a campfire sing-a-long:
2. Indicate the path to my abode
I'm fatigued and I wish to retire
I had a large beverage sixty minutes ago
And it went right to my ce-re-bel-lum
Where ever I may perambulate
On land, or sea or atmospheric pressure
You can always hear me crooning this melody
Indicate the path to my abode.