This traditional tune is a deeply tragic ballad about the flooding of Shawnee- town in the late 1800s that washed away over five hundred people when the levees broke. I asked Mila Maring to sing this one because I believed her angelic voice could soften the ache of such a heartbreaking song. Mila brought in Lew Hendrix, who plays the banjo using a frailing technique, which suits this tune nicely. -JP
lyrics
In the town of Shawneetown
As the evening shades cames down
On a quiet Sabbath evening, cold and gray
While the people walked the street
Or in dear communion sweet
Within their peaceful homes the close of day
All at once the bells were ringing
With a wild and awful din
While the fearful fact breaks over one and all
That the faithful levees broke
Pales the lips of those who spoke
While the roaring, clashing, awful flood comes in
There were heroes, too, that day
Franklin Robinson, they say
With his boat brought many safely to the shore
While they struggled with the waves
He rowed out, their lives to save
Working bravely ‘til the awful flood was o’er
Father Bikeman saw it coming
Like a giant mountain high
And he knew what dangers in his pathway lie
But he did his duty well
While he boldly rang the bell
Warning all within the danger line to fly
In the town of Shawneetown
There are broken hearts and homes
Since that fateful Sabbath evening, cold and gray
Where was once all smiles and light
There is not but darkest night
Where was once a happy city, wrecks appear
Let us rally to their hardship
From the city, hill and plain
Give our sympathy and money to their aid
Soon calamity may fall
On our loved ones, homes and all
May be separated ne’re to meet again
credits
from We Are for Egypt,
released November 8, 2022
Artist: Mila Maring and The Kitchen Table Crew
Written by G.B. Fields (1898)
Arranged by: Mila Maring and Josh Morrison Performed by:
Vocals by Mila Maring Guitar by Josh Morrison Banjo by Lew Hendrix Bass by Nate Graham Fiddle by Toby Merriman