Nicholas Edward Williams | "Green Rocky Road" (Bob Kaufman/Dave Van Ronk)

This video is from an interview with NPR station WUTC in Chattanooga, TN on November 10th, 2021.
From the album: "Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake" (released Nov 2021)
www.linktr.ee/NicholasEdwardWilliams
Instrumentation:
Nicholas Edward Williams (Guitar, Vocals)
Gordon Inman (Clarinet)
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Bio:
Host of the popular roots music history podcast American Songcatcher, Nicholas Edward Williams is a multi-instrumentalist and storyteller who is dedicated to "playing it forward" by preserving the songs and styles that have shaped our country: ragtime, Piedmont blues, traditional folk, old time and early country. Williams has spent the last 15 years touring around the US, the UK, Western Europe and Australia, blending the roots music spectrum in his own style. He's opened for Taj Mahal, The Wood Brothers, Dom Flemons, CAAMP, John Paul White, Town Mountain, Jontavious Willis, Lucy Daucus, Ghost of Paul Revere and John Craigie, and has performed at festival stages on three continents. William's debut record As I Go Ramblin' Around made the International Folk Radio DJ Charts in 2019 with the #6 Top Album, #7 Top Song. His critically acclaimed sophomore release Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake unveiled in November of 2021, and has been heralded by the likes of Grammy-winning musician David Holt who said: "With tasteful guitar arrangements and a voice that draws you right in, Nicholas’ recordings roll along like a mountain stream.”
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Brief history behind the original artist and song:
Born on June 30th, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York, Dave Van Ronk started his music career in barbershop quartets and playing banjo in traditional jazz bands. He eventually found that learning old folk and blues songs from the 78's he found at record stores, and became a regular in Washington Square Park which eventually gave birth to the great Greenwich Village Folk scene. His authentic renditions of traditional tunes and raw emotion in performances was a direct influence on the more well known names to come out of the movement, including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot. Dubbed “The Mayor of MacDougal Street”, Dave and another folk singer named Len Chandler were backstage at a club when a beat poet named Bob Kaufman said he had a song for them. It was a popular old African American children’s song that was sung throughout the South, specifically around New Orleans, where Kaufman grew up, called “Green, Green Rocky Road.” Both men decided to record the song, and Dave added some elements from Len’s version. It was one of the most enduring and requested songs throughout his five decade music career, spanning 30 studio and live albums that blended blues, jazz, folk, jug-band stomps and sea chanteys. He’s considered one of the most influential guitarists of the '60s and a legend of the Village scene. He passed away in 2002, and the Coen Brothers movie “Inside Llewyn Davis” is loosely based on his infamy.
Listen to the in-depth segment on Dave Van Ronk on the "American Songcatcher" podcast, Season 1, Episode 2:
www.Linktr.ee/AmericanSongcatcher
Lyrics:
When I go by Baltimore
There ain’t no carpet on my floor
Grab your coat, wont you follow me
I know a man in Galilee
Hollerin’ Green green rocky road
Promenade in green
Tell me who ya love
Tell me who ya love
See that crow up in the sky
He don't walk no, he just fly
He don't walk no, he don't run
He keep flappin’ to the sun
Little Miss Jane you run into the wall
Don't you stumble, Don't you fall
Don't you think no don't you shout
When I sing come runnin’ out
Ooka-tooka soda cracker
Does your mama chew tobacco?
If your mama chews tobacco
Ooka-tooka, Ooka-tooka soda cracker

[@AcousticJamesSGP]

wow you are clearly pros so maybe i shouldnt be surprised but this one of my favourite renditions of this amazing song. well done guys and thanks for sharing.