Chattanooga Blues (Knoxville: smog, work, hospital)

[TriDad]

Hey everyone! I've got Chattanooga on the brain, and did a search on iTunes for all things Chattanooga. Came across some fun stuff and wanted to share.

Here's a song back from 1923 by Ida Cox! Towards the end of the song listen for the lyric "down in Chattanooga there's hospitality--the finest bunch of people in the state of Tennessee"

Anyone have a Chattanooga-themed song to share?

[beachbyrd]

There is an album, "Chattanooga Gal" --Bessie Smith....
And of course there is "Chattanooga Choo Choo"!!!

Maybe expand this to Tennessee in general for some more widespread relevance? What do you think everyone? Any mainstream or lesser known Tennessee songs that you'd like to share?

[Braves_fan]

My personal favorite is Johnny Cash's.. " Chattanooga City Limits Sign"

[hiknapster]

When we moved to Knoxville, my daughter was in Kindergarten. There was another little girl that moved here four days before us. She was from Florida, also, and in my daughter's class.

The first thing that they did was teach the girls the words to "Rocky Top." I guess it is the official indoctrination, or something.

[beachbyrd]

What are the words to Rocky Top?

[Braves_fan]

Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Aint' no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, other half cat
Wild as a mink,
but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that.

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee



Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee



Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Dirt's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee



I've had years of cramped-up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee,
Rocky Top Tennessee

Beautiful Tennessee

[hiknapster]

Thanks Braves Fan, I appreciate you!

[Ridgerunner]

The two such songs that I've heard the most are "Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy" by Red Foley and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" by the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

[Ridgerunner]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Thanks Braves Fan, I appreciate you!

I think it's interesting the way a purely Bluegrass song was rearranged to become a marching band standard. It has become the co-state song, joining "Tennessee Waltz" which was officially recognized as such back in the 1950s. Thank you, Hiknapster, for bringing up the subject.

[hiknapster]

I think it is just cute the way they did that. Put them in a room, taught them the words to "Rocky Top." I guess, then they could go on their way, as official Tennessee girls.

That child came home singing, "God ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top, Tennessee!" at the top of her lungs.

This might be a good time to bring up the fact that when I pick up my daughter she is talking to her little friends with a beautiful Southern drawl. She immediately changes it when she starts talking to me. I guess she thinks I won't understand her!

It's also funny when she does her reading homework. You have to remember that Southerners are teaching her to read, so she is automatically pronouncing the words with a Southern accent. I love it!