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About This CD 
Music Clips 
Song Lyrics 
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Last Updated 3/21/08 Sources for anyone researching folk songs: All Music Smithsonian Folkways Recordings The American Folklife Center Mudcat Cafe- Digital Folksong Database Many people have been asking about the same few songs. To help others with those same questions I've organized the information into categories. Just click on the song or question link below. Thank you again for your wonderful questions and comments! DB
 Dear Dinobone,Dear Dinobone, you said about Hush Little Baby: "my sources tell me that the lyrics have been around since the 1700's." ... Now, I was wondering about these sources, could you be more specific? I've seen no older date on this one than very late 19th century. Walter Dear Walter, I relooked the rhyme up in my "Annotated Mother Goose" by William S. Baring-Gould and "Hush Little Baby" is grouped with other lullabies from the Tom Thumb's Pretty Song Book printed in the mid 1700's. However there is no annotation and there is no date specifically attributed to "Hush Little Baby". I can't be certain that it's from that period. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Is there a longer version to the Ghost of John? -Kyle I was very interested to see the lyrics to The Ghost of Tom. I remember hearing that song many times when I was a child and my mother's name is Martha Grubb (maiden name). I wonder if this is the same Martha that is referred to here? -Jim Dear Kyle and Jim, I wasn't able to find a longer version or find lyrics pertaining to a 'Martha' in the song. Maybe someone out there knows? Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who first recorded "hush little baby"? -David Who first recorded I've Been Working on the Railroad/Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah? Dear David and Writer, The earliest recordings I could find for "Hush Little Baby" were Julie Boone's in 1932 and Ruth Crawford in the 1940's. The earliest I could find for the Railroad song was a Pete Seeger version from the 40's. You may be able to find out more. Here are some good resources to get you started: All Music Smithsonian Folkways Recordings The American Folklife Center In addition you can check out this link http://www.dinobone.com/ask/drybones.html Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,How many songs does a mocking bird sing? Dear Writer, Interesting question, an online wild bird source says a Mockingbird can mimic up to 200 songs. I don't know how they got that number. By the way "Hush Little Baby"'s alternate title is "Mockingbird." Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,I am looking for the original recording of the song "Dry Bones". My dad used to play it, but I can't find a copy anywhere.It was done by a group of men in the 50's. Can you help me find it? Dear Writer, Check out the Ames Brothers' Recording from the 50's, the Mills Brothers' recording from the 40's. The first original recording that I can find is by Bascam Lamar Lunsford in 1928. Check other resources like the American Folklife Center and the Smithosonian Folkways collection. Also check out www.allmusic.com. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,What is the history of the american folk hero Sally Ann? Dear Writer, Sally Ann is a fictional folk hero who legend says was married to Davy Crockett. Although Davy Crockett was a real person there is no evidence to support he had a wife named Sally Ann. Here's some info on Sally Ann in a nutshell. On the day she is born this amazing baby proudly announces she can out-talk, out-grin, out-scream, out-swim, and out-run any baby in Kentucky. Within a few years Sally is off to the frontier, where she stuns a hungry grizzly bear, makes a lasso out of six rattlesnakes, and is more than a match for the mighty Mike Fink. And when Sally Ann rescues Davy Crockett from a pair of ferocious eagles, even her hornet's-nest bonnet and skunk perfume don't stop him from proposing marriage. Thanks for asking this question I learned something new by researching it! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,When was the song Someone's in the Kitchen With Dinah written? Dear Writer, No one knows when it was written, but because of the lyrics, I would guess sometime in the 1800's (the words banjo and railroad give it away). The Mudcat Cafe is a great source for folk lyrics and discussions on their origins. There is a nice dialog there about this song. One person says there's a song written between 1834 and 1845 with the same lyrics but a different melody. Check out Mudcat Cafe! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,To answer the query about "The Wandering Minstrel", it was sung once on a BBC schools show called Music Time. I haven't heard it since either, but this is the only song I remember from this show and it's stuck on my head all these years later. Michael Dear Michael, Thank you. I've posted your response so hopefully the person who had a question about it will now have some more information about the song. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,What do you do for a living? Dear Writer, Since I'm a fossilized bone and don't need food or even shelter, I do just fine singing and dancing and hopefully making people smile! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,could you find me a song called aim an acorn small and round. Dear Writer, Again at the Mudcat Cafe there was a reference to the acorn song. Someone says the lyrics go like this: I'm an acorn small and round Sitting on the cold, cold ground. Everybody steps on me That is why I'm cracked you see I'm a nut (snap, snap)In a rut (snap snap) I'm a nut (snap snap) In a rut (snap snap) The tune is classic kids playground tune: mi sol sol la mi sol sol -mi sol sol la mi re do (repeat) mi mi do (snap snap)mi mi do (snap snap)(repeat) Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who wrote "The Erie Canal" song and what is the subject of the song? Dear Writer, No one knows who wrote the song but there is speculation that it's based on a canal diggers song from Ireland. The original song went "15 years" not "15 miles" We guess the bridges were low because the real Erie canal was built so cheaply. You can get more info the Mudcat Cafe. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,The song in question about century plant is from the movie the camp thought you might like to know. Dear Writer, I've posted your info so people interested in "Century Plant" will see what you've written. Thank you. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who wrote My Darling Clementine? Dear Writer, One source I have says the song we know as "My Darling Clementine" may have started as "Down by the River" (1863) by H. S. Thompson. Another source says it originated in San Francisco. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Lyrics to "Century Plant" submitted by S.M. THE CENTURY PLANT Darling I am leaving, but before I go I am leaving you this little plant Each day to watch it grow And I'll be gone about as long As it takes this plant to bloom So come on now and smile, as it's only a while It will help to cheer up the gloom Patiently she waited, hopeing it was soon And the little plant she cared for Each morning night and noon She'd sit and sigh as time went by And each new day appears But she didn't know it was a century plant And it blooms every hundred years Time was bringing wrinkles, and strands of silvery hair But each time she checked the portals Her darling was not there You'd thought at best, she would have guessed But she just didn't know That all though she has waited for thirty five years She has sixty five more to go Dear Writer, Thank you very much, we've had several people ask about it. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,play a spooky song Dear Writer, I don't really have a spooky song but I do love good Halloween songs. Do you know the poem "5 Little Pumpkins"? Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate The first one said, "Oh my it's getting late!" The second one said, "There are witches in the air." The third one said, "Well I don't care." The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run!" The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!" Oooh went the wind and out went the light. And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,My daughter used to sing a song in Kindergarten that taught her the names of the bones in the body to the lyrics of head shouldars knees and toes. Do you know how I can get the words to that song? Dear Writer, I found one educational site that I think has the version you mentioned. Here is the url,http://www.fastq.com/~jbpratt/education/music/ece.html You need to scroll down halfway. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Can i hear a song about dinosours? Dear Writer, I don't have any here except the "Dinobone" song. There is an interactive CD produced by Disney called "The Dinosaur Song Factory." I haven't heard it yet but you might want to check it out! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Do you know the words of The Green eyed dragon with the thirteen tails? From Beebee Dear Beebe, You can find the lyrics at the following website Grandfolkies. Be advised, the lyrics are a little gruesome! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,What is the name of the song that goes,"all i can say is that my life is pretty plain.." Dear Writer, That's the song from the group "Blind Melons" called "No Rain." Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who wrote "The Bird Is The Word" Dear Writer, The song with the words "bird is the word" is called "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen. A great funny song, many people have covered it, I think even Sesame Street! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Where was the dig where you were found at? Dear Writer, Good question! It was in Arizona. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Do you know this song? Once there was a minstrel Laalalala la la la la A wandering minstrel Lalalala la la Folks all gathered around All enjoying the sound of it the mintrel's song laaalalala la la la laThats all i remember but NOONE else knows it except me! did it school, its a great tune, quite sad and melodious but never heard it since. I think the rest of the verses are about the minstrel singing with a little bird. help its driving me mad! Dear Writer, I wish I knew the song, I don't but I posted your question in case anyone else recognizes it. Good luck! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,How did you get so clever? i think that your the smartest bone in the world! I love you cause you help lots of people. :) From Becki Dear Becki, Thank you so much for your wonderful compliments! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Was there a song by Cab Calloway , that had to do with bones ? Dear Writer, What a great question! I looked through a discography of all the albums and songs Cab Calloway did but I didn't see the word 'bones' in any of them. It's possible he did a song about bones and the title doesn't have the word bone in it. If anyone knows the answer, please email me. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,do you have an assortment of wigs which you wear when you go out in public? I've designed a range of clothing for you which you would look really nice in. Kayleigh Dear Kayleigh, I had never thought of wigs, but it's a really nice idea because I have no hair. Can you draw a picture of me with some of the wig ideas and send it to me? I'll be happy to post them on the message board. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who taught you the Acorn Song by the Huchnome? Dear Writer, I found the song in a book called "Folk Songs from California". I'll try to get you the compilers name. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who are your friends? How many do you have? What are their names? Beck Dear Writer, I have many many friends from all over the world. Many of them I haven't even met, like you! I'm close friends with the girl that found me, Rachel. Answer friend is named Charles. I also have found many friends from the audience when I do my Dinobone show. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Can we be good friends. Or great friends even. I like my friends. Ben and Becki Dear Ben and Becki, I would love to be great friends. I'm so happy you asked me! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Who wrote Shimy, shimy coco pop? Dear Writer, No one knows who wrote the song but there's a good chance it was written in the early part of the 20th century. I believe so because they talk about a rollercoaster in the song and I don't think rollercoasters were available to ride in or were very popular till after 1900. This song is a clapping chant and is also used for jump roping. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,What music do you like to dance to? Becki, Kayleigh and Tamar Dear Becki, Kayleigh, and Tamar, I love to dance to all kinds of music but my favorites are square dancing, African pop, and good old rock and roll. Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,How do you keep bones like yourself healthy? You must be a healthy bone because you travel the world. Tamar Dear Tamar, I can answer that! I drink alot of milk and fortified soy milk. Especially because I'm such an old dinosaur bone, I need to keep strong. I exercise too. Thanks for asking! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Do you still keep in touch with Rachel and the gang? I think the best place you went to was france at the eiffle tower, I have a friend called Rachel who lives there, I think they might be the same person. She knows about you and thinks you are great. From Becki Dear Becki, That's wonderful you have a friend named Rachel living in France. I need to tell you though that the Rachel that I met at the dig actually lives near me at my museum. We visit each other often, I take a day trip from museum to go to her school and Rachel and her class take field trips to the museum. I loved visiting the Eiffel Tower and hope to visit there again someday. I hope someday you get to travel there too! Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,What is the name of the bone that is from your shoulder to your elbow? Dear Writer, I think that is called the humerus. You can check out the names of bones in the human skeleton at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/skeleton/ Your friend, Dinobone Dear Dinobone,Have you ever met any other singing bones? I think it would be great if you could find a friend like you. Tamar Dear Tamar, I haven't met any yet but I'm hoping that in my travels, I will meet some soon! I have met, however, some people that play the 'Rhythm Bones.' That's when you clack two bones (or two pieces of wood or two spoons) against your hand or knee to do a rhythm. Here's a link to where someone explains the history and some brief instructions on how to play Rhythm Bones. Your friend, Dinobone 
FromKelsey, age 4 1/2 Dear Kelsey, Thank you for the card! Your friend, Dinobone |