Ditty Boy Twang (for release on February 3rd, 2015)

Song Notes:
“Ditty Boy Twang” is what folklorists would call a “boasting song”. The statement “I’m so great” and it’s variants are probably as old as language, and after all, where would rap be without this kind of attitude? I got together one afternoon with my pals Samson and Nat, and this seemed like the right song to sing. You may know Samson for his playing with the Deadly Gentlemen and with the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience. Nathaniel Smith can be heard on Sarah Jarosz and Natalie McMaster recordings.

I first heard the name Michael Hurley in the mid ‘70s in Boulder when my hero Kelly McNish and his band the Earthbirds sang Hurley’s “The Werewolf”. “Ditty Boy Twang” comes from Hurley’s “Wolfways” CD, which includes a version of “The Werewolf”, as well as fine numbers like “Portland Water” and “I Paint A Design”. I went to see the man once, the only show I ever saw at Nashville’s Springwater Supper Club. If you ever go there, try the barbeque next door at Hog Heaven.

Lyrics:
Ditty Boy Twang
by Michael Hurley / Snocko Music / BMI / Administered by BMG Chrysalis

Hey come hear all you women, listen to the ditty boy twang
Listen to the ditty boy twang, listen to the ditty boy twang
When you do that ditty boy twang, then you know you will be doin’ a thing

Hey I can’t stand it long, listen to the ditty boy twang
Listen to the ditty boy twang, listen to the ditty boy
When you do that ditty boy twang, then you know you will be doin’ a thing

Hey all you women workin’ on my nerves, listen to the ditty boy twang
Listen to the ditty boy twang, listen to the ditty that boy twang
Cause when you do the ditty boy twang, then you know you will be doin’ a thing

Hey mama don’t say unh-uh, just listen to my ditty boy twang
Listen to my … listen …
When you do that ditty boy twang, you know you will be doin’ a thing

I miss the old times when you used to … and you …
And then once in a while you … get a little weird …
I miss that, listen to the ditty boy twang

Well now kiss me zig-zag lightnin’, kiss my bones, listen to that ditty boy twang
Listen to that ditty boy twang, listen to the ditty boy twang
When you do that ditty boy twang, then you know you will be doin’ a thing

Well you must have some rounder, layin’ on your arm, layin’ in your arms
Listen to the ditty boy twang,
Listen to the ditty boy twang, listen to the ditty boy twang
When you do that ditty boy twang, then you know you will be doin’ a thing
Oh you’re doin that thing baby

Credits:

Recorded March 27th 2014 at my house
Engineer Sean Sullivan
Tim O’Brien – vocal and mandolin
Samson Grisman – bass
Nathaniel Smith – cello
Mixed by David Ferguson at the Butcher Shoppe