Steel Guitar Rag words?

Joel Glassman · From: Waltham MA USA

Friends,
I've been asked to sing Merle Travis' version
of Steel Guitar Rag, but can only remember half the words.
Anyone know the rest?-Also, has anyone written a different set
of words? Thanks for your help --Joel

A) Been runnin' around seen many a town
So maybe you'll think I'm the kind of guy to brag
But listen to me and see if you don't agree
No melody rolls like that old steel guitar rag

B)And when they slid that thing along the string
It sounds so doggone heavenly, you hear the angels sing….

C)?

Boomer · From: Brentwood, TN USA

And When you stomp your feet
Your heart will beat
To the rhythm of that steel guitar rag

CHO: Well you may be
Kind of choosy
About the song you like to hear
You may like songs that are bluesy
So you may cry right in your beer
And if you're kind of choosy
About the songs you like to hear
Make mellow your soul
With that steel guitar rag
(I think) Best, Boomer

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

Joel Glassman · From: Waltham MA USA

Thanks Boomer!
JD: Steel Guitar Rag
(or Guitar Rag)is a very old tune,
probably written by a fingerstyle blues player. I've heard early versions on recordings.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Probably the worst set of lyrics I've ever read.

Anne Marie O Keeffe · From: Co.Waterford,Ireland.

STEEL GUITAR RAG
Been runnin' around, seen many a town
So maybe you'll find I'm the kind of guy to brag
But listen to me and see, if you don't agree
No melody rolls like that old Steel Guitar Rag.

And when they slide that thing along the strings
It sounds so doggone heavenly, you hear an angel sing
And when you start your feet, your heart will beat
The rhythm to that old Steel Guitar Rag.

You may be kind choosy 'bout the kind of songs you hear
You may like songs that's bluesy, so you cry right in your beer
But if you like a tune that's bound to drive away your care
Make happy your soul with that old Steel Guitar Rag

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

The line after "Cry right in your beer" is:
"So if you'de like a song
That's bound to drive away your cares"
Make happy your soul
With that Ol' Steel Guitar Rag.

I personnally like to sing that last 2 lines:
'Get in touch with god
Play that ol' steel guitar rag.

It lends kinda a gospul feel, don't-cha think?!

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Anne Marie's version is the correct one, with this exception

"...You may like songs so bluesy that you cry right in your beer..."

I understand the story is that with the permission of Leon McAuliffe, lyrics were written by Merle Travis and Cliffie Stone and the writer's credits were amended when Merle cut the song on Capitol. I'm sure a sum of money changed hands in the deal. It usually does.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 12 December 2000 at 03:08 PM.]

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I sang it on my Quasar Steel Guitar CD.

Tim Rowley · From: Pinconning, MI, USA

Herb's right, according to Hugh Cherry on "The Bob Wills Story" audiotape series.

Tim R.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Well, singing Steel Guitar Rag will be the end for lots of steel players....SGR is about the ONLY steel instrumental the current generation of bands ever heard of and will ask you to play....and about the ONLY steel number that the older generation will ever request. When the vocalist starts singing Steel Guitar Rag, then we can all convert completely to just playing "color" behind the vocalist....and as far as Steel Guitar Rag as an instrumental is concerned...GOOD RIDDANCE

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