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Released
on Places I’ve Been, 2008, performed
by the Redwood Canyon Ramblers reunion band. The harmony vocals
are by Ed and Neil. The Ramblers (myself on guitar, Scott Hambly
on mandolin, and Neil Rosenberg on banjo) became the S.F. Bay
Area’s first bluegrass band in 1959. Tom Glass was with
us on bass fiddle for our biggest season, the summer of 1960,
and Ed Neff has joined us on fiddle for important gigs since
1991.
In 1991, Neil and I were invited to play some gigs in Japan
on a two-week tour, billed as the thirtieth anniversary of
the Redwood
Canyon Ramblers. Scott couldn’t get away from his job to
join us, but very fortunately Ed Neff was available to play mandolin
and fiddle and sing. Together with Toru Mitsui, our guide, impresario,
and program-host, we wrote and performed this song to reflect
our Japanese experience. The instrumental sections are an interpretation
of “You Are My Sunshine,” which is well-known in
Japan and one of Toru’s favorites.
Translations of Japanese words used:
Domo arigato = thank you very much
Sumimasen = please excuse us
Dewa mata minasan = we will see you later (ladies and gentlemen)
Tatami = floor mats used in traditional Japanese rooms, public
and private
Shin-Kansen = New Railroad (the famous bullet train)
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We
have finished our concert — our fingers are sore
It’s time for the party on your tatami floor
We will sip some hot sake, try to sit on our feet
While your homegrown music makes the evening complete
CHORUS
So it’s domo arigato and it’s sumimasen
There’s so much you are saying that we can’t
comprehend
But the music you’re playing has that high lonesome
sound
Dewa mata minasan, we will see you around
There are many friendly faces at the table tonight
We are tired from our travel but we’re feeling all
right
There’s an ocean between us and the place we began
But there’s bluegrass a-plenty in the heart of Japan
CHO
We’ll be rushing in the morning to that old Shin-Kansen
In the next town they’re waiting for our little string
band
When the evening is over and we have to move on
We will always remember how you welcomed our song
CHO
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