Story Behind The Song
Canoefest in Darlington is 53 years old this year. I was in the first one! (Came in third in our division.) Every year for the last five years in early spring I would get this song out and try to complete it. I finally finished it this year. There are two ways to enjoy Canoefest, racing or floating down the river. I've done both. I hope this song captures some of the spirit of the event. I used a resonator guitar to try and get an old-timey feel to it, as the Pecatonica always conjures up a lot of history. I hope you enjoy it.
Song Description
Basic tracks were recorded in my home studio 'Wiegel Room'. I did the bass guitar and resonator parts, Mike Forkal added fiddle. I took it all to Kenny Koeppler's studio Sound Garden where he did the final mix.
| Song Length |
2:22 |
Genre |
Country - Traditional, Blues - Country |
| Tempo |
Floating |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Blissful |
Subject |
Rivers, History, Past |
| Similar Artists |
Keb Mo, Taj Mahal |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1950 - 1959 |
| |
Lyrics
Floatin' Down The Pecatonica 2019
The water was high the days were long
We had to cool off and we needed some sun
Floatin' Down The Pecatonica
Grabbed a fishin' line and my old guitar
Put in in Calamine in the early hours floatin'.....
We got a number and we got a time
Others raced by we didn't pay no mind floatin'
She was on the bank in her summer curls
I knew right then she would be my Pearl floatin'.....
The catfish jumped and the river swirled
We had to ford where the river curved floatin'....
The Black Bridge said we were getting' close
The water was high so we let it coast floatin'....
The townfolk cheered when we crossed the line
No one cared to record our time floatin'....
We sang some songs and we drank some beer
We made our plans to be back next year floatin'....
Now she is my friend and she is my girl
And I'll come back and I'll bring my pearl floatin'...