Alice Gerrard: “Mary Johnson”
Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 7sVideo has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard performs “Mary Johnson,” a song from the era of her collaboration with Hazel Dickens.
In her epic and prolific career, Alice Gerrard is perhaps still best known for the music she made early on with bluegrass singer-songwriter Hazel Dickens. “Mary Johnson” is a song from that partnership. It tells the story of a hard-working woman who stops into a bar for a drink at the end of a long day and rejects a man’s advances.
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Alice Gerrard: “Mary Johnson”
Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 7sVideo has Closed Captions
In her epic and prolific career, Alice Gerrard is perhaps still best known for the music she made early on with bluegrass singer-songwriter Hazel Dickens. “Mary Johnson” is a song from that partnership. It tells the story of a hard-working woman who stops into a bar for a drink at the end of a long day and rejects a man’s advances.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ I'm just sitting in this bar room ♪ [bright folk music] ♪ Yes, it's whiskey ♪ ♪ That you see ♪ ♪ And my name is Mary Johnson ♪ ♪ Lord, my feet are killing me ♪ ♪ I've been working hard and I just stopped in ♪ ♪ Before I head on home ♪ ♪ And if you're thinking something different, friend ♪ ♪ You sure are thinking wrong ♪ ♪ And if you think you're reading want to ♪ ♪ In these big blue eyes of mine ♪ ♪ No, it's only a reflection ♪ ♪ Of the want to in your mind ♪ [bright folk music continues] ♪ ♪ Now, I like good time talkin' ♪ ♪ And I like good company ♪ ♪ You could see things my way ♪ ♪ Well, you know we might be friends ♪ ♪ But you think my bein' here alone's ♪ ♪ An invitation to my bed ♪ ♪ And this drink you think is turnin' me on ♪ ♪ Has only turned your head ♪ ♪ So if you think you're readin' want to ♪ ♪ In these big blue eyes of mine ♪ ♪ Well, it's only a reflection of the want to in your mind ♪ [bright folk music continues] ♪ ♪ Now, we all get lonely sometimes ♪ ♪ And this might be your time ♪ ♪ And you're seein' satin pillows ♪ ♪ Sweet perfume, forbidden wine ♪ ♪ And you think I'm thinking of those lines ♪ ♪ And now and then I do ♪ ♪ Oh, but just like you, the want to's ♪ ♪ A little thing I'd like to choose ♪ ♪ So if you think you're readin' want to ♪ ♪ In these big blue eyes of mine ♪ ♪ Well, it's only a reflection of the want to in your mind ♪ [bright folk music fades]
Alice Gerrard: “December Daisy”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 2m 24s | Alice Gerrard and her band perform the upbeat bluegrass instrumental “December Daisy.” (2m 24s)
Alice Gerrard: “Get Up and Do Right” and “Fortune”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 6s | Alice Gerrard combines two bluegrass songs into one tune that calls for community action. (3m 6s)
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 4m 34s | Alice Gerrard’s “No Never No” is based on a song she found in a songbook at a thrift shop. (4m 34s)
Alice Gerrard: “Stormy Waters”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 48s | Alice Gerrard performs the bluegrass and gospel classic “Stormy Waters.” (3m 48s)
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 3m 25s | Alice Gerrard performs “Sun to Sun,” a song about gun violence. (3m 25s)
Alice Gerrard: “Sweet South Anna River”
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Clip: 3/13/2025 | 5m | Alice Gerrard performs “Sweet South Anna River,” an ode to her friend and musician Elizabeth Cotten. (5m)
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Preview: 3/13/2025 | 30s | Folk legend Alice Gerrard performs songs from communities that have inspired her. (30s)
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.