Tag Archives: Exploitation

I Ain’t Got No Home

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by Woody Guthrie

Download PDF of I Ain’t Got No Home
Download MuseScore file of I Ain’t Got No Home

This isn’t a song that can be played by a band or sung by a chorus. It’s just a guitar and singer sort of thing. Not sure why I am including it except that I can’t very well leave it out, you know? There’s nothing more to say about this. It makes me cry every time. I’m hoping that I’m not abridging any copyrights…

I put this in D minor, and fairly high; that’s because it’s the way Woody Guthrie sings it. Women folk singers (American) tend to like to use the lower part of their voices and this key probably works for them, too, if they sing it an octave lower than what is written here. If I write it out that way, it looks stupid because I have to use so many ledger lines. Maybe I’ll transpose it to E-flat minor — but not today.

Here is Rosanne Cash, singing I Ain’t Got No home — A very different, but equally moving performance.

I’m Gon’ Stand

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Download PDF file of I’m Gon’ Stand
Download MuseScore file of I’m Gon’ Stand

This call and response song requires a strong, energetic leader and a back-up chorus who can hold to the harmony. When the singers can hold their parts, this is very effective but it’s not a good song for “sing-along”. I have given a bare bones version of the song and labeled the leaders part, “ad lib.” If you listen to the version by Sweet Honey in the Rock, below, you will get an idea of how flexible this can be.

Here is a great rendition of I’m Gon’ Stand by Sweet Honey in the Rock.