Appalachian Song - Dan Cunningham

Track 5

WEST VIRGINIA MY HOME was written by Hazel Dickens (1935-2011) She appeared in the documentary, Harlan County USA, and the movies Matewan and Songcatcher. She was the first woman to receive the Merit Award from the  International Bluegrass Association and received a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA. Hazel Dickens was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame.

here are the lyrics:

West Virginia, oh my home.

West Virginia, where I belong.

In the dead of the night, in the still and the quiet    I slip away like a bird in flight

Back to those hills, the place that I call home.

It's been years now since I left there

And this city life's about got the best of me.

I can't remember why I left so free what I wanted to do, what I wanted to see,

But I can sure remember where I come from.

Chorus-----

Well I paid the price for the leavin'

And this life I have is not one I thought I'd find.

Just let me live, love, let my cry 

but when I go just let me die

Among the friends who'll remember when I'm gone.

Chorus-----

Home, home, home. I can see it so clear in my mind.

Home, home, home. I can almost smell the honeysuckle vines.

Happy Valley Music (BMI)

words and music by Hazel Dickens 

Dan Cunningham: guitars, bass, and vocal

Libby Eddy: fiddle

Evan Lintz: brushes

Daria Jones: background vocal

recording info :

guitars: Yamaha LJX6C - Larrivee SD50

Mics: Rode NT-1 (rebuilt) - RodeNTK

preamp: Art Digital MPA Gold

recorded in the BOOM CLOSET Morgantown WV

mixed and mastered at Zone 8 Studio Morgantown WV by Mark Poole


VIDEO - an informal version is posted on Facebook

West Virginia, My Home - Christmas Party Version


Appalachian Song CD on Amazon

Appalachian Song CD on Apple Music