"Ghost Woman Blues" Arranged by Brian Dolphin, with Elizabeth LaPrelle and Alex Kramer

Hello! This is a beautiful song that I’ve kind of known for a while, although I was always singing the Michael Hurley version and I didn’t know about the original George Carter version until very recently. They have different scansion and lyrics and chords, and while I love the Michael Hurley version and have fond memories of singing it with friends, there are other similar-such versions out there and I thought it would be nice to arrange a version that respected the original George Carter lyrics and chords, so here’s my arrangement!
Sung with the initimitable Alex Kramer and the amazing Elizabeth LaPrelle. I would have never figured out the lyrics without Elizabeth’s golden ears; her word sleuthing is the best maybe I’ve ever known.
For my dear patrons at "Dolphin & You", I gave the different harmony parts all parsed out for them and theirs to learn the arrangement, along with some helpful sheet music. Every month they get beautiful and singalongable folk songs delivered fresh to their inboxes. :)
www.patreon.com/dolphinandyou
George Carter’s lyrics, which we only changed a little to make it easier for group singing:
On my way home by that lonesome graveyard
On my way home by that lonesome graveyard
A ghost jumps up, made my life change for sure
Was no ghost at all, some friend asking for a ride
Was no ghost at all, some friend asking for a home
Says boy come here, take me to your room
I ain’t no lamp but my wick is burning low
I ain’t no lamp but my wick is burning low
Trim my wick before it will ‘fuse to glow
That ghost woman sure do keep me thin
That young ghost woman sure do keep me thin
Taking what I get from the L & N
Mmmmm
That joker steal this ghost woman ‘way from me