Morphine (Fretless "Minstrel" Banjo)

I learned this song from Clifton Hicks, who in turn learned the song from George Gibson. Cicadas are getting mighty loud now but I plan on recording this song inside too.
Lyrics:
I took morphine last Saturday night
Lord, I took it in a hell of a way.
If the doctor hadn’t come just as he did,
I’d be dead and in my grave today.
So it’s peaches, honey. It’s rye, rock and rye.
Oh baby, let me tell you my dream.
I dreamed I had money. It’s pockets full of money
and a quarter in a big dice game.
But when I woke it was only a joke
and I didn’t have a penny to my name.
And if I thought you didn’t love me
I would take morphine and I’d die.
Just one big dose of that old Morphine
and I'll bid this world goodbye.
So it’s peaches, honey. It’s rye, rock and rye.
Oh baby, I’ll love you ’til I die.

[@That-Gooberton]

he can't keep getting away with this

[@BabyMango]

The cicadas are rockin the background vocals. This is beautiful.

[@peptobepto]

whenever i feel down or worried or upset about the future I come to this channel and listen to a few of your performances. I cant tell you why, but they are so soothing and calming to listen to that I often find that ive completely forgotten about whatever caused me stress (or at the very least, grew to hate it less). I want to thank you for this gift you've given to the world, it means a lot.

[@knoxmassey6822]

Honored to hear that. You’re always welcome on the channel

[@alltidtratt3564]

I see handsome man with a mustache and a banjo, I click. Iam a simple man

[@marangsoup]

Sick moustache

[@ryanh7360]

Yep! What you said! Oh and great banjo pickin!

[@D.Danko_thall]

Another great song and fantastic playing + singing! Keep em coming 💪🏼

[@matthewr.weiler2889]

I can't express how much I look forward to new videos from you. Thank you!

[@danielvinti7610]

Just wanted to thank you for your channel man, discovered so much great music through this

[@knoxmassey6822]

Thank you! Glad you like this music!

[@aloe_vera3740]

The cicadas add to the vibe

[@aylarosco2792]

the outdoor ambience is such a sweet addition, perfection knox!

[@mongo6167]

Every video is like you opened a Time Capsule. I love it!

[@Big_D39]

Brother, your stuff is great. That’s for being refreshing, authentic and a pleasure to listen to.

[@knoxmassey6822]

Thank you, glad you like it. Nothing beats some backyard tunes with a basic camera

[@degen2789]

Probably one of the saddest songs I've ever heard on banjo. I appreciate this cover, variety is the spice of life! You and Clifton are my favorite banjo players :) EDIT - Just like you commented on morphine about always finding new songs on Cliftons page, I think I found a sadder one. The Dying Soldier. You should totally do that one when you get the chance :)

[@kal2598]

You make my heart smile, thank you

[@slowbroplum]

what a pretty sound the harmonics from the cicadas was the cherry on top

[@brinedog]

love this one... keep it up big guy! you got a great voice on ya

[@sandqm]

Love it 🔥🔥🔥

[@lexiheart6558]

You should get into old west reenacting. We're trying to get a more lively scene going at events.

[@landonthomass]

Sounds great man!

[@CRYLLIC]

Fantastic playing! Loving the fretless

[@mileskenaston7815]

Watching at the end of a long day

[@billjoe4330]

hell yeah brother, your killing it!

[@RoosterG33rs]

Absolute banger

[@thehussiteking]

Knock knock Whos there Banjo Banjo who Banjo mama

[@evancenac4467]

another great one nice shirt

[@waveyjones3347]

Bro. Your versions are more emotive than the originals. Just please be careful taking on these lyrics and songs because the guys that wrote this shit were in a bad fucking way. Basically don’t be a heath ledger 😅 Edit: if you are going through the blues, we’re here with you 💪💪💪

[@felixnebois]

Very nice song and mustache again mister Knox. I do be liking Clifton's more than this version (probably because he got more cool banjos like the gourds and the one he makes) but I'll still vibe to it! Much love from France

[@chipwalter4490]

Fvck yeah

[@tinfoil_frogjohnson7297]

You’re a pretty cool guy

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

You beat me to it!

[@knoxmassey6822]

Again, inspired by you - I didn’t even know the song yet

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

@@knoxmassey6822 im uploading mine as I type this comment

[@bibi2k189]

Everytime I see you on my feed I fall in love because of your mustache... You are very beautiful and talented, a man from another time. Sorry for this embarassing comment! 🥺

[@knoxmassey6822]

No need to apologize. Thanks!

[@Andy-pc8sr]

When’s the next stream? Would love to hang out sometime:)

[@riellylane7251]

An honest song sung from the soul in the cicadas harmonic cascade. Does it get any better?

[@solenum1]

Hey dude, trying to learn this one based on your video and hicks' tabs, the intro part is confusing me just based on the tab, are you hitting the 3rd open, alt pull off the 1st (or what you'd call the 5th, not sure) and then strum/thumbing and repeating? The tab doesn't have any pull-offs marked for that part but I don't see how you'd hit the 3rd and then 1st followed by a strum/thumb at that frequency, I thought of drop thumbing it but that'd be hard to play because you'd need to do it reverse (you'd need to thumb and then strike, I guess). Cheers

[@knoxmassey6822]

I’m playing the second string here, (i think close to F#) but doing repeated pulloffs on the first string. Have you heard of the Kentucky double shuffle? That’s what this is. Basically repeated pulloffs on the first string second fret while your clawhammer rhythm remains unchanged. It’s pretty simple but gives the illusion of playing much faster than you actually are. Look up Cliftons double shuffle videos for more info.

[@knoxmassey6822]

Let me know if you figure it out man, i like trying to help people learn.

[@eialzorn9284]

killer

[@johnnyk.-b.2671]

Nice playing!👍 Who wrote this song or is it traditional?

[@knoxmassey6822]

Traditional song. I don’t really know the origin other than George Gibson

[@MrJballn]

To think he's just out there in the wilderness, one day someone's gonna come stuff him in a bag and let him loose in a studio.

[@MrJballn]

One day

[@spacemanbill9501]

Battle hymnal