The Big Rock Candy Mountains

Hey folks, I don't get on here enough to reply to comments, but thanks for the kind words that have been left. Glad you enjoyed the music.
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[@trainknut]

That frog was 100% keeping time with you, that honestly makes this so amazing

[@benygames7399]

no. its but a coincidence. a frog is not creating music bud.

[@Herobrine21777]

@@benygames7399 it was a joke, you dummy!

[@tylerreynolds9013]

@@benygames7399 oh really sherlock?

[@aninjatwitch]

is that what that is?!?

[@trainknut]

@@benygames7399 Normally I would agree with you but frogs are actually really good at picking out and distinguishing sounds. Fun fact, frogs _never_ interrupt each other, so when you hear them constantly ribbiting back and forth to each other at night, they aren't just randomly calling out to make sound, they are quite literally _talking_ to each other. Doubtful they are talking about anything very interesting, but you cannot deny it's a complex form of communication, especially for amphibians. It stands to reason a species that understands language to some degree would also understand harmony and rhythm - the two key components of music. Especially when a lot of their calls are themselves quite harmonious and rhythmic.

[@acmm50]

The heart and soul of American music

[@michaelwhisman7623]

American yes, Communist Yes.

[@JoeMama-ez4tp]

@@michaelwhisman7623 Yes communism

[@MrJeanBombers]

Communism is a scam. Anti-workers, anti-people, anti-freedom, pure totalitarian lies.

[@russian-guitar]

I feel, it's from Jack London novels, isn't it?..

[@iowaguy6470]

Are you bonafide? 😂

[@robinmatyjasek7390]

Is there anyone at all in the whole of the Appalachians that is not a laid-back honey-voiced singing banjo-playing natural?

[@Yeskeya]

Yep. some of us play guitar, too

[@cymbolic_space1832]

and some cook meth and play xbox

[@mosin_boi]

Yea, me. I'm learning though. . . .

[@petersmith9530]

lol mint comment

[@countryboyred]

Nope. We are all born that way.

[@fenoftheforest]

My dad had a O Brother How Art Thou soundtrack CD in his car and my little brother would make him play it over and over again. This is my favourite track

[@kevinsorensen367]

My family would listen to that CD when painting the house 😂. Still don't know why, but man does it bring back the nostalgia

[@anonymousfreedom4346]

I had the CD too. I burnt through 2 because I listened to it so much

[@henryasselin123]

I did the same thing but with Roger Miller greatest hits. Grandpa's house was the O brother sound track

[@TCHcardinal]

Same, except I was the little brother in our family.

[@nineteenfortyeight6762]

My late mom learned these songs from her late dad and we sang our way through that whole movie.

[@LiteralSloth]

Love the frog in the background croaking occasionally on beat with the song. Adds to the vibe.

[@breannefontenot4184]

Ahh, please do the whole O Brother album, your voice is made for this style. Awesome cover

[@stevenhaines9489]

I totally agree! I wish he would.

[@andypancini2130]

Soggy bottom boys

[@S4mm0o]

That’s exactly what I need in my life

[@BigTrees4ever]

No way, this song is on the soundtrack!? I have to watch this movie again, haven’t seen it since I was a youth, before I had an appreciation for Americana blues bluegrass country etc.

[@_Depp122]

@@BigTrees4ever its at the beginning of the movie in the intro credits

[@earugo2531]

I like your back up frog. He has amazing timing and perfect pitch

[@tylertapp131]

This man is livin. You sir have a view I truly long to have. This is where I want to be, very peaceful and have always loved the song. God bless from ole Carolina.

[@MoosefromCanada]

Blueridge is beautiful. ❤. I used to live in West Jefferson

[@angelbulldog4934]

​@@MoosefromCanadaMmm...cheeeeeez 😊 I'm in the Triad. Love our mountains.

[@MoosefromCanada]

@@angelbulldog4934 Bahaha ! Bohemia coffee shop still there? I need to move back down…..so peaceful and I miss the mountain laurel 🥰💓🤘

[@videovango9476]

Stumbled on this video. My dad passed away in 2016 and this was his favorite song. He sang it with my sister on his death bed and I’ll never forget that moment. Please make more videos. Thank you.

[@bessieclark7711]

My childhood favorite.

[@IronFreakV]

I hope your dad rests in peace mate. Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@johnlamonica1150]

god bless your dad

[@nickbrackett9023]

God bless y'all bro

[@erldagerl9826]

He’s there now.

[@user-hh4qg8dm2q]

I’m too drunk for my own good but I can’t help but sob at this. I was only burn 2004 but I remember listening to this song over and over again on my mom chunky MacBook. I don’t know why but I cry every time I hear this song. I don’t want to be an adult. I hate this.

[@JohnBrownsBody]

Hope you’re doing better buddy.

[@garrettjones8017]

Get ready for some tough times kid it doesn't get any easier. Life will you ear you up if you let it

[@noahsaville]

Yeup around 2004 my dad played this song for me

[@mistyautumnwoods]

Growing up is a scary thing. You don’t have to lose your sense of wonder or ability to have fun though. @BetteLouHoo hit the nail on the head. You never lose that child, but you have to start learning how to protect them. It’s not an impossible thing to do. I believe in you 💕 I would highly recommend you listen to the Avett Brothers and read about re enchantment, both of those things could be really helpful for you.

[@A_LoadedPotato_]

As an adult, the secret is... Seek understanding in peoples actions and stay humble, but always fight for your loved ones.

[@angstydoodles1101]

I don't know why KZbin keeps recommending me banjo videos. Never watched one a day in my life until now. Gotta say, I'm glad I finally gave it a chance.

[@aceman1126]

The Al Gore Rythm knows all. I knows what you like before YOU even know. All hail the digital overlords!

[@oogru5265]

I think its really interesting how many people resonate with this song. Its about living a simple life in an outdoor paradise and not having a job is kind of all at the center of it.

[@zerorose4011]

Meanwhile whats truly genuinely happening in this song is homeless trainhopping men would proposition the singer, harry mclintok while he was a train hopping child with grandious tales of lands of paradise. They were attempting to molest him, and mclintok had to prove in court he wrote the song, by bringing in an original verse he never recorded: "The punk rolled up his big blue eyes and said to the jocker, “Sandy, I’ve hiked and hiked and wandered too, But I ain’t seen any candy. I’ve hiked and hiked till my feet are sore, I’ll be God damned if I hike any more, To be buggered sore like a hobo’s whore In the Big Rock Candy Mountains"".

[@haldouglas4773]

you got the spirit i guess? it's about livin as a hobo.

[@TheInfiniteAmo]

... the song is about drugs. What do you think the "rock candy" is?

[@spikedmo]

@@TheInfiniteAmo literally rock candy... This song was written in the 20's

[@TheInfiniteAmo]

@@spikedmo look up when Cocaine was invented

[@someoneperson4714]

Oh - i forgot to mention. Did ANY of you hear the frog croaking away next to him at 1:00 mark? it sings with him the whole time - on time. It literally keeps key. You have to listen hard for it but yea - its there. This man made the FROGS sing. Seriously - 1:00 and good stereo - the frog is there singing. Lol - if this guy can make a frog sing - i'd take the JOB! Someone that made the frog sing? how can you not trust that? :D You are truly blessed, sir.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Animals feel vibration too which is all music is…vibration. Actually they feel it more than we do….they just experience it in a different way. They may appear unimpressed but they feel the vibes

[@xabsentimentalx]

I thought that was so cool! The frog really did sing along

[@tjitjo]

I was wondering what that was 😄❤️🎶

[@tjitjo]

@@JohnnyRebKy exactly, my parents dog gets kind of mesmerized or something when I play 😄🎶❤️

[@mikesoule1352]

Now, I want to hear this dude singin' "Froggie Went a-Courtin'"!

[@czernykins]

THIS IS SO PURE. I love it!!! Thank you!

[@CODM_Cowboy]

I keep coming back to this cover. Simple. Wholesome. And it pulls at that deep seated desire for a simple existence.

[@user-nc1ri5im5m]

And the jails are made of tin!! Priceless 🤣🤣

[@user-to2gh7sg3l]

I like this guy! We need more folks like this. And young people who are still interested....

[@smackaroo4159]

Seeing all of these memories here almost makes it feel like I’m trespassing on something sacred. But I’m grateful you shared it anyway.

[@mckennarinta3221]

This is so great. Love the frog singing along!

[@virginia78032]

I’ve so many memories of this song with my grandma and brother. When we were kids we would always listen to this on cassette in the car while we were on a road trip up to camp and going through the mountains. My grandma lived to be 88 and just passed away a few months ago. This video got recommended to me and I took it as a sign from my grandma saying hello.

[@PIZZA_8D]

the camp fire final boss

[@mikayla8163]

As a girl, my grandpa had the O Brother Where Are Thou soundtrack on a cassette tape that we’d listen to in his old Jeep Cherokee. When he’d take us up to the Catskills, he’d sing this song for us. His memory is starting to fade, but I hope he never forgets this song and the wonderful memories of those trips.

[@spalunkiA]

Music is meant to be shared. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful cover with us

[@user-gv4mi9cd2y]

Beautiful Western folk song. My dad would play and sing this when it was too hot to go outside, but we wanted entertainment.

[@huma474]

This, this is America. Having fun with whoever you want, because you have the freedom to do so.

[@arachs]

First time I heard this in Oh Brother Where Art Thou, I'm glad you covered this!

[@sherry3475]

Thanks, brought memory of my uncle Leonard gathering all the cousins around his old record player to play the original. He told us,"Listen to the words,aren't they nice " Never forgot the experience.❤ Peppermint trees.

[@shawnhulke7385]

Nice!! My old departed dad use to sing that to us kids back in the 60s. Brings back memories.

[@goldnkoiponds]

...where they hung the jerk who invented work on the big rock candy mountain. FANTASTIC RENDITION. Tnx for posting!

[@b_ks]

I smiled and laughed a bit and sang along. Come on you all! Lets us go! Thanks for posting. 👍😁👌

[@ezone913]

The best guy to have around the campfire. He can even get the frogs to sing along.

[@SunShine-sv8vx]

Now, that was cute AF. Love the original and your cover did it justice 💕

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

I was just thinking the same thing....totally cute as hell....

[@S4mm0o]

Tf hell nah

[@Wylie.Burp420]

Cute? Ladies. Think with your mind and not your muff. Calling an art “cute” is patronizing and ridiculous.

[@cnutsack]

@@Wylie.Burp420 goofy ahh white boy off the goop

[@RapidPants]

@@Wylie.Burp420 Life must stink when you've got your head as far up your ass as you do

[@littlestinker97]

Mans living the dream. Every man is simple. All we want is to raise our family, plant our crop and play our music. We just want peace

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

Man.....that tune was just too awesome on that Banjo! It just had such a perfect rustic sound to it......charming as all get out!!!!!!

[@learabee]

My sis and I watched the big rock candy mountains as kids 😂… weeee sing!?!? Lol memories❤

[@frankbredenholler8209]

To eventually arrive at big rock candy mountain is the best we can hope

[@buzzbuzzitsbee9198]

my mom had a o brother how art thou cd in her old black honda ridgeline and i miss that truck so much. we listened to that cd all the time on pretty roads while driving around to different barns and on vermont backroads while visiting my grandparents. i haven’t heard this song in a few years and longer since ive heard it in my moms old truck, but for a moment while listening here, i felt like i was there again :’)) thank you

[@nel5559]

I think i've fallen in love with this man

[@MrHeno97]

this man perfectly captures the vibe of the song

[@marilynstephanieyoga7004]

you can hear the frogs vibing out in the background

[@darrellmoore1743]

Thems is the accompaniments

[@toddrodgers5108]

Thank you . Made me smile . Then I got back in my box car. Lol. Blessings

[@budg8522]

Lovely. Forgot the last two verses in the final stanza: “there ain’t no short handled shovels…no axes saws or no picks… I’m gonna stay where ya sleep all day…where they hung the jerk that invented work in the Big Rock Candy Mountain.” Terrific tenor banjo work. Thanks😊

[@1228SamIam]

There is a sense of freedom with this video. I dream of being able to live it one day

[@josephclifford163]

Lovely. The Depression hobo's lament. I arrived here in search of John Stewart's version from Mountain Stage - recorded not long before he died.

[@yoiyomismo]

Beautiful song, beautiful vibe, beautiful environment. Thank you for sharing.

[@michto47]

ça m'a donné autant de plaisir que la version de Pete Seeger qui reste gravée dans ma mémoire de vieux frenchie. Merci !

[@john_leo]

This song will always remind me of my dad driving my family through the Gila Wilderness. Well done

[@deadcata1yst428]

Easily one of the greatest covers I've heard of this song

[@TheLeftwheel]

Every morning for a couple weeks, now, I've been finding songs people post on youtube to practice my jaw harp with. Had a lot of fun accompanying your rendition this morning. God bless.

[@Young3blu]

You should post a duet video

[@JoshuaBT]

Love to see you play along mate

[@JohnnyRebKy]

So simple it makes it GREAT! Most people have lost touch with real music played by real people with real musical instruments these days. No digital nonsense here just pure grassroots music 🎶 👍🏻. Keep it alive my friend!

[@tombadil64]

This made me sob. Thank you. You're a beautiful soul!

[@randyzussman7177]

This made me happy.

[@johnsantiago4099]

Great job. As your voice grows older you will capture the originals magic.

[@RWayneCumberland]

Good American music right here!

[@CraigStCyrPlus]

I whistle when I cant remember lyrics as well.

[@user-yd1gu2wv3y]

This songs entry chords reminded me of rocky top Tennessee, but then I heard him singing and just mellowed out lol

[@billbreeding797]

Love it! First heard it in 1949 or so! .Still love it! ❤️

[@krypticviper1613]

1949? How old are you? If you were born in 49’ you would be 74 let alone being old enough to hear it.

[@crankbaitincowboy9053]

@@krypticviper1613contrary to your belief, people do live past the age of 74

[@SoggySandwich80]

That location is so gorgeous i could sit and stare off into the distance for hours

[@samuelatwood9924]

my great grand father used to sing this song. thanks for the memory

[@janfideplat752]

C'est une superbe version mon pote, tu m'fais bien plaisir, bravo et grand merci 😊

[@i_l1ke_fire904]

Wholesome. Love.

[@SamBroer]

Love the background. Love the voice. Love the banjo.

[@SamBroer]

@@josiahappleseed you gone silent bud? Your FB is grey. How can I plan a trip lol.

[@yen3213]

I'd love to hear/see more of you, man. I could watch you play all day

[@mightykaytor]

I like this song. It's like the landlocked trainhopper's version of "Fiddler's Green" haha

[@edgarbumblefoot7467]

That's a great simile.

[@Nachos_with_a_slice_of_lime]

For once the YT algorithm got it right. In the dark days of winter you gave me such a smile. Thank you.

[@bobeverhart7151]

...grew up with Ed Snodderly and John Hartford! GREAT!

[@JKatniss]

This is SUCH a good cover!!

[@Medic6581]

Much Love to you and yours brother

[@kellyemmanuel6888]

Dude…that was the best shit EVER! Saving it for-sure. What a sweet life skill.

[@SporadicKristal]

Thank you for bringing back childhood memories when my grandpa would sing me this song on his farm, best summers of my life ❤❤

[@kevinkendrick9063]

So rustic and timeless. Beautiful!

[@SouplexSouffle]

Your strum pattern and rhythm style are awesome. Great cover of a timeless classic.

[@earth2zoe800]

This is so perfect. It made me cry with happy. Wishing you love !!!

[@phillipbernhardt-house6907]

Very nice! I've wanted to hear a version of this tune arranged for banjo, and now I have, so well done indeed! Thanks so much!

[@KeepItBrick]

Love your cover of this classic song, incredibly well done!

[@KeepItBrick]

Josiah, I can’t wait to check it out! Have a good one buddy

[@christianhedges1862]

I truly enjoyed this😊. Thank you bubba! God bless you and yours

[@soqudain]

This makes me so crazily happy and nostalgic and homesick even though I’m literally at home right now. Thanks for sharing your wonderful music!

[@Ms.LisaDawn]

One of my family's favorites.💗 Thank you for sharing.

[@pocarisweat_jp]

Haha love the frog singing along in the background xD This cover is fantastic, thank you for this!

[@47vulcanride]

Good vid. Great voice. Enjoyed

[@slocad11]

Your performance of this tune is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@sacredhaven]

This was such a joy to listen to! Thank you

[@HNXMedia]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@blackrooster2562]

mighty fine singer and banjo picker keep it up hoss respect and love from Scotland i wish i lived them mountains behind you

[@75blackviking]

Solid performance. One of my favorite tunes of all time.

[@bunsandbutter600]

frogs sing with your banjo that is cute🐸🐸

[@TheMrgough]

Made my evening. Great cover. Nice voice & banjo arrangement.

[@365DaysOfFolk]

This is soooo good I’m now mega inspired! Thankyou Joe

[@Trapper4265]

Delightful song! 😁 Thank you.

[@jay.p.w]

ive come back to rewatch this so many times lol, hope I can sing and pick like this one day. love

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Very nice.

[@Glaucidium810]

Love it!!! Really nice rendition!!

[@dennisgschmidt6167]

Well done young fella, I just got this as a pop up and it's 2years old.

[@markduffield8110]

Haven’t heard this song in a very long time well done brought back good memories miss the hills in Wolfe Holler where I was raised Mount Baldy or my pa And I would sit and you could see the whole River Valley thanks again

[@gameoverlordN7]

When you sat down I though "now that is a man I a can trust with anything"

[@libby1973]

This is a beautiful song. Adding it to my playlist so I can listen again and again.

[@johnwelsman2625]

Just love it. Great pace along with the talent.

[@stevenhaines9489]

Well done my friend!! Well done!!! Absolutely loved it!!

[@charlesdreadful5997]

Nice job Toe!

[@codyauclair1634]

This is why I want to learn how to play they banjo. Its such an amazing instrument. And you are so talented.