Sung by Jane Turriff:
This classic country and western song, by Billy Hill, was given a session treatment at an after hours ceilidh at the Kinross Folk Festival in 1981, with Alex Liggins on guitar. It was recorded commercially by Peter Dawson in 1936 and also by "The Sons of the Pioneers" in 1949, both with very formal harmonised arrangements very different from Jane's spirited version. From Jane's singing it is clear that, to her, the sound of the song is the important feature: in her verse one she conflates "Are you rounding up the doggies, the strays of long ago" and "Are there rustlers on the borders, or a band of Navajo?" of the Pioneers' verses two and three. In fact, Jane can sing the complete verses even today, but did not on the occasion of this recording.
Empty Saddles
1: Empty saddles in the old corral,
Where do you walk tonight?
Are ya headin for the doggies, [i.e. rounding up cattle
Or a band o Navyjos,
Are ya headin for the Alamo?
2: Empty boots, covered with dust,
Where do ya walk tonight?
Empty guns covered wi rust
Where do ya talk tonight?
3: Empty saddles in the old corral,
Where do you walk tonight;
If you always say you love me [If you only
When you carry my ol' pall
Empty saddles in the ol' corral.
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Recorded by Allan Palmer, Kirklands Hotel, Kinross Festival, 1981.
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Traditional arranged Jane Turriff Springthyme Records © 1996.
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