Josephine Cameron: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

Every summer, I go to the used book sale at our public library and comb through the dusty, cracked spines for books that look promising: either to read, or to cut up and use for collages. Last summer, a thin, faded-green paperback caught my eye. It was called Songs for Girls, and it had a very retro drawing of a 1940’s teen with music notes floating around her. I bought it for 50 cents and cut up the cover to send to a dear friend in San Francisco. It wasn’t until later that I discovered the song “Just A Wearyin’ for You” in the yellowed pages that I had tossed aside. The song was composed by Carrie Jacobs Bond in 1901 (words by Frank Stanton), and was performed in vaudeville in the early 1900’s. I fell in love with the melancholy, and the melodic, contemporary feel of the tune. This caused me to pick up her biography, Roads of Melody, which I recommend for anyone who is interested in what it was like to be a single mother and a struggling musician in the early 1900’s. Carrie Jacobs Bond lived in poverty most of her life but was incredibly focused and determined to succeed. She formed her own successful publishing company and performed twice at the White House—for President Theodore Roosevelt, and for President Warren Harding. I feel very lucky to be able to share her music with all of you, and hope you enjoy this song as much as I do. Also, this all goes to prove that you should always support your local library. You never know what you might find!

Just a’wearyin for you
All the time a’feelin blue
Wishin for you, wonderin when
You’ll be coming home again
Restless don’t know what to do
Just a’wearyin for you

Morning comes, the birds awake
Seem to sing so for your sake
But there’s sadness in the notes
That come trillin from their throats
Seem to feel a sadness too
Just a’wearyin for you

Evening comes I miss you more
When the dark gloom’s round the door
Seems just like you ought to be
Here to open it for me
Latch goes tinkling, thrills me through
Sets me wearyin’ for you
Just a’wearyin dear for you