This song is based on a story by the Brothers Grimm. It was popularized in a book by Robert Bly in the early 90's. The song is in the Piedmont Blues Style. I don't think I have the guitar chops to play it the way it sounds in my head.
Iron John
(I)Did you ever hear the story ‘bout Iron John?
He's the original wild (I7) man
(IV)He lived in the forest, happy to be all (I) alone
(V)Hair to his feet, skin as hard as (I) stone
(I)The King lusted for land; it was the forest's turn
Sent in his knights but they never (I7) returned
(IV)He issued a decree “No one should venture in (I) thereâ€
(V) Till a hunter came and took up the (I) dare.
chorus
(I)Iron John, old wild John
Nobody knows where you come (I7) from
(IV) Gotta' run gotta' run, they know about your hiding (I) pond
(V) Kingsmen gonna get ya', run run Iron (I) John
(I)Hunter saw a lake that was covered with fog
Something reached out and took his (I7) dog
(IV) All the hunter saw was an arm that was covered by (I) hair
(V) The next day, he brought the Kings army (I) there
(I)They marched to the pool; arrived at dawns break
Pumped the water and emptied the (I7) lake
(IV) There at the bottom was naked Iron (I) John
(V) He was dragged way with yoke and shackles (I) on
chorus
(I)Iron John, old wild John
Nobody knows where you come (I7) from
(IV) Gotta' run gotta' run, they know about your hiding (I) pond
(V) Kingsmen gonna get ya', run run Iron (I) John
(I)With whip and chains they brought him to town
Spirit broke; his head hanging (I7) down
(IV) They put him in a cage; put him on (I) display
(V) But he tricked the Kings son and he ran (I) away
Instrumental (w speaking)
(I)
(I) Run John Run (I7)
(IV) They're after you (I)
(V) Don't look back, just run (I)
chorus
(I)Iron John, wild wild John
Nobody knows where you come (I7) from
(IV) Gotta' run gotta' run, you better best be (I) gone
(V) Kingsmen on your trail, run run Iron (I) John
Closing instrumental
(I)
(I) Keep running (I7)
(IV) (I)
(V) Laughing all the way, Iron (I) John
I made several edits.
1) addressed an issue that somone on another forum pointed out
2) Cleaned up the phrasing to make it easier to sing
3) Rewrote the last chorus
(I)Did you ever hear the story ‘bout Iron John?
The original wild (I7) man
(IV) Lived in the forest, happy to be all (I) alone
(V)Hair to his feet, skin hard as (I) stone
(I)King lusted for land; it was the forest's turn
Sent in his knights; they never (I7) returned
(IV) Issued a decree “No one should venture in (I) thereâ€
(V) Till a hunter came and took up the (I) dare.
chorus
(I)Iron John, old wild John
Nobody knew where you came (I7) from
(IV) Gotta' run gotta' run, they found your hiding (I) pond
(V) Kingsmen gonna get ya', run run Iron (I) John
(I)Hunter saw a lake that was covered with fog
Something reached out and took his (I7) dog
(IV) All the hunter saw was an arm, covered by (I) hair
(V) Next day, he brought the Kings whole army (I) there
(I)They marched to the pool; arrived at dawns break
Pumped the water and emptied the (I7) lake
(IV) There at the bottom was naked Iron (I) John
(V) He was dragged way with yoke and shackles (I) on
chorus
(I)Iron John, old wild John
Nobody knew where you came (I7) from
(IV) Gotta' run gotta' run, they found your hiding (I) pond
(V) Kingsmen gonna get ya', run run Iron (I) John
(I)With whip and chains they brought him to town
Spirit broke; his head hanging (I7) down
(IV) They put him in a cage; put him on (I) display
(V) But he tricked the Kings son and he ran (I) away
Instrumental (w speaking)
(I)
(I) Run John Run (I7)
(IV) They're after you (I)
(V) Don't look back, just run (I)
chorus
(I)Iron John, old wily John
Fooled the Prince and got out of (I7) town
(IV) Howling and laughing and running (I) on
(V) The first free man; that's Iron (I) John
Closing instrumental
(I)
(I) Keep running (I7)
(IV) (I)
(V) Laughing all the way, Iron (I) John
Interesting take, I like the flow
I'll echo Andy's words - definitely an interesting take. Your rewrite is good, too. The appearance and role of the Prince (King's son) seems fairly abrupt and almost gratuitous, but there's probably no way around that (especially since folks who already know the original story know that he's the true protagonist).
And, neither here nor there, but every time I read the "laughing all the way" in the last chorus I can't help think about "Jingle Bells." That probably won't happen when it's being sung and it's probably just me anyway!
Looking forward to hearing how this one turns out and looking forward to more.
Peace
Good story telling :D
...some of the phrases look a bit tricky out the mouth, but like you said...you already have it worked out musically.
Thanks for sharing.
MUltireponse post follows:
Interesting take, I like the flow
Thank you. I'm trying to get a Henry Thomas feel going.
I'll echo Andy's words - definitely an interesting take. Your rewrite is good, too. The appearance and role of the Prince (King's son) seems fairly abrupt and almost gratuitous, but there's probably no way around that (especially since folks who already know the original story know that he's the true protagonist). ....
I always like Iron John more than the Prince. I think Bly suggested that all the characters were part of the same person. In the song I'm trying to do it as though it was a blues piece written in the 1910-1920 era. The theme of Iron John is freedom.
Good story telling :D
...some of the phrases look a bit tricky out the mouth, but like you said...you already have it worked out musically.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm still rewriting it and trying to adapt it to my playing ability. It's starting to resemble something now.
