My Little Carpenter

5. My Little Carpenter
(traditional, arr. Uncle Earl/© 2006 Smokin' Granny Music, ASCAP)

I learned this song from my dear friends in the Rhythm Rats, who learned it from the legendary New Lost City Ramblers, who learned it from Jim Howard of Harlan, Kentucky. I've always been fond of this gem because it's one of those rare old-time songs where nothing awful happens. The mellow arrangement was a last-minute impulse, and singing this in the darkened studio with John on mandola and KC on guitar is one of my favorite recording memories. – RG

(lead vocal: RG; harmony & guitar: KC; mandola: John Paul Jones)