Way Down the Old Plank Road / Folk Song / Clawhammer Banjo

(I Wont Get Drunk No More) Way Down The Old Plank Road is an an old time traditional folk song. I tell a short story in the intro then sing and play it on the mountain banjo in the clawhammer style.

(I Wont Get Drunk No More) Way Down The Old Plank Road - lyrics

I went down to Darby to get on the gravel train
Very next thing they heard of me wearin’ the ball and chain

Won’t get drunk no more (3X)
Way down the old plank road

Joanie, oh dear Joanie, why do you treat me so?
‘caused me to wear the ball and chain now my ankles sore

I rather be in Richmond amidst the hail and rain
Than to be in Georgia, boys, wearing that ball and chain

Won’t get drunk no more (3X)
Way down the old plank road

I’m going to build a cabin way up on a mountain high
Just to see them pretty girls they go walking by

My wife died on Friday night, Saturday she got buried
Sunday was my courting day, and Monday I got married

Won’t get drunk no more (3X)
Way down the old plank road

Nashville is a pretty burg, Memphis is a beauty
You want to see them pretty girls go to Chattanoogee

Eighteen pounds of meat a week, whiskey here to sell
How can a young man be at home, pretty girls look so well

Won’t get drunk no more (3X)
Way down the old plank road