Kaatskill Serenade
Written by David Bromberg
Recorded by Bob Dylan and Bromberg early/mid June 1992 (“The Bromberg
Sessions”)
Tabbed by Eyolf Østrem (thanks to Peter Vincent for lyric corrections)
One of the gems from the Bromberg sessions. The main rhythm guitar plays the chords below, but it sounds as if there is one guitar in there somewhere with a capo on the 4th fret, playing with C-chords. See below for a version like that.
Peter Vincent has suggested the spelling Kaatskill, “because it was the spelling used by Washington Irving in the story of Rip Van Winkle, on which the song is based.” It is also the spelling that Bromberg used. Originally, I just couldn’t bring myself to writing it that way – but I’ve changed my mind: Peter wins.
[instr.]
A
Where are the men
B7 E
that I used to sport with?
A
What has become
B7 E
of my beautiful town?
Wolf, my own friend
Even you don't know me
This must be the end
My house is tumbled down
C#m B A
My land it was rich, but I wouldn't work it
I guess I made a shrew of my wife
My duty clear, I could always find some way to shirk it
I dreamed away the best years of my life
Seems like only this morning, I went up into the mountain
No word of warning, just her usual curse
I hated the house, with all her nagging and shouting
But to be in this strange world was a thousand times worse
Where are the men
that I used to sport with?
What has become
of my beautiful town?
Wolf, my own friend
Even you don't know me
This must be the end
My house is tumbled down
[instr.]
He called me by name, he bought me that cheaply
He called me by name, I didn't know what to think
I watched their loud games, and oh, I drink deeply
Though no-one had ever asked me to drink
And you know that stolen liquor, it was sweeter than whiskey
Many times quicker, just to put me to sleep
That drinking with strangers can be very risky
My sleep it was long, it was twenty years deep
Where are the men
that I used to sport with?
What has become
of my beautiful town?
Wolf, my own friend
Even you don't know me
This must be the end
My house is tumbled down
Version with capo 4th fret
F
Where are the men
G C
that I used to sport with?
F
What has become
G C
of my beautiful town?
. . .
Am G F
My land it was rich, but I wouldn't work it
etc.