A reel, on English concertina. Written for my second lovely daughter.

Second Surprise

Three jig tunes on button accordian learnt from Alf Radunz accompanying the “Sets” or Quadrille dancers such as the Lancers, Alberts and the First Set. We spent many hours sessioning with Alf at his house in Maryborough. While the kids played in the backyard and gorged on the mulberries, Alf would pour a little glass of home made mulberry wine so the music flowed a little easier. Sweet memories.

Radunz Jig Sets1

John Stone: Music, lyrics, piano, lead vocals
Dave Wagoner: Production, backing vocals, guitar, accordion, six string banjo

She was born on an isle off an island
In the midst of the Emerald Sea
Her daddy spied a light in her eye
That showed what she was born to be

And they called the girl Virginia
Named for an ancient queen
Who knew how to fight in a world of men
And the lessons learned
Should be learned again

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Now Virginia knew that she was loved
But she knew that she was poor
One morning when out gathering
Between the strand and the old sea shore
A pirate blown by cruel fate
Slipped his anchor close to land
When he spied the girl his pirate mind
Thought he’d take the girl in hand

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

He took our fair Virginia
Set course for the Isle of Man
He hoped that on the island
There he could complete his plan
But the ocean storms were brewing
And they blew them out to sea
Till the ship was was smashed on the distant shore
That we now call Cape Henry

And the land was called Virginia..

Now Virginia swam towards the shore
Though the company was drowned
But she gathered strength and she walked the way
that leads to James’ town
Now Virginia saw Virginia
And knew that the land was good
And that she could build a better life
than ever she’d have thought she could

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Now Virginia came with nothing
But nothing was enough
To build herself a better life
Though the going would be very tough
She had an eye for business
And she had an eye for style
And she became the richest soul
In the county by a country mile

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Then one fateful morning
A stranger came to town
She saw at once the hated face
Of the man who’d tried to drag her down
A gun was on the table
She held it to his head
And as he begged for mercy
This is what the lady clearly said

“You brought me to Virginia
Named for an ancient queen
Who knew how to fight in a world of men
And the lessons learnt should be learned again
Its true that life’s been good to me
Since you took me from my home
But leaving all that I held dear
That choice was mine and mine alone”

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Virginia  (John Stone + Del Wags)

Jason and Mike go to an actual movie theater to watch the 25th anniversary screening of the Kevin Smith movie Dogma! The Smith rabbit hole is dove into, and some WWE Money In The Bank PLE chatter as well.

The 3 Noes Podcast #227 - Let's Not Get Dogmatic About Things

The first in a planned series of waltzes. This one a simple dorian mode tune, just bouncing along on various squeezeboxes. Mostly. (Picture credit to FrozenOrb) 

#22 Ruby Waltz

Del Wags is the music of Dave Wagoner: a collection of homemade tunes meant to please no particular demographic. Dave is a one- man show of rhythm guitar loops recorded in the basement, choruses born in the shower, lyrics written on the couch, and tracks mixed on the laptop (and the occasional cover). Go ahead, tap your feet.

I played only acoustic guitar and harmonica for many years, playing the same covers alone and occasionally with friends. I never thought I wanted an electric guitar or lots of music gear because I didn't want to accumulate more things. In 2019 by chance I obtained a cheap electric guitar from a friend, and my life changed as this new tool unlocked a creative door. During Covid I bought a looper and a keyboard and began teaching myself to play it, and the creative door flew wide open. I challenged myself to ride the learning curve of home computer music production. I re-tapped into my poetry-writing brain from high school and songs began flying out of me. I haven't been this creative since I was a teenager and it's pure joy.

I'm thankful to have a place here to share my creations, make connections with others, and hear so much unique and wonderful music and sound from people all over the world.

Old and new songs, tunes and stories of the sea and bush. Folklore collected tunes handed on the traditional way from the old bush players on fiddle, concertina and button accordian. I’m a traditional multi-instrumentalist, dance caller and folklore collector, specialising in Australian real old time dances and tunes from Queensland, Balkan and European folk music. Each of the collected tunes I personally learnt from the old musicians.  Original songs about the sea and First Nations people reflect my marine biologist background.Thanks to Kirsten Wortel for additional guitar backing on several original song tracks. Check out my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@MARIAZann

Accordion, melodeon, concertina, ceilidhs, traditional and experimental

New tracks tagged #squeezebox