On the Banks
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:03 PM I chose to discuss the Kossoy Sisters’ version of Banks of the Ohio because I was particularly struck by their use of harmony in the song. Being more familiar with the melancholy Johnny Cash version, it was a very interesting experience to hear the sisters sing a much lighter rendition. While I could be wrong about this, I believe that there are two instruments being used in the song which are the bass and the banjo. The bass plays one note per down beat, following a very simple pattern, and the banjo has a more layered sound. I also found it very intriguing that either the sisters or somebody else changed the lyrics to the song in this version.
Had some difficulty deciding on the song structure. (??)
I asked my love to take a walk
Only for a little way
And as we walked we’d have a talk
Of our approaching wedding day. A
(Chorus)
And only say that you’ll be mine
And our home so happy be
Down beside some water flow
On the banks of the Ohio A’
I drew a knife across her breast
As gently in my arms she pressed
Crying “Oh Willy, don’t murder me
For I am unprepared to die.” A
(Chorus) A’
I took her by her lily-white hand
I drug her down to the river strand
I plunged her in where she would drown
And stood and watched her as she floated down A
(Chorus) A’
While walking home between twelve and one
Thinking of the deed I’d done
I’ve killed the girl that I love best
Because she would not be my bride. A
(Chorus) A’
Reader Comments (2)
A lot of students observed that the Kossoy Sister's version of "On the Banks of the Ohio" sounded “disturbing” or “morose,” like Megan Moore, whose post you can read here: (http://benleedscarson.com/by-banks-in-pines/author/meganmoore). Why do the Kossoy Sisters in particular catch your attention? It could be argued that Bill Monroe, at least, if not Johnny Cash as well, performed with the same lack of emotion as the Kossoy Sisters. So is it their gender that makes a difference? Do we find their rendition “creepy” in the same way we find, for example…the twin girls in The Shining creepy? Is it because women are seen as more innocent? Do we expect men to commit murder before women? Kim Riamaud does a good job of explaining her opinion on this notion: (http://benleedscarson.com/by-banks-in-pines/author/kimrambaud).
(If this doesn’t seem relevant to your post, please think about it and make comments anyway, because it is relevant to the class! Also, make sure you’re commenting on other students’ posts, not necessarily just replying to me, your TA.)
It definitely seems relevant, and I think the reason I found the Kossoy sisters' version to be more uplifting was because of the harmony part. Well, maybe uplifting isn't the right word, but the tone seemed lighter to me somehow, although the juxtaposition of the tone with the lyrics definitely brings it back down to the melancholy.
Although you bring up an interesting point about their gender. That could have a lot to do with my interpretation of it.