Tumbling Tumbleweeds

Returning to the theme of Cowboy Songs... (if this isn't your genre, dear reader, don't fret. The week is almost over)

Sons of the Pioneers

"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is another song that my dad used to sing all the time. Although one of the most famous songs associated with the Sons of the Pioneers, the song was composed by Bob Nolan in the 1930s, while working as a caddy and living in Los Angeles. Originally titled "Tumbling Tumble Leaves", the song was reworked into the title "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and into fame with the 1935 Gene Autry film of the same name. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.

Cover versions

•     Bing Crosby recorded the song with John Scott Trotter's Orch in Los Angeles 9 February 1940.
•     The Sons of the Pioneers 1946 version of the song was featured in the 1998 film The Big Lebowski, though it did not appear on the soundtrack release. The Sons of the Pioneers' recording was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
•     Slim Whitman had a top twenty hit with "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" in 1956.
•     Johnnie Ray recorded his version for the 1959 album On The trail.
•     Kate Smith made a popular recording of the song, available on her CD 16 Most Requested Songs.
•     The Supremes covered the song on their 1965 album The Supremes Sing Country, Western & Pop, although it was recorded two years earlier. Diana Ross sings lead.
•     Michael Nesmith of The Monkees covered the song with his solo band The First National Band on their album Nevada Fighter, released January 1, 1970.
•     In the song "Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out" by The Fugs on their 1968 album Tenderness Junction, the chorus of "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is sung over part of the instrumental section.
•     Jazz guitarist Grant Green recorded a version in 1962, which was released on the 1969 album Goin' West, and features Herbie Hancock on piano.
•     Don Everly recorded a version in 1970. It is the opening track on the album "Don Everly."

 See them tumbling down
Pledging their love to the ground
Lonely but free I'll be found
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds

Cares of the past are behind
Nowhere to go but I'll find
Just where the trail will wind
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds

I know it when night has gone
That new world's born at dawn

I'll keep rolling along
Deep in my heart there's a song
Here on the range I belong
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds

I know the night has gone
That new world's born at dawn

I'll keep rolling along
Deep in my heart is a song
Here on the range I belong
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds

 http://youtu.be/JQc5gDXQGIs