Alice Gerrard: “No Never No”
Clip: 3/13/2025 | 4m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard’s “No Never No” is based on a song she found in a songbook at a thrift shop.
Alice Gerrard plays “No Never No,” which is based on a tune she found in a songbook at a thrift shop. She and her former songwriting partner Hazel Dickens reshaped the song into a ballad featuring the “lonesome sound” of old-time music and bluegrass.
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Alice Gerrard: “No Never No”
Clip: 3/13/2025 | 4m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard plays “No Never No,” which is based on a tune she found in a songbook at a thrift shop. She and her former songwriting partner Hazel Dickens reshaped the song into a ballad featuring the “lonesome sound” of old-time music and bluegrass.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[lively music] ♪ They sat by the fireside, his fair daughters three ♪ ♪ They talked of their father who sailed on the sea ♪ ♪ Oh when he comes back we will all love him so ♪ ♪ He never again to the salt sea shall go ♪ ♪ No, never no ♪ ♪ I'll bring him this vest all of satin so fine ♪ ♪ And I'll be his carver when he sits to dine ♪ ♪ I'll climb on his knee, place a kiss on his brow ♪ ♪ He never again to the salt sea shall go ♪ ♪ No, never ♪ ♪ O did you not hear it the sisters declared ♪ ♪ There's surely a spirit that talks in the air ♪ ♪ And whether we speak either loudly or low ♪ ♪ It answers in voices all mournful and slow ♪ ♪ No, never no ♪ ♪ It is but the tempest that rages so strong ♪ ♪ The gale will itself speed our father along ♪ ♪ Go look at the vane and see how the winds blow ♪ ♪ He'll bring us gay things for he promised us so ♪ ♪ No, never no ♪ ♪ Prepare ye fair maidens, prepare ye to weep ♪ ♪ Your father lies cold in the dark rolling deep ♪ ♪ Look not at the vane nor ask how the winds blow ♪ ♪ His ghost in the storm whispers mournful and slow ♪ ♪ No, never no ♪
Alice Gerrard: “December Daisy”
Video has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard and her band perform the upbeat bluegrass instrumental “December Daisy.” (2m 24s)
Alice Gerrard: “Get Up and Do Right” and “Fortune”
Video has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard combines two bluegrass songs into one tune that calls for community action. (3m 6s)
Alice Gerrard: “Stormy Waters”
Video has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard performs the bluegrass and gospel classic “Stormy Waters.” (3m 48s)
Video has Closed Captions
Alice Gerrard performs “Sun to Sun,” a song about gun violence. (3m 25s)
Video has Closed Captions
Folk legend Alice Gerrard performs songs from communities that have inspired her. (30s)
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Shaped by Sound is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.