Logan`s Lament (The Blackbird) / Traditional Folk Song / Guitar version

Logan`s Lament, sometimes called, The Blackbird is a traditional folk song. I sing and play it on guitar. I hope to do a banjo version someday, good Lord willing and the creek don`t rise. I know it`s kind of rough in spots. I probably should have practiced a little more before hitting record.

I was blown away by how Tim Eriksen played and sang this song. I think this might be his adaptation because all other versions I heard sound much different. Here is the link to his version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxoldgJrvYg

Logan's Lament (The Blackbird)
Author: unknown
Performed by Dan D. Dirges
Guitar version in A but played G position
Chords: G G/C Em7 C
Banjo version tuning fADGA

Logan's Lament (The Blackbird) lyrics

The blackbird is singing on Michigan's shore,
As sweetly and gaily as ever before,
For she knows to her mate she at pleasure can hie,
And her little brood she is teaching to fly,
Oh, alas, I am undone

The fox and the panther, both beasts of the night,
Retire to their dens on the gleaming of light,
And they spring with a free and a sorrowless track,
For they know that their mates are expecting them back,
Oh, alas, I am undone

The sun looks as ruddy, and rises ad bright,
And reflects o'er our mountains as beamy a light
As it ever reflected, or ever expresses
When skies were the bluest, my dreams were the best,
Oh, alas, I am undone

Each bird and each beast are blessed in degree;
All nature is cheerful, all happy but me;
I will go to my tent and lie down in despair,
I will paint me with black and I'll sever my hair.
Oh, alas, I am undone

I will sit on the shore when the hurricane blows,
And reveal to the God of the tempest my woes;
I will weep for a season, on bitterness fed,
For my kindred have gone to the hills of the dead,
Oh, alas, I am undone

But they died not by hunger or lingering decay;
The steel of the white man has swept them away;
The snake-skin that once I so sacredly wore
I will toss with disdain to the storm-beaten shore,
Oh, alas, I am undone

They came to my cabin when heaven was black,
I heard not their coming, and knew not their track,
But I saw by the light of their blazing fusees
They were people engendered beyond the big seas,
Oh, alas, I am undone

I will dig up my hatchet and bend my oak bow,
By night and by day I will follow the foe;
No lake shall impede me, no mountains nor snow,
Their blood can alone give my spirit repose.
Oh, alas, I am undone

My wife and my children Oh, spare me the tale,
For who is there left that is kin to Geehale;
My wife and my children Oh, spare me the tale,
For who is there left that is kin to Geehale;
Oh, alas, I am undone