In the Pines

Bill Monroe

About In the Pines

"In the Pines", also known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" and "My Girl", is a traditional American folk song originating from two songs, "In the Pines" and "The Longest Train", both of whose authorship is unknown and date back to at least the 1870s. The songs originated in the Southern Appalachian area of the United States in the contiguous areas of Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky, Western North Carolina and Northern Georgia. Versions of the song have been recorded by many artists in numerous genres, but it is most often associated with American bluegrass musician Bill Monroe and American blues musician Lead Belly, both of whom recorded very different versions of the song in the 1940s and 1950s. A version of the song performed by the Four Pennies reached the UK top-twenty in 1964. A live performance by the American grunge band Nirvana reinterpreted Lead Belly's version and was recorded during their MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. 


Year:
1999
3:11
106 
#1

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The longest train I ever saw
Went down that Georgia line
The engine passed at six o'clock
And the cab passed by at nine

In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
And we shiver when the cold wind blows
Who who hoo hoo hoo, who who hoo hoo hoo

I asked my captain for the time of day
He said he throwed his watch away
A long steel rail and a short cross tie
I'm on my way back home

In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
And we shiver when the cold wind blows
Who who hoo hoo hoo, who who hoo hoo hoo

Little girl, little girl, what have I done
That makes you treat me so?
You caused me to weep, you caused me to mourn
You caused me to leave my home

In the pines, in the pines
Where the sun never shines
And we shiver when the cold wind blows
Who who hoo hoo hoo, who who hoo hoo hoo

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Bill Monroe

William Smith Monroe (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader. He is often referred to as The Father of Bluegrass. more »

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Written by: BILLY BRAGG, TRADITIONAL, JOE HENRY

Lyrics © DistroKid

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


18 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"In the Pines" is classified as a folk, country, and bluegrass tune. Bill Monroe, often referred to as the "Father of Bluegrass," is known for his distinctive style of playing and singing.
Song Origin
The song is not originally by Bill Monroe. "In the Pines," also known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," "My Girl," and "Black Girl," is a traditional American folk song dating back to at least the 1870s.
Cover Versions
The song "In the Pines" has been interpreted and recorded by many artists in various genres. Notable renditions have been performed by artists such as Lead Belly, Nirvana, and the Four Pennies.
Song Themes
A recurrent theme throughout the song is the pining for a lover who has gone, resulting in the singer spending the night alone in the pines.
Monroe's Interpretation
When Bill Monroe recorded "In The Pines," he added his unique bluegrass twist, featuring the prominent use of the mandolin, fiddle, and high-pitched vocals.
Song Variations
Due to its folk origins, the lyrics and instrumentation of "In the Pines" can vary greatly among versions. Monroe's interpretation was based on versions he learned from his youth in Kentucky.
Song Influence
Nirvana's famous cover of the song during their MTV Unplugged session in 1993, titled "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," has sometimes eclipsed Monroe's version in popular awareness, but Monroe's influence on the arrangement is undeniable.
Song Presence
"In the Pines" has maintained a consistent presence in various forms of media, including movies, television shows due to its long-standing tradition in American music culture.
Album Information
Bill Monroe's version of the song "In the Pines" was released in the album "Bluegrass 1950-1958" in the year 1990.
Recording Information
Bill Monroe first recorded his version of "In the Pines" for Decca Records in 1941, highlighting his distinctive high-lonesome sound.
HISTORICAL ORIGIN
The song "In the Pines," also known as "Black Girl" or "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," has its origins in American folk music. It's believed to have been written in the Southern Appalachian area of the United States during the late 19th century, years before Bill Monroe recorded his own version.
INTERPRETATION
Bill Monroe is known for his bluegrass interpretation of the song. His version, which he often performed with his band the Blue Grass Boys, contributed to the song being regarded as a bluegrass standard.
GRAMMY HALL OF FAME
Bill Monroe's version of "In the Pines" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997, a testament to its cultural significance and enduring popularity.
COVER VERSIONS
While the song's author remains unknown, its mark on popular music is evident, having been covered by numerous artists from various musical genres including blues, folk, rock, and rap. This includes famous versions by Lead Belly and Nirvana.
LYRICAL CONTENT
The song's lyrics differ across versions, but Monroe’s version is considered one of the more traditional interpretations. The lyrics feature a recurring theme common in folk ballads: love, loss, and longing. The notable line, "In the pines, where the sun don't ever shine, I would shiver the whole night through," adds a sense of chilling loneliness and grief.
INFLUENTIAL PERFORMANCE
Not only did Bill Monroe's interpretation make the song a standard in bluegrass genre, his distinctive mandolin playing on the song also inspired many future bluegrass and country musicians.
ACCOLADE
"In the Pines" was named among the "Songs of the Century" by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts in 2001.
FILM AND TELEVISION
The song has been used in many films and TV shows across the decades. Its haunting melodies and emotional lyrics have made it a desirable choice for soundtracks seeking to evoke a particular mood or context.

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