A native of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Jonathan grew up singing in the Southern Baptist church, where his father preached and his mother played piano.
After four years in the Navy, he returned to Chapel Hill to play in rock bands in that legendary underground music scene.
A friend of Jonathan's invited him to an old-time fiddle festival in the mountains of southwest Virginia, where his writing began to change.
Assimilating the sounds of southern traditional music, Byrd wrote new songs in an ancient style.
Four years of hard work!This month of May we celebrated four years on the air. We continue working on the dissemination of this wonderful instrument, thank you for participating in our story!
SONG: THE YOUNG SLAVER ARTIST: JONATHAN BYRD TAB BY: DON CZARSKI EMAIL: [email protected]
THE YOUNG SLAVER JONATHAN BYRD
INTRO: GGDGDEmCGEmCG
VERSE: GDGD Oh my dear, you prepare, are you going anywhere? EmCGEm Oh my dear, back from town, are you to a vessel bound, CG Off to war on an angry sea?
VERSE: GDGD Fairest one, I love you, this is something I must do EmCGEm Fairest one, if I stay, then your honor I'd betray CG So I seek lesser company
GDGDEmCGEmCG
VERSE: GDGD Oh my dear, please don't leave, there are tears upon my sleeve EmCGEm Oh my dear, if you go, down the archipelago CG You will never return to me
VERSE: GDGD Fairest one, let me go, for you know I love you so EmCGEm Fairest one, I'll return and your marriage I will earn CG With promotion and bravery
GDGDEmCGEmCG
VERSE: GDGD Oh my dear, you are gone, I will mourn you ere the dawn EmCGEm All the young and the brave are the first to find their grave CG In Her Majesty's company
VERSE: GDGD Fairest one never knew what I'm really set to do EmCGEm Fairest one I never told, trading slaves for rum and gold CG To win her from her family
GDGDEmCGEmCG
VERSE: GDGD Oh my dear, I have dreams, in the night I hear the screams EmCGEm Oh my dear, in those lands, you have blood upon your hands CG And your soul is in jeopardy
VERSE: GDGD Fairest one of my land, I do not deserve your hand EmCGEm Fairest one, like a fool, I have been the devil's tool CG And my soul is in jeopardy
GDGDEmCGEmCG
VERSE: GDGD Oh my dear, I have learned, all the ships of war returned EmCGEm Oh my dear, as you know, they did not return with you CG So I made you a grave by the sea
VERSE: GDGD Fairest one, I have sins rum or gold could never cleanse EmCGEm Fairest one, in the deep, I will lay my self to sleep CG And make me a grave of the sea
OUTRO: GDGDEmCGEmCG
NOTE: When Jonathan Byrd plays this song live he plays in a different key. He then CAPO'S at the 4th fret and plays the following: