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Brannon's Survey Crew

from Adirondack Green by Dan Berggren and Friends

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about

Bill Brannon was more than a surveyor, he was a teacher and friend. Working with him produced this experience of seeing familiar land in a new light. (© 1980)

lyrics

Old Will Dicker died and his widow sold the farm
It was just too much work to keep it goin'
That land was in the family for about 200 years
But time had come for someone new to do the growin'
Well, a 200-year-old boundary line's alright
But the buyer said not good enough for him
"That brook could've shifted and them pines don't mean a thing
We'll start from scratch" he said and that's when Brannon's crew came in
Walkin' the line on Brannon's survey crew
Set up, level, get your bearing, chain and mark it true
There's a red rocking chair waiting when the day is through
When you're walkin' the line on Brannon's survey crew

The last time I was here I was fishing in the brook
Couldn't have been much more than ten years old
Old Will Dicker said I could fish if I'd lend a hand
On his two-man saw cutting wood in the fall for the long winter cold
Today the crew went out with eyes and axes sharp
We were lookin' for some signs of evidence
Brannon was in the county seat searchin' out the deeds
With sweat in our eyes we're swattin' black flies, followin' split-rail fence
Walkin' the line . . .

Ol' Will Dicker told me "Stay this side of the brook
And near that stand o' pines beware barbed wire
I had to put it up 'cause the cows were gettin' loose
But that land is mine 'til you hit the pines, or call me a liar"
We brushed out the lot-line to the letter of the deed
And chained off the distance to the pines
I turned an angle 90 degrees and there was that rusty wire
It was no surprise to my eyes - that was the boundary line
Walkin' the line . . . .

©1980 Dan Berggren

credits

from Adirondack Green, released June 1, 1985
Dan Berggren - vocal, guitar; Dan Duggan - guitar; John Kirk - banjo; Marc Facci - bass; The Kitchen Choir of the Ninth Annual Fredonia Folk Weekend - harmony

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all rights reserved

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Dan Berggren New York

Dan Berggren is a tradition-based songsmith who writes with honesty, humor and a
strong sense of place. His songs explore the many dimensions of home, hard-working
folks, taking care of our planet and each other. Dan’s roots are firmly in the Adirondacks where he was raised but his music has
branched out across many borders. ... more

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