I'm Throwing Rice is a budget reissue of ten Eddy Arnold sides from the mid-'50s in fake stereo. There are a few hits in the bunch, including "Casey Jones (The Brave Engineer)" and Arnold's competing version of Marvin Rainwater's "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird." Particularly interesting is "The Rockin' Mockin' Bird," an attempt at rock & roll cut in 1956. Beyond that, the album is a hodgepodge of sentimental ballads ("I Wouldn't Trade the Silver in My Mother's Hair") and a western show tune ("Wagon Wheels") from the years before Arnold became a veritable pop singer. If you can get past the reprocessed stereo effect, I'm Throwing Rice is a convenient anthology of assorted singles.
EDDY ARNOLD
I'M THROWING RICE (RCA Camden CAS-897)
June/1965
Produced by Stephen Sholes
Recorded 1949, Castle Studio, Nashville
She was my gal he was my pal
But she loved him better somehow
I stepped aside after I kissed the bride
And I'm throwing rice at her now [ steel ]
She was my gal he was my pal...
**********
This is the end I guess we've said goodbye
I'll miss you I'll confess but I won't cry
How can you leave me so lonesome and blue
This is the thanks I get for loving you
How can you leave me so lonesome and blue
This is the thanks I get for loving you
**********
Casye Jones mounted to the cabin
Casey Jones with the orders in his hand
Casye Jones mounted to the cabin
And it took his final trip to the Promised Land
Put in your water and shovel your coal
Put your head out the window watch the drivers roll
I'll run her till she leaves the rails
Cause I made hours late with the western mail
He looked at his watch but the watch was slow
He looked at the water and the water was low
He looked at the fireman and then he said
We're gonna reach Frisco Buffalo'd be dead
Casey Jones gonna reach Frisco
Casey Jones Buffalo'd be dead
Casey Jones we're gonna reach Frisco
We're gonna reach Frisco Buffalo'd be dead
Casey pulled up that Reno hill
He whistled for the crossing with an awful shrill
The switchman knew by the engine's moan
That the man at the throttle was Casey Jones
He pulled up within two miles of the place
There number four stared him straight in the face
He turned to his fireman said boy you'd better jump
Cause there's two locomotives that are going to bump
Casey Jones two locomotives
Casey Jones that's going to bump
Casey Jones two locomotives
There's two locomotives that's going to bump
Casey said just before he died
There're two more roads that I'd like to ride
The fireman said would that be
The Northern Pacific and the Santa Fe
Mrs Jones sat at on her bed a sighin'
Just to see the message that Casey was dyin'
Go to bed children and stop your cryin'
Cause daddy's still a ridin' that heavenly line
Casye Jones mounted to the cabin
Casey Jones with the orders in his hand
Casye Jones mounted to the cabin
And it took his final trip to the Promised Land
**********
Little angel with the dirty face God called mother sent you in her place
You brought heaven with your smile and you made my life worthwhile
Little angel with the dirty face [ steel ]
Though you're only two years old you're worth more to me than gold
You brought sunshine turned my night to day
And from somewhere up above mother sends to you her love
Watches o'er you while you run and play
God gave us mothers and tried to be fair
When he gave me mine I got more than my share
I wouldn't trade the silver in my mother's hair
For all the gold in the world [ steel ]
God gave us mothers...
**********
Down on my knees each night I pray
Mama change your mind and let my daddy stay
For I've been so happy all of my life
And I still want mama to be my daddy's wife [ steel ]
I'd trade all my toys and everything
If mama always wear my daddy's wedding ring
For I've been so happy all of my life
And I still want mama to be my daddy's wife
**********
Go along mule there's a steamer at the landin'
Waiting for this cotton to load
Go along mule the boss is understandin'
There's a pasture at the end of each road
Wagon wheels wagon wheels keep on a turning wagon wheels
Roll along sing your song wagon wheels carry me home
Wagon wheels carry me home
