A good friend died last week.
In fact, he was the oldest friend I had. When I was a child, my family moved around a lot. But, we finally settled down. I was in seventh grade and it was March and once again I was in a new school. I was put in a class and sat next to a boy named John. We became good friends and stayed that way for nearly 60 years.
His death was not expected, and it hit me hard.
At the time I had been reading a book about Greenwhich Village. Towards the end the book described the tribute service for the folk singer, Phil Ochs. At it, Dave Van Ronk sang the song “He Was a Friend of Mine,” a song that had long been associated with him and which was a regular part of his repertoire. Yet, he did not write the song–he thought Bob Dylan wrote it and listed him as the writer on his first recording of it. But Dylan didn’t write it.
Dylan had recorded “He was a Friend of Mine” to appear on his first album but it was not selected. Later, Van Ronk recorded it for his first album and credited Dylan as the songwriter, as many of those that followed also did. But Dylan had heard it on a record by Rolf Cahn and Erich von Schmidt who had arranged a traditional folk song first recorded in 1939. Later The Byrds recorded it but changed the words to make the song about JFK after his assassination. Soon other singers/bands would adapt the song to reference anyone who might be dear to them.
Anyway, here’s my version. I haven’t changed or adapted anything that I’m aware of. Enjoy.
j. p. bohannon 