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Rita Perry, “Red Rocking Chair,” // GemsOnVHS™

GemsOnVHS | December 27, 2025



This was recorded during my time in Ireland with the Mary Wallopers. I had the opportunity to record with a variety of artists while I was there, and one was Rita Perry. She was kind enough to invite me to her house in Cavan, Ireland. I’d describe the area as a rustic, countryside type of spot, not all that unfamiliar to folks like me, who live in the same type of surroundings in America. Fitting then that she played this old American folk tune, Red Rockin Chair (you might be familiar with the oldest recorded version by Dock Boggs https://youtu.be/blvWsHNNdfE?si=q5EpmTyAbTlE_aXz).

Accompanying Rita here is her father, Robbie, an absolute gem of a gent who had us rolling with laughter when he wasn’t busy playing some very tasteful banjo. They are both truly good people, opened their home to me and made me feel like I lived there myself, family. This is the type of music I very much live for; not on a stage, but played at a kitchen table, shared between family, enjoyed best with a morning cup of coffee. So to Rita, i’m sorry it took so long to get this one out, but it wasn’t for any lacking on your end. I hope we cross paths in the future!

Some words about Rita;
“Rita Perry is a musician who draws inspiration from her Irish-Catalan background in a wealth of traditions and aspiring futures. Her work ranges from live film scoring to intimate acoustic collaborations, singing in a mixture of English, Catalá and Castellaño to avoid being understood.

Keep an eye out for some of Rita’s exciting recording projects coming down the pipeline soon.

Often collaborating with her father Robbie Perry, she sits down with him in their kitchen to sing Red Rocking Chair, a traditional Appalachian song. The song also goes by the alternative titles Red Apple Juice; Sugar Baby; Honey Baby; I Ain’t Got No Honey Baby Now; with its earliest recordings by “Dock” Boggs, 1927 and Doc Hopkins, 1932. The song’s floating verses possibly link it to the Child No. 76, The Lass of Roch Royal. As these things go, the song has travelled back and forth across the pond and landed at this particular table. ”

Our undying love and gratitude go to our Patreon executive producers for making this possible: VJ Arizpe, Brady Jones, Irvin Maddox, Keith McQuillan, Joshua Taylor, One Aldean, Reverend Rockn’Roll, and Neon Noodle.

Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.
https://www.patreon.com/gemsonvhs

GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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Written by GemsOnVHS

Comments

This post currently has 30 comments.

  1. @tehtodene287

    December 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    In my tribe's language, we express our love for something by saying "my heart pours/falls out" and this song is what I fall for lol it is also what we say to express our anger lol

  3. @bark2251

    December 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    I love this, well done to all involved. as an Irish, GemsOnvhs fan, who lives 30 or 40 kms from these two.. I like most how she does not stop smiling, enjoying the song so much; it makes me enjoy it so much more. Ive never heard red rocking chair before this..

  10. @Filipgroesbaek

    December 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    I love this "kitchen table" version of "Red Rocking Chair," so relaxed, played & sung so well by this beautiful young woman & her father. A great video to brighten up anyone's day.

  19. @thomasperry9147

    December 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    am i a scrooge because i will not hear "boom chuck ___ a chucka" as an acceptable rhythm for traditional music? beware of the dreaded boomchuck __ a chucka – use it sparingly

  20. @dannypoolas4263

    December 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    I've listened to several versions of this song by different artists but this one reaches the places in my heart, mind, body ,spirit and life that lacked some loving caress for a long time. 😊😊

  22. @aftermath66699

    December 27, 2025 at 1:41 pm

    Mother to daughter
    And
    Father to son
    It's all we can do or say
    night and day
    All along
    All along
    These trails and trials
    Out here all alone
    All alone
    Who'll drop the needle
    Who'll drop the needle
    When their done
    But still alone
    Everyones long gone
    Opened my eyes to this life
    I been living all along
    I been living all along
    What do i do now
    Who?
    Who?

Comments are closed.

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