An Obscure 1972 Tune (Virginia hold on)

February 12, 2009 2:26 PM

An Obscure 1972 Tune "Virginia hold on"

Not too long ago, someone else had asked what this song was on this site. I've also been searching for it as well, so I thought I'd repost the question.

The year was 1972; It was on the radio around the time of 'Summer Breeze', 'Heart of Gold', 'A Horse With No Name' and 'Rocket Man' but obviously wasn't a big hit. I don't think it was merely regional in scope, but I'd heard it more than a few times back then on the local stations in New Mexico.

Here are some lyrics from the last verse and chorus:

When that train pulls around the bend
I know my friends will all be waiting there for me
But my welcome home won't be quite complete
Until I meet the girl I've traveled home to see

Virginia be strong,
For I won't be long,
Virginia hold on.

You'd think the name of the song would be in the chorus line, but this isn't the case from what I've searched. I've searched literally everywhere and still nothing.

Anybody have any clue who did this...or what the name of the song was?

[e-mail]

posted by bob4analog to media & arts (11 answers total)

This previous thread probably won't be helpful.
posted by box at 2:37 PM on February 12, 2009

Soft rock? Acoustic? Any other data points you can offer?
posted by sellout at 5:22 PM on February 12, 2009

Whoa. Deja vu!

Sellout, it was sort of folk rock, acoustic guitars, as I said in the original post, reminiscent of the Beatles' 'Two Of Us'.

I think I recall some bridge lyrics:

Been so long since I saw your smile
But in a little while, I'll be on my way,
Ya da da, yum de dum, woo woo....aw crap.

I think this search is hopeless, even in the age of the Internet. I even tracked down one of the jocks at the radio station I was listening to back then, and he ignored my email.
posted by DandyRandy at 8:45 AM on February 13, 2009

You might try these various lists of the top songs of 1972 to see if any of the titles jog your memory.
posted by softlord at 6:26 AM on February 14, 2009

So true! It's just really odd to me, that a song like this one can be released, and yet, there is absolutely no recollection or documentation of it's existence...other than a couple of folks that just happen to remember the tune.

I have been trying every resource I know of to find it...and NOTHING! Not even ASCAP knows anything about it (I'd talked to them too). I just gotta wonder tho, what if I was, say, some popular music artist and I wanted to record and re-release the song...then what? Who do you talk to? Actually, I can play the song since I play guitar (it's in F#)...maybe I just might record it. I've got my l'il home studio...gonna do it!

Anyways, I've also even posted this on youtube...14 views so far, but still no responses. (see it)

Still, I hope somebody will eventually reply about this song. Thanx for the response, Randy. I'm gonna keep try'n though!

Cheers!

My Email: [e-mail]
posted by bob4analog at 12:31 PM on February 15, 2009

Hey, Bob, there's an idea - record it and release it under your name. I bet you'd hear from them in no time flat! LOL
posted by DandyRandy at 11:38 AM on February 16, 2009

Yup, re-record and release the song and watch those guys that originally made the song come out of the woodwork! (hehe) I am gonna record it for sure! I've already got the guitar part worked out.

BTW, Did you see where someone else is looking for this song? Have a look:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Oldies-2943/2008/10/1970s-tune.htm

Bobhttp://en.allexperts.com/q/Oldies-2943/2008/10/1970s-tune.htmhttp://en.allexperts.com/q/Oldies-2943/2008/10/1970s-tune.htm
posted by bob4analog at 4:11 PM on February 16, 2009

Any chance it's "Virginia" by Rare Bird? There is a short clip of the song here:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:abfwxqwaldde

The era is correct, it would be fun "traveling" music, and it was released as a single. I don't actually know the song, so I don't know any of the rest of its lyrics. It's also impossible to find lyrics for it anywhere, apparently, so it would explain why your Google searches would have proved fruitless...
posted by sellout at 4:20 PM on February 16, 2009

Ah, sellout, you had my heart going pitter-pat there for a second, but alas, no, that's not it.
posted by DandyRandy at 12:51 PM on February 17, 2009

Wow, had me goin' there too! Wished it could've been "Virginia" by Rare Bird. Nice try tho (interesting group just the same). Rare Bird is an example of groups that didn't chart, but still produce good music. I'm thinking that's what happened with the group that did the song we're looking for (Virginia Hold On).

So, did anybody see this other guys post at:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Oldies-2943/2008/10/1970s-tune.htm [click]

This guy was also looking for the same song. Wonder if he ever found it. That site is hard to navigate.

Also, here's the You Tube Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu2CMrAwXcY [click]
(Wasn't sure if anyone seen it yet.)

Thanx for following up on this thread...we'll keep tryin'!

Bob
posted by bob4analog at 11:50 PM on February 19, 2009

Well, the mystery has hereby been solved; the name of the song is "Virginia" by Vigrass and Osborne. Here's a couple of sites that explain the mystery artist:

http://greatbigradio.blogspot.com/2007/04/meet-vigrass-and-osborne.html
http://www.chrisspedding.com/session/vo/vo1.htm

If anybody wants the mp3 of this song, let me know ([e-mail]). All credit and gratitude goes to to Vic G. for finding this song. (Many Thanks, Vic!)

Cheers to all!

Bob
posted by bob4analog at 12:10 PM on April 14, 2009