“That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine ”, a song written by Gene autry and Jimmy Long, was first recorded by Jimmy Long and Cliff Keiser for the Champion label, on December 2, 1930, and released in early 1931, to At the end of 1931 they recorded it Gene Autry & Jimmy Long, for the Perfect label and was released in January 1932. Was the first hit song of American cowboy entertainer Gene Autry, a duet with fellow railroad man, Jimmy Long, the single achieved the greatest popularity in 1935, selling 5 million copies. It was featured in the 1935 Western films Tumbling Tumbleweeds and The Phantom Empire.
Slim Whitman recorded it for the Imperial label in February 1955, at KWKH Radio Station Studio, 327 Texas St., Shreveport, LA. In the recording session, Slim was accompanied by: Sugarfoot Collins, Tinker Fry, Curly Harris, Bill Peters, Sonny Harville. During the same session, three other songs were recorded: “Blue eyes crying in the rain”, “When my blue moon turns to gold again” and «A petal from a faded rose”. The song was released in 1956, in EP format.
The song was included in Slim Whitman’s studio album, Slim Whitman Sings (Imperial 1959).
In the spring of 1980, Slim re-recorded the song for the Epic label, at Woodland Sound Studio, 1011 Woodland St., Nashville, TN. In the recording session of the album, Slim was accompanied by: Harold Bradley (guitar), Pete Wade (guitar), Jimmy Capps (guitar), Ray Edenton (guitar), Steve Chapman (guitar), Weldon Myrick (steel), Bob Moore (bass), Jerry Carrigan and Kenneth Malone (drums), Hargus Robbins and Chuck Cochran (piano), Tony Migliore (accordion) and Sheldon Kurland (Strings and horns). With the production of Pete Drake, the song was released in October 1980, and December 6, 1980, and reached on the charts of U.S Hot Country singles, at number # 69, and remaining a total of 5 weeks on the charts.
The song was included in Slim Whitman’s studio album, Songs I Love To Sing (Epic 1980), the album was released in the mid-1980s, and on December 6, 1980, reached # 25 ,on U.S Top Country albums, and remained a total of 18 weeks in the charts.
The song is a classic of western music and has been versioned numerous times.
Some versions:
Jimmy Long & Cliff Keiser 1931 (Champion)
Gene Autry & Jimmy Long 1932 (Perfect)
Cal Chester’s Mountaineers 1932 (Conqueror)
The Girls of the Golden West 1933 (Bluebird)
Tiny Hill & His Cactus Cutups 1948 (Mercury)
Ferlin Husky 1956 (Capitol)
Johnny Cash 1973 (Columbia)
Riders in the Sky 1996 (Rounder)
Up to more than 40 versions ….
Slim Whitman – That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine Lyrics
In a vine covered shack in the mountains
Bravely fighting the battle of time
There’s a dear one who’s weathered life’s sorrow
It’s that silver haired daddy of mine
If I could recall all the heartaches
Dear old Daddy, I’ve caused you to bear
If I could erase those lines from your face
And bring back the gold to your hair
If God would but grant me the power
Just to turn back the pages of time
I’d give all I own if I could but atone
To that silver haired daddy of mine
I know it’s too late, dear old Daddy
To repay for the heartaches and cares
But dear Mother is waiting in Heaven
Just to comfort and solace you there
If I could recall all the heartaches
Dear old Daddy, I’ve caused you to bear
If I could erase those lines from your face
And bring back the gold to your hair
If God would but grant me the power
Just to turn back the pages of time
I’d give all I own if I could but atone
To that silver haired daddy of mine
