The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #32196   Message #1785318
Posted By: Peace
17-Jul-06 - 12:53 AM
Thread Name: song history - How Can I Keep From Singing
Subject: RE: song history - How Can I Keep From Singing
"14. How Can I Keep From Singing 4:08

(Lyrics: Anne Warner (1864) Doris Plenn (v.3) Music: Rev. R. Lowry/Sanga Music, Inc.) Jon lead vocal, pennywhistle · Mike tenor vocal · Danny baritone vocal, pennywhistle · Ed High land bagpipes"

From here.

And the following:

"For her, this is significantly more than a charming adage. While hospitalized some years back, Nordeen drew great comfort from a certain traditional ballad, titled "How Can I Keep From Singing?" Written in 1864 by Anne Warner, the song – perhaps rooted in N.C.'s Iredell County – was resurrected in 1957 by one Doris Plenn, who, with the McCarthy hearings in mind, added the following verse: "When tyrants tremble sick with fear and hear their death knells ringing; When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing? In prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging; When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?"

From here.