Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down / ... Went Down

Subject: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: Aussieharper
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:08 PM

Our traditional dance group often plays a waltz tune Just as the Sun Goes Down - Our version is from Cecil Chapman of Nulla Creek.

When I was a young tad (many moons ago) my grandmother and mother used to sing this and I cannot for the life of me find anyone in the family who can remember the words, nor can I find it on any of the search engines.

Can anyone help

Denis McKay

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:37 PM

I found some stuff, but nothing I think you want. Duran Duran for instance..have you ANY snippets of lyrics at all? And where did you hear this? What country? What era?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: ClaireBear
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 08:25 PM

There's an American folk song called "Every Night When the sun Goes In" that was collected by Sharp (in English Folk Songs in the Appalachian Mountains). You'll find the words (in the Digital Tradition) if you click on this link. It isn't a waltz, though.

I'm wondering if the fact that Sharp claims it as English means that there are parallel songs in the English and, potentially, Australian folk traditions. Is the theme of the song anything like what you remember from your childhood, Aussieharper?

Wish I could help.
Claire

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: Aussieharper
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 08:42 PM

All I can remember is the last line which goes:-

"Just as the Sun Goes Down"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 09:03 PM

Crap. Not much help. Waltz tempo, Australia....hmmmm. Take some doing I think. Will wait for others to help. Peace?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: ClaireBear
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 09:08 PM

Here's an American Civil War song in waltz meter called "Just As the Sun Went Down" -- does that help?

C

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 11:46 AM

There is a religious song about the crucifixion with that line in it. Probably not what you want,

MP3 samplehere


Just As The Evening Sun
Was Sinking In The Golden West
Hanging Between Two Thieves
Hanging Between Two Thieves
They Crucified The Son Of God
Mocked By The Multitudes
Mocked By The Multitudes
They Placed On Him A Thorn Made Crown
Love Like This Was Never Known
Jesus Dying For His Own
Just As The Sun Went Down
Break
In San Edron He Was Tried
Have No Use For Him They Cried
By The Mob He Was Crucified
Just As The Sun Went Down

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 03:25 PM

San Edron should be Sanhedrin, which was a Jewish judicial group.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: oombanjo
Date: 07 Mar 08 - 04:02 PM

Is it Big Rock Candy Mountain? one evning as the sun went down.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN (Lyn Udall)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 02:19 PM

This seems to be the same song ClaireBear posted a link to, but it's not from the Civil War era. From Indiana University Sheet Music Collections:

JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN
Lyn Udall
New York: M. Witmark & Sons, 1898.

1. After the din of the battle's roar, just at the close of day,
Wounded and bleeding upon the field, two dying soldiers lay.
One held a ringlet of thin gray hair, one held a lock of brown,
Bidding each other a last farewell, just as the sun went down.

CHORUS: One thought of mother, at home alone, feeble and old and gray;
One of the sweetheart he left in town, happy and young and gay.
One kissed a ringlet of thin gray hair, one kissed a lock of brown,
Bidding farewell to the Stars and Stripes, just as the sun went down.

2. One knew the joy of a mother's love, one of a sweetheart fair
Thinking of home, they lay side by side, breathing a farewell pray'r;
One for his mother so old and gray, one for his love in town;
They closed their eyes to the earth and skies, just as the sun went down.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 06:12 PM

Thanks for delving, Jim -- I looked no further than what it said on the page I cited: that [the singer from whom it was collected believed] it dated back to the Civil War.

About that sheet music you linked to, though, here's a silly question: why the bi-planes, if it was published in 1898?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 02:20 PM

Good question about the biplane. I'm guessing that the song was originally published and copyrighted in 1898, but this particular edition of the sheet music was printed later.

I've seen it happen with other songs: sometime after the original publication date, a song has a resurgence of popularity, maybe because it was featured in a new play or film, or a new singer makes it popular again. So the sheet music is reprinted. The cover may be redesigned, maybe to show a picture of a new singer, but inside the cover, the music, lyrics, typography, etc. remain exactly the same. I suppose the publisher saved the original plates.

Furthermore, I'm guessing that a lot of old war songs were revived during WW1, and that's why this edition features a biplane.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 02:40 AM

Denis,
Chloe and Jason Roweth from NSW have recorded this on one of their CDs, if you are interested I will see if I can find it. Chloe sings it beautifully.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: pavane
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 02:45 AM

How about 'Maids of Australia' (slightly bawdy, though)

I think that ends with the words
'I entered the bush of Australia
just as the sun went down'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Just as the Sun Goes Down
From: pavane
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 02:47 AM

Sorry, imperfect recollection. MAID, not MAIDS
It's in the DT.
The last verse is

We kissed and we cuddled in the highest of glee,
The fairest Australia me eyes they did see,
Long time on her bosom me head I did hide,
'Til the sun in the West it began to decline,
Then I left this fair maid of Australia,
Then I left this fair maid of Australia,
Just as the sun went down.