Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose

Subject: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:32 PM

Some years ago I heard a few times the song "Honeysuckle Rose".I found it very good and would like to know the words and a bit of its history if possible.I do remember the chorus:

                   My little honeysuckle rose, how I love you!
                   Darling, I could never forget.
                   The days have seemed like years
                   I've shed so many tears.
                   In my heart,my dear, you know I love you yet.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: Beer
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 10:53 PM

You got me Tom.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 11:34 PM

Beer:
   LOL! Isn't it frustrating when you know some of the words and not the title of a really good song? Oh well, maybe someone knows or can find it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 12:43 AM

Surely not the "Honeysuckle Rose" sung by Louis Armstrong and a hundred others? That one is all over the net.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 11:37 AM

No, that's not the one.On second thought, the title may be "My Little Honeysuckle Rose".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 01:45 PM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 02:08 PM

My last two posts were obviously too hasty.I found the lyrics to "My Little Honeysuckle Rose" though they differ somewhat from the version I remember(folk process!).
The second verse is different and the last line I remember as
         
               Plant a honeysuckle rose upon my grave.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 02:10 PM

Whoops! Here are the lyrics:
               
                          



My Little Honeysuckle Rose


        

My little honeysuckle rose you know I love you
Even though you're many miles away
You're a sweetheart so divine and I'll always call you mine
And I'm hopin' that we meet again someday

Little honeysuckle rose how I miss you
Darlin' could you ever forget
Oh the day seemed like years and I've shed so many tears
And as I loved you then I love you yet

Among the honeysuckle vines we use to wander
When I was with the girl I loved the best
When you promised to be true I'll remember dear to you
When I pinned a lovely rose upon your breast

Now I'll say my last goodbye my little darlin'
The roses for me dear I know you'll save
After I am dead and gone if that love still linger's on
There's honeysuckle vines upon my grave

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: PoppaGator
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 02:15 PM

For those who, like me, thought this thread was addressing the more well-known, jazz-pop classic, here's a few tidbits of info:

Those who associate the song primarily with Louis Armstrong may or may not know that the music was written by Thomas "Fats" Waller.

Those many who DO know "Honeysuckle Rose" as a Fats Waller song may not know that the lyricist was one Andy Razaf.

Notable recordings, beside Satchmo's and Fats', include renditions by Wilie Nelson, the late great acoustic/folk heroine Eva Cassidy, and contemporary jazz chanteuse Jane Monheit. The lyrics posted on the internet as "by Jane Monheit" include the little-known introductory "verse" as well as the more familiar chorus and refrain.

My quick Google search did not turn up chords or tabs. I may dig a little deeper when I have time, so that I can learn to play the better-known "Honeysuckle Rose" and add it to my working repertoire.

Judging by the recent Mudcat interest in similar numbers, e.g., "Ain't Misbehavin'," I was sure that the original post on this thread would concern the Fats Waller classic. I don't know anything about that other song by this (or a similar) title. Best of luck on your quest!

Subject: Lyr Add: HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (Razaf, Waller)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 06:30 PM

Here's the "other" Honeysuckle Rose:

HONEYSUCKLE ROSE
Words, Andy Razaf. Music, Thomas "Fats" Waller.
New York: Santly Bros., Inc., 1929.

1. Ev'ry honeybee
Fills with jealousy
When they see you out with me.
I don't blame them, goodness knows,
Honeysuckle Rose.

2. When you're passin' by,
Flowers droop and sigh,
And I know the reason why:
You're much sweeter, goodness knows,
Honeysuckle Rose.

BRIDGE: Don't buy sugar.
You just have to touch my cup.
You're my sugar.
It's sweet when you stir it up.

3. When I'm takin' sips
From your tasty lips,
Seems the honey fairly drips.
You're confection, goodness knows,
Honeysuckle Rose.

RedHotJazz.com has vocal recordings by –
McKinney's Cotton Pickers, 3-Feb-1930;
Frank Trumbauer and his Orchestra, 10-Apr-1931;
Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, 23-Aug-1934;
Adrian and his Tap Room Gang, 14-Jun-1935;
Fats Waller and his Rhythm, 1-Jul-1941.
– plus several instrumental versions.

If you want to learn the tune, I recommend the first 2 recordings, because they're sung fairly "straight." Later recordings, including Waller's own, take liberties with the melody in true jazz fashion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 10:24 PM

Thanks, Jim.Unbelievable as it would seem, I have never seen or heard that song!It's really good!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 12:59 PM

Since I mentioned it yesterday, I suppose I ought to supply the lyrics for that introductory verse of the Waller/Razaf song:

Have no use for sweets of any kind

Since the day you came around,

From the start i instantly made up my mind

Sweeter sweetness can`t be found.

You`re so sweet, can`t be beat,

Nothing sweeter ever stood on feet.

(Then proceed to "Ev'ry honeybee/Fills with jealousy," etc.)

I have no idea of the melody for this part of the song; it's not commonly performed, and to my knowledge I've never heard it. Maybe it's included on one or more of the recordings Jim referred to. It should definitely be included in Jane Monheit's recording, because the internet source for the above specifically refers to her rendition.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:16 PM

If you want to hear what the introductory verse to HONEYSUCKLE ROSE sounds like, here's a video at YouTube of Andrea Claburn singing it: Click to play.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 08:54 PM

Cool, Jim! Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: Spot
Date: 01 May 08 - 07:18 PM

Hallo everybody...

               I wonder if anyone's thought of Kirsty McGee's song of the same title...   Lovely song, though I guess its not the one being talked about here..Backing vocals,I think, by Boo Hewerdine... I bought the CD on the strength of that song and every track's a winner, for me... in fact.. K's " Coffee Coloured Strings" has to be my all time favourite ( and it's not what I personally would class as folk!!)Also, I think its on her 2nd CD "Frost" !! Also, I generally don't like anything "unfolky" so this is quite a revelation for me.. Sorry if this isnt relevant :-)

      Regards to all....Spot (just having another Dalwhinnie!!) ;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 May 08 - 08:18 AM

Kirsty McGee's song is called GOLDEN HONEYSUCKLE ROSE, and it's on her album "Honeysuckle," Fellside, 2004.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Honeysuckle Rose
From: Spot
Date: 05 May 08 - 04:22 PM

Jim...

I stand corrected - you're absolutely right!!   A lovely song though, IMO... apologies where necessary!!

                  Regards to all...Spot    :-)