Origin: The [Two] Photographers (Grit Laskin)

Subject: Photographer's Ballad-Pete Seeger Help!
From: ann
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 03:30 PM

Help! I finally found the words for this song through the mudcat search. It has reference to Grit Laskin who must be the writer as I'm nearly certain Pete Seeger recorded it. Can anyone tell me what album it was on and if it would still be available to buy. I've had that song on my mind for 20 yrs. and tried to track it down years ago to no avail. i used to have the album and can't remember the name. My husband got it in the divorce settlement many moons ago and I'd hate to have to try and track him down! Thanks!!!

Subject: RE: Photographer's Ballad
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 04:47 PM

Hi. Grit's probably got the info you want. E-mail him and ask him about it. say hello from Rick. click here

Subject: RE: Photographer's Ballad
From: bigJ
Date: 04 Jul 99 - 05:03 AM

Pete Seeger sings 'The Photographers' by Grit on his Circles and Seasons LP Warner Bros. BSK 3329 (1979) - it may be on CD now(?)

Subject: The Two Photographers - Author
From: GUEST,JB3
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 06:27 PM

This is a modern song, written as a "take-off" on the folk songs about a man and a maid meeting; the old ones often include "hearing nightingales sing." I believe I heard it sung by John McCutcheon at a party, years ago, in Berea.
At a recent local songwriters group meeting, led by Joe LaMay, it was suggested that "exposure" be our next theme to write songs about. (Some members had the experience of being asked to play for nothing, "for the exposure." I asked, "Couldn't you die from exposure?" And Joe thought "exposure" would be a good topic for a songwriting assignment.)
I thought it would be fun to sing them this song, but I would like to give credit to the author. Anyone know who it might be?

Subject: RE: The Two Photographers
From: NOMADMan
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 06:51 PM

Grit Laskin. It's on his 1980 "Unmasked" LP on Fogarty's Cove. That LP and another from 1987 titled "Lila's Jig" were reissued as a double CD titled "Unabashedly Folk" on Borealis.

Regards,
John

Subject: RE: The Two Photographers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 06:56 PM

IF Exposure is the theme . Bill Caddick's 'Sunny Memories' album has a few references to early Photography - And a HOST of VERY good songs !

Subject: The Two Photographers
From: JB3
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:01 PM

I'm looking for the name of the author of this song. It's a "take-off" of the traditional British Isles songs that describe a man and woman meeting and what ensues. i.e.: "One Morning in May", "Hear the Nightingale Sing", etc.

Subject: RE: The Two Photographers
From: JB3
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 10:08 PM

Sorry, I just found the other thread where this question was answered. Thanks!

Subject: RE: lyr req: The Two Photographers (Grit Laskin)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 06:42 PM

Can anybody post the lyrics?

Subject: RE: lyr req: The Two Photographers (Grit Laskin)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 20 Nov 12 - 11:15 PM

The lyrics are already onsite, under the title, Photographer's Ballad.

Subject: DT Corr: The Photographers (Grit Laskin)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Nov 12 - 12:27 AM

Thanks for the help, Gerry. I found it on Spotify, which lists the title as "The Photographers." Grit Laskin sings different words from what we have in the Digital Tradition:

PHOTOGRAPHER'S BALLAD (DT Version)
(Grit Laskin)

Well early Saturday morning, I was strolling in the wood
I came upon a lady who by the wayside stood
And what, pray tell, would such a lass as you be doing here?
I've come to take some photographs, said she as I drew near

Said I to her, I do declare, this is a fateful day
For I have come to photograph, the same as you did say
Then I took out my Nikon-F and placed it in her hand
She said that's quite a camera, sir, you have at your command

My camera so delighted her, she could no more delay
She let me see her camera case, wherein her accessories lay
I'm sure, she said, you have most everything that can be bought
Just let me stretch my tripod out before I take some shots

We photographed from haylofts, and up against the wall
If you've not shot on Saturday night, you've not photographed at
all
She had her shutter open wide, for daylight was all gone
Likewise my naked camera lens, it had its filter on

This lady had experience with cameras, yes, indeed
And I thought her exposures the best I'd ever seen
Although she seemed to tire not as on and on we went
I said I'll have to stop now, my film supply is spent

She said I've had Mirandas, Yashicas and Rolleis
Hasselblad and Pentax, likewise a Polaroid
Fujica, Canon, Nikkormat, a Kodak and the rest
But now I've seen your Nikon-F, and surely it's the best

@bawdy @camera
Copyright Grit Laskin
filename[ PHOTOBLD
MC

---

Corrected version

from the Grit Laskin CD, Unabashedly Folk: Songs and Tunes 1979-1985

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
(Grit Laskin)

Early Saturday morning, while strolling in the wood,
I chanced upon a lady who by the wayside stood;
And what, pray tell, would such a lass as you be doing here?
I've come to take some photographs, she said as she drew near.

Says me to her, I do declare, this is a fateful day,
For I have come to photograph, the same as you did say;
So I pulled out my Nikon-F and placed it in her hand,
She said that's quite a camera, you've got at your command.

Well, my camera so delighted her, that with more delay,
She let me see her camera case, wherein her accessories lay;
I'm sure, says I, you've got most everything that can be bought,
Just help me stretch my tripod before I take some shots.

Well, we photographed from haylofts, and up against the wall;
If you've not photographed on a Saturday night,
You've not photographed at all.
She had her shutter open wide, for daylight was all gone;
Likewise my naked camera lens, it had its filter on.

Well, this lady had experience with cameras, yes, indeed;
And I thought her exposures the best I ever seed.
Although she seemed to tire not as on and on we went.
Says I, we'll have to finish now, my film supply is spent.

Said she, I've had Minoltas, Yashicas and Rolleis,
Hasselblad and Pentax, likewise a Polaroid;
Miranda, Leica, Nikkormat, a Kodak and the rest;
But now I've had your Nikon-F, and surely it's the best.

@bawdy @camera
Copyright Grit Laskin
filename[ PHOTOBLD
MC

---

Robert Rodriquez says the melody is "Three/Four Drunken Maidens"