Lyr Req: Laurie of the Duram

Subject: Lyr Req: Laurie of the Duram
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 02:41 AM

I have transcribed a song my grandmother sang and was wondering if anyone knows the correct spellings or if I have the title of the song accurate. Her Irish accent makes it difficult for me to understand if she is singing Laurie or Larry. Any ideas on whether Duram is a place or if it is Gaelic for somthing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Laurie of the Duram
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 03:56 AM

Hi-
Can you post what you have?
-Joe-

Subject: Lyr Add: LAURIE OF THE DURUM
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 04:59 AM

This is what I transcribed from the tape. The first few words were cut off they may have been "I went down." The recording was made in the late 1960s. Grandma died in 1971. Any help would be appreciated.


1. ...to Coal Mine City
At the hour of twelve at night.
It's there I spied a pretty fair damsel
Combing her hair by the candle light.

CHORUS: Laurie of the Duram, Duram, Duram,
Laurie of the Duram, Duram Dee.
Laurie of the Duram, Duram, Duram,
Laurie of the Duram, Duram Dee.

2. Now, kind miss, I came a-courting,
Your kind favor for to win,
And if you'll do me one kind favor,
Sunday night I'll call again.

3. Now, kind sir, you came a-courting,
My kind favor for to win,
And if you'll do me one kind favor,
Don't you ever call again.

4. Madam, I have gold and silver.
Madam, I have house and land.
Madam, I got ships on the ocean.
All will be at your command.

5. What do I care for gold or silver?
What do I care for house or land?
What do I care for ships on the ocean?
All I want is a nice young man.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Laurie of the Duram
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 05:20 AM

It's a version of Chester City . Interesting.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Laurie of the Duram
From: GUEST,^&*
Date: 12 Aug 10 - 05:33 AM

There's some related material in THIS THREAD, amongst others.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Laurie of the Duram
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 02:01 PM

There seems to be a large family of related songs. See also:

GALWAY CITY
DUBLIN CITY
SPANISH LADY (2)
WHEEL OF FORTUNE

In our Digital Tradition database.

Also if you search for "combing her hair by candle light" or even "washing her feet by candle light" you will find lots of variants.

Usually "the" is omitted before "candle light" and sometimes "candlelight" is one word. Such differences can be crucial when using a search engine.