Lyr Req: Desert Silver Blue? / Desert Silvery Blue

Subject: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Ray Frank (inactive)
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 11:21 AM

Hi all,

This is a Badger Clark song/poem. I think it may also go under the title, "A Roundup Lullaby." Anybody got a full set of words and/or information on it?

Thanks,

Ray

Subject: Lyr Add: DESERT SILVERY BLUE (Badger Clark)
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 11:57 AM

Hi, Ray, my sister and I sang this at a culture fest this summer. I can't get to my Clark book, so don't have any info on it, but here are the lyrics, as we know them. Do you know the tune? If you send me your email addy and if you use Internet Explorer, rather than Netscape, I can send you a voice email with the tune, using MediaRing Voizmail. kat

Desert Silvery Blue

Desert silvery blue beneath the pale moonlight
Coyotes yapping lazily on the hill
Sleepy winks of dawn across the far skyline
Time for millin' cattle to be still.

Chorus

So now the lightning's far away
The coyotes nothin' skeery,
just singing to his dearie
Yo ho tomon a holiday
So settle down ye cattle til the mornin'.

2) Nothing out there on the plains
that you folks need
Nothing there that seems to catch your eye
Still you got to watch them
or they'll all stampede
Plunging down some lonely bank to die.

Chorus

3) Always dreamin' dreams of far off silvery blue
Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting
Still stampedin' never made a dream come true
So I'll ride around the range and sing.

Chorus

Subject: Lyr Add: DESERT SILVERY BLUE (Badger Clark?)
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 12:00 PM

DESERT SILVERY BLUE

Desert silvery blue beneath the pale moonlight
Coyotes yapping lazily on the hill
Sleepy winks of dawn across the far skyline
Time for millin' cattle to be still.

Chorus

So now the lightning's far away
The coyotes nothin' skeery,
just singing to his dearie
Yo ho tomon a holiday
So settle down ye cattle til the mornin'.

2) Nothing out there on the plains
that you folks need
Nothing there that seems to catch your eye
Still you got to watch them
or they'll all stampede
Plunging down some lonely bank to die.

Chorus

3) Always dreamin' dreams of far off silvery blue
Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting
Still stampedin' never made a dream come true
So I'll ride around the range and sing.

Chorus

(According to a new member, who requested these lyrics, this is attributed to the poet, Badger Clark. I can't get to my Clark book to verify. Will try to later. At any rate, thsi is the version which would have come out of Western COlorado. katlaughing)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Ray Frank
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 11:29 AM

Hi Kat, Thanks for the response. I don't have access to that all that modern techno stuff but tapes and the mail still work OK. I'm at [e-mail]. E me for my particulars and I'll be glad to exchange song sheets, home-made tapes, etc. Best regards, Ray

Subject: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-15/16
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:57 PM

These are the easy ones for me. I am gonna run out of them and then really have to get serious! Somebody...please join in on creating Song for the Day threads! I don't mind the weekends and maybe one or two other days per week. I think it is too good of an idea to just let go, SO, here is another old cowboy one, has a really pretty tune and I didn't find it in the DT. If you wnat the tune, send me your email and I'll send it by VoizMail. kat

Desert Silvery Blue

Desert silvery blue beneath the pale moonlight
Coyotes yapping lazily on the hill
Sleepy winks of dawn across the far skyline
Time for millin' cattle to be still.

Chorus

So now the lightning's far away
The coyotes nothin' skeery,
just singing to his dearie
Yo ho tomon a holiday
So settle down ye cattle til the mornin'.

2) Nothing out there on the plains that you folks need
Nothing there that seems to catch your eye
Still you got to watch them or they'll all stampede
Plunging down some lonely bank to die.

3) Always dreamin' dreams of far off silvery blue
Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting
Still stampedin' never made a dream come true
So I'll ride around the range and sing.

Don't know any provenance, except my family has always sung it. I got it from my sister, who had it in her original songbook from camp days. I will try to remember to ask her or my dad for more info.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Nov 99 - 08:58 PM

Darn it! I guess to include the song title in the thread title AND get the date, we will all have to know that SFTD=Song For The Day! I thought the date would show up, it did in the bar I typed it in! Back to the drawing board!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: alison
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 02:32 AM

send me the voicemail Kat... I'll post the tune

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Nov 99 - 08:30 AM

Thanks, Alison. I will.

Subject: Tune add: DESERT SILVERY BLUE
From: alison
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 01:01 AM

Thanks for the voicemail Kat, you don't need to be able to work out MIDItxt or ABC.. just follow the link....

If you'd rather hear the tune without the hassle of translating try Mudcat MIDIs

ABC format:

X:1
T:Desert Silvery Blue
M:4/4
Q:1/4=89
K:G
CB,CB,CB,CD|C3/2B,/2A,6|A,^G,A,^G,A,^G,A,B,|
G,4B,4|CB,CB,CB,CD|C3/2C/2B,6|B,B,G,2E,G,A,B,|
A,4^A,4|B,4B,3B,|A,G,A,B,G,3G,|E,G,G,E,D,G,2G,|
F,G,A,B,A,2^A,2|B,4B,3B,|A,G,A,B,G,7/2D,/2|
E,F,G,E,D,G,B,G,|A,4G,4||

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Nov 99 - 01:08 AM

THANKS, Alison!

Subject: Lyr Add: ROUNDUP LULLABY (B. Clark/C. W. Barnes)
From: Tinker
Date: 31 Oct 01 - 10:46 AM

Found an 1960's American Camping Association Pocket Songbook Using the Roundup Lullaby Name which gives the lyric credit to Badger Clark and the tune to CliftonW. Barnes. Lyrics are a tad different...

ROUNDUP LULLABY badger Clark/Clifton W. Barnes

Desert blue and silver in the still moonshine,
Coyote yappin' lazy on the hill,
Sleepy winks of lightnin' down the far skyline
Time for millin' cattle to be still.

CHORUS

So, now , the lightin's far away,
The coyote's nothin' skeery,
He's singin' to his dearie;
Hee-ya, tam-ma-lal-le-day!
Settle down, you cattle, til the mornin'.

Nothin' out the hazy range that you folks need,
Nothin' we kin see to take your eye,
Yet we got to watch you or you'll all stampede,
Plungin' down some 'royo bank to die.

CHORUS

From SUN AND SADDLE LEATHER @ 1935,1936, Chapman & Grimes, Inc. Music @ 1947 by Ralph H. Lyman

My own camp lyrics are different still...

Tinker

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: GUEST,Chins R ME
Date: 08 May 04 - 12:16 PM

We used to sing this around the campfire at Girl Scout camp years ago. Never found a printed copy, just had one counselor who knew the song. These lyrics slightly diffrent, also.

Desert Silv'ry Blue beneath the pale moonlight
Coyotes lollin' lazy on the hill
**** **** **** beneath the far skyline   (don't remember all words)
Time for movin' cattle to be still.

Chorus:

Ho, now, the lightnin's far away
The coyote's nothin' skeery
Just singin' to his dearie.
Ho, now, tomorrow roll-a-day
So settle down your cattle till the mornin'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Stewart
Date: 08 May 04 - 01:16 PM

This has been discussed before on other threads. I have this song on my web site with information about it HERE. The original poem by Badger Clark, which I have also posted, with a slightly different "chorus" after each verse is quite nice.
An arrangement of this by Ralph H. Lyman for the Men's Glee Club at Pomona College was published in 1938.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

---

ROUND-UP LULLABY — (aka, Cowboy's Lullaby, Desert Silver Blue) words by Badger Clark*, music by Clifton W. Barnes

 Desert blue and silver in the still moon-shine,
 Coyote yappin' lazy on the hill,
 Sleepy winks of lightin' down the far sky-line,
 Time for millin' cattle to be still,

 Chorus
 So, now, the lightnin's far away,
 The coyote's nothin' skeery,
 He's singin' to his dearie,
 Hee-ya, tam-ma-la-le-day!
 Settle down, you cattle, till the mornin'.

 Nothin' out the hazy range that you folks need,
 Nothin' we kin see to take you eye,
 Yet we got to watch you or you'd all stampede,
 Plung-in' down some 'roryo bank to die,

 Chorus

 Always seein' way-off dreams of silver blue,
 Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting,
 Yet stampedin' never made a dream come true,
 So I ride around myself and sing.

 Chorus

CLICK TO PLAY

Sheet music of this song was published in 1938 as arranged by Ralph H. Lyman for the Men's Glee Club at Pomona College. Sung by the Pomona College Glee Club. The words* are by a cowboy-poet, Badger Clark (1883-1957), the poet laureate ("lariat") of S. Dakota. It was set to music by Clifton W.  Barnes. Badger Clark also wrote the words ("A Border Affair") to the song "Spanish is the Loving Tongue" .
 * From "Sun and Saddle Leather," Richard G. Badger, publisher (1920).

ORIGINAL POEM BY BADGER CLARK

 Desert blue and silver in the still moonshine,
 Coyote yappin' lazy on the hill,
 Sleepy winks of lightning on the far skyline,
 Time for millin' cattle to be still.
         So, now, the lightnin's far away,
         The coyote's nothing skeery;
         He's singin' to his dearie --
         Hee-ya, tammalalleday!
         Settle down, you cattle, till the mornin'.

 Nothing on the hazy range that you folks need,
 Nothing we can see to take your eye.
 Yet we got to watch you or you'd all stampede,
 Plungin' down some royo bank to die.
         So, now, for still the shadows stay;
         The moon is slow and steady;
         The sun comes when he's ready.
         Hee-ya, tammalalleday!
         No use runnin' out to meet the mornin'.

 Cows and men are foolish when the light grows dim,
 Dreamin' of a land too far to see.
 There, you dream, is wavin' grass and streams that brim
 And it often seems that way to me.
         So, now, for dreams they never pay.
         The dust it keeps you blinkin'.
         We're seven miles from drinkin'.
         Hee-ya, tammalalleday!
         But we got to stand it till the mornin'.

 Mostly it's a moonlight world our trail winds through.
 Kain't see much beyond our saddle horns.
 Always far away is misty silver-blue;
 Always underfoot it's rocks and thorns.
         So, now. It must be this away-
         The lonesome owl a-callin',
         The mournful coyote squallin'.
         Hee-ya, tammalalleday!
         Mocking-birds don't sing until the mornin'.

 Always seein' 'wayoff dreams of silver-blue
 Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting
 Yet stampedin' never made a dream come true,
 So I ride around myself and sing,
         So, now, a man has got to stay,
         A-likin' or a-hatin',
         But workin' on and waitin'
         Hee-ya, tammalalleday!
         All of us are waitin' for the mornin'.
 

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 May 04 - 02:59 PM

The original poem by Badger Clark also is in the Forum, thread 55580: A Roundup Lullaby
I think Stewart posted notes about the song in the same thread.
In the thread, poster vrdpkr put an extra 'e' at the end of 'Lullaby.'

Stewart's link is directly to "A Roundup Lullaby," but he has many other songs and much information on "Hendrickson's Song Page": Song Page

The 'Lullaby' is included in the section 'Other Songs.'

His website is worth a bookmark, if you haven't already found it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:02 PM

I was excited to find this info. I am 59 and have sung this song as a lullaby first to my children and now my grandchildren. I learned it in choir in elementary school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in about 4th or 5th grade (we sang it in two parts). These are the words as I remembered and resang them through the years:

Desert silver blue beneath the pale stars shine
Coyotes yapping lazy on the hill
Sleepy winks of light along the far sky line
Time for milling cattle to be still.....

So, now, the lightening is far away
The lonesome owl is calling
The night is softly falling.
So, now, there comes another day.
Oh, settle down, you cattle 'til the morning.

I have looked for the old school songbook with no luck...any ideas? Knowing the writers names may help. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: GUEST,JAME
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 07:18 PM

As far as I know, a version of this song still concludes every campfire on the Prarie Trek and Torquise Trail Expeditions run by the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation (http://www.cottonwoodgulch.org), founded 1926. The lyrics I know are:

Desert silvery blue beneath the pale moonlight,
Coyotes yappin' lonely on the hill,
Sleepy winks of light along the far skyline
Time for millin' cattle to be still.

So, now, the lightning's far away,
The coyote's nothin' skeery,
Just singin' to his dearie.
Yo, ho, tomorrow's a holiday,
So settle down your cattle 'til the mornin'.

Nothin' out there on the plains that you folks need,
Nothin' out there seems to catch your eye.
Still, you'd better watch 'em or they'll all stampede,
Plungin' down some 'rroyo bank to die.

So, now, the lightning's far away,
The coyote's nothin' skeery,
Just singin' to his dearie.
Yo, ho, tomorrow's a holiday,
So settle down your cattle 'til the mornin'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:48 PM

"A ROUNDUP LULLABY," by Charles 'Badger' Clark has been shortened, revised, re-named and otherwise messed with, probably by scout and camp supervisors who couldn't recall the lyrics. The correct lyrics were posted by vrdpkr in thread 55580, 11 Jan 03, which I linked above (and here, again): Roundup Lullaby

No one seems able to give citations for the error-ridden and/or changling versions quoted here (I hesitate to call them 'folk' since the poem is 20th c.: 1915, from "Sun and Saddle Leather," copyright Clark), and more keep surfacing. Certainly they are not by Clark. Nowhere did he use the line or title 'desert silvery blue beneath the pale moonlight (starshine)'. The first four lines of the first verse are
"Desert blue and silver in the still moonshine,
Coyote yappin' lazy on the hill,
Sleepy winks of lightnin' (not light) down the far sky line,
Time for millin' cattle to be still."

Some six musical settings by different composers had appeared by 1952, according to a forward by Clark to an edition of "Sun and Saddle leather" published that year (Chapman and Grimes, Boston), which was enlarged to include further published collections of his poetry; "Grass Grown Trails," and "New Poems." Some musical settings may be responsible (The one by Clifton Barnes, cited above by Tinker, which includes two verses and the first chorus by Clark, is an honest shortening of a poem that may have been too long to fit on the old 78).

Whose tune was used for the midi given in the link at the top of this thread is not stated. It is as dull as can be. There should a change in melody for the five lines with changed meter which end each verse.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 11:05 PM

The midi is slightly off when compared to the one we grew up with; there are a couple or so places where we go to a minor note, rather than major as the midi. I don't think of the one my family sings as being dull and neither do the folks we sing it for, apparently.:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: bet
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:49 AM

Another Girl Scout Camp song! Hi Scouts! bet

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 03:02 PM

Full sheet music for "Roundup Lullaby," words by Badger Clark and music by Estelle Philleo, 1919, in the University of Colorado Digital Sheet Music Collection. The cover is by Sheridan, Wyoming, artist Bill Gollings (d.), showing a night rider with shorthorns.
The complete poem is printed on the last page. The images print 8 x 10 size and are easy to copy and read. Songs in The Western Trails Collection are grouped alphabetically with an image of the cover, making this site the first to check when looking for western sheet music.

"The Cowboy Lullaby," an arrangement by R. H. Lyman for the Men's Glee Club of Pomona College, posted by Harpgirl in thread 55580, perhaps is responsible for the 'Desert Silvery Blue' parody(ies) sung in scout camps. I have not seen a publication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art- Simon and Schuster, 'Songs of the Wild West,' in which either the original or the parody was printed (see Harpgirl post, thread 55580).

All of this has been posted in previous threads, but few seem to have the ability to search Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 07:29 PM

The University of Colorado digital sheet music collection (click) actually has three photocopies of Roundup Lullaby, two composed by Estelle Philleo (1919 & 1920) and one by Gertrude Ross (1922).

Sun and Saddle Leather is available from Kessinger Publishing. You can buy it through Kessinger's Amazon link for a hefty discount, though a search directly at Amazon fails to turn it up. It's also available new through Alibris at a higher, but still discounted, price.

You can find additional poems by Clark and many other cowboy poets at this site: http://cowboypoetry.com
Particularly from this page: click hyar

They also tell of a new (2005) book by Greg Scott: Cowboy Poetry: Classic Poems and Poetry by Badger Clark, published by Cowboy Miner Productions. Their site says:
This new book contains 20 of his most popular poems, 25 first-rate poems that have been hidden away for 85 years and a collection of his cowboy stories featuring "Spike's" adventures in the west, as well as 10 pages of pictures from his albums and two of his essays as relevant today as when they were written.

Reprints of Clark's books are available through the Badger Clark Memorial Society site; there, click on the merchandise link rather than the Society link.

Happy trails...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 07:48 PM

Shoot, I forgot to preview that last message. Lemme try the tail end again.

...Particularly, from this here page.

They tell of a 2005 book by Greg Scott: Cowboy Poetry: Classic Poems and Prose by Badger Clark, published by Cowboy Miner Productions, whose site says:
This new book contains 20 of his most popular poems, 25 first-rate poems that have been hidden away for 85 years and a collection of his cowboy stories featuring "Spike's" adventures in the west, as well as 10 pages of pictures from his albums and two of his essays as relevant today as when they were written.

Reprints of Clark's books are available through the Badger Clark Memorial Society site.

Happier trails...

Subject: Lyr Add: ROUNDUP LULLABY (Badger Clark)
From: GUEST,Verde Picker
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 08:36 PM

One of my favorites. We do a lot of Elderhostel programs and sometimes get pretty garbled requests for this. If they ask for "A song we sang at camp. Something about the blue and silver desert and coyotes." This is usually it. Don't know about the melody. I learned it from Katie Lee. She told me to always sing the whole thing.
So I do.


ROUNDUP LULLABY
Badger Clark

Desert blue and silver in the still moonshine,
Coyote yappin' lazy on the hill,
Sleepy winks of lightnin' on the far sky line,
Time for millin' cattle to be still.
    So—o, now, the lightnin's far away,
    The coyote's nothin' skeery;
    He's singin' to his dearie—
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    Settle down, you cattle, till the mornin'.

Nothin' out the hazy range that you folks need,
Nothin' we kin see to take your eye.
Yet we got to watch you or you'd all stampede,
Plungin' down some 'royo bank to die.
    So—o, now, for still the shadows stay;
    The moon is slow and steady;
    The sun comes when he's ready.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    No use runnin' out to meet the mornin'.

Cows and men are foolish when the light grows dim,
Dreamin' of a land too far to see.
There, you dream, is wavin' grass and streams that brim
And it often seems the same to me.
    So—o, now, for dreams they never pay.
    The dust it keeps us blinkin'.
    We're seven miles from drinkin'.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    But we got to stand it till the mornin'.

Mostly it's a moonlight world our trail winds through.
Kain't see much beyond our saddle horns.
Always far away is misty silver-blue;
Always underfoot it's rocks and thorns.
    So—o, now. It must be this away—
    The lonesome owl a-callin',
    The mournful coyote squallin'.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    Mocking-birds don't sing until the mornin'.

Always seein' 'wayoff dreams of silver-blue,
Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting.
Yet stampedin' never made a dream come true,
So I ride around myself and sing,
    So—o, now, a man has got to stay,
    A-likin' or a-hatin',
    But workin' on and waitin'.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    All of us are waitin' for the mornin'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 09:10 PM

The "Roundup Lullaby," sheet music by Gertrude Ross, 1922, departs from the lyrics by Badger Clark; for that reason I did not mention it.

The melody often heard now may be the work of Bob Nolan of "The Sons of the Pioneers," who worked on films, perhaps the Bing Crosby film of the 1930's that used the Badger Clark poem in a song. The song also appeared on a Crosby Decca 78.
Katie Lee recorded it on the tape "Ten Thousand Goddam Cattle," KD-10076.
Katie Lee, 1976, "Ten Thousand Goddam Cattle," pp. 79-80 and p. 219, with music possibly by Bob Nolan.

Chords (Katie Lee):
(Gm)Desert blue and (Cm)silver in the still moon-(Gm)shine,
co-yo-te (Cm)yappin' (Dm)lazy on the (Gm)hill
Sleepy winks o' (Cm)light-nin down the (Gm)far skyline;
time for millin' (DM)cattle to be (Gm)still;
(Cm)So now, the (Gm)lightnin's far away,
Co-yot-e's nothin' (Dm)skeery,
he's (Gm)singin' to his (Cm)deary;
(Gm)hee- o ta (Cm)hum a la (Gm)dee day
settle down you (DM)cattle 'til the (Gm)mornin'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 09:54 PM

Are Ross's divergences metrical? If not, you can just change the words back. After all, lack of authenticity didn't stop you from posting the verse above--"hee-o ta hum a la dee day" indeed! ;-}

Of course, unless a tune is really old (beyond copyright worries) or compelling, might as well roll your own.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 10:44 PM

"A Roundup Lullaby," music by Gertrude Ross, states the words are by Badger Clark. The abbreviated lyrics and and new last verse put the lie to that.

No one claimed the words and music with chords by Katie Lee, given above, are by Clark; they are anon., possibly by Bob Nolan. As noted by Verde Picker, all the words should be sung; Katie Lee gives the full Clark poem on pp. 79-80 of her book.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Artful Codger
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 05:25 AM

I think any court would readily disagree that the words to Katie Lee's version are "anonymous"--nor do I believe Katie Lee would claim they were--, except that we may not know who is responsible for the bowdlerizations (or "adaptations", if you prefer.) Of course, since Clark's poem is now in the public domain, that has ceased to be a legal issue, though Clark should still be credited, regardless of later changes. Gertrude Ross must've obtained explicit permission for the usage and alterations of Clark's poem. Her version is no less legitimate than Katie Lee's, rather the opposite.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Jan 06 - 08:52 PM

Katie Lee said, p. 219, with the verse with chords I reproduced above: "The melody used here might be the work of a professional songwriter like Bob Nolan of the Sons of the Pioneers. Whoever "re-tuned it from the earlier, simpler, one made it stick, because it's not heard to the old melody any more."
In other words, it can't be credited definitely to anyone without further investigation. Perhaps I should have written 'not known for certain' but anon. is not too far a stretch at the moment.

The version may be the one sung by Bing Crosby in "Rhythm on the Range," 1936. Also recorded by Crosby with Victor Young's Orch., on the Decca lp "Pennies from Heaven." It may have appeared on a single in the 1930's. His "Tamma-- sounds a lot like ta-hum a la de day. The cut was released again in 2000 on "Bing Crosby Going Hollywood Vol. 2, 1936-1939;" the clip I found is too short to evaluate the music.

If Clark did OK the Ross version, he was probably either drunk or starving.

The 1919 Philleo in the Colorado collection probably is a reprint; the song was copyright 1917.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: GUEST,barbara McGary
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 09:07 AM

In the chorus, you have written 'tomon a holiday' I don't know who heard that or if it is someones fat fingers, but the way I heard it is:
'tomorrow's a holiday' with tomorrow squezed into 2 syllables.

I am have just started looking for cowboy songs to sing over the phone to my father-in-law who has just started on hospice care. He was a real cowboy in wyoming in the late 30s. I can hear the lift in his spirits when he hears these songs. Glad to be able to send him the words.
Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silvery Blue (Badger Clark)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Feb 06 - 02:52 PM

'Tomorrow's a holiday,' however written, is not in Clark's song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: GUEST,Cres Cole
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 07:17 PM

I love this song!

Do you have any idea where I might find a CD with this song?

Some of the other ones my friends and I used to sing and still like are:
   My Gal's a Corker
   Jimmy Cracked Corn
   Ragtime Cowboy Joe
   ("There was a little Ford, Greatest little Ford you even did see, Ford was on the wheels, wheels were on the ground, engine in the Ford made the wheels go round, Match in the gas tank, boom, boom...")
   Home on the Range
   Red River Valley ("From this valley they say you are leaving. Do not hasten to bid me Adieu...")

I'm 74. Never been a cowboy, but I've always enjoyed these songs.

Best wishes,

Cres Cole
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 07:42 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Cres! I love this song, too, and, now, listening to the midi of it, I realise I didn't get it quite right. Will have to correct it sometime, soon!

There's a nice version of Prairie Lullaby at CDBaby-desert silver blues, but no title track.

I can't find one recording of it on google. After next Tuesday, the fellah who could probably answer your question, Dick Greenhaus, ought to be back at his company, Camsco Records . If you give him a call, I am sure he could help you. If you join the MUdcat (it's free and painless) you could send him a PM (private message) on your Personal Page and get an answer that way.

All the best,

kat

(also emailed)

Subject: Lyr Add: ROUNDUP LULLABY (Badger Clark)
From: GUEST,Verde Picker
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 08:14 PM

Here's all of it.


ROUNDUP LULLABY
(Charles "Badger" Clark, Jr.)

Desert blue and silver in the still moonshine,
Coyote yappin' lazy on the hill,
Sleepy winks of lightnin' down the far sky line,
Time for millin' cattle to be still.
    So—o, now, the lightnin's far away,
    The coyote's nothin' skeery;
    He's singin' to his dearie—
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    Settle down, you cattle, till the mornin'.

Nothin' out the hazy range that you folks need,
Nothin' we kin see to take your eye.
Yet we got to watch you or you'd all stampede,
Plungin' down some 'royo bank to die.
    So—o, now, for still the shadows stay;
    The moon is slow and steady;
    The sun comes when he's ready.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    No use runnin' out to meet the mornin'.

Cows and men are foolish when the light grows dim,
Dreamin' of a land too far to see.
There, you dream, is wavin' grass and streams that brim
And it often seems the same to me.
    So—o, now, for dreams they never pay.
    The dust it keeps us blinkin',
    We're seven miles from drinkin'.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    But we got to stand it till the mornin'.

Mostly it's a moonlight world our trail winds through.
Kain't see much beyond our saddle horns.
Always far away is misty silver-blue;
Always underfoot it's rocks and thorns.
    So—o, now. It must be this away—
    The lonesome owl a-callin',
    The mournful coyote squallin'.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    Mocking-birds don't sing until the mornin'.

Always seein' 'wayoff dreams of silver-blue,
Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting.
Yet stampedin' never made a dream come true,
So I ride around myself and sing,
    So—o, now, a man has got to stay,
    A-likin' or a-hatin',
    But workin' on and waitin'.
    Hee—ya, tammalalleday!
    All of us are waitin' for the mornin'.

---

Note from Joe Offer: This is an exact transcription of the poem "Roundup Lullaby" from the 1922 edition of Badger Clark's Sun and Saddle Leather, available at Google Books.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Nov 06 - 09:04 PM

Lyrics posted 11 Jan 03, thread 55580.
Lullaby
Link to sheet music, and discussion, in thread 14900:
Desert

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: GUEST,Allison aka Lark
Date: 15 May 07 - 05:47 PM

THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I went to summer camp for 10 years in a row and this was my FAVORITE song. I still sing it to the stars, and friends when they are upset and having trouble going to sleep. This song has a very special place in my heart and I'm glad to find it here online. Also, I have never heard that third verse before. I'll add it on and see how it jives. Thanks again!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue - SongFTDay 11-1
From: Chef Juke
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 02:11 PM

All,

I am working on a little video tribute to "Roundup Lullaby" that I will post info on here shortly. In the meantime, if folks would like to hear a few different versions of this song, please visit my appreciation page here:

http://www.chefjuke.com/badger/index.html

-Chef Juke
"EVERYbody Eats when they come to MY House!"
http://www.chefjuke.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Chef Juke
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 02:12 PM

All,

I am working on a little video tribute to "Roundup Lullaby" that I will post info on here shortly. In the meantime, if folks would like to hear a few different versions of this song, please visit my appreciation page here:

http://www.chefjuke.com/badger/index.html

-Chef Juke
"EVERYbody Eats when they come to MY House!"
http://www.chefjuke.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Stewart
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 03:49 PM

Chef Juke,

That recording of the Pomona College Glee Club singing Roundup Lullaby takes me back to my college days. I could be singing in that recording. Probably not, it was probably recorded much later. We used to sing it as an encore song after every concert. Ah, memories...

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Chef Juke
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 04:31 PM

Stewart,

This is from a vinyl album "Pomona College Songs" from the mid 1960's that I bought online to get a copy of the song. From the liner notes it indicates the performances were recorded at various times in Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College Campus and that the recording of Roundup Lullaby was performed by the Glee Club of 1953-1954 and previously released on an album titled "Songs of Pomona College".

-Chef Juke

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 05:42 PM

Thanks for posting the link, Chef Juke. I'll make sure my sister sees this thread. It's a special song to us; last time we performed it was in, hmmm...1990something.:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 07:11 PM

The different versions all are worth listening to.
I prefer acoustic but I liked the guitar work by Barry Hertz. Almost a Hawaiian feel to it, made me think of the ranches on the Big Island.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue / Roundup Lullaby
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 11:06 PM

The poem A ROUNDUP LULLABY can be seen in these two books, both of which have been digitized by Google:

Clark, Badger. Sun and Saddle Leather, By Charles Badger Clark, Jr., Illustrations from Photographs by L.A. Huffman. Boston: Richard G. Badger [etc.]; 1917.

Clark, Badger. Sun and Saddle Leather, Including Grass Grown Trails and New Poems. Boston: R.G. Badger, 1922.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Desert Silvery Blue / Roundup Lullaby
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 11:13 PM

Chef Juke,

I thought I'd posted to this the other day. I wanted to say thanks for posting the link to your website and thanks for all of those different versions of one of my fav. songs. I'll be sure my sister sees this, too, as I know she'll want to listen to them, too.

Jim, thanks for the links to Clark's books. We have the originals in our family, but they are pretty fragile. It's good to know there is access to them online.

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: GUEST,another lonesome owl fan
Date: 09 Aug 11 - 02:10 AM

this is the version my sister sang when we were on vacation I think, also from an old school songbook, but I haven't had any luck finding it yet. my favorite version, considering, though I have liked some others I have heard. Thanks! I was thinking I was going crazy. Think I will check the Library of Congress if I can figure out how.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: Chef Juke
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 01:31 PM

All,

So, a few years ago I created a webpage with some recorded versions of the song versions of "A Roundup Lullaby".

Here is the original page:
http://chefjuke.com/badger/

I've since made a small video documenting my search for the song as well as my memories of growing up with it. The video is here:

http://chefjuke.com/badger/index3.html

The video was a present for my Mom on her recent 80th Birthday.

I wouldn't have found the orgigns of the song without the help of the folks on the Mudcat Cafe.

Would love any comments or feedback.

Sincerely,

Chef Juke
aka
Patrice Mackey
http://www.chefjuke.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Desert Silver Blue'
From: GUEST,Chef Juke
Date: 06 Nov 17 - 01:39 AM

I've posted the video to Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc4NtGm6WGw

Cheers,

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silver Blue? / Desert Silvery Blue
From: GUEST,Pat Guyton
Date: 26 Jul 18 - 02:26 PM

Nothing out there on the plain that you folks need
Nothing out there seems to catch your eye
Still you gotta watch 'em or they'll all stampede
Plunging down some 'roya bank to die

Yay Ho, To-molla [tomorrow is a] holiday
So settle down ye cattle til the morning.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silver Blue? / Desert Silvery Blue
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 20 - 03:30 AM

I'm not finding a source from Badger Clark himself of the lyrics for "Desert Silvery Blue." Can anybody help find them so we have a definitive version of the lyrics? There are parts in the Digital Tradition (DT) that just don't seem right.

Here are the DT lyrics:

DESERT SILVERY BLUE
(Badger Clark)

Desert silvery blue beneath the pale moonlight
Coyotes yapping lazily on the hill
Sleepy winks of dawn across the far skyline
Time for millin' cattle to be still.

Cho: So now the lightning's far away
The coyotes nothin' skeery,
just singing to his dearie
Yo ho tomon a holiday
So settle down ye cattle til the mornin'.

Nothing out there on the plains that you folks need
Nothing there that seems to catch your eye
Still you got to watch them or they'll all stampede
Plunging down some lonely bank to die.

Always dreamin' dreams of far off silvery blue
Always feelin' thorns that stab and sting
Still stampedin' never made a dream come true
So I'll ride around the range and sing.

From SUN AND SADDLE LEATHER 1935,1936, Chapman & Grimes, Inc.
Music 1947 by Ralph H. Lyman
filename[ DESRTBLU
KL

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Silver Blue? / Desert Silvery Blue
From: cnd
Date: 14 Sep 20 - 10:36 AM

Is this what you're after Joe? University of Colorado dates the sheet music to 1919.

Roundup Lullaby (an alternate name for this song, as well as "Cowboy Lullaby, according to here).