Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song

Subject: Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 08:41 AM

A number of Michael Hurley's songs are mildly disturbing, such as Light Green Fellow about a peeping tom, but most are tempered with a wry sense of humor. Werewolf song from Armchair Boogie This is particularly true in the werewolf song, which epitomizes B movie understandings of the werewolf with minor chords and haunting changes. Just posting this because Halloween!

Subject: RE: Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song
From: GUEST,Blandiver (Astray)
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 08:54 AM

It's had a few nice covers too, such as that by Cat Power which was featured on the Metronomy volume of Late Night Tales:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzF4BpimiDQ

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Snock's revisited the song many times over the years & it remains a staple to this day. Here's a particularly fitting rendering for Halloween. Enjoy!

Michael Hurley-The Werewolf w/the Cardboard Songsters

Subject: Lyr Add: MR FOX (John Pole)
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 10:43 AM

A gem in the same vein fro London songwriter, John Pole
Jim Carroll

MR FOX
By JOHN POLE

Outside Mr. Fox's garden
Three maids playing with a golden ball,
Jenny threw it up and Susan caught it
Mary bounced it over the wall.
The wall is high
Mr. Fox has a little red eye.

In she ran to fetch it back again.
The garden gate stood open wide
It was quickly closed and locked behind her.
Mr. fox was Just inside.
The wall is high.
His smile is cruel and his eyes are sly.

He said. I'll keep your ball. Miss Mary.
I shall have it and here you'll stay.
You'll keep my house and be my servant.
And never go out for a year and a day.
The wall is high
The long grass shivers and the tall trees sigh.

Spring and summer passed like shadows
She watched the green leaves fade and fall.
She walked alone in the empty garden
And Mr. Fox said — nothing at all.
The wall is high
Never a soul comes near nor by.

Three strange things he did forbid her.
Never you touch my iron box.
Never go near the thirteenth bedroom
Nor near the bed, said Mr. Fox.
The wall is high.
Don't you dare to ask me why.

Mary she rose up one morning
She saw an iron box on a shelf
But of all the rooms at Mr. Fox's
Bedrooms there were only twelve.
The wall is high,
Mary don't you peep or pry.

One day Mr. Fox went walking
In that box she found a key,
It fitted a door she'd never unfastened
And when she opened it, what did she see?
The wall is high
The door said STOP and the key said FLYl

In Mr. Fox's thirteenth bedroom
A naked sword hung on the wall
In a silver bowl on the bed's blade counterpane.
Mary saw her golden ball.
The wall is high,
The bed said COME and the sword said DIE!

In she ran to get her ball again
To snatch it off the great black bed.
Out crept Mr. and leapt at her
His teeth flashed white and his eyes burnt red.
The wall is high...........

Subject: RE: Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 31 Oct 14 - 02:29 PM

Anybody remember 'Crisis' - 1970s St Helens-based folk group? They were a trio with harmonica, accordion and zob stick (lagerphone). Played sort of jug band music without the jug. Well, anyway, they used to sing this song. As I remember it, I think the lead singer (whose name, like most people's names, is eluding me) sang it unaccompanied. Other classics sung by them were 'You're Gonna Need Somebody When I'm Gone' (have I got the title right?) and 'Prodigal Son', which I think may have been one of their own. Perhaps somebody can confirm. Or not. They split up around 1980, when the accordionist (whose name ...etc) decided to concentrate on his art work. I think.

John Kelly.

Subject: RE: Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 21 - 02:14 AM

I remember Crisis, they played a lot in Fort-William during the summer months in the 70`s. I was able to record them om cassette and still have the copy. Great entertainment.

Subject: RE: Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 21 Jun 21 - 05:13 AM

Just realised that this is a song that I have been looking for the lyrics of since the 1970s. Someone used to sing it unaccompanied at the Ivy Bush in Pontardawe.

Robin

Subject: RE: Review: Michael Hurley's werewolf song
From: Hagman
Date: 22 Jun 21 - 03:35 AM

Is also first track on Barry Dransfield's eponymous Polydor Folk Mill solo LP from 1972. Copies of the original LP are much sought-after, despite being freely available on CD and LP re-issue.