Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Stephen Foster)

Subject: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Don of POTEEN
Date: 26 May 97 - 04:22 PM

I am looking for the music to accompany the Traditional Gentle Annie. Received from Jane George hand written copy by ?

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: John
Date: 26 May 97 - 08:13 PM

What a great song - IT hasn't entered my head for years. Have the lyrics been posted anywhere please?

Thanks John

Subject: Lyr Add: GENTLE ANNIE (Stephen Foster)
From: Don of Poteen
Date: 26 May 97 - 09:53 PM

Here are the lyrics from Jane, by the way; the notation to the tune was penned for her in '94 by Eugene O'Donnell at Augusta!

CHORUS: Shall I nevermore behold thee,
Never hear your loving voice again,
But when the springtime comes, gentle Annie,
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the glen?

My heart grows sad as I wander
Near the silent spot where thou art laid,
And my heart bows down as I ponder
By the streams and the meadows where we played.

(CHORUS)

We had roamed and loved 'mid the flowers
When your rosy cheeks were in their bloom.
Now I sit alone 'mid the bowers
While I grieve in silence o'er your tomb.

(CHORUS)

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: John
Date: 27 May 97 - 01:44 AM

Hi Don,

I was seeking a very different song - the fragments which I can remember go:

Oh the harvest time's come Gentle Annie, And your wild oats are all scattered o'er the field, You'll be anxious to know Gentle Annie, How your little crop of oats is going to yield.

Oh your mutton's very sweet Gentle Annie....

...And you'd better put a fence round those cabbage....

...And he stole some knives and forks the other day....

I will bid you adieu Gentle Annie, For I know with you I can no longer stay, Yes I'll bid you farewell Gentle Annie, And I'll meet you on another washing day.

This is not a modern song and I know nothing of its origins.

Regards John

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 97 - 02:47 AM

The version John quotes is the Bok-Muir-Trickett version that's in the database. The B-M-T "First Fifteen Years" CD notes say that the song was written by Stephen Foster in 1856, and then found its way to Australia and apparently underwent some changes.

"15 Years" is available from Folk-Legacy, [phone].

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 27 May 97 - 03:35 AM

I thought this was an Aussie song. I may have a recording somewhere. If so I'll see if I can post the words.

Cheers,

Alan

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Dick Wisan
Date: 28 May 97 - 12:35 AM

The (CAPITALIZED) lyrics posted above by Don of Poteen, the romantic lament for the dead girl, are the original Stephen Foster lyrics.

The Aussie version with the double entendre posted by John (in lower case) is sung to Foster's tune on the Bok-Muir-Trickett CD, with the lyrics posted in lower case above.

I have no idea how Eugene O'Donnell came into it, in '94 (BTW, was that 18 or 19?) or did he write an altogether new tune for Foster's words? That would take courage.

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Don 0f Poteen
Date: 29 May 97 - 07:34 PM

Dick, Thanks for the confirmation of the lyrics posted as those of Foster. Eugene o'Donnell wrote the notation of the music for the tune onto paper and placed it into Jane's hand. That is what I cannot find, and the exclusive purpose of this thread.

Does anyone know where to find the music???

Subject: Lyr Add: GENTLE ANNIE (trad. Australia)
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 29 May 97 - 08:07 PM

To Don,

If you are looking for the tune I'll work on it, may be a few days, may be an Aussie tune. Can I send you a MIDI file?

Seeing I have taken the time to get the words here they are (didn't know the original was Stephen Foster).

GENTLE ANNIE^^^

Now the harvest time's come, Gentle Annie,
And your wild oats are all scattered round the field.
You'll be anxious to know, Gentle Annie,
How your little crop of oats is going to yield.

Now your mutton's very sweet, Gentle Annie,
And I'm sure it can't be packed in New South Wales,
And you'd better put a fence round those cabbage
Or they'll all get eaten up by the snails.

And you'll take my advice, Gentle Annie,
And you'd better watch old Chaffing Ern away
With his pack bag hung over his saddle,
And he stole some knives and forks the other day.

Now the bullocks they are yoked, Gentle Annie,
And you know with you I can no longer stay,
So I'll bid you adieu, Gentle Annie,
And I'll meet you on another threshing day.

I will say farewell, Gentle Annie,
For you know with you I can no longer stay.
Yes I'll bid you adieu, Gentle Annie.
You're the little dark-eyed girl that I adore.

Cheers,
Alan Foster

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Don of Poteen
Date: 31 May 97 - 07:34 AM

To Alan, You're workin hard on this mate! If you can find a rendition, kick it to me in a MIDI file. However; I may need some online instruction in executing it, aye!

yours from the GSO West Virginia Don of Poteen

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Alan of Oz
Date: 02 Jun 97 - 10:39 AM

Have MIDI file. The only way I know to get it to you is as an attachment to an email message. Send me your email address and I'll send you the file with instructions.

Cheers,

Alan

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From:
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 08:46 AM

The Australian version of this song were written near Rutherglen in NE Victoria, and the world knows them from the singing of David Lumsden, who learnt the song from his grandmother. Matryn Wyndham-Read heard David sing the song, and recorded it in the late 60's.

David can tell the whole story. The song was written for/about Annie Thwaites.

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Den
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 08:52 AM

I know a version that Tommy Makem did that went:

Fair and lovely Annie
Your gentle ways have won
You bring peace and joy and laughter in your smile

Where you go the sunshine follows
You're a breath of Sping in Winter
I will still have Gentle Annie in my mind

(Chorus)
Gentle Annis, gentle Annie
I will still have Gentle Annie in my mind

Not sure if I got all the words in the right order but from my recollection it was a nice song. There's more to it of course but that's all I remember for now. Den

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Den
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 09:01 AM

I managed to find the lyrics to that song by Tommy Makem. They're maybe in the database but I didn't check there, any its probably not the song you were looking for Don of Poteen, but a nice song never-the-less.

Gentle Annie, by Tommy Makem
Fair and lovely Annie,
Your gentle ways have won me.
You bring peace and joy and laughter everywhere.
Where you go the sunshine follows,
You're a breath of spring in winter
And my heart and soul are always in your care.

Gentle Annie, Gentle Annie,
And my heart and soul
Are always in your care.

When you touch me with your fingers,
My cares and worries vanish
Like the morning dew before the rising sun,
When your eyes tell me you love me,
Then my soul is filled with wonder
And my love for you will live when life is done.

Gentle Annie, Gentle Annie,
And my love for you
Will live when life is done.

You're the flower among the flowers,
You're the birdsong in the morning,
You're the laughter of the children at their play.
You're my hope and joy and wisdom,
You're my reason just for living,
You're my treasure,
You're my very night and day.

Gentle Annie, Gentle Annie,
You're my treasure,
You're my very night and day.

When the mountains all come tumbling
And the earth has stopped its turning,
When the winds don't blow and stars refuse to shine,
When the moon has left the heavens,
And the seven seas are empty,
I will still have Gentle Annie on my mind.

Gentle Annie, Gentle Annie,
I will still have Gentle Annie on my mind.

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Flash Company
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 10:10 AM

I think Eric Bogle has recorded this, as far as I remember, the original Stephen Foster lyrics,

FG

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Flash Company
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 10:14 AM

It was on the LP 'Plain & Simple' Recorded with John Munro.
FC

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: GUEST,James
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:45 AM

For some reason I always thoight this wasa Stephen Foster song. I guess not eh ?   Is there a known composer or is it truly traditional..well, you know what I mean.

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 07:57 AM

The original Gentle Annie isa Stephen Foster song. It's just that other people wrote their own words to it later, and some of the variants have got into various oral traditions.

Martin Wyndham-Reed has recorded the Australian version several times, and does it beautifully.

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 01:20 AM

Den. the Tommy Makem song is not the same tune as the one discussed above, and if I'm not mistaken, was written for his daughter when she was a baby.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Looking for Music to Gentle Annie ? Scottish
From: GUEST,Ooh-aah2
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 02:52 PM

There is a waterfall called 'gentle Annie falls' near Hobart, Tasmania Australia.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: GUEST,MRMESQ
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 06:36 PM

The original "Gentle Annie" is, as a couple of prior posters have said, most definitely a Steven Foster song from the 19th Century. I agree, that it seems to have inspired some "knock-offs" that have taken on a life of their own. For provenance, I suggest anyone interested go to the Steven Foster Archive at, I believe, the Johns Hopkins University website. There, you will find a first edition print of the sheet music. The story goes that it was written by Foster as an Ode to a young girl, daughter of friends of his, who died after after being run over by a derry. If that's true, I can't imagine Foster's very bittersweet lyrics were much consolation to the parents.

On the issue of "knock-offs", and while I do not know this, I'd bet $100 that McCartney's, "Here, There and Everywhere" came to him after hearing the Foster tune. The verse chord progression is identical. The very large interval in the verse is also right out of Foster's piece. Taking it one step further, "Longer Than", by Dan Fogelberg is also, essentially, the same song, musically.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 07:06 PM

A beautiful midi of "Gentle Annie" (1856) at this excellent website for Stephen Foster, and other songs of the period.
http://www.stephen-foster-songs.de/Foster08.htm
Stephen Foster

Also reproductions of the sheet music covers

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 08:52 PM

yeaaaaaaaaaaah okay. well heres the version ive heard.

CHORUS: Shall we nevermore behold thee,
Never hear your winning voice again,
But when the springtime comes, gentle Annie,
And the wild flowers are scattered o'er the plain?

My heart grows sad as I ponder
Near the silent spot where thou art laid,
And my heart bows down as I wander
By the streams and the meadows where we played.

(CHORUS)

We had roamed and loved 'mid the flowers
When your rosy cheeks were in their bloom.
Now I sit alone 'mid the bowers
While I grieve in silence o'er your tomb.

(CHORUS)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 05:53 AM

I seem to recall Ernest Stoneman recording aa version of presumanby the Foster original or a folked up version. I think he called it something like "I'll be with you when the spring time comes again".

Hoot

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: Shaneo
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 04:48 PM

Here are the chords of the Tommy Makem version with a video of Hyland Paddy singing, I had almost forgotten about this gem,
here is the link to Gentle Annie

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 08:00 PM

There's a picture of "Michael's 6 Ton 'Gentle Annie'", on this page, along with a few other steam tractors and steamrollers. I've seen her a few times, and she's a beauty.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 08:49 PM

That last GUEST was me.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: Joybell
Date: 28 Sep 07 - 11:23 PM

I once sang the Australian copy-version of "Gentle Annie" for a lady in a restaurant where I was working. Her husband had come up to me and asked for a request. He said, "My wife likes Australian songs -- a romantic one would be good, but anything Australian will do. It's for her birthday." He didn't tell me his wife's name and I hadn't been anywhere near their table all night. Also it was a very noisy crowd. I went close to her and sang this song. Anyway -- turned out her name was Annie -- and she was brown eyed. We were all amazed. Wish I could harness that talent.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie (Scottish)
From: GUEST,Tab
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 04:19 AM

As mentioned above there is a version of the Aussie song recorded by Eric Bogel. Also the melody and further notes in a songbook "Songs Of Australian Working Life" Compiled by Therese Radic - Greenhouse Publications 1989 p 109 (lots of other good songs as well)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 02:21 PM

Whatever else it may be, "Gentle Annie" is not Scottish, and since this thread keeps on coming back every now and again, the title really needs to be amended accordingly.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie ~ Stephen Foster
From: The Sandman
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 04:00 PM

wasnt Foster agreat melody writer.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Gentle Annie ~ Stephen Foster
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 07:41 AM

Here's a link to a version of Little Annie, the bluegrass redaction of Gentle Annie, referred to by Hootenany above on July 26 2007.