Lyr Add: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio

Subject: Lyr Add: BANKS OF THE OHIO
From:
Date: 29 May 97 - 06:46 PM

S. Swinney wished for a version of "Banks of the Ohio" without murder, so as a member of the folk I wrote this modest offering. The first verse is traditional; the rest I hereby place in the public domain. Use it at will; change it at your peril. If anyone does perform or reproduce it, I'd appreciate credit.

I asked my love to walk with me,
To walk with me a little way.
We strolled along where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio.

I said to her, "The waters roll,
You can't keep them, they will not stay."
She said to me, "What does that mean?"
I said, "I'm goin' to New Orleans."

She said to me, "You can't keep love,
You can't keep love, it will not stay.
But to their honor men must hold;
I'll bear our child ere the year be old.

Then while she wept I left her there,
I left her standing on the clay.
In town a boat called out to me,
"Come board, young man, and smell the sea."

But I've lived my life on this hard shore,
This shore that waters pass all day.
It's been some years since we have seen
Our son who writes from New Orleans.

Comments, including critical ones, are welcome. (Ridicule will be answered as it deserves.)

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From: Les Blank
Date: 29 May 97 - 07:09 PM

Well, Jerry, I tried your lyrics and they worked well, even the little finger picking break that I learned from the Doc Watson (actually Merle) version. However, Mr. Swinney's request notwithstanding, it still is not the same. As I understand it, the words of the traditional version tell a story of an actual event that occurred. Maybe yours do, also. I suggest you retitle your lyrics and let them stand in their own right -- it is not an even trade !! As for Mr. Swinney and the rest of the infamous "Folk Songs to Ditch" thread contributors, why can't you merely ignore what you don't particularly like, instead of promoting a painful catharsis that can only lead to rank schism?

Peter, look at the MONSTER you've created. Les

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From: Bill D
Date: 29 May 97 - 09:31 PM

Painful catharsis & rank schism can only lead to increased entropy and unwholesome synergy ...and other obfuscations which I'm sure we all eschew! Down with 'em, says I!

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From:
Date: 30 May 97 - 05:48 PM

Thanks for testing it out, Les!

I can't argue with you when you say it's not an even trade--but I'm not offering a trade. I'm giving a choice to people, specifically to a person who asked for it. As you say, it's not the same, and I'm definitely not claiming my words are better--but they might suit some people's purposes better. (Incidentally, my story is fictional.)

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From: Peter Timmerman
Date: 31 May 97 - 12:39 PM

Now where is that 10 foot pole dick greenhaus was looking for not to touch threads with?

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From:
Date: 31 May 97 - 03:29 PM

Playing for the New York Knicks, along with a 7'7" Lithuanian

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 02 Jun 97 - 08:09 PM

Actually, if you search for BANKS and OHIO, you'll come up with a non-murder travel commercial along the lines of State of Elanoy.

Subject: RE: Murder-free Banks of the Ohio
From: S. SWINNEY
Date: 03 Jun 97 - 09:52 AM

Well, Jerry, I for one thank you for your effort. The lyrics you composed work very nicely and I will use them and give credit. Personally, I'm a bit astonished at the references to the so-called "monster" that has been created! The way I see it, you have just participated in the kind of exercise that folk music is all about. Show me a folk song that doesn't have alternative lyrics and I'll show you a folk song that isn't very old. And doing so purposely is AT LEAST as valid as new versions that spring forth because someone just forgot the original lyrics (how many thousands of times has that happened!) However, I do sense that most of those protesting (ten-foot basket ball players notwithstanding) are doing so with at least somewhat of a chuckle. I personally have found this entire thread (and the original DITCH thread) to be quite entertaining. Perhaps this isn't the best place to conduct such conversations, but I enjoy seeing and participating in them. Again, I think this entire conversation has a very familiar and folky ring to it.Usually this conversation takes place around the old kitchen table, but it's a comfortable conversation. Here's to all the good folk who chose to read or respond!