Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree

Subject: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Randy
Date: 16 Jun 97 - 10:13 AM

Hi, I am looking for the lyrics to a song I heard when I was a kid. The name was "Underneath the Juniper Tree" or something similar. It was somewhat of a "morbid" song. Any help anyone can give will be VERY appreciated.

Subject: RE: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Bert Hansell
Date: 16 Jun 97 - 10:34 AM

Would it be "Copper Kettle" if so it's in the database.
Bert

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Sep 12 - 08:02 AM

Under the Juniper Tree may be the title.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Jesse Bassfeller
Date: 23 May 19 - 01:05 AM

My mother killed her little son
My father grieved when I was gone
My sister loved me best of all
She placed my bones that I might lie
Underneath the Juniper Tree

Sometime like that?

I recall it sung in a recorded narration of a the quite horrible fairy tale 'The Juniper Tree' that we listened to in class in the 4th grade or something. No wonder I had nightmares, gah! Haven't heard it since but those are the words I recall anyway. It was a refrain sung over and over by a boy slain and cooked by a jealous stepmother and unknowingly consumed by his grieving father.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 May 19 - 01:52 AM

Jesse, it looks to me like you have answered a 22-year-old request. I think that's some kind of record. It comes from a Grimm Brothers fairy tale titled "The Juniper-Tree":

'My mother killed her little son;
My father grieved when I was gone;
My sister loved me best of all;
She laid her kerchief over me,
And took my bones that they might lie
Underneath the juniper-tree
Kywitt, Kywitt, what a beautiful bird am I!'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Jesse Bassfeller
Date: 23 May 19 - 09:01 AM

I'm not often accused of being particularly timely so no big surprise there. In any case, yes, thank you Joe - I believe that's just it. I'll notate the melody I recall but I expect one may use any melody that suits them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Jesse Bassfeller
Date: 23 May 19 - 10:07 AM

I'm trying to find this recording online or somewhat easily available:

Library of Congress Resource

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 23 May 19 - 12:37 PM

According to the Roud Index (No.4507), LOC holds 7 recordings of the song, two by Myra Hull (1602 A1, which you show, and also 1602 A2; see all seven in Roud).

The index has 40 entries for RN4507, but few reeorded versions seem to be publicly available. Jean Ritchie recorded a version Sister Phoebe on Xtra XTRA 1030 ('Jean Ritchie'); another Sister Phoebe by Aunt Phoebe Stoker Elliott released on what looks like a book + cassette by Indiana U. (and available at Indiana I think). Apart from LOC, Memorial University Folklore Archive (MUNFLA) (St. John's, Newfoundland) hold 2 recordings Grandfather Moses How Happy Was He. (index for all 14 sound recordings)

There should however be one version on youtube from the Samuel Preston Bayard Collection, collected from Charles S. Brink as Sister Phoebe. There are a bunch of files for Mr. Brink on youtube and I haven't located the correct one yet (listening at the moment; I'll post the link if I find it!).

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Underneath the Juniper Tree
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 23 May 19 - 12:43 PM

Wouldn't you know it - I submit the previous post and then almost immediately find the Brink recording! It's here Charles S. Brink#8; Oh Sister Phoebe starts at around 7:08.

Mick