Ashoken? / Ashokan Farewell known in England?

Subject: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: NancyZ
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 05:07 PM

I'd like to send a tune to a friend in England but was looking for something he may not know. We Americans are familiar with this pretty little tune due to Chris Burns documentary of the American Civil War, but has it made it across the Pond yet? Thanks! Nancy

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 05:12 PM

(KEN Burns)

Its pretty well known by the 'Catters across the way, but unless your friend is into this kind of thing, they may not know it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: NancyZ
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 05:15 PM

Ken Burns, I stand corrected! He has a brother Rick Burns. I haven't seen the "Baseball" one yet, but look forward to it. My friend is a "folkie" so perhaps he doesnt know this tune.

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: Micca
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 05:31 PM

NancyZ, They showed the "American Civil war" series of Ken Burns, on the BBC twice in its entirety, in the last 4 years, most recently over the Christmas/New year just gone and Very wonderful it was. So your friend might have seen/heard the films/music. Mind you it was at 11.30 am and in 1 hour plus chunks.

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: wildlone
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 06:00 PM

Very good programme,
I found Ashoken farewell at mp3.com played by Earthrise.

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: The Shambles
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 06:27 PM

Jay Ungar was also to be seen here on TV on The Transatlantic Sessions.

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From:
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 07:18 PM

I think you will find that fiddlers, all over, know the tune. Is your friend someone who doesn't play in those circles?

BTW, there are words to the tune. Two of them are "official", in that they are recognized by the composer of the music. One of them was written and sung by Cleo Laine.

Official Lyrics for Ashokan's Farewell
http://jayandmolly.com/ashokanlyrics.html

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 23 Apr 00 - 10:55 PM

Worth mentioning that Ashoken Farewell was recorded by Pauline Cato (northumbrian pipes) and Tom McConville (fiddle) on their CD By Land and Sea in 1996; we certainly had it over here well before then (probably through Aly Bain).  It's a wonderful tune, isn't it?

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: NancyZ
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 12:20 PM

Thanks for all the assistance Mudcatters! I guess this means I'd better search for a different song though:) It is such a great tune, I've heard it "may" be based on an old Scottish tune, but that's another thread! Again, thanks, Nancy

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From: GUEST,Trish
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 06:44 PM

It's also played a lot in Scotland (I bet Nancy really means UK when she says England!) It has just come out (as of March 2000) as a CD single played by Major JR Perkins and the band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines (Clovelly records CLCD11699) I couldn't find it in the record shops but got it on mail order from Classic FM's music store (it also gets played on the Classical music station)

Subject: RE: Ashoken Farewell known in England?
From:
Date: 24 Apr 00 - 10:45 PM

Nancy, no, that's a wrong impression that someone gave.

According to the Ashokan Farewell FAQ, what Jay Ungar, the composer, says

Ashokan Farewell is written in the style of a Scottish lament or Irish
Air. I sometimes introduce it as, "a Scottish lament written by a
Jewish guy from the Bronx." (I lived in the Bronx untiI the age of 16.)

Check out the FAQ at

http://www.jayandmolly.com/ashokanfaq.html