Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills

Subject: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Giac
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 08:08 PM

The Strange Fruit thread reminded me of a song I heard only once in Chicago around 1963-64. I know nothing about from where it came, or where it went, but I remember this much:

Down from the hills the riders came
Jesus, it was cryin' shame
To see the blood upon their whips
And hear the snarlin' of their lips.

Brother, won't you stand by me
It's so lonely to be free.


There were three more verses and after each was the two-line request to "stand by me ..." but starting with Mother, Father and Sister.

Anybody remember it?

Art, do you know anything about it? I don't know that it was exclusive to Chicago, but that is the only time I ever heard it. It was performed by a young female singer who played very elementary guitar (although far more advanced than was I at the time), and I was duly impressed by her presentation and her daring to sing such a song in a public venue (some little club off Rush Street).

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 08:42 PM

I believe this song was printed in Sing-Out. Might the singer have been Elizabeth Knight? Hope that helps a bit.

Rick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 08:45 PM

The lyrics for "The Klan" are in the database, and I also posted slightly different lyrics in this thread (click). I wish I had been smart enough to say where it was I found the song. Looks like Dennis Cook submitted the lyrics originally.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 09:03 PM

Thanks, Rick - Yeah, it's in the Collected Reprints from Sing Out! the pink volume (1959-64). The notes say, "Elizabeth Knight brought this hard-hitting song to Hootenanny audiences in New York after learning it from Alan Grey in San Cristobal..."

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Giac
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 10:09 PM

Thanks, Rick and Joe, I searched for klan, protest and a couple of other keywords, but didn't find anything. Oops!

I don't recall the singer's name, and didn't think of going back through Sing Out. I remember the tune and chord changes, so I can resurrect it.

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Feb 01 - 10:15 PM

Well, booger. I found those words about 2 hrs ago, but was interrupted with my Real Life. Good thing, because they are already posted, and Mrs. Stoopid didn't do a Lyr/Forum search.........sometimes the obvious stuff is not here, and the obscure stuff is! I would have bet money that Erie Canal was already in the DT........not.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 03:42 AM

Erie Canal IS in the DT - in at least three versions, Sorcha...

Look for Eriecan*. "Strange Fruit" is there, too.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 01:23 PM

Sorcha, NEVER let your "real life" intrude on other things. We gotta keep our priorities intact.

Never thought much of the aforementioned song, and I always wondered if the subject had been treated better by someone we've never heard of.

The Battle of Maxton Field (Gazette, volume one, Folkways) takes a humourous approach, which didn't work for me either.

Rick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: klan protest Down From The Hills
From: winniemih
Date: 19 Feb 01 - 11:47 AM

I remember Richie Havens doing this song, I think it was on his Something Else Again album (although I don't have that in my collection and can't confirm it ).