songs about vampires?

Subject: songs about vampires?
From: Jen
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 07:43 PM

Do songs about vampires exist? I'm writing a story about a vampire, and she'd really be interested in ballads or the like about her kind. I couldn't find anything in any of my books.
Other supernatural creatures would work, too, if anyone knows any good ones.

thanks!
Jen

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Barry
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 10:18 PM

go back on a search of Vampire, La Marca speakes of a song called The Vampire written from the Vamp's point of view as is the Werewolf written by Barry Dransfield, which you can find doing a fourm search. Good Luck, I'd like to see more. Barry

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 27 Jan 98 - 10:56 PM

If other supernatural creatures are okay, you could try searching the forum for "Halloween".

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Elektra
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 12:09 PM

I dunno if you'd call it a ballad [bit of sarcasm, that], but there's always "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon. And I suppose "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" might qualify as supernatural -- a ballad, surely -- Though perhaps, not quite in the, er, *vein* you're looking for...

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 05:18 PM

There's a Michael Smith song that Claudia Schmidt sings called "Vampire." Anybody have the lyrics? If not, I'll transcribe it when I get the chance.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Jen
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 05:54 PM

Yes, that's one of the ones I'm now looking for! It was mentioned in a previous thread, but alas no lyrics, and I can't find them anywhere.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 07:05 PM

Try Greisley Bride in the database. It is not clear that the were-dingho in the song is a vampire, but probably close enough. also cruise thru @myth which is where i put dragons, unicorns, devil, etc. in the DT

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From:
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 11:49 PM

There was a guy named Zackerly who started as the host of a horror movie show on Philadelphia TV during the horror craze of the 60s. He then moved to NY where he, among other things made an album of horror songs. Many were fine limericks. The only one I can recall went something like:

A dinner was served for three
At Dracula's house by the sea
The hors d'oevres were fine
but I choked on the wine
when I found that the main course was me

It was spoken to a musical background rather than sung and it probabably doesn't help you Jen, but it is fun.

Murray

Subject: Lyr Add: VAMPIRE (Michael Smith)^^
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 03:33 AM

VAMPIRE
Michael Smith © 1986

In the dark of moon
There is no light, I'm free
I have no love
To blind my eye for me
Dark of moon is the time for flying
Far below, the world is lying unaware.
My soul is crying, "Vampire."

This is my song,
I love you all.
You are beautiful to me.
Though there's not a one among you who can see
Who among you understands it
Bloody mouths and bloody hands,
That's all you know
But soon you'll know the Vampire.

And it won't be long,
Won't be long before I'm flying
Won't be long before I'm flying
Won't be long before I'm flying

Your life's too short,
And love is gone too soon.
Come with me,
Fly the dark of moon.
The dark of moon.
Life's not life if you must lose it.
Death's not death if you refuse it.
Who can blame you if you choose the Vampire?

Forever young,
Forever young,
Forever young,
Forever.
Forever.
^^
This is one spooky song. Good, though.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 04:25 PM

The only two trad songs I can recall that relate to vampirism---or at least the drinking of blood--are King Henry (where the hag drank the horse's blood), and some versions of Sir Lionel, wher the blood was human, all right, but the drinker was a wild boar.

I think vampires entered Western consciousness in Victorian times.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Jen
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 06:59 PM

Thanks so much, Joe! And Susan, I spent a loonngg time in the DT last night, thanks!

Jen

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Feb 98 - 05:17 PM

IT JUST DAWNED ON ME-------Dracula's last words!

Subject: Lyr Add: ULA DRAKE^^
From:
Date: 28 Feb 98 - 05:42 PM

A song from PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD on the CD "Ready For Paddy?" named ULA DRAKE

There lived a man in Bucharest, Ula was his name
He fell in love with a pretty fair maid from a foreign shore she came

Her name was princess Rosalie from Transylvania's land
Her father was the prince of the dawn by the name of Lord Tyrant

Rosalie began to cry, oh Ula Drake said she
I don't want to be the wife of a king, would you go away with me
But 3 days later they were caught by the men of Lord Tyrant
He killed his daughter in a rage and brought Ula to his land

Lord Tyrant spoke the filthy curse at Transylvania's shore
You stole my daughters heart from me and the King that she adored
You shall not live and you shall not die, fight your endless fight
Your meal will be the blood of fair maids
And your kingdom will be the night

The winds do sing a dreary song on Transylvania's shore
The story of Lord Dracula and the girl that he adore^^

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 9-Jan-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE VAMPIRE (Buffy Sainte-Marie)^^
From: rich r
Date: 28 Feb 98 - 07:10 PM

THE VAMPIRE
(Buffy Sainte-Marie, 1969)

Shall I tell you of the night?
It was long ago
Late November and the snow
Just about to fall
And the moon was big and bright
Cold and sharp and clear
And the air was biting

Softly, swiftly down the road -
Never mad a sound-
Someone came from far away
As I looked into his eyes
No reflections came
And I gave him bedding

Oh my little rosary
How I miss you so
Never used you very well
Now I never will.
I am farther from you now
Than the two ends of Eternity
Now I do his bidding.
^^

rich r

HTML line breaks added (and double spacing deleted). --JoeClone, 9-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From:
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 10:27 AM

Hello I have the song Dinner with Dracula in wav form if anyone wants it. However I am looking for the lyrics if anyone can help. Feel free to E-Mail me. Please use Dinner With Dracula as the subject heading.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 11:01 AM

Well, no-one else has had the nerve so I'll suggest it:
Fangs for the memory (or if it's a Hammer film Fangs for the mammary)

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: radriano
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 12:42 PM

Dear Jen:

There are several traditional songs about werewolves. I don't have them right at the front of my mind but will look them up and post them for you.

There is one that Robbie O'Connell sings called, I think, 'All on the Mountains High".

Regards,
radriano

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 01:00 PM

"All On the Mountains High" is a version of "Reynardine," or "Rinordine" (the spelling seems to be optional). Margaret MacArthur and others have recorded it. Joe Hickerson does it with the New Golden Ring crew on Folk-Legacy.

Sandy

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: radriano
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 01:22 PM

Dear Jen:

Since you've spent time looking through the digital tradition I'm just posting the titles of the songs I have with supernatural themes as you may have already found some of these. If you want any of them just e-mail me at: [e-mail]

The Drowned Lovers (trad-about witches)
The Ghostly Crew (trad sea song about ghosts)
The Holland Handkerchief (another ghost song)
Mister Fox (A song by John Pole. Not sure what supernatural being this represents. Last line is "his teeth flashed white and his eyes burnt red - could be a vampire)
Sir Aldinger (trad ballad involving magic)
Song of the Ghost (Fanny Power) - another ghost song
The Two Magicians (trad about, you guessed it, two magicians
The Water Lily (song about the spirit of a dead child appearing in its mother's dream)
Witch of the Westmerlands (yep, it's about a witch)

Apparently the words to "All on the Mountains High" didn't make it into my songbooks yet. Check out Sandy Paton's previous entry for leads on that.

Regards,
radriano

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 02:02 PM

Not trad, but Sting had a song called Moon Over Bourbon Street, that was based on Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, on his first album.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Martin _Ryan
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 02:56 PM

We had a thread or two on Reynardine a long time ago. Unfortunately the "teeth" reference in it is a very late insertion - if you'll forgive the expression.

Regards

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 06:01 PM

well, I "sang" "The Griesely Bride" at campfire about a year ago. an Aussie poem-ballad set to music. A vampire or were dingo.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: poet
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 06:57 PM

I always thought Reynardine was a fox as in vulpine but i've been wrong before.
There was a song about a were Hare (as in were wolf) called The Eskdale Hare by Keith Marsden.

I'll Post the lyrics tomorrow if I can find them.

there is also The vampire Rag probably ??? by Tom Learer it seems like his kind of thing but I Don't have the lyrics.


Graham.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: SeanM
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 07:07 PM

Also not folk, but Concrete Blonde has a song off of "Bloodletting" that was also Anne Rice inspired...

M

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 09:07 PM

"Griesley Bride" is on Harry Tuft's Folk-Legacy recording, newly re-issued as a CD. If it's Hallowe'en material you're seeking, check out his "Mrs. Ravoon," too. Check our Web site: www.folklegacy.com.

I think Cindy Mangsen also recorded "Greisley Bride."

Sandy

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 06 Oct 99 - 11:19 PM

There is another version of Raynardine which I've heard which seems to have more vampire ish leanings. I too thought that the reference was to fox, but there are stories and songs that seem to blend fox/man/predetor/vampire. I think that your vampire would like the Raynardine songs.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: mick cahill
Date: 07 Oct 99 - 05:20 PM

How about:- "Fangs for the memory"

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: MMario
Date: 07 Oct 99 - 05:27 PM

I would think such a character, if musical, would be interested in songs about death and dying as well. Whether or not you could get permission to use it, "shadow Lover" by Mercedes Lackey might give you some ideas.

Subject: Lyr Add: ESKDALE HARE^^
From: poet
Date: 07 Oct 99 - 07:19 PM

As promised Below Eskdale Hare I'm not sure now of the provenance. Also a Thought Long Lankin sung by Martin Carthy (my HERO).

Eskdale Hare


Now the farmers cried alas and alack,
the Hares are running in one big pack.
the damage they cause was exceeding rare,
for they're all led by a big white Hare.

chorus
Beware beware beware the Eskdale Hare.

Now they got their guns and they went on a hunt.
But they never got a shot at the one in front.
They tried every trick but they Haddn't a prayer,
Bewitched was the Eskdale Hare.

chorus

They tried every trick with gun and snare,
but they never caught that wily Hare.
Twas then the men were filled with fear
for they knew witchcraft was lurking near.

chorus

Now the wise old sage knew what must be done,
with a silver bullet you must load your gun.
Level it when the moon is clear,
Its the only way to slay that Hare.

chorus

Now the gun was primed and levelled that night,
And the bullet crashed out in the pale moonlight,
Then the sight they saw filled the men with Dread,
for where the Hare fell, a witch lay Dead.
^^
I can't help you with the tune I don't know enough about this devils box to do it on the net.


Graham (Guernsey)

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 08 Oct 99 - 03:59 AM

Poet I was interested when you referred in your first message about the Eskdale Hare being from the pen of Keith Marsden. I think your doubts about that in your second message are justified. Keith Marsden didn't write it and Val Marsden doesn't recall him singing the song. Interesting song tho'

Graham

Subject: Lyr Add: VAMPIRE RAG^^
From: polesden - Bob Merrett
Date: 08 Oct 99 - 02:46 PM

At Sidmouth Folk Festival this year I decided to enter the annual 'Doom, Gloom and Despondency' song contest. The song I sang was 'VAMPIRE RAG' - I don't know who wrote it but someone mentioned Tom Lehrer, perhaps he did but I don't think so.

Anyway here are words

Back in good old Transylvania
Many years ago,
The living dead devised a dance
Just to keep their spirits low,
And from the grave 'til the midnight raves
Their remains they dragged,
To be on the ball at the Dracula Hall
For the start of the Vampire Rag.

The Count and all his blood relations
Gathered to proposed a toast:
"Have Peter Cushing break his leg
And the devil take his ghost,"
And with this oath the Count he quoth:
"And now, dear friends, let's rise,
And dance away 'til the break of day
For we need the exorcise."

When the church clock struck thirteen,
The blood began to flow,
And for party games, the guests were split
Into groups A, B and O.
Now, all this fun had scarce begun
When a scream did rend the air.
'Twas only some fool of a loose-looking ghoul
A-necking on the stairs.

Now, gruesome things like all good things
Are never here to stay,
And come the dawn they were all gone,
All safely locked away,
And through the day until the night,
It's there they will remain,
And if you try to find them
It will prove to be in vein.

By the way - it won the song contest

Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Matthew B.
Date: 08 Oct 99 - 05:17 PM

How come nobody mentione The Monster Mash?

Doesn't that count?

>tee hee

Subject: Lyr Add: NIGHT RIDERS (Robert "Oneman" Johnson)
From: reggie miles
Date: 09 Oct 99 - 12:14 PM

A friend, Robert "Oneman" Johnson wrote a fine song about vampires he calls it NIGHT RIDERS.

I travel by the stars the moonlight lights my way.
I travel by the stars the moonlight lights my way.
I am a night rider I can't stand the light of day.

When you ride by night you don't see where you been.
When you ride by night you don't see where you been.
And you have no regrets when that mad passion passes on again.

I come a sneakin' and a creepin', slippin' and slidin' silently on my way.
I'm gonna grip you and grab you, stun you and stab you till the sunlight brings back the day.
I am a night rider and you will not see my face but make no mistake it was me I spent the evening at your place.

You will not see me as I go creepin' by.
You will not hear me as I go creepin' by.
But you will feel my touch and you'll know that mournful cry.

I come a sneakin' and a creepin', slippin' and slidin' sliently on my way.
I'm want to grip you, grab you, stun you, stab you, till the sunlight brings back the day.
I am a night rider and you will not see my face,
But make no mistake it was me I spent the evening at your place.
Make no mistake it was me I spent the evening at your place.
(Howl like a banshee)

HTML line breaks added (and double spacing deleted). --JoeClone, 9-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: rdpayne
Date: 09 Oct 99 - 09:28 PM

Bloodletting by Concrete Blond seems to be about vampires

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Jen
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 06:45 PM

Wow! I leave for a month, and one of my very ancient threads come up. :-) Thanks for the new info, everyone! I might take you up on that offer, radriano.

Jen (who feels like she's back from the dead as it 'twere)

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Abby Sale
Date: 22 Jan 00 - 11:20 PM

I WISH I WAS A MOLE IN THE GROUND

I don't like a railroad man.
No, l don't like a railroad man;
'Cause a railroad man they'll kill you when he can,
And drink up your blood like wine.

filename[ WISHMOLE

Subject: Lyr Add: MONSTER MASH^^
From: Owlkat
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 03:09 AM

Hi hi,
Did somebody say the Monster Mash?
Hehehehe...
Monster Mash Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers Written by Bobby Pickett and Lenny Capizzi

I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash

From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash

The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf Man
Dracula and his son

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"

They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?"

It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you

Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash

Cheers, Owl.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jan 00 - 09:01 PM

The Unquiet Grave and the Wife of Ushers Well aren't exactly about vampires, but they are about the Undead.

I've always assumed Reynardine is a were-fox, which is what you sometimes get in countries where the wolves have died out. (Incidentally, since most foxes these days in England probably live in towns, have any urban legends sprung up about urban foxes?)

The same goes for Mr Fox - which is a great story. When Dan Keding tells it it makes your blood freeze. He's a relative of Bluebeard. Mr Fox is,I mean, not Dan Keding, so far as I know.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 04:34 AM

If you are going to mention the Monster Mash, how about the Transylvania Twist mentioned in it - that actually appears on the album, yet another vinyl dinosaur lurking in my cellar, I really must get round to playing some of these things!!

LTS

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Micca
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 09:20 AM

Jen do you know "Horrortorio" it was cod Handel done for one of the Gerard hoffnung concerts at the Festival hall and includes a wonderful parody of G&S When I was a Lad (I can't seem to get away from that tune this week. I think I have it on a tape and could make you a copy. Micca

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Willie-O
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 09:43 AM

Back in the early 70's, when anything went on AM radio, the Five Man Electrical Band had a follow-up to their big hit ("Signs, signs, everywhere the signs"):

Mama said, there's something weird about Billy
I looked in his room, his bed wasn't slept in at all last night
Papa said, now Mama don't you go talkin' silly.
He's just a young boy, sowin his wild oats and thats' alright....

Turns out billy is out there howlin at the moon and doin bad things...finally good old Papa gets fed up, goes to the blacksmith and gets him to forge a good metal stake, sayin':

Smith get your fire hot
I got a job to do, and I gotta get it done before the sun comes up...

...and my big brother Billy never did come home anymore.

Shee! Family values or what. Now the chorus comes back to me:

Is it any wonder we hate to see the sun go down?
Is it any wonder we hate to see that full moon comin around?

W-O

Subject: Lyr Add: VAMPIRE RAG^^
From: Lanfranc
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 07:18 PM

Vampire Rag was written by Mike and Claire Milner, and there is an additional verse which I wrote because I couldn't wrap my fingers round the instrumental that Mike and Claire played:

At party games, the gruesome guests
Really knew where it was at
And the vampire's cricket team lined up,
Waiting for their turn to bat.
The barbecue was run by the grue-
Some monster from the lake.
As they all ran out, you could hear him shout,
"How do you like your stakes?"

The folk process seems to have hit the last verse in Bob Merrett's version, but it works fine.

Anyone heard anything of Mike and Claire since, say, 1973!

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: GUEST,Victoria
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 08:34 PM

Also not traditional, but I believe Annie Lennox did one called "Love Song to a Vampire" - I heard it sung by a friend of mine and I remember it was beautiful.

Subject: Lyr Add: I LOVE THE NIGHT^^
From: GUEST,Victoria
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 09:23 PM

Not traditional but I always thought of this as a vampire song..... (by Chris de Burgh 1984)

I LOVE THE NIGHT

Come to my door, meet me at midnight,
I can't wait anymore, and after midnight
We must head for the town,
Keep under cover till dawn
With a bagful of wine;

The night is alive, look in the shadows,
Because now is the time, out in the shadows,
To be somebody else, a complete transformation
From the someone we are in the day;

I hear a noise - there is something going on;
I hear a voice - there is something going on;
I see the boys - there is something going on;
And something is happening to me, yea;

I love the night, I love the night,
I love the element of danger and the ecstasy of flight,
I love the night, I love the night,
I love to dance with a stranger and feel her delight,
And when the dancing is through, I kick off my shoes,
And I listen to the beating of my heart...

After the fall, then came the hunger
In the hearts of us all, ooh such a hunger
That begins after dark, hides in the heart
Like a wolf that is waiting inside;

I see a light - there is something going on;
It's getting bright - there is something going on;
I look outside - there is something going on;
And someone is calling to me;

I love the night, I love the night,
I love the element of danger and the ecstasy of flight,
I love the night, I love the night,
I love to be with a stranger and feel her delight,
And when the morning begins, I have to get in
Before sunlight can fall upon my face;

I love the night, I love the night,
I love the element of danger and the ecstasy of flight,
I love the night, I love the night,

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Amos
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 10:49 PM

Nearest I know of all this is the tale of Anne Bolyn, with 'er 'ead tucked underneath her arm.
It's too slick to be trad but it sure looks old held up alongside of the Transylvania Twist.

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Mbo
Date: 24 Jan 00 - 10:56 PM

When we were little, my father used to play us this song called "The Monster's Holiday" by Buck Owens. We still have the record! Check out "One Caress" by Depeche Mode of their album "Songs of Faith & Devotion." It features the group with orchestra--sounding like something from a musical instead of a techno band. It's a very scary, dark, and sinister song. You might want to check it out.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: polesden
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 01:53 PM

To Alan Francis, just a quick message to let you know that it was sung by a folk group called Heritage in the 70's and 80's who did it in four part harmony.They even included it on their LP called "Living by the air". It certainly used to bring the house down whenever they use to perform it. They broke up in 1985 but still get together now and then usually at Tanners Hatch(See thread "Sing-a-round in Surrey interested?)or parties etc. Cheers Bob Merrett

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 04:04 PM

can I just say at this point:

I used to be a werewolf-but I'm alright NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

(sorry, it sounds better than it writes -I used to be Little Dorritt but the cookie monster got me!)

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: GUEST,BeauDangles
Date: 25 Jan 00 - 04:22 PM

The two songs that pop into my head right off the bat (get it? bat!?) are the Sting song off of Dream of the Blue Turtles called.....Moon Over Bourbon Street, I believe, and a song on a cd I just bought by Gino Vanelli. It was a 1995 release, and I'm buggered if I can remember the name of the cd now, but the song is called Moon Over Madness (hmmm, sounds like a running theme, here...). They are both very smokey and jazzy, and capture the haunting atmosphere I suspect you are after.

I can't think of any Folkey pieces yet, ut I will put it in the old processor and see what bubbles up.

BeauD

Subject: RE: songs about vampires?
From: GUEST,Silent Requiem
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 11:17 PM

Thanks. :)