Is 'Streets of London' a folk song

Subject: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 08:31 AM

'Streets of London' by Ralph Mctell, is a folk song by most criteria - apart from the fact that we know who wrote it.

Comments welcomed

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:02 AM

OK..

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: MMario
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:23 AM

depends on the definition of "Folk Song" In classifying, Laws allowed a known author, he also allowed much younger songs as "folk" and distribution other then oral.

Others don't. it's an opinion call.

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:30 AM

No, it's an A-Z map.
RtS (emptying out the old jokes bin)

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 11:29 AM

Not sure what criteria it passes for being a 'folk song' at all. Thought it was simply a very good ballad composed in the sixties (and used as the theme music for a British sex comedy called "The Amorous Vicar").

Rick

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 11:59 AM

Here we go again trying to stick labels on things. What does it matter whether it's a folk song or not? just enjoy without categorising. Ppl who say they don't like folk may not even bother to listen if they think a song is classed as a "folk" song and many good songs lose out on listeners that way

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 12:01 PM

Whoops sorry, replied to this one before I saw the other thread of the same name

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Trevor
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 12:05 PM

Dunno whether it is or not but don't you just get fed up of being asked if you can 'do it'?

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 12:08 PM

I know a few difernet folk who sing this, you must be correct. There again, when Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth do it, does it become a Jazz classic? Maybe it's just a good song which crosses a few different boundaries. Perhaps we should consult the "Good Song" Nazi's and get their opinion. JohnB

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST,Steve Parkes
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 12:23 PM

It's not a traditional song, unless you've learned it from someone else with different words or music (sounds like Lonnie Donnegan!). Good tune, though: it's Varsity Rag slowed down; shame about the lyrics!

Steve

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Larry124
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 12:36 PM

One evening about three years ago, I played "Streets" in a summer camp dining hall open stage to maybe 300 adult "folkies". That audience all knew the song and sang the choruses along with me. I was nervous, and mid-song I forgot the chords. I stopped playing but kept singing. So did the audience. We finished together, and everyone gave themselves a round of applause. Later someone thanked me for "ending the song that way, and giving us an chance to sing"

So it's a folk song.

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Don Firth
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 01:19 PM

Doesn't matter if it's a folk song or not. If you like it, sing it. If it isn't a folk song now, it may become one. That's how it works.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: weepiper
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:37 PM

"Let me take you by the throat,
In case you sing 'The Streets of London...'"

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: vindelis
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:39 PM

Isn't this where the word 'Contemporary' comes into the equation? - Well for another half a century or so, at least.

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:41 PM

When Bert sings it, it is a folk song...and I had never heard it before last year. Must have been popular during my jazz stage or when I listened only to Dylan.

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:41 PM

I refer you to Leadbelly, as quoted in previous threads. Jock

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Jim Hancock
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:54 PM

Just some thoughts on what makes music folk music 1. Cultural expression A musical form specific to a culture, written & performed by the common people for the common people. It probably expresses the beliefs, ideas and everyday concerns of the culture. e.g. if a farmhand sings songs about farming to farmhands it's probably folk music. 2. A musical style Music using traditional rhythms, instruments and styles of presentation. 3. At the end of the day the common people will decide what contemporary stuff counts as folk music, It's the Music which the ordinary people of 2001 decide is good enough to spend time learning, singing to their friends and passing on to their children, which brings us back to paragraph 1

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:58 PM

Here's a link to the duplicate thread, which was taking off in a slightly different direction from this, about the merits of digging up old threads on well travelled issues such as What is Folk.

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST,Kernow John
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 05:45 PM

Love the song, don't have a problem with the words having been homeless and slept on the streets and in the shop doorways of London at a dark time in my youth.
I never tire of being asked to play and sing it. Makes me think how lucky I am now.
KJ

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 05:56 PM

Rick Fielding,

Yo say that 'Streets of London' doesn't pass many folksong criteria

I would be interested to know what your criteria are (if you have the time to post)

Many thanks

Sorry if this is digging up old stuff, but it's quite new to me

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 06:17 PM

I always thought of Ralph McTell as a folk singer too. We saw him once in Exeter: had to sit on the floor in some students' union, that made it seem more folkie?? Tattie B

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Gareth
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 06:23 PM

Who cares !! It's a damn good song !!

Gareth

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 07:12 PM

Yup, it's a folk song. The folks like it!!

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST,Wanderer
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 07:16 PM

I think if you can sing two lines and can sit back and the rest of the bus will sing the rest, that's a folk song.

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 07:21 PM

Wanderer

I think you have hit the nail on the head

apologies for reposting the last message, but it's the best definition that I've ever heard:

if you can sing two lines and can sit back and the rest of the bus will sing the rest, that's a folk song

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 08:52 PM

The tune to "Streets Of London" is "Canon" by Pachelbel.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Big Mick
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:10 PM

I sing it quite frequently. It is never received poorly.

But Rick beat me to the punch. Lots of folks with an opinion in the affirmative or the negative, but no one gives the criteria they use to make the distinction. on what are you making your judgements?

Mick

Subject: RE: Is 'Streets of London' a folk song
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:06 AM

It isn't actually out of copyright yet, and Ralph gets very upset if people sing it with even one changed lyric.... he even tried to sue the BBC when they broadcast a football crowd singing it, substituting their home town for London.....

I don't think it can be for that reason, but hey, who am I to say??

LTS