Lyr Req: When I Was in My Prime

Subject: When I Was in My Prime
From: harpgirl
Date: 21 Feb 98 - 10:24 AM

Does anyone know of some additional lyrics or verses or interesting variations to this song? It seems incomplete as it is posted in TDT. harpgirl

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Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: harpgirl
Date: 16 Jan 99 - 01:38 PM

Hello kind friends, Can anyone recommend a recording of this tune? I am trying to get the melody. thanks harpy

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: gargoyle
Date: 16 Jan 99 - 01:59 PM

[in my prime] brings up twelve songs that could qualify - which one are you seeking?

I sincerely doubt that you are looking for the one I know. It is set to a circus calliope tune.

When I was young, and in my prime
I used to gang bang all the time
I love a gang bang, I always will
Because, a gang bang gives me such a thrill

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Jan 99 - 02:04 PM

I know Pentangle did this but I can't remember which album. I may still have it & will check. There's another melody than the one Pentangle did and I don't know if it's ever been recorded.
I have *got* to learn how to do midi text so I can provide these services you-all do so well!

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Allan S.
Date: 16 Jan 99 - 02:15 PM

I know the same song as Gargoyle. The chorus went as follows:

I'm too old, too old,
Too old to cut the mustard any more.

1. When I was a young man in my prime,
I used to do it all the time,
But now I'm getting old and grey,
I only do it once a day.

Here's a question: where did the expression "cut the mustard" come from?

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From:
Date: 16 Jan 99 - 07:27 PM

There is the Doc Watson's "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues":

When I was young and in my prime.
I left my home in Caroline.

I don't recall anymore. The chorus starts with:

I've got those Blue Ridge Mountain Blues

It is on an album with Jean Ritchie at Folk City.

I might be forgetting geography; but I can't see why the song is called the Blue Ridge Mountain Blues!

Murray

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: harpgirl
Date: 17 Jan 99 - 01:09 PM

Gargoyle and Allan S.
Alas, that is not the version I am seeking. But I bet you're cute when you sing it!
Murray. That is also a different song. I think Animaterra knows the song. It begins When I was young and in my prime I flourished like a vine. It is in the DT without a tune. I heard it on a CD but I think I may have taken it back to the library without copying it. Maybe I can find the Pentangle version at the local Spec's.
To answer the burning question about "Cut the Mustard", I suggest you pose it to Art. I bet he knows the answer! haprgirl

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Rosebrook
Date: 18 Jan 99 - 09:58 AM

Hi harpgirl,

It looks like Pentangle did 'When I Was in My Prime' on their CD "Collection" and on their CD "Pentangle". Nina Simone also recorded this song on two of her releases (Gold Collection and Tomato Collection - both 2 CD sets).

(Incidentally, I have a real hard time imagining how anyone might "look cute" singing about their enjoyment of going out with one or more of their friends with the express purpose of sexually assaulting a woman en masse against her will. Or maybe the song you refered to has a different meaning of the term "gang bang"?)

Rose

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: SteveF (inactive)
Date: 19 Jan 99 - 01:16 PM

Allan S:

The expression is actually "cut the muster" and it is an old military term of some sort.

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Pete M
Date: 19 Jan 99 - 07:12 PM

Oh come on Rose, I'm sure Harpgirl doesn't think pack rape is funny or cute - do you not think she may have been being ironic?

Maybe its a "cultural oddity"? I heard a discussion on the radio the other day with an American columnist/author who had recently returned to the US after living in Britain for about ten years saying that he had to remember not to be ironic in his columns as Americans unlike the British do not expect it. Dunno if he's right, but if so it would explain some of the po faced reactions that have come up to some of the tongue in cheek postings from us non USA types.

Pete M

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: harpgirl
Date: 19 Jan 99 - 09:58 PM

hi rosebrook,
Thanks for the info, rosebrook. And thank you for reminding me that my response to gargoyle was lame. I have a tendency to ignore or to treat lightly remarks which may be intended to enflame. I won't take credit for being ironic, just nonconfrontational! (more on the subject by personal post) harpgirl

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Art Thieme
Date: 31 Jan 99 - 12:33 AM

A marvelous version of "Too Old To Cut The Mustard" was done by Marlena Diedrich!

art

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 31 Jan 99 - 01:28 AM

I know that verse as the grand finale to "When I Was a Wee Wee Tot" which my mother sang for me some sixty-plus years ago. Thusly:

When I was young and in my prime,
I used tae wee-wee a' the time.
Noo I'm gettin' auld an' gray;
I scarce can manage twice a day!

So, fellas, take your saw-palmetto pills.

Sandy

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Sean MacRuaraidh
Date: 01 Feb 99 - 10:06 AM

I have looked at the lyrics and it seems like they are complete as I have the Pentangle version - though I haven't listened to it for a while. I can check the lyrics at home and report back if they are different.

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: harpgirl
Date: 01 Feb 99 - 10:52 AM

Sandy and Art,
ahh you guys...
Sean,
Is there any chance you could direct me toward the melody? With just a chord or two I could pick it out... or Sandy do you know the melody?
Thanks kind sirs,

harpgirl

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Sean MacRuaraidh
Date: 01 Feb 99 - 11:37 AM

Sorry, I've no chords for this and I'm not that good that I can just work it out just from listening.

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 01 Feb 99 - 09:03 PM

I think we've been led astray. The original request was clearly a serious one about a serious song, and here we are contributing bawdy quatrains that are no help at all. The lines "When I was young and in my prime, I flourished like a vine" make me think of "The Sprig of Thyme," but I doubt that's the song in question. Too well known.

I'll have to give up.

Sandy

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From:
Date: 01 Feb 99 - 09:35 PM

When I was young and in my prime -- "Farewell To Carlingford"? (sp)

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 05 Mar 99 - 01:04 AM

Well, Gargoyle, Methinks you have been suitably chastised. How about a slight revision to your childhood song?

When I was young and in my prime
I found myself involved in a heinous crime
Now I am old and in the pen
Serving a life term plus one hundred and ten

Lacks the punch of the original, but I believe the ladies would think it was cute if they could here you and your buddies singing it :-} LEJ

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Barry Finn
Date: 05 Mar 99 - 01:11 AM

Sea version:

"When I ws young & in my prime
I courted those pretty gals 3 at a time

But now I'm old & turning gray
Them pretty gals run the other way"

Barry

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From:
Date: 05 Mar 99 - 07:57 AM

"When I was young and Handy in my prime" is the 1st line of a sang called Foxy Devil by Joe Dolan that Rosalie Sorrels recorded on "Miscellaneous Abstract Record # 1 - in 1982 - Green Linnet. Its about whiskey being both a friend an enemy. If anyone wants the lyrics - ask. It's great. Betsy

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 05 Mar 99 - 01:56 PM

Gura mie mooar ayd, Dan, son y fys shen.

Thanks very much to you, Dan, for that information.

Shoh slaynt,

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: JB3
Date: 06 Mar 99 - 07:17 AM

Harpgirl, If you want other versions of similar songs to:
When I was in my Prime
I flourished like a vine
There came along a false young man
who stole the heart of mine
Who stole the heart of mine
Check out "The Seeds of Love" and the "Keep Your Garden Clean" songs--I found the latter by typing in [let no man steal your thyme]

June B.

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Mar 99 - 11:59 AM

If you search the DT database for [in my prime], you get a dozen hits.

And Art- That was Marlene Dietrich AND Rosemary Clooney (with a harpsichord back-up by Stan Freeman). Fine record.

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: GUEST,Tobeytom.aol.com
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 12:01 PM

harpgirl,

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: Amos
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 01:49 PM

Musta hit the tab key...dang!

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 02:17 PM

For a discussion of the origin of the phrase "cut the mustard" see

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/mustard.html

http://www.shu.ac.uk/web-admin/phrases/bulletin_board/2/messages/198.html

To hear an actual recording of "Too Old to Cut the Mustard" sung by Marlene Dietrich & Rosemary Clooney, go to

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/real~oldies/too~old.html

Actually, I was looking for the words to this song, and have failed to find them so far. I can't play the above recording myself because RealAudio doesn't work on this computer, so if someone else would care to listen to it, transcribe it, and post it here, I would much appreciate it.

Subject: Lyr Add: TOO OLD TO CUT THE MUSTARD (Bill Carlisle
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 02:28 PM

TOO OLD TO CUT THE MUSTARD
Words and music by Bill Carlisle

[D] When I was young, I had an [A7] automobile
I'd scoot myself right [D] under that wheel
I had to fight the gals off [A7] with a stick
But now they say, [P] ..."Oh, he makes me sick."

CHORUS: He's [D] Too old, [G] too old
He's too [D] old to cut the mustard any-[A7] more [P] ...
He's a-gettin' [D] too old, he's done got [G] too old
He's [D] too old to cut the mus-[A7] tard any-[D] more.

When I was young I had a lot of pep
I could get around, I didn't need no help
But since I'm old and a-gettin' gray
The people all look at me and say: CHORUS

(Found at http://www.danmansmusic.com/songs2.htm)

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 02:32 PM

Well, darn, "Too Old to Cut the Mustard" was in DigiTrad all the time. Funny, I just assumed one of you guys would have looked for it before posing the question. That'll teach me.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GARDENER'S SON
From: rainbow
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 12:12 AM

When I was a maiden fair and young,
I flourished in my prime, prime,
Till a proper tall young man came in
And stole this heart of mine, mine,
And stole this heart of mine.

A gardener's son being standing by,
Three gifts he gave to me, me:
The pink, the rue, the violet blue,
And the red, red rosy tree, tree,
The red, red rosy tree.

Come all you maids where'er you be
That flourish in your prime, prime.
Be wise, beware, be free from care.
Let no man steal your thyme, thyme,
Let no man steal your thyme.

(As sung by the Yellow Autumn Minstrels)
Recorded on LP called Children of the Mist

I used to sing this onstage when my son got fussy, and then after singing it would say something about my young man was about to steal my time.... And then go offstage to tend to his needs....

... Lorraine

Subject: RE: When I was in My Prime
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 18 Mar 00 - 04:26 PM

Hi Harpgirl

Iknow the rest of the words to the song begun here by June B.

I could sing it to you if you've still not got the tune, but afraid that's little help here!

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Was in My Prime
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 10:28 AM

>>

When I was in my Prime
I flourished like a vine
There came along a false young man
who stole the heart of mine
Who stole the heart of mine

>>

Reuqest song title.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I WAS IN MY PRIME (Nova Scotia)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 11:39 AM

Lyrics and notes copied from:

Creighton, Helen. Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia. New York: Dover Publications, 1992, page 53f: (Which also gives a melody line.)

WHEN I WAS IN MY PRIME
Sung by Mr. Enos Hartlan, South-East Passage [NS]

1. When I was in my prime, I flourished like a vine.
There came along a false young man, came stole away my thyme, thyme,
Came stole away my thyme.

2. My thyme it is all gone, and that's what makes me mourn.
The garnet [sic] standing by, three offers he gave to me:
The pink, the violet, and red rose, which I refuse all three, three,
Which I refuse all three.

3. The pink's no flower at all, for they fade away too soon.
The violets are too pale a blue. I thought I'd wait till June, June,
I thought I'd wait till June.

4. In June the red rose blooms, and that's no flower for me.
For then I'll pluck up a red rose, boys, and plant a willow tree, tree,
And plant a willow tree.

5. The willow tree shall twist and the willow tree shall twine.
I wish I was in the young man's arms, the one the love of mine, mine,
The one the love of mine.

6. There is a glorious plant that grows all over the land,
And everybody my plant shall see. I love that false young man, man,
I love that false young man.

7. If I am spared for one year more, and God shall grant me grace,
I'll buy a barrel of crystal tears for to wash his deceitful face, face,
For to wash his deceitful face.

This song of blighted love is known as The Sprig of Thyme, or in the older variant, The Seeds of Love. Bell, pp. 220-221, gives the author as Mrs. Fleetwood Habergham, of Habergham in the county of Lancaster, who expressed the thoughts of her unhappy married life in this way. Mrs. Habergham died in 1703. Harland, pp. 271-275, has published three songs, Love's Evil Choice, and The Sprig of Thyme, following the former with a traditional version which "as far as it goes is superior to the broadside copy." The Nova Scotia variant embraces all three.

See Johnson, The Book of British Ballads, p. 201; Sharp, English Folk-Songs, vol. 1, No. 17 and No. 18; Hullah, The Song Book, No. 32; Dixon, vol. xvii, pp. 222-223; Kidson TT., p. 69; Hammond, English Folk-Songs from Dorset, pp. 10-11; Joyce, Ancient Irish Music, No. 74; Kidson G., pp. 116-117; Baring-Gould, No. 7; Cox, No. 138.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Was in My Prime
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 09:46 AM

When I was young and in my prime
I wished to go to sea
I jumped on board a Chinese ship
And sailed the open sea.

An English Teaker came up to me
And called himself a Squire
He said if I didn't tell him my tale
He'd put me on the fire

So he turned me all over
And put me on to Boil
Once I was boiling
I was singing all the time

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I Was in My Prime
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 10 Dec 16 - 10:32 AM

What you have discovered here is that 'When I was young and in my prime' and similar introductions, are commonplaces like 'As I roved out' and 'Come all you.....

When a request for info about a song is given, give as much info on the song as you can so that a thread doesn't end up a jumble of different pieces like this one.