Req:Last Night as I Lay Dreaming (not Spancil Hill

Subject: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Philip Hudson
Date: 14 Jun 98 - 10:30 PM

I would like the words to a song that begins:

Last night as I lay dreaming
of things now past and gone
my heart went back to childhood
to a quiet country home....

Each verse is ended with a different chorus to a gospel song that the man's mother sang to him as a child. Any help on this? Philip Hudson

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Jun 98 - 12:30 AM

This is the first line to Spancil Hill. Is the song you are looking for perhaps an american derivative?

Subject: Lyr Add: SPANCIL HILL
From: John M
Date: 15 Jun 98 - 10:24 AM

SPANCIL HILL

Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by,
My mind being bent on rambling, to Ireland I did fly.
I stepped on board a vision and I followed with the wind
And I shortly came to anchor at the cross of Spancil Hill.

It being the 23rd June, the day before the fair,
When Ireland's sons and daughters in crowds assembled there,
The young and the old, the brave and the bold, their journey to fulfill,
There were jovial conversations at the fair of Spancil Hill.

I went to see my neighbors to hear what they might say.
The old ones were all dead and gone and the young ones turning grey.
I met with the tailor Quigley. He's as bold as ever still.
Sure he used to make my britches when I lived in Spancil Hill.

I paid a flying visit to my first and only love.
She's as white as any lily and as gentle as a dove.
She threw her arms around me saying, "Johnny, I love you still."
Oh, she's Ned the farmer's daughter and the flower of Spancil Hill.

I dreamt I held and kissed her as in the days of yore.
She said, "Johnny, you're only joking like many's the time before."
The cock he crew in the morning. He crew both loud and shrill,
And I awoke in California, many miles from Spancil Hill.

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Alice
Date: 15 Jun 98 - 03:26 PM

Philip, harpgirl, and John M., we just had a discussion in April and May on the song Spancil Hill. I asked where Spancil Hill is located in Ireland (forum search 'Where is Spancil Hill'), and Frank McGrath was able to provide the history of the song, as well as the original lyrics, which are different than the popular version most of us have heard recorded. Here, in part is the discussion, and I will refresh the thread for those who missed it.

Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill?
From: McGrath
Date: 28-Apr-98 - 10:17 AM

Robbie McMahon promised to start writing out his history and stories relating to the song "Spancil Hill" but here is a little sample just to keep the thread current. The song I will have in two days and the full history in another a week or two.

The author of "Spancil Hill," Michael Considine, was born around 1850 and emigrated to the USA from Spancil Hill around 1870. Working in Boston for about two years, he went to the USA with the intention of bringing his sweetheart over and for them to be married when he had made enough money for the passage. "Johnny you're only jokin'," a line from the current version, in the original, of course, reads, "Mike you're only jokin'." His sweetheart was "Matt the ranger's daughter" and not Matt the farmer's daughter as in the popularised version. The ranger's house was visible from Michael Considine's house, as was the tailor Quigley's.

He stayed in Boston for two years or so before moving to California. He suffered from ill health for a long time and, knowing he hadn't long to live, he wrote the poem "Spancil Hill" to send home in remembrance of his love and it was kept safe by his 6-year-old nephew, John Considine.

Michael Considine died sometime in 1873. And it seems he got home somehow (I don't know yet whether it was dead or alive) as he is buried in Spancil Hill graveyard, close to where Robbie has a little plot chosen. Robbie reckons there will be a mighty session in Heaven and Spancil Hill when that day comes around (hopefully a long time from now).

In the late 1930's or early 40's, Robbie was in a neighbour's house with some friends singing when someone suggested singing "Spancil Hill". The woman of the house, Moira Keane, left the room and when she came back said, "If ye are going to sing that song ye might as well sing it right," and she gave Robbie the original song.

Some time later at another session in the parish, Robbie was asked to sing "Spancil Hill" when a gruff voice in the corner growled out, "Don't sing that song". When asked, "why not?" the voice barked back, "'Cos ye don't know it."

Robbie, however insisted he did and launched into the version he'd gotten from Moira Keane. After singing a few lines, Robbie noticed the gruff man sitting up and paying attention. As Robbie progressed with the song the gruff man foostered more and more with his cap and became agitated. When the song ended, the gruff voice in the corner demanded, "Where did ya get that song?". The gruff old man seemed both perturbed and pleased.

Robbie explained the source. Moira Keane was the gruff man's aunt and the gruff man was 76-year-old John Considine, who had kept his uncle Mike's song safe for 70 years.

More in a couple of days.

'Till then, Slán.

Frank McGrath
Nenagh Singers Circle

Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill?
From: Alice
Date: 28-Apr-98 - 12:06 PM

Frank, Thank you so much! When I asked this question, I had no idea there would be such a wonderful history still known of its origin. What a sweet story. Thanks again, Frank, and thank Robbie for me.

Alice, in Montana

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Alice
Date: 15 Jun 98 - 03:31 PM

Philip, your description of each verse ending with a chorus to a gospel song doesn't fit Spancilhill at all, so I'm assuming you are looking for a different song. Do you have any more information to provide ...performer, recording, more words??

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Philip Hudson
Date: 16 Jun 98 - 10:51 AM

harpgirl, John M, and Alice: Thanks for the information. I already had the words to Spancil Hill but never tried to sing it. Sure enough, it fits the tune of the song I am looking for and is probably the source of the tune. Of course you notice that you have to squeeze in a note or two here and there to make the subsequent verses singable to the same tune as the first verse. But Alice is right. The song I am looking for may be written to the same tune but is not the same song at all. It is of a style that I call "Bar room songs". They were sung in bars to make the patrons maudlin and thus drink more. Songs of religion and mother were high on the list, also loss of true loves and the death of children. "Beautiful Beautiful Brown Eyes" and "On Top of old Smokie" are songs like this that every one knows. "My Mother Was a Lady" which is only partly in the data base (does anyone know the rest of it?) is one of these and check out "Pretty Babes in the Woods" for a real tear jerker. Also check out "Put My Little Shoes Away" in http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/index.html. What is wrong with me that I am drawn to such songs? Is it in my genes or in my cultural heritage (mother, two grandmothers and two grandfathers were "into" folk, old popular and religious music, my dad couldn't carry a tune in a basket)? I will try to get more words to the gospel song version of "Last Night as I Lay Dreaming" from my mother. Philip Hudson

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Alice
Date: 16 Jun 98 - 12:19 PM

Philip, "My Mother Was A Lady" is one of my favorites of that type!! I think I discussed it with someone somewhere on a thread last year, maybe the women's fantasy songcircle thread. I have a Brumley book with the ones you mentioned, and more. I will dig it out and take a look. Alice

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Philip Hudson
Date: 17 Jun 98 - 06:02 PM

I can't find anyone who knows the words to "Last Night as I Lay Dreaming" (not Spancil Hill). Does any one know of another internet venue where I might try such a question, maybe one that emphasizes gospel songs? Philip Hudson

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From:
Date: 18 Jun 98 - 05:00 PM

The version of Spancillhill I have heard is different from the one above, and does indeed refer to Matt The Ranger's daughter, the pride of Spancillhill.

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: belter
Date: 19 Jun 98 - 02:59 PM

The phrase " Last night as I lay dreaming" sounds nagingly familiar. I think it may have been the first line of a soung Joan Baez did. That may or may not be the same song.

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Will
Date: 19 Jun 98 - 03:38 PM

The Baez song was probably "Joe Hill". She recorded it on several albums.

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me
Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died" says he.

(Alfred Hayes & Earl Robinson, 1938).

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Philip Hudson
Date: 19 Jun 98 - 06:30 PM

I still can't find anyone who knows the words to "Last Night as I Lay Dreaming" (not Spancil Hill). I don't think it's the kind of song Joan Baez would have sung. I'm pretty sure it is 19th century. It may be as old as the Spancil Hill words. I'm pretty sure the tunes are the same. The tune may have come form an earlier song. Does any one know of another internet venue where I might try such a question, maybe one that emphasizes gospel songs? This is not really a gospel song, but some people might think it is because of the gospel song choruses at the end of each verse. - Philip Hudson

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Alice
Date: 23 Jun 98 - 11:08 PM

Philip!!! Guess what I found!!! On a website about the Carter Family, there is a real audio clip of them playing and singing "Last Night While I Lay Sleeping". It sounds like what you are looking for. It's on Rounder Records, so I'm sure someone out there reading this forum has it to transcribe. The audio clip has them playing and it ends after the first two lines of lyrics... "Last night while I lay sleeping, last night while in a dream".

http://www.rounder.com/rounder/sounds/roun/1/1067.ra

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Philip Hudson
Date: 25 Jun 98 - 11:25 AM

Alice: The Carter Family song "Last Night As I lay Sleeping" sounds very interesting but it is not the song I am looking for. I do not know how to listen to audio clips on the internet so I can't hear it. I will try to get someone to teach me what software I need and how to do that, but I need an "in person" person. I'm not swuft enough to learn by written instructions. The song I am looking for definitely begins "Last night as I lay dreaming". There is also a song that begins "Last night as I lay sleeping// there came a dream so fair// I stood in old Jerusalem// beside the temple there//. It is a beautiful song but is not in the folk song realm, I don't think. Someone defined a folk song as, among other characteristics, requiring a limited range. I believe "Londonderry" doesn't qualify because of this limitation. "Jerusalem" certainly doesn't. But if you know "Jerusalem", I'm sure you will agree that it is a fine song. - Philip Hudson

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: GUEST,cathydwane
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 04:48 PM

Dear Philip, Could the first line be ~"last night I had the strangest dream I ever dreamed before, I dreamt the whole world had agreed to put an end to war" We learnt it at school years ago when the "Sing-Out Movement" was big in America. It is definatly not sung to the tune of Spancil Hill!

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Amergin
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 05:51 PM

Phillip, I think I may have heard the song you are tlaking about....but I can't seem to remember where....

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 02:10 AM

Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream

The version I know is by Simon and Garfunkel

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 02:47 AM

I think I found it

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Amergin
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 02:49 AM

maybe not....sorry...

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: RangerSteve
Date: 11 Sep 01 - 09:37 PM

Amergin, that's one beautiful song. Even if it's not the one that Phil is looking for, I'm glad you turned me on to it. I'll be memorizing it shortly. There's a tune called (I think) the Moonshiners Lament, Sung by Hedy West. The melody fits this one perfectly. Hedy's also starts with "last night as I lay sleeping I dreamed a pleasent Dream". But it's not the one requested, so I won't add to the confusion by including it.

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: GUEST,brad
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 12:47 AM

If anyone still cares, I've got a version of the song you're looking for by the Blue Sky Boys.

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 10:54 AM

Joe Hill, Spancel Hill, is there a pattern here?

Subject: Lyr Add: LAST NIGHT AS I LAY DREAMING
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 05:15 PM

Is it this one?

LAST NIGHT AS I LAY DREAMING
As sung by the Prodigals on CD "Dreaming in Hells Kitchen"

Last night as I lay dreaming and I dreamt of foreign lands,
I dreamt that I had met you and you took me by the hand,
And we walked down by the riverside. We watched the waters flow,
And you told me when you left me you'd never let me go.

And we told the truth in whiskey 'til we made the rafters ring.
We'd laugh and chaff; we had a half when the pints had made us sing;
And when the night was over, we'd stagger home to bed.
We'd wake up in the morning and we'd wonder what we said.

We said love lasts forever. I suppose that could be true.
When I looked into the embers, I thought that I saw you;
But an ember's only ashes at the dawning of the day,
When the mists upon the meadows swiftly rise and drift away.

There's soldiermen and sailors and there's men of high degree.
There's tinkermen and tailors, and then there's always me;
And if you looked upon me, would it seem so very mad
That I dreamt of you that evening and the passion that we had?

And now it all is over and now you're far away;
And if I heard your voice now, I don't know what I would say.
The ship has long since loaded and it's sailed from the quay,
But I'll hold you in my arms, love, in the dream of yesterday.

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 04:23 AM

Fanny Hill?

Subject: RE: Last Night as I Lay Dreaming
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:41 AM

LWD
No She is just a little "Off Color"
KB

Subject: RE: Req:Last Night as I Lay Dreaming (not Spancil Hill
From: GUEST,#
Date: 13 Mar 21 - 02:23 PM

https://occupiedwithsong.wordpress.com/2017/01/22/michael-considine-robbie-mcmahon-spancilhill/

I thought this an appropriate place to put the link.

Subject: RE: Req:Last Night as I Lay Dreaming (not Spancil Hill
From: Reinhard
Date: 14 Mar 21 - 01:40 AM

No it isn't ;-) The thread title says explicitely: *not* Spancil Hill.

More appropriate would be DTStudy: Spancil Hill or half a dozen other threads about that song.

Subject: RE: Req:Last Night as I Lay Dreaming (not Spancil Hill
From: GUEST,#
Date: 27 Mar 21 - 04:02 PM

Thank you, Reinhard. It's good to know you are keeping an eye on things. Have a nice day ;-)