'Sheath and Knife' refrain

Subject: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: sadie damascus
Date: 21 Mar 03 - 04:07 PM

In Dave Van Ronk's "Sheath and Knife", a fierce and powerful version of the old incest ballad, I do not understand the second line of the refrain. It seems to be, "The sun (or son) gaes tae your tower there wi'". Huh? Am I mistranslating it or misunderstanding it? I would like the origin of this version, but I have lost my liner notes from the CD it came on.

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Mar 03 - 04:13 PM

look in the dt

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: sadie damascus
Date: 21 Mar 03 - 04:27 PM

Okay, duh, I guess that's where I got the lyrics. But what does it mean?

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 21 Mar 03 - 04:53 PM

Your previous thread on the subject is still here: Sheath and Knife

We had taken the question about as far as it could go without a look at the book Ewan MacColl got (most of) that text from, when the discussion turned to disagreement and name-calling. It could still be usefully revived, but unless someone has access to the relevant book (which MacColl didn't specify precisely), I doubt if you'll get more than additional speculation.

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: sadie damascus
Date: 22 Mar 03 - 01:24 AM

Well, please excuse me. I underwent some traumatizing life changes last June, and in the maelstrom completely forgot that I had asked this question on this forum before. I am most frightfully sorry. I have now read all the responses to that last thread, thank you, and had my questions more than satisfactorily answered. Next time I will search for previous threads on the subject (even mine from another life) before I start hollering.

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 03 - 11:29 AM

apology accepted

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Mar 03 - 03:28 PM

Tony Rose sang 'The broom blooms bonny and the broom blooms fair'. A completely different version??

Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Mar 03 - 04:42 PM

Yes. The version in question here is a particular one: see the earlier thread for details.