Lyr Req: Isle of Maree / Little Mohee

Subject: Anyone know this song
From: ducksy
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 08:42 PM

One day while out walkin' in a far distant land,
I went into an alehouse for a half-hour to pass,
And as I sat down with my smoke and my glass,
Who should come in but a young Indian lass.

Well, she sat down beside me and she gave me her hand
Saying, "Young man, you're a stranger. You're not one of my clan,
But if you'd be contented to stroll along with me,
I will teach you the language of the Isle of Maree. [check spelling].

Oh, no, my fair maiden, this just cannot be,
For I have my own true love in my own country.
To deceive her I would never, for I know she loves me.
I will not marry the lass from "Maree."

Thanks for any information.

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 08:49 PM

TRy a search for "Mohee" in digiTrad. Prolly a corruption of Maui.

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: ducksy
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 09:53 PM

THANKS A LOT DICK FOR THE INFO.

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: Warsaw Ed
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 11:29 PM

Dusky: Also check out the Wolf Folklore Collection for Lyrics and an original recording [1952 Arkansas]
The American Memory collection [Library of Congress] has six items with some lyrics transcriptions and other recordings in the Cowell Collection and Voices from the Dust Bowl. Ed

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: LadyJean
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 11:30 PM

The song is called "Little Mohee" or "Pretty Mohee". I think Martin Carthy recorded a version of it.

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: Little Robyn
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 12:47 AM

The tune is similar to 'On top of old Smokey' (or spaghetti, whichever you prefer!)
Robyn

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 03:47 AM

A variant of the Indian Lass, a more comprehensive variant can be found in the Hammond and Gardner collection

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: GUEST,Puffenkinty
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 09:35 AM

Burl Ives had a notable success with "Little Mohee".
In his version the sweetheart in the singer's
native land proves to be unfaithful, so
he sails back over the ocean to his "Little Mohee."

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: GUEST,JOHN OF ELSIES`S BAND
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 09:46 AM

Nick Jones did an excellent version of "The Indian Lass". Not to be missed.

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 09:43 PM

Two variants in the DT are called LITTLE MOHEA and LITTLE MAUMEE .

Subject: RE: Anyone know this song
From: Celtaddict
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 11:49 PM

Stan Hugill also recorded this, and it is included in his book.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Maree / Little Mohee
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jan 23 - 06:14 PM

in 1986 my scool i went to the royal school for the blind had two music teachers one called alec and judith. judith was very into folk songs some of them written in the 19 century tunes some that have more words that were written in the 20s and beyond. books of what she knew were sung when she got the kids to sing. one of these was the little mohee the kids knew the tune when she played it on the piano but at first no one knew it from that. when i was 14 years old folk music became a thing in my life i wanted folks to know on top of old smoky but no one knew it. when i got my self a new home more folk new the songs first beginnings. when i got a computer i got a talking voice especially made for the blind and now i have a dictaphone and songs like the little mohee i am doing more reviewing of songs sum of them are from the 19th century. the tune is the same tune as on top of old smoky and did not start first recording when bradly kincade first recording made fame in 1929 all 2 songs were very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. in 1950 the weavers were a folk singing group ho had lee hase and pete seeger. pete wrote new wiods whichwat be in its words from a 1914 song first done by mary shelton when pete and lee hase wrote the new words in 1951 the words were the same as what shelton first sung in 1914 but the tune that is sung today was written when the folk music started copying songs like the litlle mohee which pete seeger did not no until alun lomax heard and said i can't believe you have made it a hit out when 1963 came tom glazer from new jersey had heard of the little mohee and heard of its tune he knew that the song had many titles even be fore on top of old smoky. he had a fite with many folk singers and said i have new words and again itchrats it got to number 12 in the us pop charts in 1963 but more folk no this song because many kids schools sing this song forgetting that a song called the little mohee and others. after tom glazer wrote new words in 1963 more editions to sing what you want did not think out in the 1980s talks about songs like the 19 centurry songs to be found in music books like judith had in the 1980s to make the kids learn what was great for them to learn music this song was on a book called folk song the kids should sing and play. among the others first picked up from the usa were john browns body and you are my sunshine and this land is your land. the song mohee she loved and heard many singers sing but the kids when 1 time at the music class they begun to think more about it when i first talked to my mum she said that is a wrong set of words it is the tune of on top of old smoky. i knew that this 1882 song first excited before the song on top of old smoky kame to be known. my story hank you so much from joe. and when i get new battreys for this dictaphone of mine i will review the song from start to finish.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Maree / Little Mohee
From: pdq
Date: 01 Feb 23 - 11:38 AM

Mohee is a Dutch surname and has nothing to do with American Indians.

The original lyrics were about a chap who left to work for the Dutch East India Company.

He eventually returned home to find his girl had been faithful.

If there is any mention of Indian it is the variety from India.

If done to the tune of "On Top of Old Smoky" that is of Elizabethan English in origin.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Isle of Maree / Little Mohee
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 Feb 23 - 11:45 AM

Fascinating.

We had Ed McCurdy's version where he sails back. Mom always said Little Mohee shoulda kicked him right back.