Lyr Req: Child on the Road (Archie Fisher/Child #3

Subject: Lyr Req: archie fisher's child on the road (#3)
From: Roberto
Date: 23 May 04 - 03:31 AM

I'd like the text of The Child On The Road (F.J. Child number 3) as sung by Archie Fisher. It is on Archie Fisher (1968). The words are not easy to get because of the fiddle playing that backs the singing. Archie Fisher says his version is "a reconstruction of a similar version sung and played by the late Ted Furey".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: archie fisher's child on the road (#3)
From: The Walrus
Date: 23 May 04 - 07:22 AM

Robrto,

Would that be the song 'The False Knight'?

"Where are you going?
asked the False Knight
to he Child on the road..."

Walrus

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: akenaton
Date: 23 May 04 - 01:38 PM

Iv got a brilliant version by Five Hand Reel ( with Dick Gaughan)
Ill try and post the words later.....Love the song...Ake

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 23 May 04 - 02:32 PM

I've heard it sung to "The Flowers Of edinboro."

Seamus

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: Gypsy
Date: 23 May 04 - 08:19 PM

I sure wish he would put out a book.............If Andy Stewart can do it, Archie Fisher should, too! Would be first on the list to buy.

Subject: Lyr Add: FALSE KNIGHT
From: Roberto
Date: 24 May 04 - 03:33 AM

Yes, Walrus,it is the False Knight. Here are the few words I can get, and I'm not sure of them all:

Now where ... and what is that you bear? (?)
Said the false knight to the child in the road
Oh, .. and nothing do I bear
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

What is that upon your back in your brown heavy sack?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
I have books upon me back in me brown heavy sack
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Tell me what is on your arm 'less you want to come to harm?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
I've got pits upon me arm that I got farm
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

What is higher than the tree, what is deeper than the sea?
Said the false knight to the child on the road
Heaven's higher than the tree, Hell is deeper than the sea
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Oh I have a gallows high and a rope to swing you by
Said the false knight to the child on the road
If you want to swing me high …gallows …
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

I've a bird … wing and a song that doesn't sing
Said the false knight to the child on the road
….the song to sing
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Subject: Lyr Add: FALSE KNIGHT
From: Roberto
Date: 24 May 04 - 03:39 AM

The previuos reply was not complete. I post it again

Yes, Walrus, it is the False Knight. Here are the few words I can get, and I'm not sure of them all:

Now where ... and what is that you bear? (?)
Said the false knight to the child in the road
Oh, .. and nothing do I bear
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

What is that upon your back in your brown heavy sack?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
I have books upon me back in me brown heavy sack
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Tell me what is on your arm 'less you want to come to harm?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
I have pits upon me arm that I got ... farm
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

What is higher than the tree, what is deeper than the sea?
Said the false knight to the child on the road
Heaven's higher than the tree, Hell is deeper than the sea
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Oh I have a gallows high and a rope to swing you by
Said the false knight to the child on the road
If you want to swing me high ... gallows ...
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

I've a bird ... wing and a song that doesn't sing (?)
Said the false knight to the child on the road
... the song to sing
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 24 May 04 - 11:36 AM

IIRC Archie sings it to the Flowers Of Edinburgh Tune,

To add to Roberto's words (from memory)

First verse

Now where do you fare and what is that you bear?
Oh, nowhere do I fare and nothing do I bear

penultimate verse

If you want to swing me high other gallows you must try

I'll dig out the vinyl and check the other bits (and my memory)

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: Roberto
Date: 24 May 04 - 12:30 PM

Thank you very very much, Kevin. I wait for the rest. Thanks. Roberto

Subject: Lyr Add: CHILD ON THE ROAD (from Archie Fisher)
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 25 May 04 - 12:50 AM

Here's the best I can make from the CD. The word before gallows is not "other" as Kevin writes. And it isn't "try" after that (Sounds more like "buy").

Now where do you fare and what is that you bear?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
Now, nowhere do I fare and nothing do I bear
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

What is that upon your back in your brown heavy sack?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
I have books upon me back in me brown heavy sack
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Tell me what is on your arm 'less you want to come to harm?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
I've have peats upon me arm that I got out at the farm
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

What is higher than a tree, what is deeper than the sea?
Said the false knight to the child in the road
Heaven's higher than the tree, Hell is deeper than the sea
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Oh I have a gallows high and a rope to swing you by
Said the false knight to the child in the road
If you want to swing me high ???? gallows you must buy??
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

I've a bird without a wing and a song that doesn't sing
Said the false knight to the child in the road
Like the bird, I'll take the wing leaving you the song to sing
Said the pretty little child only seven years old

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 25 May 04 - 01:21 AM

Declan Hunt used to sing:
Oh have you got a father and have you got a mother?
Said the false knight to the child on the road.
I've a father and a mother, and a sister and a brother
Said the pretty little child only seven years road.

and in between verses he would lilt the "B" part to Flowers Of Edinboro.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: GUEST,Jim I
Date: 29 May 04 - 02:11 PM

I think the word in verse 3 is beets not peats and I've always sung (in verse 5)
"If you want to swing me high, your own gallows you must try"

although listening to it again it 'could' be "buy".

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 04 - 02:24 PM

Jim I may be right with 'beets.' Other versions have bread and cheese, so I suspect it is food of some kind. Treats? Meats? Leeks?

Subject: RE: Req: archie fisher's child on the road (Child #3)
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 30 May 04 - 01:56 AM

Jim I and Q, I am Scottish and it is difficult to distinguish between the "B" and "P" sounds depending on the softness of the accent. Poor Archie was the only son in a family with six daughters and although he was born in Glasgow, his mother was from the (Gaelic-speaking) island of Vattersay. His speaking voice these days is much modified from Glasgow and has more Edinburgh in it (to my ear).
This was his first recording released in 1968 and, after further listening, the accent could be a "B" or a "P" on beets/peats. He could be singing "your own gallows you must..." but I don't hear a "T" sound on the next word, particularly not a "TR.." word. Maybe "Ply" as in "ply your trade"?
I guess the only person who could answer this would be the man himself.