Songs about singing

Subject: Songs about singing
From:
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 09:54 PM

This evening I was listening to Padraigin Ni Ullachain and Len Graham's recording "When I was Young." When I came to the lyrics of
"I Once Had a Granny" (her music to Hugh Quinn's lyrics) I was struck by the lyrics

" I once had a granny
Of songs she had many
There ne'er will be any
Shall sing them so well

...

As she baked on a griddle
Her tongue like a fiddle
Lilted rum tum tiddlely um tum
And sweet songs as well"

And that got me to thinking (always dangerous): are there many traditional songs about singing? Among humans, I mean (leaving aside bird songs, like "The Singing Bird" or "The Nightingale"). To be honest I can't think of any. The one that comes immediately to mind for me is Tommy Makem's own composition, "Sing Me the Old Songs" with the chorus that declares

"Sing me the old songs of laughter and pleasure
Sing me the old songs of sorrow and pain
Sing from the heart, sing of love without measure
The good times, the bad times, the sunshine and rain"

That doesn't count for two reasons: one it isn't traditional, and more importantly it is really a song about nostalgia, not singing

So that is my question: do people know of good traditional songs about humans singing?

Chris Brennan
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 10:42 PM

How Can I Keep From Singing?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST,freda
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 10:45 PM

The People Have Songs

by Miguel Heatwole (Aussie folkie & choir conductor)

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: DonMeixner
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 11:32 PM

Jack Point's Song from The Yoeman of the Guard. "I have a song to sing Oh..."

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 01:40 AM

Tickle Cove Pond:

When the bowline was fastened around the mare's breast,
William White for a shanty song made a request.
There was no time for thinking, no time for delay.
Straight from his head came this song right away.

LAST CHORUS :
Lay hold William Oldford, lay Hold William White,
Lay hold of the cordage and pull all your might,
Lay hold of the bowline and pull all you can,
And with that we brought Kit out of Tickle Cove Pond.

Not strictly traditional: written by Mark Walker; but late 19th century...

(From this site)
Mark Walker was born in Tickle Cove, Bonavista Bay, the son of Marcus Walker of Ireland and Jane (Mackey) Walker of Bonavista, B.B. A boat builder by trade, Mark Walker became well known as a song writer and balladeer--his most famous ballad being "On Tickle Cove Pond". It has been said that he was able to write a song about any subject at any time. Sometime in the mid-1870's he moved from Tickle Cove B.B. to Sweet Bay, B.B.

(Also in the DT, without attribution: TICKLE COVE POND.)

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 01:57 AM

"They don't write 'em like that any more."

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 02:19 AM

THE MAID ON THE SHORE:
She sat herself down in the stern of the ship
Her voice was so fair and so clear-o
She sang them so sweet, so neat and complete
She sang captain and sailors to sleep."

A SONG FOR EACH DRINK:
Come all you jolly fellows and join us in song,
Let thunderous harmony sound.
For if men can still sing then the world's not so wrong,
And the rafters will ring in a round.
But a man cannot sing if he's troubled at heart,
As melodies over you steal,
So bring us a drink and we'll each sing our part,
And our voices with clarity peel.

WONDROUS LOVE:
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing, etc.
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, etc.

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on, etc.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on, etc.

also Worried Man Blues

Lots more passing references, as in a calling-on verse (Now come all you jovial fellows, come listen to my song It is a little ditty and it won't detain you long), or concluding verse (Well now my song is ended I've got no more to say So give us another pint of beer and we'll all of us go away).

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 02:26 AM

"Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things not bad
Sing of happy not sad"

Etc ad nauseam!

LFF

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 05:01 AM

My most obvious choice would be When All Men Sing.

There is this wonderful song by Graham Pratt (probably best known for "The Black Fox") The Minstrel about the different type of songs through history: War, Love, Bawdy, Protest, Industrial etc.

DonMeixner: - I'm not sure that "The Merryman and his Maid" (it's actually a duet with Elsie Maynard) is really about singing - it's a song about a rejected lover who wins his love in the end - which of course Point singularly fails to do in the opera. I must admit to having sung it several times in folk clubs though - as well as on stage.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 05:09 AM

Incidently, I've only just noticed that there seems to be a verse missing from the DT version of "The Minstrel". It is the penultimate one, and from memory goes something like:

I sang my song in mill and coal-pit,
My voice all hoarse from dust and fumes.
I took my tune from the factory siren,
I found my rhythm in the looms.
But whether anybody listened,
Or paid attention, I couldn't say.
For I couldn't stand the smoke and the chimneys,
So I packed my bags and moved away.

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN ALL MEN SING (Andy Barnes)
From: Gervase
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 05:13 AM

There's also Andy Barnes' "When All Men Sing" - guaranteed to shake the plaster from the wall:

WHEN ALL MEN SING

When snow transforms the hedgerow thorn,
And frost engilds the berry.
Good men and true the firelogs hew,
And in the inns make merry.
When singing all as with one voice,
It seems the very walls rejoice
And merriment about does spring;
When all men sing.
        Let every man so pitch his song,
        To help his neighbour sing along.
        To each and all contentment bring,
        When all men sing.

When lambs are seen and trees spring green,
Come forth in bloom the daisies.
For winter's end our thanks we'll send
At Easter-time sing praises
Then with a will, yea one accord.
We'll raise our voices to the Lord,
And praise above our heavenly King,
When all men sing.

When in the fields his scythe he wields,
Then hear his summer sound,
As man and boy their lungs employ.
The songs they echo round,
Rebound from hill and roof and spire;
Starting lowly, building higher,
So surely then his scythe will swing,
When all men sing.

When leaves they fall from elm tree tall,
Then every back must bend,
As young and old, with courage bold,
Their efforts they expend,
Ensuring autumn's gifts are stored
Afore cold winter winds is blowed.
Then comes and end to foraging,
When all men sing.

Here's songs in season every year,
Some voices sweet with others strong,
Gently round ascending;
With harmonies a-blending.
In unison pours forth the song,
Uplifting beams of inn or hall
And shaking plaster from the wall,
When all men sing.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:16 AM

I'd already suggested that.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST,Hugh Jampton
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:43 AM

"I`ve got a handful of songs to sing you"----- Tommy Steele

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Hrothgar
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:47 AM

Unison in Harmony - Jim Boyes

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:49 AM

Gervase I think you will find that "When All Men Sing" is actually a peom from "Chronicles Of A Country Gentlemen" by Keith "Scowie" Scowcroft and tune by Derek "Giff" Gifford.

Also if you are including non-trad songs Eric Bogle's "Sound Of Singing"

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:51 AM

oops previous post should have read poem not peom!!

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Snuffy
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 09:12 AM

THE OLD SONGS (2) (Bob Copper and Peter Bellamy)

Cho: The old songs, yes, the old songs, that gave our fathers joy --
The songs they sang till the welkin rang when Nelson was a boy.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Joe_F
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:21 PM

"Love's Old Sweet Song" (in the forum, but not yet in DigiTrad)

"Silver Dagger" ("Don't sing love songs, you'll wake my mother")

"Goodnight, Irene" ("Please sing me one more song")

"I've Been Working on the Railroad"

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 06:34 PM

Why be exclusionary and only consider 'trad' stuff?

James Keelaghan's "Sing My Heart Home" is a wonderful song!

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST,Del Boy
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 07:07 PM

Jim Reid's "The Better 'O a Sang" from the album of the same name. Not trad but a good song about the joy and need of song.

Subject: Lyr Add: HERE IS MY HOME (Si Kahn)
From: JennyO
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:18 PM

I just had to mention one of my favourite songs, which is really about how singing brings us together:

HERE IS MY HOME
(Si Kahn)

Good friends from whom we now must part,
Where are we bound?
Your hands and voices lift my heart;
Here is my home.

CHORUS:
Come darkness, come light
Where are we bound?
Come morning, come night
Here is my home.

For those who work in harmony,
Where are we bound?
Can learn to live in unity;
Here is my home.

If we can join ourselves in song,
Where are we bound?
Our hearts will live when we are gone;
Here is my home.

The spirit that finds music here
Where are we bound?
Will sing forever in the air
Here is my home.


Also, a friend of mine, Bill Bekric, has written a lovely song about singing, too. I will have to dig the words out, then type them in here - I know I have them somewhere. It deserves to see the light of day.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: MAG
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:45 PM

That's a great one, Jenny.

Not strictly about singing, but about the inherent sacredness of music and one's work; and it is a song, and I just happen to have it on (see other thread):

fiddler's Hymn
(Metamora)

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:51 PM

One of the prettiest songs I heard about singing is " Aunt Sue" which was written by Pete Sutherland and recorded by Carla Sciaky on her album, "Awakening". It is track #12 on that album. Both, the lyrics and the melody are very touching, and Carla has the perfect voice for this song. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: MAG
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 12:48 AM

Carla Sciaky. I haven't heard about her in awhile. I had her tape with "Undertow" on it. Liked it a lot. Foolishly lent it out.

I'll look for this one, sol. thanks for the reminder of a clear, rich voice.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Anglo
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 01:26 AM

I think you could certainly add The Rose in June to this list.

"When All Men Sing" was a favorite of the late Linda Crump, a singer and stalwart of the Pick'n' 'n' Sing'n' Gather'n' here in upstate New York, whose heroic struggle with cancer finally ended late last year. I sang Bob Copper's "The Old Songs" at her memorial because I thought it was a song she would like.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: rich-joy
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 07:30 AM

My old mate, Jeff Corfield, in Oz, has also written a nice one about singing - I'll post it when I can contact him for the lyrics!

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST,Cats at work
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 08:24 AM

There is also Mike O'Connor' 'Singing in the May' about the night singing on 1st May, recorded by Kathy Wallis on 'Not for Glory' and also used in Unsung Heroes and on the accompanying CD.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 09:38 AM

I'm surprised that no-one has yet mentioned Dave Webber's beautiful song The Blackbird. If you've never heard it, do click on the link.

Those final words:
After love, I ask of life
Just one simple thing
Pray never let me see the time
That does not let me sing
Affect me deeply every time I hear it.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 01:32 PM

We have forgotten "Song for Gale" by Larry Kaplan. SOL ZELLER

Subject: Lyr Add: WHO WILL SING FOR ME? (John Thomas Ely)
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 04:13 PM

WHO WILL SING FOR ME ?

By John Thomas Ely

Oft I sang for my friends, when deaths cold hand I see
When I reach my journeys end, who will sing one song for me ?
I wonder who, will sing for me ?
When I'm called to cross that silent sea
Who will sing for me ?

When friends shall gather round, and look down on me
Will they turn and walk away, or will they sing one song for me?
I wonder who, will sing for me ?
When I'm called to cross that silent sea
Who will sing for me ?

So I'll sing 'til the end, contented I will be
Assured that some friend will sing one song for me.
I wonder who, will sing for me ?
When I'm called to cross that silent sea
Who will sing for me ?


We found this on the "Three Pickers" CD by Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs and Ricky Scaggs.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: maire-aine
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 05:20 PM

"They Can't Keep Me From Singing", Gordon McDonald's inspired re-write of "How Can I Keep From Singing"

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 07:09 PM

SING FOR THE SONG by the late Shel Silverstein

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: NightWing
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 08:26 PM

My immediate thought when I saw the title was the first one suggested: "How Can I Keep from Singing?"

So with a little embarrassment:

"I Write the Songs" by Barry Manilow

BB,

NightWing

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 12:05 AM

There is a wonderful song written by Joan MacIsaac Canadian Folksinger --- "When I can't Play" (not certain about the title).
Chorus: When I can't play I will sing,
When I can't sing I'll whistle,
and when the day comes I can whistle no more,
I'll set myself down and I'll listen.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Day_Tripper
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 01:23 AM

Here's the worst song I've ever heard about music:

The Land of Music, By Sheldon Harnick

My native land is very dear to me: Its legends, its heroes, its history. I love my country but still it's true there is another land I love too.

In the country of music, the streams are fresh and clear and I know they will always flow every season of the year In the country of music, the mountains are sublime though they seem to touch the sky, they are not too high to climb.

And it goes on, and on, and ON in this vein. The city choir I'm in sang this at our last concert. It was very embarrassing.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: saulgoldie
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 11:13 AM

"Handful of Song" (Jerry, you're too modest!)
"Down the Road" by Bill Staines--("There's a song worth singing...")

Subject: Lyr Add: TO SING FOR YOU (Donovan)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 11:54 AM

To Sing for You.

Now every man he has his work you know
And to find out mine you ain't got far to go
Call out to me as I ramble by, I'll sing a song for you.
That's what I'm here to do, to sing for you
To sing for you.

When you're feeling kinda lonesome in your mind
With a heartache following you so close behind
Reach out to me with your weary arms, I'll sing a song for you
That's what I'm here to do, to sing for you
To sing for you.

When you feel you just can't make it any more
With your head bowed down you're staring at the floor
Call out to me as I ramble by I'll sing a song for you
That's what I'm here to do, to sing for you
To sing for you.

Donovan.

Quiet often used to start my evenings with this one.

Giok

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cd2yG7BiVg

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: rich-joy
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 06:26 AM

The Work Song - by McGarrigles ...

Harvey Andrews "The Song" and Jeri's "Why We Sing" on the Mudcat CDs ...

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Flash Company
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 09:36 AM

All these posts and nobody has thought of Woody

All day singing, suppers on the ground
Young folk and old folk, are gathering round
All of the neighbours we're going to see
Oh come along Mary, come sit by me,
Oh come along Mary, come sit by me.

In the immortal words of a newspaper editorial in ww2 'Let the people snig!

FC

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 02:25 PM

Reminds me of the mis-spelt graffito, 'I like grils', under which someone had written, 'Don't you mean girls?', underneath which another hand had written. 'But what about us grils?'
Giok

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 04 - 02:49 PM

I'm with Little Robyn on this one, many of the songs are in this thread are your own particular favourite songs and don't necessarily relate to a songs which tells about people singing songs which I understood was the Thread.
For example "When all men sing " and even Donovans "To Sing for You "-are fine , but there's a few here which are dodgy.
Incidentally , John 'Giok'Mc.,"To Sing for You " apologies in advance for doubting you - but are the 1st and 2nd verses in the wrong order ? . I used to sing it light years ago - and it doesn't feel right when I read it and I can't check it anywhere.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BARD + THE SOUND OF UNION
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 05:29 PM

Steve Thomason has written 2 good songs about singing - The Bard, and the Sound of Union (inspired by singing with friends in the Middle Bar in Sidmouth, and at the Wareham Wail):

THE BARD
(Steve Thomason, September 2002)

I am the bard, the story-teller
In me the old tales they still live
And though the world go on forever
The old tales still their comfort give

My song began when earth was younger
And when the old gods walked the land
And the heart of man was filled with wonder
At the seasons turned by the old gods' hands

I sang my song in forest clearing
Of Herne the hunter's mighty arm
And Shebra, starry barque still steering
Across the skies until the dawn

I used my songs to warn of danger
Of Jack o'Lantern's impish ways
To comfort friend and welcome stranger
To speed through winter's iron days

My tales brought ease to lovers parted
By foreign war and icy seas
For though they lay quite broken-hearted
The old songs brought to them some peace

Old tales, old songs, old gods, past glories
I lay before you as I stand
And as you hear these old, old stories
Give thanks that bards still walk the land


THE SOUND OF UNION
(Steve Thomason 2002)


Come grasp the hand of friendship strong
Come raise your glasses and sing along
The timeless joy of chorus song
The happy sound of union.

When with first harvest out from the field
The farmer brings the good earth's yield
His pact with nature it must be sealed
In happy sound of union

And when the shepherd from hillside steep
Returns at night with straying sheep
He'll spend an hour before he sleeps
In happy sound of union

And though the ploughman he tills the land
And walks all day with horse at hand
He'll still through one last chorus stand
In happy sound of union

And when into the ground man went
To mine the earth with shoulders bent
He'd celebrate his shift well spent
In happy sound of union

From sailor's forebitter to shanty work song
To tales of oppression and righting of wrong
What binds us together and drives us along
Is happy sound of union

And so from Devon and Dorset and shire
We gather together and rekindle the fire
Come raise up your glasses, come join the choir
In happy sound of union

And so before we go at last
Let's raise together a parting glass
To bind us together in friendship fast
And happy sound of union

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Celtaddict
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 05:52 PM

Danny Doyle wrote (with Terry Folan) and sings "Songs from a Chimney Corner," about the many songs he learned from his grandmother Bridget, who was among other things a rebel in the 1916 rebellion.
He also sings a wonderful song about how dreary and dismal the poorer part of Dublin (where he grew up) was, until music and song transformed it into a place of wonder, in which "the sun loosened her pursestrings and squandered her coins of gold."
And again from the talented pen of Scowie, Keith Scowcroft, is "Welcome All In," set to music by Mike O'Leary-Johns of Mainbrace, a calling-in song which has several verses listing the kinds of songs to be sung. I am at work but could look these up at home.

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: mg
Date: 26 Jun 04 - 10:28 PM

Singing the spirit home by Eric Bogle.

mg

Subject: Lyr Add: SING ALL MEN SING (S. Haithwaite)
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 06:19 AM

SING ALL MEN SING
S.Haithwaite 2004

The taxi drew up at a place close to Prague
Where in spring chestnuts burst into flower
In the war from cross Europe they came through its gates
Watched over by men in high towers
A boy wanted to run from his bed in the dirt
Twas a place where no butterfly flew
A ghetto 'approved' but in secret they sang
Strength grew as barbed wire flowers bloomed

Sing All men Sing
What you cant say you must sing
Sing out a requiem
Sing songs of hope
But sing all men sing

Musicians and artists and leaders of men
To confuse and misguide made a show
Children whose paintings and poems tell all
Just look with your hearts you will know
A fantastic illusion of shops filled with goods
Tears fell as the trucks filled with men
Cos its off to the east when your numbers up
Then you'll not see your kinsmen again

From the hunger sprang passion
From the pain sprang a pride
A defiance kept spirits alive
Schaecter taught his requiem Freidl her art
6,000 pictures survived
A broken harmonium rang out the tunes
To defy those who locked them away
A hearse took the dead by the light of the moon
And delivered the bread in the day


87,000 from here were sent east
Of these 83,000 died
Murdered or tortured or perished on route
Of the children a handful survived
Some try to deny that it happened at all
Soon those that survived will be gone
They defied the oppressors with poems and art
And their spirits live on in our songs

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 09:20 AM

"When Malindy Sings"
words: Paul Lawrence Dunbar, music: Oscar Brown Jr

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST,Sheila
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 09:57 AM

"Here's to Song" by Allister MacGillivray. The chorus:
"Here's to song, here's to time,
Here's to both with friends of mine,
Here's to friends who raise their voices high,
Kings have riches widely lain,
Lords have land but then again,
We have friends and song no wealth can buy."

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 12:45 PM

There's "You Gave Me a Song" by Alice Gerrard with the lovely chorus:

For you gave me a song
Of a place that I call home,
A song of then,
A song of now,
A song of yet to come.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: Barbara
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 01:45 PM

Then there's this one: The Unclaimed Pint

Subject: RE: Songs about singing
From: GUEST,ken johnson
Date: 27 Jun 04 - 02:08 PM