Lyr Req: The Scarecrow (Lal & Mike Waterson)

Subject: Lyr Req: Scarecrow
From: akenaton
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 05:57 PM

A few months ago I heard June Tabor in concert at CC.

She sang a most haunting song called "The scarecrow", I've since found out that it was written by one of the Watersons, but I can't seem to get the words anywhere.

Can anyone help with lyrics and some background?..Ake

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarecrow
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 06:07 PM

Ake - it's by Lal Waterson. Will try and dig the words out tomorrow.
M

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarecrow
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 06:08 PM

It's from Bright Phoebus, but Martin Zierke's site doesn't have the lyrics. Don't have the record myself, so not much help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarecrow
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 06:37 PM

In the DT. scarecrow finds it, oddly enough.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SCARECROW (Lal & Mike Waterson)
From: rich-joy
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 06:37 PM

I used to sing this beautiful haunting song when I was accompanied by a wonderful guitarist named Terry Piper, in Darwin, Oz - sadly, his ilk are far and few between and I haven't performed it for some years ... I keep hoping though ...

Cheers! R-J


THE SCARECROW
As recorded by Mike and Lal Waterson on "Bright Phoebus" (1972)

As I roved out one summer's morn
I saw a scarecrow tied to a pole in a field of corn.
His coat was black and his head was bare
And as the wind shook him, the crows took into the air.

Ah, but you'd lay me down and love me
Ah, but you'd lay me down and love me if you could
For you're only a bag of rags in an overall
That the wind sways, so the crows fly away and the corn can grow tall.

And as I roved out one winter's day
I saw an old man hanging from a pole in a field of clay
His coat was gone and his head hung low
Till the wind flung it up to look, wrung it's neck and let it go.

How could you lay me down and love me
How could you lay me down and love me now
For you're only a bag of bones in an overall
That the wind blows and the kids throw stones at the thing on the pole.

And as I roved out one fine spring day
I saw twelve jolly dons dressed out in the blue and the gold so gay
And to a stake, they tied a child new-born
And the songs were sung the bells was rung and they sowed their corn.

Now you can lay me down and love me
Now you can lay me down and love me if you will
For you're only a bag of rags in an overall
But the wind blew, the sun shone too and the corn grew tall.

As I roved out, one summer's morn
I saw a scarecrow tied to a pole in a field of corn [FADE]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarecrow
From: rich-joy
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 06:39 PM

sorry, I assumed the DT had been checked already - and Malcolm's post just pipped mine!
R-J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Scarecrow
From: akenaton
Date: 08 Aug 05 - 07:28 PM

Thanks rich and all.
Sorry for being a "plonker" Malcolm, but I did try Lyrics and knowledge DT with no result. Should have tried lyrics only.

What a wonderful song, and sung by June, unforgettable.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scarecrow (Lal & Mike Waterson)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 08:28 AM

Oh, boy, another gut wrenching one, get me my hankey. Thanks to the person who mentioned it in the thread about fine horseman lyrics. June Tabor , never fails to cut to the chase.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scarecrow (Lal & Mike Waterson)
From: rich-joy
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 04:26 AM

Following on from my 2005 post above, finally - after some 30 years (!) - I have digitised the old cassette tape and uploaded to YT, my 1987 rendition of this beautiful song.

FWIW.

It's true, I'm no glorious June Tabor, but after having lost my voice some 9 years ago due to V/Cord issues, I'd be very happy to still be able to sing like it, LOL!! :)

Cheers!
Rich-Joy,
Down Under

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scarecrow (Lal & Mike Waterson)
From: rich-joy
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 04:30 AM

Yeah, I know - forgot the link - sorry!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW_RR2uhM2c

R-J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Scarecrow (Lal & Mike Waterson)
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 29 Jul 18 - 04:37 AM

Lal & Mike Waterson - The Scarecrow