References to Folk Music in Books

Subject: References to Folk Music in Books
From: DaveA
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 08:08 AM

I've just been re-reading S.M.Stirlings SF books & have been interested in his quoting of some of the newer songs that are becoming standards in the folk repertoire. He has a character sing a variant of Joan Baez's "Blessed Are" in his "The General" series & quotes extensively from the early Stan Rogers in his "Island In the Sea of Time" trilogy (even to the extent of naming a port "Fogarty's Cove"). Has anyone else picked up on contemporary authors starting to weave contemporary songwriters into their books?

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 09:22 AM

This isn't contemporary, but I learned The Fatal Flower Garden, as it's called in the Smith Anthology from James Joyc'es Ulysses.

Jerry

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 09:59 AM

I recall way back finding the entire lyric of Rex The Piddling Pup ina J T Edson Western !!

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 09:59 AM

I recall way back finding the entire lyric of Rex The Piddling Pup ina J T Edson Western !!

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 01:36 PM

The great English novelist, Thomas Hardy mentions many folk songs in his books eg. 'Queen Eleanor's Confession' in 'The Return of the Native', 'The Spotted Cow' in 'The Woodlanders', 'The Seeds of Love' in 'Far from the Madding Crowd' etc., etc. In 1995 The Mellstock Band released an excellent CD called 'Songs of Thomas Hardy's Wessex' (Saydisc CD-SDL 410)this not only contains some fine singing from Julie Murphy, Sally Dexter, Ian Giles and Andy Turner but also comes with a very informative set of notes. By the way, Thomas Hardy was a performer of traditional music himself - he was a fiddle player and played at country dances with his father.

Turning to SF I do recall first encountering the song, 'Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye' in one of Poul Anderson's stories - I'm not sure which - it could have been 'Marque and Reprisal' (c.1965).

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 02:17 PM

"Stanspotting" is a common pursuit of those who are fans of both Stirling and folk music. Little quotes appear in the majority of the books. I guess he grew up in Ontario, so it makes sense.

Poul Anderson also did a story called "Sam Hall," about a rebellion against a future "1984"-ish dictatorship, started by a computer geek working for the dictator but with a secret grudge against it, creating a mythical rebel by that name within the computer system.

It has a wonderful ending:

The victorious rebels are wondering what will happen to Sam Hall now that he's no longer needed. His creator says:

"He'll go to whatever Valhalla there is for the great characters of fiction. I can see him squabbling with Sherlock Holmes and shocking the hell out of Long John Silver. Do you know how the ballad ends?" He sang softly: "Now up in heaven I dwell, in heaven I dwell..."

Unfortunately, the conclusion is rugged. Sam Hall never was satisfied.

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: open mike
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 02:23 PM

Manly Wade Wellman has references to Appalachian ballads all thru-out
his stories such as Ballad of Silver John, etc.
www.manlywadewellman.com/ 1903-1986
http://www.ncwriters.org/services/lhof/inductees/mwellman.htm

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: GUEST,S.M. Stirling
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 03:02 PM

Then there's Heather Alexander's music... 8-).

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Wesley S
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 03:59 PM

Wasn't there a reference in an earlier thread about a fantasy series about a folk singer wandering in a post atomic wasteland. Perhaps he had a guitar with silver strings ? Does that ring a bell with anyone ?

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 05:48 PM

The guy with the guitar with silver strings was Manly Wade Wellman's John, referred to above. but he wasn't in a post atomic wasteland. He was in a contemporary (post-Korean war) southern Appalachia.

That was S. M. Stirling his own self, by the way.

Peter.

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Mark Ross
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 10:34 AM

Check out Elizabeth Scarborough's SONGKILLER SAGA. It's a wonderful trilogy about the Devil trying to rid the world of homemade music, and how he is defeated by cast of folkies aided by a magical banjo.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 11:07 AM

Wild Colonial Boy
Robert Frost in The Witch of Coos

The uncommonly deep snow has made him think Of his old song, The Wild Colonial Boy, He always used to sing along the tote-road.

Brennan On The Moor
John McElroy in Andersonville: A Story of Rebel Prisons

In his book about his time spent in Andersonville prison during the War Between The States, McElroy wrote of many songs sung by the various factions emprisoned there, but this is my favorite description. I don't think McElroy cared much for the song ~~ or the singers!


The other related the exploits of an Irish highwayman named Brennan, whose chief virtue was that
What he robbed from the rich he gave unto the poor.

And this was the villainous chorus in which they all joined, and sang in such a way as suggested highway robbery, murder, mayhem and arson:

Brennan on the moor!
Brennan on the moor!
Proud and undaunted stood
John Brennan on the moor.

They howled these two nearly the live-long night. They became eventually quite monotonous to us, who were waiting and watching. It would have been quite a relief if they had thrown in a new one every hour or so, by way of variety.

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Wesley S
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 11:10 AM

Midchuck - Thanks - I'll try to find a copy and check it out.

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Flash Company
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 11:56 AM

Not modern literature by any means, but Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch has 'Hal an Tow', sung by a character in 'The Amazing History of Troy Town', also 'Hieland Laddie' and a version of 'Home, boys home'.
There is also an Irish song, sung by Mrs Goodwyn-Sandys, which is probably parody:-

Be Aisy and list to a tune,
That's sung of bold Tom, the dragoon,
Sure, twas never he'd miss
To be stealin' a kiss-
Or a brace by the light of the moon, Aroon
With a wink at the man in the moon!

At least two more verses quoted, but my typing finger is getting tired.

FC

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 11:56 AM

Terry Pratchett mentions folk music and Morris dance a lot. Can't remember all the occasions but I think most instances are in Lords and Ladies.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 05:13 PM

I believe the Poul Anderson reference is to Star Fox, where one of the key characters is a troubadour. From the title, I would guess that Marque and Reprisal was one of the stories that went to make up The Star Fox. SF writers of the period were wont to do this to make a few extra cents.

Hey! It would be difficult to make up a sentence planning to use the word "wont" and there it just popped up of its own accord!

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 08:50 PM

And never forget the January 2 or 3, 1666 entry (unless I've gotten the date wrong) in Samuel Pepys' monumental diary---you will find what is probably the first mention ever of the ballad "Barbara Allen". S.P. heard it sung in London---on the street.

And Mark Ross, I read those Elizabeth Scarborough books a while ago--when they first came out. I got to the part where terrorists bombed a well known folksong depository and a major figure was injured or killed. That just took me aback! It hit me hard--right where I live. That must be just a bit of what it feels like to be near one of those sad events.

Art

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: open mike
Date: 18 Aug 05 - 09:09 PM

we performed the Ballad of Silver John as a drama
in Chico a few years back...hill billy opera!!
i wish i could see the video of that show again!

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 19 Aug 05 - 06:24 AM

Sharon McCrumb has a great series of Appalachian novels out, all titled with folk song titles and most referring to the song throughout the plot. (Ballad of Frankie Silver, Whenever I Return Pretty Peggy-O, The Rosewood Casket, etc.) All are good mysteries, and I really like her characters. Nora Bonesteel is the name of the old "seeress" who lives up the mountain, and her Sheriff is interesting, too.

Lin

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 19 Aug 05 - 02:52 PM

Dear ... Santa(?) ... what I'd like for Xmas is ... Sorry, Santa couldn't resist - my facetious streak wins out again!

You're right about the Poul Anderson story. 'Star Fox' was serialised, in F&SF in 1965, in 3 parts. 'Marque And Reprisal' was in the February issue (the first SF magazine that I ever bought!),'Arsenal Port' was in the April issue and 'Admiralty' was in the June issue. The song, 'Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye' was quoted in 'Arsenal Port'.

So, there you go - that's cleared that up then!

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: JohnB
Date: 19 Aug 05 - 05:51 PM

If we are going back so far, doesn't Bill the Bard mention some in his playes. Although nothing is springing to mind.
JohnB

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 19 Aug 05 - 09:10 PM

James Michener in The Drifters mentioned The Four Marys. (as best I remember, in a scene recalling the 60's folksingers)

Subject: RE: References to Folk Music in Books
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 19 Aug 05 - 10:49 PM

Andrew Vachss' vigilante, Burke, is often listening to tapes of Judy Henske in such novels as 'Flood' and 'Strega'. These stories are not for the faint of heart.