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Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)

06 Dec 99 - 06:38 PM (#145677)
Subject: Lyrics to 'Come to the Fair'
From: Walpole Public Library

Greetings, we have a patron who is interested in finding the lyrics for "Come to the fair." It is believed to be by Easthope Martin and Helen Taylor (but not certain), and was dated in the early 1900s. We welcome suggestions!


07 Dec 99 - 02:30 AM (#145897)
Subject: RE: Lyrics to 'Come to the Fair'
From: alison

Very very vaguely from memory... but maybe enought to jog someone elses......

The bright sun is shining to welcome the day
With a hey, ho, come to the fair

.........

come then, lasses and men to the fair in the ???heat of the morning

probably wrong....... but is it the one you're after??

slainte

alison


06 Sep 01 - 10:54 PM (#544096)
Subject: RE: Index of Folk Songs in Print
From: GUEST,Jeanne

"The sun is a shining to welcome the day with a hey ho come to the fair" Old Englsh song, Anyone know all the words????


16 Oct 01 - 03:46 PM (#573584)
Subject: Lyr req: Come to the Fair
From: Joe Offer

I moved Jeanne's message (above) from another thread. I remember this song from long ago as "Hi Ho Come to the Fair," but can't find the lyrics.
-Joe Offer-


16 Oct 01 - 04:08 PM (#573604)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Noreen

Details from The Ballad Index, but no lyrics:

Come to the Fair

DESCRIPTION: "The sun is a-shining to welcome the day" of the fair. The happy time is described. Listeners are encouraged: "Hey, ho, come to the fair."
AUTHOR: Words: Helen Taylor / Music: Easthope Martin
EARLIEST DATE: 1917 (sheet music)
KEYWORDS: nonballad
FOUND IN:
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Fuld-WFM, p. 178, "Come to the Fair"
Notes: Fuld notes that this is "[f]requently mistaken for a folksong"; it is on this basis that I include the piece. - RBW
File: Fuld178

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions

The Ballad Index Copyright 2006 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
I have it in my head from schooldays, and will put down what I can remember, if no-one else has the complete lyrics.

Noreen


16 Oct 01 - 04:17 PM (#573608)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Joe Offer

Hey, ho, I beat you to the Ballad Index, Noreen! I checked Levy, and didn't find it there.
[grin]
-Joe Offer-


16 Oct 01 - 04:30 PM (#573614)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Noreen

So you did, Joe- I'd better post what I can remember before your memory comes trickling back too... :0) Fiddle de dee..

HEY HO COME TO THE FAIR

The sun is a-shining to welcome the day,
Hey ho come to the fair
The bells are all ringing so merry and gay,
Hey ho come to the fair

All the stalls on the green are as fine as can be
With trinkets and tokens for you and for me
So it's come, then, maidens and men to the fair in the pride of the morning

So deck yourselves up in your finest array,
Hey ho come to the fair.
?

?
Hey ho come to the fair
The drums are all beating, away let us go,
Hey ho come to the fair

There'll be (?) and (?) from morning 'til night,
And roundabouts turning to left and to right
So it's come, then, maidens and men to the fair in the pride of the morning

So lock up your house there'll be plenty of fun
Hey ho come to the fair,
Maidens and men,
Come to the fair in the morning,
Hey, ho……….
Come to the fair!


16 Oct 01 - 04:42 PM (#573622)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Noreen

Any suggestions to replace the suggestive question marks? *grin*


16 Oct 01 - 04:45 PM (#573625)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Malcolm Douglas

Lyric and a midi can be found at  http://www.kididdles.com/mouseum/c066.html.


16 Oct 01 - 04:48 PM (#573630)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: MMario

well - for the last two - how about "drink" and "dancing"?


16 Oct 01 - 07:06 PM (#573742)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Noreen

Good one Malcolm. How did you find that?

Those words are adapted by.., though- and quite seriously. What's wrong with 'maidens and men' that he had to change it to 'young folks and old'? (yuk)


16 Oct 01 - 07:14 PM (#573750)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Noreen

It reminded me of the second verse, which is:

The fiddles are playing a tune that you know,
Hey ho come to the fair

The drums are all beating, away let us go,

Hey ho come to the fair!

But I still can't remember what the other two question marks were- it wasn't racing and chasing, I'm pretty sure. May have been dancing, MMario, but not drinking, I don't think- I sang it aged 9 in school...


16 Oct 01 - 07:19 PM (#573756)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Malcolm Douglas

I did a search for come to the fair together with taylor, I think.  I knew it was a composed song, so I didn't look at the Ballad Index, but a search for the song title took me there anyway, which is where I found the composers' names.  I remember it only vaguely from childhood, so I have no idea what the right words would be; I'm guessing that Terry Kluytmans changed them a bit so that he could claim a copyright, but I could easily be wrong about that.


16 Oct 01 - 07:57 PM (#573779)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Joe Offer

Aw, Malcolm, I think we should paste the words here and see if somebody can refine and correct them.
-Joe Offer-


COME TO THE FAIR
Words: Helen Taylor
Music By: Easthope Martin
Adapted By: Terry Kluytmans (contributing to the questionable accuracy of these lyrics and claiming a copyright)

The sun is a-rising To welcome the day.
Heigh-ho! Come to the fair!
The folk are a-singing So cheerful and gay.
Heigh-ho! Come to the fair!
All the stalls on the green Are as fine as can be
With trinkets and treasures For you and for me,
So it's come then, Young folks and old,
To the fair in the Pride of the morning.
So deck yourselves out In your finest array,
With a heigh-ho! Come to the fair!

The fiddles are playing The song that you know.
Heigh-ho! Come to the fair!
The drums are a-beating, Come on now, let's go,
Heigh-ho! Come to the fair!
There'll be racing and chasing From morning till night,
And roundabouts turning To left and to right,
So it's come then, Young folks and old,
To the fair in the Pride of the morning,
So lock up your house, There'll be plenty of fun,
And it's heigh-ho! Come to the fair!



Click to play


04 Mar 03 - 05:00 PM (#903479)
Subject: Lyr Add: COME TO THE FAIR (H Taylor & E Martin)
From: GUEST,rachaelbourn

I have the sheet music in front of me right now. Correct lyrics are:

COME TO THE FAIR
(Words: Helen Taylor / Music: Easthope Martin, 1917)

1. The sun is a-shining to welcome the day,
Heigh ho, come to the fair,
The folk are all singing so merry and gay,
Heigh ho, come to the fair.
All the stalls on the green are as fine as can be,
With trinkets and tokens so pretty to see,
So it's come, then, maidens and men,
To the fair in the pride of the morning.
So deck yourselves out in your finest array,
With a heigh ho, come to the fair.

2. The fiddles are playing the tune that you know,
Heigh ho, come to the fair,
The drums are all beating away let us go,
Heigh ho, come to the fair.
There'll be racing and chasing from morning till night,
And roundabouts turning to left and to right,
So it's come, then, maidens and men,
To the fair in the pride of the morning.
So lock up your house, there'll be plenty of fun,
And it's heigh ho, come to the fair.

3. For love making too, if so be you've a mind,
Heigh ho, come to the fair,
For hearts that are happy are loving and kind,
Heigh ho, come to the fair.
If haste to the wedding the fiddles should play,
I warrant you'll dance to the end of the day,
Come, then, maidens and men,
To the fair in the pride of the morning.
The sun is a-shining to welcome the day,
With a heigh ho, come to the fair,
Maidens and men, maidens and men,
Come to the fair in the morning,
Heigh ho, come to the fair.
    Rachael never came back to give bibliographic information from the sheet music, so what we have is from Fuld, which is usually accurate:
      Words: Helen Taylor / Music: Easthope Martin
      Publication: 1917 (sheet music)
    -Joe Offer-


Click to play


04 Mar 03 - 05:06 PM (#903480)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: Noreen

Details of sheet music please, Rachel? Thanks for these!


04 Mar 03 - 05:52 PM (#903526)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: nutty

Lyrics can be found here as well

COME TO THE FAIRE


02 Dec 06 - 09:25 AM (#1898256)
Subject: RE: Lyrics req: Come to the Fair
From: GUEST


05 Sep 07 - 02:49 PM (#2141736)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,a reletive of easthope martain

i would love to see if anyone had any info on him i need to find this as a job for my nan as he was a grate uncle to her it would be useful if u do


05 Sep 07 - 06:03 PM (#2141883)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: nutty

If you want to pay to download the sheet music a number of original copies can be found here .......

COME TO THE FAIR


05 Sep 07 - 06:19 PM (#2141905)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

The full score also is available for download at the National Library of Australia:
Come to the Fair


07 Sep 07 - 11:48 PM (#2143750)
Subject: RE: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Dolly

The Lyrics are by Helen Taylor, the music is by Easthope Martin. It was written in 1917 (or thereabout).

you can buy the music for $2 at: www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/011600/details.html

and I found the lyrics at:
http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/c066.html

but it is missing the third verse. Hope this helps!


27 Feb 08 - 05:38 PM (#2274114)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST

as this piece is about 90 years old can i change the words ?


27 Feb 08 - 05:45 PM (#2274117)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST

can i change the words of this song


05 Apr 08 - 09:26 AM (#2307361)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST

can I change the words to come to the fair?
    Sorry for the late answer. I know of no country that honors copyright on songs published in 1923 or earlier, so you can change it however you want.
    -Joe Offer-


27 Sep 08 - 09:57 PM (#2451913)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Warner Hutchison, composer

Come to the Fair was indeed published in 1917 by Enoch and Sons, London and was distributed by Boosey, Hawkes, Belwin, Inc. Belwin has now returned as Belwin Mills, itas original company name. I also have the vocal edition for medium voice range. Voval arrangements have been published by Belwin, and I assume that they have recopyrighted Come to the Fair,


28 Sep 08 - 02:53 AM (#2451971)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Gerry

I asked about this song on the Usenet newsgroup rec.music.folk many years ago, and someone pointed me to a recording by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. I don't recommend it - my reaction was that she gave it, and other songs on that album like The Ash Grove, the full operatic treatment, and they collapsed under the weight - but others may like it.


04 Mar 09 - 06:35 AM (#2580934)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Les

Yes, there is an old recording of this lovely little song magnificently sung by Kiri te Kanawa.

Good luck to you finding it!


04 Mar 09 - 04:40 PM (#2581325)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: BB

How well I remember my mum singing this when I was young - along with 'Linden Lea' amongst others.

Barbara


14 Jan 10 - 07:26 PM (#2812179)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST

Actually the last post is quite right.. I am in choir right now and I'm doing a solo for this song.. The music is by Easthope Martin and the words are by Helen Taylor. It is quite a beautiful song..


25 Jul 10 - 08:52 PM (#2952166)
Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Frank Jones

Our father (no, not that one!) used to ear-bash us with this and it still comes up on 'the wireless' from time to time, sung by the likes of John Heddle Nash.

Presumably Kididdles bowdlerised it because they cater for five-year-olds...


27 Aug 11 - 12:34 PM (#3213495)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Ron Stailey

The sun is a-rising
To welcome the day.
Heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!
The folk are a-singing
So cheerful and gay.
Heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!
All the stalls on the green
Are as fine as can be
With trinkets and treasures
For you and for me,
So it's come then,
Young folks and old,
To the fair in the
Pride of the morning.
So deck yourselves out
In your finest array,
With a heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!

The fiddles are playing
The song that you know.
Heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!
The drums are a-beating,
Come on now, let's go,
Heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!
There'll be racing and chasing
From morning till night,
And roundabouts turning
To left and to right,
So it's come then,
Young folks and old,
To the fair in the
Pride of the morning,
So lock up your house,
There'll be plenty of fun,
And it's heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!


27 Aug 11 - 03:36 PM (#3213586)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: Desert Dancer

Wow. I can't believe I never noticed this thread before. The Farm & Wilderness Camps in Plymouth, Vermont, put on a country fair at the end of the summer, in mid-August every year. On Fair morning at camp Indian Brook (for girls aged 9-14), the counselors apprentices (CAs) get up early and walk among the cabins singing this song. It's magical.

I spent 8 summers of my youth at F&W (that adds up to 1 year and 2 months of my life, spread out from age 9 to age 17), six of them at Indian Brook (one as a CA).

~ Becky in Tucson


27 Aug 11 - 05:40 PM (#3213654)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Chris Stobart

I have a painful memory associated with that song. My folks took me to a fair when I was seven and I got Mum to sing it for us before we left.

I only had to misconduct myself (not in a dangerous or knowing way) on one ride and I got driven home and told I was a little brat which was harsher than my mother usually got.

I've never heard it with quite the same innocence since.


03 Jan 13 - 03:20 AM (#3460700)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,mike hurst

Could it be dancing and singing, hey ho come to the fair.


13 Nov 24 - 05:43 PM (#4211593)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,Ian

I sang this song in a school choir at Wimbledon town hall parents day
in 1952 when I was 10yrs old. I was a pupil at St Davids School(a very
small private)just after coming out from 2.5 years in hospital. The
school was located in West Barnes Lane Raynes Park/New Malden, S/west
London.We sang the original unadulterated version "maidens and men".
We had an elocution teacher at the time who insisted we sang the words
very clearly!!


13 Nov 24 - 06:43 PM (#4211595)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: rich-joy

Certainly a popular radio piece of my early childhood in the 50s!

John Feeney sings the song in this film clip :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct4skKhk3w0

13 year old Julie Andrews in 1948, sings with her stepdad, accompanied on piano by her mother : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxSLj9l3sr4

Watch a 1m34s clip of Fairground excitement from 1935 British Pathé :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxvnNQpAgQA

R-J


14 Nov 24 - 10:21 AM (#4211616)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST

You missed out a bit I think:

Man the star'd capstan, ye parish rid bums,
Heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!
Take yer hands from yer pockets and don't suck yer thumbs
Heigh-ho!
Come to the fair!

Or maybe that's from Strawberry Fair.


15 Nov 24 - 07:56 AM (#4211683)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: GUEST,PMB

I had an aunt, rather pedantic (she'd been a teacher), who insisted that it should be sung "roundabouts turning FROM left and to right", because roundabouts always go the same way. Is this actually true?


15 Nov 24 - 08:45 AM (#4211685)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Come to the Fair (Taylor & Martin)
From: MaJoC the Filk

PMB: every roundabout I can remember goes right-to-left. Next time I pass a fairground, I'll check and report back.