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27 Oct 02 - 07:15 AM (#812330) Subject: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Jim Clark..London..England This is Alfred Noyes most famous poem....Its a rather colourful romanticised account of the legendary 18th century English outlaw/highwayman Dick Turpin 1705 - 1739..alas the true story of Turpin is rather less romantic he wasnt a man one would like to meet face to face ...in reality he was probably a psychotic brute,but one must never let truth get in the way of a good story,It is perhaps surprising that Noyes who was born a protestant,but in later life converted to catholocism with his deeply religious outlook would write a poem about a criminal,but legend has rather transformed the popular perception of Turpin into a hero,so one supposes thats how Noyes percieved him.....Noyes who like Dave Russell was born in Wolverhampton central England was popular throughout his life as a successful published poet..He was a professor of modern English studies princeton university in the united states from 1915 to 1923..he died in 1958 and is buried in a catholic cemetary on the Isle of Wight southeast England.. This musical poem is over 13 minutes long so in order to meet the technical requirements of uploading this wav file i've given you it in 2 halves...The second and cocluding part will appear as a reply to this message on the acoustic musicians and poets sound archive "poetry sounds" board...heres the link to the page with the sound files.... The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes 1888 - 1958 performed by Dave Russell Regards... Jim Clark All rights are reserved on this sound recording/copyright/patent Jim Clark 2002 The Highwayman-- Alfred Noyes 1888 - 1958 (musical sound poem performed by Dve Russell).... The wind was a torrent of darkness upon the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding-- Riding--riding-- The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door. He'd a French cocked hat on his forehead, and a bunch of lace at his chin; He'd a coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of fine doe-skin. They fitted with never a wrinkle; his boots were up to his thigh! And he rode with a jeweled twinkle-- His rapier hilt a-twinkle-- His pistol butts a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky. Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard, He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred, He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord's black-eyed daughter-- Bess, the landlord's daughter-- Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair. Dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked Where Tim, the ostler listened--his face was white and peaked-- His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay, But he loved the landlord's daughter-- The landlord's black-eyed daughter; Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say: "One kiss, my bonny sweetheart; I'm after a prize tonight, But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light. Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day, Then look for me by moonlight, Watch for me by moonlight, I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way." He stood upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand, But she loosened her hair in the casement! His face burnt like a brand As the sweet black waves of perfume came tumbling o'er his breast, Then he kissed its waves in the moonlight (O sweet black waves in the moonlight!), And he tugged at his reins in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west. He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon. And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon, When the road was a gypsy's ribbon over the purple moor, The redcoat troops came marching-- Marching--marching-- King George's men came marching, up to the old inn door. They said no word to the landlord; they drank his ale instead, But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed. Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets by their side; There was Death at every window, And Hell at one dark window, For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride. They had bound her up at attention, with many a sniggering jest! They had tied a rifle beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast! "Now keep good watch!" and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say, "Look for me by moonlight, Watch for me by moonlight, I'll come to thee by moonlight, though Hell should bar the way." She twisted her hands behind her, but all the knots held good! She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood! They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years, Till, on the stroke of midnight, Cold on the stroke of midnight, The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers! The tip of one finger touched it, she strove no more for the rest; Up, she stood up at attention, with the barrel beneath her breast. She would not risk their hearing, she would not strive again, For the road lay bare in the moonlight, Blank and bare in the moonlight, And the blood in her veins, in the moonlight, throbbed to her love's refrain. Tlot tlot, tlot tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hooves, ringing clear; Tlot tlot, tlot tlot, in the distance! Were they deaf that they did not hear? Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill, The highwayman came riding-- Riding--riding-- The redcoats looked to their priming! She stood up straight and still. Tlot tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot tlot, in the echoing night! Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light! Her eyes grew wide for a moment, she drew one last deep breath, Then her finger moved in the moonlight-- Her musket shattered the moonlight-- Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him-- with her death. He turned, he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood Bowed, with her head o'er the casement, drenched in her own red blood! Not till the dawn did he hear it, and his face grew grey to hear How Bess, the landlord's daughter, The landlord's black-eyed daughter, Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there. Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky, With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high! Blood-red were his spurs in the golden noon, wine-red was his velvet coat When they shot him down in the highway, Down like a dog in the highway, And he lay in his blood in the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat. And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees, When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, When the road is a gypsy's ribbon looping the purple moor, The highwayman comes riding-- Riding--riding-- The highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door. Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard, He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred, He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord's black-eyed daughter-- Bess, the landlord's daughter-- Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair |
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27 Oct 02 - 09:36 AM (#812419) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Santa Phil Ochs recorded a shortened version, I think on All The news That's Fit To Sing. |
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27 Oct 02 - 10:46 AM (#812454) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Richard Wright Lorena McKennit does a fine version on one of her recetn albusms Richard |
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27 Oct 02 - 10:57 AM (#812460) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Mike Regenstreif I haven't heard the Dave Russell setting that Jim Clark is posting. However, the settings by Phil Ochs and Loreena McKennitt that are mentioned are different from each other. And since both Phil and Loreena took credit for their settings, I am assuming that the Russell setting is also different. BTW, there are really good versions of the Phil Ochs setting by Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen and by Katy Moffatt. Mike Regenstreif |
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27 Oct 02 - 01:09 PM (#812535) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Susanne (skw) I like Andy Irvine's version on his latest CD. |
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27 Oct 02 - 01:49 PM (#812558) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Jim Clark..London..England Well, I'd never have guessed there were so many different versions ha ha..I did see a mention of the Mckennit version on a messageboard and hoped to find it to listen to over the net,but I didnt find any...Dave had this poem sent to him by a lady friend sometime ago who suggested he might like to give it his treatment....I wouldnt be surprised if his friend hadnt come across it probably from that Phil Ochs version that was mentioned because Dave has been a regular performer on the London Bohemian type open mike acoustic music poetry scene and was a regular performer at the famous but now extinct "Bunjies Folk Cellar" for getting on for the last 40 years..Though! he himself performed it on my recording somewhat spontaneosly providing the music on keyboard made up on the spot to suit the mood of the poem....we are going to use this track on a CD I am putting together of poems recorded by him unusualy for(he's usualy purely acoustic) him accompanied by his own keyboard playing... The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes 1888 - 1958 performed by Dave Russell |
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10 May 06 - 08:56 AM (#1737097) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Darowyn I sing the Phil Ochs version, based on memories of hearing it in 1968, Does anyone know how close this edit is to the words Phil Ochs used? The wind was a torrent of darkness upon the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight looping the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding-- Riding--riding-- The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn door. Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard, He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred, He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there But the landlord's black-eyed daughter-- Bess, the landlord's daughter-- Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair. "One kiss, my bonny sweetheart; I'm after a prize tonight, But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light. Yet if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day, Then look for me by moonlight, Watch for me by moonlight, I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way." He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon. And out of the tawny sunset, before the rise of the moon, When the road was a gypsy's ribbon over the purple moor, The redcoat troops came marching-- Marching--marching-- King George's men came marching, up to the old inn door. They said no word to the landlord; they drank his ale instead, But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed. Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets by their side; There was Death at every window, And Hell at one dark window, For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride. They had bound her up at attention, with many a sniggering jest! They had tied a rifle beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast! "Now keep good watch!" and they kissed her. She heard the dead man say, "Look for me by moonlight, Watch for me by moonlight, I'll come to thee by moonlight, though Hell should bar the way." She twisted her hands behind her, but all the knots held good! She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood! They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years, Till, on the stroke of midnight, Cold on the stroke of midnight, The tip of one finger touched it! The trigger at least was hers! Tlot tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot tlot, in the echoing night! Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light! Her eyes grew wide for a moment, she drew one last deep breath, Then her finger moved in the moonlight-- Her musket shattered the moonlight-- Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him, with her death. He turned, he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood Bowed, with her head o'er the casement, drenched in her own red blood! Not till the dawn did he hear it, and his face grew grey to hear How Bess, the landlord's daughter, The landlord's black-eyed daughter, Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there. Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky, With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high! Blood-red were his spurs in the golden noon, wine-red was his velvet coat When they shot him down in the highway, Down like a dog in the highway, And he lay in his blood in the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat. And still on a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees, When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, When the road is a gypsy's ribbon looping the purple moor, The highwayman comes riding-- Riding--riding-- The highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door. |
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10 May 06 - 11:55 AM (#1737261) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: gnomad Just on a small point of fact, this poem relates the end of a highwayman, but not that of Dick Turpin. Turpin was hanged at York after due trial, having been arrested in conection with the shooting of his landlord's cockerel and identified as Turpin while in prison (he had been hiding out under the name Palmer). He spent most of his criminal career as part of an Essex gang which specialised in robbing isolated houses, sometimes torturing occupants into revealing the whereabouts of their valuables. A one-time butcher, he also went in for the theft of livestock. I heard this sung by an unknown duo who visited my secondary school around 1970, I can still remember the tune so they must have made an impression, I wonder who they were? |
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10 May 06 - 05:54 PM (#1737494) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Mr Fox Don 'King of the Buskers' Partridge did a version on his (so far as I know) one-and-only album. |
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11 May 06 - 01:58 AM (#1737783) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Gerry Darowyn, you've included more of the original poem than Ochs did. Up top there's a link to an older thread on this song, Lyr Req: Highwayman (from Phil Ochs) (9), and if you go there you will find that someone posted the lyrics as Ochs recorded them. |
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11 May 06 - 08:33 AM (#1737932) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Henryp Loreena McKennitt invited Andy Irvine to play on her recording of The Highwayman. In the end he wasn't able to, but he did like the arrangement and has recorded it himself. He is on tour now and last night at the Folk Club at the Clarence in Blackpool he closed the first half of his act with this 12 minute tour de force. A terrific evening altogether! |
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11 May 06 - 08:48 AM (#1737942) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Big Tim I've loved the Ochs version for about 40 years. Didn't know Irvine had recorded it, must buy. Anyone got the relevant album title? |
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11 May 06 - 12:22 PM (#1738103) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Darowyn Thanks Gerry, The Phil Ochs version is cut a little too close to the bone for the drama of the story to come out. Incidentally, the first time I sang my version it was Halloween Night in a pub in Yorkshire that was supposed to have been one of Turpin's hidouts- though anyone with a York connection would know that the song was not about him. (I do it with a straight 1,6,4,5 turnaround- so my tune is probably a little different too. That's the oral tradition in action, I suppose.) I can't help noticing that some of the verses I leave out were clearly written in a pre-Freudian world. There is some kind of hair fetishism going on, and if the description of the highwayman's outfit was on Ebay, it would be subtitled "gay interest". But it's a fabulous piece of melodrama, and great to sing! Cheers Dave |
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11 May 06 - 03:31 PM (#1738286) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Tunesmith I disagree with Darowyn, I think Ochs did a great job, and, the first time I heard it, I thought it was one of the most dramatic pieces of folkie music I'd heard in my life. Ochs, of course, cuts out quite a bit of the desciptive passages ( which are a bit too flowery, anyway), and all reference to the chap who tells the red coats where to find the highwayman - but his inclusion is not necessary to the basic drama. |
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11 May 06 - 05:42 PM (#1738395) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Cathie Andy Irvine sang this at Hitchin Folk Club last week. He was just excellent. The 12 minutes must have flown by - I am amazed it was that long. CD details are on his website. |
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11 May 06 - 06:24 PM (#1738423) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: DonMeixner I am preferential to the Ochs version. It may be abridged to some extent but it is infinately more melodic than Loreena McKennitt's. And no reason not to do Ochs' melody to the complete poem. Don |
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11 May 06 - 11:24 PM (#1738631) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Gerry I got the Ochs record about the time we were reading the poem in my high school English class, so I brought the record in to school & the teacher played it for the class. I love the Ochs version and I've been singing it (in the shower, and on rare occasions in public) ever since, but when I first heard Andy Irvine sing the McKennitt version I decided there's plenty of room in this world for two different musical settings of that poem. Actually, I know of a third setting. About 10 years ago an American (or possibly Canadian) singer-songwriter named Barbara Brown sent her new CD to the radio program I was doing, and it had her own setting of The Highwayman. I don't have the CD any more, and I don't remember anything about the setting, except that I liked it, but not as much as I liked the Ochs (and this was before I knew of the McKennitt). |
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12 May 06 - 12:04 AM (#1738651) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Don Meixner I must admit I may be preferential to Ochs as it was the first song I heard. I was very sick as a small child and my mother would read this poem to me daily sometimes two or three times. I knew it by heart before I was seven. I think I even heard a recorded recitation of it by James Robertson Justice or someone with a similar voice. That was nearly fifty years ago. So a bit of memory lapse is acceptable. Don |
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12 May 06 - 01:30 AM (#1738710) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: harpmolly I've always adored this poem, as my grandfather used to recite it in a great rolling Charlton Heston-like voice at family gatherings. I was very favorably impressed with Loreena McKennitt's setting of it--even though I'm a fan, I had my doubts (thought she was a bit soft-spoken for this sort of material) but I love the dark flavor of her version. I even named my little guitar (an all-mahogany Baby Taylor) "Bess the Landlord's Daughter" because I thought she had a sweet dark sound. I also liked Andy Irvine's cover a lot, but both his and Phil Ochs' versions have instrumentals that feel sort of cluttered to me--I like the languid, almost creepy quality of McKennitt's original arrangement. (Oh my God, I just realized that album has been out for nine YEARS. Good God, I was in college when it came out!) I especially like the use of the bodhran to subtly suggest the hoofbeats of the horse--hey, it's not subtle, but I like it anyway. *grin* Of course, I had to sing it at a family reunion. Now every single freakin' wedding, reunion, birthday, or (unfortunately) funeral, after a pint or two, it's "All right, Molly, it's time for the Highwayman!" Oh, okay, twist my arm. ;) Cheers, Molly |
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12 May 06 - 05:25 AM (#1738809) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Tunesmith I've just realized that I've got a recording of The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes - the man who wrote it! Not as good as Phil's version, though. |
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12 May 06 - 08:08 AM (#1738895) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,squeezeboxhp i prefered andy irvines version on the cd way out yonder |
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12 May 06 - 02:31 PM (#1739223) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Tunesmith When I said that I have a recording of The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes, I meant I have a recording of The Highwayman recited by Alfred Noyes. |
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12 May 06 - 02:44 PM (#1739235) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Big Tim I think it's amazing that Alfred Noyes only died as recently as 1958. When I first heard Phil Ochs sing it, when his album first came out (now available on CD), I imagined it was centuries old. Looking forward to hearing such a great singer as Andy Irvine singing it. I think the fact that Andy has taken it on is further proof of what a great lyric it is. Did Phil Ochs claim to have written the melody? Did he write the melody? Tunesmith: is the Alfred Noyes recital accessible in any way (other than via yourself!)? I'd love to hear it. When was it recorded? |
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12 May 06 - 04:07 PM (#1739298) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Mr Fox Ochs didn't abridge The Highwayman - He butchered it. Loreena McKennitt cut a vital verse, too (the one about Tim the ostler - which explains how the authorities found out when the Highwayman was due to return). I'm of the view that if you're going to record a poem, either as a song or recital, then you do the whole thing or none. |
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12 May 06 - 04:41 PM (#1739330) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Tunesmith If you hear Ochs version of - with no knowledge of the original poem - it has all the drama you could want and it makes perfect sense; infact, Ochs version does away with alot of superfluous descriptions/detail; for example, the ostler is not needed - there's enough drama without his presence. |
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13 May 06 - 10:41 AM (#1739805) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Tig Marie Little has recorded a fine version on her CD Roundabouts and Swings- Greenage HGN CD 003. She can sometimes be persuaded to sing it live - time permitting! The Badger |
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13 May 06 - 04:09 PM (#1740097) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Santa I saw/heard Andy Irvine sing this at the Clarence too, and I noticed extra verses not in the Ochs version that I knew from long ago. I had read the poem first, but hadn't realised how much Ochs had shortened it. Count me among those who think that nothing of dramatic importance was cut, and also among those who feel that the world is big enough for two or more versions to co-exist. It's good to hear it being sung again, and the Irvine version is fine. How many of the traditional ballads are currently sung at full length, anyway? If Fred Wedlock can forget the 42nd verse of Sir Patrick Spens, and sing the 27th, in reverse, and no-one noticed, does it actually matter if it's still a good song? Awful admission time - in the Orkney session (see other thread) Meg missed a verse in Jenny Greenteeth but it still had the desired effect on the audience. This is not an actual recommendation for others to do the same - it is better with the missed verse. Welcome back to the UK, Cloudstreet. |
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22 Oct 10 - 12:00 PM (#3013068) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Rob Hunt Just for the record, Dick Turpin, who this is believed to based upon is a mythical character. The Dick Turpin in the book was based on a man called Higgins who lived in Knutsford, Cheshire. Turpin was supposed to have ridden from London to York in such a short time it was consideded impossible therefore providing him with an alibi. In reality Higgins committed murder in Wrexham North wales but rode so quickly to Knutsford again providing a perfect alibi. He was hung for a double murder a few years later.No offence but I like the Marie Little version of this song. |
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22 Oct 10 - 01:40 PM (#3013138) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Bettynh From Youtube: Loreena Mckennit Phil Ochs |
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22 Oct 10 - 01:53 PM (#3013150) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST Lyrics and chords for Phil's version are here . I happen to think Phil did a superb job with The Highwayman, as he did with 'The Bells' by Edgar Allen Poe. The Bells here Rog |
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22 Oct 10 - 01:56 PM (#3013152) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Rog Peek That was me! My Cookie keeps disappearing. Rog |
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22 Oct 10 - 02:56 PM (#3013194) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: DonMeixner Oatmeal Raisin? Don |
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02 Oct 12 - 12:24 PM (#3413136) Subject: the Highway man From: GUEST,rebecca we did Bess kill herself and how wrote the love letter |
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01 Oct 18 - 08:24 AM (#3953979) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Wasatch Rebel There is another version of this song sung to an entirely different tune that sounds way more sinister. Perfect for a Halloween compilation tape. Sadly, I have no idea who the artist is. I believe I have a copy of it on a cd that someone burned off for me once when we were going to perform it, but again, I don't know where that is, and the performer isn't written on the cd, so to find it on Spotify or elsewhere is well nigh impossible. I really would like to find who recorded it in this way. It kind of sounds like the Brothers Four or the New Christy Minstrels--a vocal group like that. |
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01 Oct 18 - 10:18 AM (#3953998) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: FreddyHeadey Dave Russell 2013 https://youtu.be/Wa8nBzTGDA8 |
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01 Oct 18 - 11:31 AM (#3954019) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer I heard this live only yesterday at a singaround, an amazing feat of memory and delivered with gusto, very impressive and long but totally engaging. |
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01 Oct 18 - 12:46 PM (#3954042) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Tunesmith Well, of course, Phil recorded his version a long, long time ago, and I'm pretty sure back in 1965, no record company would be too keen on putting out a 10 min plus version containing the complete lyrics. Again, when you hear Phil's version - without prior knowledge of the poem - there is no sense that anything is "missing". The narrative is beautifully balanced and makes perfect sense. And, of course, I'm pretty sure that if Phil hadn't done his version, chance are we would never have had any subsequent musical settings of the poem. Mckennitt, one way or the other, would have been inspired to come up with her version from being aware of Phil's rendition. McKennitt has a habit of not giving any credit. For example, she has never mentioned Nic Jones' version of Annachie Gordon as the inspiration for her recording of the song. |
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01 Oct 18 - 05:56 PM (#3954099) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Greg F. Amen, Tunesmith. |
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01 Oct 18 - 11:47 PM (#3954139) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Gerry "I'm pretty sure back in 1965, no record company would be too keen on putting out a 10 min plus version containing the complete lyrics." Well, in 1965, Columbia put out Bob Dylan's Desolation Row, which came in at a bit over 11 minutes. |
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02 Oct 18 - 03:20 AM (#3954149) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,Tunesmth But that was Bob Dylan AND I bet a few nervous eye-brows were raised at the time. That reminds of one of my Les Cousins stories from 1967. One evening Davy Graham was running the show and he was on a tirade against the - realtively new - trend for writing long songs. Davy said that if a songwriter couldn't get his message across in 3 minutes or so then thet should pack the whole thing in. Just then, Roy Harper walks in and Davy invites him to do a number or two. Roy started with a rather long song. |
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02 Oct 18 - 03:59 AM (#3954155) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler Have you seen the children's book "The Highway Rat"? Very obviously based on the same poem and changed for the younger age group. Nicely illustrated as well. My wife sings it to the grandchildren at bed time occasionally. Robin |
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02 Oct 18 - 05:26 AM (#3954168) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: GUEST,henryp Annachie Gordon is another tale of a tragic romance. Loreena McKennitt should indeed have credited Nic Jones. Subject: RE: Folklore: annachie gordon, traditional From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 17 Jan 05 - 02:14 AM It was the English singer Nic Jones who re-discovered, and recorded, the song; I haven't heard anyone sing it who hadn't obviously learned it from him at one or more removes. From Mainly Norfolk; Nic Jones commented though: For Annachie Gordon I adapted the tune found in Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs and collated verses from Lord Saltoun & Auchanachie (Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland), Young Annochie (Murison MS), and Lord Saltoun & Annachie (Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs). Nic Jones sings Annachie Gordon; Buchan, it's bonny, oh and there lives my love; My heart it lies on him, it will not remove. It will not remove for all that I have done, Oh never will I forget my love Annachie. Subject: Lyr Add: ANNACHIE GORDON (from Loreena McKennitt) From: The Villan Date: 18 Jan 05 - 01:44 PM ANNACHIE GORDON Words and music traditional; arranged and adapted by Loreena McKennitt Harking is bonny and there lives my love My heart lies on him and cannot remove It cannot remove for all that I have done And I never will forget my love Annachie Subject: RE: Folklore: annachie gordon, traditional From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 18 Jan 05 - 03:30 PM Unfortunately, Ms McKennitt doesn't always say where she gets her material. In this case, she seems to have learned it from a Mary Black record ("Harking" was Mary's mis-hearing of "Buchan"). Mary learned the song from Nic Jones (perhaps via her brother Shay) and said so: there is really no excuse for McKennitt's failure to acknowledge the fact that, in the form she recorded it, the song is partly of Nic's making. |
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30 Oct 18 - 01:28 PM (#3959263) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: SuperDave Coleman Day, a good friend of mine and the owner/host of the Swordsman Coffeehouse in Halifax, Nova Scotia, used to perform The Highwayman as his signature song. I don't recall Cole's version as being like either the Ochs or the McKennitt performances, but I guess the words are the main thing, and any melody that fits will do. |
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31 Oct 18 - 01:04 PM (#3959409) Subject: RE: The Highwayman (musical sound poem) From: JHW When I first heard this (back when) I was impressed but on subsequent listens decided that the rigging of the suicide gun could serve no purpose to the troopers, it was there only to make the poem work. At least 3 points on his poetic licence I'd say. |