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'Sheath and Knife' refrain

21 Mar 03 - 04:07 PM (#915563)
Subject: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: sadie damascus

In Dave Van Ronk's "Sheath and Knife", a fierce and powerful version of the old incest ballad, I do not understand the second line of the refrain. It seems to be, "The sun (or son) gaes tae your tower there wi'". Huh? Am I mistranslating it or misunderstanding it? I would like the origin of this version, but I have lost my liner notes from the CD it came on.


21 Mar 03 - 04:13 PM (#915569)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: GUEST

look in the dt


21 Mar 03 - 04:27 PM (#915583)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: sadie damascus

Okay, duh, I guess that's where I got the lyrics. But what does it mean?


21 Mar 03 - 04:53 PM (#915611)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: Malcolm Douglas

Your previous thread on the subject is still here: Sheath and Knife

We had taken the question about as far as it could go without a look at the book Ewan MacColl got (most of) that text from, when the discussion turned to disagreement and name-calling. It could still be usefully revived, but unless someone has access to the relevant book (which MacColl didn't specify precisely), I doubt if you'll get more than additional speculation.


22 Mar 03 - 01:24 AM (#915870)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: sadie damascus

Well, please excuse me. I underwent some traumatizing life changes last June, and in the maelstrom completely forgot that I had asked this question on this forum before. I am most frightfully sorry. I have now read all the responses to that last thread, thank you, and had my questions more than satisfactorily answered. Next time I will search for previous threads on the subject (even mine from another life) before I start hollering.


22 Mar 03 - 11:29 AM (#916008)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: GUEST

apology accepted


22 Mar 03 - 03:28 PM (#916119)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: GUEST

Tony Rose sang 'The broom blooms bonny and the broom blooms fair'. A completely different version??


22 Mar 03 - 04:42 PM (#916163)
Subject: RE: 'Sheath and Knife' refrain
From: Malcolm Douglas

Yes. The version in question here is a particular one: see the earlier thread for details.