Lyr Req: Make this a "Folk song" (Rusty Bells)

24 Dec 98 - 09:58 PM (#50885)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: dick greenhaus

Just get a horse to refuse to sing it.

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27 Dec 98 - 07:10 PM (#51060)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Barbara Shaw

The lyrics sound like they might make a good bluegrass song. Just use the right instrumentation (guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, fiddle, maybe Dobro) and some harmony and it's bluegrass! (Some would call that a branch of Folk, some would call Folk a branch of bluegrass. . .)

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28 Dec 98 - 01:02 PM (#51144)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: dick greenhaus

Barbara- Folk came first. And grass doesn't have branches.

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28 Dec 98 - 02:24 PM (#51149)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Benson

Dear Dick, Were it not that I perceive your post as being "Tongue in cheek".....I would, perhaps, take exception.... I would indeed suggest that although the grass may not have branches....."bluegrass" has branches beyoond most peoples comprehension......And, may I add, what is lacking in "branches".....it makes up for in fervent "roots".

As I will concede that "Folk" came first.......Much of what many perceive as "folk" came considerably later......But I would consider "Bluegrass" as being a purist form only contained within regional boundaies......And certain time constraints......

To the absolute purist...I am quite sure it would be a matter of issue.......In which case, I would wonder whether or not it was proper to play folk songs on......Say a Martin Guitar.....??????

Awwww forgive my "idle ramblings"...I was just thinking out loud......"my mind tends to wander...it just never seems to get very far"...!!!

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28 Dec 98 - 09:13 PM (#51195)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Zorro

Who really cares which came first the chicken or the egg? I suppose a folklorist might ponder the question of the relationship of bluegrass and folk, but me I just enjoy playing and listening to both, the latter better than the former... Cheers and happy holly-days! Z

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29 Dec 98 - 09:42 AM (#51235)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: hank

Sigh, I had it all arranged. I could hear the mandolin on the rusty bells, the banjo/guitar on the verse... Then Barbra goes and reminds me that you could be a purist and not call bluegrass folk. I wonder if adding a harp with the mandolin on the rusty bells would get it out of bluegrass...

Anyway, it is a great idea, but I think it needs work. Drop some words, add others.

So here is how I see it. Think of John Denver's Country Roads for the start of the tune. However this is a different song and different sound. You can make that out yourself.

Almost empty, all the chapels
And no one, praying there
they have let the bells get rusty
Don't they care, anymore?

Rusty bells.....Rusty bells....(this is a moarnful sound the first time, and brigher the rest, don't be afraid to sing flat)
Call your people back
Call them back
To kneel and pray (faster, and hopeful, remember your calling them to an activity you love, and want everyone to love)
Call them back, Rusty Bells! (They may be rusty, but they are calling people back, making a joyfull noise to heaven and all that.

Pity those who've gone astray
on the straight and narrow set their feet.
Wash their sins, wash the tears from their eyes

When we are, scared and beaten
in a strange, unknown land.
lift us from the evil round us, unto thine endless day!

(bridge)I heard them ring in the morning in the evening
And the orgran filled us with they great joy!
kneeling at the altar I get the peace that I should had everyday.

(last courus)Make it mine, make me free
By the blood, my savior shed
I came back, I repented
Called me back, thanks rusty bells!

Copyright 1998, Henry Miller and the Digital Tardition.

I'm glad my boss is on vacation today. I hope this what you were looking for, cause I've spent a lot mroe time then I should on it. I'm sure when you try to arrange it yourself that something will have to change again.

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29 Dec 98 - 10:42 AM (#51247)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Earl

I stopped going to bluegrass festivals after seeing Tony Triska and Bela Fleck doing a banjo duet of a Bach song from sheet music. Some branches of bluegrass need pruning.

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29 Dec 98 - 10:58 AM (#51252)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Bert

Benson,

Just keep singing it. That's all we can do. It's our duty as folk singers to sing the songs that we like. Those that get remembered will eventually become 'folk' for future generations.

If no one sings it, it will get lost.

Bert.

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29 Dec 98 - 11:29 AM (#51260)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Bert

Benson,

Just keep singing it. That's all we can do. It's our duty as folk singers to sing the songs that we like. Those that get remembered will eventually become 'folk' for future generations.

If no one sings it, it will get lost.

Bert.

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29 Dec 98 - 12:51 PM (#51269)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Bill Cameron

Even if a horse refuses to sing it, I don't think it can be a folk song unless you can arrange for someone to get stabbed multiple times, preferably by their erstwhile significant other. If not a murder, a fatal accident in the vicinity of the chapel will suffice. Plus the song starts out on a properly plaintive melancholy note but ends with unseemly optimism. That don't happen in bluegrass.

Bill

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29 Dec 98 - 12:58 PM (#51271)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Barbara Shaw

Close call. I'm so tempted to get into the "categories" discussion (for the bohillionth time). I'm fighting it. . .

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30 Dec 98 - 11:12 PM (#51480)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Anne

Benson,

Of Course you can make it a folk song. Greg Brown has been known to sing "Fever." Peggy Lee woulda been proud. Anne

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31 Dec 98 - 09:04 PM (#51601)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Frank McGrath

Dear Benson,

To make this an Irish folk song just;
1. Work up a good sweat
2. Close your eyes
3. Take a deep breath down to your toes
and start your song with the following lusty refrain

Come all ye loyal church goers
With pew marks on your knee
Don't let your bells get rusty
Keep 'em "olied" like you and me

Oh oil your bells and oil yourselves
With porter, plonk or gin
And to hell with all DRY sermons
May your SPIRIT warm within.

You may not get into the folk record charts but I'll warrant you'll earn a few free pints on the house.

Happy New Year

Frank McGrath

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31 Dec 98 - 09:36 PM (#51605)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: misty

happy new year!!!!!

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02 Jan 99 - 02:08 AM (#51727)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Craig

I'll drink to that.

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02 Jan 99 - 02:26 AM (#51730)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: BSeed

Frank, much as I love spirituals, I'm wild about spirits-uals. --seed

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02 Jan 99 - 07:36 AM (#51738)
Subject: RE: I Wanna Make this a
From: Banjeray

To make it a true Irish folk song I think that at least two or three Guiness Stouts or other dark Ales must be consumed prior to writing OR playing.

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