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11 Nov 05 - 10:48 PM (#1602841) Subject: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Celtaddict I have heard this song as recorded by Jimmy Driftwood (on his 3-CD set) and by a cowboy singer whose name escapes me. It has a very familiar sounding melody. I do not find it in the DigiTrad. Does anyone have any information about the song? (And lyrics too of course?) |
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12 Nov 05 - 12:56 AM (#1602896) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Peace http://www.ibiblio.org/folkindex/m02.htm#Maiofar I can't find words. |
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12 Nov 05 - 05:28 AM (#1602934) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Hootenanny Written by James Morrison aka Jimmy Driftwood from Arkansas, his father Absy was an old time fiddler one of the Morrison Twin Brothers String Band who made a couple of sides in the early days. Hoot |
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12 Nov 05 - 12:55 PM (#1603113) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Nancy King at work I've been singing this silly song for many years. Will post the words when I get home tonight. Nancy |
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12 Nov 05 - 01:57 PM (#1603139) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Celtaddict Thanks! My brother sent me the MP3 because he thought the melody sounded like an Irish or maybe Scots one but he could not place it, and neither could I; it seems to be one of those that is in the familiar pattern. (And since it came from Bryan it was probably Skip Gorman singing it.) There are so many Irish & Scots songs that acquired cowboy lyrics. |
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12 Nov 05 - 03:12 PM (#1603175) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST Re Hootananny's post, Jimmie was the son of Neal Morris, not one of the Morrison twins. Same community, different families. |
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12 Nov 05 - 03:49 PM (#1603186) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Arkie Jimmie's father and mother as well as others in the family were singers and he was exposed to a lot of music in his youth. He also had a passion for collecting songs and tunes and borrowed quite a bit from tradition when he wrote his original songs. I've always thought the melody of Maid of Argenta sounded familiar but never have identified the tune. Argenta was a former name for North Little Rock. |
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12 Nov 05 - 05:20 PM (#1603233) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Ebbie "As I was a-riding the streets of Argenta I spied a young lady all dressed in magenta..." That the one? I've heard it sung only by one man- maybe 20 years ago. |
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12 Nov 05 - 06:51 PM (#1603298) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Nancy King I transcribed this song from the album "The Wilderness Road and Jimmie Driftwood" over 40 years ago. I hadn't listened to the record in almost that long, but I just dug it out and listened to that one song. I thought maybe I'd misremembered bits of it, but I was pleased to find that my version is pretty darn close. I had typed up the words way back then and still have the same tattered page in my song notebook. Listening to the record cracked me up all over again. I do love this song. I hadn't sung it for many years and revived it just a few years ago. What a hoot! "Jimmie Driftwood and the Wilderness Road" was recorded in 1958. On the back of the album cover there are some notes written by Mae Kennedy McCord ("Mrs. McCord is a noted folk singer and has been broadcasting over Radio Station WKTO, Springfield, Missouri for the past thirteen years.") She refers to all of the songs on the album, collectively, as "these old ballads" and "these fine old musical antiques," but on the vinyl itself, "The Maid of Argenta" is credited to Jimmie Driftwood. The little annotation for this song says only, "North Little Rock was first called Chamillion, then Huntersville, then Argenta, as silver was thought to be close by. This sweet old ballad is a tale of unrequited love from the Argenta days." As for the tune, well, maybe it is an old Scottish or Irish one, though it never sounded like anything other than itself to me. But then I am woefully ignorant of traditional Scottish/Irish tunes. There's nothing at all about the tune on the album cover, unless that's what the credit to Jimmie Driftwood means. Anyhow, it seems to fit the song really well -– kind of silly and singsong-y. I'm no good at high-tech things like posting tunes, but if anyone's really interested, PM me and I'll see that you get it one way or another. So here are the lyrics (and my simple chords): (A) As I was out ridin' on the streets of Argenta, (E7) I spied a fair maiden all dressed in magenta. (A) The riders who knew her all called her Pimenta -– (E7) (A) Oh, she was a beautiful dame. I sprang from my saddle and walked up beside her, Sayin' "Where can we get some corn whiskey and cider?" We walked down the street to a place called the Spider, Where she turned my heart into flame. I tried to be calm but my heart was so frisky, I knew I was playin' a game that was risky; I looked in her eyes and could not drink my whiskey -– For she was an angel to me. I cried, "Oh my beautiful maid of Argenta, All dressed in the splendor of royal magenta, If you will but promise to be my Pimenta, My heart yours forever shall be." I gave her my gold and she gave me her paddle, We both made a vow as we sat in my saddle, And then I rode off the wild outlaws to battle, And left her in old Arkansas. When I got back home to my rock on the river, I found she was gone and it made my heart quiver. I cannot forget and I cannot forgive her, And I can't get her out of my craw. Now I've settled down in that place called the Spider, Where I first fell in love as I sat there beside her, And all the day long I drink whiskey and cider, And talk to all manner of men. I tell 'em if ever I see the Pimenta, All dressed in the splendor of royal magenta, I'll hug her right there on the streets of Argenta, And we'll start all over again. I confess to hoking this up a bit when I sing it. It seems to cry out for such treatment, and just listening to Jimmie Driftwood confirms that. Of course I'm not sure how to spell the Maid's name, but Pimenta (as in Pye-MENT-a) seems reasonable. My only qualm about these words concerns the first line of the fifth verse. I could swear the record says "paddle," but what the hell does that refer to? I've sung it that way all these years, because I never could come up with anything that made more sense and still rhymed -- and of course the rhyme is all. When I just listened to it I still couldn't make anything but "paddle" out of it. If anyone else has a better idea, do let me know (though I doubt my poor old brain will brook any changes...). Hope this helps -- enjoy! Nancy |
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12 Nov 05 - 10:05 PM (#1603388) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Ebbie Nancy, what fun! I have never seen all the written lyrics. Thank you! It's just as sweet and silly as I remember it to be. I'll be singin' it at my Friday night music- even if they groan! |
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13 Nov 05 - 12:33 AM (#1603493) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Nancy King Glad you like it, Ebbie! |
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13 Nov 05 - 01:11 AM (#1603522) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Q (Frank Staplin) ?paddle meaning her hand? |
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13 Nov 05 - 01:18 AM (#1603535) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Ebbie Paddle in that sense, given the rest of the phrases seems entirely possible, Q. Part of the charm of the song, I think, lies in its artlessness. And it IS speaking of the vows they made. Looks to me like you have it right, Nancy! |
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13 Nov 05 - 10:32 AM (#1603750) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Nancy King Maybe... Still seems pretty weird to me, but until somebody comes up with something better.... |
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13 Nov 05 - 12:32 PM (#1603815) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Barry Finn Skip Gorman has this on one of his CD's he does an excellent job of too. Well worth getting. Barry |
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13 Nov 05 - 03:30 PM (#1603938) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Nancy King Hi Barry! It sure was great to see you at the Getaway! Hope you're still feeling good -- and maybe putting on a little weight! Do us a favor, please, and listen to the Skip Gorman recording. Does it sound like "paddle" in verse 5? If so, that must be what it is, however odd a notion. Thanks! Nancy |
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13 Nov 05 - 11:09 PM (#1604262) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Vrdpkr I gave her my gold and I gave her my cattle We both made a vow as we sat in my saddle |
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14 Nov 05 - 12:02 AM (#1604289) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Celtaddict Thanks, Guest Vrdpkr (which of course has me curious). I do not have a recording to try to listen for myself. |
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14 Nov 05 - 12:13 AM (#1604291) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Art Thieme And Bob Bovee, with his wife Gail Heil, do a fine job on this song as I recall. It's a good un! Art |
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14 Nov 05 - 12:23 AM (#1604294) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Nancy King Well, Vrdpkr, I don't really think that's it, because it's very clear on the recording that she is giving him something in that part of the phrase: "I gave her my gold and she gave me her _______". I did think of "cattle," (I thought of everything that might possibly rhyme), but somehow I don't think that's it. Try again.... Hey, Art, how 'bout asking Bob Bovee how he thinks it goes? And Celtaddict, how about that MP3 your brother sent you? It's a hell of a good song, whatever that phrase really is! Nancy |
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14 Nov 05 - 12:56 AM (#1604302) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Art Thieme I will be glad to oblige. Will e-mail Mr. Bovee and try to cajole him into looking in here.------But as much as they're on the road, they might not see it until they return home... Art |
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14 Nov 05 - 01:25 AM (#1604314) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Malcolm Douglas There is a short sound sample of a recording by one Buck Ramsey at http://www.ranchdance.com/buck_home_about.shtml. Based on that, I can't say that the tune sounds remotely Scottish or Irish to me; German, more like, if anything. There's no particular need to think that it isn't American, though, whatever stylistic influence(s) there may have been in the background. |
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14 Nov 05 - 10:55 AM (#1604632) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Jon W. The Deseret String Band, AKA the Bunkhouse Orchestra, does a fine version of this with lyrics almost identical to those posted by Nancy King above. The exceptions being these to lines: I gave her my gold and I gave her my cattle (5th verse) Now I sit alone in that place called The Spider (7th verse) These are sung very clearly and I think make enough sense to be trusted. By the way, Skip Gorman sang with the Deseret String Band at one time, and might be the singer on this recording. |
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14 Nov 05 - 12:49 PM (#1604724) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Nancy King at work Interesting.... My guess is that Skip Gorman or the Deseret Band or whoever covered it may have been having the same problem we are with the Jimmie Driftwood recording, and just changed it so it made a little more sense. Just a guess. I'm gonna stick with "paddle," because I doubt if my feeble brain would accept any changes after 40 years... Malcolm, I agree about the tune. Nancy |
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14 Nov 05 - 01:08 PM (#1604739) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Arkie There were and are folk of German and Austrian descent in Stone County and could have had some influence on the tune as they did have contact with Jimmy. The line in question is: "I gave her my gold and she gave me her prattle". from one of Jimmy's songbooks. |
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14 Nov 05 - 02:12 PM (#1604811) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Q (Frank Staplin) Thanks, Arkie. Do you remember which songbook? |
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14 Nov 05 - 02:40 PM (#1604839) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Nancy King at work WOW! I didn't know there WERE any Jimmie Driftwood songbooks! Thanks, Arkie! "Prattle," eh? I wonder what that means. Maybe she was just chattering about how swell it all was going to be, when she really had no intention.... I wonder if I can re-train my brain to say "prattle" instead of "paddle" -- probably easier than restructuring the whole line. We shall see. Ain't Mudcat grand? Nancy |
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14 Nov 05 - 03:42 PM (#1604891) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Arkie Jimmy had a number of booklets with song lyrics and poetry at one time. I am not sure any of them are still available. However, The Jimmy Driftwood Legacy Project has published several songbooks that contain words and chord changes to many of Jimmy's songs. The Maid of Argenta is in "'The Down in the Arkansas' Jimmy Driftwood Songbook". The book is available from: Legacy Project |
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15 Nov 05 - 04:31 PM (#1605809) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: Barry Finn Hi Nancy, still on the mend & doing fine, thanks for asking. hope all's well with you & yours. How much would prattle be worth in comparison to cattle to a cowboy on the range? Skip sings 8 verses of this. The CD is called 'Lonesome Prairie Love' out on Rounder. I've found Skip's research in cowboy songs to be pretty much right on & would tend to give him the benfit of the doubt, thought possiive, I also Jimmy wouldn't've minded it stands to reason in MHO that it works better than prattle & for sure much better tha paddle. Could it be tis song is headed for the traditional folk song file? It would be a 1st for Jimmy. Skip Gorman has it this way, maybe a mistype in Jimmy's book? 2nd verse "I sprang from my saddle & walked up beside her Said Where can we get some corn whiskey & cider We walked down the sreet to a place called the Spider Where she turned my heart into flame" 5th verse "I gave her my gold, & I gave her my cattle We both made a vow as we sat in my saddle And I rode away the wild outlaw to battle And left her in old Arkansas." Barry |
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23 Aug 08 - 02:16 PM (#2420784) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta From: GUEST,Scotty Macfarlane In the Maid of Argenta the lyric is "prattle" not "paddle". Prattle is small talk or meaningless but polite conversation. And the name is "Parmenta' not "Pimenta". I have an original album from the 50's and grew up listening to these songs. They're great fun it is great to know others are discovering and rediscovering this man's music. |
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03 Feb 12 - 08:51 AM (#3301434) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST The word is "cattle", not "paddle". She gave him her cattle. |
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03 Feb 12 - 08:56 AM (#3301436) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST The word is "Cattle", not "paddle". |
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03 Jul 12 - 12:16 AM (#3371092) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST skip gorman recorded this old timey cowboy song |
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03 Jul 12 - 02:37 AM (#3371123) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: Ebbie I just listened on Google- again - to Driftwood and there isn't much doubt but that he says ' she gave me her paddle'. The reason it makes sense to me - just barely!- is when I think back to the old phrase of she 'gave me her hand', as in avowing her love and commitment. I have read of a hand being referred to as a paddle, although it was said of a big man. On the other hand the song protagonist is meant to be unpolished, so a paddle may well be fittin'. |
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03 Jul 12 - 08:55 AM (#3371229) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: Arkie I have listened again to the recording I have by Jimmy and another by Melvin Wrinkle, a local singer who learned the song from Jimmy and who sang "Maid of Argenta" quite often at regular Friday night musicals. I still hear "prattle". However, I have heard the word "paddle" used for hand. With Jimmy and Cleda being gone, and Cleda probably remembered words to Jimmy's songs better than he did, we may never have a definitive interpretation. I have been trying to think of someone else who might be able to provide a reliable opinion. But nothing yet. |
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03 Jul 12 - 10:07 AM (#3371267) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: Nancy King Yay! I knew I wasn't crazy! I WAS hearing "paddle," and I'm not the only one! Since Arkie posted (6 1/2 years ago!) that a Jimmy Driftwood songbook says it's "prattle," and since my feeble brain could handle that small difference, and since "prattle" seems to make reasonable sense, I've been singing that in recent years. I just knew it wasn't "I gave her my gold and I gave her my cattle," whatever Skip Gorman may say. |
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18 Aug 13 - 06:27 AM (#3550353) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,Walt Urban Intro & instrumental **** As I was a ridin' on the streets of Argenta, I spied a fair maiden all dressed in magenta. The riders who knew her all called her Pimenta Oh, she was a beautiful dame. I sprang from my saddle and walked up beside her, Said, "Where can we get some corn whiskey and cider?" We walked down the street to a place called the Spider, Where she turned my heart into flame. **** I tried to be calm but my heart was so frisky, I knew I was playin' a game that was risky; I looked in her eyes and could not drink my whiskey -– For she was an angel to me. I cried, "Oh my beautiful maid of Argenta, All dressed in the splendor of royal magenta, If you will but promise to be my Pimenta, My heart yours forever shall be." **** I gave her my gold and she gave me her paddle (paddle; old term for giving one's hand[?]) We both made a vow as we sat in my saddle, Then I rode away, the wild outlaws to battle And left her in old Arkansas. When I got back home to my rock on the river, I found she was gone and it made my heart quiver. I cannot forget and I cannot forgive her, And I can't get her out of my craw. **** Now I've settled down in that place called the Spider, Where I fell in love as I sat there beside her, All the day long I drink whiskey and cider, And talk to all manner of men. I tell 'em if ever I see the Pimenta, All dressed in the splendor of royal magenta, I'll hug her right there on the streets of Argenta, And we'll start all over again. **** |
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18 Aug 13 - 07:10 AM (#3550364) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: Megan L Having listened to it through headphones to block other sounds there is definitely a soft R sound preceded by a soft P sound which would give prattle. Listen for yourselves Jimmy singing it on youtube |
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18 Aug 13 - 09:03 AM (#3550383) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,Mike Yates Having just listened to the Jimmy Driftwood recording, I would suggest that the tune for "Maid of Argenta" sounds remarkably like that used by the Red Fox Chasers for their 1931 recording of the Anglo-American song "Two Babes in the Wood" (reissued on Tompkins Square CD "I'm Going Down to North Carolina" - TSQ2219). |
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20 Dec 13 - 07:03 PM (#3585724) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,Kenneth Price The version on Powder River seems to use the word "title", meaning marriage. Anyway, it makes more sense than "paddle". |
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21 Apr 16 - 09:17 AM (#3786449) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,Karen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzwAeQsXQl4 |
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04 Oct 16 - 11:30 AM (#3812695) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,Howard Hobbs I have always sung "prattle" for that word. I used to sing our kids to sleep with that song among many others. Our daughter decided that if she ever had a baby girl,she would name her Argenta after the song. My wife resisted that idea for years, but all the same, baby Argenta was born last week. We could call her Argh! for short, but I think we'll make it Jen. |
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04 Oct 16 - 04:03 PM (#3812750) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: Nancy King Well, yes, I do think "Jen" would be better. (snerk...) |
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04 Aug 19 - 06:16 PM (#4003368) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,John Poltrack I gave her my gold and I gave my cattle We both made a vow as we sat in my saddle, And then I rode off the wild outlaws to battle, And left her in old Arkansas. |
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04 Aug 19 - 06:36 PM (#4003373) Subject: RE: Origins: Maid of Argenta (Jimmie Driftwood) From: GUEST,Starship Page 64. |