Lyr Add: Footprints in the Snow

Subject: Lyr Add: FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW (Harry Wright)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 08:42 AM

Footprints in the snow: a different version to the one in the DT.

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW (Harry Wright)

Some lovers like the summertime, when they can stroll about,
Spooning in the meadows may be grand without a doubt,
But give to me the wintertime, for the girl I have made mine,
Was captured while the snow was on the ground.

Chorus:

I traced her little footprints in the snow,
I traced her little footprints in the snow,
I bless that winter's day, when Nellie lost her way,
And I traced her little footprints in the snow.

I called to see the girl I loved one winter's afternoon,
But she had gone out walking, they informed me very soon,
They said she'd strolled away, but where they could not say,
So I started off to find her in the snow.
Chorus.

I saw her little footprint just outside the cottage door,
I traced it down a country lane, I traced it to the moor,
I found she'd lost her way; there she stood in blank dismay,
Not knowing where to steer for in the snow.
Chorus.

I called her, she saw me, and as we were walking home,
She promised me that never more without me she would roam,
I'm happy now for life, for her I've made my wife,
Whose footprints I traced plainly in the snow.
Chorus:

I traced her little footprints in the snow,
I traced her little footprints in the snow,
I bless that winter's day, when Nellie lost her way,
And I traced her little footprints in the snow.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 08:47 AM

As a Buddy Holly completist, I have a bootleg tape that contains a fragment of him singing this.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 09:40 AM

I always associate this (the DT version, I think), with Johnny Duncan & his Bluegrass Boys. (JD replaced Lonnie D in the Chris Barber Band, of course, before forming the Bluegrass Boys).

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: MMario
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 09:55 AM

tune? for either version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: MMario
Date: 30 May 03 - 09:32 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: GUEST,Sorcha
Date: 30 May 03 - 09:49 AM

Mario, we really don't have the tune for the one in the DT? I think I do.........

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: MMario
Date: 30 May 03 - 09:50 AM

nope. had a midi that we couldn't fit the words to...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Stewie
Date: 30 May 03 - 10:02 AM

Meade et alia 'Country Music Sources' entry has for printed sources: 'Harry Wright, w&m 1880s/Geo. Russell Jackson, wds, C.W. Bennett, m, 1886'. I believe the second entry is an alternative composer claim. The first recording was by Ernest Branch & The West Virginia Ramblers in June 1931. Red Foley recorded it ca March 1934 and Cliff Carlisle in July 1939. Monroe recorded it in February 1945. Carlisle's recording may be found on the wonderful CD devoted to his music - 'Blue Yodeler & Steel Guitar Wizard' Arhoolie/Folklyric CD 7039.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: masato sakurai
Date: 30 May 03 - 10:22 AM

An edition (with words only) is at Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads.

Printer: [s.n.] ([s.l.])
Date:         [s.a.]
       Illus. Ballads on sheet: 2
Copies: Johnson Ballads 2837   
Ballads: 1. She wore a white rose in her hair ("By moonlight we met and whispered fond vows ...")
             2. Footprints in the snow ("Some lovers like the summer time, when they can stroll about ...")

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: GUEST,Sorcha
Date: 30 May 03 - 11:53 AM

Mario, I'm heading out of town for a few days, but right now I'll scan and send e mail the one I have.......

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: MMario
Date: 30 May 03 - 11:54 AM

danke

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: GUEST,Sorch
Date: 30 May 03 - 11:56 AM

Well, damme. I would have sworn I had it. If I can't find it, I'll get it from the banjo player next week. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: GUEST,Sorcha
Date: 30 May 03 - 11:59 AM

There is an RA file at Max Hunters place.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: MMario
Date: 30 May 03 - 12:01 PM

any volunteers to transcribe?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 May 03 - 12:55 PM

"I'll get it from the banjo player next week"!

Sure...but we banjo players only know how to follow the tunes of the fiddlers...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 30 May 03 - 01:46 PM

The only version that I've heard is Bill Monroe's.

Subject: Tune Add: FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW
From: Stewart
Date: 30 May 03 - 03:49 PM

Here's the tune transcribed from the RA file at Max Hunters place (above).

X:1
T:Footprints In The Snow
C:Harry Wright
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=109
K:A
A,|A,A, CE AA A3/2A/2|AB, B,C D2z2|B,B, B,C GG G3/2F/2|EE FB, C2zA,|A,3/2A,/2 CE AA A A/2A/2|AB, B,C D2zB,|B,B, B,B, DD EG,|A,4z3E|E2-E/2 E/2E/2E/2 FE EC|B,4z3B|B2-B/2 B/2B/2B/2 GE EE|A,2zA, A,3/2A,/2 CE|A3A BA AC|D2zC/2C/2 B,B, B,B,|FE EG,|A,4


Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: MMario
Date: 30 May 03 - 03:58 PM

Stewart - you are a hero! NWC file created - sent to Joe - midi posted (hopefully) tonite!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 31 May 03 - 12:08 PM

I, like Roger always associated this with Johnny Duncan. Denny wrights solo in the middle is a noted classic, especially as he was pissed when recording it!

Subject: Lyr Add: FOOTPRINTS ON THE SNOW (Murphy/Whittemore
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jun 03 - 05:51 PM

Not the same song exactly, but similar enough to be interesting:

Transcribed by me from the sheet music images at The Library of Congress American Memory Collection:

FOOTPRINTS ON THE SNOW
Words by J. B. Murphy Esq.
Composed by J. Henry Whittemore
Published by J. Henry Whittemore, 174 Jefferson Ave., Detroit [1866].
As sung by Lew Benedict of Duprez & Benedict's Minstrels

I looked out through the window, the snow had ceased to fall,
And thought me of a promise, on a friend to make a call;
When stepping through the doorway, undecided still to go,
I saw before me on the pave, two footprints on the snow.
I gazed with admiration on the trim and tiny marks,
And felt within my bosom kindling love's bewitching sparks;
Then quickly followed down the street, determined I would know,
About the darling one, who'd left her footprints on the snow.

CHORUS: I think of her with fond delight no matter where I go,
The darling pretty one, who left her footprints on the snow.

I paused before a cottage, for there they vanished quite,
But, peeping through the lattice, two bright eyes were just in sight,
And a roguish face was smiling, while my own was all aglow,
For I saw the pretty one, who left her footprints on the snow.
I did not dare to enter, but I bowed and threw a kiss.
She answered with her kerchief, and my heart was filled with bliss;
Next day the carrier brought me a charming billet-doux,
But I'll not tell her name, who left her footprints on the snow.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: masato sakurai
Date: 08 Jun 03 - 05:36 AM

Also at Levy:

Title: Footprints on the Snow.
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Words by J.B. Murphy, Esq.; Composed by J. Henry Whittemore.
J. Henry Whittemore Publication: Detroit: J. Henry Whittemore, 179 Jefferson Ave., 1866.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: masato sakurai
Date: 08 Jun 03 - 05:41 AM

Another footprints-in-the-snow song at Levy:

Title: Little Footprints in the Snow.
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Words and Music by James W. Morse.
Publication: Jersey City: Adams Music Co., 64 Winfield Ave., 1899.
Form of Composition: strophic with chorus
Instrumentation: piano and voice
First Line: O'er my sad heart oft comes stealing thoughts of days all free from care
First Line of Chorus: Little footprints how I miss them, as I tread this vale below

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 08:22 PM

Wehhell, as a seasonal offering we performed it again tonight at the Carlton Seshun.

'Twas a bit of a hybrid tho' - adding chorus of 'Black Velvet Band'!

Worked well + loadsa laffs!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Alba
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 09:06 PM

I am delighted to see this Thread refreshed.

I have recordings of this Song done by a few different Greats!
Thing is I have never sang or played it in a band situation...that is until about a month ago at a Bluegrass session.
The Fiddler asked if I knew it and before I could say yes but I have never sung or played it in front of other peop.... we were off and singing it up a storm, harmonies and all. Wicked!

I'll mention the 'Black velvet band' Chorus next time Mr. Happy....LOL

Thanks all
Jude

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 09:33 PM

..........never liked the bloogas version - best done as up-tempo ballad

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Alba
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 09:37 PM

:( oh well ...I do... sniff

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 10:15 PM

sory-not mean to offend- but in most blugas thrashes, can never hear the words

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Alba
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 06:13 AM

Mr H abosuletly no offense taken *smile*

Have to say 'Footprints in the snow' was not Thrashed out at the session I mentioned. I had a look for a audio example of a Bluegrass rendition of Footprints in the snow but came up empty, so..I picked the Osbourne Brothers performing 'You are my Flower" and it is basically the exact temp I play both this particular song and 'Footprints in the snow' at.
I'll give making a clicky to an audio sample a bash...here goes...
The Osborne Brothers...sigh!
Hope it works and I hope you enjoy it.
Jude a Scot who can't play thrashing Bluegrass speeds on her Mando or Guitar even if she wanted to....:)
Best of Wishes
Jude

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 09:46 AM

I always liked the ambiguity of the Flatt & Scruggs version. There's a missing verse and one really doesn't have a clue what happened to Nellie, except:

Nellie's now in Heaven with the angel band;
I'll soon join her in that happy land;
Ev'ry time the snow flies it brings back memories:
I found her when the snow was on the ground.

Kind of warms the heart!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Ferrara
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 10:49 AM

I still hear John Duffy (of Country Gentlemen, then Seldom Scene) singing the bluegrass/oldtime version, which is the one in the DT. Duffy got really sick of it after a decade or so of requests, once he said, "Okay, guys, we've been asked to do Feetfoots in the Snow."

Masato, and Jim Dixon, thanks for the sheet music links.

To me it's neat to see how the song got abbreviated in the oral tradition, (which surely was the source for Bill Monroe and Vernon Dalhart's versions?) but still survived.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 12:04 PM

The Buddy Holly version has now come out on an official CD - he plays mandolin and sings whilst Bob Montgomery plays guitar and sings - not bad for fifteen year olds on home recording !

Roger

Subject: Lyr Add: LITTLE FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW (Morse,1899
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 06:48 PM

This version is at Levy. Masato posted the link above.

LITTLE FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW
Words and music by James W. Morse
Published by Adams Music Co., Jersey City, 1899.

1. O'er my sad heart oft comes stealing thoughts of days all free from care,
As I watch the snowflakes falling drifting, floating through the air,
And a flood of tender mem'ries' brings a pang of deepest woe,
And I think of my lost darling's little footprints in the snow.

CHORUS: Little footprints, how I miss them as I tread this vale below!
Nothing opes the gates of mem'ry like the footprints in the snow.

2. And again I seem to hear her childish prattle at the door
As she donned her cloak and mittens in those days that come no more.
Here, alas, our joys are fleeting; sweetest hours so quickly go;
And I gaze with bitter longings on the footprints in the snow. CHORUS

3. Oft in fancy I can see her happy with her doll and sled,
Dimpled cheeks aglow with pleasure, vying with her tippet red.
Swiftly the dread angel sought her and as swiftly laid her low,
For she faded one spring morning like the footprints in the snow.

LAST CHORUS: Little footprints, how I miss them, God and I alone can know.
Nothing here can e'er replace them, little footprints in the snow.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 06:32 AM

Nice version here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iYcrGTCwY4 & the tempo's more as the version I do

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 06:56 AM

.............reminiscing, I recall at a sesh years ago, someone asked, if the suitor followed Nelly's footsteps in the snow, then why couldn't she follow them, then not be lost?

[Shrugging] I dunno!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the snow
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 09:32 AM

Mr. Happy-

Have you not heard of snow blindness?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Footprints in the Snow
From: Artful Codger
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 03:14 PM

She tried, but ended up walking in circles.