Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj



User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
Tansy Riddle Song - bird without a gall? (23) RE: Riddle Song - bird without a gall? 06 Nov 04

I was looking up Lyrics to the older version of the Riddle song, often called "I have a Young sister (far Across the Sea)" and I happened upon this thread. Does anybody know what the deal is with the two versions? I assume the "I agve my love a Cherry" version that everyone seems to know in America, is in fact, an American variant of the "i Have a Young Sister" version..but is there any scholarship on this?

I grew up with the older version and found the American Riddle SOng to be rather stupid and obvious in comparison. I had always been told that MY version went back to the 12th Century and given some of the language preserved in the song, I'd not be surprised if that's true.

Is there any indication of when the newer meoldy and lyrics overtook the older one? You UK Mudcatters, if somebody asks YOU to sing the RIddle song, do you sing the one I am most familiar with or the other one.. the "I gave my love a cherry" one?


Back to the Main Forum Page

By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.

By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.

By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.

By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.

Try it all, you will see.