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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,Jody Kruskal Origins: What does 'Hal an Tow' mean? (90* d) RE: What does 'Hal an Tow' mean? 07 Dec 01

I have no idea what Hal an Tow means. I first heard the song from the Watersons on Frost & Fire decades ago and have always loved the mystery of the title.

Now, I am musical director and composer for a NY-USA production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. In ActIV Scene II I'm considering what tune I will give to the actors for these lyrics...

SONG:
What shall he have that kill'd the deer?
His leather skin and horns to wear.
Then sing him home

[The rest shall bear this burden]

Take thou no scorn to wear the horn;
It was the crest ere thou wast born:
Thy father's father wore it
And thy father bore it:
The horn, the horn, the lusty horn
Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.

The Waterson's melody and song Hal an Tow does not scan with these words, and of course, as composer, I can do what I like. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 13-Jan-02.

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