The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #37342 Message #1743429
Posted By: Helen
18-May-06 - 04:41 PM
Thread Name: Origins: White Coral Bells/White Choral Bells
Subject: RE: Origins: White Coral Bells
When I read the lyrics in this thread I thought it was saying white coral bells AND lilies of the valley by using the comma. Like a list, but with only two items in the list. "white coral bells, lilies of the valley"
White coral bells, upon a slender stalk,
Lilies-of-the-valley deck the garden walk.
So there is a flower, then a description, then another flower and another description.
Just me maybe, but looking at it for the first time without a tradition of having heard it sung before or having seen the words. The words aren't in the Sylvia Woods book, I don't think (from memory) because seeing them here was a surprise to me.
Joybell, thanks for asking around in Vic.
I'm interested in the folk process for this song, because rounds like this tend to travel fairly well, especially through the Brownies/Guides/Scouts network but also generally, and through school music, etc. It intrigues me that this one may have escaped the notice of Oz music people.
At the moment, though, I'm only going by my own epxerience and Joybell's info gathering. I'd still be interested to know if other Oz 'Catters have sung this tune at school, or in other contexts.
Intriguing!
Helen