The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #53699   Message #828439
Posted By: Abby Sale
17-Nov-02 - 12:53 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: The Buffalo Whore / Winnipeg Whore
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Buffalo Whore
Absolutely, Joe. "Winnipeg Whore" is a very well established song. Just one I never actually learned. This version is obviously the same as Walton's. Walton's adds the caution not unknown in similar songs (for "riggin'," read genitals - I wouldn't know but I've heard that certain diseases could conceivably result from such encounters.)

What surprised me was finding this complete version in Walton at all. He gives very little bawdy material. And I've never before encountered this Whore situated anyplace but Winnepeg.

"Three (4) Old Whores" is completely different. That's rarer but very wide spread. In addition to the DT citations, Arthur Argo sings a good NE of Scotland version on A Wee Thread O' Blue.

Bawdy material seems a bit more conservative (consistant) and persistant and widespread in tradition than non-bawdy songs. Impressive considering how less likely they've been to be published or treated academically until very recently.