Lyr/Chords Req: The Song of Wandering Aengus

Subject: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Redharbour
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 12:06 PM

I need the tabs or chords (I have the lyrics) for Dave Van Ronk's version of the song, originally recorded by Judy Collins, "Song of The Wandering Angus", which is a WB Yeats poem set to music. I'm interested in the way Van Ronk plays it, not Judy Collins. Anyone?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Lonesome Dave
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 03:33 PM

You should point out, for the uninitiated, this is not a song about a lost cow.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 03:34 PM

Just getting this thing to the top again,,,

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 04:41 PM

,,,,,,

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:15 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 06:35 PM

Hi Red Harbour. I'm trying to find my Van Ronk recording (with his chords). Mine are probably more like Judy Collins'

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: kendall
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 09:33 PM

I first heard this done back in the 50's by Buryl Ives. He did it acapella.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 09:48 PM

thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: margaret
Date: 29 Dec 99 - 10:50 PM

I'm not much help here except to clarify that the title, unbovine, is "The Song of Wandering Aengus," -- one of my favorite poems. Cheers!

Subject: The title
From: Jason
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 02:04 AM

Correction: The Yeats' title is "The Song of the Wandering Aengus", but on Van Ronk's record the "The" is dropped and "Aengus" is spelled, perhaps incorrectly, or perhaps american-englishified, "Angus". I would like to hear the chords you use, Lonesome Dave, or those which anyone else has. Thanks. -Jason

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 02:08 AM

Ya know, somehow this thread was a lot more entertaining when it WAS about a lost cow.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Redharbour
Date: 30 Dec 99 - 03:23 PM

It was never about a lost cow. I just want the chords,,, ("weeping") Where is lonesome Dave?,,,,

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 01 Jan 00 - 09:24 PM

Please help.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Redharbour
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 02:21 PM

I guess no one has any chords for this song. This will be the last time I bring this to the top.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Lonesome Dave
Date: 02 Jan 00 - 04:20 PM

Ever since this started I have wondered what your obsession with this song is. I am abig DVR fan but when that song comes around I reach for the skip button. This collision of high art and low is one of those things that seemed like a good idea at the time but thirty years later leaves you wondering what the hell were they thinking. Anyway I was fooling around with it and as near as I can figure it is capoed at the first fret and in Aminor. Lots of Am,C,Dm,E7,G possibly Fmaj7. Sorry if I came across rude, but I am baffled by the appeal of this tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: peg
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 01:06 PM

I believe Karan Casey has a version of this on her Songlines CD, too; is it perhaps the same song? Sorry, I am not familiar with the other version you seek. Just FYI, I recorded an original version of this poem set to music by composer Barbara Blatner; she plays piano, I sing; it is a rather contemporary sounding piece, a bit of Tori Amos influence, but quite beautiful, I think...if anyone is interested in obtaining a recording, email me. [e-mail]. peg

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Redharbour
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 01:55 PM

The song was good enough, thirty years ago, to fool you into thinking it was a good idea... but now,,, what? You know better. Your sensibilty is sharper. It seems kind of silly to argue over taste- but I guess I am listening to this song in a different context, right? (and so it's not exactly a battle of taste.) Different context because I assume you're in your mid to late forties. I am in my early twenties, and thus a great deal smarter than you by nature, however, I very well could be confused and under the impression that the collision of high and "low" art is a good idea, I don't really know because I never thought about it before. I'd get back to you in another twenty years, (I'm sure by then I'll have come to consider a whole lot about what people are thinking when they play songs), but that would be silly. And I have some other stuff to do. Please tell me more about the "high" and "low" art and what happens when they collide. Thank You. -Redharbour.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Lonesome Dave
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 07:28 PM

I was sincerely interested in why you found that song so compelling. Yes it is just a matter of taste and mine runs more to Green Green Rocky Road. I would be interested in learning if Wondering Angus is still in DVRs repertoire. Had you been around in the late sixties and listened to all the Bob Dylan wanna-bes and all the art-rock that came out after Sgt. Peppers you would not think mixing high and low art was such a good idea. Really I thought that was an idea that has been totally discredited.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Peter T.
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 09:00 PM

Er, you mean discredited like Shakespeare, introducing all those damn peasants and bearbaiting and bad jokes into his high class plays? Or like the Yeats of the "foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart?" Or would you like to swing on a star (DVRonk)?
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 09:48 PM

You're still talking about ideas, Dave. See, I'm not "obsessed" with the song as being a good idea. I like listening to it, you know what I mean? You say that if I was around at the time I wouldn't think mixing "high" and "low" art was a credible idea. I never said I thought that it was in the first place. And you're probably right. In fact, even though I wasn't around I still don't think it's necesarilly a good idea. I never thought of this song as an idea in the first place. So, tell me something about this particular song, and, if you can manage, take it out of the context of the "Bob Dylan wannabee" and "art rock" songs (which is where it falls, right?, except its Dave Van Ronk singing it so a little bit better; he just made the mistake so many others like yourself did at the time by thinking his song, what? Sounded good, I guess, and turned out to be wrong, I don't know, thirty years later, etc.), and then, once you've done that, THEN say something about it, you know, without talking about the other stuff. When you find that you don't have too much to say about this individual song in that way, and if you decide that you can't really criticize a song by calling the category it falls under a bad idea, then we're going to have to agree that what it comes down to is that you don't particularly like this song for whatever reasons, and that that stuff about credibility is sort of strange, in a way. It's just a song, Dave. For listening.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Paddy
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 10:40 PM

Tommy Makem does a good version of this song. Find it on From the Archives.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: R. Lindner
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 12:18 AM

I have seen it done with G C D

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Redharbour
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 03:07 PM

Thanks for the help Linder, maybe now we can put this thread to rest.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Little Tom
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 04:09 PM

I agree, Redharbour- and it's a good song I think. And this "low" "high", as silly of a label as it may be, is where it's at right now in alot of ways.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From:
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 08:58 PM

Little Tom, it IS a silly label- but when you say, "...is where it's at" I don't know if you're saying it in the sense of praise, as in "Polka music is where it's at", or if you're saying that where the song "is at" is under the category of "high-low art." I assume you meant the former, but I wonder why you say so: That "high-low art/(songwriting) is "where it's at. Do you mean that the best original music coming out these days could be placed under that category? The only thing I could think of would be Will Oldham/ aka Palace Brothers/ aka Bonnie Prince Billy,,, and he IS where it's at, in a way. Entirely!, in my opinion. I don't think he would earn the "Credible" award in your case Lonesome Dave, either- so don't rush out and buy one of his records. You'd find yourself in the position of being like one of those middle-aged people you knew thirty years ago who said Dylan was bad: "He can't sing," etc.) And since I think in Lonesome Dave's case Will Oldham would fall under this bizzare label, and seeing as he (Oldham) has taken hold of the same youths that would have been listening to Van Ronk and VilliageDylan back then: The "collision" of high and low art has not been entirely discredited, only somewhat discredited (Credibilty in art is generally an individual thing not a communal agreement, right Dave?), by folks who have had alot of time to think about it. And, let's face it, Dave, you've moved up a notch in the scheme, you're not so naw-ledge-able about what's going on in the scene, and others have taken the place where you used to stand. I think there's a popular Dylan song that talks about this.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Lonesome Dave, why don't you respond anymore?
Date: 06 Jan 00 - 09:58 PM

I'll post this message again for you.

You're still talking about ideas, Dave. See, I'm not "obsessed" with the song as being a good idea. I like listening to it, you know what I mean? You say that if I was around at the time I wouldn't think mixing "high" and "low" art was a credible idea. I never said I thought that it was in the first place. And you're probably right. In fact, even though I wasn't around I still don't think it's necesarilly a good idea. I never thought of this song as an idea in the first place. So, tell me something about this particular song, and, if you can manage, take it out of the context of the "Bob Dylan wannabee" and "art rock" songs (which is where it falls, right?, except its Dave Van Ronk singing it so a little bit better; he just made the mistake so many others like yourself did at the time by thinking his song, what? Sounded good, I guess, and turned out to be wrong, I don't know, thirty years later, etc.), and then, once you've done that, THEN say something about it, you know, without talking about the other stuff. When you find that you don't have too much to say about this individual song in that way, and if you decide that you can't really criticize a song by calling the category it falls under a bad idea, then we're going to have to agree that what it comes down to is that you don't particularly like this song for whatever reasons, and that that stuff about credibility is sort of strange, in a way. It's just a song, Dave. For listening.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS
From: Amos
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 12:06 AM

These are the chords I use. Dunno about DvR:

The Song of Wandering Aengus

                                                                                      Am           G      Dm              Am
                                                                                       I WENT out to the hazel wood,
                                                                                           Em         Em  7       Am   C
                                                                                       Because a fire was in my head,

                                                                                      Am           G      Dm              Am
                                                                                        And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
                                                                                           Em         Em  7       Am   C
                                                                                        And hooked a berry to a thread;
                                                                                      Am           G      Dm              Am
                                                                                        And when white moths were on the wing,
                                                                                       Em         Em  7       Am                   C                        5
                                                                                        And moth-like stars were flickering out,
                                                                                      Am           G      Dm              Am
                                                                                        I dropped the berry in a stream
                                                                                           Em         Em  7       Am   Em
                                                                                        And caught a little silver trout.
 

                                                                                        When I had laid it on the floor

                                                                                        I went to blow the fire a-flame,
                                                                                                                                                                        10
                                                                                        But something rustled on the floor,

                                                                                        And someone called me by my name:

                                                                                        It had become a glimmering girl

                                                                                        With apple blossom in her hair

                                                                                        Who called me by my name and ran
                                                                                                                                                                        15
                                                                                        And faded through the brightening air.
 

                                                                                        Though I am old with wandering

                                                                                        Through hollow lands and hilly lands,

                                                                                        I will find out where she has gone,

                                                                                        And kiss her lips and take her hands;
                                                                                                                                                                        20
                                                                                        And walk among long dappled grass,

                                                                                        And pluck till time and times are done,

                                                                                        The silver apples of the moon,

                                                                                        The golden apples of the sun.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: mooman
Date: 29 Aug 01 - 05:08 AM

I have an excellent version of this by Jake Walton who I believe (haven't seen him in a long while) does it in an open tuning to great effect.

If anyone's interested I could transcribe the version I have.

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: GUEST,Lou
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 05:46 PM

Yes please Mooman.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Barry Finn
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 08:46 PM

I thought someone was refreshing a wondering Anus

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 01:29 PM

Did you manage to get to the bottom of it?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 03:52 PM

Surely that was the last GUEST's job!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 08:16 PM

I'm not sure where this "extra verse" came from, other then I collected it while I was resident in Michigan:

I went out to a well one night,
Soft darkness hid all daytime scars;
I held some water to the light
And drank a dipper full of stars.

Perhaps someone years from now will find some use for it.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 11:28 PM

I was never a big fan of the tune used by Judy Collins and Dave Van Ronk of this Yeats poem. I think a lot of Yeats poems/set to music attempts don't work (poems don't necessarily make good songs, etc). I did like the tune Tom Rapp set to the poem on his "Journal of the Plague Years," however. It was a tune you could whistle out the door, not an art song tune. It is a matter of taste, though.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: 'Song Of the Wandering Angus'
From: GUEST,Phyllypd
Date: 03 Sep 09 - 12:25 PM

Fling does a great job on this too!