Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Uncle Jaque Date: 24 Apr 04 - 08:47 PM I learned "Charlotte The Harlot" from a Texas Fella while in the Army back in '68, and posted what I knew of the several verses here about 4 years ago. I ain't a-gonna post 'em agin, neither! That first verse is a little different than the one I heard, but pretty much in the same vein. It all goes downhill from there! It ain't the sort of thing that any God-fearing Baptist has any business whatsoever singing out loud anywhere attall! Well; not sober anyhow... Alas; poor Charlotte! {B^{(~ UJ |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Naemanson Date: 24 Apr 04 - 08:34 PM Note: If you run across an old song with the phrase "Ladies Of The Town" then you can be sure it is refering to ladies of the night. That is the old term. There is a wonderful book about the murder of a young whore in New York in 1824 (I think). The book goes into detail on the trade as well as the life of the young woman in question and her murderer. I found it in a library but it is a very well written book. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST Date: 24 Apr 04 - 08:25 PM Dave Van Ronk does a great little a capella number on his "Going Back to Brooklyn" album. It's called "The Whore of San Pedro." "The whore of San Pedro Is older than God, And her beard tumbles down to her tits. With one single bump of her ponderous rump, she'll grind your poor pecker to bits." And there's a second verse that I forget.... |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Scoville Date: 23 Apr 04 - 10:23 PM I always assumed "Ella Speed" was one, although nothing in the song actually says it. "Little Sadie", and Hazel Dickens' "Tomorrow's Already Gone" |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: HuwG Date: 23 Apr 04 - 10:17 PM Another Jacques Brel classic that should have occurred to me instantly: Amsterdam |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Jaze Date: 22 Apr 04 - 01:13 PM San Francisco Mabel Joy -written by Mickey Newbury |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Fiona Date: 22 Apr 04 - 09:43 AM On Martyn Bennetts album GRIT he has Jeanie Robertson singing 'The Bonnie Wee Lassie Who Never Says No' all wrapped round with a thumping dance beat, the finished song is called 'Ale House' and wonderful stuff it is too! |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,DavidfromSydney Date: 21 Apr 04 - 08:06 PM Turning of the Tide - Richard Thompson |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Snuffy Date: 20 Apr 04 - 08:12 PM DID SHE FALL OR WAS SHE PUSHED?? |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Macha Date: 20 Apr 04 - 07:09 PM Would My Lagan Love fall under this catagory? |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: rich-joy Date: 19 Apr 04 - 10:03 PM The Ladies Are The Loving Kind (Allan Taylor) Daisy Hill (Dick Feller) Cheers! R-J |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: akenaton Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:25 PM June Tabors version of "She moves among men", about the life and loves of a barmaid,says it all about the emotional differences between men and women.One of the saddest of songs..... |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Obie Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:05 PM orrrrrrrr................... Casey Jones was a son of a whore Drove his locomotive through the whorehouse door Etc., etc. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Rapparee Date: 19 Apr 04 - 03:57 PM The old song that starts "Casey Jones was a son of a bitch Parked his engine in a whorehouse ditch...." |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Jen M Date: 19 Apr 04 - 03:44 PM My Mother's favorite, we learned it at Girl Scout Camp--was Fascinating Witch-I have no idea where the song originated. I wish I was a fascinating witch, I'd never be poor, I'd always be rich I'd live in a house with a little red light, I'd sleep all day and I'd work all night, Once a year I'd take a vacation, Leave my customers to their frustration, Once in a while, I'd go hog wild, And have myself an illegitemat child, I wish I was a fascinating witch, Instead of a gosh darn virgin. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Snuffy Date: 19 Apr 04 - 03:07 PM Mother didn't share your opinion, Becky! |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Desert Dancer Date: 19 Apr 04 - 02:10 PM I object to the inclusion of "Aunt Clara" above, I like to think she was just lucky in love. (No poetry intented, but it's kind of cute, ain't it?) ~ Becky in Tucson |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Snuffy Date: 19 Apr 04 - 08:58 AM Serafina |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Dave Bryant Date: 19 Apr 04 - 07:56 AM Hrothgar - which "Sailortown" are you referring to - is it the one one that John Conolly sings ? Personally, I like Lester Simpson's "Polly on the Shore" - could that be what you're referring to ? |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Dave Bryant Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:57 AM The woman in Kipling's "The Liner she's a Lady" sounds as though she wouldn't be too worried about what the time of day was, as long there was "trade" around - "They've got to do their business first, and make the most they can!". You can find the words and my tune for it here. The late Peter bellamy also set the words to music. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the orifice Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:53 AM I've always rather liked this one. Harry Chapin doesn't get much of a mention hereabouts, but I rate him as a songwriter. Mercenaries by Harry Chapin Originally found on album Dance Band on the Titanic, 1977 and the Bottom Line Encore Series, 1998. It's a slow motion night In the hot city lights Past time when the good folks Are snoring in bed On a loose-jointed cruise To recolor your blues With illegal notions alive, Alive in your head You are back from some war That you've been fighting for Some old blue blood bastard In a dark pinstripe suit and the word from your loins Has your mind in your groin And your back pocket burning with blood Blood money loot So, you walk past the glow Of the flicker-picture shows Where the raincoat men wait For a child to come by And the women in doorways Who have nothing to say 'Cause your money is talking To the ones that you would try She owns the block With the dead pawnshop clock She's the answer to dreams That you pay to come true She's got no heart of gold But that's not what she's sold She just sees herself doing what she What she has to do And she's all that you're hoping As her coat falls open Give her bread and she leads you To a bed on the floor Where for ten million years And through ten billion tears The armies of bootmen have marched Back from their wars She's in that state of grace Before time finds her face With a mind of old wisdoms And a body still young And she tastes as sweet As a child's chocolate treat Before the butts and the whiskey Had wasted the taste of your tongue Play the music again Of the grey-stubble men That groaning blue symphony Moans evermore And you watch as she fakes it And of course you just take it She's better than others You never paid money for You've used up your booty The girl's done her duty The turnstile has turned And you learn you are done You're back on the street Joining fresh marching feet You see more soldiers coming And your girl chooses one And the medic has brought Shots for what you have caught Your leave is all over You're back on the line And the joke in the trenches Of the hot blooded wenches And the next thing that you'll do When they next give you the time. And you're back in your army Back shedding red blood And you dream of the girl As you sleep in the mud And you know you'd swap with her If the deal could be made 'Cause you'd rather be working at love Love as your trade Alan |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,JTT Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:24 AM The Holy Ground (the Holy Ground is or was a prostitution area in Cork, I think). |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Hrothgar Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:19 AM Sailor Town |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Gurney Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:19 AM Once a blues, now more familiar to trad jazzers. 'Flatfoot floozy with the floy-floy.' Can't remember the official title. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Kevin Sheils Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:49 AM The various versions of Dublin City/Spanish Lady? |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Obie Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:09 AM Son Of Hickory Hollers Tramp (Merle Haggard) This Bed Of Roses (Stattler Bros) |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: HuwG Date: 19 Apr 04 - 04:05 AM Not strictly a member of this profession but: Lili Marlene. Neither the original German nor translated English lyrics suggest that Lili was engaged in any sort of cash transaction, but the German version does suggest that the soldier singing it knew that Lili would transfer her affections as soon as he was posted to some distant and dangerous front. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Joe_F Date: 18 Apr 04 - 09:46 PM "I once was a maid, tho' I cannot tell when" -- Part of "Love and Liberty" by Robert Burns "Ring Dang Doo" (From memory -- title unknown; TTTO "Wabash Cannonball":) Way up in Pennsylvania On a dark and stormy night, I went down to the whorehouse, Where the lights were shining bright. I walked on up the steps And knocked upon the door. My knock was quickly answered By a neatly half-dressed whore. She wore a red kimono That opened down the front, So I could see the golden hairs That hid her dirty cunt. She took me by the hand And led me up the stairs. I took old Pete right in my hand And rammed it thru those hairs. The stuff it was a-coming, The feeling it was grand, When I woke up on an army cot With a discharge in my hand. "Bang Away, Lulu" "The Finest Fucking Family in the Land" "La Pierreuse" "Tricks Ain't Walking" Unfortunately, I forgot to check the DigiTrad *before* writing all this, and I'll lose it if I check now. (Why?) |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Lindswidder Date: 18 Apr 04 - 07:22 PM Now down in sweet Texas where the bullshit lies thick One hand on my saddle, one hand on my dick 'twas there I met Charlotte, the girl I adore Charlotte the Harlot, the cow-punchers' whore (there are many verses, and the last one tells us that her funeral procession was 40 miles long! I have the song on a very old tape of "Bawdy Western Ballads" by Oscar Brand |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Joybell Date: 18 Apr 04 - 07:17 PM "Young Sailor Cut Down in his Prime" is quite specific about the ladies of the night who cause his downfall. The other songs in this group eg "Young Girl Cut Down in her Prime", and others of "The Unfortunate Rake" type are not. "The Black Velvet Band" suggests she is a pick-pocket but she may well have been a lady of the night. Joy |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: cetmst Date: 18 Apr 04 - 07:16 PM Cactus Nell is not Eskimo Nell transplanted to Texas nor is she the unfortunate of "The Lonesome Death of Cactus Nell". She comes to a better end than either. From "Bawdy Ballads and Lusty Lyrics", 1950, ed. John Henry Johnson, author not given: THE BALLAD OF CACTUS NELL Cactus Nell, in the gaudy gown Of a dance hall jade in a border town, Had tried her wiles on a man who seemed To read her smiles as he stood and dreamed; He paid no heed to the tell-tale leer Of the dance hall queen as she lingered near, But turned and walked to another place Removed from the taunt of her painted face. The she-thing paled with a tang of hate At the slight implied by his measured gait; Each step seemed telling as words might say He despised her breed and the tinseled way; And she raged within as the dance hall clan Observed the move of the silent man, And she made a vow that the man would pay For the public slight in the dannce hall way. A whispered word, and a hurried plan Was told in the ears of Diamond Dan, Who hitched the guns in the belt he wore, As he wandered out on the dance hall floor; He stopped a bit as an idler would, Quite close to the place where the stranger stood, And Nell with the hate of her creed and race, Stepped close and spat in the tall man's face. Then silence fell and the place was still - Like the stage scene set for a sudden kill - As the stranger stood and calmly viewed The leering face of the woman lewd; Then his eyes were turned till they rested on Her consort near with his six-guns drawn; And a grin crept up on his thin cold lips And his hands rested calm on his holstered hips. "I reckon," he said, "there has been a day When a mother loved you in a mother's way, An' I reckon she prayed as her baby grew That she'd never be a thing like you; An' so for her, an' the child she bore, I have only pity and nothing more, But as for you" - turning to Diamond Dan - "I'm callin' you, hombre, man to man." The call was quick as a lightning flash, And the shots rang out in a single crash, And Diamond Dan slumped down to the floor As the stranger walked toward the open door; And Cactus Nell stared into empty space, The blood all gone from her throat and face, And deep in her heart a something stirred, And her pale lips moved, but no one heard. Well, the fiddles still squeal in the border town, And the faro wheels spin as the chips flop down, And the old-timers look in vain for Nell, One-time queen of the road house hell; But stories are afloat, and the card sharps say She's living in Butte in a humble way; Married ? Sure, and they say her man Is the man who called the play on Diamond Dan! |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Stewie Date: 18 Apr 04 - 06:41 PM Another good'un that just came to mind is Billy Joe Shaver's 'Street Walking Woman' from his bluesy 'Salt of the Earth' album. --Stewie. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Stewie Date: 18 Apr 04 - 06:36 PM And there's Allan Taylor's 'the ladies are the loving kind' from his wonderful 'the traveller' album which, according to Allan in the 'Morning Lies Heavy' thread currently on foot, the dreaded Bulmer has actually reissued on CD, but without paying any royalties! --Stewie. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,M'Grath of Altcar Date: 18 Apr 04 - 04:53 PM Next (Au suivant) By Jacques Brel, concerns a mobile Army brothel in an unspecified conflict. "Next" is the call of the lady within the truck!!! I sing the song from time to time but one has to weigh up the audience very carefully before singing it. It can offend even the most broad minded listener. I was at a session just a couple of weeks ago and considered doing it but it was a lunchtime session and well..... it just did not seem right. So it went unsung that day. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Kenny B Sans Kookie Date: 18 Apr 04 - 03:40 PM Aunt Clara, Way Down in Lamorna, La Fiacre |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Backstage Manager(inactive) Date: 18 Apr 04 - 02:02 PM As does "Whore's Lament," performed by Hedy West, and "Bad Girl's Lament," performed by Rosalie Sorrels, both variants of "St. James Hospital." |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Backstage Manager(inactive) Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:59 PM "Tecumseh Valley" by Townes Van Zandt, "Streets of Calgary" by David Francey, "Let Him Roll" by Guy Clark and "Sammy's Song" by David Bromberg all spring to mind. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Henryp Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:53 PM I can add "The Sisters of Mercy" by Leonard Cohen, commonly referred to as Laughing Len. If you listen to his words, he does in fact show a great sense of humour! |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Singing Referee Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:38 PM "Hello and goodbye" by George Papavgeris on his album "Silent majority" A day in the life of a Lady of the Night; about the dreams that haunt us long after they have become impractical and unattainable. You'll find the lyrics on his website http://www.folk4all.net You'll have to catch a gig or buy the album for the tune though. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Francy Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:34 PM The Ferench Prostitute by David Olney |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: open mike Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:32 PM there was a thread on songs about "fallen women" last year... you might check for it.. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: SINSULL Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:29 PM Who's Gonna Hold Her Hand (She Walks The Streets In A Yellow Gown) |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Nigel Parsons Date: 18 Apr 04 - 01:24 PM Not trad or folk, but well known Ruby; Don't take your love to town - Kenny Rogers Roxanne - Police Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher Nigel |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Herga Kitty Date: 18 Apr 04 - 12:00 PM Leadfingers The good news is that Les has recorded his song for his forthcoming CD - I was round at El Greko's yesterday adding harmonies. Kitty |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Lindswidder Date: 18 Apr 04 - 11:47 AM There's a lovely song I learned when living on a narrowboat on the Oxford Canal, the chorus of the cleaned-up version was: Boaty boaty *spit in the Cut And wipe your *nose on a mopstick (in reality was *shit and *arse) the verses concerned ladies that the boatman would encounter as he travelled the canals (the Cut) in the couse of his working life, such as: I knew a girl in Linslade town Wipe yer nose on a mopstick Who drops 'er kecks for half-a-crown Wipe yer nose on a mopstick Boaty, boaty spit in the cut Spit in the cut, spit in the cut Boaty, boaty spit in the cut And wipe yer nose on a mopstick the further he travels, the more expensive it seems to be, and the last verse ends with the moral of the story "the moral of my story's plain 'tis quicker and cheaper to stay on the train.." I have this song, and others, on an old LP of canal songs called "Straight From The Tunnel's Mouth" |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: JennyO Date: 18 Apr 04 - 11:17 AM AnneMC, I am lucky enough to live with John Warner, the writer of Kitty Kane. It is on an album called Pithead in the Fern, and is sung by Margaret Walters. Here is Margaret Walters' web site It's an excellent song. I can't find an MP3 of it, but here are the words: 12. KITTY KANE © John Warner 8/11/93 I came up the Thomson with thousands of others, When Walhalla's gold worked its wild, shining spell. I was young, I was pretty, I called myself Kitty, I offered the best jewels a woman could sell. A length of fine velvet in well fitting burgundy, Tight round the curves where a man's eyes would fall, Lace at the edges and eyes full of laughter, Oh young Kitty Kane was the pride of them all. Chorus I might take a walk by the wild Thomson River Where the Mountain Ash rise in the soft, misty rain, There's gold in the range and there's gold in the memories Of the lady of pleasure they call Kitty Kane. * As the wealth from the mining flowed into the valley, I moved from a shanty up to a hotel. I'd seen enough squalor, I saved enough silver To make me a place where I'd play the game well. Pregnancy, injury, theft and brutality Threatened and scarred me, again and again, But in black lace and silver, I waltzed with the miners, And shone in their vision, for I'm Kitty Kane. The publican brought a piano from Melbourne, I could tell you right now, it was never in tune, But the work-weary diggers came crowding to hear it When Samson would play in the late afternoon. On nights when Walhalla lit up like a fire, And the miners were roaring some boozy refrain, There would always be eyes lit with lust and desire, And bright gold for evenings with young Kitty Kane. There were schemers and sailors and bearded old diggers, Whose tough, hairy hides had the gravel ground in, Young men far from home who still needed a mother, And sad, furtive parsons who needed to sin. Rough, drunken brutes with the manners of cattle, Who let me lie bleeding and shaking in pain, I've served them their drinks while my bruises were healing, And I laughed and I shone, I was still Kitty Kane. I've heard the men singing down at the piano, That youth, it soon passes, and beauty will fade, But I gave them their pleasure when I was past forty, It's the light in the eyes made me queen of my trade. Though Walhalla now is all merchants and farmers, Whose wives see in me what they think of as shame, I'll die in this valley with fine, singing memories, My name's Kitty Kane, I was best in the game. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: GUEST,Tunesmith Date: 18 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM "Pleasures of the Harbour" by Phil Ochs. |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 18 Apr 04 - 11:01 AM My apologies. The DT has a superior version of this. If I had looked, as I should have, I wouldn't have put this in. Dave Oesterreich |
Subject: Lyr Add: Poor Lil From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 18 Apr 04 - 10:58 AM Poor Lil There was a little girl She was a beauty! She lived in a house Of ill-reputee The men would come From miles away Just to see Poor Lil In her negligee! Cho: Poor Lil, boomp de-ahda De-ahda dahdah Poor Lil, boomp de-ahda De-ahda dahdah Now, deep in the depths Of her dishonor Lil felt the hand Of the Lord upon 'er She said, "Dear Lord "I do repent "But that's still gonna cost ya "Just seventy-five cent! Cho: Poor Lil, boomp de-ahda De-ahda dahdah Poor Lil, boomp de-ahda De-ahda dahdah So ends the story of.. Poor Lil! DRO Dave Oesterreich |
Subject: RE: ballads/tunes about ladies of the night From: Gareth Date: 18 Apr 04 - 10:43 AM The Ballad of Cactus Nell ?? Is this the Texan version of Esquimo Nell ? And what Rugby player could forget "The Harlot of Jerusalem" Gareth |
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