Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: PHJim Date: 25 Nov 14 - 02:03 AM Here are two songs, one ancient and one relatively contemporary, both with the same title and both about ghosts: Demon Lover P.D. Well met, well met, my own true love Well met, well met, cried he I've just returned from the salt, salt sea And it's all for the sake of thee I've come for the vows that you promised me To be my partner in life She said my vows you must forgive For now I'm a wedded wife Yes I have married a house carpenter To him I've born two fine sons For it's seven long years since you sailed to the west And I took you for dead and gone If I was to leave my husband dear And my two babies also Just what have you to take me to If with you I should now go I have seven ships out upon the sea And the eighth one that brought me to land With four and twenty bold mariners And music on every hand It was then she went to her two little babes She kissed them on cheek and on chin Saying fare thee well my sweet little ones I'll never see you again They had not sailed much more than a week I know that it was not three When altered grew his countenance And a raging came over the sea When they reached the shore again On the far side of the sea It was there she spied his cloven hoof And wept most bitterly Oh what is that mountain yon she cried So dreary with ice and with snow It is the mountain of hell he cried Where you and I now will go ***************************************** Demon Lover Michael Smith I knew a girl who came from Little Falls Her name was Agnes Hines She fell in love with a boy named Jimmy Harris But he had a short life-line A year after Jimmy was killed in a car crash She married a man from Cornell They had three little kids and a big house In upper Montclair The gypsy wind it says to me Things are not what they seem to be Beware One day her husband's at work and the kids are at school And who comes toolin' up the drive Looks just like Jimmy Harris And he says he's just got back from Paris And he's lookin' very much alive Ooh, Jimmy she cried I thought you had died He laughed and he said So did I cherie And if it was not for your love I would not be here The gypsy wind it says to me Things are not what they seem to be Beware The neighbors say that as they pulled away in his Chevrolet His face began to change And in the middle of that bright suburban morning They disappeared in flames Maybe you have a demon lover Who might have been your husband or your wife Watch out for people who belong in your past Don't let 'em back in your life. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: MGM·Lion Date: 25 Nov 14 - 12:13 AM Above post reminds that Child contains several Ghost ballads which can be found by checking "Ghosts" & "Spirits" in his Index of Matters & Literature. ≈M≈ |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Betsy Date: 24 Nov 14 - 07:00 PM This thing about Ghosts is not my dabble. However I highly commend ( noting that all the previous posts have not mentioned it ) the Lovers Ghost sang by Vin Garbutt . I believe that Vin "revived" this song in the 60's/70's . ( strange word in this context ) Extremely powerful delivery and rendition, of the Subject Matter and a very vivid portrayal of how things might have, or could have happened - in the song-writers mind - of course !!!! |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Bert Date: 24 Nov 14 - 02:55 AM Thanks, IamNoMan, I am pleased that you like it and wish to use it. I wrote it. The version that you see is on my website bertsolutions.com. Feel free to link to it. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Musicboy Date: 23 Nov 14 - 05:50 PM Can't think of any songs not mentioned but there is the shortest ghost story in the world. Usually gets agroan: The last man in the world was set in his room. Somebody knocked at the door.... |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: IamNoMan Date: 23 Nov 14 - 04:26 PM Hey Bert, that's a good story. I'm going to put it in my repertoire. Do you have a reference so I can give credit where credit is due? A Ghost Story I pronounce it Wilksbear. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: IamNoMan Date: 23 Nov 14 - 04:16 PM Boy Reading this thread made me realize I sing a lot of Ghost Songs. Many of my favorites have been mentioned. Two that have not are: "Molly Malone" "Waltzing Matilda" |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Ged with no cookie Date: 23 Nov 14 - 03:27 PM My Ladye's Coach |
Subject: Lyr Add: MR. GHOST GOES TO TOWN (Five Jones Boys) From: Jim Dixon Date: 23 Nov 14 - 12:38 PM MR. GHOST GOES TO TOWN Words by Mitchell Parish and Irving Mills; music by Will Hudson, ©1936. As sung by The Five Jones Boys Who's there? Who's there, Up there on the stair? Beware! Beware! I hear somebody coming. Upon his toes— Oh, look! There he goes! Why, Mister Ghost is going to town. He takes his cane, His gloves and his hat, And like a cat, He hurries down the alley. The moon is bright, And this is the night When Mister Ghost is going to town. He's feeling great, And he can't be late. He's got a date To do a little stepping. He'll shake his bones To hot saxophones, 'Cause Mister Ghost is going to town. The Five Jones Boys recorded this a cappella, with lots of "mouth music" imitating various instruments. Another vocal recording was made by Midge Williams with the Jerry Freeman Orchestra Instrumental versions were recorded by: Woody Herman and His Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, The Hudson-DeLange Orchestra, and several others. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,murrbob Date: 03 Nov 14 - 05:57 PM Brown Mountain Light by KT and others Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner by Warren Zevon (OK, maybe not a folk song) |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Anne Lister Date: 03 Nov 14 - 04:32 PM Jim Woodland had a cracking song about a ghost and the Falklands War ... and I have a song called "The Ghost" about a ghost in a women's prison. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST Date: 03 Nov 14 - 01:30 PM Joe Hill |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: MGM·Lion Date: 03 Nov 14 - 01:27 PM Surprised no-one has mentioned that fine old cante-fable "An old woman sat alone {And all she wanted was good company}". ≈M≈ |
Subject: Songs about ghosts -Ghost of Tom Joad From: Genie Date: 03 Nov 14 - 01:15 PM "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" (Bruce Springsteen) is track #10 on the album High Hopes. Men walkin' 'long the railroad tracks Goin' someplace there's no goin' back, Highway patrol choppers comin' up over the ridge, Hot soup on a campfire under the bridge, Shelter line stretchin' 'round the corner— Welcome to the new world order— Families sleepin' in their cars in the southwest, No home, no job, no peace, no rest. The highway is alive tonight But nobody's kiddin' nobody about where it goes. I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light Searchin' for the ghost of Tom Joad. He pulls a prayer book out of his sleeping bag, Preacher lights up a butt and takes a drag Waitin' for when the last shall be first and the first shall be last In a cardboard box 'neath the underpass, Got a one-way ticket to the promised land, You got a hole in your belly and gun in your hand Sleeping on a pillow of solid rock, Bathin' in the city aqueduct. The highway is alive tonight. Where it's headed everybody knows. I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light Waitin' on the ghost of Tom Joad. Now Tom said "Mom, wherever there's a cop beatin' a guy, Wherever a hungry newborn baby cries, Where there's a fight 'gainst the blood and hatred in the air, Look for me, Mom, I'll be there. Wherever there's somebody fightin' for a place to stand Or decent job or a helpin' hand, Wherever somebody's strugglin' to be free, Look in their eyes, Mom, you'll see me." Well, the highway is alive tonight But nobody's kiddin' nobody about where it goes. I'm sittin' down here in the campfire light With the ghost of old Tom Joad. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Genie Date: 03 Nov 14 - 01:05 PM From "Walking In Memphis" (Mark Cohn) "Saw the ghost of Elvis On Union Avenue Followed him up to the gates of Graceland, Then I watched him walk right through. Now security they did not see him, They just hovered 'round his tomb, But there's a pretty little thing waiting for the king Down in the Jungle Room. " |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Genie Date: 03 Nov 14 - 12:39 PM "Long Black Veil" is a song 'sung by a ghost' (i.e., the narrator of the story is telling the tale from his grave, after he has been hanged). Scots children's song "The Happy Land" (recorded by Robin Hall and Jimmie MacGregor). There is a happy land down in Duke Street jail Where all the prisoners stand tied to a nail. Ham and eggs they never see, and dirty water for their tea And there they live in misery. God save the queen!. The Glasgow Corporation came wi' a brand noo plan. They're building tenement hooses noo down in the happy land, But there's 16 murderers buried there, So watch yoursel' and dinna stare or a ghost'll com oot and grab you by the hair! God save the queen! |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Genie Date: 03 Nov 14 - 12:29 PM "If You Could Read My Mind, love, What a tale my thoughts could tell Just like an old-time movie 'Bout a ghost from a wishing well In a castle dark or a fortress strong With chains upon my feet You know that ghost is me And I will never be set free As long as I'm a ghost that you can't see." (Gordon Lightfoot) |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Genie Date: 03 Nov 14 - 12:25 PM "Caleb Meyer" - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Caleb Meyer |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Pete Date: 03 Nov 14 - 12:02 PM The Yodeling Ghost by Patsy Montana. There is actually an Austrian version (and video clip) of this country classic yodeling ghost-Austrian version |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST Date: 03 Nov 14 - 11:39 AM She moved through the fair |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,open mike Date: 02 Nov 14 - 09:21 PM Show is called Crosssroads |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST Date: 02 Nov 14 - 09:17 PM I have 2 hours of songs , About ghosts and spirits ang graves and such on my latest radio show. You can listen and seevthebplaylist here...WWW.KROV.FM OPEN MIKE |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Bert Date: 02 Nov 14 - 04:02 PM Tom pierce. And here's a ghost story for ya Aghost story |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE GHOST OF BENJAMIN BINNS From: Jim Dixon Date: 02 Nov 14 - 03:12 PM From the sheet music at The Levy Collection: THE GHOST OF JOHN JAMES CHRISTOPHER BENJAMIN BINNS Words and music by Harry Dacre New York: S. T. Gordon & Son, ©1888. 1. Hear my song, gentle folks, and don't be afraid. I'm only a ghost, a poor harmless shade. I would not hurt anyone here if I could, And you couldn't do me much harm if you would. Knives will not stab me nor shots through me fly, But oh! the experiment please do not try. It's not for myself that I care, not at all. I'm only afraid you might damage the wall. CHORUS: I'm the ghost of John James Christopher Benjamin Binns. I was cut down right in the midst of my sins, For my home is down below. I'm let out for an hour or so. When the cock begins to crow, Farewell, Benjamin Binns. 2. My wife she would say when I lived on this earth, If I should die first, she'd never get wed. Tonight I called on her; through keyholes I crept. If ghosts could have tears, I am sure I'd have wept. A man held my wife in his tender embrace. She called him her hubby; he'd taken my place. To make matters worse, and to crown all my woes, The fellow was wearing my best Sunday clothes. SPOKEN: The gas full on—she could not see me—but I was determined she should hear me. So I said, "Hold, mortal piece of flesh!" She shrieked and held the mantelpiece! Then I in sepulchral tones said— CHORUS 3. On the day that I died, I left upon earth, A family large and a boy of good birth, Whom I taught to be honest and ever upright, And hold on to money securely and tight, But a short time thereafter, imagine my woe When I heard that to Canada off he did go! "And just like his father," the people now say. "Good riddance, bad rubbish; he's out of the way!" SPOKEN: But I managed to get even with the rascally lad, for each night when he lies in his restless sleep, I craw up from below and say— CHORUS |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: open mike Date: 30 Oct 08 - 02:39 AM dave carter and tracy grammer kate and the ghost of lost love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLra7HZnvv8 http://www.tracygrammer.com/html/merch.html |
Subject: Lyr Add: LOWLANDS + IN THE HILLS OF SHILOH From: VirginiaTam Date: 29 Oct 08 - 05:24 PM LOWLANDS I dreamed a dream the other night Lowlands, Lowlands, away, my John; I dreamed a dream the other night Lowlands, my lowlands, away I dreamed I saw my own true love, Lowlands, lowlands away, my John, I dreamed I saw my own true love, Lowlands, my lowlands, away. And the salt sea weed it was in her hair, Lowlands, lowlands away, my John, And the salt sea weed it was all in her hair, Lowlands, my lowlands away. It was then I knew that my love was dead Lowlands, lowlands away, my John, It was then I knew that my love was dead Lowlands, my lowlands away. My love lies drowned in that lowland sea, Lowlands, lowlands away, my John, My love lies drowned in that lowland sea, Lowlands, my lowlands away. I dreamed a dream the other night Lowlands, Lowlands, away, my John; I dreamed a dream the other night Lowlands, my Lowlands, away and IN THE HILLS OF SHILOH Have you seen Amanda Blaine in the hills of Shiloh Wandering through the morning rain through the hills of Shiloh Have you seen her at her door, listening for the cannon's roar And a man who's gone to war from the hills of Shiloh Have you seen her haunted eyes in the hills of Shiloh Have you heard her mournful cries in the hills of Shiloh Have you seen her running down searching through the sleeping town In her yellowed wedding gown in the hills of Shiloh Have you seen her standing there in the hills of Shiloh Wind a blowing through her hair in the hills of Shiloh Listening for the sound of guns listening for the rolling drums And a man who never comes to the hills of Shiloh Have you heard Amanda sing in the hills of Shiloh Whispering to her wedding ring in the hills of Shiloh Hear her humming soft and low, poor Amanda doesn't know 'Twas ended forty years ago in the hills of Shiloh |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 29 Oct 08 - 03:50 PM And whether he was going to chase the protagonist all the way home. Roger in Baltimore |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: greg stephens Date: 29 Oct 08 - 02:01 PM I don't think Jesse FUller wrote Old Man Mose, but I can't recall who did. Great song, in any case. But was it a ghost? I think the song just speculates whether Old Man Mose was dead, or just lying still. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Barbara Date: 29 Oct 08 - 01:40 PM the Ghostly Sailors or the version in DT Ghostly Crew Blessings, Barbara |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Mo' Handy Date: 29 Oct 08 - 01:00 PM Specializing in sea songs as I do, a couple of corkers come to mind, viz.: The Flying Dutchman (Roberts & Barand) Sir William Gower (Fairport Convention) Re the second one, it would be interesting to know whether it's a legit folk song and whether there's any more of it. If anybody has any info on Sir William, I'd be beholden. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 29 Oct 08 - 12:59 PM Jesse Fuller wrote a song entitled "Old Man Mose". The protagonist as a young man happens upon a neighbor who appears to be dead on the living room floor. He runs in terror. Wish I could remember the words today, but it ain't gonna happen. Roger in Baltimore |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Rapparee Date: 29 Oct 08 - 12:45 PM Don't Go Down To The Quarry |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: RTim Date: 29 Oct 08 - 12:42 PM I've just recorded a Hampshire version of The Dreadful Ghost (as from Deb Cowan above) - basically the same story with a different tune. The Collector George Gardiner said of the song ÒHereÕs an excellent plot for a tragedy or tragic opera?Ó My version is called - "I Am A Sailor". Tim Radford |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Abby Sale Date: 29 Oct 08 - 10:42 AM I sing on Halloween: Tam Lin (#39) - no ghost but ghastly things and does mention Halloween. Faithful Johnny – no ghost but does mention Halloween. She Moved Through the Fair – whether she's actually dead is controversial but if Margaret Barry thought so then I prefer to think she is. Unfortunate Miƒs Bailey – yep, great. I don't know if K3 sing the last, handwritten verse, "Next morn his man knocked at his door..." but it's certainly includable. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: greg stephens Date: 29 Oct 08 - 09:04 AM Unfortunate Miss Bailey (Kingston Trio and others) is a cracker. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Tom Bliss Date: 29 Oct 08 - 09:02 AM I know two stories about real ghosts which I've made into songs, Gill Field Sump and Pendle Hill (set on Halloween), and though Silverlode of Sark is an invention, it is sung by a ghost. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Nigel Parsons Date: 29 Oct 08 - 08:20 AM With her head tucked underneath her arm |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOUR GHOST (Kristin Hersh) From: quokka Date: 29 Oct 08 - 08:16 AM YOUR GHOST Written by Kristen Hersh From the album 'Hips and Makers' 1994 If I walk down this hallway, tonight, It's too quiet, So I Pad through the dark and call you on the phone Push your old numbers and let your house ring til I wake your ghost. Let him walk down your hallway it's not this quiet slide down your receiver sprint across the wire follow my number slide into my hand. It's the blaze across my nightgown it's the phone's ring. I think last night you were driving circles around me. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: quokka Date: 29 Oct 08 - 07:25 AM Your Ghost - by Kristen Hersh...haunting, beautiful, gets inside your head and just WON'T go away...also, harmonies by Michael Stipe! Your Ghost |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Deskjet Date: 29 Oct 08 - 07:22 AM The Bay Of Biscayo - My William sails onboard a tender And where he's bound I do not know...... |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Terry McDonald Date: 29 Oct 08 - 07:12 AM Cruel Ship's Carpenter |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Susan of DT Date: 29 Oct 08 - 07:08 AM There are a number of ghosts in the Child ballads Child #47 Proud Lady Margaret Child #77 Sweet William's Ghost Child #78 Unquiet Grave, mentioned by Jim, above Child #79 Wife of Usher's Well Child #248 Grey Cock Child #255 Willie's Fatal Visit Child #265 Knight's Ghost Child #272 Suffolk Miracle There are a number of others suitable for Halloween as well, with the devil, fairies/elves, witches (or whatever you call women who can conjure their lovers out of their graves), silkies, etc. I can give you a list, but try cruising the keyword "myth" in the DT - I have that on most of these. Note that the titles of the versions in the DT are not necessarily as listed above - search for the Child # to get multiple versions of most of these. search for "Child #XX" to find them. I have fun with doing all supernatural ballads in October and a few throughout the year. At our sing earlier this month, I sang Child #49 Rolling of the Stones (she conjures him from his grave), Child #78 Unquiet Grave, Child #255 Willie's Fatal Visit, and the Black Fox (modern, devil plays a fox). |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE DUNDEE GHOST (Matt McGinn) From: Jim Carroll Date: 29 Oct 08 - 06:31 AM Long live Matt McGinn! THE DUNDEE GHOST Noo a deid man seldom walks; he very rarely talks. [dead] It's no very often you'll find him runnin' aroond, But I am a refugee frae a graveyard in Dundee, And I've come tae haunt some hooses in Glesga Toon. I've come tae haunt some hooses in Glesga Toon. The reason I arose was to get masel' some clothes, For it really gets helluva cold below the grund, But I whispered tae masel', "Ach, I think I might as well Hang aroond for a while and hae some fun, Hang aroond for a while and hae some fun." A man put oot his light on a cold and wintery night. I showed him one o' ma eyes and slapped his heid. He says "Oh", and I says "boo". He says, "Who the hell are you?" I says, "Don't be feart; I'm only a man that's deid. [afraid] Don't be feart; I'm only a man that's deid." Noo the fella knelt and prayed, and this is what he said: "Why, in the name o' God have you picked on me?" So I pulled away his rug and I skelped him one on the lug. [ear] "The reason," says I, "I'll very soon let you see". "The reason," says I, "I'll very soon let you see". When he brought the polis in, I belted him one on the chin. [police(man)] The polis turned aroond and he blamed my friend. He marched him tae the jile; he'll be in there quite a while, [off to gaol] But I'll see naebody taks his single end. [House of one apartment, flat] I'll see naebody taks his single end. Noo the polis thoucht him daft, and a lot o' people laughed When the fella said a ghost was in his hoose, But whit the fella said was true, and I might be visitin' you, So just remember, I'm still on the loose. Just remember, I'm still on the loose. Jim Carroll |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC Date: 29 Oct 08 - 05:58 AM Long Black Veil Bringing Mary Home Ghost Riders in the Sky All modern songs on the theme that have stood the test of time. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Jim P Date: 29 Oct 08 - 05:14 AM Child #78 - The Unquiet Grave. It was quite a while before I realized that this was the same tune as Star of the County Down (albeit slower than that is usually played). When I did, I had to stifle some very inapropriate laughter during a young woman's very touching performance. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Paul Burke Date: 29 Oct 08 - 04:19 AM Ghost songs show that they have changed their behaviour considerably over the years. Back in the day, a murdering seducer had to beware of the poor girl's ghost tearing him in three, even on shipboard, thus giving the lie to the tale that ghosts can't cross water. Later ghosts were less strenuos, but appeared in dreams to reveal the location of the body, leaving vengeance to due legal process. And in America over the water, the ghost becomes the merely passive narrator who observes the veiled woman, without thoughts of even hiding the glasses of the real murderer who framed him (her?). |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Barry Finn Date: 28 Oct 08 - 08:13 PM My favorite is Walker of the Snow which I just posted to a new thread after seeing this one & not finding really anything about it. Barry Barry, the thread was deleted and the thread link amended to take folks to one of the many threads we have already had on this song. No need to start another one devoted to it. The thread linked to the song is one you contributed to back in 2002. If you type "Shadow Hunter" or "Walker of the Snow" into the search engine, you will get a number of discussions that have all ready occurred........ Muderator |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz Date: 28 Oct 08 - 08:08 PM The Ghost of Elvis... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRpHCVGi-yo BR |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: Azizi Date: 28 Oct 08 - 07:49 PM You have a very beautiful voice, Deb C. ** Here is the link for that Casper The Friendly Ghost song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZGarpxTrMU&feature=related It's interesting that I have a vivid memory of that song, and not the Hootenany type song whose video I also linked to. Yet, in my opinion, that Hootenany song is musically the better one. |
Subject: RE: Songs about ghosts From: DebC Date: 28 Oct 08 - 07:43 PM Oops. Forgot that was a sample :-) Here's an MP3 Debra Cowan |
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