Lyr ADD: Key of R (Elizabeth W. Anthony)

Subject: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 03:17 PM

After the Rick Fielding concert last month, Bill D sang a couple of great songs. One was "Rivers of Texas" with the "pole the boat on" chorus that my friend Mrs Lev prefers. Another was "The Key of R," which is hilarious. And Bill and his ancient and venerable autoharp performed it so well.
So, Bill, now that I've buttered you up, can we have the lyrics? I've searched the database and the filter; but the forum search keeps crashing on me, so I guess I can't be completely sure you haven't posted it before.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

---

Genie made a YouTube Video of me singing "Key of R" (with my own tune, not the official one) at the 2008 Getaway.
-Joe Offer, 14 August 2009-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 03:22 PM

....well, I suppose a search for R would crash, huh? -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 05:14 PM

WE don't have Key of R, but we certainly do have Rivers of Texas. Under that name.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 06:15 PM

well, Joe I thought I had posted those words..but I don't find it..(Barbara...didn't we discuss this?)..anyway...I'll type them in a bit later..maybe tonight after supper...

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Tiger
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 07:33 PM

There's a nice version of this by Richard Dobson. Slightly different words.

Sandy - is your recording available?

....Tiger

Subject: ADD: Key of R^^^
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Apr 99 - 11:12 PM

The Key of "R"

"I am a young folksinger, I've traveled far & near.
I sing about the pain of life and other things I hold dear.
And when I sing about all the agony I endure,
I always sing in my favorite key..I sing in the key of 'R'.

cho:
Oh, the Key of R is a wondrous key,
That nobody else sings in but me.
Some people think I'm sharp or flat,
But the Key of R....just sounds like that.

I sing about my Mother, and how her life was hard.
She raised 12 kids and worked in the mines, and rendered her own lard.
She sewed our clothes and slopped the hogs, and other things like that.
And when I sing about her, I sing in the key of R..flat.

cho:

I had a good 'ol hound-dog, his name, of course, was Blue,
And we growed up together, when the world was fresh and new.
But, ah, my friends, that old dog died...and no dog could be finer..
And when I sing about old Blue, I sing in the key of R..flat..minor..

cho:

I sing about America, the land where I was born.
Its purple mountains, azure amber waves of grain and fields of corn.
Her oceans and her deserts are a little bit of heaven,
And when I sing of this land I love, I sing in the key of R..flat..minor..seventh..

cho:

But mostly I sing of lost loves...and I seem to lose them all.
The lovers who have left me, would fill a union hall.
And the pain of unrequited love, it never seems to finish
And when I sing about it, I sing in the key of R..flat..minor..seventh..diminished.

cho:

And now my song is finished, and I hope you sang along,
Bearing in mind that the notes we sang were never...ever...wrong.
And though we ruined the meter, and we had to stretch for rhyme,
We sang in the very best key of all, we sang in the key of R..flat..minor..seventh..diminished...with a suspended ^9th."

cho:
^^

---

added to DT Apr99

---

Note from Joe Offer:
As shown below, songwriter was Libby Anthony. She was a member of Women, Women and Song.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 04:15 AM

Well, Bill, I think the good people of the Sacramento Song Circle are going to be subjected to this song Friday night. I don't remember the tune, but I don't really think that matters....
I'll make one up as I go along, in the key of R flat minor seventh diminished with a suspended 9^th
-Joe Offer-

Say, Bill, who is/was the songwriter?
It's not listed by ASCAP/BMI.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Barbara
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 04:22 AM

Yes, Bill, we discussed it before, but I don't think all the lyrics were posted. It's Mary Litchfield, Bellingham, and I believe the group was called Women, Women, and Song.
Good luck on the intervals, Joe.
Or maybe it's a recitation. Have fun.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 05:13 AM

Darn it Bill, what I missed while sweatin' in that basement bathroom!

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Ferrara
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 07:48 AM

Bill didn't mention that the chorus changes each time; the last line of the chorus uses the "key" mentioned in the associated verse. For example, the chorus for the fourth verse (the one about America) ends with,

"But the key of the key of R..flat..minor..seventh..
just sounds like that."

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Apr 99 - 10:53 AM

and the tune is a 'bit' like "The Bastard King of England"..if you know that. I think that it is also almost identical with some other well-known tune..I just cant remember what!. I will mess with Noteworthy and see if I can create it....

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 12:48 AM

Sorry I've overlooked this thread. Yes, our recording of "Rivers of Texas" is still available, but only as one of our "custom" cassettes. However, I refer you all to Vance Randolph's Ozark Folksongs, the original source for this song, wherein the chorus changes periodically. Caroline and I prefer (now) to close the song by repeating the chorus with the:

Li, li, li, lee, lee lee, pole the boat on,
My Brazos River sweetheart has left me and gone.

chorus that Irene Carlyle (spelling?) actually sang when Randolph collected the song from her. Most of us "revival folk" have chosen to keep the words to the chorus the same from verse to verse in order to let audiences sing along with us. Switching the words around in mid-stream seems a bit sneaky.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: rich r
Date: 10 Apr 99 - 03:56 PM

Ian Tyson has recorded the song with alternating choruses, but he probably doesn't qualify as "revival folk', at least not any more.

rich r

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Apr 99 - 04:29 PM

I am pleased to report that the "Key of R" was a big hit at the Sacramento song circle last night. Thank you very much, Bill and Rita.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Ferrara
Date: 10 Apr 99 - 05:15 PM

I sent the tune to Joe as either a MIDI or a Noteworthy Composer file, I forget which. If anyone else wants to try it, give me an e-mail. The only question I have is about ownership or copyright. The tune and words have been through several people by now and are being supplied courtesy of Bill's and my memory, but -- Barbara? -- any thoughts whether the author would mind my posting the tune here? I don't know why I should cavil if we've already posted the words, but I don't even know whether the author has recorded it yet and I know some songwriters are quite worried about having their songs sung or passed around before they're recorded. - Rita Ferrara

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 10 Apr 99 - 07:52 PM

I heard this sung at Seattle Folklife a year or three back -- want to say it was Rawson, but am not sure.

It's not the right tune, but the lyrics would fit "I am an old cowpuncher," would they not??

-- MA

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 06:48 PM

Hmmmm. The Digital Tradition says that "Key of R" was written by one William Day, which I assume is our very own Bill D. While I have great respect for Bill's talent and imagination, I don't think he's the songwriter.

Up above, Blessings Barbara says that "it" was written by Mary Litchfield of Bellingham, Washington - but since more than one song is discussed in this thread, the identity of "it" is a bit uncertain.

So, although I firmly believe that Bill D added much to this song, who really wrote it, and when?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 07:04 PM

yes, Joe..Mary wrote it, in, I believe, her role as part of the group "Women, Women and Song"....I did NOT write it, I was merely the one singing it when Dick G heard it...I hope the DT doesn't give the impression I had anything to do with it. It was brought to the Getaway maybe 8 years ago by Dick Hamlet, of Oregon, who heard it from the source...(he and Corrine were there last October. also)...Several poeple have stolen it from ME since, and I ALWAYS tried to be sure credi twas given properly...but you know how these things go...

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 07:49 PM

Thank you, Bill. I knew you'd 'fess up to it.

-Joe, one of those who stole it from you-

I tried to steal "You Don't Even Care" from Roger in Baltimore, but it just didn't work for me. You have to have Roger's inimitable talents for that one.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jan 01 - 11:10 PM

Joe..I think if you REALLY mean it, it WONT work..*grin*

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Barbara
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 08:40 PM

Hi gang, I just heard from Tom Rawson, and this is what he says:

"Libby Anthony wrote the Key of R. Yes, she was in Women, Women and Song. It will be on my next album which will be happening soon. I'll let you know."

So, now we know.
Blessings,
Barbara, who wishes she could get her WW&S tapes back, or buy new ones.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Barbara
Date: 03 Feb 01 - 08:48 PM

So, I had the right group, but the wrong woman.(Joe and I discussed this before, but I forgot to post the correction to the thread) All three of the women in that group wrote wonderful songs. I'll write Tom back and tell him about this thread and discussion, and ask if we can check with Libby to get permission to have the song here.

Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From:
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 01:40 PM

It reads wonderfully. IS there a tune available?

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 04:01 PM

sure is....but in my head!..and I don't know how easy it is to transcribe (I have simply never done note writing from my head)....I'll sing it to you..grin*..(It goes 'sort of' like The Bastard King of England, if you know that...but different)

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 04:14 PM

well, we don't seem to have a midi or Noteworthy file....Maybe I could just sing it onto a tape......

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Hilary
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 01:26 PM

Wow, just found this song, did anyone know a tune to fit the words ??? Good song.

H

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 09:42 PM

hmmmmm...maybe I need to figger out how to make a .wav file of me singing it and post it on my little site, since it keeps getting attention (I 'think' all I have to do is use the Windows recorder and a mic)....let me think (am suffering thru 5th day of bad chest cold right now)

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 01:37 AM

I would suggest an RA file, which would be much smaller, and sound about as good. Of course, you'd have to download Real Producer, but then you would have it to use for other things as well.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Mudlark
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 02:45 AM

GREAT song...thanks for posting...

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 02:58 AM

Tom Rawson...Dick and Corinne...WW&S...I'm getting homesick! I know I heard somebody sing this song sometime, but I don't remember who it was or when. (There, aren't you all glad I shared that?) Actually, it was probably Flip Breskin, which makes sense since it was born in Bellingham.

Aloha,
Mark, rambling again...

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 10:39 AM

Ok, I'm gonna try RealProducer....it seems like I need to get off my butt and learn to do it, for various projects...

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Tiger
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 07:50 AM

I'd love to get that tune - how about it, guys?

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 03:49 PM

Well, I think I got the jump on BillD. Click here for a page with my recording of the song, which I'm told bears no resemblance to the original tune. There's also a MIDI and Noteworthy file from Ferrara, a far more trustworthy source than I.
Ferrara's rendition of the tune has been harvested for the Digital Tradition.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 05:55 PM

ahhh...Ferrara said we had sent that tune!...but I couldn't find the original anywhere....thanks, Joe...(you did change some details of the tune, but it still retains the basic 'flavor')

(bear in mind, folks, that neat as this song is, you 'can' overdo it real easily...it is great to spring on a group for the first time (especially if there are insrtumentalists there who can DO those chords), but then the novelty diminishes a bit. (I do it on at with the Autoharp...which multiplies the comedic effect)

(I did download RealProducer...once I dug and struggled thru Real's strong-arm inducements to *BUY_BUY_BUY* the $199 PRO version...they don't want to allow you to get the free version until you have EXPLAINED to them why you are being so cheap and silly)...now, I shall try to USE it.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: GUEST,Jon Bartlett
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 10:42 PM

Can this song be sung a capella? (asks this a capella singer)

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 01:58 AM

If you sing it in the cappella, Jon, they'd probably kick you out. Maybe not. We used to sing Engelbert Humperdinck songs in the vestibule of the cappella, and they left us alone. In fact, they stayed far away from us....

I sing it without accompaniment, and it works fine.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Tiger
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 07:39 AM

With apologies in advance to the other 'cats, I'd really like to get BILL's tune. Are any of the above like his, or are they just made up?

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 04:28 PM

Yeah, Tiger - the MIDI and Noteworthy tunes on my site ARE the tunes Bill uses. The recording is my own tune, which I worked up before I got the tune from Ferrara.
If we nag him enough, maybe Bill will make his own recording.
Note that the songwriter was Libby Anthony. Bill D is just the most infamous singer of this song.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 07:15 PM

Bill is *croak* trying to just speak an entire sentence without coughing...you would NOT like what 9 days of chest cold does to my singing!....but as soon as I can. (hey, maybe that promised CD from Tom Rawson will come out and give is ALL some definative version!)

As to acappela, it's as Joe says....it just has a different effect if you fake those chords, DO the chords, or refer to the chords

(Ummmm...'the' Jon Bartlett who sang at the National Folk Festival at Wolf Trap about 1977?...from whom I stole "The Hippies and the Beatnicks-O" ...and who sang ALL of 'Thaïs' with Jon Eberhart?)

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 04:45 PM

Yes, I see from recent threads that Jon, from Vancouver is now cookiefied and amoung us...welcome!

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Haruo
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 01:40 AM

Refresh : So what's the status of getting a tune file out? MIDI or otherwise?

Liland

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 03:17 AM

Hi, Liland - I have the MIDI and Noteworthy files of the original tune posted on my Website, along with a recording of me singing it with my own (inaccurate) recollection of the tune.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: GUEST,PaulM
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 03:48 AM

Could I just check whether the lyrics posted are correct?

The line:
It's purple mountains, azure waves of grain and fields of corn.

doesn't make any sense to me. Should it be:
It's purple mountains, azure waves and fields of grain and corn?

Paul

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Haruo
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:04 AM

No, Paul, it's "azure waves of grain", the allusion being to Katherine Lee Bates's amber waves of grain (in America the Beautiful). However, "It's" should be "Its".

Liland

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: GUEST,PaulM
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:23 AM

OK, thanks Liland.

Not being American, I'm not very familiar with 'America the Beautiful' and hence missed the allusion.

Cheers.

Paul

btw, I love a punctuation pedant. You might like this site (if you've not seen it already).

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Haruo
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 04:36 AM

Thanks for the link. I concur in its prescriptions.

"America the Beautiful" is one of the songs frequently mentioned as a better choice by those who opine that our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", is too bellicose. OTOH some feel it is, while less bellicose, too theistic for our modern secular state with its constitutional disestablishment of religion. Like other patriotic songs (though not as much as "God Bless America") it has been overused since September 11th last, I think.

Liland

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 10:40 AM

ummmm...it just hit me...did I post azure waves? *sigh*...since I got it orally, and my post is from memory, I can't imagine that the author would have written 'azure'....It certainly ought to be amber, as the only blue grain I know of is in exotic corn and surrealist paintings.

Ok, everyone...quick..alter your memories to reflect this revelation.

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 11:09 AM

Well Bill...........Hmmmmm............I'd say we have a case of the "Folk Process" at work here for whatever reason. It seems that some and perhaps others who have learned it from them are now singing "azure" instead! Considering the humorous nature of the song, it could well work as Liland sees it. Given the right circumstance, I can see a time 20 years down the road when the word is debated.......much like they are here now..........and fortunately we have this thread to set the record straight. Sadly, azure will show up two other places and there will be a debate over authenticity and..................LMAO!!!! I love it!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 12:00 PM

...but, on the other hand, I will be immortalized as a source!! Me and Almeda Riddle...wow!

Subject: RE: Key of R - Bill D???
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Jan 02 - 12:06 PM

I can see the headlines..............

DAY JOINS THE IMMORTALS

Then someone will notice it was a late night typo and after reading your other posts, relegate you back to the masses...............

DAY SIMPLY AN IDIOT

But it will be good for awhile though and you'll have your moment (however fleeting) of fame.

Spaw