Tune Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)

Subject: Lyr Add: GREEN FIELDS
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 04:36 PM

At the Alaska Folk Festival last week, Frank Solivan, an extremely talented young man, did a set in which his mother, Lorene Solivan, sang a haunting song possibly titled Green Fields. At least that phrase recurs throughout.

I checked Google and there are Green Fields of Ireland, of France and of Canada. I don't think that's what she sang. I did find one song through Google whose mood fits what I remember. Does anyone know this song and where I might find or hear a copy? I bought Frank's CD but it's not on there.

GREEN FIELDS

"Once there were green fields, kissed by the sun.
Once there were valleys Where rivers used to run.
Once there were blue skies With white clouds high above.
Once they were part of An everlasting love.
We were the lovers who Strolled through Green Fields.
Green fields are gone now, Parched by the sun.
Gone from the valleys, Where rivers used to run.
Gone with the cold wind, That swept into my heart.
Gone with the lovers, Who let their dreams depart.

Where are the green fields That we used to roam?
I'll never know what Made you run away.
How can I keep searching When dark clouds hide the day..

I only know there's Nothing here for me.
Nothing in this wide world Left for me to see.

Still I'll keep on waiting Until you return.
I'll keep on waiting Until the day you learn.
You can't be happy While your heart's on the roam,
You can't be happy Until You bring it home.
Home to the green fields And me once again."


Thanks. She did a beautiful job on it.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 04:42 PM

Ebbie, complete lyrics and embedded MIDI are here.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 04:54 PM

Thanks, Sorcha. I don't remember it being in a minor key or quite that much of a love song. But this is a beautiful song so maybe it is it. The next time I see Frank I'll have to ask him- he came to a 'mando-Monday' in my home not too long ago; I hope he'll come again.

(When will I learn that cutting and pasting something into Mudcat will not keep its shape!)

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: MartinRyan
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 07:40 PM

Aaaaaagh! I remember that! The site says "Brother Four" Was that the name of the group that recorded it? - or "Brothers Four"?. I can still hear the harmonies - must have been early 60's or so...

Regards

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Barry T
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 08:35 PM

There's a Real Audio version on this page

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Fiolar
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 08:47 AM

It was also recorded by The Beverley Sisters.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: masato sakurai
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 09:14 AM

Brothers Four's lyrics with chords are HERE.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 09:37 AM

And then there's "Four Green Fields"...wasn't that wasit? Clancy Brothers.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: GUEST,Declan
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 11:32 AM

Among others. It was written by Tommy Makem.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: GUEST,greg stephens
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 11:59 AM

sorry tommy makem and thanks declan.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 12:30 PM

Gracious! The RealAudio (Thanks, Barry T) shows me that this is not the song. I remember this one from the not so distant past.

So, now. What is the song that Lorene Solivan sang? I remember only the recurring phrase, the mood it set and the knowledge that I want to learn it.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: GUEST,BarryT not at home
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 04:06 PM

How 'bout this set of lyrics?

If fields of green and skies of blue
Were mine to give I'd give to you
The brightest stars God made to shine
I'd give to you if they were mine.

If every bird in every tree
Knew of the love I'd give to thee
They'd sing of joy, that's what they'd do
And the love song they'd sing I'd give to you
There's so much that I want to give to you!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 06:47 PM

I like it, Barry, although it's not it. Do you happen to know where I might listen to this on RA?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 May 02 - 05:11 AM

I'd guess the two biggest hits for the Brothers Four were "Green Fields," and Green Leaves of Summer. I don't believe they had anything to do with Green, Green, Greenback Dollar, or It's Not Easy Being Green.

"Green Fields" was written by Terry Gilkyson, Richard Dehr, and Frank Miller. It was first recorded in 1956 by Terry Gilkyson and the Easy Riders, and it was a hit for the Brothers Four in 1959.

Collectors' Choice Music has a number of Brothers Four reissues on CD. I have four Brothers Four CD's on my shelf, right next to They Call Us Au Go-Go Singers.
What can I say?

-Joe Offer, not a folk purist-
(I sent Ebbie a recording of "Greenfields," but it wasn't the right one)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields - Laurie Lewis
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 May 02 - 09:09 PM

OK, we're getting somewhere. The song is "Green Fields," written by Laurie Lewis. I don't have that album - can anybody supply a transcription?
I saw Laurie perform a couple weeks ago at the California Folk Festival - she was terrific.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 May 02 - 09:53 PM

Thanks, Joe. It'll be neat if that is the song I'm looking for.

A friend of Lorene Solivan's is emailing her for the information, so we'll see if I get the name and maybe the lyrics. It'd be something if it turns out the phrase is not 'green fields' but something like, 'beans spilled'. You just can't trust these ears!

(Joe, thanks for your efforts. Not to worry- we'll get it somehow!)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 May 02 - 10:04 PM

Ah ha! I just got the word that Lorene Solivan says it is 'Green Fields' by Laurie Lewis. So! All I have to do now is find the lyrics and tune. I checked Metacrawler and have found only the listing so far.

By the way, has anyone else noticed that Google is crashing a lot these last few days? It crashes and then my whole system goes down. I use Google a lot so I miss it.

If - When- I find them, I'll post the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)
From: Robbyanne
Date: 30 May 02 - 04:22 AM

OK - I had an email from Lorene Solivan, and another from her son Frank, and I just did a search for Laurie Lewis' discography on Google. I came up with a site that lists cuts on her albums, one by one. I don't know if this is going to paste in the same format that I found it in on the website, but here's the Cd it's on, along with ordering information:

Restless Rambling Heart (Flying Fish FF70406 1986)

1. Bowling Green* (2:23) 2. The Cowgirl Song (3:59) 3. Restless Rambling Heart (3:32) 4. Cry, Cry, Darling** (2:52) 5. Stealin' Chickens (2:19) 6. The Maple's Lament (4:44) 7. Here We Go Again*** (3:59) 8. Green Fields (4:42) 9. Hold To A Dream^ (3:24) 10. I'm Going To Be The Wind (2:48) 11. Haven Of Mercy (4:56)

All Songs Written By Laurie Lewis except where noted. * Traditional/with additional lyrics by Laurie Lewis **Jimmy Newman and J. Miller ***Judy Sanders ^ Tim O'Brien

( Cassette llcs-100 )$9.99 (CD llcd-100) $14.99 To Place order, note Title and catalog # select ORDER FORM: or Call Toll Free: [phone] or: e-mail: [e-mail]

The website to go to for seeing this, and ordering is:

http://www.hrmusic.com/discos/lldisc.html

Hope that helps! Bye for now - Love, Robin

Subject: Lyr Add: GREEN FIELDS (Laurie Lewis)
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 30 May 02 - 07:13 AM

Ebbie, I've got Green Fields on 'Earth & Sky:The Songs of Laurie Lewis'(Rounder). There's also a songbook of the same title available from Spruce & Maple Music in Berkeley.


We used to live just on the outskirts of town
When I was a little girl
The bright skies and the forest
And the green fields were my world
Then we moved away into the city
And left the fields of home behind
And now when solitude's so hard to find
My memories take me back in time

Chorus

Where are my green fileds now
No nowhere around
So I'll steal away with my memories
And in green fields I'll lay me down

Now I've got concrete for my front yard
And it's the same way out in back
But still it fills my heart with happiness
To see green grass push through the cracks

(Chorus)

Well I guess I share the same timeworn dreams
With folks in cities everywhere
To find a little place on God's green Earth
And live in peace and quiet there

(Chorus)

BJ

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:52 AM

You people are wonderful! Thanks, Robbyanne- you done good. Thanks for the lyrics, Bullfrog Jones (Doesn't your name sound POWERFUL!); I want to get one of the CDs. And off I hie myself to the music store...

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 07 - 09:03 PM

Hi,

I love this song and was just searching for the lyric to save writing them from memory for a friend. Thanks for saving me the trouble. There is just one correction ("dark" forest). I've also added the chords (in C, although Laurie does it in D--transpose E, Am to F#m, Bm)
Laurie's website is www.laurielewis.com but lyrics are not on it. If you're looking for bluegrass lyrics, a good source is
www.bluegrasslyrics.com/all_index.cfm.htm

Good luck, Della

Green Fields by Laurie Lewis

C                            F
We used to live just on the outskirts of town
G                    C
When I was a little girl
                      F
The bright skies and dark forest
G                               C        
And the green fields were my world
C                            F
Then we moved away into the city
G                                C
And left the fields of home behind
                            F
And now when solitude's so hard to find
G                            C
My memories take me back in time

Chorus
F                          C
Where are my green fields now
            G
No nowhere around
        F        E         Am        F
So I'll steal away with my memories
         C        G                 C
And in green fields I'll lay me down

Now I've got concrete for my front yard
And it's the same way out in back
But still it fills my heart with happiness
To see green grass push through the cracks

(Chorus)

Well I guess I share the same time worn dreams
With folks in cities everywhere
To find a little place on God's green Earth
And live in peace and quiet there

(Chorus)

Subject: RE: Tune iooi. Req: Green Fields...(Laurie Lewis)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jul 24 - 10:51 AM

I requested this song, I was. In a taleñt show and wanted to sing it.Lo, but finally found it now I know where I can find it,