Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: maple_leaf_boy
Date: 30 Oct 10 - 05:59 PM

I have sheet music for this song. I'm not good at using the ABC
converter, but I can give you the chords that are in the book.

(Bb)When I was a (F)young man and (Gm)never been kissed(Dm)
I got to (F)thinking (Dm)over (G)what I had missed.
I (Bb)got me a (F)girl, I (Bb)kissed her and then
(F)Oh (Dm)Lord, I (G)kissed her again

(Bb)Oh, (Dm) (Gm7)kisses sweeter (D7)than (G)wine,
(Bb)Oh, (Dm) (Gm7)kisses sweeter (D7)than (G)wine,

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: Stringsinger
Date: 31 Oct 10 - 05:58 PM

Regarding Sam Kennedy, I think he was the gentleman I knew in Los Angeles who was a friend of Pete Seeger's. He sang a song that I have never heard since and wonder if there's any Irish people out there who know of it.

It's in myxolydian mode ala an Irish "keening" tune. The lyrics are :

"Open the door quietly, there's something to tell you dear.
Open the door no wider than the crack upon the floor,
Open the door quietly, there's something to tell you dear."

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: GUEST,Alan Whittle
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 12:13 PM

I remember Pete coming over to England in the 1960's and he did this song on his banjo on a tv programme.

previous to that, the only thing I knew about was Pete had had a hit with Little Boxes and he came over and did a three song spot on the Palladium tv show. It was the first time I'd heard a 12 string guitar - I thought it was glorious. he played Freight Train, What did you learn in school today and his hit.

Like I say the next time we saw he came over. he did the whole show with that long neck banjo. It was very plaintive sounding and very much in a minor key. I can't say how much I hated this song;

'had lots of kids, trouble and pain.....'

That wasn't quite what I had in mind for my future life! Its funny how as we get older, we accept with equanimity all the 'trouble and pain' of life, as nothing less than our due.

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: GUEST,knaiad
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 10:57 AM

MtheGm:

From Wikipedia entry on "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine":

The music was credited to "Joel Newman", the lyrics to "Paul Campbell". Paul Campbell was a pseudonym for Howard Richmond, publisher of The Weavers, who were originally Seeger, Hays, Fred Hellerman and Ronnie Gilbert. "Joel Newman" is likewise a pseudonym for Howard Richmond. The Weavers' music publisher was Folkways Publishing, one of the many subsidiaries (aliases) of TRO/The Richmond Organisation, founded by Howard Richmond. Others are Ludlow Music, Folkways Music, Essex, Hollis, Hampstead House, Worldwide Music, Melody Trails, and Cromwell.

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 12:05 PM

Many thanks knaiad. Words & music by same man, but under two different pseudonyms. Obviously, with all that other info too, a man of parts. But wonder why he should have gone to all that trouble. Split personality or what? See other ongoing thread "On what the meaning of 'by' is. I shall cross-ref this to that thread, where it seems to be relevant, also.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: mayomick
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 03:03 PM

I posted this to the wrong thread a couple of minutes ago.

The dhrimin dhu gets a mention in The Cow That Ate The Piper.


Tim gave a bolt like a half-broken colt.
At the piper he stared like a gommach.
Says he, "Be the powers, sure I thought these eight hours
You were playing in old dhrimindhu's stomach."


thread.cfm?threadid=978&messages=22

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: Stringsinger
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 03:14 PM

I would attribute the rewriting of "Poor Dhrinnan" to "Paul Campbell" the pseudonym
used by the Weavers. Pete Seeger and crew had something to do with the song's reinterpretation and rewriting from Leadbelly's version.

The Weaver's album with the song on it probably charted but was more recognized from the concerts they did at Carnegie Hall.

It has been my experience that true attribution to many songs is not accurately given.
Also, arrangements of the song in question can alter the song itself and make it more acceptable commercially even when the arranger is unknown.

There are more "folk songs" (written communally) then we know.

Subject: ADD: Ses baisers me crissaient
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jul 17 - 11:02 PM

Ses baisers me crissaient
(Küsse süßer als Wein)        


C'était un jeune homme ignorant des baisers
On lui a dit: "Mon fils, il est temps de changer"
A trouvé une blonde et il l'a embrassée
Et juste après a recommencé

Parce que "Seigneur, ses baisers le grisaient
Mon Dieu! Hmmhmm ses baisers le grisaient"

Il dit: "Voulez-vous m'écouter ma chérie?
Voici ma main, je serai le meilleur des maris"
A plaidé sa cause avec son âme et sa vie
Alors, elle a fini par lui dire Oui

Parce que "Seigneur, ses baisers le grisaient
Mon Dieu! Hmmhmm ses baisers le grisaient"

Il voulait se marier et avoir douze enfants
Mais, le lendemain matin en revenant des champs
Une brune aux yeux verts est venue à passer
Alors, il dit: "Voulez-vous m'épouser"

Parce que "Seigneur, ses baisers le grisaient
Mon Dieu! Hmmhmm ses baisers le grisaient"

En partant pour la noce avec son cheval brun
Il a croisé une rousse au détour du chemin
Elle avait la peau fraîche et le nez retroussé
Alors, il l'a suivi sans même se retourner

Parce que "Seigneur, ses baisers le grisaient
Mon Dieu! Hmmhmm ses baisers le grisaient"

Et le temps a roulé et il est devenu vieux
Et maintenant, le pauvre, il n'a plus de cheveux
Mais je connais une dame qui persiste à l'aimer
Alors, un jour, il reviendra au foyer

Parce que "Seigneur, ses baisers le grisaient
Mon Dieu! Hmmhmm ses baisers le grisaient"
(J. Newman / P. Campbell / B. Vian)


Νάνα Μούσχουρη - Ses baisers me grisaient: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVmgOdWnVSc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If it Wasn't for Dicky (Lead Belly)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jul 17 - 11:04 PM

Küsse süßer als Wein
(Ses baisers me crissaient)        


Ich träumte so gerne von den Freuden der Welt
Ich hatte manches Schöne mir vorgestellt
Und dann kam ein Tag und den vergesse ich nie
Viel schöner als meine Phantasie
So sind Küsse mmh süßer als Wein
So sind ooh Küsse süßer als Wein

Die Zeit flog dahin der Herbst kam ins Land
Als meine erste Liebe ein Ende fand
Ich weiß nicht warum doch unser Glück brach entzwei
Still ging das Leben für uns vorbei
Ohne Küsse mmh süßer als Wein
Ohne deine Küsse süßer als Wein


Der Winter war einsam der Schnee fiel so weiß
Mein ganzes Dasein schien mir wie das Eis
Nur manchmal bei Nacht da träumte ich wunderbar
Von allem was einst gewesen war
Von den Küssen mmh süßer als Wein
Unsere Küsse mmh süßer als Wein


Und dann kam der Frühling so stürmisch daher
An unsere schönen Zeiten dacht' ich nicht mehr
Da kamst du zu mir sehr einsam zurück
Nun blüht uns beiden ein neues Glück
Wieder Küsse mmh süßer als Wein
Wieder tausend Küsse süßer als Wein

Nun lass ich dich nie mehr weit fort von mir gehen
Nur wenn du nah bei mir bist dann ist es schön
An's Ende der Welt ging ich mit dir wenn du willst
Weil du mein Leben so ganz erfüllst
Mit den Küssen mmh süßer als Wein
Nur mit deinen Küssen süßer als Wein

(J. Newman / T. Hansen)

Source: http://www.nanamouskouri.de/kuessesu.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp2vC8U4xm4

Is Nana really fluent in all these languages?

---

And as a bonus, here is the great Marlene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk22k0gXIEg

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Jul 17 - 11:24 AM

Love this place - the French one is NOT about a long marriage, and I don't think the German one is either.

Subject: RE: Derivation of 'Kisses Sweeter than Wine'
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jul 23 - 01:27 PM

hi i am joe. i have looked up the 1950 song kisses sweeter than wine but did not know that the tune to this is a irish song called drimmindown by sam kennedy. if anyone knows about this song and qho sam was and how leadbelly found this i would love to know