Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare

Subject: Bonny Black Hare
From: GUEST,Liam Redmond
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 09:05 AM

I have the lyrics and a recording but does anyone have chords, score, music or tablature for this tune. Doesn't matter what instrument it is for.

Thanks,

Liam Redmond.

-- Guitar and Fretted Instrument Resource Site http://pages.eidosnet.co.uk/liamredmond/guitar/index.html

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:10 PM

There's a version of it at the Digital Tradition Mirror Site, with notation and tab,  here.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:31 PM

Though now I come to look at it more closely, it's probably not the version you're looking for.  Whoever submitted it to the DT mentions Martin Carthy and Fairport Convention, but has actually given the rather different version collected by Dr. Gardiner from Thomas Jones of Portsmouth, Hampshire in 1907; this was published, with the missing text restored from a broadside copy, by Frank Purslow in The Constant Lovers.  I suspect that Carthy got his version from A.L. Lloyd, who was known to modify tunes to make them more "interesting", and was inclined to be coy about his sources.  Hmm...this needs further thought.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Garry Gillard
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 07:57 AM

Here's Martin Carthy's note on his version:

The notion of identifying intercourse with ordnance, as in The Bonny Black Hare, is as old as Cupid with his bow and arrow. Just as old is the intuition connecting the images of love and hunting, as in the jokey southern counties song called The Furze Field. Restoration bucks were fond of making songs on this theme but were only annexing an ancient (perhaps sacred) piece of folk symbology. The song seems rare although it has been reported in an unmistakably British form in upper Arkansas. This version was collected from an Irish labourer, Mr Morrow, at Walberswick, Suffolk, in 1938. His tune is a member of the widespread melody family called Lough Lein but his rhythm was not very clear. Some versions he sang in a standard 9/8 (3 3 3) others a bit curtailed into a 'mixed' 8/8 (3 2 3) (Martin Carthy's note from the sleeve/insert.)

This is from my page:

here

Garry

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 08:23 AM

Aha!  I only have the "Bonny Black Hare" compilation, so hadn't seen the "Byker Hill" notes.  A version of "Lough Lein" is used for the song "The Red-Haired Man's Wife", incidentally; perhaps that may help.  I notice that you have the DT text on your site, Garry; I'll try to get Carthy's version typed up for you.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Abby Sale
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 11:58 AM

Carthy sings this in what, for my singing, turns out to be a "key-liberal" or even a "key-free" tune. He can get away with it. I recommend others wishing to emulate him to work on this carefully.

On the other hand, the American Ozark version which dated from about 1896, (see Legman/Randolph) is nearly identical as to text but uses "Villikins and his Dinah" ("Sweet Betsy from Pike") and this works quite well. Scans well to all but the long line and that can be squoze in easily enough.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Garry Gillard
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 09:15 PM

Malcolm, stop!

Greer Gilman has kindly just transcribed MC's singing, 'overnight' my time.

It's now here.

Garry

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Subject: RE: Tune Req: Bonny Black Hare
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 10:17 PM

Phew, that's a relief!

Malcolm