Songs about Wearing Red-or another color

Subject: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:21 AM

What songs can you think of that include a line or lines about a woman [or-it seems, less often a man] wearing red clothes?

And what-if anything-is the significance of that color in that specific song?

Also, what songs can you think of that include a line or lines about people wearing clothes of another color?

And what-if anything-is the significance of that color in that specific song?

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:36 AM

Here's an example of red from an R&B song:

HIGH HEEL SNEAKERS [excerpt]
Put on your red dress, baby
Ya know we're goin' out tonight
Put on your red dress, baby
Lord, we're goin' out tonight
And-a bring along some boxin' gloves
In case some fool might wanna fight

-snip-

Imo, "red" here symbolizes physical attractiveness, and sexual energy, and passion. I believe it also symbolizes a woman's willingness to share that sexual energy and passion with someone else.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: mack/misophist
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:50 AM

"White is the colour of our virgin queen,
"But many a harlot's dressed in scarlet."

The idea has been around a while.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:53 AM

Check out the country hit "Something in Red" sung by Lorrie Morgan. I'm not sure who the songwriter was.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:53 AM

Some common verses to the African American spiritual "Wade in the Water" include color references:

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

See that host all dressed in white
God's a-going to trouble the water
The leader looks like the Israelite
God's a-going to trouble the water

See that band all dressed in red
God's a-going to trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
God's a-going to trouble the water

-snip-

I believe that these verses refer to different religious groups that are represented by a specific color. In this instance, red is a symbol of life and white a symbol of spiritual purity.

There is historical & present day documentation that in certain African American [post emancipation]religious denominations women wear certain colored dresses or robes. Wearing certain colored clothing is an intregal part of traditional {if not contemporary} African religious beliefs and practices.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 08:57 AM

Artist/Band: Morgan Lorrie
Lyrics for Song: Something In Red
Lyrics for Album: To Get To You - Greatest Hits
(Angela Kaset)

I'm looking for something in red
Something that's shocking to turn someone's head
Strapless and sequined and cut down to there
Stockings and garters and lace underwear
The guaranteed number to knock the men dead
I'm looking for something in red

I'm looking for something i green
Something to out do an ex-high school queen
Jealousy comes in the color of jade
Do you have some pumps and a purse in this shade
And a perfume that whispers "Please comes back to me"
I'm looking for something in green

I'm looking for something in white
Something that shimmers in soft candlelight
Everyone calls us the most perfect pair
Should I wear a vail or a rose in my hair
Well,the train must be long and the waist must be tight
I'm looking for something in white

I'm looking for something in blue
Something real tiny,the baby's brand new
He has his father's nose and his chin
We once were hot lovers now we're more like friends
Don't tell me that's just what old married folk do
I'm looking for something in blue

I'm looking for something in red
Like the one that I wore when I first turned his head
Strapless and sequined and cut down to there
Just a size larger that I wore last year
The guaranteed number to knock the nam dead

I'm looking for something
I've gotta have something
I'm looking for something in red

Source: http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/morgan-lorrie/something-in-red-3598.html

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: jacqui.c
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:03 AM

Lady in Red.

Black Velvet Band.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Alba
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:08 AM

DANCING AT WHITSUN
(words by John Austin Marshall)

It's fifty long springtimes since she was a bride,
But still you may see her at each Whitsuntide
In a dress of white linen with ribbons of green,
As green as her memories of loving.

The feet that were nimble tread carefully now,
As gentle a measure as age will allow,
Through groves of white blossoms, by fields of young corn,
Where once she was pledged to her true-love.

The fields they stand empty, the hedges grow (go) free--
No young men to turn them or pastures go see (seed)
They are gone where the forest of oak trees before
Have gone, to be wasted in battle.

Down from the green farmlands and from their loved ones
Marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons.
There's a fine roll of honor where the Maypole once stood,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.

There's a straight row of houses in these latter days
All covering the downs where the sheep used to graze.
There's a field of red poppies (a gift from the Queen)
But the ladies remember at Whitsun,
And the ladies go dancing at Whitsun.

on Bok, Trickett, Muir record. FSI- . Also Redpath Philo
and Tim Hart and Maddy Prior on Summer Solstice

Copyright John Austin Marshall
@war @dance
filename[ DNCWHIT
TUNE FILE: FLSEBRD2

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Alba
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:11 AM

WEDDING DRESS

Well, my little Doney Gal, don't you guess
Better be making your wedding dress
Wedding dress, wedding dress
Better be making your wedding dress

Well, it's already made, trimmed in green
Prettiest dress you've ever seen
Ever seen, ever seen
Prettiest dress you've ever seen

Well, it's already made, trimmed in red
Stitched and sewed with a golden thread
Golden thread, golden thread
Stitched and sewed with a golden thread

Well, it's already made, trimmed in brown
Stitched all around with a golden crown
Golden crown, golden crown
Stitched all around with a golden crown

Well, it's already made, trimmed in white
Gonna be married on Saturday night
Saturday night, Saturday night
Gonna be married on Saturday night

Well, she wouldn't say yes and she wouldn't say no
All she'd do was sit and sew
Sit and sew, sit and sew
All she'd do was sit and sew

@clothing
filename[ WEDRESS
JN
oct96

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:11 AM

You could try a PM to Mr Red !! He even has a Red Caravan to hang on the back of his red car !!

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Alba
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:15 AM

A game song for Children.

Oh, who is wearing [color]?
Oh, who is wearing [color]?
Please tell me if you can,
Oh, who is wearing [color]?

Oh, [name] is wearing [color]!
Oh, [name] is wearing [color]!
That's the color of her [article of clothing],
Oh, [name] is wearing [color]!

Insert a different name each round.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Alba
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:20 AM

RED VELVET
(Ian Tyson)

Four months ago in April
On a day coach she came down
And the dusty Autumn winds begin to blow
Should have known I couldn't hold her
Living out so far from town
And the nights to come are long and slow to go

Now she's up and left me
Went walking down the line
And the dusty Autumn winds begin to blow
All dressed up in red velvet
And her high-heeled shoes so fine
And the nights to come are long and slow to go

Well if I'd only known
Before we'd kissed
You can't keep red velvet
On a poor dirt farm like this
Now she's up and left me
Went walking down the line
And the dusty Autumn winds begin to blow

I'll sit and count the evening stars
As they walk around
And the dusty Autumn winds begin to blow
And I'll call my dog and take the truck
And ride on into town
And the nights to come are long and slow to go
And those dusty Autumn winds begin to blow

Copyright Ian Tyson
@parting
filename[ REDVELV
JP
oct97

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: HuwG
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:21 AM

"The Flowers in the Valley", by Finbar and Eddie Furey (based on trad).

I shan't post the words. I find it one of the most tedious dragged-out finger-in-ear songs it has been my misfortune to hear.

"And then came this knooooiiiiiight
All clothed in r-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-d"

And so on. Six verses, five of which change only the word "red" to "black" or "yellow". (The green knight eventually gets the maiden.)

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:04 AM

Oh, are we including children's game songs? Well, here's another one that mentions colors:

Mary wore a red dress
red dress
red dress
Mary wore a red dress
all day long.

Mary is a red bird
red bird
red bird
Mary is a red bird
all day long

-snip-

In this song "red" has no significance beyond the fact that it's a color.

THREAD DRIFT:

Btw, it appears that most people nowadays think that these game songs are appropriate only for pre-schoolers. But I've found that in the right context, most primary aged girls and boys {5-8 years old] and many older elementary age girls [9-12 years old] and some boys of that age group, really enjoy performing 'show me your motion' game songs. In both of these age groups what I have found is that most children who are selected as the center person use their moment in the spot-like [as it were] to show off social dancing skills.

This song [and the one Alba shared above] can be used to teach & reinforce color recognition, develop and reinforcesocial skills such as following directions and taking turns, and develop and reinforce confidence.

I hasten to say that when playing these types of games, children who aren't self-confident should absolutely not be required to go into the center of the circle. However, when working with the same group of children over time, and making sure that children don't taunt or tease someone who is reluctant to go into the center of the circle, I have found that some children who were once afraid of being the center of attention, became confortable with that role, and in some occassions, eager to be selected to be the center person.

I'm not sure how "Mary Wore A Red Dress" was traditionally played. But, in the co-ed children's groups I conduct with elementary school aged girls and boys, "Mary" is the name of each girl selected, and "Michael" the name of each boy selected. The child in the center does not sing, but moves around the center flapping her or his arms like bird's wings. The color dress [or shirt, if it is a boy] depends on the dominant color that child is wearing. For example, the line could be "Michael wore a blue shirt, blue shirt, blue shirt].

Children forming the circle hold hands and circle counterclockwise while singing the verses. On the words "all day long" the child in the center closes her or his eyes, and covers them with her/his right hand. The child's left arm is extended. While turning in the middle of the circle, on the word "long" the center child points to a child {or adult playing with the children} forming the circle. The person pointed to is the next center person. The former center person immediately rejoins the circle and the song begins again without any break in singing.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:06 AM

Correction:

spot-like= spot-light
[but you already knew that, right?]

Any other typos that I made will have to fend for themselves, poor things.

;o)

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:25 AM

Leadbelly had a few tunes about red dresses.
Ella Speed has the line:

"When them gals heard Ella Speed was dead
They went on home and re-ragged in red."

I read somewhere that red is a mourning colour in the Voodoo religion. Correct me if I'm wrong. I think John Hurt's version of Louis Collins also has a reference to red being used as a mourning colour.

In POOR HOWARD Leadbelly sings:

"Who's been here since I've been gone?
Pretty little gal with a red dress on."

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:39 AM

Take Me Back to Tulsa (Bob Wills)
Who's that woman dressed in red?
Some folks call her Dinah....

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 11:13 AM

Louis Collins
Lyrics: Mississippi John Hurt
Music: Mississippi John Hurt


Mrs Collins weep, Mrs Collins moan
What made her son Louis leave his home?
Angels laid him away

Chorus
Angels laid him away
Laid him six feet under the clay
Angels laid him away

Oh kind friends, now ain't it hard
To see poor Louis in a new grave yard
Angels laid him away

[chorus]

When they heard that Louis was dead (note 1)
All the women folk they dressed in red (note 2)
Angels laid him away

[chorus]

Bob shot one and Louis shot two
Shot poor Collins, shot him through and through
Angels have laid him away

[chorus]

Mrs Collins weep, Mrs Collins moan
What made her son Louis leave his home?
Angels laid him away

[chorus]

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 11:29 AM

Who 'dat yonder dressed in white?
Must be Moses of the Israelites.


Long Black Veil

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 11:43 AM

Voodoo is a Hollywood construct. In contrast 'Vodun' is derived from traditional religions in Nigeria and Benin called Vodun. Religions related to Vodun are Candomble, Lucumi, and Macumba.

I know a number of people who are followers of Vodun and have read about that traditional religion and how it changed in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the USA, and have seen how some folks practice it nowadays. I would emphatically say that the Hollywood voodoo films with its stick pins in the voodoo doll images grossly malign this spiritual belief system.

That said, I don't believe that there is only one color in Vodun that is associated with death & mourning. Those who are associated with a particular orisha [meaning spirit/force of nature]-{actually those who 'are' that orisha} wear beads and clothing in the specific colors associated with that orisha. However, I understand that followers of vodun {and voodoo} practice sacrificial blood sacrifices {of chickens-not humans. Red is the color of blood. Because of its connection with the color of blood, red is associated with strength, health, and passion. In Vodun, red is most closely associated with the orisha Sango {Shango, Chango} who is said to rule thunder, lightening, and is said to have a violent temper. Sango's colors are fiery red and cooling white.

Also, see this website re color/voodoo candles {with the disclaimer that this may or may not be accurate and is probably not the same as traditional or contemporary Vodun religions:

http://www.folkart.com/voodooshop/faq-candles.htm

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 01:44 PM

Sweet Willie rose up in the month of May
and he decked himself in red,
Saying "How, oh how can a man find out
if Lady Margot's love is dead?"


I believe that the main purpose of the red here is to rhyme with dead, but it does convey the idea that Sweet Willie is not a reliable, conservative kind of guy.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 02:51 PM

There's

John Henry had a litle woman
and the dress that she wore was red
She's goin' down the track
and she'll never look back
going where John Henry lies dead.


And - from Foggy Mountain Top

When you come around and you're lookin' for me
won't you put on your navy blue
'cos that old gray dress that you always
wear, it don't do a thing for you.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 04:39 PM

Bell bottom trousers, suit of navy blue....
I love a sailor and he loves me too

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 04:49 PM

Two, two, the Lily white boys
dress them all in green oh ho.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:03 PM

From

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:04 PM

"Will you wear red, or my dear, oh my dear?
Will you wear red, Jennie Jenkins?
"I won't wear red; it's the color of my head"

Sort of makes sense so far, but listen to the chorus:

"I'll buy me a tally feather, aye sir.
I'll buy me a tally, walk-a-belly, so to go with m' robe,
To go with m' robe, Jenny Jenkins!

"I'll buy me a tally feather, aye sir.
I'll buy me a tally feather, double dose a dilly-dally
Sukey, sukey why man
To go with my robe, Jenny Jenkins!"

You might still think that the red color might be significant, but she won't wear black, either, because it's the color of her back; won't wear green--it can't be seen; won't wear blue because it's the color of her shoe. But aha! An acceptable color!

"Will you wear brown, oh my dear, oh my dear?
Will you wear brown, Jenny Jenkins?
Yes, I'll wear brown, I'll go uptown,"

And then the chorus.

I think the significance of wearing red is that it supplies a rhyme for the song, and nothing further.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:06 PM

In Irish folk lore, red keeps the little people away.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: frogprince
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:34 PM

"She wore blue velvet..."

And "The Blue Skirt Waltz"

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: frogprince
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:36 PM

"It was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikini"

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:36 PM

Round her neck she wore a yellow ribbon...

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:40 PM

Sorcha, thanks for that interesting piece of information.

But I'm wondering why would humans want to keep the little people away? Are "little people" the same as leprechauns? If so, is it because they play tricks on humans? But don't leprechauns have a pot of gold that humans might find or that they may give to a woman or man for some reason or another? But, wait a minute-isn't the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow? Oh, I'm so confused...

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:59 PM

She wore red feathers and a hula hula skirt . . .

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 06:32 PM

Zi, we don't 'keep' them, they just 'are'...and yes, fairies, leprechauns, sidhe, Little People, pookas....

Your red scarf matches your eyes....

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Hawker
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 06:56 PM

From Harriet Tubman....
"Whose are these children dressed in Red
They must be the ones that Moses led"

From I've got a bonnet.....
"I've got a bonnet trimmed with blue
Do you wear it
Yes I do"

The White cockade.....

He promised to buy me a bunch of blue ribbons
To tie up may bonny brown hair

As for significance...Hmmmm

Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 06:59 PM

Put on your old grey bonnet with the blue ribbon on it...

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 07:04 PM

Sorcha, I know this is thread drift but please help me out here.
Or please start a thread on this fascinating subject [the folklore of little people].

What did you mean by the sentence "we don't keep them, they just 'are'? Do you mean fairies, leprechauns, sidhe, Little People, pookas [pookas??!] don't like the color red so they stay away from folks wearing that color? If so, why is that?

And what did you mean by the sentence "Your red scarf matches your eyes?

And pray tell, how did you know my eyes are red?? ;o)

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 07:29 PM

It's a line from a '60s song....and OK..but basically, all the above are Irish Sidhe....fairies.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:55 PM

...In Irish folk lore, red keeps the little people away...

Aaah! So that's why the Irish wear Green!

Which reminds me.

Oh the wearing of the green
Oh the wearing of the green
They're hanging men and women
for the wearing of the green

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 11:50 PM

"Jenny Jenkins" has a number of variations on that 'nonsense' chorus...some more singable than the one Dave O. posted...check the database.

and I do have a couple of things from a book called "The Chime Child" (claimed to be collected, but of dubious origin)...songs about ladies who wore green, which symbolized loose virtue or unchastity. Very moving and powerful songs, whether they are traditional or not....I'll try to get copies...(scans, perhaps)...posted.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 03:26 AM

In Shule Aroon there's a verse where the singer, who is mourning the exile of her beloved who has been sent away to fight abroad, says inexplicitly that she will follow him, working as a prostitute.

(When Irish land was annexed - for instance, the 12,000 acres of (O'Driscoll?) land in Cork given to a north of England fuller in the 16th century - the sons of the aristocratic families were given the choice of staying and being killed or taking their sword and going to fight for whatever European army would have them.)

The verse goes:

I'll dye my petticoat a burning red
And round the world I'll earn my bread
Until my parents shall wish me dead
Is go dtéirn tú, a mhúirnín, slán.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 05:49 AM

The leprechaun's pot of gold is buried in the corner of the potato field. If you dig there you will find it, but only . . . if, while you are digging, you don't think about rhubarb . . .

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Alba
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 08:01 AM

Another couple, no reason behind them.. just the colours:

Raspberry Beret

Blue Suede Shoes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then there is a Song which is about the colours in an item of Clothing.

Coat of Many Colors: by Dolly Parton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back through the years
I go wonderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss
Chorus:

My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told 'em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes

But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 12:03 PM

Bill D:

The chorus to "Jenny Jenkins" I posted is the one I learned from Bascom Lamar Lunsford, on a Folkways LP. I don't see that chorus as unsingable, or even difficult to sing, but I guess you have to hear the rhythmic pattern to understand it.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bert
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 12:14 PM

Oops. We forgot Greensleeves.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 12:20 PM

Ok, Uncle Dave....I wish we'd managed that one last month, so I could hear the rhythm. *grin*

I guess it's all in what you get used to.

I have heard this one a lot more.

"I'll buy me a foldy-roldy, tildy-toldy Seek-a-double, use-a-cozza roll to find me Roll, Jenny Jenkins, roll"

or maybe

"I'll buy me a foldy-roldy, tiddly-toldy Rufty-tufty, Girly-whirly roll Roll, Jenny Jenkins, roll"

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 01:18 PM

Bill, I've made an MP3 of Jenny Jenkins, unaccompanied, which I was about to email to you, but I find I don't have your email addy. Would you PM me that addy? Then I'll send the MP3 to you as an attachment.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 01:42 PM

ok! Thanks, Dave...that is a longer chorus than most.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 08:00 PM

"The Gay Green Gown"
    from "The Chime Child",,,by Ruth Tongue

The Proud Layde she rode through the wood,
And there in her way the Wicked One stood.
'Now welcome Proud Layde, Light Down!, Light Down!
For I must give thee a gay green gown.
'Twill punish thy pride, for no honest Bride
Wears such a gown, wears such a gown-- a gay green gown.'

The Proud Layde rode out of the wood,
And her tears fast for he maidenhood.
'I will not cause my mother to frown,
I will not sully my Father's crown-
With my little pen-knife I will take my young life.'
And all for a gown, all for a gown- a gay green gown.

The Proud Layde she laughed in scorn
'No Imp of the Pit by me shall be born!
Now God me forgive that I take my own life,
For maid I am none, and I'll never be wife.
A Leman of Hell,¹, in flames I must dwell.
All for a gown, all for a gown - a gay green gown.

The Proud Layde she stabbed so deep
Her heart's blood trickled down to her feet.
The gown that was green was crimson to see
And red, red, red was her winding sheet.
Now let the bell toll for this Lost Ladye's soul.
And all for a gown, all for a gown-- a gay green gown.

¹Leman of Hell--the Devil's mistress.

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 09:26 PM

here is a scan of the tune of Gay Green Gown

Subject: RE: Wearing Red-or another color
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 09:35 PM

Quite often, particularly in more modern songs, the color is picked to rhyme. And often, probably due to a Puritain influence, bright colors are associated with sin.

To quote the notes in "The Long Harve3st: (Ewan MacColl/Peggy Seeger),
"... GREEN seems to.mean something. Occasionally the lady herself is 'drest in green'. This insistence on this colour, kept so clearly in meaning when it could easily have gone the way of many of the refrains (which often degenerate into hilarious parodies of themselves during oral transmission), is not accidental. Green is the colour of death. Fairies and witches like this colour, and ghosts often dress in it. Even now, it is not the colour for brides or new-born babies (Anne Gilchrist suggests 'it had reference originally to a fear of incurring the hostility of the spirits of the woods by borrowing their livery'. JFS VI, pp. 82-84). To dream of pulling green heathergreen apples, green birk (i.e., the untimely end, unripened fruit or plant)
is a premonition of death. Green is the hue of poisons, of envy and
iealousy This consciousness of the malevolent nature of green is sunk so deep in modern-day consciousness that in Britain a green second-hand car must be sold for 10 per cent less than a similar car of another colour."

(I don't know how that jibes with British Racing Green, but I simply quote)