Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow

Subject: Hal and Toe
From: selby
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:02 AM

We would like to teach some kids Hal and Toe or The Cornish May Carol we have the Watersons singing it but Mike Watersons rendering is not good for kids to listen to and then follow. I have heard Chris Wood do it brilliantly. Anyone know of a good recording on an accessable CD to buy?
Keith

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:26 AM

hal and tow.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 04:32 AM

There are words in the Digitrad - Hal An Tow. Like a lot of stuff, it depends on guessing the spellings used.
It looks fairly similar to whst I've usually heard in the past, although one or two of the lines as written don't quite seem to scan.
I recall once o the radio hearing a discussion of the song where they said that in an earlier version the "Spaniarda" verse had been :-
"They shall eat the grey goose feather, and we shall eat the roast, Oh"
The reference to feathers was the ones used to fletch arrows, so the line was about beating enemies in battle - "Eat my arrows you naughty foreigners".
Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: Marje
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:06 AM

It's a pity if you have to rely on a recording to teach it to the kids - they learn much more easily from someone singing it directly to them. With a recording, it can be difficult for children to entangle the melody from the accompaniment or harmonies, and they can't see the singer's face and expression, which help with learning words.

Isn't there anyone in the school who could learn it and then sing it to/with the children? A few chords on guitar or squeeze-box could accompany it, but it would probably be better with just a drum or other percussion of some sort. If you're stuck, there might be a local folk-club or morris side who'd provide a volunteer to sing it.

Marje

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: selby
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:23 AM

Marje
They will be accompinaed by a squeeze box and the song is before they dance the Maypole. Unfortunately no singers and Mike Watersons redition is only as Mike could or would sing it, but would be hard for kids to get the scanning right.
Capt Birdseye whats an E & W between friends:-)
Geoff dont feel left out will see you soon.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:51 AM

Soooooo glad you didn't say
"What's a TOE between friends"...

Quack!
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Hal and Tow
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 05:52 AM

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: Hawker
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:09 AM

Jinks Stack did a nice version on their CD 'Second Time Around'
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:58 AM

What the heck- rock it up with the Oyster Band's version!
The Watersons' version that I have is so out of tune on the harmonies that it it could put people with a sense of pitch, off Folk for life.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:25 AM

GUEST: I think I can manage quite well without anyone who was put off folk for life by the Watersons. I am quite happy in the company of those who the Watersons turned on to folk for life.

Subject: RE: Hal and Tow
From: GUEST,puck
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:25 PM

[ think Magpie Lane recorded an excellent version with Ian Giles taking lead vocals.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 12:34 PM

Dave, you are so right.

Puck, Ian Giles' version is lovely. I have to one of his biggest fans

sal

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: melodeonboy
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 06:27 PM

As May ain't far away I shall soon be dusting it off in preparation myself. I don't know where you are, Selby, but if you're anywhere in the Kent area, I'd be happy to come and sing it to 'em (and with 'em) myself (melodeon optional!).

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 10:34 PM

Standard RING/CIRCLE Dance (Americana/Square) beginners.

With a heel and a toe - and a heel and toe

And a slide, slide, slide,

With a heel and a toe - and a heel and toe

And a slide, slide, slide,

Cross right, cross left...and a

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

don't want to "hog" the thread....leaving room for another contribution.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:13 PM

If I read Captain Birdseye right, he's suggesting the Canadian trio
Hal An Tow (John Murphy, Jim Stewart and Bernie Houlahan). If he's not, I am - their version is VERY clear and well done.

What I can't seem to locate is a way to order it online....

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: Peace
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:54 PM

Try an e-mail to

[e-mail]

regarding ordering the CD.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:57 AM

The Watersons version is .............. well I can't really explain but it gets to parts of the brain rarely reached by other sounds, or am I just unwell?

I don't really care for Shirley Collin's voice but SC and the Albion Band has Hal and Tow and it's not bad.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: Marje
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:38 AM

I agree, Les, with what (I think) you're saying about the Watersons. There's something about their singing that is beyond analysis. If you try to pull it apart, it seems flawed and irregular, and breaks some of the rules. But if you just sit back and let it reach you, it has a way of creeping into your bloodstream like an intravenous drip, without any need of intervention from your brain. It's not the only music that feels like that to me, but it's a extreme example of how music can sometimes be more than the sum of the parts.

Incidentally, and more on-topic, there was a programme on BBC radio about Helston this morning and they pronounced it Hal an TOW (to rhyme with COW).

Marje

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:18 AM

Spot on Marge the whole of Frost and Fire is like that. Not a lot of folk does that but I heard some Bulgarian stuff that is also very strange.

Subject: RE: Hal and Toe / Hal and Tow
From: GUEST,Folkiedave, cookieless in spain
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:14 PM

Sheffield City Morris were in Hungary in 2004 and hanging around waiting for something or other....as often happens.

Four Bulgarian women started singing and if ever i want to I can still hear them - the music made that much of an impresssion, quarter tones, harmonics from the mixing of voices,,,,,,,simply stunnning..........

And Lal Waterson does it for me every time.............