Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree

Subject: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: Kevin L Rietmann
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 08:06 AM

Beneath the linden tree (I saw my gentle mother) I learned from a recording of Pearl Jacobs Borusky, which can be heard at the Wisconsin Folksong Collection website. I couldn't find any information about it, other than it's also the title of a leider by Schubert or some such.

Beneath the Linden Tree
From the singing of Pearl Jacobs Borusky
Recorded 1941-07-26

I saw my gentle Mother
Fast fading day by day
And like a captive songster
Her spirit soared away.

And oh they said my father
Was buried in the sea
But they buried Sister Mary
Beneath the linden tree.

And oh, alas, how dreary
The earth was cold and chill
With no one left to cheer me
But gentle brother Will.

We loved each other fondly
And roamed the world with glee
But now he sleeps dear Willie
Beneath the linden tree.

I know that I am dying
I'm fading fast away
Like mist clouds on the ocean
Like night before the day.

I soon shall join the circle
And happy, happy, be
And then they'll lay me down to rest
Beneath the linden tree

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 08:32 AM

It could be sung to Schubert's tune, but I couldn't open the Wisconsin tune to find whether I recognise it.

By the way: Lieder = songs    leider = regrettably

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: masato sakurai
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 08:58 AM

Only one record at VWML Online:: Search the Roud Folksong Index:

I SAW MY GENTLE MOTHER
Source: Journal of American Folklore 52 (1939) pp.18-19
Performer: Borusky, Pearl Jacobs   
Place collected: USA : Wisconsin : Bryant / (Kentucky : Carter County)   
Collector: Treat, Asher E.   
Roud number: 4218

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 09:03 AM

The tune and text appear to be, albeit remotely, High Germanie/Child #288 related.
There's Mary(Polly)/Willie and it's also a bit Lucy Wan/Cruel Mother-influenced.

But it has sod all to do with RVW's Linden Lea. Dunno about Schubert as I can't remember how that Lied goes.

Could it be a combination of a few English songs that got a bit jumbled way down in the Deep South?

Ausserdem habe ich, leider, keine andere Ahnung . . .

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 06:06 PM

Here's a link to Schubert's Linden Tree - Der Lindenbaum, - words actually by Wilhelm Muller, with English version attached.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: Stewart
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 06:30 PM

Try this link to get a recording
http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/db/dlmap/WiscFolkSong/htdocs/data/audio/WiscFolkSong/100/reference/000050r.ram
Requires RealPlayer

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Beneath the linden tree
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 10:50 AM

It also has sod all to do with Walther von der Wogelweide's "Under der linden an der heide".