Origins: Different Version of Rio Grande

Subject: Origins: Different Version of Rio Grande
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 06:20 AM

Hello :-)

I found a smashing version of Rio Grande on a CD recently but the lyrics aren't that similar to the version on here and I can't seem to find anything that tells me where this version might have come from. Does anyone have any information about where it might have come from?

Oh say were you ever in Rio Grande
Oh, you Rio
It's there that the river runs down golden sands
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

Then away, love away-oh
Oh, you Rio
It's fare you well my pretty young girl
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

Now New York town is no place for me
Oh, you Rio
I'll pack up my trunk and we'll go off to sea
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

Now all you beachcombers (?) we'll have you to know
Oh, you Rio
It's bound for the south'ard and glad for to go
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

So it's put down your bag and get it unpacked
Oh, you Rio
For the sooner we leave the quicker we're back
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

The anchor is weighed and the harbour is passed
Oh, you Rio
And the boys give a cheer when the harbour is passed
And we're bound for the Rio Grande

Thanks!
BB

Subject: RE: Origins: Different Version of Rio Grande
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 12:02 PM

Whose cd?

Subject: RE: Origins: Different Version of Rio Grande
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Feb 08 - 12:03 PM

BB-

What CD was that and who was leading the song?

There are a lot of versions with traditional verses, verses which are not necessarily unique to that particular shanty. Some of the verses you've posted above are not found in the versions collected by Stan Hugill in SHANTIES OF THE SEVEN SEAS; I haven't actually checked but I think that's a true statement.

The shanty was also collected by Cicely Fox Smith, Joanna Colcord, Bill Doerflinger and others. Most describe it as a captan or windlass shanty, a setting out work song for helping to raise the anchor, a task that was important to accomplish before setting sail.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: Different Version of Rio Grande
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 01:30 PM

Sorry, stupidly posted that and then forgot all about it.

It's an American Folkways CD of Classic Maritime Songs, IIRC, I don't have it with me at the moment but I can find out for definite if you are interested. Thanks for your feedback!

BB