DTStudy: Garners Gay

Subject: Lyr Req: Garner's Gay
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 03:17 PM

This is an edited DTStudy thread, and all messages posted here are subject to editing and deletion.
This thread is intended to serve as a forum for corrections and annotations for the Digital Tradition song named in the title of this thread.

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In his inimitable style, Dick Holdstock sang "Garner's Gay" at our song gathering on Sunday. I may never forget his expressive lauding of "runny runny rue" (!) If there's something funny in a song, you can be sure Dick will bring it out.

I thought we had a discussion of this song, but I couldn't find it - probably a confusion about variants of the title. Can somebody post background information and an explanation for those of us innocents who don't quite understand Dick? Any other versions of the song?

-Joe-

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Allow me to post a copy of this message from Riggy, who know about such things (songs sung by Holdstock, not runny rue...):

Thread #56382   Message #881718
Posted By: GUEST,riggy@work
03-Feb-03 - 04:33 PM
Thread Name: Liverpool Packet
Subject: RE: Liverpool Packet


Thanks, PJ for the THREAD CREEP & your kind woids.

Last night I put forth my attempt at GARNER'S GAY.
It is Dick's favorite song discussing the clap in
pastoral imagery. Hence, the runny, runny rue.
Also, a quick flash of viagra in the mighty oak,
standing fast & upright, proclaiming undying love.

oooooooooops the boss is watching............

Riggy

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Here's the version in the Digital Tradition:

COME ALL YOU GARNERS GAY
(William Bartle)

Come all you Garners Gay,
That are just now in your prime
I wish I was in that bonny girl's arms
Where I've been many a time
Where I've been many a time,
Where I've been many a time
I wish I was in that bonny girl's arms
Where I've been many a time

Well it's very nice drinking ale,
But it's much better drinking wine
And it's far better sleeping in that bonny girl's arms
That stole away the heart of mine.

Green willows they will twist,
Green willows they will twine
I wish I was in that bonny girl's arms
Where I've been many a time

Once I had time enough
To flourish night and day
Until that girl, that bonny, bonny girl
Come and stole all my time away

So now my whole time is gone,
And I cannot plant any new
For the very same place where the old thyme grew,
It's all over running, running rue

Oh the rue, that running, running rue,
That's not the flower for me
I will pluck up all that running, running rue
And plant down the sturdy oak tree

Stand you fast, stand you fast sturdy oak,
Stand you fast, don't ever die
I will prove as true to my own true love
As the stars prove true to the sky

@spice @plant
filename[ THYMETH3
BR

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Come All You Garners Gay (Midi made from the notation in Hamer's book Garners Gay (EFDS Publications 1967).)

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 03:48 PM

Joe

My copy of the Roud Index gives Garners Gay as a version of The Seeds of Love, the only version under that title (Come All You Garners Gay - 3 times in the index) being the one collected by Fred Hamer from William Bartle (Aug 1960), presumably as given above (it was the title of Hamer's collection, which I never did buy!).

Mick

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 06:08 PM

Speaking in my role as a seller of previously-cherished books I have a copy (or two I think) for sale.

Keen prices. (Depending whether you are buying or selling of course).

:-)

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 09:42 PM

Note to the song in the 1967 EFDS booklet: 'Billy gave me this song on our first meeting in his lamplit cottage one August evening. It was one of his father's songs, a version of 'The Sprig of Thyme', and it was one of the first to spring to mind when I asked for old songs'. [Fred Hamer 'Garners Gay, Folk Song Today No 2, p4]

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Anglo
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 10:01 PM

It's the first song I learned on melodion, way back when. Since then I gave up the melodion in favor of the anglo. We recorded it in the 80s on Live At Holsteins (a.k.a. Eat Bertha's Mussels), Golden Hind Music GHM-203, sound clip (and lyrics coming soon) at www.goldenhindmusic.com.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Apr 08 - 11:34 PM

"I Sowed the Seeds of Love," Harding B (1657), 1819-1844, Bodleian Ballads, simply says:

"For my bed that once was covered with thyme,
Is all overrun with rue."

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Artful Codger
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 05:55 PM

When I leave lettuce in the refrigerator too long, it gets quite runny, so I imagine the same happens with rue.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 06:02 PM

There's the Sid Kipper version about rhubarb too - in its season will drive away all reason.

Kitty

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 07:29 PM

My rock garden once was infested with rue. It does tend to runny all over.

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: BB
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 02:25 PM

"Rue is a running, running root,
But it runs too fast for me."

Obviously how you feel, Q.

Barbara

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Sep 21 - 06:07 PM

Joe - needs cleanup

Subject: RE: DTStudy: Garners Gay
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 27 Sep 21 - 09:06 AM

Hi Joe
It might help having a look at my recent article on the relationship between SOL and Sprig of Thyme at the Mustrad site.