Lyr Req: Old Man's Lament (B Sainte-Marie?)

Subject: Lyr Req: 'Babe In Arms' (B Sainte-Marie)
From: NormanD
Date: 13 May 08 - 07:55 AM

Can anyone please help with the lyrics for "Babe In Arms" by Buffy Sainte-Marie? It's on her first Vanguard album, and may be her own composition or one she adapted.

I approx remember: "It's weary I am / From rocking the cradle / From rocking the cradle / when it's none of my own...."

I think the tune fits, or is a variant of, "Streets Of Laredo".

Any information on Buffy's song, or its origins, are also welcomed.

Thanks

Norman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Babe In Arms' (B Sainte-Marie)
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 13 May 08 - 08:39 AM

The lyrics you cite are from a song called "The Old Man's Lament". You can find them easily with Google. Buffy recorded another song, "Babe in Arms" though I didn't find any lyrics when I googled it. The few lyrics I remember are
"Here I sit, with a babe in arms, and another one here within,
And where's my man, I don't know.
He's drinking, carousing and (something) a life on sin"
- Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Man's Lament (Sainte-Marie)
From: NormanD
Date: 13 May 08 - 09:08 AM

Thanks, Phil
I couldn't remember the song's title. I looked up the track list and "Babe In Arms" seemed the closest.

So, the song I'm after is "The Old Man's Lament". I couldn't find the lyrics after a google search, so help still appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Babe In Arms' (B Sainte-Marie)
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 13 May 08 - 09:34 AM

Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD MAN'S LAMENT (from B Sainte-Marie
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 13 May 08 - 09:36 AM

http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/buffy_saintemarie/the_old_mans_lament-lyrics-749097.html - The Old Man's Lament lyrics

Enjoy.
- Phil

---

THE OLD MAN'S LAMENT

On a bright summer's evening, I chanced to go roving
Down by the clear river I rollicked along.
I heard an old man making sad lamentation;
He was rocking the cradle and the child not his own.

CHORUS:
Hi ho, hi ho, my laddie lie aisy
For perhaps your own daddy might never be known.
I'm sitting and sighing and rocking the cradle,
And nursin' the baby that's none of my own.

When first that I married your inconstant mother
I thought myself lucky to be blessed with a wife.
But for my misfortune, sure I was mistaken
She's proved both a curse and a plague on my life.

She goes out every night to a ball or a party
And leaves me here rockin' he cradle alone.
The innocent laddie he calls me his daddy
But little he knows that he's none of my own.

Now come all ye young men that's inclined to get married
Take my advice and let the women alone.
For by the Lord Harry, if ever you marry
They'll leave you with a baby that's none of your own.
(or "and swear it's your own".)

Subject: Lyr Add: OLD MAN'S LAMENT (B Sainte-Marie)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 13 May 08 - 10:21 AM

Well, if that's hers, it's not the version she sang on It's my way!, though she may have changed it later, of course. Here's the version from that LP.

Mick

---

OLD MAN'S LAMENT

One morning out walking, out roving and rambling
Down by the cool river I joggled along
I heard an old man making sad lamentation
About rocking the cradle and a child not his own

  Hi-ho, Hi-ho
  Lie there my laddie, lie easy, lie easy
  Perhaps your own daddy might never be known
  And it's weary I am with weeping and sobbing
  And rocking a cradle and a child not my own.

I'm sorry, my neighbours, I've married this fair one
She favours the neighbours and none of her own.
She goes out every night, goes to bars, goes to parties
Leaves me rocking the cradle and it's none of my own.

  Hi-ho, Hi-ho etc...
  Lie there my laddie, lie easy, lie easy
  Perhaps your own daddy might never be known
  And it's weary I am with weeping and sobbing
  And rocking a cradle and it's none of my own.

So come all ye young men who want to get married
Take my advice, leave the womens alone.
For it's by the Lord Harry, if ever you marry,
She'll leave you rocking the cradle and it's none of your own

  Hi-ho, Hi-ho etc...
  Lie there my laddie, lie easy, lie easy
  Perhaps your own daddy might never be known
  And it's weary I am with weeping and sobbing
  And rocking a cradle and it's none of my own.


Source: Buffy Sainte-Marie, LP, It's my way!


The notes( by Maynard Solomom) say: The Old Man's Lament: "...Rocking the cradle and it's none of my own...". This extraordinary song is based on traditional material, the tune being a recent variant of Streets of Laredo. It is so close in message and content to Buffy's style that it is difficult to believe it's not

hers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Babe In Arms' (B Sainte-Marie)
From: NormanD
Date: 13 May 08 - 10:55 AM

Thanks, guys. Replies as fast as ever!

Norman