'Conversation' songs

Subject: 'Conversation' songs
From: Tony Burns
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 08:59 AM

I've asked for the lyrics to DAVY THE DROVER which is a song where a male and female singer alternate verses in a conversation. I'd like to find other examples of this style. The only one that springs to mind is THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUCKET, where Henry and Liza discuss the problem.

[Many song titles in this thread have been converted to links by a Mudelf.]

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:06 AM

Good morning, Tony! How's this:

Old woman, old woman, are you fond of (I can't remember: shearing?)
Speak a little louder sir, I'm very hard of hearing!

In the end he asks to marry her and she suddenly gets her hearing back!
Allison

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: alison
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:11 AM

There's one called "LOOKIN' THE LOAN OF A SPADE I heard done once by the Sands family.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: AndyG
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:12 AM

Off the top of my head:
CLAUDY BANKS
THE PRICKLE HOLLY BUSH
Frolicsome Kate
OH SHEPHERD, OH SHEPHERD
DROYLSDEN WAKES

AndyG

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Lesley N.
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:13 AM

There are several "courting" songs that alternate male/female - Huntingtontower (The DUKE OF ATHOL's Courtship), MADAM, WILL YOU WALK?, THE KEYS TO CANTERBURY.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Tony Burns
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:13 AM

Allison! Perfect! I want more!

btw - Lyrics at THE DEAF WOMAN'S COURTSHIP

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Tony Burns
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:16 AM

WOW! 3 more responses while I replied!

Mudcat rules!!!!!!

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Dan
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 09:33 AM

Black girl, black girl, don't lie to me.
Tell me where did you sleep last night.
In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines,
And I shivered the whole night through.
Black girl, black girl, where'd you get that dress,
That silken dress of red?
I got it from a railroad man, for lying in his bed. (etc., etc.)

And how about one based on one side of a conversation? "The Chair" by George Strait. Interesting genre. Reminds me of La Chute, a whole novel comprising the voice of one character in conversation with one other who never speaks. Anybody read it?

Subject: Lyr Add: THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUCKET
From: Fadac
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 10:22 AM

There is a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,
There is a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

Well, fix it, dear John, dear John, dear John.
Well, fix it, dear John, dear John, fix it.

This goes on:

With what? (Use straw.)
It's too long. (Cut it.)
With what? (The axe.)
Too dull. (Sharpen it.)
With what? (The stone.)
Too dry. (Wet it.)
With what? (Water.)
From where? (The well.)
How? (Use bucket.)
There is a hole in the bucket.

Have fun. Sing slow, and female gets more and more ticked off.

-Fadac

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Mudjack
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 12:26 PM

ARKANSAS TRAVELER. Don't click here! I still can't make the blue clicky thing.

Mudjack

No? Well, I can. --JoeClone, 18-Nov-2008.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Llanfair
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 12:58 PM

What about LIZZIE LINDSAY.....it must be on the Digitrad. I haven't done that one for years, since the name Ronald MacDonald got famous....spoilt the song, rather!! Bron.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: gargoyle
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 01:26 PM

One of the first ones I learned: PAPER OF PINS

Been meaning to sing it to Alice when we met up at Joe's Bar.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: gargoyle
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 01:40 PM

My version has a different ending -

I'll give to your my house and lot
And all the money that I've got
If you'll marry, marry, marry, marry
If you'll marry me

Oh, I will take your house and lot
And all the money that you've got
And yes, I will marry, marry, marry, marry
Yes, I will marry you.

Come all the world and plainly see
She loves my money but she don't love me
So I won't marry, marry, marry, marry
I won't marry you.

Well, If you were a better lookin' man
You wouldn't have to offer me money and land
Won't no body marry, marrry, marry, marry
Won't no body marry you.

HE Well, I won't let you have the last word
SHE And I won't let you have the last word
TOGETHER So I guess I'll have to marry, marry, marry marry
So I guess I'll have to marry you.

^^

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Barbara
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 01:51 PM

Berryman and Berryman (Lou and Peter) have written several if you want a more modern outlook. "PASS THE PEPPER", I believe one is called, is an archetypical husband and wife breakfast conversation where they inform each other of conflicting plans and neither listens.
Or there is "ORANGE COCOA CAKE" where a woman attempts to give a recipe over the phone to a friend while dealing with her three children.
And then there is "WHY AM I PAINTING THE LIVING ROOM?" If you want any of these (and they're not in DT, I haven't checked yet) I could post them.
They also have a song called "DOUBLE YODEL" where the man and woman alternate not only the verses but the high and low parts of the yodel.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Night Owl
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 02:18 PM

"JENNY JENKINS"; "FIVE NIGHTS DRUNK"; "Soldier John" [SOLDIER, SOLDIER, WILL YOU MARRY ME?]...(not sure if that's the correct title, but after she buys him new clothes for their wedding, he can't marry her "with all these fine clothes on").....

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 03:31 PM

Then there's the obnoxious Buffalo Boy and the sexist OH, NO JOHN.
I can't help myself. I like 'em both, even if they appeal to my baser instincts.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Tony Burns
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 04:44 PM

Thanks for the offer to post Barbara but folks have supplied a long list already. No point in going to the trouble for my needs. Someone else might like them and if so I expect they will speak up.

Thanks to everyone.

Subject: Lyr Add: COME UNDER MY PLAIDIE^^
From: Indy Lass
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 06:07 PM

There's a song sung by Tannahill Weavers called "COME UNDER MY PLAIDIE" that's a discussion between an elderly man and a young woman:

Come under my plaidie the nights gane ta fa'
Come in frae the cold blast, the drift and the snaw
Come under my plaidie and sit doon beside me
There's room in it lassie believe me for twa
Come under my plaidie and sit doon beside me
I'll hap ye frae every cauld wind that can blaw
Comme under my plaidie and sit doon beside me
There's room in it lassie believe me for twa

Gae wa wi your plaidie auld Donald gae wa
I fear nae the cauld blast, the drift or the snaw
Gae wa wi your plaidie, I'll no sit beside ye
Ye might be my gutcher(grandfather)auld Donal gae wa
I'm gaun tae meet Johnnie, He's young and he's bonnie
He's been at Meg's bridle fu' trig and fu braw
Nane dances sae lightly,sae gracefu' sae tightly
His cheeks like the new rose, his brow's like the snaw

Dear Marion let that flee stick tae the wa
Your Jock's but a gowk and has naethin' ava'
The hale o' his pack he has no on his back
He's thirty and I am but three score an twa
Be frank noo an' kin'ly I'll busk ye aye finely,
Tae kirk or tae merket they'll few gang sae braw
A bien hoose tae bide in a chaise for tae ride in
And flunkies tae tend ye as aft as ye ca'

My faither aye tellt me my mither an a
Ye'd mak a guid husband and keep me aye braw
It's true I lo' Johnnie, he's young and he's bonnie
But wae's me I ken he has naethin ava'
I hae little tocher ye've made a guid offer
I'm noo mair than twenty my time is but sma'
Sae gie me yer plaidie, I'll creep in beside ye
I thocht ye'd been aulder than three score an' twa.

^^ This is from their "The Mermaids Song" CD.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Indy Lass
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 06:12 PM

Oops--make that the Tannahill Weavers. My apologies about the spelling. Sometimes my computer will end my transmission due to "lack of activity" and I'm not the fastest typist so I didn't take the time to double check.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Den
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 06:22 PM

There was also the very dark, THE WELL BELOW THE VALLEY.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 07:11 PM

THE SHEARIN'S NAE FOR YOU
Proposal and Acceptance

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Banjer
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 08:07 PM

I've heard 'T FOR TEXAS" done as such a number. His part is the T for Texas, she does the T-for Tennessee part, he does T for Thelma and she demands to know who is Thelma and the rest of the song is a conversation between the two, her answering each line he sings. Kinda neat...

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 08:41 PM

Gargoyle, that song is "PAPER OF PINS":

I'll give to you a paper of pins
For that's the way my love begins,
If you will marry me-e-e,
If you will marry me.

I'll not accept your paper of pins,
If that's the way your love begins,
Ana I'll not marry you-ou-ou,
No, I'll not marry you.

The young man offers items of increasing value with the same result, until finally it comes to the verse Gargoyle entered, when she finally assents. --seed

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: gargoyle
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 01:22 AM

Oh the humblest and most gracious of apologies to my dearest, kind and benevolently, honorable Mr. Seed.

By now I am familar with your rude style of jumping into the middle of threads without following them through.

By now you should be familar with my style of double posting. Read the posting above the one you commented about.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: alison
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 01:40 AM

Any of the "THE FALSE KNIGHT UPON THE ROAD" songs

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 02:35 AM

Sorry, Gargoyle--I missed that one: I just scrolled past it. When I clicked the ribbon, your longer one caught my eye, I guess. I would characterize my postings as too often careless, but hardly rude (except the playful one in the True Detective thread--I guess you didn't see it that way and I'm sorry [I apologized for it in that thread, also, you may recall]. I was bummed by the cyberstalker one from Fongoul (Fongoyle?), I'll have to admit. --seed

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Bert
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 09:31 AM

There's SOLDIER, SOLDIER, WILL YOU MARRY ME

Bert

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From:
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 10:11 AM

This is a great thread. It has given me an idea for a topic for one of our monthly song swaps. One of my favorites of THE LAIRD O' DRUM, by Bok, Muir, & Trickett's Language of the Heart CD.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 11:05 AM

"ROCKIN' CHAIR" ~~ with Jack Teegarden and Louis Armstrong

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 12:15 PM

CAPTAIN WEDDERBURN'S COURTSHIP

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: gargoyle
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 07:26 AM

Aahhh - L's Brother, your nautical vent brought to mind, THE LOWDOWN LONESOME LOW.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Songbob
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 11:39 AM

Late-19th Century pop songs had several such songs, including two I can think of just now:

"THERE'LL COME A TIME," which is just conversation, no "he said, she said" stuff, between a father and daughter, in which the father reveals that his wife left him long ago, and he's sure that "there'll come a time, someday" when the daughter will leave him. It's corny and cloying and all those 19th-century things, but it's interesting. Not sure I can find the words, but I'll try to look for 'em.

"JUST TELL THEM THAT YOU SAW ME," by Paul Dresser, from 1892, I think. A chance encounter on a street between a man "on pleasure bent" and an old school-girl friend who is obviously walking those streets. I _can_ remember this one, and if it's not in the DT, I'll submit the lyrics.

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Bert
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 11:53 AM

LOLLY-TOO-DUM

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: SandyBob
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 02:42 PM

A FINE ROMANCE - from an old Astaire picture

What about just plain talking songs with a sung verse or two? Fun ones I'm aware of are any version of the talking blues, maudlin talking country songs by Red Sovine, etc.

SandyBob

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Annrai
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 03:22 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned "True Lover's Discourse"/"'THE LOVER'S DISCUSSION" amounting to a two-way conversation where the girl and her lover converse in alternate stanzas. A 48 verser, it takes some handlin'.

A friend of mine and his wife from Glenfin in Donegal used to do it at weddings as their "party Piece" Extraordinarily enough it was penned by a Co. Down man from Magheratimpany near Ballynahinch - from where I first collected it. It had travelled all the way to Donegal with hardly a single word of difference.

The late great Jerry Hicks was the first man I ever heard singing it, and he only ever recorded a much-shortened version.

Annraoi

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 04 Jul 99 - 01:26 AM

Ah Yes I REMEMBER IT WELL (Maurice Chevalier and What's-her-name?)

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Jan 01 - 08:16 PM

Here's a few more that come to mind:

Lou and Peter Berryman's "DO YOU THINK IT'S GONNA RAIN?" (which is also a cumulative song).

Lou and Peter Berryman's "If (Dueling Paranoias)."

"TWO SLEEPY PEOPLE," by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser, sung by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross in "THANKS FOR THE MEMORY," 1938.

And here's a related thread, although not all the songs are dialogues: DUETS, (And Other Multi-Part Songs).

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Dita (at work)
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 06:30 AM

A couple of Irish ones spring to mind.

Over the mountain sung by Len Graham. [See THE TRIP OVER THE MOUNTAIN]

MY LOVE IS IN AMERICA written and sung by Mick Hanley.

love, john.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 09:18 AM

"WHISTLE, DAUGHTER, WHISTLE" and "ROVING GAMBLER" make use of dialog between mother and daughter.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:12 PM

The other "SOLDIER, SOLDIER" i.e. Pete Bellamy's version of the Kipling poem. See the recent (3 weeks old?) "Soldier, Soldier" thread.
Keith

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Lox
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:19 PM

Don't forget:

"FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK."

...You're a bum you're a punk
You're an old slut on junk...etc...

Bye kirsty

lox

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Grab
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 12:53 PM

DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA has 2 separate singers for Johnny and the Devil.

Grab.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 01:08 PM

FATHER AND SON by Cat Stevens -- always liked the way the two melody/descanted in the last verse

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 01:13 PM

"You Say Tomayto; I Say Tomahto"
(LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF)
Actually the first thing that came to mind when I saw this thread was "Hello Walls"

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Ina
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 02:25 PM

"I NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS", Tom Waits and Bette Midler

"IN SPITE OF OURSELVES", John Prine and Iris DeMent !!!

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Diva
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 03:02 PM

Tam Bowie.....rather rude but fun as sung by Nynia and I on Sunday night when we should have been studying for our exam on Monday.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 03:40 PM

"Make Believe" from Showboat? Giant SIGHHHH

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Jimmy C
Date: 26 Jan 01 - 10:32 PM

BRIAN OG AND MOLLY BAWN,

WILD COLONIAL BOY?

Subject: Lyr Add: FLUE EYES (Shel Silverstein)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 05:41 PM

Here is a hilarious, basically spoken piece from Hamish Imlach's 'Fine Old English Tory Times' (1972), written by Shel Silverstein, but certainly not in Glaswegian dialect ... The 'lady' is done (very convincingly) by Iain MacKintosh.
FLUE EYES
(Shel Silverstein)

Ah see ye're a' by yersel', sittin' at the bar
Can Ah sit doon beside ye, ma whish daughter

Ma boyfriend, he - actually, he's jist gone tae the cludgie
He's seven feet ta' an' he always carries an axe
An' he's the leader o' the Auchenshuggle Hell's Angels

Och aye -
Well if Ah beat up yer boyfriend an' Ah take away his axe
And Ah set fire tae his moped, an' Ah sit doon beside ye
Will ye take a wee drink, flower

Ah'm drinkin' double brandies and baby cham

Och -
Well if Ah beat up yer boyfriend an' Ah take away his axe
And Ah set fire tae his moped, an' Ah sit doon beside ye
An' Ah buy ye a double brandy an' a baby cham
Can Ah run ye hame, ma whish daughter

I live in Whig

Och -
Well if Ah beat up yer boyfriend an' Ah take away his axe
And Ah set fire tae his moped, an' Ah buy you a double brandy an' a baby cham
An' Ah run ye hame tae Whig
Will ye ask me tae the door, flower

Ya see, we really get an awfy damp close
An' it's full o' crocodiles and alligators
An' there's mice an' there's rats in the dunny

Och aye -
Well - if Ah beat up yer boyfriend an' Ah take away his axe
And Ah set fire to his moped, an' Ah buy you a double brandy an' a baby cham
An' Ah run ye hame tae Whig, an' Ah don't get eaten by the crocodiles an' the alligators
Will ye ask me tae come in, ma wee flower

Ach,it's awfy late, an' ma mammy'll be waitin' up for me
She likely has washed the loaby floor, an' it'll a' be covered in newspapers
An' we've got a vicious big Alligatian dog that bites strangers
My faither, he's worried aboot no' gettin' his broo money through
I'll have tae wash ma hair, I've got tae be up early the morrow mornin' -

Wait - you don't really want me tae see ye hame, dae ye

But ma mammy'll be waitin' for me

You don't really like me, dae ye

But ma hair's got tae be washed, it didnae get washed since last Thursday .....

'S a' right, 's a' right, Ah know, Ah know .....

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: bill\sables
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 05:54 PM

There was one called "Wor Geordies Wife" from Newcastle

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Lucius
Date: 27 Jan 01 - 08:35 PM

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

Subject: Lyr Add: I DON'T BELIEVE YOU LIKE MY SHIRT
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 10:34 PM

Transcribed from an archived radio program: Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show, Tuesday, June 1, 2004. Click here to play. The song begins 32 minutes and 45 seconds from the beginning of the program.

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU LIKE MY SHIRT
(Lou and Peter Berryman)

PETER: I don't believe you like my shirt.
I don't believe you like my shirt.
Careful, now, the truth can hurt.
I don't believe you like my shirt.

LOU: If I were in a cavern a mile from Chattanooga,
It'd be OK from there.
If I were under water an hour from Tortuga,
It'd be OK from there.
If I were in a blackout a minute after midnight,
Standing right beside you, dear,
The moon behind the mountain and me without a flashlight,
It'd be OK right here.

PETER: Don't you like my after-shave?
Don't you like my after-shave?
Tell the truth and I'll be brave.
Don't you like my after-shave?

LOU: If I were in a space suit an hour from the shuttle,
It'd be OK from there.
If I were with the Packers in Cleveland in a huddle,
It'd be OK from there.
If I had influenza without my decongestant,
And we were in a cyclone, dear,
And I could keep a clothespin affixed to my proboscis,
It'd be OK right here.

Now it think I made you blue.
I cut a piece of pie for you.
Still I think I heard a sigh.
Don't you like my pecan pie?

PETER: For someone in a famine, who used to be a glutton,
It'd taste OK to him.
For a hermit in the desert with absolutely nuttin',
It'd taste OK to him.
If I'd been in a coma for half a generation,
Dining intravenously,
And you had lied a little and said my shirt was lovely,
It'd taste OK to me.

[Recorded by Peter & Lou Berryman on "We Don't Talk about That," Cornbelt 800, 1993.]

Subject: Lyr Add: FORSYTHIA (Lou and Peter Berryman)
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 11:34 PM

Transcribed from an archived radio program: Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show, Thursday, November 18, 2004. Click here to play. The song begins 2 hours 47 minutes and 00 seconds from the beginning of the program.

FORSYTHIA
"A love song written in 7/4 time, being sung alternately by a baker and a gardener."
(Lou and Peter Berryman)

LOU: You are my sweet forsythia.
I love to linger with ya.
You are my pink geranium.
I like to kiss your cranium.
And goodness knows,
You are my rose.

PETER: You are my herb focaccia.
I could just sit and watch ya.
You are my chocolate nougat flan
With bits of marble marzipan.
I can't deny
You're my peach pie.

LOU: You are my gilded marigold
With eyes of green and hair o' gold.
You are my main magnolia.
When you're sad, I'll console ya
And burn my socks,
But you're my phlox.

PETER: You are my plum cannoli torte,
And, I am happy to report,
You are my mocha macaroon.
I'd wait for half the afternoon
To tell the gang
You're my meringue.

LOU: You are the dear wisteria
I'd follow through Siberia.
You are the one japonica
I'd give my best harmonica,
And it's a strech,
But you're my vetch.

PETER: You are the butter lemon ring
I'd treasure more than anything,
And if I may be very blunt,
You are my maple berry bundt,
And by the way,
You're my parfait.

LOU: You are my boutonniere of blue.
PETER: You are my salt and short'ning too.
LOU: You're my corsage and my silk.
PETER: My baking soda and my milk,
My cup of flour.
LOU: My garlic flower.
BOTH: You are my {flour/flower}.

[Recorded by Peter & Lou Berryman on "The Pink One," Cornbelt CD #14, 2003.]

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 11:46 PM

Old thread but some great posts here, a number of which I've never heard.

'BIRCHES' is a little different but it has a little give and take.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 12:08 PM

My favourite is LORD RANDALL.
which is an old Scots song with derivatives BILLY BOY and A HARD RAIN'S A-GONNA FALL, all of which are conversation songs.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Joe_F
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 01:25 PM

"FALSE LOVER WON BACK" (Child 218) is mostly conversation, tho there is some narration.

--- Joe Fineman    [e-mail]

||: A New Yorker puts up with cockroaches in order to consort with swine. :||

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 01:40 PM

If we're going to admit commercial songs, I nominate ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO BETTER.

Folk/traditional, I don't think anyone has mentioned THE YOUNG MAN THAT WOULDN'T HOE CORN yet.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: DannyC
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 03:40 PM

A couple of broken token songs spring to mind:

"DARK EYED SAILOR" - As I was a-walkin' one evening fair, it being the summer to take the air...

and "A Lady Fair" - A Lady fair in the garden walking when a well-dressed gentleman passed her by...

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Brakn
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 03:58 PM

"Oh You Sweet One (The SCHNITZELBANK Song)" ? and The Andrews Sisters.

Subject: Lyr Add: HASTEN DOWN THE WIND (Warren Zevon)
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife at work
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 04:36 PM

it's not quite a tit for tat conversation song but...

Warren Zevon's 'Hasten Down the Wind' comes to my mind.


HASTEN DOWN THE WIND
As recorded by Warren Zevon on "Warren Zevon" (1976)

1. She tells him she thinks she needs to be free.
He tells her he doesn't understand.
She takes his hand.
She tells him nothing's working out the way they planned.

CHORUS: She's so many women.
He can't find the one who was his friend,
So he's hanging on to half her heart.
He can't have the restless part,
So he tells her to hasten down the wind.

2. Then he agrees he thinks she needs to be free.
Then she says she'd rather be with him,
But it's just a whim
By which she hopes to keep him on the limb. CHORUS TWICE

He tells her to hasten down the wind.


I really love this song. it's so painfully accurate in its description of the last throes of a dying relationship.


Syd Straw and Evand Dando trade verses on a cover of Richard Thompson's 'FOR SHAME OF DOING WRONG' and make it almost a conversation. it's on the Tribute CD 'Beat the Retreat'. Terrific version, IMHO.

Four years ago somebody suggested 'FATHER AND SON' by Cat Stevens/Yusef Islam. That was one of the first songs I learned to pick on the Guitar and it was very popular in my family. Even our parents liked it. It would sometimes bring tears to their eyes. great song

Very nice thread!

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,AArk
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 05:50 PM

HUSBANDMAN AND SERVINGMAN
BILLY BOY

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Joe_F
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 09:46 AM

Jim Dixon: Perhaps "harigold" = "hair o' gold"?

--- Joe Fineman    [e-mail]

||: If you can't get the blues off your mind, get your mind off the blues. :||

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 01:55 PM

Joe F: Yes, "hair o' gold" makes sense, and it's probably right.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 02:01 PM

That was me, coming in through Mudcat's back door, and forgetting that I had to identify myself.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 01:22 AM

Der Blaue Storch = The Blue Stork seemingly consists of two songs put together:
1. Discussion between a hunter and a farm girl
2. Discussion between the girl and her mother.
It is a German folksong from the Renaissance which I translated for the Eurogathering 2004.

Sing and enjoy
Wilfried

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 01:38 AM

In A-Roving on a Winter's Night there is the stanza:
And it's who's gonna shoe your pretty little foot
And who's gonna glove your little hand
And who's gonna kiss your red ruby lips
Who's gonna be your man.

This is also in a song which I couldn't find in the DT:
1. Wo's gonna shoe your pretty little foot.
Who's gonna glove your hand,
Who's gonna kiss your red ruby lips,
Who's gonna be your man.

2. Papa's gonna shoe my pretty little foot,
Mama's gonna glove my hand,
Sister's gonna kiss my red ruby lips,
I don't need no man.

3. The longest train I ever saw
Was a hundred coaches long,
The only woman I ever saw
Was on this train and gone.

A rather short conversation!.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 01:44 AM

Oh, No Joe!

How can you give an obsolete link for Oh, No John!

Not amused
Wilfried ;-)


P.S.This one?
And that

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 04 Apr 05 - 08:44 PM

JOHN RILEY (another broken token-type song)

The Broken Token, Mike Agranoff's hilarious take-off on broken token songs (you can hear him sing a bit of it if you go to CDBaby).

The last couple of verses of the Gypsy Davey song(s), where the husband asks the wayward wife "What about your goosefeather bed," etc & she responds "I'd rather sleep on the cold, cold ground," etc.

JOHNNY BE FAIR has a conversation between a daughter & her father, then the daughter & her mother.

Then there are all the riddle songs:
I gave my love a cherry that had no stone...
Where have you been, Billy boy, Billy boy...
Tumbalalaika
to mention just a few...

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 12:01 AM

Well, lessee now.
There's "REUBEN AND RACHEL". And dozens and dozens of variations of "the
TOPMAN AND AFTERGUARD" (you know, the one with the refrain of "May the devil double double damn him, said the sailor, 'Amen'"

Cand can we forget "(Bollocky or) BARNACLE BILL THE SAILOR"?

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 01:25 AM

Just remembered... BANKS OF THE NILE.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:06 PM

Try "KEYS OF CANTERBURY"

Oh madam I will give to you the keys of Canterbury,
And all the bells of London Town shall ring to make you merry,
If you will be my joy, my sweet and only dear,
And walk along with me anywhere.

Oh, sir, I'll not accept of you the keys of Canterbury,
Nor all the bells of London town shall ring to make me merry,
And I'll not be your joy, your sweet and only dear,
Nor walk along with you anywhere.

Goes on rather like "Paper of Pins", and of course it's the dosh she wants. A nice tune in Am.

Let me know if you want the whole thing and I'll knock it out for you. Might even be in the DT, I've not had time to look.

Best
Don T.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 07 May 11 - 05:32 AM

"WALTZ FOR EVA AND CHE" and "I'd be Surprisingly Good For You" from "Evita".

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: breezy
Date: 07 May 11 - 06:26 AM

Stan Rogers' THE LOCK KEEPER.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: breezy
Date: 07 May 11 - 03:54 PM

Bob Dylan's BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Amber
Date: 07 May 11 - 04:19 PM

THE UNQUIET GRAVE.

SOLDIER, SOLDIER, WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Darowyn
Date: 08 May 11 - 04:20 AM

"GREEK LIGHTNING" by Jez Lowe from the "Bede Weeps" Album.

"I watched as you fell,
into booze, bloody bad temper and hell.
But always you managed to win me with talk of Greek lightning"

There are some brilliant lines in this song.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Amber
Date: 08 May 11 - 10:08 AM

THE CHERRY TREE CAROL (Mary, Joseph and our unborn Saviour), BONNIE LASS OF FYVIE, O.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 08 May 11 - 04:33 PM

Saucy Sailor.. English Trad.   Saucy Sailor is rarely performed by male/female nowadays... mostly by females but it is supposed to be a conversation song..... The link is to Steeleye Spans version. Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: David C. Carter
Date: 09 May 11 - 03:45 AM

Dylan's...CLOTHES LINE SAGA

I'LL BE YOUR SAN ANTONE ROSE....Jerry Jeff Walker & Carole King.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 09 May 11 - 04:33 AM

The use of dialogue to advance the story is, of course, one of the main conventions of the ballad form; sometimes almost to the exclusion or near-exclusion of other elements [THE MAID FREED FROM THE GALLOWS, THE UNQUIET GRAVE], & almost invariably present to some extent. So there is no need for what appear to be 'conversation' songs, like THE SAUCY SAILOR, which surely derive from this convention, to be sung as duets ~~ tho, of course, they can be, most effectively: especially if explicitly conceived in such a form, as with HUSBANDMAN AND SERVINGMAN.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Elmore
Date: 09 May 11 - 04:51 PM

MATTY GROVES is a three-way. (Conversation)

Subject: Lyr Add: COME UNDER MY PLAIDIE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 17 - 11:40 PM

This is a more complete version than the one posted by Indy Lass above. Note that it has 2 more verses, and in them, we get to see how Johnny feels about the matter. And, of course, the spelling is different.

From The Pocket Encyclopedia of Scottish, English, and Irish Songs, Vol. 1 (Glasgow: Andrew & James Duncan, 1816), page 61:


COME UNDER MY PLAIDIE.
Tune—"Johnnie Macgill."

Come under my plaidie, the night's gaun to fa';
Come in frae the cauld blast, the drift and the snaw;
Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me;
There's room in't, dear lassie! believe me, for twa.
Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me,
I'll hap ye frae ev'ry cauld blast that can blaw:
Come under my plaidie, and sit down beside me,
There's room in't, dear lassie! believe me, for twa.

Gae 'wa wi' your plaidie! auld Donald, gae 'wa,
I fear na the cauld blast, the drift, nor the snaw;
Gae 'wa wi' your plaidie! I'll no sit beside ye;
Ye might be my gutcher:—auld Donald, gae 'wa,
I'm gaun to meet Johnnie, he's young and he's bonnie;
He's been at Meg's bridal, fu' trig and fu' braw!
O nane dances sae lightly, sae gracefu', sae tightly,
His cheek's like the new rose, his brow's like the snaw!

Dear Marion, let that flee stick fast to the wa',
Your Jock's but a gowk, and has naething ava;
The hale o' his pack he has now on his back;
He's thretty, and I am but threescore and twa.
Be frank now and kin'ly, I'll busk ye aye finely;
To kirk or to market they'll few gang sae braw;
A bien house to bide in, a chaise for to ride in,
And flunkies to 'tend ye as aft as ye ca'.

My father ay tauld me, my mither and a',
Ye'd mak a gude husband, and keep me ay braw;
It's true I loo Johnnie, he's young and he's bonnie,
But, waes me, I ken, he has naething ava!
1 hae little tocher, ye've made a gude offer;
I'm nae mair than twenty; my time is but sma'!
Sae gie me your plaidie, I'll creep in beside ye,
I thought ye'd been aulder than threescore and twa!

She crap in ayont him, beside the stane wa',
Whare Johnnie was list'ning, and heard her tell a':
The day was appointed!—his proud heart it dunted,
And strack 'gainst his side as if bursting in twa.
He wander'd hame wearie, the night it was drearie,
And, thowless, he tint his gate 'mang the deep snaw:
The howlet was screamin', while Johnnie cried, Women
Wad marry auld Nick if he'd keep-them ay braw.

O the deil's in the lasses! they gang now sae braw,
They'll lie down wi' auld men o' fourscore and twa;
The hale o' their marriage is gowd and a carriage;
Plain love is the cauldest blast now that can blaw.
Auld dotards, be wary! tak tent wha ye marry,
Young wives wi' their coaches they'll whup and they'll ca',
Till they meet wi' some Johnnie that's youthfu' and bonnie,
And they'll gie ye a horn on ilk haffet to claw.

[You can see a tune for this song in The Songs of Scotland without Words for the Pianoforte edited by J. T. Surenne (Edinburgh: Wood and Co., 1803), page 76.]

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 22 Aug 17 - 03:05 AM

Leon Rosselson's Across the Hills recorded by the Ian Campbell Folk Group and others.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 22 Aug 17 - 03:08 AM

Morning Dew
written and recorded by Bonnie Dobson (also recorded by the Dead).

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 22 Aug 17 - 03:25 PM

Lolly Too Dum (contains a little narration)

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Gda Music
Date: 23 Aug 17 - 04:45 PM

MELODISC 1164 - (78) A Caribbean conversation.
Brothers Christefor & Batson from Barbados.

*Dividing of the cricket spoils*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIBV0P1LZZw

GJ

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: michaelr
Date: 23 Aug 17 - 06:38 PM

Dylan, "BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER".

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 23 Aug 17 - 07:22 PM

THE FLYTING O' LIFE AND DAITH (Hamish Henderson)
\ THE SLANGING-MATCH OF LIFE AND DEATH 

thread, with English translation
thread.cfm?threadid=27429#617697 
&
thread.cfm?threadid=42479 
&
thread.CFM?threadID=24864 


~~~~~~~

Subject: Lyr Add: NOCH A GLEZELE TEY (Yiddish)
From: Joe_F
Date: 24 Aug 17 - 10:01 PM

Here are a couple of related threads:

Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
Humorous male/female duets

-- in both of which I mention "Noch a glezele tey" (Another little cup of tea), a Yiddish conversation-song that I never got around to posting. It's about time:

NOCH A GLEZELE TEY
Words & music by M. Gebirtig

Berele mayn libinker, ch'ob tus dir a bakoshe.
-- Perele mayn libinke, vos iz day bakoshe?
-- Ven mit mazl ich vel hobn a yingele in freydn,
Vil ich undzer kind zol heysn noch may frumen zeydn.
-- Farvos epis noch dayn zeydn? Ch'ob doch oych a deye.
Host doch ersht gehat a meydl noch dayn bobe leye.

Berele, mayn manele, ch'vil dich epes dermonen.
-- Perele, mayn vaybele, vos vilstu mich dermonen?
-- Du fargest, az undzer leybke heyst shoyn noch dayn zeydn,
Farvos kloybstu zich di yungen, varfst mir tsu di meydn?
-- Un du fargest az noch dayn tatn heyst doch undzer nochem,
Er iz derfar in im gerotn -- nisht kayn groyser chochem.

Berele, mayn tayerer, ch'vil dir epes zogn.
-- Perele, mayn tayere, vos vilstu mir zogn?
-- Vos-zhe darf men itst zich krign, lomir nor delebn,
Vel ich davke noch mayn zeydn s'kind a nomen gebn.
-- Vos-zhe take itst zich grign, un umzist tsu reydn,
Efsher vet gor zayn a tsviling -- s'ken gor zayn tsvey meydn.

Translation:

Berele, my dear, I've a favor to ask of you.
-- Perele, my darling, what is it you want?
With God's will, when I give birth to a little boy,
I'd like to name him after my pious grandfather.
-- After your grandfather? It seems to me
That we just named one of our girls after your grandmother Leah.

Berele, dear husband, let me remind you now
-- Perele, dear wife, what do you wish to remind me of?
You forgot that our son Leybke bears _your_ grandfather's name.
Why do you pick all the boys and leave the girls for me?
-- But you forget that our Nochem was named after _your_ father.
Perhaps that's why he's not so smart, since he takes after him.

Berele, my dear one, I want to tell you something.
-- Perele, my darling, what do you want to say?
-- Why must we quarrel now? We might as well wait,
Since I intend to name the child after my grandfather anyway.
-- True, there's no point in arguing so much ahead of time.
Perhaps it will be twins at that, and both of them girls.

Subject: Lyr Add: I NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS (Waits/Midler)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 11:00 AM

I NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS
As recorded by Tom Waits and Bette Midler on Midler's album "Broken Blossom" (1977)
and on Waits' album "Used Songs" (2001)

[W] Stop me if you've heard this one,
But I feel as though we've met before.
Perhaps I am mistaken.
[M] But it's just that I remind you of
Someone you used to care about.
Oh, but that was long ago.
Now, tell me: do you really think I'd fall for that old line?
I was not born just yesterday.
Besides, I never talk to strangers anyway.

[W] Hell, I ain't a bad guy when you get to know me.
I just thought there ain't no harm.
[M] Hey, yeah, just try minding your own business, bud.
Who asked you to annoy me
With your sad, sad repartee?
Besides, I never talk to strangers anyway.

Your life's a dime-store novel.
This town is full of guys like you,
And you're looking for someone to take the place of her.
[W] You must be reading my mail,
And you're bitter cause he left you.
That's why you're drinking in this bar.
[Both] Well, only suckers fall in love with perfect strangers.

[M] It always takes one to know one, stranger.
[W] Maybe we're just wiser now.
[M] Yeah, and been around the block so many times
[W] That we don't notice
[Both] That we're all just perfect strangers
As long as we ignore
That we all begin as strangers
Just before we find
We really aren't strangers anymore.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,Ken Brock
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 03:00 PM

FATHER AND SON by Cat Stevens

Subject: Lyr Add: BLUE EYES (Shel Silverstein)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 05:29 PM

BLUE EYES
As recorded by Shel Silverstein (and a female vocalist unknown to me) on "Inside Folk Songs" (1962)

--I see you're all alone,
Sittin' at the bar.
Can I sit down beside you, blue eyes?

--Well you see, my boyfriend just went into the washroom,
And he'll be right back,
And he's seven feet tall,
And he always carries a gun.

--Ah, well, if I beat up your boyfriend,
And I take away his gun,
And I sit down beside you,
Can I buy you a drink, blue eyes?

--I'm drinking Piper-Heidseick champagne that costs thirty-five dollars a bottle.

--Ah, well, if I beat up your boyfriend
And I take away his gun,
And I sit down beside you,
And I buy a bottle of thirty-five-dollar Piper-Heidseick champagne,
Can I drive you home, blue eyes?

--I live in Philadelphia.

--Ah, well, if I beat up your boyfriend,
And I take away his gun,
And I sit down beside you,
And I buy a thirty-five-dollar bottle of Piper-Heidseick champagne,
And I drive you to Philadelphia,
Can I walk you to the door, blue eyes?

--There's a big moat around my house,
And it's full of crocodiles and alligators,
And there's a terrible undertow.

--Ah, well, if I beat up your boyfriend,
And I take away his gun,,
And I sit down beside you,
And I buy a thirty-five-dollar bottle of Piper-Heidseick champagne,
And I drive you to Philadelphia,
And I swim across the moat,
And I avoid the crocodiles and the alligators,
And I don't get sunk by the undertow,
Will you ask me to come in, blue eyes?

--Well, you see, it's very late,
And my mother's probably waiting up for me,
And I think she washed the floor,
And it's covered with newspapers,
And besides, we got this big dog that whenever a stranger comes in, he starts to bark and bite you,
And my father's worried about paying off the mortgage on the house,
Which will cost five thousand three hundred twenty-two dollars,
And it's very late,
And I've got to wash my hair,
And I have to get up very early for...

--You don't... You don't really... You don't really want me to take you home, do you?

--Well, you see, it's very late,
And my mother's probably waiting up for me,
And I think she....

--You see... Wait, wait, wait... You don't... You don't really... You don't really want me to take you home.

--Well, you see, it's very late,
And my mother's probably....

--You don't... You don't really like me, do you? You don't really care about me.

--Well, you see, it's very late...

--Never mind. Forget it.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 05:36 PM

"YOU'RE THE REASON OUR KIDS ARE UGLY."

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 27 Jan 18 - 05:47 PM

ACROSS THE BLUE MOUNTAINS...to the Allegheny

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL BE YOUR SAN ANTONE ROSE
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jan 18 - 03:41 PM

David C. Carter mentioned this on 9-May-2011:


I'LL BE YOUR SAN ANTONE ROSE
Written by Susanna Clark
As recorded by Emmylou Harris on "Luxury Liner" (1977)

If they'll play another love song,
If that Miller High Life sign stays dim,
And if you'll keep my glass full of whiskey,
I'll whisper words I wish I'd said to him.

Just ask me to dance all the slow ones.
Hold me close and take me 'cross the floor.
I'll gently lay my head on your shoulder,
And pretend this never happened before.

CHORUS: I don't want to hear a sad story.
We both already know how it goes;
But if tonight you'll be my tall dark stranger,
I'll be your San Antone Rose.

Well, I wish I could tell you I love you,
And I wish that he weren't always on my mind.
If wishes were fast trains to Texas,
Oh, I'd ride and I'd ride; how I'd ride! CHORUS

[Also recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker and Carole King on Walker's album "Too Old to Change" (1979). They make it into a conversation duet by changing some of the pronouns, e.g. "I'll keep your glass full of whiskey" and "I'll be your tall dark stranger".]

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Jan 18 - 04:33 PM

HUNTINGTOWER: don't think it's been mentioned so far.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 03:08 AM

BIG STEAMERS

Words Rudyard Kipling, Music Peter Bellamy, Singing The Wilsons

?Oh, where are you going to, all you Big Steamers,
With England's own coal, up and down the salt seas??
?We are going to fetch you your bread and your butter,
Your beef, pork, and mutton, eggs, apples, and cheese.?

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 03:27 AM

Up above, Jim Dixon mentioned "TWO SLEEPY PEOPLE," by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser. Loesser did a lot of conversation songs with one person singing over the other - "BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE" was mentioned above, but not tied to Loesser. His ultimate conversation song was "FUGUE FOR TINHORNS" from Guys and Dolls (I got the horse right here).

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 03:34 AM

Good morning, Joe.

Where Are You Going, My Pretty Maid?
Nursery Rhyme

Where are you going, my pretty maid?
I'm going a milking, sir, she said.
May I go with you, my pretty maid?
You're kindly welcome, sir, she said.
What is your fortune, my pretty maid?
My face is my fortune, sir, she said.
Then I won't marry you, my pretty maid.
Nobody asked you, sir, she said.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Gutcher
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 05:49 AM

"Annies Tryst"---

                note:- try rhymes with die and the word is not trist as   
                those who have taken the gentility would have it.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 30 Jan 18 - 06:07 AM

Longest conversation song ever True LOVER'S DISCUSSION
The performance we recorded from a seventy-year-old Irish farmer lasts for fifteen minutes
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 31 Jan 18 - 06:11 AM

JACKSON

We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson. Look out Jackson town.

Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
Yeah, go to Jackson; go comb your hair!
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson. See if I care.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 31 Jan 18 - 06:19 AM

Martin Carthy sings HIGH GERMANY

?Oh Polly love, oh Polly, the rout has now begun,
And we must go a-marching to the beating of the drum.
Go dress yourself all in your best and come along with me;
I'll take you to the war, my love, in High Germany.?

?Oh Willy love, oh Willy, come list what I do say,
My feet they are so tender, I cannot march away.
And besides, my dearest Willy, I am with child by thee,
Not fitted for the war, my love, in High Germany.?

From Mainly Norfolk

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 31 Jan 18 - 06:31 AM

GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME
Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren

Her: Oh doctor, I'm in trouble.
Him: Well, goodness gracious me.
Her: For every time a certain man
Is standing next to me.
Him: Mmm?
Her: A flush comes to my face
And my pulse begins to race,
It goes boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom
Boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom-boom-boom,
Him: Oh!
Her: Boom boody-boom boody-boom boody-boom
Him: Well, goodness gracious me.

The song was conceived and instigated by George Martin, who was the producer at that time of Peter Sellers's comedy recordings. Martin commissioned David Lee and Herbert Kretzmer to write the song. Martin himself produced the recording.

Martin envisaged the song as a recording to be incorporated in the soundtrack of the film The Millionairess which was being filmed at that time starring Sellers and Loren.

However, the film's producers did not share his enthusiasm for including the song in the film's soundtrack and did not utilize it. The studio was however happy to see the song released as a stand-alone single to promote the film. In becoming a chart hit it succeeded in publicizing the film.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 06:46 AM

Also see the thread;

Humorous male/female duets (songs)

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 02 Feb 18 - 07:28 AM

LAVENDER'S BLUE

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green
When you are king, dilly dilly,
I shall be queen

Who told you so, dilly dilly,
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,
That told me so

A version was printed in England between 1672 and 1685. Another version was featured in the 1949 Walt Disney film So Dear to My Heart, sung by Burl Ives. This was nominated for Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1949, but lost to "BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE" from Neptune's Daughter.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 06 Feb 18 - 06:40 AM

Anchorage by Michelle Shocked

And what a glorious sound to the record!

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 06 Feb 18 - 10:23 AM

Yes, My Darling Daughter

Mother, may I go out dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
Mother, may I try romancing? Yes, my darling daughter
What if there's a moon, Mama darling, and it's shining on the water
Mother, must I keep on dancing? Yes, my darling daughter
What if he'll propose, Mama darling, when the night is growing shorter?
Mother, what should be my answer? Yes, my darling daughter

Songwriter: Jack Lawrence

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Feb 18 - 08:28 AM

If I Didn't Have You by Randy Newman

If I were a rich man With a million or two
I'd live in a penthouse in a room with a view
And if I were handsome, (No way! It could happen!) 'cause dreams do come true
I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you

For years I have envied (You green with it) your grace and your charm
Everyone loves you, you know (Yes, I know, I know, I know)
But I must admit it (big guy) you always come through
I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you

This was heard over the end credits of the 2001 Disney·Pixar animated film, Monsters, Inc. Sung by John Goodman and Billy Crystal (voices of James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski respectively), the song won the 2001 Academy Award for Best Original Song, Randy Newman's first Oscar.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 09 Feb 18 - 10:12 AM

Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet? Lyrics by Woody Guthrie

Who's gonna shoe your pretty little feet?
Who's gonna glove your hand?
Who's gonna kiss your red, ruby lips?
Who's gonna be your man?

Papa's gonna shoe my pretty little feet
Mama's gonna glove my hand
Sister's gonna kiss my red, ruby lips
I don't need no man

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 10 Feb 18 - 06:05 AM

Did You Ever? Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood

Did you ever?
Not so much, that you could notice
Could you estimate how many?
8 or 9
Will you do it anymore?
As soon as you walk out the door
Well I just wondered, did you ever?
All the time

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 10 Feb 18 - 01:52 PM

The Beggar's Opera by John Gay 1728
Act I, Scene xiii, Air XVI—“Over the Hills, and Far Away”

Macheath. Were I laid on Greenland’s coast,
And in my arms embraced my lass,
Warm amidst eternal frost,
Too soon the half-year’s night would pass.
Polly. Were I sold on Indian soil,
Soon as the burning day was closed,
I could mock the sultry toil
When on my charmer’s breast reposed.
Mac. And I would love you all the day,
Polly. Every night would kiss and play,
Mac. If with me you’d fondly stray
Polly. Over the hills, and far away.

Subject: RE: 'Conversation' songs
From: Gda Music
Date: 10 Feb 18 - 03:49 PM

Both sides of an old 78 from Barbados.

MELODISC 1164 ---- *Dividing of the Cricket Spoils*
with ....Brothers Christophor & Batson in conversation.

https://youtu.be/lIBV0P1LZZw

GJ