Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 20 Jul 16 - 03:26 PM

Here is the Limeliters' version, from their album Through Children's Eyes:

Morningtown Ride

Brings back a lot of memories...


Jay

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 16 - 12:27 PM

Anybody know if the melody line of 'Morningtown Ride' was adapted from a traditional tune?

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: GUEST,Adam Miller
Date: 21 Feb 09 - 12:59 AM

A few years ago I asked Malvina Reynolds' daughter, the gifted songwriter Nancy Schimmel, about the origins of her mother's song, "Morningtown Ride". Nancy said that Malvina was thinking about how children have to go off to bed earlier than adults, and in doing so, feel that they are missing out on the evening's activities. Malvina wanted to write a song that gave children something to look forward to as they prepared for bed: an understanding of the journey we take when we go to sleep, a journey that brings us to our destination, Morningtown. I like to include this song in programs of railroad songs to illustrate the frequent use of the locomotive as a metaphor on folksongs. In my experience, pre-schoolers really love this song, especially the alliterative line about "... Rockin', rollin' riding ...

-Adam Miller
[e-mail]
folksinging.org

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Cool Beans
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 05:50 PM

I've often thought someone should do a musical of Malvina Reynolds songs; I envision "Morningtown Ride" as the finale, with the audience singing along. Wouldn't be a dry eye in the house.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 05:17 PM

This is one song that's just a bit too short. It has a wonderful melody, and I'd like to keep singing it, just a bit longer. People have made up additional verses, but they just don't work for me.

What HAS worked for me, though, is to make up extra verses on the spot, lyrics that fit the time and the audience. I used to do that all the time for my kids. Oftentimes, the extra verses would be obnoxious and the kids would gripe about them, but they'd want to hear them again.

So, maybe it's best to post the song as written, and make up additions when needed.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 03:46 PM

Malvina

Little Red Hen

If you follow the YouTube links you will find more.
                Sandy

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 03:31 PM

I think that there are some clips from Pete's old Rainbow Quest show of Malvina. I'll try and search for them.
This song was a big hit for The Seekers. Judith Durham sang it like an angel!
The Seekers

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: C. Ham
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 11:50 AM

I remember a wonderful double billing of Malvina Reynolds and Utah Phillips at Dawson College in Montreal, circa 1973.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Cool Beans
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 11:26 AM

Of course it's about sleepy children. Bill's comment was a joke, or at least an attempt at one...a sarcastic commentary, perhaps, on the "Puff the Magic Dragon" brouhaha.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 07:59 AM

Bill: Having just read through the lyrics I have to ask ... where is the reference to drugs?

I loved this song when I was younger and would like to keep the sleepy child image in my mind, rather than a drugs image.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Origins: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 20 Feb 09 - 06:53 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morningtown_Ride

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: Barry T
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 01:55 AM

Thanks to YouTube we can take a trip down memory lane to watch the Seekers perform the song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx5ZJgGdk0Y&mode=related&search=

It's a favourite of mine, too! I used to sing my baby son to sleep with this every night. He's now 29!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Morningtown Ride (Malvina Reynolds)
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 04 Dec 06 - 01:34 AM

Thanks again everybody who chimed in here; for some reason I was unable to search this thread up on digitrad. I guess i must have missed a trick somewhere...

Having the chords now (it's not all that difficult a song to play, by the looks of it) and the catchy little tune still in my head after all these years, I'll get right on it.

I used to be an Ed Tech in an Elementary School Special Ed program, as well as a Caseworker in an early intervention / infant mental health program, where I used a lot of childrens' songs - but that was a while ago.

Anyway - Hope little Anabeth likes it!

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 04 Mar 05 - 02:31 AM

Faith Petric continues to write/ collate the "Folk Process" column in Sing Out!

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: GUEST,john in portland maine
Date: 03 Mar 05 - 10:28 PM

"Morningtown Ride" is the only memory of Viet Nam that doesn't, to this day, cause me go become totally depressed . Every morning at day break Armed Forces Radio Viet Nam played "Morningtown Ride". It was our wake up call. I asked one of the AFVN DJ's why they played that song every moring. He said it was just "sort of a tradition" that was passed down from one DJ to the next over the years. It's funny what I remember about those "bad old days".

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Peace
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 03:43 PM

Here re Faith Petric

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 03:14 AM

Joe, you're exactly right: at Camp Harmony this year, Faith told me, "I'm in my 90th year." I don't know precisely when she enters her 91st, but I'm sure somebody does.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 02:46 AM

Hi, Boab - Faith hasn't changed much in the ten years or so that I've known her. She's still going strong, and still has a twinkle in her eye. She must be almost ninety. I see that Malvina was born in 1900 and died in 1978, so Faith is quite a bit younger.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Boab
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 02:32 AM

Joe, you have brought a great memory to my mind; not, as it happens thro' mention of Malvina, but you dropped the name of another Lady, Faith Pertic.Being 'way over in the old U.K.for all the years since I last saw Faith, I couldn't know how her life was progressing, or even if she was still to the fore. I'm glad to hear her discussed as still part of the "scene'! As an "m.c." in Hexham , Engl;and, back in the sixties, one of my nights was blessed by the completely unannounced arrival of a happy troupe of Americans who rejoiced in the name "'Frisco Fire Band" [anybody recall them?]. Faith introduced herself as spokesperson and lead vocal. And what a cracking spot they did for us. They were back as guests on the week following. Faith sang
---without prompting from me---my late Father's favourite--"Home in Pasadena". That sure did tickle me ! Thanks for the wee spark to the memory, Joe!

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 12:48 AM

There's a fantastic 28-min film on Malvina Reynolds, "Love It Like a Fool".
Info via her daughter's sisterschoice.com website

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Peace
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 10:42 PM

Not I. I do have a memory of an interwiew she gave on TV way back. If I recall correctly, she sang a few songs--or parts of songs--on it. Years ago, however.

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 10:40 PM

I was at a workshop at San Francisco's Camp Harmony at Christimas, and Faith Petric and others where reminiscing about their experiences with Malvina Reynolds. I suppose Malvina and Faith must have been the same age. It was so interesting to hear those stories of Northern California's most fabled songwriter (more than Kate Wolf, even).

I was wondering if there is a video of a performance by Malvina. I've heard so much about her that it would be wonderful to see her perform, even if it's on video. Has anybody see one?

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 08:21 PM

Wasn't it about drugs?

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Peace
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 05:07 AM

More than welcome.

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: 8ch(pl)
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 05:01 AM

Wow, That was quick. Thanks. I do it in C and use D Minor 7th just before the G7th chord. Thanks again

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: Peace
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 04:54 AM

Takes about ten seconds to load.

The grand lady herself.

Subject: Who wrote 'Morningtown Ride'
From: 8ch(pl)
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 04:47 AM

I often perform this number, here in Nova Scotia. It was on a Seekers LP back in the sixties, along with "You Were On My Mind" and "World of Our Own".

It Starts:

Train Whistle Blowing, Makes a Sleepy Noise,
Underneath Their Blankets, are all the Girls and Boys.
Heading from the Staion, Out Along the Bay,
All Bound for Morningtown, many miles away.

I look at it as a children's song taking a train ride to dreamland.

Does anyone know who wrote it? It's a great song.

Thanks
Glen Simpson

Subject: RE: Morning Town Ride
From: Genie
Date: 09 Apr 02 - 01:57 PM

You're right about Sesame Street, Joe, but PP&M weren't exactly in diapers in 1957. [If they were, they probably got a lot of attention from their high-school classmates!]

Genie §;-)

Subject: RE: Morning Town Ride
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 01:27 PM

I tried to index all the Malvina Reynolds songs we have in this thread (click). The lyrics Masato linked to are identical to what I find in the Oak Publications songbook called Little Boxes and Other Handmade Songs by Malvina Reynolds.

And just for clarification - the song is not by the Seekers, and it's not by PP&M, and it's not a Sesame Street Song. It was written by Malvina Reynolds, and published in 1957, when PP&M and the Seekers were in diapers and Sesame Street wasn't even on radio.

Harvesting marks (^^) show the song has been harvested for the Digital Tradition.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: mhflanagan
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 02:20 PM

The Limeliters also performed this song.

Subject: Lyr Add: MORNINGTOWN RIDE^^
From: GUEST,Bud Savoie
Date: 12 Feb 00 - 01:25 PM

The title of the tune is "Morningtown" and the lyrics, as I used to sing them to my own children,are as follows:

Train whistle blowing makes a sleepy noise.
Underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys.

CHO: Rocking, rolling, riding, out along the bay
All bound for Morningtown, many miles away.

Daddy sounds the whistle, Mummy rings the bell,
[Child's name] swings the lantern, to show that all is well.

CHO

Maybe it is raining, where our train will ride.
All the little travellers are warm and snug inside.

CHO

Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day.
Somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles away.

Subject: Title Unknown
From: GUEST,Newfoundlander
Date: 12 Feb 00 - 01:07 PM

Don't Know the title or the rest of these lyrics. Rockin, Rollin, Riding Out along the bay All bound for Morning Town Many miles away.

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Dale Rose
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 11:48 PM

Well, I think I am done here. I have been listening to a Judith Durham interview from Irish Radio from May 1996. (you can download it in six parts ~~41 minutes~~ from the Judith Durham/Seekers site link above.) In it she says that they learned the song from a Limelighters album. Their first recording was in 1964, but the version which is best known was from 1966.

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Dale Rose
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 10:54 PM

Here's another gem. Complete lyrics to all Seekers songs. Seek no more! http://www.baylor.edu/~Richard_Veit/

The author of the page also states, "These song transcriptions were made entirely "by ear." If you suspect that an inaccuracy may have crept in, please email me with your suggested correction. I would be delighted to hear from you."

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Dale Rose
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 10:43 PM

Definitely 1964. I found it at the Judith Durham/Seekers website. http://www.pjervis.freeserve.co.uk/seekers_main.html

The site is from a UK perspective, so the albums are different from those released in the US, though some seem to be the same, just with different covers and labels. The album that contains Morningtown Ride is listed as Hide And Seekers, WRC records, 1964. In the US, it was released as The New Seekers, Capitol 2319. Can't say when it was released, but I purchased it on April 15, 1967 (for several years there, I dated my records) It is identical, right down to track order, except for the deletion of The Eriskay Love Lilt.

I know the album title referring to New just confuses the picture, but neither the notes to this album, nor any of the other albums I have make reference to anything but The Seekers. Certainly one of my favorite groups of all time. You got that box set, Joe? I certainly have been yearning for it, plus all those newer Judith Durham albums. She certainly seems to be in as good a voice as ever.

Subject: Seekers
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 10:09 PM

Hi, Eagle - it was the Seekers who recorded "Morningtown Ride" - their box set has two recordings of it, but doesn't give the exact date of recording. Looks like 1964. The New Seekers charted with the Coca Cola ad song, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing." I don't think they had any other hits.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Legal Eagle
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 06:36 PM

Are you sure it was the Seekers and not the New Seekers?

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 04:24 PM

Ah, Steve, I wouldn't want you to feel neglected. I also wouldn't want you ever to feel you got the better of me....
Malvina was quite prolific in her later years, after getting a very late start as a songwriter. Pete Seeger said she used to get up early every morning, and have a song written before breakfast. I have to say that I don't care for a majority of her songs, but that leaves a good number that I like a lot. Search the database for Malvina and you'll find several gems. Search the database for Falkland and you'll find but one song. Then, I suppose, if one follows your logic [or lack thereof ;) ] the question one might ask is this, since I don't believe the Brits are fond of calling the islands the "Malvinas."
-Joe Offer-

Subject: A bit of BS creeps into the thread ...
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 08:00 AM

Ha! Good ol' British irony strikes again! See, this is what we call a "pun": how it works is ...

Sorry, let's get back to the subject. Thanks for the link Joe: I hadn't heard of Malvina Reynolds, but it turns out I know a couple of her songs, like "What have they done to the rain?" - there must be a lot more I know without realising who wrote them. I shall be very happy to learn, if anyone cares to teach me; that's what I come here for.

Steve

P.S. What a relief to have someone have a go at me: I was beginning to feel inadequate at being one of the neglected few!

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jul 99 - 05:37 AM

Steve, are you expecting some dumb Yank to step up and say, "Say WHAT???" Do you think that there are people here who don't know that the Falklands are also known as the Malvinas? Is that what you think?
Or are you asking a question about Malvina Reynolds, folk songwriter extraordinaire, from Berkeley, California?

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 22 Jul 99 - 05:19 AM

Not sure I know Malvina Reynolds; is she realted to the Falklands, by any chance?

Steve

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 22 Jul 99 - 01:03 AM

Done by "The Seekers" (oz folk orietated super group) in the 60s

regards Ted

Subject: Morningtown Ride
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jul 99 - 03:36 PM

I think the Seekers recording is where most of us in "our generation" (?) learned it. I don't think PP&M ever recorded it. There was also a Sesame Street recording (posted elsewhere) that had some popularity. I think the idea is that you can assign the chores to whomever you like, so the names in that verse aren't particularly important. I think it's one of Malvina's most enduring songs.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: Captain Swing
Date: 21 Jul 99 - 03:05 PM

I remember this done by the Seekers but I think they sang the second verse as "Driver at the engine, Fireman rings the bell/ Sandman swings the lantern etc"

Captain Swing

Subject: Lyr Add: MORNINGTOWN RIDE^^
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 08:50 PM

Is a Malvina Reynolds lullaby: "Morningtown Ride."

MORNINGTOWN RIDE
(Malvina Reynolds)

Train whistle blowing, makes a sleepy noise
underneath their blankets go all the girls and boys
heading from the station, out along the bay
all bound for Morningtown, many miles away.

Sarah's at the engine, Tony rings the bell
John swings the lantern to show that all is well
Rocking, rolling, riding, out along the bay
all bound for Morningtown, many miles away.

Maybe it is raining where our train will ride
but all the little travelers are snug and warm inside
somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day
somewhere there is Morningtown, many miles away.


© Malvina Reynolds, 1957

Subject: Words to peter,paul,marys rockin rolin ridin
From: tony byrne
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 08:24 PM

Can anyone please provide me with the words to Peter Paul and Marys song Rockin Rollin Riding ? or mayby it is called Morning Town I am not sure

I think the chorous is as follows

rockin rollin riding out along the bay all bound for morning town many mile away.

Thanks