Tune Add: Betty Martin

Subject: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 12:00 PM

Elsewhere there is a thread about the tune 'Betty Martin.' (There are various permutations of the title.) The people on that thread don't seem interested in hearing or playing the tune, so I don't want to put the tune there, where it will not be noticed.

I sang this song in school. I've done some checking, and it doesn't seem to be on the Internet. So I've decided to send the MIDI to Joe for posting.

The tune is in 4/4 time, and I've chosen the key of A. You will hear the tune first, then hear it again with a simple bass part. It's a charming little piece.

I think the reason it stayed in my mind is that at one point you have to sing:

Tra la la Betty Martin -

all on eighth notes, and that's an unusual place to put a person's name.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 12:03 PM

In case anybody wants to sing it, here are the lyrics I learned:

Hi, Betty Martin, tiptoe, tiptoe
Hi, Betty Martin, tiptoe fine!
Never found a boy to suit her fancy,
Never found a boy to suit her mind!

Tra la la la, la la la la
la la la la la.
Tra la la la Betty Martin,
Please be mine!

[repeat last four lines]

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 01:46 PM

Great tune!

Subject: Lyr Add: BETTY MARTIN, OR THE STEAM LOOM LASS
From: Fergie
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 01:47 PM

Hi all,

I found these lyrics here Bodleian

I've transcribed it below. I suggest that it was sung to the air commonly known as Sean Bhean Bhocht (The Shan Van Vocht). Can anybody throw light on it's history? or some of the references?

Fergus

BETTY MARTIN, OR THE STEAM LOOM LASS.

Good people give attention,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Unto what I'm going to mention
        Says the steam loom lass,
The subject I am starting,
It will please you I am certain,
As my name is Betty Martin
        Says the steam loom lass.

You are all well aware no doubt,
        Says the steam loom lass,
That there's been a great turn-out,
        Says the steam loom lass,
And the lads and lasses say,
That they never will give way,
Not until we gain the day
        Says the steam loom lass.

We will never be content,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Until we get the Ten per Cent,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Around the country we will go,
With our fiddle and banjo,
And rattle up Jim Crow,
        Says the steam loom lass.

Too long we've felt the stroke,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Of the tyrant's heavy yoke
        Says the steam loom lass,
But we've risen from the dead,
Not like poor Uncle Ned,
We have hair upon our head,
        Says the steam loom lass.

Yes and we have eyes to see,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Let the factory masters be,
        Says the steam loom lass,
They are getting in a rage,
Wait a bit and I'll engage,
They'll be glad to give the wage,
        Says the steam loom lass.

We will stand the grand attack,
        Says the steam loom lass,
We've the public at our back,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Until we get the Ten per Cent,
We will never be content,
For no less will pay the rent,
        Says the steam loom lass.

The nobsticks and the vipers,
        Says the steam loom lass,
They are nothing more than pipers,
        Says the steam loom lass,
They are not fit to gather rags,
May some unlucky wags,
Stick a needle in their bags,
        Says the steam loom lass.

Cheer up your hearts my boys,
        Says the steam loom lass,
Keep the peace and make no noise,
        Says the steam loom lass,
And the masters not a doubt,
We will shove them up the spout,
I'm afraid they'll get the gout,
        Says the steam loom lass.

I know a factory master,
        Says the steam loom lass,
He got a warming plaster,
        Says the steam loom lass,
His wife got on the table,
For to stand she was not able,
And she clapt it on his -----------,
        Says the steam loom lass.

He began to call his sister,
        Says the steam loom lass,
For it gave him such a twister,
        Says the steam loom lass,
He began to sware and jangle,
For he kicked up such a wangle,
Did your mother sell the mangle,
        Says the steam loom lass.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 07:22 PM

It's a different Betty Martin, I'm sure, Fergie.

Thanks for posting an interesting song. I'm sure it refers to a strike or a walk-out in the textile industry.

As for my Betty Martin, the tune is yet to appear.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: Fergie
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 07:51 PM

Hi Leeneia

What leads you to conclude that she is a different Betty Martin?

Fergus

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: Richie
Date: 09 Nov 09 - 08:38 PM

Here's a version of the tune in notes:
http://books.google.com/books?id=mmbq3yYSvksC&pg=PA157&dq=betty+martin+fiddle&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

Fergie- the cadence is different for one thing. Betty Martin is a simple ditty.

Richie

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 03:20 AM

Here's the MIDI from leeneia:

Click to play.

Thanks, Leeneia. What were the lyrics you learned as a child?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 02:53 PM

Thanks for posting the MIDI, Joe. It would make a fetching tune for fiddle or dulcimer.

For the lyrics that go with this tune, see the second post to this very thread.

Subject: RE: Tune Add: Betty Martin
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 09:06 AM

'What leads you to conclude that she is a different Betty Martin?'

See the other thread, which is more language-oriented, where I describe the book with a chapter on the wealthy American beauty, Elizabeth Martin.