Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,Redneckred
Date: 14 Dec 19 - 12:04 AM

If you like sappy romanticism (which I kind of do), try Guy Clark's Magnolia Wind, done on the tribute album This One's for Him as a duet by John Prine and Emmylou Harris.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,Pseudonymous
Date: 13 Dec 19 - 06:46 PM

Lonnie Lonnie Lonnie (losing my mind obviously, it's the election result) :(

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,Pseudonymous
Date: 13 Dec 19 - 06:43 PM

Laurie Johnson and Victoria Spivey
You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now (parts one or two)
Toothache Blues

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Dec 19 - 05:41 PM

"Scarborough Fair" has first the man then the lady playing very hard to get.

And my comic song, from WalkaboutsVerse, "On Honeymoon!".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: keberoxu
Date: 11 Dec 19 - 09:39 AM

Mary Martin and Arthur Godfrey recorded a duet called
Go to Sleep
Go to Sleep
Go to Sleep.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Dec 19 - 11:05 AM

I feel as if there are lots more in opera/Gilbert and Sullivan...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Donuel
Date: 08 Dec 19 - 09:39 AM

what dave the gnome said

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Dec 19 - 12:15 PM

A Hungarian one. There are many versions of it, both for words and tune: this one is from Moldavia.

Elment a madarka

It's a dialogue between a woman and her lover who has become an outlaw. She asks him to stay, but in the end he decides to go, living alone outdoors where he has only the dew to drink and wheat in the ear to eat. There is a whole genre of these "outlaw songs".

I heard it at a folk camp near Bacau in 2007, where it was sung by the local old women. They all seemed to know it and sang it at any opportunity, so I heard it several times a day. It wasn't until I got back home that I realized why it carried so much meaning for them. The village economy had mostly collapsed in the post-Communist years - mechanized equipment had gone unrepairable for lack of parts, everything was falling apart. And women did all the work: the men were away working in Hungary or Germany. The woman who put us up hadn't seen her husband for 17 years. The situation in that song was exactly their own.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 07 Dec 19 - 05:29 AM

If you're into songs of annihilation, there's Morning Dew (The Bonnie Dobson song, not the Irish one), and Across the Hills (done as a duet by Aussies Margaret and Bob Fagan). Come Away Melinda is another duet of annihilation, but between mother and daughter.

On a lighter note, there's the Allan Sherman song, Sarah Jackman.

Subject: Lyr Add: SEARCHING FOR LAMBS (Peter Bellamy)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 07 Dec 19 - 01:42 AM

SEARCHING FOR LAMBS
As recorded by Peter Bellamy on "Peter Bellamy" (1975)

As I walked out one May morning,
One May morning betime,
I met a maid, from home had strayed
Just as the sun did shine.

“What makes you rise so soon, my dear,
Your journey to pursue?
Your pretty little feet they tread so neat,
Strike off the morning dew.”

“I'm going in search of my father's flocks,
His young and tender lambs,
That over hills and over dales
Lie bleating for their dams.”

“O stay, o stay, you handsome maid,
Rest but one moment here.
For there is none save you alone
That I do love most dear.”

“How gloriously the sun do shine,
How pleasant is the air.
I would rather rest on my true love's breast
Than any other where.”

“For I am thine and thou art mine,
No man shall uncomfort thee.
We'll join our hands in wedded bands
And married we will be.”

Perhaps the most beautiful of English folk songs.

From Mainly Norfolk

Subject: Lyr Add: OH DO YOU REMEMBER (Cape Breton)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 14 - 09:51 AM

You were missing some of the lyrics from that beautiful song. Here are the complete lyrics, as they appear in Jack O'Donnell's "The Cape Breton Song Collection":

OH DO YOU REMEMBER?
His verse:
       C             Em         Dm7               G
Oh, do you remember, sweetheart of mine?
             C                Em          Dm7       G
Come turn back the pages, the pages of time,
             C                   Em                Am                  Em
To the night that you promised that you would be mine,
               F          C                  G    C
While strolling along in the moonlight,
        Her verse:
               C             F               G                C
        Oh yes, I remember, remember, my dear,
              Am                   Em          Dm7          G
        Possessions were meagre but love so sincere,
               C          Em    Am7          Em
        And I can recall so vivid and clear,
                    F          C                G    C
        Just strolling along in the moonlight,

Oh, do you remember that little farm gate,
Pour favorite spot and the hours ran late,
Where we never did part without making a date,
Then we'd both kiss goodnight in the moonlight?
        O yes, I remember; we laughed and we'd sing,
        'Twas there that you gave me a small diamond ring,
        And we spoke of the joys that our wedding would bring,
        As you held me so close in the moonlight,

Oh, do you remember while gazing above,
We spoke of God's wisdom, His power and love,
And visioned Hi near of wings like a dove,
And we felt secure in the moonlight?
        Oh yes, I remember; we gazed at the sky,
        We counted the stars in the Dipper on high
        And vowed to be true 'til the day that we die,
        Just strolling along in the moonlight,

Oh, do you remember that beautiful morn?
We wed on the date that our Saviour was born,
And the pretty, gay trimmings your home did adorn,
Then came the sleigh ride in the moonlight,
        Oh yes, I remember sleigh bells in the snow,
        With the northern lights in the heavens aglow,
        Old Dobbin sped forward and onward did go,
        'Twas a real complete night in the morning,



Oh, do you remember, 'twas just yesterday?
But that little farm gate has long gone to decay,
Our family, some married, have children so gay,
But we still take a stroll in the moonlight,
        Oh yes, I remember, it doesn't seem long,
        We can't help but wonder where the years they have gone,
        But our love will remain, we'll keep singing our song,
        And keep plugging along in the moonlight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: CupOfTea
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 06:16 PM

Funny this thread would be resurrected today when I was just contemplating trying to work out a conversation setting of Cuckoo's Nest or a bawdy songs workshop.
The particular Cuckoo's Nest song I'm thinking of is the one done on the Morris On album.

The DT lyrics have what I think of as the chorus as the second verse:

Some like a girl who is pretty in the face
and some like a girl who is slender in the waist
But give me a girl who will wriggle and will twist
At the bottom of the belly lies the cuckoo's nest

But it's fairly obvious the other verses are alternately written from the male or female point of view, and I sing the chorus in between (each pair of He comments, she responds) and the last sort of narrator's verse...

In the great male/female conversation song list, I highly endorse anything Lou & Peter Berryman have written - but Crab Canape is just -the best- for high contrast.

Versions of "THE DEVIL'S NINE QUESTIONS" would work well as a conversational duet.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 09:58 AM

True Lovers' Discussion probably the longest.
LISBON (version of BANKS OF THE NILE), the most beautiful
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,John Cunningham
Date: 19 Apr 11 - 09:44 AM

Have you though about "Don't You Want Me", with some banjos and accordians in the background "You were working as a barmaid in back street bar..."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Apr 11 - 03:47 PM

Peter & Lou Berryman have some good ones. The lyrics of these have been posted at Mudcat:

DOUBLE YODEL: lyrics video

WHY AM I PAINTING THE LIVING ROOM: lyrics video

TALKIN' AT THE SAME TIME: lyrics video

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU LIKE MY SHIRT: lyrics

FORSYTHIA: lyrics

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: open mike
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:11 PM

http://www.mollyandthetinker.com/ this link was mentioned earlier
here is the mountaineer's courtship song..[See BUFFALO BOY]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCXtZW_2CZM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,doug saum
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 11:47 AM

Adam's Curse (Yeats)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and wo
From: GUEST,John Foxen
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 09:43 AM

When performing BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER with my musical partner Margaret, she always insists that I start the song, asking "is there something I can bring you from across the sea". She argues that women always know what to give their men as a present whereas men haven't got a clue. Plus she argues that men only worry about getting their partner a really good present when they've done something horrible - or are about to do something horrible like dumping them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Richard from Liverpool
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 09:33 AM

The Child Ballad #68 "YOUNG HUNTING" (including its American version "LOVE HENRY"/"HENRY LEE") contains a lot of dialogue (or rather two dialogues - the first between woman and man, the second between woman and bird), and can be very effectively sung as a conversation between two singers.

Subject: Lyr Add: OVER THE MOUNTAIN
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 08:04 AM

OVER THE MOUNTAIN

It was night and the moon illuminated the sky,
When I first took a notion to marry.
I put on my shoes and away I did hie,
You'd have though I'd have been in a hurry.
'Til I reach-ed the spot where I'd oft times had been.
How my heart did rejoice when my charmer I'd seen.
So I lifted the latch and I bad her good e'en.
Saying "Will you come with me over the mountains?"

"What notion is this that you have in your head,?
But still I am glad to be near you.
It's past twelve o'clock and I should be in bed,
Speak low or my mother will hear you."
"Well if I be jesting, my jesting be true.
We have courted a year and I think that should do.
And before I do sleep I'll be married to you..
If you'll venture with me o'er the mountains."

"If I were to make an elopement with you,
It might be attended by danger.
The neighbours would tattle and censure me too,
My parents would frown and no wonder."
"Oh pray let them tattle and censure away.
But consult with yourself for 'tis now coming day.
And I care not a fig what they all of them say.
If I once get you over the mountains."

"If you are in earnest," she said with a sigh,
"kind providence be my director."
"I've love in my bosom, I cannot deny."
This sentence it seemed to affect her.
"I'm using no magic, no scheme and no spell.
I've a good honest heart and I love you right well,
And if you refuse me sweet maiden farewell,
My steps I'll retrace o'er the mountains."

"Well then I'm determined at home for to stay,
For I think it much safer and better."
"Then farewell again sweet maid I'll away,
And that puts an end to the matter."
"Stop!, Stop! wait a moment 'til I put on my shoes."
How my heart did rejoice when I heard the glad news,
As she stepped to the door saying "I hope you'll excuse,
My simplicity over the mountains."

By this time the moon it had sunk in the west,
And the morning stars shone with the dawning.
As we then together our journey progressed,
To be joined at the altar next morning.
So now in contentment our days we will spend,
For the dangers to marriage are now at an end.
And we oft times will talk when we meet with a friend,
Of that trip we took over the mountain.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 01:09 AM

Double Yodel by Peter and Lou Berryman is one. I suppose you could count their Your State's Name Here, but that's not necessarily male-female.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: SammySkillet
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 01:01 AM

The Mountaineer's Courtship is also a fine conversation song [See BUFFALO BOY]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:37 AM

That last one is hilarious!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: SammySkillet
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:34 AM

Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood recorded an album of great duets in 1968 called "fairy tales and fantasies" which has many fantastic songs such as " some velvet morning" "Paris summer" "lady bird" and the already mentioned classic "JACKSON". this is a great source for duets although not exactly traditional. :)

Subject: Lyr Add: MID LIFE CRISIS
From: Bert
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:24 AM

Here's one of mine


I wanna have a mid life crisis
but if the truth be told

       You can't have a mid life crisis
       Darling You're too old

I wanna drive a bright red sports car
with a pretty young blond for a date
I wanna have a mid life crisis

       You've left it a bit too late
       You coulda had a crisis at Forty
       or even at Fifty Five
       If you'd wanted a mid life crisis
       You should have done it while you're still alive

I want a pick up truck with monster wheels
I want to be stacked up with sex appeal
I want tattoos on my arms and chest
A Harley and a black leather vest
I want to let my hair grow long
I want to get to Nashville with this song
I want a Cowboy hat and belt and boots
I want a hand tailored white silk suit

I wanna have a mid life crisis
but if the truth be told

       You can't have a mid life crisis
       Darling You're too old

I wanna drive a bright red sports car
with a pretty young blond for a date
I wanna have a mid life crisis

       You've left it a bit too late
       You coulda had a crisis at Forty
       or even at Fifty Five
       If you'd wanted a mid life crisis
       You should have done it while you're still alive

I wanna drive a bright red sports car
with a pretty young blond for a date

       Spoken:
       Enough about the blond,
       get your saggy butt off of that couch
       and take out the garbage.

Spoken:

Ok. Ok. But how about a sports car?
What do you think about an Aston Martin?

Subject: Lyr Add: WALTZ FOR EVA AND CHE (Rice/Webber)
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 15 Apr 11 - 11:47 PM

I know this is late, but I had to post this. It is not traditional, but is technically a conversation song between a man and woman:


WALTZ FOR EVA AND CHE
From the musical "Evita".
Lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

CHE. Tell me before I waltz out of your life,
Before turning my back on the past,
Forgive my impertinent behaviour,
But how long do you think this pantomime can last?
Tell me before I ride off in the sunset,
There's one thing I never got clear,

How can you claim you're our saviour
When those who oppose you are stepped on, or cut up, or simply disappear?

EVA. Tell me before you get onto your bus,
Before joining the forgotten brigade,
How can one person like me, say,
Alter the time-honoured way the game is played?
Tell me before you get onto your high horse,
Just what you expect me to do,
I don't care what the bourgeoisie say,
I'm not in business for them,
But to give all my descamisados
A magical moment or two

CHORUS: (Both) There is evil ever around,
Fundamental system of government, quite incidental.

EVA: So what are my chances of honest advances?
I'd say low,
Better to win by admitting my sin
Than to lose with a halo.

CHE. Tell me before I seek worthier pastures,
And thereby restore self-esteem,
How can you be so short-sighted,
And look never further than this week or next week,
To have no impossible dream?
(CHORUS)

EVA. Allow me to help you slink off to the sidelines,
And mark your adieu with three cheers!
But first tell me who'd be delighted
If I said I'd take on the world's greatest problems
From war to pollution, no hope of solution,
Even if I lived for one hundred years?

(CHORUS)

EVA So go, if you're able,
To somewhere unstable
And stay there!
Whip up your hate, in some tottering state
But not here, dear,
Is that clear, dear?

Oh, what I'd give for a hundred years!
But the physical interferes,
Every day more. Oh, my Creator!
Oh, what's the good of the strongest heart,
In a body that's falling apart?
A serious flaw, I hope You know that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Joe_F
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 06:32 PM

In the Yiddish song "NOCH A GLEZELE TEY" (Another Little Cup of Tea) by M. Gebirtig, the husband & pregnant wife are arguing over whose side of the family to name the baby after. After a good deal of sarcasm & indignation, the wife says, there's no point in arguing -- I'm going to name him after my grandfather. The husband says, right, there's no point in arguing -- maybe it will be twins (both girls).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Smedley
Date: 31 Dec 09 - 02:59 PM

JACKSON - Johnny Cash & June Carter

And lots of Everly Brothers songs sound great done male/female, as was proved by Emmylou Harris/Gram Parsons and Boobie Gentry/Gene Campbell.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Alan Day
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 06:05 PM

LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF and MY OLD DUTCH
Al

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 03:49 PM

And here's another version with a rather jolLy midi of the tune (most people I've heard sing it take it a wee bit slower!)
http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/huntwr.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 03:42 PM

Frank Phillips mentioned Huntingtower: it's in the DT as "Duke of Athol".
@displaysong.cfm?SongID=1745

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 12:52 PM

Sorry it's actually "Michael".

Subject: Lyr Add: ACROSS THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 12:48 PM

Most of this song is for a male or female voice - the rest lends itself to harmonies. The tune is High Germany.

Across the Blue Mountains

One morning, one morning, one morning in May
I heard a married man to a young girl say;
Go dress you up pretty Katie and come go with me
Across the Blue Mountains to the Allegheny

I'll buy you a horse, love, and saddle to ride
I'll buy myself another to ride by your side
We'll stop at every tavern, we'll drink when we're dry
Across the Blue Mountains go my Katie and I

Then up stepped her mother and angry was she then
Crying; Daughter, dear daughter, he's a married man
There's young men a-plenty, more handsome than he
Let him take his own wife to the Allegheny

Oh mother, dear mother, he's the man of my own heart,
And wouldn't it be a tragedy if we should have to part,
For I'd envy every woman that I'd ever see,
Cross the Blue Mountains to the Allegheny

We set off before day break on a buckskin and a roan
Neath tall shivering pines where mocking birds moan
Past dark cabin windows where eyes never see
Across the Blue Mountains to the Allegheny

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,slowerairs
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 12:06 PM

THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUCKET

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 11:59 AM

BOOTS OF SPANISH LEATHER

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 10:54 AM

The song is The Soldier's Return by Utah Phillips.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Young Buchan
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 10:36 AM

'NED KELLY'S FAREWELL TO GRETA' is a beautiful song - half each to Ned and his sister Kate - and I'm confident it is the only traditional conversation song to contain the word 'wombat'.

If you want something more romantic and less Australian try 'COLIN AND PHOEBE'. Looks crap on the page, but listen to Harry Cox sing it!

Both are in the DT under those titles.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,JimP
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 05:22 AM

CUCKOLDS ALL A-ROW? It recites an over-heard conversation, anyway.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 05:01 AM

Dunno about 'BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE' not being a folk song, Leadfingers. That well-known singer of other people's folk songs, Rod Stewart, has just dueted (is there such a word?) it with Dolly Parton. How much more folky do you want? ;-)

Cheers

DeG

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 04:26 AM

Having failed to recall that one, I'm immediately reminded of "I REMEMBER IT WELL" from Gigi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 04:15 AM

Splottman & Dame Pattie do a very memorable one (which I can't at the moment remember!) Where Ned Does a verse in English, followed by Pattie doing one in Welsh, the chat-up lines don't seem to work when you aren't speaking the same language.

Cheers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Joe_F
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 09:12 PM

The False Lover Won Back (Child 218)

Berryman & Berryman made a fair number of such songs, e.g., PASS THE PEPPER, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU LIKE MY SHIRT. Also, some in which a man & a woman describe each other in the third person, e.g., So Comfortable, We Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: GUEST,Tinker in Chicago
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 04:42 PM

If you'd like some bawdier options, my wife and I have written and recorded literally dozens over the years. Google "Molly & the Tinker" and check out the lyrics link on the website.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 04:12 PM

There are many songs that can be done that way, but there's a danger of getting very twee about it.

THE WHITE COCKADE should work, as some lines are very clearly from his side (... they advanced me some money ...) and others equally clearly from hers (I'll carve his name ...). But there are also some from a narrator (He pulled out his handkerchief to wipe her flowing eyes). Does that mean that you need three people?

Then there are some songs where it's hard to be sure which party is saying what, e.g. THE VERDANT BRAES OF SKREEN.

Richard

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Artful Codger
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 02:57 PM

"SOLDIER, SOLDIER", by Rudyard Kipling and Peter Bellamy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Bluegrassman
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 02:27 PM

IN SPITE OF OURSELVES, as performed by John Prine and Iris DeMent.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 01:14 PM

MAID OF AMSTERDAM works well as a cue and response song. Takes a little reworking but not much.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 01:11 PM

I just listened to a CD with a beautiful conversation song between a mother and her son just returned from the war. It is on the Utah Phillips Tribute CD "Singing Through The Hard Times". I will see what I can find.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Newport Boy
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 12:59 PM

For something completely different - THE COAL OWNER AND THE PITMAN'S WIFE.

Phil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Conversation songs between man and woman
From: Brian Peters
Date: 29 Dec 09 - 07:07 AM

Don't think anyone's mentioned 'COME WRITE ME DOWN' yet - always a hit when performed as an alternate verse duo by Ken and Mags Whiting in the glory days of Glossop folk club.

'THE UNQUIET GRAVE' might qualify as well, but perhaps that's not the mood you're after...