Lyr Req: Loving Hannah (sung by Jean Ritchie)

Subject:
From: Lorraine
Date: 05 Aug 99 - 08:52 PM

Yes I know Loving Hannah is in the data base but I want a verse that Jean Richie sings that I can't find.

Oh I wish I were in London Or In some other seaport town I'd set my foot on a --- boat (Bali or Volley????) And I'd sail them seas all around Yes I'd sail them seas around I'd sail them seas around I'd set my foot on a --- boat And sail them seas all around.

Any help out there?? Thanks Lorraine

Subject: RE: Lyrics/Richie-Loving Hannah
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 12:29 AM

Old Abe Trivett's version said:

I wish I was in London,
or some other seaport town.
I step my foot on a bordered ship
And sail the ocean round.

Clearly, a corruption of "on board a ship," but I enjoyed it so much I've kept it in when I sing the song.

Other versions I've seen have "steamboat." Jeannie Robertson, of Aberdeen, Scotland, taught the song to us. When we asked where she had learned it, she replied, "Oh, I got that frae Jean Ritchie when she was here." The verse in question, unfortunately, was not included when Jeannie sang it for us. Caroline and I recorded the Ritchie/Robertson version on our first Folk-Legacy recording. Abe Trivett's version is on his Folk-Legacy recording. Bear in mind, ye curious folkies: Abe was 82 when I recorded him, down there in Butler, Tennessee, and all of his songs are unaccompanied. Caveat emptor.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Lyrics/Richie-Loving Hannah
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 12:33 AM

That last line got chopped off, somehow. It should have read: Abe Trivett's version is on his Folk-Legacy recording, but bear in mind, ye curious folkies: Abe was 82 years old when I recorded him, down there in Butler, Tennessee, and all of his songs are unaccompanied. Caveat Emptor!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Lyrics/Richie-Loving Hannah
From: Ewan McVicar
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 03:56 AM

Since Jean Ritchie's 1950s visit the song has become widely sung, and is now labelled a 'traditional Scots song' - see Ailie Munro's book The Democratic Muse.
At least Jeannie Robertson remembered where she got it from!

Subject: RE: Lyrics/Richie-Loving Hannah
From: Lorraine
Date: 06 Aug 99 - 06:51 AM

Thanks Sandy and Ewan--When Jean sang it in Washington this year she told the story of Sandy and Caroline picking it up from Jeanne Robertson. She added that it has been attributed to being a Scots trad. song by a number of well know singers. I'll try on "a bordered ship" and see how it works for me. Thanks again-Lorraine

Subject: RE: Lyrics/Ritchie-Loving Hannah
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 12 May 03 - 07:14 PM

That's, I'll set my foot on a bally boat,
       And I'll sail them seas all round.

"Bally" I was told by my oldfolks, means, "good," "fine," "beautiful."

Subject: RE: Lyrics/Ritchie-Loving Hannah
From: Felipa
Date: 14 May 03 - 01:00 PM

note the similarity with Handsome Molly in the DT (you'll find clickable link within the long list at the top of the page)

Subject: RE: Info Loving Hannah (sung by Jean Ritchie)
From: lisa null
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 08:03 PM

I'm searching for more information on Loving Hannah in Jean Ritchie's version. I know it is included in her reprint (University of Kentucky Press) of Folksongs From the Southern Appalachians even though it is not in the earlier editions.

Can anyone tell me what the notes in the new edition say about the song. I'm wondering where Jean got the song even though we know how many she passed the song along to!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Loving Hannah (sung by Jean Ritchie)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 04:37 AM

Bawley boat

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Loving Hannah (sung by Jean Ritchie)
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 11 Mar 07 - 08:07 AM

lisa null: Why don't you pm her and ask? She's been on this thread - "kytrad", two posts before yours!