Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions

Subject: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Medieval Man
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 12:43 PM

I am arranging a medley of folk songs for my choir to sing at our annual Country/Bluegrass festival. This medley will be exclusively 50's and 60's American folk songs. I need a minor key folk song of that era for a crucial place in the medley. The song must have a 50's to 1969 pedigree. It should either be a song recorded by one of the well-known groups or performers of that era, or it may also be a more esoteric song from the folk and coffeehouse sub-culture. Whether the song is well-known or obscure is not important. This medley already has both. To narrow this general song search a little more, the tempo should be such that a Travis pick can carry it, as opposed to a strumming song. This song will come out of a strumming song in C, and I hope to go into the relative Am with a deceptive cadence, with finger-picking. I need suggestions for this song. This is my first attempt at asking the knowledgeable people of Mudcat for advice. If this works, I'll be grateful and I will have found a great and valuable asset to my arranging needs.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: WyoWoman
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 03:50 PM

First thing that comes to my mind is "Dona, Dona, Dona," or maybe "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair..." Maybe "Lady Mary" -- I think that's in A-minor, but I'd have to check.

I'll keep thinking. Welcome to the amazing resource that is the 'Cat.

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 04:54 PM

My vote would be for Hamilton Camp's "Pride of Man", it is a real barn-burner, and would allow for a some solos or antiphonal work--

as you well know, the composer/arranger selects the tempo, but this can be pretty quick, and the "Great God, pride of Man, Broken in the Dust Again would really knock em dead with the power of a choir behind it-- Gordon Lightfoot did it, as noted, but there is a really fun version from the Washington Squares--

PRIDE OF MAN (Hamilton Camp)

Turn around, go back down, back the way you came. Cant you see that flash of fire Ten times brighter than the day And behold a mighty city Broken in the dust again

Oh God the Pride of man broken in the dust again

Turn around, go back down, Back the way you came. Cant you see that flash of fire Ten times brighter than the day And behold a mighty city Broken in the dust again Oh God the Pride of man broken in the dust again

Turn around, go back down, Back the way you came Babylon is laid to waste, Egypt buried in her shame Their mighty men are beaten down Their kings are fallen in the ways. Oh God the Pride of man, broken in the dust again.

Turn around, go back down, Back the way you came. Terror is on every side, Though the leaders are dismayed And those who put their faith in fire In fire their faith shall be repaid Oh God the Pride of man, broken in the dust again.

Turn around, go back down Back the way you came Shout a warning to the nations That the sword of God is raised On Babylon that might city Rich in treasure, wide in fame It shall cause thy tower to fall And make of thee a pyre of flame Oh God the Pride of man, broken in the dust again

Oh thou who dwell on many waters, rich in treasure wide in fame. Bow unto a God of gold, thy Pride of might shall be thy shame. Oh, God the Pride of man, broken in the dust again

And only God can lead the people back into the earth again. Thy holy mountain be restored Thy mercy on thy people, Lord.

Copyright Hamilton Camp (sung by Gordon Lightfoot) filename[ PRIDEMAN RG
^^

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Barbara
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 06:22 PM

Hills of Shiloh and Soul Cake, both PP&M
"Drill Ye Tarriers Drill' has a driving rhythm if that's what you're looking for. And Old Joe Clark (and all the other words that go to that tune) is in the dorian mode (which sounds minor). Shady Grove. Part of "Walk Right In" is minor. Moscow Nights.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: M.Ted: Thanks
From: Medieval Man
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 02:32 AM

M. Ted: Not only was your suggestion an interesting one I will immedieately study, but you speak my choral and arranging language. You seem to know the ins and outs of choir work. I have a small but select chamber choir with tremendous talent. They can, for example, sing Handel's Messiah, arias and all, or, as in the case of this concert, do Country, Bluegrass and mountain gospel like they were ridge-runners with one leg shorter(and without that over-trained sound many "traditional" choirs cannot divest themselves of when singing non-dramatic idioms). In this coming concert we also do other Americana styles: spirituals, Early American and pentatonic hymntunes, folk (esp. this year), 19th and early 20th cent. revival hymns and tent meeting songs, and Southern Gospel. This "Pride of Man" is vaguely familiar, but I wouldn't have had a chance of thinking of it had you not taken the time to help. The resource of the Mudcat, it seems, will be a great boon to me as I arrange for my choir throughout the year. By the way, every June, we do an ancient concert, with all authentic medieval, Renaissance and baroque instruments, madrigals, costumes, etc. I collect and play historical and early instruments (as well as guitar). Thanks again for heeding the call, and for your special knowledge in the music and needs of choral music. Medieval Man.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: M. Ted (inactive)
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 08:31 AM

I am glad that you liked my idea! A person who would take a choir to perform at a bluegrass festival has to be, well, "inspired" is the polite word;-) But you are doing a wonderful thing--and I wish I could be there to hear you-- I am a composer of sorts, with a great fondness for popular idioms, and worked with a folk choral ensemble a number of years ago--if you need any more ideas, just ask--

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 19 Sep 99 - 02:00 PM

"Morning Has Broken" comes to mind.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 01:26 PM

How about Blind Fiddler? One of my personal favorites. The version I know is done by John McCutcheon (sp?) and Friends...and if I'm not mistaken they do it in the key of Am.

Good luck, Neil

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Neil Lowe
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 01:38 PM

P.S. John McCutcheon's version features a guitar accompaniment such as you are seeking....thumb style finger picking. I'm not sure if it fits the criterion of "well known performer or group," however.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 01:39 PM

"I Wonder As I Wander" is very recognisable, and was a folkie standard in the era. It is all minors.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Ferrara
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 04:52 PM

Another possibility is "Polly Von." I think I learned it from PP&M. Nice mournful song which would have a very rich sound if sung by a chorus.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 20 Sep 99 - 08:10 PM

Some ideas:

Wayfaring Stranger
El Condor Pasa

Both would be good for choral and solo work. Let us know what you decide to do!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: GUEST,WTC prophesy????
Date: 06 Oct 01 - 08:40 PM

Listen to the words! Did he know about 9/11/01????

(tower to fall...make a thee a phyre of flame) (Egypt buried in her shame) (broken in the dust again)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: M.Ted
Date: 07 Oct 01 - 12:53 AM

WTC prophesy-How did you remember this thread? I have wondered for a while whatever became of Medeval Man and his gospel/bluegrass choral effort, and I'd long ago forgotten the thread name--As to the appocalyptical elements, I was listening to this song this very afternoon(talk about strange coincidences) and it sent shivers--

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Feb 04 - 08:53 PM

what a great song!    I sound a little too
60's female folksinger when I sing it; but moving, nonetheless.
Chords to "Pride of Man"

Am            D             F                E
turn around, go back down, back the way you came

Am C    D       E    Am C   D--D   E   Am
0H GOD, PRIDE OF MAN, BROKEN IN THE DUST AGAIN

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: pavane
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 07:52 AM

How about Bob Dylan's Hollis Brown? (actually modal rather than minor, but still)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: s&r
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 09:50 AM

House of the Rising Sun? - if you want to sanitise it you can use the tune to "There is a Green Hill Far Away"

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Louie Roy
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 05:27 PM

Ghost Riders In The Sky is a great Em tune

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: GUEST,marthabees
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 08:29 PM

Shool-a-roon (Johnny has gone for a soldier)

Johnny comes marching home again

BTW- Morning has broken is major, not minor.

El Condor Pasa wanders back and forth between the two in the most interesting ways.....

John Jacob Niles wrote I wonder as I wander, so it's not a folk song at all. But I do truly love it anyway........kinda like Ashokan Farewell.....

Martha

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: M.Ted
Date: 02 Mar 04 - 12:36 PM

Folks, this thread was originally posted nearly five years ago! We never did hear back from Medieval Man to find out what he decided to do--I am still curious--

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Need minor-key song suggestions
From: Seaking
Date: 02 Mar 04 - 04:41 PM

'Sinner man' - great in Am...