Lyr Req: Mother's Ruin (poem by Ray Fisher)

Subject: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 03:17 PM

Reading on another thread about Ray Fisher's recordings, I was reminded of a poem she wrote about a mother's advice to her daughter ("Pull down your skirt" etc. etc.) and wondered if it was the one titled "Mother's Ruin" on the Scottish Women Live on Tour CD on Greentrax.

I'd be very grateful if anyone could supply the words of this. And thanking you in advance -- ultimate faith in Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 06:13 PM

Gin Gin is Mother's ruin
And Mother's ruin will be mine.


Batgoddess got the words from Bobbi. I expect she will post.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: GUEST,Doc Rowe
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 05:23 AM

Sorry, in haste I clearly didn't send the message!
Just to say that I do have several recordings of Ray doing this over the years[on video] and, if you do have problems finding this, get back to me.
Doc

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 07:52 AM

Thanks, Doc -- will take you up on it if necessary.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 10:39 AM

I don't know it this is the poem referred to.

I learned it (as, basically, a one-verse song) from Bobbi in Portland circa 2005. (I remember singing it for Caroline Paton at the Folk-Legacy booth at NEFFA sometime in the mid-'oughts.)

Gin, gin was Mother's ruin.
Father was touched off by wine.
Poor Aunt Jane was afraid of champagne
While Uncle preferred turpentine.
My sister got awfully frisky
On rum mixed with stout mixed with whiskey...
But gin, gin was mother's ruin.
And Mother's ruin will be mine."

Linn, hoping to be helpful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 02:05 PM

Not the poem I was thinking of, Bat Goddess -- but a good one, nevertheless! Thanks for your effort.
The one I was looking for, written by Ray herself, is all about a mother criticising her daughter as she prepares to go out and how the daughter sees her mother as an old fuddy-duddy. But then she finds herself years later reiterating all the same Do's and Don'ts to her own daughter.
Still hoping.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: Wolfhound person
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 02:41 PM

Is the one you want the one that starts with the story of going for breakfast with the family in California, and being served by a young and attractive "hunk" on roller skates, who after bringing the menu requested says something like " Can I be of any further service?"...and watching the nervous expressions on her sons' faces in expectation of their mother's reaction?

I can't really offer to see if I can get a copy at the moment, as I hope you will appreciate - and the delivery did change on the several occasions I heard it - but possibly I could ask later, as I'm pretty sure it is written down.

Paws

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Mother's Ruin' poem by Ray Fisher
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 04:39 PM

Paws, I think I have it nailed from elsewhere and will post it eventually.
But your poem -- a different one from mine -- sounds a cracker too!

Meanwhile, kind thoughts are with you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mother's Ruin (poem by Ray Fisher)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Sep 11 - 01:30 PM

You can hear Ray Fisher recite MOTHER'S RUIN in an archived radio program found on this page. Click "play all" and then the poem begins at about 38:05.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mother's Ruin (poem by Ray Fisher)
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 07 Sep 11 - 04:56 AM

Thank you so much, Jim Dixon -- everyone has been very helpful.