Tune Req: Abney and Teal

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Senoufou/Eliza
Date: 25 Oct 16 - 03:52 AM

That's strange, Rumncoke, as I'm rather similar. I can't read music, but all my Irish side of the family (mother, grandparents and several aunts, all passed away now sadly) were very musical, loved singing, especially funny little songs, and many of them could play the piano. I can play quite a bit by ear including chords, and absolutely love music of many kinds.
I've been playing your Tight Little Island song on Youtube several times and it's stuck in my head now. I was humming it going round the shops!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: Rumncoke
Date: 24 Oct 16 - 09:40 PM

Yes - I think you are right - but I cannot understand musical theory - despite trying many times over the years.

There's quite a lot of music in the family, and as my mother's mother was brought up by her mother's mother, it is rather antique. I thought that it might not go much further down the generations, but my daughter has just bought a melodeon, and I have got a recording device, so there's hope yet.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Senoufou/Eliza
Date: 24 Oct 16 - 01:16 PM

Yes, the time signature should be 6/8, but this song is (I think) in 3/4 time. But I think P M Adamson says he's changed the tempo a bit just before he starts singing.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: Rumncoke
Date: 24 Oct 16 - 11:20 AM

The song on youtube is definitely the one, but the tune is in a different time signature so it swings rather than being to a military beat - and it doubles up the repetitions in the last part of the tune.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Senoufou/Eliza
Date: 24 Oct 16 - 04:12 AM

It was P M Adamson who sings it on Youtube, and it's presented as The Island.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Senoufou/Eliza
Date: 24 Oct 16 - 04:09 AM

Oh, brilliant Rumncoke! I've now found that on Youtube. It was originally written by Thomas Dibden (1771 - 1854). P D Adamson (I hope I've remembered that correctly!) sings it, it's a very long and utterly charming song. How marvellous of you!
I think the repetition of 'island' at the end of the first and last lines of each verse must have prompted the words of the Abney and Teal song.
In fact, I think it's more likely than Bonny Green Garters to be the source. Unless, the words of Garters were set to the tune later.... (It is after all quite a ribald song, mentioning ladies' garters!) and might have been a parody of Tight Little Island)

Isn't Mudcat excellent eh?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: Rumncoke
Date: 23 Oct 16 - 08:02 PM

It is also the tune for 'tight little island'

Daddy Neptune one day to Freedom did say
If ever I lived upon dry land
The spot I would pick on would be little Briton
Says Freedom why that's my own island, my bright little tight little island,
The spot I would pick on would be little Britton
Says Freedom why that's my own island

It is mostly the same as Bonny Green garters, but the end is run around twice.
I'm sorry I didn't see this when it was first asked - I heard quite a few old or obscure morris tunes when I was younger - tunes like Ninety five, and apple pie

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Senoufou/Eliza
Date: 23 Oct 16 - 05:32 PM

Ha! Thank you so much Steve! I had no idea who played the melodeon for Toby Dog, and it's a woman singing the opening song. Also the series is Canadian I believe. But as Van Eyken was/is involved in UK Morris circles, then he would certainly know Green Garters!

Just think, for several years I've been growling "That's 'Bonny Green Garters!" at the TV screen. I can now rest easy, because it IS!
Phew!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 23 Oct 16 - 04:34 PM

As you've got Tim Van Eyken playing Toby Dog's melodeon I would think the use of Bonny Green Garters would be natural.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Senoufou/Eliza
Date: 23 Oct 16 - 01:14 PM

Here I am again four years later. I've just watched the intro to this little programme again, and STILL think it's the tune to Green Garters.
Has anyone any idea if it is?

Subject: Tune Req: Abney and Teal
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Dec 12 - 12:49 PM

There's a children's TV programme called Abney and Teal. The intro sings about the fact they 'live all alone on an island'. The tune sounds suspiciously like Green Garters, (the Morris dance 'cheerio' one.)
Anyone else heard it and thought so too?