Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy

Subject: RE: Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 25 Feb 13 - 09:41 AM

Gavin Atkin. Actually there are quite a number of versions of TBLB in Ireland, the one you've mentioned one being to the same tune as Charles Kickham used for She Lived Beside the Anner.

I'd say therefore that Harry Cox's version originated in Ireland and that he might have learned it from an Irish migrant labourer at some time. Mind you, it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that he learned it from that particular recording. A pity no-one thought to ask him.

Subject: RE: Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy
From: ljhartwell
Date: 25 Feb 13 - 07:33 AM

THanks Artful.
As you guessed, the tune is similar but the rhythm is different, and so are the words. Maybe if I learn it, someone will recognise it and put me right!
All the best, Hattie's Folk

Subject: RE: Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy
From: Artful Codger
Date: 14 Feb 13 - 05:15 PM

It must have been this one (compare the video key):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7cl1s0nqTo
However, Óige performs it to the same tune, so I doubt it's the one Hattie'sFolk is after.

Subject: RE: Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 13 - 04:03 PM

Hi Gavin
Thanks for posting this, but...
Sorry to be a pain but I can't make the link work - which search terms did you put into youtube?

Subject: RE: Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy
From: GUEST,Gavin Atkin
Date: 14 Feb 13 - 09:03 AM

This seems to be an Irishman singing a version from Harry Cox of Norfolk - and it's pretty clear:

http://youtu.be/p7cl1s0nqTo

Gavin

Subject: Origins: A waltz time Labouring Boy
From: GUEST,Hattie'sFolk
Date: 14 Feb 13 - 06:47 AM

Hi
I have heard a recording from 1978 (in Surrey, at a small festival) of an unknown woman singing a song which has the refrain Bonny Labouring Boy.
The first verse is:
Come lasses and lads who would doubt your fair love
And harken to what I say
Tis of a bonny labouring boy that stole my heart away
He filled the meadow with flowers, he filled my heart with joy
I vowed that I would never leave
My bonny labouring boy.

I do not know the name of the tune although it sounds a little similar to the Lakes of Ponchartrain.

I am interested in knowing more about the song, especially the last verse which is difficult to make out. If anyone can shed any light on its origins including the tune, that would be great.

It is NOT the same song as the one sung by An Oige or Shirley Collins - both words and music are completely different.