Songs about Women in the Services

Subject: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Barbara
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 10:36 PM

Hi gang, got this request from a friend, and am passing it on to you.
She's working to prepare a 1.5 hr program on Veterans' Day, Nov. 11, and found very few songs about women in the service. She got the rest of the show taken care of, but asks:
"Does anyone know of any recorded folk songs (including contemporary folk songs) about women in the services? We've come up with a few old ballads about women who disguised themselves as men and went to sea, but nothing specific to women soldiers, sailors, etc. who have served actively - not even about female military nurses or doctors.
The program is going to focus primarily on American folksongs, and we are trying to touch on aspects of military life from heroism to the devastation war produces to the long-term effects on both military and civilians."

"Some we are planning to use are autoharpist (RAR) Kate Long's "MacNamara's Tear" and John McCutcheon's "Homecoming" on their newest CDs and the Monroe Brothers' "Poor Forgotten Soldier" from an anthology of late 1930s/early 1940s recording artists."
"If anyone can suggest good sources, please let me know. We have more than plenty of other material to fill the slot, but I'd really like to have women represented as well."
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 11:12 PM

There's a song the McCalmans do called "Mothers, Daughters, Wives." I can probably get more information, but it will have to be after the weekend.

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: alison
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 12:50 AM

Isn't it a Judy Small song?.. Just checked.. yes it is.....Page 162 in Rise up singing..... probably in the database too.... but it's more about the women watching the men go away rather than themselves being in the service....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Barbara
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 01:58 AM

Yep, and Meryle is looking for ones about women going to war, not staying home. Funny, I can't think of any either, yet there have been women in the service for a while now.
Anyone?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 04:13 AM

Could that be because we just got on and did it, without having to tell the world what we were doing??!

Have you tried contacting things like War or Military Museums? Sometimes there are stange things kept in the archives, I once found the words to God save the King scored in Hindi for Indian orchestra!

There might be something about the UK land army girls, but not sure if that would be appropriate.

There are plenty of talented writers out there, why not get someone to create a new one? A request on here might net you a whole bundle of fun.

Liz the Squeak

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Barbara
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 05:37 PM

Wasn't there a song about Florence Nightingale, or the women nurses started by her? Anyone?

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Barry Finn
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 06:51 PM

Does doing time in the service of the Lighthouse Sisterhood count, see "Ida Lewis" in the DT. Barry

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Susan A-R
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 09:46 PM

I remember singing a companion song to Anchors A-weigh that went

WAVES of the navy, there's a ship sailing on the bay And it won't put in to port again until that victory day Carry on for that gallant crew and for every heroe brave Who will find on shore, his man-sized chore was done by a navy WAVE.

It and Anchors are sung simultaneously and sound pretty neat. I do not know if it's recorded though. Send a note along to my personal page if you want something outlandish, like singing it over the phone (don't even have a decent tape recorder with mike thsese days.)

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Gene
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 09:50 PM

Salute To the Nurses [of Vietnam]/Ssgt Barry Sadler

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Gene
Date: 05 Nov 99 - 11:46 PM

(The Red Cross Nurse) Rose of No Man's Land

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: wildlone
Date: 06 Nov 99 - 01:35 PM

I have just posted a song.
Mary was a Three Badge Wren written by a Wren could be WW2 vintage.

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From:
Date: 06 Nov 99 - 02:58 PM

'Warrior Women and Popular Balladry', Dianne Dugaw, Cambridge University Press, 1989.

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Barbara
Date: 07 Nov 99 - 12:04 AM

Lots of good suggestions, folks. Knew you all would come through!
Say, Barry, did anyone record that lighthouse ballad? Or is there music available?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Nov 99 - 05:12 PM

Hi Barbara, No one has asked me to record it & I don't sing it about much so I don't think it's anywhere besides here. I took the tune is from a song called Turkey Rubarb, recorded by Tim Hart & Maddy Prior on Songs of Old England, vol #2. Thanks for expressing an interest. Barry

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 07 Nov 99 - 10:54 PM

"Rob 'Em All" is a favorite of mine (about NAAFI women in WWII).

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Mary Garvey
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 01:41 AM

well, if I had read this sooner I could have helped...

I have several of Vietnam war vintage....one is the Rose of Vietnam, one is for the nurses and is called Trail of the Dogwood, and one is for the nurses of the SS Sanctuary...and one has a nurse and an adjutant in it...

get me an address really quick and I'll see if I can get a tape to someone..

but you had better send it to me at [e-mail]

mg

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: Mary Garvey
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 01:41 AM

well, if I had read this sooner I could have helped...

I have several of Vietnam war vintage....one is the Rose of Vietnam, one is for the nurses and is called Trail of the Dogwood, and one is for the nurses of the SS Sanctuary...and one has a nurse and an adjutant in it...

get me an address really quick and I'll see if I can get a tape to someone..

but you had better send it to me at [e-mail]

mg

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 09:20 AM

Mary Garvey- If you're sending tapes, send one to: The Digital Tradition 28 Powell St GReenwich, CT 06831

and they songs will wind up in the DT for all to share.

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 08 Nov 99 - 07:35 PM

Sorry but I've only just seen this thread - hope it's not too late. I posted the lyrics sometime back to'Backyard Abortion Waltz which relates to unwanted pregnancies resulting from liaisons between Australian women and US service-men during WWII. But it in part refers to a young girl who "joined the WAAF (Women's Australian Air Force) when the war came, lied about her age and her name, and she always had soldier boys with her on leave". A very powerful song from Robyn Archer. I have only just got the score. If you need it I could notate or fax it tonight. Regards, John.

Subject: RE: Need Songs about Women in the Services
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 02 - 01:04 AM