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Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' |
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Subject: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: Bill Brown Date: 03 Aug 14 - 10:53 PM Anybody know of this? I've got a set of lyrics "to the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore'" I've found "I'm off for Baltimore" online, but only the lyrics, not the tune. It's a minstrel song - cringe-worthy - written in the 1850s. The lyrics are "The Pirates Serenade," written in the same era. Thanks, Bill Brown |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 04 Aug 14 - 12:20 PM Not in Lester Levy collection. four copies in American Memory, but only lyrics, no notes. Google can't find it. Maybe it was never written down. It's a nice little story. Scrape off the condescension and it would be worth learning. Why not make up your own tune? |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: Bill Brown Date: 04 Aug 14 - 06:53 PM I suppose I could, but where there's a "to the tune of" notation, it's often possible to track it down. Here's something I've noticed. The chorus of both lyrics start off with "come, love, come . . ." Come, love, come, you must not fear, My boat lies ober on de oder shore, And all I want is my Sally dear, Den I'll be off for Baltimore. Come, love, come, come away with me, My bark is on the glossy sea; The moon is bright, on ocean's breast, All, save the Pirate, is now at rest. Strongly reminiscent of "Nancy Till" (or "Nancy Dill" or "Down in De Canebrake") which was published (or so I read) in 1851, around the same time. In fact the song would work to that tune. Unfortunately, I don't like that tune very much. It's possible that this is the tune, however. Or else the writer cherry-picked the phrase from the chorus and set to a new tune. I suppose another track to explore is - are there alternative tunes to "Nancy Till/Dill/Canebrake?" |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: GUEST, GUEST, Betsy Date: 04 Aug 14 - 07:11 PM Bill , Sorry for the previous.......... You might be referring to a lusty song which went something like.... I touched her on the toe and the crew began to roar Way, hay, up me lads, - we're off TO Baltimore. A bit like a few songs which words work it's way up the lady's body in a bawdy sort of way. Cheers Betsy |
Subject: RE: ADD: 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: Jeri Date: 04 Aug 14 - 07:15 PM Possibly here at youtube. At that site: The Dan Meyer Choir performs "Off for Baltimore" for "The Baltimore Songbook: 1850-1930" at The 2640 Space on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Written in 1852 by William Donaldson and arranged for a cappella choir by Dan Meyer. Here are the lyrics: |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: Bill Brown Date: 05 Aug 14 - 12:13 AM BINGO!! Jeri, I owe you a beer - at the very least! Boy, did they clean those minstrel lyrics up. Not even a suggestion of the "n" word. lol Thank you thank you! Bill Brown |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: Jeri Date: 05 Aug 14 - 06:28 AM Glad I could help, Bill. |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: GUEST,# Date: 06 Aug 14 - 11:21 AM I wrote to the LoC. The response: 'We have four slightly different publications of the text only for "I'm off for Baltimore." These are found in the American Memory site, located under the title. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any sheet music for that title.' Very helpful people there. |
Subject: RE: Tune Req: the tune of 'I'm off for Baltimore' From: Bill Brown Date: 07 Aug 14 - 11:21 PM I wrote to Dan Meyer - whose choral group can be seen singing an arrangement of the song in the youtube link above. Mr Meyer was kind enough to send a link to the sheet music! http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/catalog/levy:023.015 |
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