Lyr Add: Fond Affection ('Once I Loved')

Subject: Lyr Add: Fond Affection ('Once I Loved')
From: Shenkin
Date: 05 Mar 17 - 07:43 PM

The Carters recorded "Fond Affection", which is basically the same song that DT gives words for under the title, "Once I loved." The song is also discussed on Mudcat as "Go and Leave Me If You Wish To."

Gid Tanner and Fate Norris recorded "Goodbye Booze" in 1924, but that side of the record actually contains two songs sung as a medley: "Fond Affection" and "Goodbye Booze". This "Fond Affection" is a variation of the song the Carters sing.

I've got pretty much all the words, but there is one phrase that I don't understand, so I wanted to ask if anyone has any insight.

They appear to sing "Lay your brown house on my breast", but that doesn't really make sense, and I've been trying to figure out how I might be mishearing it, or perhaps missing some sense in which "brown house" is being used.

Here are the words as I hear them. "Brown house" could be heard as "brown eyes", but that doesn't make sense either. "Brown hair" makes sense, but is not what is sung. Maybe it is what is meant, and there was a slip of the tongue.

FOND AFFECTION

(Gid Tanner and Fate Norris, first part of the track labeled "Goodbye Booze".)

Once I loved with fond affection
As I thought that she loved me
Then some dark-eyed boy persuaded
And she turned her back on me.

When I'm asleep I'm dreamin' about you
When I'm awake I see no rest
Every moment seems like an hour
Oh, what pain is in my breast

Here's a pint of apple brandy
Here's a glass of apple wine
Come and drink with me you little darling
For it may be your last time

Sit out here beside me darling
Lay your brown house (?) on my breast
Tell me that you love me darling
Then my heart will be at rest

Papa he is a drunkard
Yes, mama is she too
Have a jealous sweetheart
Yes, she's a drunkard too

(Here they start singing "Goodbye Booze".)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fond Affection ('Once I Loved')
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Mar 17 - 03:02 PM

This verse doesn't occur in the earlier English versions but the following similar stanza is in versions of 'Little Rosewood casket' a similar song.

I must say farewell, dear sister,
Place my hands upon my breast.
I am dying. Kiss me sister.
I am going home to rest.

Whilst this doesn't really help your query the Carter stanza may have been pieced together using this stanza.

Here's a possibility
Lay your brow upon my breast.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Fond Affection ('Once I Loved')
From: Shenkin
Date: 08 Apr 17 - 03:20 PM

Steve,

I think you must be right. Thanks.

I'd have replied sooner, but due to confusion about how to use Mudcat, I couldn't even find my query earlier, much less your response.

Last night, after singing the tune with "brown house", I asked the assembled company if they had a suggestion. One suggested the line you mentioned, and said it occurs in the Carters' "Fond Affection." Which it doesn't, so I've got to ask where she heard it.

Best,
-Peter Shenkin.