Songs sung by men in woman's perspective

Subject: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: GUEST,ibidfullstop
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 12:44 AM

A few years back I stumbled upon a couple songs in American folk compilations
that were sung by men but retained the gender pronouns of the original song.
I've done some digging around the site and found a couple examples but most
of those conversations either go off into debate about social issues or talk
generally about the subject. I would like to request anyone's help in naming
specific recordings of this happening. Preferably American, and before 1950.

Very much appreciate any help! Thank you

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Will Fly
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 03:21 AM

OK - here's one that I sing: "There Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth The Salt Of My Tears".

Quite definitely not a folk song, but unusual for its time in being originally sung (as far as I know) by a male trio, The Rhythm Boys, with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.

About 1931 or so. The Rhythm Boys, by the way, were Al Rinker, Harry Barris and Bing Crosby.

Great song, no matter who sings it.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Ged Fox
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 04:09 AM

"Ye maidens pretty" or "The imprisoned lady"

A folk song, not American, included in "Songs and Ballads of the West", collected by S. Baring Gould & co, late C19th.

Collected from the singing of James Parsons.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Long Firm Freddie
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 05:53 AM

Not American, but couple from Martin Carthy:

The Famous Flower of Serving Men and The Bedmaking

LFF

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 06:28 AM

Not really sure what you mean but here are a few of the hundreds of folksongs often sung by men from a women's point of view

Single Girl
Careless Love
Who's gonna shoe your pretty little foot?
Come all you fair and tender maidens

I'll stop there for I may have totally misunderstood what you are asking.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 08:05 AM

Big Al
Single Girl is a good example
...I'm a single girl wondering if love could be passing her by
I'm a single girl and I know all about men and their lies...

OP ibidfullstop is after specific recordings by men, preferably American, and before 1950.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: JMB
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 08:12 AM

Not American, but "Old Maid In The Garrett" is a folk song sung by men from the woman's perspective.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: GUEST,ibidfullstop
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 02:36 PM

And yes, exactly FreddyHeady. All of these examples are great and surely welcome as well! Thank you

Subject: Lyr Add: SINGLE GIRL
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 05:01 PM

I was referring to this song, which in some version starts "When I was a single girl, then I dressed so fine, Now That I am married Lord, go ragged all the time."

SINGLE GIRL

Single girl, oh single girl
She's gone anywhere she please
Oh, gone anywhere she please
Married girl, oh married girl
Got a baby on her knees
Oh, got a baby on her knees

Single girl, oh single girl
She's going dressed up so fine
Oh going dressed up so file
Married girl, oh, married girl
She wears any kind
Oh, she wears any kind

Single girl, oh single girl
She goes to the store and buys
Oh goes to the store and buys
Married girl, oh, married girl
She rocks the cradle and cries
Oh, rocks the cradle and cries

Single girl, oh single girl
She lays in bed 'til one
Oh lays in bed 'til one
Married girl, oh, married girl
She's up before the sun
Oh, up before the sun

Single girl, oh single girl
She's looking for a man
Oh looking for a man
Married girl, oh, married girl
She's got her wedding band
Oh, got her wedding band

___________
DT #848

from the singing of the Carter family through Mickey Miller and
Bess Hawes. Last two verses by Mickey Miller.
Recordings: Carter Family, "Anthology of American Folk Music"
Folkways.
@marriage
filename[ SINGLGRL

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 07:35 PM

I am to some extent surprised that some males will not sing "a woman's song" and equally some women will not sing a "man's song". Others go into transgender contortions, changing the song to fit their own gender, which is perhaps worse, as it can distort the meaning if the song.
If you like a song, just sing it, as it was written, is my philosophy. (Excuse a humble female intruding on your male thread!)

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: RTim
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 07:41 PM

Often English songs have the device - "As I walked out one morning, I met a......" Etc. Etc. - it allows any gender to sing the song..........as you are the narrator and not really part of the story.
It is also true that in many Ballads - the narrator changes gender, and can become First, Second or Third Person in a single song.........very complex sometimes, but that is often what makes the songs so interesting..........

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: GUEST,ibidfullstop
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 08:47 PM

This is certainly not a male thread by any means and anyone is welcome to contribute knowledge.

There is a good discussion of this perspective switch over on this thread but doesn't point to any folk songs from the American south that I can locate.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 09:51 PM

The Side Of The Hill
http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/10/sideofthehill.htm

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Mar 17 - 10:32 PM

Peter Mundey's Take Your Time is from a woman's perspective, but it was written by a man and is often sung by men.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Mar 17 - 05:41 AM

Joe - you know i always thought Ewan and/or Peggy SEeger wrote that. I always used to think poor old sod!

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Lighter
Date: 31 Mar 17 - 10:20 AM

How about male fantasies like "If I Were the Marrying Kind"? "The Knave"? "Bucking Bronco"?

Traditional singers seem rarely to have hesitated to sing a song from the opposite sex's point of view.

Because the singer was clearly not to be identified with the narrator.

Show-biz, however, is different, where virtually every first-person song is imagined to be an expression of the singer's own mind and feelings.

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Cool Beans
Date: 31 Mar 17 - 11:01 AM

Charlie Poole's 1930 recording of "The Gypsy Girl." Poole was an American Southern singer-banjoist. The song very likely is older, and English. Nevertheless....

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 31 Mar 17 - 02:26 PM

Blackwater side

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 01 Apr 17 - 09:31 AM

~ Ireland 1968 John B Keane , Won't You Come Under My Shawl
https://youtu.be/1whMw-F9rLM 


~ US 1940/50s? Jordanaires , Blow The Wind Southerly
https://youtu.be/wgcrwf0u8Gg 

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Apr 17 - 10:03 AM

Cool Beans – This is perfect, so fantastic, thank you!
Big Al Whittle – These lyrics are quite nice. It was written by Bert Jansch or has older origins?
FreddyHeadey – The Keane is very charming, and the Jordanaires is striking

Many thanks to you all!

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 01 Apr 17 - 08:39 PM

One could probably do a whole show of just Betty Lou & Hartman's Heartbreakers (Note: google & UT are NSFW):

thread: Dr. Demento song: 'You let me play with your

12-stringer:
"Lyrics are fairly smutty for the time, with Betty Lou trying to sound like fresh hillbilly jailbait (deliberately just a tad offkey)..."

thread: Lyr Add: FETCH IT ON DOWN TO MY HOUSE

Stewie
"Here's a western swing version from Hartman's Heartbreakers, with vocals from the oh-so-innocent 'Betty Lou' who evidently was a moonlighting wellknown popular singer. A gloriously salacious romp."

Well surprize!... surprize!!... surprize!!!
Tommy Riggs and Betty Lou

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: leeneia
Date: 02 Apr 17 - 09:14 AM

The Banks of the Sweet Primroses
On Top of Old Smokey

Subject: RE: Songs sung by men in woman's perspective
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 02 Apr 17 - 09:21 AM

down by Blackwaterside.........


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_by_Blackwaterside