Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?

Subject: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer the Balladeer
Date: 13 May 18 - 06:53 PM

I've a friend who's been working through breaking up with her unfaithful boyfriend recently. I've got a balladeer concert Saturday, and would like to show my support with something gentle and comforting. I've been sifting through my mind for a nice "It's all right, you can let it out and then move on, you're a lovely person" sort of thing to sing.
    We do a mix of unaccompanied shanties, the usual Celtic ballads, and I'm a devoted fan of Stan Rogers and Archie Fisher, to give you a sense of what the concert will be like. I sing and fingerpick guitar, the other guys sing only.
    Any traditional suggestions that might make this 17-year-old lass feel a bit better?
    Thanks,
Kristoffer Ross

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,julia L
Date: 13 May 18 - 10:00 PM

Farewell He

It's fare thee well cold winter
And fare thee well cold frost
Nothing have I gained
But a lover I have lost
I'll sing and I'll be merry
When fortune do I see
And I'll rest me when I'm weary
Let him go and fare well he

Last night I saw my true love
All down in yonder grove
I gave to him a smile
Not a word came from my love
Well if he likes another
And together they agree
I can find another lover
Let him go and fare well he
Take half a pound of reason
Half an ounce of common sense
A sprig of thyme in season
A little sage prudence
Then mix them well together
And I'll think you'll plainly see
He's no lad for windy weather
Let him go and farewell he

from the singing of Jean Redpath
SOF

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 13 May 18 - 10:23 PM

Thank you Julia!
    I had indeed thought of "Farewell He/She," but this version seems a bit better suited than the other two I've heard. Many thanks for sending it. I'll be interested to hear what others' suggestions are
Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 13 May 18 - 10:26 PM

Let him go, let him tarry,
Let him sink or let him swim.
He doesn't care for me,
I no longer care for him.
He can go and find another I hope he will enjoy,
For I'm going to find me a far nicer boy.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 13 May 18 - 10:43 PM

Hello, Seamus,
    That's another great one - I was able to find the whole text in Jim Carroll's collection on the Clare County Library site.
    Thanks for suggesting it!
~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 18 - 02:01 AM

'False, False'.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 14 May 18 - 02:19 AM

Not folk, but just thought of an oldie song by Gene Pitney called,
"Only Love Can Break a Heart" (Only Love Can Mend It Again.)

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 14 May 18 - 08:08 AM

Thank you all!
~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 May 18 - 12:49 PM

There was recently a hit song
called Let Me Give Your Heart A Break.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 18 - 01:24 PM

Mormond Braes. I know it from the singing of The Corries who sing it as an upbeat, bouncy kind of song with a nice chorus.

There's as guid fish intae the sea,
As ever there's been taken;
I'll cast ma nets and try again,
For I've only been aince forsaken.

Sae I'll gae down tae Stricken town,
Where I was bred and born in,
And there I'll get another sweetheart
Will marry me in the mornin'.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 14 May 18 - 01:33 PM

Thank you, All!
~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: gillymor
Date: 14 May 18 - 03:25 PM

Adieu False Heart

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 14 May 18 - 05:55 PM

I too suffered a broken heart many years ago, and had number of traditional songs that helped me along the way- - need to dig them out tho', have long since moved on!

I couple of friends also composed songs for me at the time, which was amazing tho it took me a while to be able to sing them without sobbing!
Best of all was Delia's poem, below (can't remember which is her maiden and which her married name!) I have been gi'en' it laldy for the last 40 something years! Might not suit the concert, but perhaps recite it to your friend at a later session; needs a strong Glasgow accent----!!!

Lines Tae Swines

It was yince upon a time – I cast ma hert afore that swine
But unto me he wis untrue – he went an’ broke ma hert in two!
He wis a beast, tae say the least – an’ noo fer me his love has ceased.
Wi herry knees, an’ legs like twigs – SEE MEN? MEN’S PIGS!



He took me tae a discotheque – an’ plantit lovebites oan ma neck!
Plied me wi vodka, an’ pu’d oot the cigs – SEE MEN? MEN’S PIGS!



Efter the dance he wis fu o romance, an I thocht – here, I’m in wi a chance!
But the landlady cam fae oot o ma digs, an yelled at the tap o her voice –        MEN’S PIGS!


Ah hivnae seen heid nor tail o him since –
an each time ah think on his face    – ah wince!
Aw he wis guid fer was a sterrheid grope –
he wis naethin but a bluidy big pig in a poke!

The moral o this story is tae keep yersel the wey ye wis.
Cos men’s only guid fer wan night gigs an – SEE MEN? MEN’S PIGS!

                                          By Delia McKerr / O’Hagan

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 14 May 18 - 07:43 PM

Margaret Walters has a couple of songs that might do on her Steadfast CD

I'm thinking of the traditional Scottish song Gang By Me, and the song Rosemarie, a translation/reworking by Anne Lister of a traditional Flemish song.

Unfortunately, Margaret hasn't posted the lyrics, and they're not in the Digital Tradition.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Nathan Tompkins
Date: 14 May 18 - 08:04 PM

Bob Dylan’s Love is Just a Four Letter Word.

Also his Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright. In my opinion, the best cover of the latter is punk legend Mike Ness’. He made it very angry and bitter.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 14 May 18 - 11:55 PM

I certainly have plenty to choose from here, thank you all.
    I'm still chuckling over "Men's Pigs," I'll have to learn and recite that sometime.
    At the moment, I'm leaning towards Jean Redpath's "Farewell He" version for Saturday's concert, but I'll probably not make a final decision until I get there.
    Best,
Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 May 18 - 01:45 AM

a couple of humorous songs,perhaps?but not about love

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 May 18 - 02:16 AM

definitely humour. Tom Lehrer is good fodder. Mixes it up a bit.

If the lass sings, maybe get her to join in one piece. Doing things is good distraction therapy.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 15 May 18 - 02:09 PM

Thank you both, Sandman and Mr. Red.
    This is not solely my concert, I'm just one of the Men o' War, otherwise I would ask her to join me.
    We do have a few humorous songs elsewhere in the set-list, including "The Close Shave," which I know she'll appreciate.
    Takk!
Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 15 May 18 - 05:16 PM

a couple of Iain Ingram songs -- however I have no idea how to give you the tunes, need to sing them to you!

AMOUR PERDU                  Iain Ingram

It’s the hour before the first light of morning, all is dark and grey

Underneath the streetlight one shadow moves then slowly fades away

Maybe only in a dream, or someone just passing through

Maybe in my mind I’ve seen, an image I thought was you

For a weariness dims my eyes, and nothing is clear to me

For these past few days have felt like a lifetime’s pain and misery



If I only had the strength of indifference, with a heart of stone

And the will to face a lonely existence, now that you are gone

Had we never loved at all, or through the years never cared

With no thoughts or fond recall, of gladness or sorrow shared

There would be no more sleepless nights, from the heartache of loving you

Or to see you leave forever and after, all that we’ve been through



‘Twas the hour before the first light of morning, when the end began

Had there been a scene with angry words spoken, I could understand

But all bitterness had gone, no, nothing shone in your eyes

As I watched you walk alone, I came there to realise

That no greater a fool I’d been, than the fool who at twilight stands,

Watching everything she ever held precious,   

slipping through her hands -   slipping through her hands.

HEART and SOUL

Copyright Iain Ingram 1988


                Pleasant dreams have changed to bitter schemes
                Precious memories are scattered
                I was tried, well used then brushed aside
                Scorned, rejected, bruised and battered
                
                        Heart and soul, with heart and soul
                        I gave to you more than you’ll know
                        Heart and soul, with heart and soul
                        I offered true love forever.

                Yours and mine until the end of time
                That at least was what you told me
                On my own, and wondering since you’ve gone
                Was I foolish, wise or lonely?

                Come what may I hope you’ll find some day
                Who you are compared to others
                Moving on till then, chameleon
                Changing faces, moods and colours.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 15 May 18 - 05:27 PM

Iain Ingram has a number of 'heartbroken' songs from the other point of vie ie the man who has been rejected!

Off the top of my head from the tradition:
Waly Waly ' the Water is Wide

A number from Robert Burns: eg Ye banks and Braes (and loads more)

When I find it I'llpost the words of the other song composed for me - --currently lost in the depths of my pc.

Tho the plaintif sentimental ones are beautiful I feel its the more jaunty or angry or mocking ones that get you through the process! (See Men? Men's PIGS!)

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 15 May 18 - 10:21 PM

Thank you, Gallus Moll!
    Those are all fantastic, I'd love to see the other whenever you find it. I'll definitely recite her "Men's Pigs" the next time we have a visit.
    ~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Gallus Moll (away from home!)
Date: 16 May 18 - 03:38 AM

Practice that Glesca (Glasgow) accent!
I will eventually find 'Dancing Tonight'..... but for the tunes...just have to sing them to you!!

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Gallus Moll (away from home!)
Date: 16 May 18 - 03:38 AM

Practise i meant....

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Mr Red
Date: 16 May 18 - 04:59 PM

otherwise I would ask her to join me

good chorus songs that she will fall in with the crowd. Make them up-beat and not about false-hearted lovers.

The power of communal singing for therapy is hard to deny.

Not enough time to learn new songs otherwise there are many song out there.

One I referenced recently is a Streets of Laredo parody very funny and two deaths but no broken hearts.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 16 May 18 - 06:43 PM

Greetings, Mr. Red,
    We try to get everyone to sing along, although with mixed success sometimes... Overall, I think this concert is going to be very upbeat and fun. I know I'm looking forward to it.
    I've wondered why the white linen is so dang important :-)
~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Amergin
Date: 16 May 18 - 07:59 PM

No trad by any means, but Weird Al has a doo wop style song called One More Minute. It's beautiful.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 17 May 18 - 02:49 AM

I was just listening on Youtube tonight the song called,
"Love Hurts" by Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris.
It is a real tearjerker for sure and so true

Have you hear this song before?

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 May 18 - 06:07 PM

There's a parody version of " Will ye gang love,and leave me noo" sung by Scottish group The Sangsters, which might fit the bill.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 19 May 18 - 11:31 PM

Dear Mudcat-folk,
    I cannot thank you enough for weighing in on this. I went with Farewell He, since I was all ready familiar with it. After the concert she gave me a very long hug and thanked me deeply.
    "I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks"
Sincerely,
~Kristoffer

P.S.
I added this verse and repeated the first, otherwise I followed Jean Redpath's structure.
    I will call upon a true friend,
    And with them take a walk,
    Upon yon bonny hillside,
    We will sing and sweetly talk,
    And when my mourning's over,
    I am fair and young and free,
    I will find a truer lover,
    Let him go, Farewell he.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: mg
Date: 19 May 18 - 11:48 PM

I hope she has some righteous indignation as well as a broken heart. That young man seems to be a cad.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Kristoffer Ross
Date: 20 May 18 - 03:14 PM

Indeed, MG, indeed. I'll just put it this way: I've never met him myself, and desire never to have to.
~Kristoffer

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Thompson
Date: 21 May 18 - 08:08 PM

Let Him Go or Let Him Tarry

Farewell to cold winter, summer's come at last
Nothing have I gained but my true love I have lost
I'll sing and I'll be happy like the birds upon the tree
For since he deceived me I care no more for he

Let him go, let him tarry, let him sink or let him swim
He doesn't care for me nor I don't care for him
He can go and get another that I hope he will enjoy
For I am going to marry a far nicer boy

He wrote me a letter saying he was very bad
I sent him back an answer saying I was awful glad
He wrote to me another saying he was well and strong
But I care no more about him than the ground he walks upon

Let him go, let him tarry, let him sink or let him swim
He doesn't care for me nor I don't care for him
He can go and get another that I hope he will enjoy
For I am going to marry a far nicer boy

Some of his friends had a good kind wish for me
Others of his friends they could hang me on a tree
But soon I'll let them see my love, and soon I'll let them know
That I can get a new sweetheart on any grounds I go

Let him go, let him tarry, let him sink or let him swim
He doesn't care for me nor I don't care for him
He can go and get another that I hope he will enjoy
For I am going to marry a far nicer boy

He can go to his old mother now and set her mind at ease
I hear she is an old, old woman, very hard to please
It's slighting me and talking ill is what she's always done
Because that I was courting her great big ugly son

Let him go, let him tarry, let him sink or let him swim
He doesn't care for me nor I don't care for him
He can go and get another that I hope he will enjoy
For I am going to marry a far nicer boy.

Also two non-trad ones you might give her links to - You're Moving Out Today by Carol Bayer Sager, and Dua Lipa's New Rules with its great advice and the classic line "And if you're under him, you ain't gettin' over him"! A very funny song, and a briliant video.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Harpocrates
Date: 21 May 18 - 10:37 PM

LONELY ONE by Mark Heard.

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: GUEST,Gallus Moll (away from home!)
Date: 22 May 18 - 07:14 PM

Had another belated thought...Dory Previn songs really helped me when i was moving on from my big heartbreak!
Love her writing style....def. worth seeking out her albums/song book!

Subject: RE: Trad Songs to Help a Heartbroken Friend?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 May 18 - 07:46 PM

Mormond Braes

Chorus
Fare thee well, ye Mormon Braes,
where oft times I've been cheery.
Fare thee well, ye Mormon Braes,
For it's there I've lost my dearie.

As I went in by Strachen Toon
I heard a fair maid mournin.
She was makin sair complaint
For her true love ne'er returnin.
Chorus

Thar's mony a horse haes slipped an fell
And risen again richt early.
Thar's mony a lass has lost her lad
An got anither richt rarely.

chorus

Thar's as guid fish in tae the sea
As ever yet were taken.
A cast ma nets and try again,
For I am anely ance forsaken.

chorus

Sae A will put on my gown o green,
As A forsaken told him.
And we'll let the young lad know
that the bonds of love are broken.

chorus

Sae A'll gang back to Strachen Toon
Whaur A wis bred an born in,
An A will get another young lad
Tae marry me in the mornin.