Lyr Add: Catch Me If You Can

Subject: Lyr Add: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
From: Wolfgang
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 09:27 AM

This is from the singing of Bill Price. A well known theme, but I haven't seen yet this version anywhere else. As for the origin Bill Price only writes: „I learned this song from Vic Ellis from Leeds".

Wolfgang

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

CHORUS: My name is catch me if you can
I'll marry you when I return,
I'll marry you when I return
for I'm bound to cross the ocean.

As I roved out one May morning,
it was there I met with a Fairy Queen,
it was there I met with a Fairy Queen,
she was taking of the air-o.

I said fair maid will you come with me,
I'll show you round the country,
I'll show you plants, I'll show you flowers,
I'll show you things you've never seen.

So this young couple they walked along,
and this young man he sang his song,
and this young man he sang his song
thinking to gain her favour.

Since you have gained your will of me,
you've robbed me of my liberty,
you've robbed me of my liberty,
pray grant to me your name, Sir.

They sent six men all on horseback
for to fetch this false young soldier back,
for to fetch this false young soldier back,
but the search was all in vain you know.

When nine long months had gone and past,
this fair young maid had a child at last,
this fair young maid had a child at last,
but the baby had no father.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: Bruce O.
Date: 14 Jan 00 - 06:27 PM

Ten verses, tune, no chorus in Frank Purlsow's 'The Wanton Seed', p. 25, 1968. Collected in 1906, ammended from broadside.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: Wolfgang
Date: 20 Jan 00 - 06:07 AM

Thanks, Bruce, you're right of course. Weakness of my filing system.
I can add that I like the version in the Wanton Seed better for the ironic twist that 'catch-me-if-you-can' is actually caught in the last verse of that version.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 00 - 01:09 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 06:29 AM

Does anyone have a reference to the broadside from which the Purslow version in the Wanton Seed was augmented? I have searched the Bodleian site to no avail, and thanks to a new film of the same name by Spielberg I am getting nowhere with a Google search.
There is a version of this song in the collection made by Ella Bull of Cottenham in 1907, and it would be great to get it back into circulation by using a broadside to complete the text.
Mary

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 07:11 AM

Roud gives MS sources in Hammond MS, Alfred Williams and Sharp MS. There's also Sophie Legg's version of course on the Veteran tape.

Roud also lists one broadside source: Madden Collection 22 (Country Printers 7) [VWML mfilm No.89) Item no.20

I have the Sophie Legg version if you're interested.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 06 Mar 05 - 09:42 AM

Thanks Mick.
I already have the Sophie Legg version and that is wonderful. But it is shorter than the Purslow version in The Wanton Seed and he gets away with it, rather than being caught & made to face up to his responsibilities!
None of the texts I have seen so far is quite like the Ella Bull vestigial words. The reference to Madden at the VWML is extremely helpful. I will work on that & let you know how I am getting on.
Thanks again!
Mary

Subject: Lyr Add: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
From: GUEST,Guest - Chalkie
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:05 AM

I got my version from a Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman CD, Away From It All. Words are similar to the original;

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

'Twas early, early, all in the Spring
Down in the meadows, growing green
A fair young lady I chanced to see
I asked her if - she would walk with me

I asked her if - she would walk with me
Down in the meadows, oh so green
I'd show her flowers and pretty things
I'd show her what - she had never seen

As this young couple, were strolling along
He sang to her - some - sweet pretty song
He sang to her – some sweet pretty song
And soon he'd gained - her favour

Now that you've had - your will of me
And stole away – my - sweet liberty
And stole away – my sweet liberty
Won't you tell to me – your name sir

My name is catch me, that's if you can
I'll marry you – when I return
I'll marry you when I return
But I'm going across - the wide ocean

When three long months they were gone and past
And six long months - he'd never returned
Nine long months - it had come at last
And the child it had – no father

I'll roam this wide world, all around and around
I'll find that young man, if I can
I'll find that young man - if I can
If I catch him at – his pleasure

Repeat 5th verse

Lovely, lovely song.

I can't remember who they tribute the song to, but if you wish I'll take a look when I get home and get back to you.

Chalkie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch me if you can
From: GUEST,Guest Chalkie
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 08:22 AM

Sorry Catters, just thought on, I've got the CD in the car. The tribute reads "We learned this song from our friend Vic Legg of Bodmin who got it from his mother Sophie, of a Cornish Travellers family. Pete & Chris Coe collected Sophies songs in the 1970's and Veteran have a CD of Sophie and her sister Charlotte on their label, which is titles after this track"

I think that confirms something that was said in one of the earlier replies.

Don't know if this is of any help or even if Wolfgang is still listening?

All the best

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch Me If You Can
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 27 Jul 09 - 05:59 PM

Working on origins of this one at the moment. To my great shame I have not heard any of the Legg family recordings of this song although I have some of their recordings. I have most of the Veteran tapes and some of the CDs but 119 has eluded me. I assume that all of the gorgeous versions on the folk scene in the last 20 years derive from the Legg family. I've never heard anyone sing the 'Wanton Seed' version though 'Wanton Seed' and its 2 followers never had the same influence on the 'Folk Scene' as 'Marrowbones' did.

The Madden broadside by Johnny Pitts has its duplicate in the BL Baring-Gould Collection, and the same title 'The Recreation' occurs in the catalogue of Collard of Bristol but I'm not aware of a survival of this one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch Me If You Can
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 01:47 PM

Does anyone know if John Roberts has recorded this?
Thanks,
SINS