Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer

Subject: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: GUEST,Hilary
Date: 14 Feb 23 - 12:11 PM

I see in Woody Guthrie's discography from Wikipedia that he recorded a song called Hulaballobalay with the Almanac Singers. Does anyone know where I can find a copy of that song? I'm most interested in hearing the tune, but words would also be helpful to see. I'm trying to see if it was used as a model for someone else's song that I'm researching.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 15 Feb 23 - 04:31 AM

The 1942 glass master recording is in the Library of Congress. The usual sources list it as "unissued."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 15 Feb 23 - 05:17 AM

Note: Same month the 'home recording' session masters were added to the LoC., also unpublished but, a copy might still be out there somewhere:

“Hullabaloo belay; w & adaptation of old sea chanty, by P. Seeger & the Almanac singers. © 1 c. Feb. 4, 1942; E unp. 284963; Peter Seeger, New York. 30756”
[Catalog of Copyright Entries 1942, Music New Series, Vol.37, Pt.3, Library of Congress, Copyright Office]

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: Lighter
Date: 15 Feb 23 - 07:08 AM

Not the Almanacs, but the same song and lyrics:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTnuQsx0Plo

Only the first stanza is "traditional," collected from one S. M. Woodward, who'd heard it "during a voyage made in 1920 from Liverpool to Mejillones in Chile." Woodward couldn't remember ant more of the song - if there was any - so the additional verses were written by the collectors, A. W. Whitehead and S. Taylor Harris.

It first appeared in Whitehead and Taylor Harris's "Six Sea Shanties" (1925).

Audio recordings are ultimately based on that publication.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: Lighter
Date: 15 Feb 23 - 07:16 AM

Be sure to check out the "Origins" thread.

The Sicilians are singing "Hulla Balloo Balloo," which is pretty close. The tune is different, though, and I'm less impressed by the similarity than I was years ago.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: cnd
Date: 15 Feb 23 - 08:04 AM

(Origins thread: link)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Hulaballobalay by Guthrie/Almanac singer
From: GUEST,Hilary
Date: 16 Feb 23 - 01:49 PM

Thanks especially for linking to the origins thread!