Subject: RE: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST Date: 23 Jan 25 - 06:49 PM 'Maggie's Farm' by Bob Dylan |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SALT (Malcolm Bray) From: GUEST Date: 23 Jan 25 - 06:47 PM THE SALT (Malcolm Bray; originally learned from Francis Brolly [also here] Come all you romantic young fellows who think for to work on a farm, Come listen a while to my story; it may serve to keep you from harm: When I was a smashing young fellow, my age it was just seventeen, I hired myself to a farmer at the horse fair at Ballinascreen. His family was way up in the mountains in among heather and bog, And the stock that I had to look after was a donkey, a goat and a dog. The master turned out an old skinflint; his heart was as hard as a stone. He worked me from daylight to darkness: in a month I was just skin and bone. We never ate nothing but porridge: he said it would make me a man. It very near made me a dead one; we supped it straight out of the pan. The master and me and his mother, we lived in a tumble-down shack The old woman was well over ninety: her bones were beginning to crack. She sat on a chair by the fire, she never would go to her bed, And when I arose every morning, she was sitting there nodding her head. We had three old hens and a rooster, one day they all died from the croup; He plucked them and boiled them salted them, lived for a week on the soup. Misfortunes may never come single for then the old nanny-goat died, He skinned her and boiled her and salted her; made himself shoes from the hide; I thought that his mind was affected, I thought that his mind was insane; Poor Fido he died from distemper - I was sent for the salt once again. When I saw what happened the dog not a wink did I sleep all that night, And when I arose the next morning I got the most terrible fright The old woman was lying by the fire as I raced for the door he cried «Halt!» Saying «Where are you going so early? Come back here and fetch me the salt» I went out through the door like a rocket, down the mountain I ran like a hare I never stopped running for a fortnight and I never been since at a fair! |
Subject: Lyr Add: POOR POOR FARMER (Stompin' Tom Connors) From: GUEST Date: 23 Jan 25 - 06:43 PM Poor, Poor Farmer Stompin' Tom Connors I came from the city many months ago Sold almost everything and it gave me quite a stake ya know I bought meself a section of the finest farmin' land But how they make a fortune I don't understand I bought new machinery, the very best to see But always buying new parts and half me crop is weeds The weasel took me chickens, while arsenic killed me cow The wife went home to mother; the black earth got me sow I'm a poor, poor farmer; what am I gonna do? A poor, poor farmer full of rabbit stew A poor poor farmer always on the go Prayin' to get my farm work caught up before the snow The rabbits ate me garden; the hail took all me wheat It seems I'm working round the clock; I'm really gettin' beat Grasshoppers came the other day just like a million goats Before I knew just what to do they cut down all me oats
Well I loaded up the grass seed and started off to town
But still I got me freedom; my credit rating is high |
Subject: Lyr Add: CHICKENS IN THE GARDEN (Watersons) From: GUEST Date: 23 Jan 25 - 06:40 PM The Watersons: Chickens in the Garden [also here] When first I came down Yorkshire not many years ago. I met with a little Yorkshire lass and I’d have you know, That she was so blithe, so buxom, so beautiful and gay, Now listen while I tell you what her Daddy used to say, Chorus (repeated after each verse): “Oh treat my daughter decent, don’t do her any harm. And when I die I’ll leave you both my tiny little farm. My cow, my pigs, my sheep, my goats, my stock, my field and barn. And all the little chickens in the garden.” Well first I came to court the girl she was awful shy. She never said a blooming word when other folks was by. But as soon as we were on our own she bade me to name the day, Now listen while I tell you what her Daddy used to say. Well at last I wed this Yorkshire lass, so pleasing to me mind, And I did prove true to her so she’s proved true in kind. We have three bairns, they’re grown up now, there’s a grandbairn on the way. And when I look into their eyes I can hear their grandaddy say. |
Subject: Lyr Add: HORKSTOW GRANGE From: GUEST,henryp Date: 23 Jan 25 - 06:30 AM Horkstow Grange [also here] In Horkstow Grange there lives an old miser, You all do know him as I've heard tell, It was him and his man that was called John Bowlin', They fell out one market day. Pity them what see him suffer, Pity poor old Steeleye Span, John Bowlin's deeds they will be remembered, Bowlin's deeds at Horkstow Grange. Horkstow is one of the low villages in the Ancholme Valley, situated at the foothills of the Lincolnshire Wolds. From Percy Grainger's notes: Mr. George Gouldthorpe, the singer of Harkstow [sic.] Grange (born at Barrow-on-the-Humber, North Lincolnshire, and aged 66 when he first sang to me, in 1905) was a very different personality. In spite of his poverty and his feebleness in old age it seemed to be his instinct to shower benefits around him. Once, at Brigg, when I had been noting down tunes until late in the evening, I asked Mr. Gouldthorpe to come back early the next morning. At about 4:30 I looked out of the window and saw him playing with a colt, on the lawn. He must have taken a train from Goxhill or Barrow, at about 4.0 a.m. I apologised , saying 'I didn't mean that early, Mr. Gouldthorpe.' Smiling his sweet kingly smile he answered: `Yuh said: Coome eearly. So I coom'd.' |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE WHITBY FARMER From: GUEST,henryp Date: 23 Jan 25 - 05:55 AM The Whitby Farmer [also here] A farmer he goes to the Martinmas Fair To see the farm workers who all gather there. Lad, ista for hiring? Hasta got a strong arm? Says the lad, I can deea onny thing on a farm. Chorus; Well you may be a farmer or follow the plough But in this rough world, we must rub along now. Wherever you go and whatever you do, In all of your dealings be honest and true. Well thoo looks a good lad. Wheer were yer last year? Says the lad, Wi’ t'feller as stands over theer. Now if he will put in a good word for thee, Then I’ll hire thee this year, tha can come wham with me. Then the lad he goes over to ask for a good word. Nay, says his old master, Lad, have yer not heard? Yer deean’t want to go wi' him to make yer new home. He’ll hunger thee and work thee reet dahn to the bone. So the lad he goes back to the farmer again. Have yer got a good word, lad? the farmer says then. Nay, says the lad, I've not got one for me, But he’s told me to never go workin' for thee! For the tune - The Man in the Moon - see the Full English performance on YouTube. Adapted from a story published in The Sound of History by Roy Palmer; told by Jack Beeforth of Wragby Farm near Whitby to Dave Hillery in 1974. As Roy Palmer wrote, hiring was a very speculative and hazardous enterprise for both parties. Henry Peacock 2020 |
Subject: RE: Songs about farm folk From: Acorn4 Date: 23 Jan 25 - 05:12 AM Those Who Grow the Corn |
Subject: Lyr Add: FARMER (Kristin Lems) From: Jim Dixon Date: 21 Jan 25 - 09:14 PM This may be the song that Susan A-R quoted from back on 11 Feb 00. It was published with musical notation for the melody line and chords, in Broadside #142, July-December, 1979, page 9. You can see a PDF at the Singout.org website. FARMER Kristin Lems, ©1979. 1. I am a farmer; been one all my life. Call me a farmer, not a farmer's wife. The plough and hoe left their pattern on my hand And now they tell me this is not my land. 2. We raised two children; they are farmers too. A crop and garden every year we grew. Two hundred acres ain't no easy haul, But it's a good life; no regrets at all. 3. When Joe turned 50, his back was acting up. We three took over, so's he could rest up. My Joe was buried where his daddy lies And soon some men came, askin' for my price. 4. I said: “I live here; here I'm gonna stay. What makes you think I wanna move away?” They smiled real sly, said: "Now your farmer's dead. The farm ain't yours 'til you pay the overhead." 5. I know we women ain't been in the know, But we're no fools as far as farmin' goes. The crop don't know no woman's work or man's. There ain't no law can take me from my land. 6. ’Cause I'm a farmer; been one all my life. Call me a farmer, not a farmer's wife. The plough and hoe left their patterns on my hand. No one can tell me this is not my land. This is my land. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: flattop Date: 14 Oct 00 - 11:37 PM A couple of mudWriter have mentioned Fred Eaglesmith. I see that you have Fred coming to Windsor on November 3rd, Pastorpest. I bought an early CD that he did with the Flying Squirrels because I liked the song, Sweaburg General Store. It's about the Sweaburg General Store closing, the role the store played in the past, and the loss to the country community. "Better fill 'er up on your way home, it's a sign of the times, I suppose. Up and down the concessions everybody knows, the Sweaburg General Store is closed." On the same CD, Eaglesmith has a song Thirty Years of Farming with the line, "Oh, my daddy stopped talkin' the day the farm was auctioned, there was nothin' left to say."
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Subject: Lyr Add: FARMER NEEDS THE RAIN ^^ From: flattop Date: 14 Oct 00 - 10:10 PM I was wondering if pastor John had a subtext to his message on the Song for the Mira thread so I looked through his messages to see what he's been writing and found this thread. One of my favourite farming song is Roy Forbes' the Farmer Need the Rain. Farmer Needs The Rain Ooh the farmer needs the rain And the farmer needs the heat Needs it in the proper order To grow a field of wheat But when the wind keeps a blowin' Blowin' everything away You can bet your boots the farmer's gonna pay Ah, the government is helpful They tell you what to plant You take it into town They turn around and say, "No thanks." And then the cops pull you over Right in front of the bank Just wanna see if you've got Purple gas in your tank Well it's another dry sundown Navy blue and red Linda's out sellin' Tupperware and the kids are tucked in bed Ah the radio is cracklin' And the tractor's in the shed and I'm thinkin' 'bout some things my father said He said the farmer needs the rain And the farmer needs the heat Needs it in the proper order To grow a field of wheat But when the wind keeps a blowin' Blowin' everything away You can bet your boots the farmer's gonna pay And then the credit man comes to see you At the break of day He might have to take the truck Cos you can't pay right away And you look towards the sky All your praying in vain We got a lotta bills to pay When do we get a break The farmer needs, the farmer needs the rain ROY FORBES (SOCAN) http://www.festival.bc.ca/royf/almost.html#Farmer^^ |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Mary G Date: 19 Feb 00 - 11:44 AM there is a great song that was a poem someone found and I think I heard Jill King put the tune to it but I am not sure of that....I will just put the fragments here... the tune is great....I have woods I have bowers I have fields I have flowers... in planting and sowing, in reaping and mowing all nature affords me with plenty.... and the sun is my only alarmer...so good people now here is god speed the plow long life and success to the farmer... mg |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,Arkie Date: 18 Feb 00 - 06:50 PM For another list of songs about farming try this site. It lists songs, artists, title of recording and label. Even lists 80 Acres by a fellow named Art Thieme. http://www.topsoil.net/farmsongs.htm |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,wotcha Date: 18 Feb 00 - 03:51 PM For the joys of farming, see an earlier thread on "What is a Grange Song?" and the delights of the song "Let Union Be in All Our Hearts ..." On the theme of "Hal an Tow" check out anything about Cornwall posted by BAZ. Cheers, Brian |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: pastorpest Date: 18 Feb 00 - 01:16 PM Sandy Paton, I want to thank you for your help with this thread! I had thought of putting Bogle's "Now I'm Easy" in my initial examples and was surprised it did not come up before this. "Leaving the Land" is another great Bogle song that fits. You created a direct link to Folk-Legacy which is good. For myself, Folk-Legacy is and was already a bookmarked site. And I have spent my money there and no doubt will again! Without the kind of work you do we folk musicians would have hungry souls. As a member of the Windsor Folk executive you are probably also interested in knowing that Rick Fielding is booked for a concert on Saturday, May 6, and a guitar workshop the following day (www.cs.uwindsor.ca/users/c/cibor/winfolk.htm) Sorry I am only semi-literate in computerese. Anyone who can do the blue clicky thing, please go ahead. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Sandy Paton Date: 18 Feb 00 - 02:10 AM Eric Bogle's "Now I'm Easy" can break your heart. I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned; it's about a farmer. Sandy |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,margaret Date: 18 Feb 00 - 12:27 AM Sort of moody and only indirectly about farming but nevertheless of interest is James McMurtry's "Angeline." More about a guy who ends up farming even though he's not really suited to it, just drifted into it. Think it's on "Too Long in the Wasteland." |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Wolfgang Date: 17 Feb 00 - 04:41 AM Horses and Plough Wolfgang |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: folk1234 Date: 16 Feb 00 - 05:18 PM Here is an excerpt from a presentation at a recent rural technology conference I attended. It refers to Oklahoma, but it is equally descriptive for much of rural America. "The Oklahoma farmer finds life a little confusing. He gets up at the alarm of a Connecticut clock, buttons his Chicago suspenders to his Taiwan overalls, washes his face with Cincinnati soap in a Pennsylvania pan, sits down to a Grand Rapids table to eat Battle Creek cereal, Chicago meat and Tennessee flour cooked with Kansas lard on a St. Louis stove. Then he puts a New York bridle on a Missouri mule, fed with Iowa corn and plows a farm covered with an Ohio mortgage with a Moline plow. At the end of the day he says a prayer written in Jerusalem, crawls under a blanket made in Indonesia, only to be kept awake by an Oklahoma dog - the only home product on his land. But things may be getting better now ......" |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: alison Date: 16 Feb 00 - 03:17 AM Kilkelly (it's in the database)... letters from the father left at home on the farm ....
"your brothers have all gone to find work in England slainte alison |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Sandy Paton Date: 16 Feb 00 - 02:21 AM Gordon Bok sings "Return to the Land" on the CD of the same title (CD-118). Harry Tuft sings Dick Weissman's "Harvest Song" on his Folk-Legacy CD titled Across the Blue Mountains (CD-63). Bill Staines' song "Ol' Jack" on Whistle of the Jay (CD-70) describes a man's affectionate appreciation of a faithful mule. Check out "Aroostook" on Larry Kaplan's Worth All the Telling (CD-122). All of these can be found on the Folk-Legacy website: CLICK HERE. Sandy |
Subject: Lyr Add: TWO FOR A DOLLAR^^ From: GUEST,Frank of Toledo Date: 16 Feb 00 - 12:45 AM This is taken from a Bobby Bare RCA Victor LP called Hard Time Hungries Last morning I shut off the alarm - Drove out in the valley to old Dan Cook's farm. Sign on the fence post put up with one nail Said ten a.m. sharp there's a big public sale. At least 40 people were out in the yard. They were lookin' for bargains, lookin' real hard. To buy up the pieces and find out the worth Of 60 years livin' so close to the earth. (Chorus:) Who'll give me 5? I got five. Who'll give me 10? I'll call out the numbers and you just say when. For a lifetime of memories, some happy, some sad. Two for a dollar, the price sure ain't bad. How much for the carriage rotting out in the shed? The one they drove on the night they were wed. Five bucks for the brass bed, just a little bit worn. Not much for the place where the five kids were born. That old parlor piano still sounded all right. Just as good as it did, every Saturday night. And that old round oak table where dinner was made Brought almost as much as the Tiffany shade. Repeat the chorus. Around 1972, written by Bobby Gosh. HTML line breaks added & changed from all upper case. -JoeClone 13-Mar-01. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Arkie Date: 16 Feb 00 - 12:30 AM Australian singer John Williamson has a song, Send Down the Rain, on his True Blue recording that is a striking reminder of how dependent farmers are upon nature. Also there is The Conversation with a Mule presenting some insight into farm work with a little humor to boot. Being a farm boy, now many years removed, I've enjoyed this thread. |
Subject: Lyr Add: LOSING OF THE FARM From: Mary G Date: 15 Feb 00 - 09:58 PM Here's my farm song...if you should want it for your farm songbook don't worry about a copyright.. Losing of the Farm... The rising costs the interest rates our second year of drought We always said no matter what we'd somehow tough it out Every year that's passed has brought us deeper into debt But till the letter came we thought we weren't defeated yet So soon we'll disassemble the work of all these years Tomorrow either Fred or I will call the auctioneers The pens the barns the silos the fancy milking stall Two hundred fertile acres oh dear God we've lost it all Maybe Fred will hire out to a farmer not yet broke But mucking someone else's cows will make that proud man choke I'll get a job in town the kids are old enough to leave There's too much work that must be done too little time to grieve Perhaps it isn't right to get attached to mud and dirt and no one but his wife can know how much a man can hurt But tonight a million farmers in a million loving arms Are seeking consolation for the losing of their farms Oh you who live in cities and your lives are a success You haven't any notion how this country's in a mess The song that I am singing should cause you such alarm The song we'll all be singing soon is the losing of the farm. HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 13-Mar-01. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: pastorpest Date: 15 Feb 00 - 09:34 PM I have been asked by GUEST Val if I and the rural life group were thinking of putting together a song book. That is sure one possibility but we have to deal with all the copyright laws! We want to use songs to communicate the importance of the shrinking farm community to our increasingly urbanized society. Our mandate includes justice and quality of life issues for farm and rural communities. I am overwhelmed and grateful for the responses! Thank you all! I will ask everyone on the committee which meets in two days to climb aboard the net and look up the Mudcat. I may even load up my printer and run off this whole thread and plunk it down in the meeting. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: folk1234 Date: 15 Feb 00 - 10:18 AM Some of my favorites with a farm/rural flavor are: "Early" about a farming community in Iowa, "Water From Another Time" sung by John McClutchen, and "Who Will Watch The Home Place". There is also a wonderful musical play, "Plain Hearts", by Eric Peltoniemi, et al., which featured the song, "Tree of Life". It is about the rigorous life of the pioneer women in the Great Plains. I have more details at home. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Sandy Paton Date: 14 Feb 00 - 10:56 PM You might want to take a look at the "Stay on the Farm" thread that has come up since this one was started. there's one song posted there. Sandy |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Marymac90 Date: 14 Feb 00 - 02:47 PM A country-related theme is canning, and Greg Brown has one on this-I think it's called "My Grandma Puts it all in Jars" [Canned Goods]. Don't forget Hal An Tow, done by the Watersons- I like to rise when the sun she rises early in the morning I like to hear them small birds sing merrily upon the lalem(sp?) And hurrah for the life of a country boy, and to ramble in the new-mown hay! Chorus: Hal an tow! Jolly rumelow! We were up long before the day To welcome in the summer, to welcome in the May-o! For summer is a-comin' in, and winter's gone away-o! In the spring we sow, and at the harvest mow And that's how the seasons round they go But of all the times, I like the best for to ramble in the new-mown hay! Chorus Mary McCaffrey ^^^ Line Breaks <br> added. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,Nancy-Jean Date: 14 Feb 00 - 01:33 PM Look on Margaret MacArthur's website to find an entire recording of farm songs. http://homepages.infoseek.com~margmacarthur/macarthur.html |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 14 Feb 00 - 12:11 PM My Oklahome Home Blowed Away"--by whom? I have it on a Pete Seeger CD, but someone else--man and woman team, as I recall--wrote it. Dave Oesterreich |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Peg Date: 14 Feb 00 - 10:30 AM Thanks, Barbara, for the info on Last Trip Home, a beautiful song, I will look for that thread. Just thought of another, farm animal, if not farm, related: Prom Night in Pig Town. John Gorka has sung it, as has Geoff Bartley. I do not know who wrote it. It's a great song! peg |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Arkie Date: 12 Feb 00 - 01:28 PM The song Grandma's Feather Bed, was mentioned earlier in this thread and is a great song which is still being played in Ireland where a radio station ran a contest for things that were done on Grandma's Feather bed. I know what you're thinking, but according to my source, sexual exploits were not allowed. The writer of the song is Jim Connor. John Denver, of course, had the most popular recording of the tune. Jim also recorded the song for RCA and toured with John Denver following the release of Denver's version. There is a site on the internet posting the words to the song and mistakenly lists Denver as the composer. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: canoer Date: 12 Feb 00 - 12:22 PM Now that you have enough to choke a horse; one more: On a Dylan tape called "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is "The Ballad of Hollis Brown." It's very dark-side; but what happens to a small farmer as all, repeat all, of his options disappear? Cited in memory of my dad: small Wisconsin gone-broke farmer. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: canoer Date: 12 Feb 00 - 11:41 AM I like Stan Rogers' "Night Guard" from his "Home in Halifax" CD. |
Subject: Lyr Add: COUNTRY MUSIC (Marie-Lynn Hammond) From: GUEST,Val Date: 12 Feb 00 - 10:23 AM Hi, Here's a song about farm folk and small-towners in the city. The vinyl must be long out of print but I have a vague notion that I've seen the music somewhere...ah, but now how long ago might that have been? It's thoroughly singable and easy to harmonize, and the chords are basic. If you can't find it, post a snail mail contact and I can jot out the tune and chords (for the tune, lemme know if it's better in regular notation or solfege). By the way, it sounds like you have a dream job. Must be great, having to research music. *sigh* Here are the lyrics: COUNTRY MUSIC (Marie-Lynn Hammond) recorded by Stringband on "Canadian Sunset" an age ago. 1. Well, you can play that old-time music, Yes, you can sing those country songs, And all the children of the cities, They have learned to play along. From a downtown window, busy corner, Skies are hidden and there ain't no trees. But you can hear that music playin' That sweet, sad fiddle playing' And it floats through the dusty air like a country breeze. 2, Well they leave the farms and they leave the small towns 'Cause they've heard that the cities pay. But at night they go from the yards and the factories To join the crowds down Main Street way. In smoky bar-rooms at crowded tables, They down their beer and they talk about home. They've come to hear that music playin' That sweet, sad fiddle sayin' Things that you never hear till you're on your own. 3. So play for them some down-home music. Yes sing for them those country songs, And all your children lost in the cities They can't help but sing along! Sing of prairie summers, Ottawa River, And Sunday mornin's in a small Quebec town. Just try and leave it all behind you, Wherever you go it'll find you. That sweet, sad country music: Like a lover or friend or brother... ...it's gonna follow you down. -30- Have you plans to put together a songbook? singing&dancing -val. ^^ Line Breaks <br> added. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Liz the Squeak Date: 12 Feb 00 - 02:54 AM If you want to get really political, the Tolpuddle Martyr songs in the DT should get a few eyebrows going, they usually do.... All 6 men were farm workers who were starving on a farm, because their wages were cut to the bone, and a further cut was immenent, when they formed the first ever Trade Union, to fight for enough to feed their families. Would you like to eat nothing but porrige (Oatmeal), bread and potatoes every meal, every day, every week? LTS |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Barbara Date: 12 Feb 00 - 02:45 AM The song about the draft horses, Peg, is the Battlefield Band's Last Trip Home, and it should be here in the forum. We had a discussion of it and several of us posted lyrics. Who Will Feed the People (Tom Paxton, I think) Husbandman and the Servingman Fall Is Here (Charlie Maguire) Waiting for the Lark (Bill Caddick) Fashioned in the Clay (Elmer Beale)
Blessings, |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Susan A-R Date: 11 Feb 00 - 10:12 PM Someone also wrote a song "I am a farmer, not a farmer's wife" [Farmer?]. I believe it was about the law that meant that a farmer's wife had to pay inheritance taxes on the farm, since it was her husband's business. This tax burden often caused (still causes) women to have to sell the land, even though they have worked it side by side with their husbands and it has been a partnership. Believe it's by a Florida songwriter. Also Tom Paxton's Who will Feed the People on his Paxton Reports Album is a good one. Isn't Dougie MacLean's song Rescue Me about a farmer having to use more pesticides to keep up with production, knowing that he's doing in the land etc. It seems to me that he has written a number of songs about vanishing rural life. Song of the Scythe is also a lovely one about passing along skills and knacks. Susan A-R |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,James Bridgland Date: 11 Feb 00 - 10:07 PM Can't believe that "None of the Above" has mentioned Murray McLauchlin's "Farmer's Song" a great hit in Canada (# 5 in '76 ?) with pretty basic sentiments married to a workable tune. "Straw hat and old dirty hanky ---- & face like a shoe thanks for the meal, & the times that were real from a kid from the city to you" Was that what you were after? jpb
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Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: wysiwyg Date: 11 Feb 00 - 07:54 PM Video on PBS: The Farmer's Wife on last summer real life told over several installments highly recommend |
Subject: Lyr Add: THE FARM AUCTION (Enoch Kent) ^^ From: Susanne (skw) Date: 11 Feb 00 - 07:01 PM THE FARM AUCTION (Enoch Kent)
Chorus:
Rusting tractor on the hill, fence-post with a printed bill
Bone and silver napkin rings, elastic bands round spoons and things
Firelight and a favourite song, laughter that rings among
A jar of nails, a box of tacks, six dining chairs with wicker backs ^^ |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,Chris H. Date: 11 Feb 00 - 05:15 PM Steve Earle's "And The Rain Came Down" is another. Chris |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Willie-O Date: 11 Feb 00 - 10:22 AM "Break the Law" was written by Doug McArthur, another Canadian songwriter. (At that point in Garnet's career he wasn't performing his own songs yet.) Someone mentioned workhorses--Garnet also sang Archie Fisher's song "Denbrae" [=The Last Clydesdales?], a lovely and moving Scottish tribute: They were two bonnie blacks with white faces and feet
Another obvious genuine Canuck rancher/singer is of course Ian Tyson. Pick up his album "18 Inches of Rain", the title song is a good kind of western swing complaint about life on a ranch where "Me and this old outfit, have both seen better days." "Not a broke horse on the place,
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Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 11 Feb 00 - 10:16 AM The Farmer [is the Man That] Feeds Us All. |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Dan Calder Date: 11 Feb 00 - 08:40 AM Garnet Rogers has two wonderful tunes that fit this category (at least two). The first is on his self-titled album and is called "Break The Law". Another is from his album titled At A High Window, and is called "Last of the Working Stetsons". Garnet's site is http://www.garnetrogers.com/ Enjoy, Dan |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,Sian in Wales Date: 11 Feb 00 - 07:53 AM Speaking as an ex-United Church member (ex only 'cause I live in Wales now) I'd be really interested in hearing more about this. On the humour side: Grandma's Feather Bed (John Denver) is rollicking. The serious ones that come to mind are actually trying to make other points (political) but perhaps it's all in the way you listen. Unfortunately, although they're Irish, I only know them in Welsh. I think one is ... um...Four Fields? The other one won't make any sense if I just translate the title. The chorus roughly translates: It's quiet now in Esgair Llyn (name of farm) where once I learned to sing the world's song ... Too vague? Anyone know the original? Sian |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: GUEST,margaret Date: 10 Feb 00 - 08:17 PM Nanci Griffith's "Trouble in the Fields" is a good one, reflecting hopefulness despite the difficult economics and the alienation from / lack of understanding by urban folks ("our children live in the city and they rest upon our shoulders / they never want this rain to fall or the weather to get colder"). Don't know what album it was originally on but believe it's on the live album "One Fair Summer's Evening." Three thumbs up too for Nogs' suggestion of "Houses in the Field," a truly beautiful, sad song that captures an important dimension of our times. Might be a good one for your city folk to wrap around since it's sung not from the perspective of the farmer but of an appreciative outsider. . . Margaret |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Susanne (skw) Date: 10 Feb 00 - 06:13 PM 'The Farm Auction', written by Enoch Kent, a Scotsman now living in Canada I believe. It doesn't seem to be in the DT. - Susanne |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: MMario Date: 10 Feb 00 - 02:57 PM Winter Cows is at this link:http://www.gregorysteele.com/music/winter_cows.txt |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Nogs Date: 10 Feb 00 - 02:33 PM John Gorka: "Houses in the fields", about the suburbanization of the countryside . . . He also has a whimsical song about milkcows in the wintertime (Cows in the moo-yard are making their plans/for the long winter nights and the cold winter hands) |
Subject: RE: Help: Songs about farm folk From: Rex Date: 10 Feb 00 - 01:33 PM Whoops! I was mixed up. Yep, David Mallett does "The Garden Song". But that's not the one I was thinking of. I was thinking of "Gardening" by Dillon Bustin on _his_ "Almanac" album. Now that I got that straight I'll bet I can find it too. Rex |
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