Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 08:31 PM

But how should the gaps in the second vwerse be filled in? (From the link above given by GUESTGene):

So happy, were we for awhile
Like the love birds that dwell 'neath the flower
And the sweetness - - - - - - -
Seemed to revel the blush of the flower
But the happiness faded like rose
And before the last - - of the moon
The - - knocked at my door
Took care of my pretty quadroon

Subject: Lyr Add: MY PRETTY QUADROON
From: kendall
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 07:44 PM

The version I learned as a small boy is only slightly different in verses one and two. However, there is a third verse which goes:

Farewell to Kentucky's green hills
Farewell to Kentucky's green braes
Farewell to the green grassy fields
Where Cora and I often strayed
To this old world I'll soon say farewell
My heart will find rest in the tomb
But my spirit will fly to the spot
And watch over my pretty quadroon.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 06:07 PM

Okay, Kendall. It's your turn to post a text. I'd do it from the booklet that comes with your cassette, but I've got to make posters for my son's group (All Hands Around!) tonight, so I'll be switching my creative efforts over to the Macintosh. As they say on CNN: "I'm watching you, Kendall!"

Sandy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:45 PM

What are the missing words in that version supposed to be?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: Amos
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:38 PM

Trust the MudCat to bring out the right answer. Thanks, guys.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: kendall
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:31 PM

I recorded this one for Folk Legacy on album number fsi 57. Thanks to Folk Legacy, it is still available on cassette. I just listened to the rendition posted by Guest Gene My version has all of the verses, sung on key with the right chords. There is nothing racist about quadroon. In the old days, there were laws in the south about inter racial unions, and strict records were kept which would tell how much negro blood you had. Even if you were an Octoroon, you were still considered black. Thank God, those days are gone (mostly)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: Dale Rose
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 01:05 PM

This looks like a job for Kendall! Don't think there's a bit of racism in it, unless someone objects to the word Quadroon. I've heard Tom Cleveland do this numerous times at the Ozark Folk Center ~~ it is a favorite of mine. I also think I have a recording, maybe by the Poplin Family, can't remember for sure.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 12:17 PM

Here is 'A VERSION' inclucing sheet music -

* CLICK HERE *

if the 'GO TO' above fails - try this:

http://www.profusion.com

and SEARCH FOR [my pretty quadroon]
I have an GREAT RENDITION by THE BROWNS!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Quadroon
From: Amos
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 10:41 AM

My heart's like the strings of a bankoo
All broke by my pretty quadroon

...is the only couplet to this song I have ever learned. I have no idea if it has other words, verses, or a proper tune. I learned this from the mouth, believe it or not, of Dave Brubeck, the jazz musician, when I was a young fart.

How he came to it I have no idea.

It sounds like an 190s-1910 era Rufus sort of song, but we'd have to findit first.

Subject: My Pretty Quadroon
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 05 Mar 00 - 10:30 AM

I don't know anything about this one other than what I think is the title. I'm not sure of the nature of the lyrical content, could be virulently racist for all I know (an old fellow in a nursing home asked me to track it down). Thanks,

Frankie