Lyr Req: Whispering Grass

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 May 12 - 02:16 PM

Sinister? Murder ballad?

It's about people kissing. If you have ever hung around country people much and observed the frequent gossiping and imaginings about other people's sex lives, you would understand this song better.

They just don't have enough interesting things to do.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: GUEST,Larry Saidman
Date: 25 May 12 - 11:52 AM

I actually first heard the song by the great soul singer, Dee Clark.   It was the 'b' side of one of his hits....possibly "Just Keep It Up (And see what happens).

He probably got it from The InkSpots.

Great song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: matt milton
Date: 25 May 12 - 07:44 AM

I love this song. I always think it sounds like a murder ballad - definitely has elements of the folksong trope of an aspect of nature broadcasting a crime. What is the secret buried in the snow? A very sinister, threat of a song in my opinion.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 May 12 - 03:53 AM

To answer an old query:
I really love this song and perform it a lot. The older generation in the audience usually join in. But (sorry to go on about this ) every time we sing it in public, do we have to tell the venue and tell them to pay PRS?

Apparently, YES.
According to Wikipaedia (that estimable & 100% accurate resource, cough cough) Fred Fisher died January 1942, but his daughter who is also credited with the song died Jan 2003.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 May 12 - 12:15 PM

You can download and print this song (legitimately, they say) at Wikifonia lead sheets:

http://wikifonia.org/sheet

Notes, lyrics, chords and versions in three different keys are included.

Thanks to all who brought my attention to this fine song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: GUEST,cheeky magpie
Date: 24 May 12 - 05:22 AM

Whispering Grass
Words & Music by Fred Fisher & Doris Fisher
Recorded by The Ink Spots, 1940 (#10)


C                   Em
Why do you whisper, green grass?

Dm                            F Fm
Why tell the world what ain't so?

C          Em       Dm         G         C       G7
Whispering grass, the trees don't need to know. (Oh no...)

C                     Em
Why tell them all our secrets?

Dm                      F   Fm
They're buried under the snow.

C          Em          Dm       Dm7
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees,

F          Fm      C
'Cause the trees don't need to know.


C                Am
Don't you tell it to the trees

Dm                G
For they will tell the birds and bees

C             Am
And everyone will know

F             G
Because you told it to the trees,

C       Em       Am
Yes you told them once before,

F          G
And it's no secret any more


C                      Em
Why tell them all those old songs?

Dm                      F   Fm
They're buried under the snow.

C          Em          Dm       Dm7
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees,

F          Fm      C
'Cause the trees don't need to know.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 05:39 AM

I really love this song and perform it a lot. The older generation in the audience usually join in. But (sorry to go on about this ) every time we sing it in public, do we have to tell the venue and tell them to pay PRS?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 04:35 AM

It is one of my favourite songs to accompany, although I don't sing it myself. Such a nice chord progression, with, as you say, some nice jazz chords (or at least what I think of as jazz chords).

Maybe if we asked M.Ted nicely he would post the chart for this with all the really fancy chords ....

Murray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: harpmaker
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 08:15 PM

Its interesting though. I like to get the bassic guitar chords first, then look at the piano music, and then work on a jazz type elliment. I realy enjoy the results. I was being lazy in the first instace, but not in the second!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: harpmaker
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 07:58 PM

Murry, Iam just being lazy, but ive got a lot on!!John.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 07:08 PM

Harpmaker, I could post the chords right now, , but this is one of these songs in which it is a profitable exercise to figure out the chords for oneself.

Sure you can find the chords on the net and somebody will probably post them on this thread anyway , but just try to work them out for yourself. It will make you a better musician, really it will.

Murray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: harpmaker
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 07:03 PM

Does anybody have the chords to this song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 09:20 PM

Well I must be honest I have my mother visiting me and she spotted the thread and started singing it... had to do something... besides I'm too young to remember the Ink Spots.

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Margaret V
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 08:58 PM

Jon, thanks so much! That's twice in one day I've sent appreciation your way (diolch yn fawr!).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 07:13 PM

I prefer the Windsor Davies version, but then, I'm, weird. I've often wanted to do this one in a club, but always chickened out as I am not a great deal unlike Don Estelle in all but gender (and there were those who weren't too sure about his....) and could never get the pith helmet..

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 07:12 PM

Thanks to Margaret and Jon for this marvellous song. This is one more from my memory banks that I will forever associate with a late friend. Sentimentally, John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whispering Grass
From: Helen
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 06:05 PM

I've got a Sandy Denny vinyl Lp with this on it. I love her version of it.

Helen

Subject: Lyr Add: WHISPERING GRASS (from The Ink Spots)
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 04:47 PM

Never heard of Sandy Denny doing it The Ink Spots version is the best known. The only others I can remember were Windsor Davies and Don Estelle (from It Ain't Half Hot Mum"

Jon
------------------------

WHISPERING GRASS
The Ink Spots
Words by Fred Fisher and Music by Doris Fisher

Peaked at # 10 in 1940
Competing version by Erskine Hawkins managed # 13

Why do you whisper, green grass?
Why tell the tress what ain't so?
Whispering grass, the trees don't have to know, no, no

Why tell them all your secrets?
Who kissed there long ago
Whispering grass, the trees don't need to know

Don't you tell it to the trees
She will tell the birds and bees
And everyone will know
Because you told the blabbering trees
Yes, you told them once before
It's no secret anymore

Why tell them all the old things?
They're buried under the snow
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees
'cause the trees don't need to know

MONOLOGUE: Now, don't you tell it to the trees, 'cause they'll just run 'n' tell the birds and bees. Then everybody'd know 'cause you told them doggone trees! Yes you did, you know you did, ya told 'em once before. Now look atcha, honey child, it ain't no secret no mo'.

Why tell them all the old things?
They're buried under the snow
Whispering grass, don't tell the trees
'cause the trees don't need to know

Subject: Whispering Grass
From: Margaret V
Date: 17 Mar 00 - 04:36 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics to "Whispering Grass," sung by Sandy Denny, authored by someone whose last name is Fisher. Thanks, Margaret