Lyr Req: The Linden Lea

Subject: The Linden Ley (or Lea)
From: GUEST,Glen in Gloucestershire
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 07:19 PM

Can anybody come up with the words to the Linden Lea (it might also be known as The Linden Tree) Apparently it was old school favourite of my 80 year old Mum. She tries to sing it to me, but only ever comes up with a few words - seems like her random access memory is a bit too random! The tune is very melodic. I think I might earn some extra points if I can get the words.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 07:31 PM

G'day Glen,

Give the Digital Tradition a try anyway: Go to the DigiTrad Lyrics search box and put in any distinctive phrase from your mother's recollection. There is a good chance the song will be amongst those listed as having that phrase ... and you might learn a few more interesting songs along the way.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Barbara
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 08:22 PM

G'day, Bob, Glen. It's not in Digitrad, but it is in the Forum, here. Does that do it for you, Glen? Nice song, isn't it?
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 08:44 PM

The melody can be found here:  Mus Add: Linden Lea

It's a fine song, and I learnt it from my mum, too -well, the bits she remembered!

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Lea
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 09:01 PM

It's also been recorded by Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman on their 1998 CD 'Constant Lovers'. Words by William Barnes, tune by Vaughan Williams. I've also heard it sung within the past six months by Maddy Prior.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 09:38 PM

Dave Goulder sings it too, and recorded it on Stone, Steam and Starlings

Of course William Barnes wrote it in Dorset dialect and spellings - here's a link to a website about him, with Linden Lea and lots of other poems in real Dorset speech.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 09:43 PM

I found it on Sunday while looking through my old Singing Together pamphlets and sung it (or tried to) during the Hearme session. It is a lovely song and there must be something about mothers and this song... my mum loves it too.

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 01:48 PM

Thanks guys, The Mudcat sure is the biz!

I can now pass on the the words to my snowie haired mum - bless her!

I might even have a go at it myself, if i can prevent the lump from forming in my throat!

Cheers, Glen.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Jigger
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 02:05 PM

It is a lovely song. I didn't learn it from my mother, but with a high school choir, of all places (a number of years ago now).

And, if you can stand the sentimentality, it transitions beautifully into "Loch Lomond."

Jigger

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: oggie
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 07:22 PM

If you feel the need to here a 'proper' singer sing it, it is on the second side of John Shirley-Quirk 'Songs of Travel'

He sings th Vaughan Williams arrangement with piano accomp. and it's good fun - whole side has some interesting songs on it although the delivery is distinctly classical.

oggie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 07:28 PM

oggie, I was trying to remember a song Bay of Biscay, and a couple of other things like Sea Fever and Linden Lea came to my mind as did Vaughn Willaims and John Shirley Quirk. Am I confusing 2 records or were they all part of the same?

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Fiolar
Date: 15 Apr 00 - 05:56 AM

The best version I have heard is the one by a group called "The Yetties" who come from Dorset. They use the original words of William Barnes. Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Linden Ley
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Apr 00 - 06:14 PM

By original words, I trust you mean dialect, which is odd, considering that at least one of the Yetties is a 'vurriner' from over the border in Somerset.... or was....

And if you check up through my name, you will find that I posted it here last year, in dialect, and am surprised that it didn't get transferred into the digi.

And with only a minor amount of rejigging, it fits to the tune of Jerusalem as well.....

If you want to find out more about William Barnes, Penguin do a great collection of his works called 'Selected Works of William Barnes' and it has a sort of potted life story.

LTS