|
Subject: Leather-winged Bat From: Whippoorwill Date: 15 Jul 97 - 03:29 PM I can't find a reference to this song on DT. I remember hearing Burl Ives sing it on one of his early (78rpm) albums, but haven't heard it in years. The first verse goes something like: I, said the little leather-winged bat, I'll tell you the reason that; The reason that I fly (cry?) in the night Is because I've lost my heart's delight. Another verse started, "I, said the woodpecker, sitting on a limb...," but the rest of it is lost in the haze. Can somebody help?
|
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: Sharon Date: 15 Jul 97 - 04:09 PM I checked in my Burl Ives Song Book - 1953. A pretty extensive collection, but it's not in there. Any other Burl lIves tunes you want??? |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: dick greenhaus Date: 15 Jul 97 - 04:46 PM It's there. Try a search for bat. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: Whippoorwill Date: 15 Jul 97 - 05:20 PM Got it. Thanks, Dick. You, too, Sharon. |
|
Subject: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: GUEST,Mrbisok@aol Date: 07 Dec 00 - 09:07 PM I'm working with the version of this song performed by the Smith Sisters. I need help with these lines:
So why do you in nourning stay? I was ___________ and it didn't grow back And ever since... OK -- I know this Well the next "harked up?" "jumped up?" was...the little Jenny wren, Oh what I'd do if I were a man In case one love should rise and go I'd wear_________________________ |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: rabbitrunning Date: 07 Dec 00 - 10:27 PM Hmm. Went and found the version in the DT and it doesn't have either of those verses. Now I'm vexed. Will see what I can find... I've heard it "Next to come was the little jenny wren" but that was years ago at girl scout camp. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: THE HAWK AND THE CROW From: harpgirl Date: 07 Dec 00 - 10:53 PM ...is it this one?...
THE HAWK AND THE CROW
Said the hawk unto the crow one day
cho: Ri-the-diddle, ri-the-diddle, ri-the-diddle-dum
And next there spoke the Willy Wagtail
And next there spoke the little brown thrush
And last there spoke the Jeannie Wran
From Folksongs of Britain and Ireland, Kennedy |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: Ira Date: 07 Dec 00 - 11:10 PM Try this link: http://www.contemplator.com/child/birdsong.html It is the longest version I have seen, but It doesn't have your stanzas. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: Bill D Date: 08 Dec 00 - 12:23 AM stanzas to that song proliferate like verses to "Old Time Religion",,,they are short, easy to construct, and everyone has had a go at adding a couple...look at a big list, pick YOUR favorites, and sing... |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: BanjoRay Date: 08 Dec 00 - 03:31 PM I think Pete Seeger used to sing In case one of them should rise and go I'd get me a new string to my bow It is, however, a long time since I heard it! Cheers Ray |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: GUEST,Bruce O. Date: 08 Dec 00 - 04:22 PM There were a lot of verses by the end of the 17th century, as there were already 3 versions of the song: "The Woody Querristers", "The Birds Harmony", and "The Birds Lamentation". I've given the one (The Woody Querristers) that looks to me closest to traditional versions in the Scarce Songs 1 file on my website (Mudcat's Links). Also interesting is "The Birds Noats on May Day Last" where the birds relate to each other the doings of young (human) lovers they had observed. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LEATHERWING BAT From: GUEST Date: 21 Mar 03 - 08:46 PM Aye, said the little leather-winged bat I'll tell you the reason that The reason that I fly in the night Is because I lost my heart's delight How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day In the ho-do-dee de-diddle-de-oh Aye said the woodpecker sittin' on the fence Once I courted the handsome wench She got saucy and from me fled Ever since then, my head's been red How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day In the ho-do-dee de-diddle-de-oh Aye, said the bluebird as she flew If I were a young man, I'd have two One got saucy wanted to go I'd have a new string for my bow How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day How-de dow-dy diddle-oh day In the ho-do-dee de-diddle-de-oh |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: Desert Dancer Date: 21 Mar 03 - 09:23 PM Like they said, it's here, under Leatherwing Bat. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: Stilly River Sage Date: 21 Mar 03 - 10:09 PM It's a nice little song, one my Dad used to sing to us at bedtime. SRS |
|
Subject: Origins: Leather-winged Bat From: masato sakurai Date: 21 Mar 03 - 10:31 PM Another version is THE HAWK AND THE CROW. See also The Traditional Ballad Index: Bird's Courting Song, The (The Hawk and the Crow; Leatherwing Bat). ~Masato Bird's Courting Song, The (The Hawk and the Crow; Leatherwing Bat)DESCRIPTION: Various birds talk about their attempts at courting, and the effects of their successes and failures. Example: "Said the hawk to the crow one day, Why do you in mourning stay, I was once in love and I didn't prove fact, And ever since I wear the black."AUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: before 1733 (broadside, Bodleian Harding Douce Ballads 2(243b)); other broadsides appear to date back to the seventeenth century "Woody Querristers" in the Roxburge collection KEYWORDS: bird courting nonballad FOUND IN: Ireland US(Ap,MW,NE,SE,So) REFERENCES (23 citations): Randolph 275, "The Crow Song" (5 texts, 1 tune, but only the first three texts are this piece, with the "B" and "C" texts mixing with "The Crow Song (I)") Brown/Belden/Hudson-FrankCBrownCollectionNCFolklore3 152, "Birds Courting" (3 texts plus an excerpt; the "D" text may be mixed); also 156, "Said the Blackbird to the Crow" (the "D" text mixes this with "The Crow Song (I)") Brown/Schinhan-FrankCBrownCollectionNCFolklore5 152, "Birds Courting" (1 tune plus a text excerpt); 156, "Said the Blackbird to the Crow" (2 tunes plus text excerpts) Morris-FolksongsOfFlorida #111, "The Woodpecker Song" (1 text); #112, "The Bird Song" (1 text, 1 tune) Cox/Hercog/Halpert/Boswell-WVirginia-B, #20, pp. 170-171, "Pourquoi" (1 text, tune, probably amplified as it carefully has birds of all colors including some rarely encountered in nature) Killion/Waller-ATreasuryOfGeorgiaFolklore, p. 225, "Sapsucker" (1 text) Scarborough-OnTheTrailOfNegroFolkSongs, p. 193, (no title) (1 fragment, probably this) Sharp-EnglishFolkSongsFromSouthernAppalachians 215, "The Bird Song" (2 texts, 2 tunes) Sharp/Karpeles-EightyEnglishFolkSongs 73, "The Bird Song" (1 text, 1 tune) Burton/Manning-EastTennesseeStateCollectionVol1, pp. 105-106, "The Bird Song" Kennedy-FolksongsOfBritainAndIreland 295, "The Hawk and the Crow" (1 text, 1 tune) Lomax/Lomax-FolkSongUSA 4, "Leatherwing Bat" (1 text, 1 tune) Sturgis/Hughes-SongsFromTheHillsOfVermont, pp. 48-53, "Birds' Courting Song" (1 text, 1 tune) Botkin-TreasuryOfNewEnglandFolklore, pp. 573-574, "Bird's Courting Song" (1 text, 1 tune) Abrahams/Foss-AngloAmericanFolksongStyle, pp. 90-91, "Bird Song" (1 text, 1 tune) McNeil-SouthernMountainFolksong, pp. 72-73, "Bird Song" (1 text, 1 tune) Silber/Silber-FolksingersWordbook, p. 397, "Leatherwing Bat" (1 text) Tobitt-TheDittyBag, p. 44, "The Bird Song" (1 text, 1 tune) SongsOfAllTime, p. 77, "The Bird Song" (1 text, 1 tune) GirlScout-PocketSongbook, p. 18, "The Bird Song" (1 text 1 tune) Olson-BroadsideBalladIndex, ZN968, "Give ear you lads and lasses all" (?); ZN2037, "Oh says the Cuckoo, loud and stout"; ZN2038, "Oh says the Cuckoo loud and stout" DT, LEATRBAT* LEATHBA2* ADDITIONAL: Bell/O Conchubhair, Traditional Songs of the North of Ireland, pp. 49-51, "The Hawk and the Crow" (1 text, 1 tune) Roud #747 and 18169 RECORDINGS: Virgil Sandage, "The Birds' Song" (on FineTimes) Pete Seeger, "Leatherwing Bat" (on PeteSeeger09, PeteSeegerCD02) (on PeteSeeger32) BROADSIDES: Bodleian, Douce Ballads 2(243b), "The Woody Queresters" or "The Birds Harmony" ("Oh! says the cuckoo, loud and stout")[some words illegible], T. Norris (London), 1711-1732; also Douce Ballads 1(17b), "The Birds Lamentation"; Douce Ballads 3(110a), Douce Ballads 3(108a), "The Woody Choristers" or "The Birds Harmony" in two parts CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "Hind Horn" [Child 17] (tune) cf. "The Crow Song" (floating lyrics) cf. "The Old Man at the Mill" (floating lyrics) cf. "Hoot Says the Owl" (lyrics) cf. "The Bird-Catcher's Delight" (tune, per broadside Bodleian Douce Ballads 1(17b)) NOTES [67 words]: Cox's "Pourquoi" title is, in effect, the French term for "Just So Story"; Cox applied it because the piece he collected (in Missouri, though from an informant born in Kentucky) had no title. Roud splits off Killion/Waller-ATreasuryOfGeorgiaFolklore's "Sapsucker" as #18169, but the first verse at least belongs here, and the rest is fairly nonsensical; I think it should be considered with this song. - RBW Last updated in version 6.3 File: K295 Go to the Ballad Search form Go to the Ballad Index Instructions The Ballad Index Copyright 2022 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. Copy-pasted from the link cited above. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 21 Mar 03 - 10:55 PM Folks - there are some "strange-things" going on at the MudCat.
Why is this very well-known thread ---- so short?
This is a "classic song " resurected by an unknown "GUEST"
Burl Ives Song in America, First Edition, 1962, Wayfarer Music Co. Inc. has Leather Wing Bat on page 113,114,115. Acknowledgment is given to Southern Music from their folio Children's Songs
Sincerely,
I smell a kat trying to catch a gargoyle....hear pussy, pussy, pussy? |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: masato sakurai Date: 21 Mar 03 - 11:17 PM Also in The Burl Ives Sing-Along Song Book (Watt, 1963, p. 98; lyrics only). |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: Hippie Chick Date: 22 Mar 03 - 04:29 PM There's a good version on the album Peter Paul and Mommy by P. P and Mary. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: Bruce Date: 22 Mar 03 - 05:10 PM A nice version was done by Phil Cooper and Margaret Nelson on their 1995 CD The Only Dance We Know. Phil has been know to hang out here on occasion ... hi Phil ... |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: GUEST,Q Date: 22 Mar 03 - 05:25 PM See the Contemplator for more verses of this old song- "The Bird Song." No, the bat isn't a bird, but this is a folk song. Contemplator: The Bird Song Tracing it to "Three Ravens" in Child may be stretching a bit. "Says the Blackbird" is a minstrel version acc. to Contemplator. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: GUEST,Q Date: 22 Mar 03 - 05:34 PM More verses in thread 18549: Bird Song Contemplator suggests that it goes back to the 17th century- See Bruce Olsen, Scarce Songs 1. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather-winged Bat From: GUEST,Q Date: 22 Mar 03 - 05:47 PM Bruce Olson site, Little Yellow winged Bat or "The Woody Querristers": Little yellow winged bat (I hope) Scroll to Little yellow winged bat. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: THE WOODY CHORISTERS (from Bodleian) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 12 Jul 04 - 02:50 PM No one has posted the 17-early 18c. song, mentioned in Pepys, which is perhaps the earliest containing the Leather-winged bat verse. I have copied this from the Bodleian Collection, with additions from the 17th c. "The Woody Querristers" which is included in the Olson website (linked above). Lyr. Add: THE WOODY CHORISTERS Tune: The Bird-catchers Delight Introduction: When birds could speak, and Women they Had neither good nor bad to say, The pretty Birds then fill'd with Pain, Did to each other thus Complain. Oh! says the cockow, loud and stout, I fly the country round about; While other Birds my young ones feed, And I myself do stand in need. Then says the sparrow on her nest, I lov'd a Lass but it was in jest; And ever since that self same Thing, I made a vow I ne'er would sing. In came the Robin, and thus he said, I lov'd once a well-favour'd maid; Her beauty kindled such a Spark, That on (her-sic) my breast I bear the Mark. *[my] Then said the Lark upon the grass, I lov'd once a Country Lass; She would not hear her true Love sing, Although his Voice would please a King. Then said the Black-bird, as she fled, I lov'd one, but she is dead; And ever since my Love I [do] lack, This is the Cause I mourn in Black. Oh! said the bonny Nightingale, Then must I end my mournful tale; Whilst others sing I sit and mourn, Leaning my Breast against a Thorn. Oh! [Ah!] says (?) the Water-wagtail then, I ne'er shall be my self again; I lov'd one but could not prevail, This is the Cause I wag my Tail. Then said the party-colour'd Jay, [pritty-colour'd] My dearest Love is fled away; And [in] Remembrance of my Dear, A Feather of ev'ry Sort I wear. Then said the Leather-winged Batt, Mind but my Tail [tale], and I'll tell you what Is the Cause that I fly by Night; Because I lost my Heart's Delight. Then said the Greenfinch, as she flew, I lov'd one that prov'd untrue, And since he can no more be seen, Like a Love-sick Maid I turn to Green. [Green-Bird] Then did [begin] the chattering Swallow, My Love he's [she's] fled, but I would not follow, And now upon the Chimney high, I sing forth my poor Melody. Oh! says the Owl, my Love is gone, That I so much did doat upon; I know not how my Love to follow, But after her I hoop and bollow. [hollow] *[Then says the lapwing as she flies, I search the Meads and the Skies: But cannot find my love again, So about I flie in deadly pain.] Then says the Thrush, I squeak and sing, Which doth to me no Comfort bring; For oftentimes I at Midnight Record my Love and Heart's Delight. The Canary Bird she then came in, To tell her tale she did begin; I am of my dear Love bereft, So I have my own Country left. The Goldfinch [Chafinch] then began to speak, For Love, quoth she, my Heart will break, I grieve so for my only dear, I sing but two Months in the Year. Then quoth the Magpy, I was cross'd In Love and now my dear is lost; And wanting of my Heart's Delight, I mourn for her in Black and White. Oh! says the Rook, and eke the Crow, The Reason why in Black we go, It is, because we are forsook, Come pity us, poor Crow and Rook. The Bulfinch he was in a rage, And nothing could his Wrath assuage; So then in Woods he would not dwell, But spends his Time in a loansome Cell. Thus you have heard the Birds Complaint, Taking delight in their Restraint; Let this to all a pattern be, For to delight in Constancy. Second Part Once I down lay One morning in May, My hands they being coupled fast; My Heart did rejoice, To hear the sweet Voice Of the Birds singing as they did pass. First the Nightingale, Told all in good Part, In the following Words most plain; Prithee kind Heart, Take all in good Part, And love when thou art lov'd again. Then spoke Titty Tom, There's many a Man, Whose Notes change nine Times in a Day. Oh! then said the Reed, There's many Women, That do change as often as they, Then replyed the Crow, If it always be so, Upon Proof I will forfeit my Head; For a Man so unjust, No Woman can trust Until the same Day he be dead. Then spoke the Magpy, Give me Reason why, You so rashly judge of all Men; To which said rhe lark, I do speak from my Heart, That Women are far worse than them. Softly spoke the Dove, I rejoice'd once my Love, My Love he was loving and kind, Oh! reply'd the Rook, I'.. be sworn on a book, Such another you never will find. Then spoke the hoary Jay, I care not one Straw, Since that I can choose my own mate; Reply'd the old Thrush, You shall have her in a Bush, Or take her in a lower rate (?). Oh! then said the Duck, May you have better luck, Than a Man that once I did know; When he was from Home, Came another in's Room, Since we frequently hear the Cuckow. Douce Ballads 3(108a); undated, but more clearly printed than T. Norris, London, 1711-1732, Douce Ballads 2(243b). *[ ] additions from Olson, Scarce Ballads I. "This expands the earlier "The Birds Harmony, Pepys, IV, 268, published by Mary Coles, Vere, Wright, Clarke, Thackeray and Passinger (1681-2). This latter was sung to "The Delights of the Bottle" and has six-line stanzas. Later is another version," The Birds Lamentation," Printed by P. Brooksby, (1685-96), Pepys IV, p. 269." http://users.erols.com/olsonw/SONGTXT1.HTM |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat From: Joe_F Date: 12 Jul 04 - 07:39 PM It's also in the regrettably out of print _Coffee House Songbook_ (Oak, 1966), under the title "Leatherwing Bat (The Bird's Song)" and attributed to "Singers in the Tetons and New Orleans". Here are some odd stanzas: Hi, said the jaybird sitting in the tree, When I was a young man I had three, Two got saucy and took to flight, And the one that's left don't treat me right. Hi, said the blackbird sitting on a chair, Once I courted a lady fair, She turned fickle and turned her back, Ever since then I've dressed in black. |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 12 Jul 04 - 08:29 PM Two verses from Ozark Folk Songs, Randolph, sorted out from "The Crow Song," # 275. Verses from other songs often combined in North America. The sex of the singing bird often changed to male. Well, says the peckerwood as he flew, When I was young I courted too, But she grew fickle and from me fled An' ever since then my head's been red. Oh said the bobwhite in the grass, Once I courted a fair lady lass, But she grew fickle and took to flight, Ever since then I holler bobwhite. |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat From: Big Jim from Jackson Date: 12 Jul 04 - 10:27 PM Burl sings this on his "Wayfaring Stranger" album. |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat From: Phil Cooper Date: 12 Jul 04 - 11:12 PM I got the version Margaret and I recorded from Cadzell's book. Picking and choosing the verses we should do. We re-recorded it with Kate Early adding some harmonies just recently. We would introduce the song as sometimes being called Congress of the Birds, not Congress for the Birds, that was this country... Who says traditional songs aren't relevant. |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: Seng Date: 10 Aug 04 - 01:32 PM What do the lyrics mean, "I would wear two strings upon my bow"? |
|
Subject: RE: Leather Winged Bat--help w/lyrics From: KateG Date: 11 Aug 04 - 10:04 AM "two strings upon my bow" euphemism for having two lovers, neither of which knows about the other. |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Oct 14 - 02:25 PM The Digital Tradition version of this song is the one I've heard most often. I'd swear that it starts with the word "Hi" in most verses, but I've also seen it "I" and "Aye." Which is most common, and is there a correct one? To me, "I" just seems wrong. Am I right. Or was I wrong all along? And did I know I was wrong? (oh, wait, that's another song...) Here's the DT version: LEATHERWING BAT (DT) Hi said the little leatherwing bat I'll tell you the reason that The reason that I fly in the night Is because I lost my heart's delight Howdy dowdy diddle all day Howdy dowdy diddle all day Howdy dowdy diddle all day Lo lo lee da diddle lee o Hi said the red bird sitting on a fence Once I courted a handsome wench She got saucy and from me fled And ever since my head's been red Hi said the bluebird as he flew Once I courted a young gal too She got saucy and wanted to go And I got me a new string for my bow Hi said the robin as he flew When I was young I had two If one wouldn't love me, the other would Don't you think my notion's good Hoot said the owl with eyes so bright A lonesome day, a lonesome night Thought I heard a pretty gal say Court all night and sleep all day Oh no no said the turtle dove That's no way to gain your love If you would have your heart's delight Keep them awake both day and night Hi said the little leatherwing bat I'll tell you the reason that The reason that I fly in the night Is because I lost my heart's delight @animal @kids @courtship recorded by Dildine Family filename[ LEATRBAT TUNE FILE: LEATRBAT CLICK TO PLAY SOF |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Oct 14 - 02:30 PM Here's the version proposed for the Rise Again Group Singing Songbook. And I think it's wrong, just wrong.... Leatherwing Bat "I" said the little leatherwing bat "I'll tell to you the reason that The reason that I fly by night Is because I've lost my heart's delight" Howdy dowdy diddle-dum day (3x) Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low //: Dm C / Dm F / - Dm / A* ADm :// (*extra beats on cho) "I" said the blackbird sittin' on a chair "Once I courted a lady, fair She proved fickle & turned her back And ever since then I've dressed in black" "I" said the woodpecker sittin' on a fence "Once I courted a handsome wench She got scared & from me fled And ever since then my head's been red" "I" said the little turtle dove "I'll tell you how to win her love Court her night & court her day Never give her time to say o-neigh!" "I" said the bluejay & away he flew "If I were a young man I'd have 2 If one were faithless & chanced to go I'd add the other string to my bow" trad. (English) |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: Don Firth Date: 13 Oct 14 - 03:25 PM I've run across it in a number of song books and I know a couple of people who sing it. I have never heard it sung with anything other than, "Hi, said the (whatever)...." Don Firth |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: Don Firth Date: 13 Oct 14 - 03:33 PM The words that Joe posted at 13 Oct 14 - 02:25 PM look real familiar to me, including the variation in the later verses. That's pretty much the way I've always seen / heard it. Don Firth |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: MGM·Lion Date: 13 Oct 14 - 05:45 PM "Which is most common, and is there a correct one?" Burl Ives sang "Hi". So did PPM, according to some printed versions: others give "I". Judy Collins singing it on The Muppet Show (1977) well worth finding on You Tube; but she is greeted with "Hi" to begin each verse by the puppet of the creature concerned; so hardly a knockdown proof one way or other. The Duhks sing "I". Tommy Makem sang "Hi" on Bard Of Armagh, as I hear it. I certainly recall "I" in a standard songbook I had once -- one of the famous ones. Possibly Sandburg's "American Songbag"? Google "Leatherwing Bat lyrics" & you will find the index page that comes up about evenly divided. But as to "a correct one". Come, now, Joe. "CORRECT"? I ask you:- Is that a concept to be applied to a traditional song? Regards ≈Michael≈ |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Oct 14 - 01:03 AM I KNEW I wouldn't get away with using the word "Correct," Michael.... I'm not saying what's correct, but "I" is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! -Joe- |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: MGM·Lion Date: 14 Oct 14 - 04:58 AM Well, Joe, as another old song put it -- "Don't tell I, tell 'e!" (Adge Cutler & The Wurzels 1968) |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leather-winged Bat - Hi, I, Aye, or what? From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Oct 14 - 02:16 PM Whatever the "right" answer might be, I won my case - the editors of the Rise Again songbook agreed to use "Hi." -Joe- |
|
Subject: ADD Version: Leatherwing Bat (compilation) From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Oct 14 - 03:51 PM So, here is the version I submitted (but may change later). It's a compilation of verses I like best. It includes some verses that give equal billing to the distaff side. I hope that doesn't lapse into the Rise Up Singing first-edition political correctness (later corrected). LEATHERWING BAT Hi, said the little leatherwing bat I'll tell you the reason that The reason that I fly by night Is because I lost my heart's delight CHORUS Howdy dowdy diddle-dum day (3x) Hey le lee-lee lie-lee low Hi, said the woodpecker sitting on a fence Once I courted a handsome wench She got saucy and from me fled And ever since then my head's been red Hi, said the blackbird sittin' on a chair Once I courted a lady fair She proved fickle & turned her back And ever since then I've dressed in black Hi, said the little bird so blue Once I courted a young gal too She got saucy and wanted to go And I got me a new string for my bow Hi, said the robin as she flew When I was young I had two If one wouldn't love me, the other would Don't you think my notion's good Hoot, said the owl with a head so white A lonesome day, a lonesome night Thought I heard some pretty gal say She'd court all night and sleep all day Oh no no, said the turtle dove That's no way to gain his love If you want to gain your heart's delight Keep him awake both day and night Hi, said the little leatherwing bat… ] |
|
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Leatherwing Bat From: Reinhard Date: 09 May 22 - 05:08 PM Several versions are on Mainly Norfolk: Little Birds / Hawk and Crow / Leatherwinged Bat. |
|
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Leatherwing Bat From: beachcomber Date: 09 May 22 - 05:53 PM The Dillards Bluegrass group recorded a version of "Same old man". |
|
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Leatherwing Bat From: cnd Date: 09 May 22 - 07:22 PM They in fact recorded it thrice! First on first release, Back Porch Bluegrass (1963), then on Copperfields (1970) and a third time on Homecoming and Family Reunion (1981). Joe, I assume "The Birds' Courtship" is another variant of the same song/tune? |
|
Subject: ADD: The Bird Song From: Joe Offer Date: 12 May 22 - 04:02 PM 1 - 6. The Bird Song (Roud 247) Sung by Maud Long. Hot Springs, Madison County, NC. September, 1950. THE BIRD SONG Said the robin as he flew 'When I was a young man I'd choose two If one didn't love me the other one would And don't you think that notion's good?' Said the blackbird to the crow 'What makes white folks hate us so? For ever since old Adam was born It's been our trade for to pull up corn' 'Hoot' said the owl with his head so white A lonesome day and a lonesome night Thought I heard some pretty girl say She'd court all night and sleep next day 'No, no, no,' says the turtle dove 'That's no way for to gain her love If you want to gain her heart's delight Keep her awake both day and night' One for the money and two for to go And I want another string to my bow, bow, bow One for the money and two for to go And I want another string to my bow, bow, bow Talking birds feature in a number of songs and ballads. Maud Long's song is related to at least two 17th century songs, The Birds Harmony (Oh! Says the cuckoo, loud and stout), also called The Woody Queresters, and The Bird's Lamentation, both of which were also printed in the 18th century. The verse about the Blackbird and the Crow ("What makes the white folk hate us so?") probably comes from the Minstrel Stage of the mid 1800's. Maud Long's tune is associated with one which is often used for the song The Young Man Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn (Roud 438). Other recordings: Clint Howard (TN). Smithsonian-Folkways SF 40029/30, as The Old Man at the Mill. Virgil Sandage (Indiana) - Dust-to-Digital DTD-12. Source: Album notes from When Cecil Left the Mountains: Historic recordings of Appalachian singers and musicians 1927 - 1955 MTCD514-5, Musical Traditions Records Elizabeth LaPrelle sings almost these same lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU2ESdij2vs |
| Share Thread: |
