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A Folkie Challenge
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Subject: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 11 Aug 00 - 10:52 AM A while ago, Bill D, suggested that I sing some different songs, so I've been going through song books and the DT looking for stuff. It struck me that there are a lot of songs out there that no one is singing any more. Here's a few examples of songs that I've not heard ANYONE sing for the last five years or more. The Keeper Tom Pierce Men of Harlech The Golden Vanity John Peel Lolly Too Dum Skip to my Lou Barbara Allen Careless Love and the list could go on and on. So here's the challenge... "In this coming week, learn and sing a song that you haven't heard anyone sing for at least five years." and tell us what it is. Bert. and I'll sing one on Mudcat Radio |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Kim C Date: 11 Aug 00 - 10:57 AM Oohh, Bert, maybe it's 'cause I'm into that living history thing, but I've heard Men of Harlech and Barbara Allen lots in the last five years, and once upon a time I did learn The Golden Vanity. Mister and I need some new stuff, though, so it's a good idea. But if I haven't heard it in the last five years, I probably don't know it exists! I'd like to hear other people's obscure song ideas. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: MMario Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:09 AM I've heard five of your list in the last six months, Bert! But I am trying to learn a "new-to-me" song every month or so anyway.... |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:18 AM I guess we move in different circles, I'm glad that these songs are being sung. But that was just an example of my experience, browse through the DT and see what you can come up with. How about 'Aiken Drum' or 'Hullabaloobelay'? anyone heard those recently? |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Midchuck Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:33 AM I'm afraid so many songs that fit that category, that I might have done in my youth, have to do with Happy Darkies or Murderous Skalphunting Injuns and would get me in trouble. Fortunately, Besotted Micks seem to be still acceptable... Peter. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: SINSULL Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:44 AM Bert, You have to spend more time on Hearme. Even I have heard some of these. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Rick Fielding Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:50 AM Don't let the Phillistines (or the Philadelphians, for that matter) get you down Bert! You're point is well taken. Just this week I've resurrected "Copper Kettle" (from a Mudcat mention) and...now don't puke! "On Top of Old Smokey"! (after listening to a wonderful old Folkways album featuring Buell Kazee) "Course he calls it "The Little Mohee", but I won't trouble my audience with trad titles. Rick |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:58 AM I've heard six of your list- but then I'm a morris dancer AND an elementary music teacher- they cover the list pretty well. A song I resurrected this week that I haven't sung in about 10 years in Anachie Gordon. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 11 Aug 00 - 12:16 PM Of course I'm not going to be satisfied until I know ALL of the songs on This list. I know that our Dick knows at least 6 versions of each one. Rick your juxtaposition of Phillistines with Philadelphians is very apt. I've dropped out of the PFSS. There are a few people doing good things there, but it's too few to be worth going out of my way for. Animaterra, I'm glad to hear that they are still singing them in the schools. The thing that concerns me is that some people never hear those songs again. Remember the challenge is to "learn something you haven't heard for a while" - go for it. Bert. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: IvanB Date: 11 Aug 00 - 02:16 PM Bert. good suggestion. Actually, I've done 'The Golden Vanity' twice on Hearme in the past couple months, but lately I've been spending a lot of time in the basement, looking wistfully at my vinyl collection and planning for transferring them on to CD's, both for listening and (re) learning purposes. And, it seems there are ever so many songs in the DT which I'd like to sing, but can remember only enough of the tunes as to be terminally dangerous to the 'folk process.' |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,shanti Date: 11 Aug 00 - 03:07 PM I'm constantly learning new songs. Everytime I hear one I like, I try to add it to the repertoire. Don't know if anyone has sung JAMES CONNOLLY (ala Wolfe Tones) or BROTHER GREEN (Connie Dover's latest CD). |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Lox Date: 11 Aug 00 - 04:09 PM Anyone been to see wales play rugby? Alternatively, just sing:
You're not singing to the same tune |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 11 Aug 00 - 04:12 PM Lox, if you must make obscure references to Wales and Rugby. I have a brother Rupert, he plays outside right for Newport... Bert. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Giac Date: 11 Aug 00 - 04:48 PM Couldn't recall if I'd ever heard Tom Pierce, so looked it up in the DT and realized it is very similar to a song I heard as a child (in the 1940s), but it was in German. Had the same pattern of recurring words at the end of each verse. Can't recall a word of it, though. Rick: Being within sight of "Old Smokey," I hear that tune rather often, usually emanating from some "musical" tourist object, but I still like the song. I think the tunes one hears vary by region. Of those on Bert's list, the only two I haven't heard within the last six months are Tom Pierce and Men of Harlich. Good challenge, Bert. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 11 Aug 00 - 05:00 PM Lox, tell me more about Wales, singing and rugby. Do the Welsh fans really sing? Do they sound good? What's this all about? |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Rick Fielding Date: 11 Aug 00 - 05:07 PM Right Giac. screw the tourists, it's still a good song. "Cosher Bailey's Uncle Finchmore, wish'd he'd had another inch more, and Auntie, he'd undress her..... Oops sorry, that's not the "trad" version!! Rick |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 11 Aug 00 - 05:12 PM Rick, "not the "trad" version!!" - Sounds like a good title for another thread. Bert. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Jim Krause Date: 11 Aug 00 - 05:37 PM Bert, I guess it all depends on what part of the country you live in. Not only have I heard Men of Harlech, Barbara Allen, and the Golden Vanity, I have sung them all either doing shows solo, or in a group known as The 97th Regimental Stringband. I also travel pretty widely in living history circles. How about Black Jack Davey, or its many variants, or The Miller's Will, One Morning in May AKA The Nightengale, or Cabbagehead, AKA Our Goodman? Soddy |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Little Hawk Date: 11 Aug 00 - 06:55 PM Here's a beauty that Buffy Sainte-Marie used to sing..."Banks of Red Roses"...her version was the absolute best. I sing this one frequently. I sang "Golden Vanity" once at song circle last year. How about "Hard Is The Fortune (Of All Womankind)" and "Wagoner's Lad"? Bob Dylan sings those 2 as a single song sometimes, mixing the verses. How about "Diamond Joe"? Ian Tyson's been know to do that one, and Dylan too. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bill D Date: 11 Aug 00 - 07:51 PM Ah, Bert..nice idea...(I HAVE heard most of those on your list, but as you know we are blessed with a BIG group down here)...but I have a few I should polish up too...) |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: okthen Date: 11 Aug 00 - 08:24 PM this thread fills my head with so many ideas i've tried to find a song called "randal a barnaby" and thought of issuing it as some kind of "challenge" here but have been too interested in everything else going on i never got round to it. 2nd, i tried to find song starting "it was pleasant and delightfull on a midsummers morn"and only found a parody in the DT 3rd YES the welsh fans DO sing and reminds me of a quotation - "nobody can beat WALES at rugby, the best any team can hope to do, is score more points than them" cheers bill |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bugsy Date: 11 Aug 00 - 08:53 PM No problem bert, that's just about my completer repertoire. cheers Bugsy |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: DougR Date: 11 Aug 00 - 09:18 PM Bert: Is the "Tom Pierce" you refer to the same one I know as "Tam Pierce?" Tam Pierce, Tam Pierce, lend me your grey mare, all along out along, out along lee! Us wants to go to Widdegan's fair,..." etc. DougR |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Willie-O Date: 12 Aug 00 - 08:49 PM Old Texas.
I'm going to leave Old Texas now,
To add to Animaterra's point, Michael Cooney used to observe that people tend to think during their early adulthood that the songs they learned in grade school were corny and rotten. Later on they realize that it was grade school that was corny and rotten. (Apologies to the many fine teachers such as AT and Aine who may read this; you know what I mean.) Old Texas was my own Grade Five favourite. Willie-O
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Mbo Date: 12 Aug 00 - 08:56 PM I heard The Tannahill Weavers singing "Aiken Drum" on T&S not to long ago... |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 12 Aug 00 - 09:01 PM "I guess it all depends on what part of the country you live in."
Please - it should be "what part of what country you live in." |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: celticblues5 Date: 12 Aug 00 - 10:55 PM Is Men of Harlech the same as Battle of Harlech/Harlaw? That's a beautiful, sad song - but can anyone do it better than Jeannie Robertson? Of the others on bert's list, I'm familiar with all but one. I'd have to agree with Willie-O, that we tend to disdain the songs we heard in elementary school - particularly after we realized how they've been cleaned up! :-) I agree on Old Smokey - hated it on purpose for a number of years, just because to me it was a kids' song, then realized that, done at the proper slowness, and with the right inflection of regret, it could be quite lovely (as long as you're not dealing with an audience of kids - who will invariably start laughing because of On Top of Spaghetti). I think something of the same happened with standards like Barbara Allen - done so much everyone was tired of them for awhile. I agree it would be nice to hear Copper Kettle more frequently (also lovely, done slowly, as long as it's not turned into a CW tune). I didn't know that Hard is the Fortune & Wagoner's lad were two different songs - can't recall ever hearing them done separately. There are so many great songs I'd love to hear more - Braes of Balquidder, Young Donald, Worker's Song, In the Pines - one could go on & on. There are a lot of singers out there looking for something *different* to set themselves apart - I'm surprised we don't hear more variety. Hey, all you Welshmen - do they really sing the saucepan song at matches? :-) |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,Pjbenson Date: 13 Aug 00 - 02:08 PM okthen I used to sing Pleasant and Delightful years ago and I can probably dig out the words if you wnat them |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Catrin Date: 13 Aug 00 - 02:18 PM Bert, I have been thinking along those same lines recently. I have just re-learnt Lady Mary (Joan Baez version) which I know from when I was a teenager. What a beautiful song, and how could I forget about it? I suppose what happens is we learn songs and then, in our quest for new stuff, the old ones get shoved aside, even the gems. What fun reviving them though. Catrin |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Alice Date: 13 Aug 00 - 02:43 PM When was the last time you performed or heard performed "San Miguel", by Jane Bowers, recorded by the Kingston Trio? The same question for "Farewell Adelita" and "Señora". |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Mbo Date: 13 Aug 00 - 02:47 PM I sing Brae's O' Balquidder! Learned it from Jock Tamson's Bairns! |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: celticblues5 Date: 13 Aug 00 - 02:55 PM Mbo - The Bairns are just about my all-time favorite Scots group - Rod Patterson's vocals are to die for! |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Llanfair Date: 13 Aug 00 - 04:33 PM By gum, this is a busy thread! Bert, those are all songs we learned from the radio at junior school. I have a vivid memory of singing "The Keeper" at the top of my voice, whilst getting ready to go to Brownies one snowy, dark evening. I must have been about 9 years old. It's only recently I've come to value them again. As for the Welsh people singing at rugby matches, yes, they do, and it sounds wonderful. We have a male voice choir here, but they don't sing in pubs, just do concerts. They are very good. They do "Sospan fach" Best wishes, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Amos Date: 13 Aug 00 - 04:53 PM "They've plowed and fenced my cattle range And the people there, are all so strange..." |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Mbo Date: 13 Aug 00 - 05:01 PM You got that right, celticblues! I also love him in The Easy Club! Wooyeah! |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Art Thieme Date: 13 Aug 00 - 05:15 PM "Leaving Old Texas" was the first song I ever had on a record. 'Twas an anniversary sampler LP out of a great folk club called Charlotte's Web in Rockford, Illinois. Very early 70s. I learned it from Bob Gibson's singing.
I'm gonna leave
The've roped and fenced,
I'll take my horse,
And so kind friends, Art Thieme |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,Chris Amos Date: 13 Aug 00 - 06:35 PM |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: oggie Date: 13 Aug 00 - 06:49 PM How many of Ewan MacColl's songs are sung now - anyone for Freeborn Man, Manchester Rambler, Shoals of Herring, seems ages since I heard them in a club. Recently started listening to my LPs again (light-fingered intruder took CDs and player - left the instruments) All these songs I used to listen to and sing which I'd forgotten (Rout of the Blues for one) All the best Steve |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: celticblues5 Date: 13 Aug 00 - 08:01 PM Mbo - I didn't know Rod was in Easy Club - are they still recording? |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Mbo Date: 13 Aug 00 - 08:08 PM Not that I know of. They broke up in the late 80's I think. They do a jiving version of "Black is The Color of My True Love's Hair" with Rod singing lead, and lots of jazzy guitar solos and thumping double bass. Very very cool! |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Giac Date: 13 Aug 00 - 08:25 PM Hadn't thought of "I'm Goin' to Leave Ol' Texas Now" in way too many years. I learned "my" version at a girls camp in 1949. It was done as an "echo" song, I'm goin' to leave (I'm goin' to leave), etc.
The verses we sang came directly from a songbook, which I still have, and they follow: |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Giac Date: 13 Aug 00 - 08:40 PM I know better than to post something without checking the DT first, but ... However, a slightly different version is there, or, here
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,Crazy Eddie Date: 14 Aug 00 - 01:01 AM Hi okthen Does the song you're looking for begin *It was pleasant & delightful on a bright summer's morn. When the foel's & the meadows were covered in corn. There were blackbirds & thrushes, singing on everey tree, And the larks they sang melodeous, at the dawning of the day. And the larks they sang melodeous, And the larks they sang melodeous, And the larks they sang melodeous, at the dawning of the day* If so, I have it on a tape by an Irish group called Stoctons Wing. Leave a message on this thread, & I'll get the rest of it for you. Regards, Eddie |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: okthen Date: 14 Aug 00 - 12:50 PM dear crazy edie that's the one, would be grateful if you could post it here or to the DT. seems strange that the parody should be in the DT but not the original. cheers bill |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: MAG (inactive) Date: 14 Aug 00 - 01:18 PM "Skip to my Lou" and "Aiken Drum" are constants in my repertoire, but then once upon a time I was a full time free lance childrens entertainer. And no, I quit doing birthday parties. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 14 Aug 00 - 02:20 PM Doug, yes, that's the one. Bill, try here. |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,Phil g Date: 14 Aug 00 - 02:22 PM Back to the subject of songs not heard for a while. One folksinger said, "This is a song that nobody sings any more because everybody sings it. I sing it because nobody sings it anymore!" |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: okthen Date: 15 Aug 00 - 05:11 AM dear bert thanks for the link, yes that's the one, brings back some happy memories. i did search the DT again but still came up with the parody "twas efficient and cost effective". did the set of lyrics you posted come from the DT as the appeared to from the link or should i have tried a different type of search? thanks again cheers bill |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: Bert Date: 15 Aug 00 - 01:53 PM I searched for lark and that was one of many hits. I usually have more success searching for something simple and looking through a few pages of hits that I do searching for the whole title. It also has the added advantage of reminding you of other songs that you may have forgotten. Bert |
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Subject: RE: A Folkie Challenge From: GUEST,Moonwoman Date: 15 Aug 00 - 07:23 PM How about songs that Bonnie Dobson did way back in the 60s? Like Dear Companion? |
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