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favorite stories in folk songs?
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: rich-joy Date: 01 Dec 04 - 03:44 AM was it actually called "Tam Lin", Art??? (I've not heard of that one!) Cheers! R-J |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST,Art Thieme Date: 30 Nov 04 - 01:47 PM Tam Lin made a strange but interesting movie in days of old---with Ava Gardiner---in modern setting (for those times)and dress. Is on video. Art |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: alanabit Date: 30 Nov 04 - 09:18 AM I really like Steeleye's version of "When I was on Horseback". I always got the impression that there was a lot more to the story and that it might have a historical basis. Can anyone tell me more? |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST Date: 30 Nov 04 - 08:20 AM Miles Weatherhill and Sarah bell by Nick Jones |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Joybell Date: 29 Nov 04 - 07:30 PM For the record, Naemanson, the singer from Maine with the deep beaufiful voice called Gordon sounds like Gordon Bok. I can't see anyone mentioning it but it's a long thread so maybe they have. Cheery-bye, Joy |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 29 Nov 04 - 07:20 PM Jellon Graeme! For those who don't know, an offhand synopsis: Jellon Graeme (even though his name's not Willie) murders his lover who is pregnant. He tears the babe from her womb, buries her body, and raises the child, whom he names after Robin Hood. All through his childhood, little Robin asks where's his mother, why doesn't he have a mother to pick him up after school like the other kids. Jellon avoids the subject. Taking young Robin (now a teenager) out hunting with him, he comes to the Silver Wood, where mama lies in her grave. Robin, having made his usual "Where's mama" speech, says something to the effect of, "What's that mound over there under the tree?" Jellon Graeme tells him of how he killed mama and buried the body, "but remember, lad, I saved YOU and raised you!" Robin takes out his bow and arrow and with a well-placed shot shoots ole dad, and promises that he won't bury Jellon Graeme's body, but will leave it to the scavengers right there, because dad doesn't deserve to be buried where mama is buried. Hard to better that one for sex and filial love and revenge and gore! Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: *Laura* Date: 29 Nov 04 - 06:12 PM I agree with vectis. OR The Bonnie Banks of Virgie/Babylon It's a damn good murder story with a plot twist at the end better than anything I've ever seen in nearly seventeen years of watching eastenders! or Brown Adam. or Billy Don't Weep for Me (Nic Jones) oh there's hundreds! xLx |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: vectis Date: 29 Nov 04 - 04:48 PM Prince Heathen. I cried the first time I heard it, it's such a powerful story. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Big Jim from Jackson Date: 29 Nov 04 - 11:11 AM How about giving "Palace Grand" a shot? |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST,James Date: 29 Nov 04 - 10:54 AM The Famous Flower of Serving Men, Clerk Saunders(one my all time faves), Plains of Waterloo,Lady Isobel and the Elf Knight, King Henry, The Bonnie Lass of Anglesea (great story)Little Duke Arthur's Nurse. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: rich-joy Date: 29 Nov 04 - 04:34 AM Wavestar and Naemanson both mentioned here on October 11th, 2000, Charles Vess's comic book series on BALLADS. These have just been reprinted into one lovely hardcover volume by Green Man Press and include Ballad re-tellings by such authors as : De Lint, Gaiman, Yolen, McCrumb, Bull, Smith, Sherman, Vess, Snyder, Lee , and Smith - with the introduction by Terri Windling and illustrations by Charles Vess. : check it out. Cheers! R-J |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 13 Oct 00 - 04:04 AM Yeah, it will be a while, but of course I will! Cheers, Catrin |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Naemanson Date: 12 Oct 00 - 08:41 PM I agree with Wavestar! We need to read the finished product! |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Wavestar Date: 12 Oct 00 - 08:22 PM Good luck with Matty Groves, Catrin, and let us know where and when we can find the result... -J |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 12 Oct 00 - 11:48 AM Naemenson - I have just read the review of Kate Rushner's book from the link you posted. - There was I, thinking I was being original, (dammit). Seriously, it does help me narrow down my choice. Matty Groves keeps surfacing as a favourite - it's such a rich story. Tam Lin/Thomas the Rhymer are two I was seriously considering and i was having difficulty deciding which to do. But seeing as how Thomas has already been done, (and a quick google serch on 'TamLin' showed that it too has been 'done' by lots of people in lots of genres,) all make it increasingly likely that I will go for Matty Groves. Set in present time with 'ordinary' people. This thread has realy helped me think through my choice. Long live Mudcat! Cheers, Catrin |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST,celticblues5 Date: 12 Oct 00 - 09:44 AM A LOT of my favorites have been mentioned - one could do a whole anthology!
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Naemanson Date: 12 Oct 00 - 06:31 AM You're welcome. Good luck with your project. BTW, TOIL on our side of the pond is Compensatory Time or CompTime. You work an extra hour now and take an hour off later on.
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 12 Oct 00 - 05:30 AM Thanks wavestar and naemenson, I will look both those up later - I'm at work at the moment and having an 'illegal' look in. No time. Its my last day too -(wangled tommorrow off on TOIL and then start a new job Mon) - Hooray. Catchya leater, Catrin P.S. (Toil = Time off in Lieu (of hours worked) - might be a uk thing.) |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Wavestar Date: 11 Oct 00 - 01:23 PM Naemonson - Ellen Kushner wrote that book, in a series (I think Terri Windling was responsible for it) of books that feature the sories of the old ballads, called, strangely, the Fairy Tale Series. Pamela Dean did another one for Tam Lin. They are generally quite good. If you can find the illustrated version with Charles Vess' illustrations, I strongly recommend it. His work is excellent. -Jessica |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Naemanson Date: 11 Oct 00 - 10:23 AM I found it. The author is Ellen Kushner and the title is, surprisingly, Thomas The Rhymer. It was published by Tor in 1990. There is a write up on the book at http://www.folk-tales.com/thomas_the_rhymer.html. There is an interview with her at http://www.sfsite.com/11b/dm69.htm Volume 40 #3 -- Nov/Dec '95 /Jan '96, of Sing Out! Magazine featured a cartoon adaptation of the Child ballad, Thomas The Rhymer, done by Charles Vess and Sharon McCrumb I hope this helps. Brett |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 11 Oct 00 - 09:35 AM Naemenson - yes Please! |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Mark Clark Date: 10 Oct 00 - 01:51 PM Let's just say I'd even the score. <g> - Mark |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 10 Oct 00 - 01:41 PM You REDEEM yourself by singing all of "Tom Joad"? Or Revenge yourself? Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Mark Clark Date: 10 Oct 00 - 01:21 PM DaveO: For some reason, I tried singing "Little Brown Bulls" this morning in the shower and now find I can't remember it all. It's probably been twenty years since I last performed it. I used to get a lot of teasing about it because people thought it was too long. Whenever they thought that, I'd redeem myself by singing Woody Guthrie's "Tom Joad" in its entirety. I can still remember that one. <g> - Mark
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Melani Date: 10 Oct 00 - 01:03 PM I've always really liked "Mary Hamilton". There's a whole lot of historical confusion, since the song seems to be about two different people--one in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots and the other in the court of Peter the Great, a century and a half later. The research alone could keep you off the streets for weeks. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Naemanson Date: 10 Oct 00 - 12:35 PM I just remembered a book I read a long time ago which was the story of Thomas The Rhymer told from his point of view. I don't remember the author's name but I believe it was a woman. I remember the book was very good. And I think I remember that the person wanted to do more of those stories. I will try to figure out who she was and what she's done. You don't want to step on any toes. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: LR Mole Date: 10 Oct 00 - 11:18 AM Well it's new and might be off limits ( though Dylan seems to have a very odd relationship with the Public Domain), but I love to teach "Percy's Song": people know their part very quickly, get impatient to hear the next development, and there's as much left unsaid as said. Who has not turned to the wind and the rain, after all? |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 10 Oct 00 - 05:41 AM What a dillemma I am in! I notice I keep using the expression "that is one of my favourites". Its true though. They are all such wonderful stories. Hey ho - I am going to have to choose somehow. I think one way might be to think about the research i would have to do on, for example, writing about a shipwreck. I haven't got the resources to spend months doing that. So I'm probably going to pick something that concentrates on relationships/emotions - matty groves, Barbara Allen and others of that ilk would fit into that. Its so interesting though to hear what other people's favourites are. There have been many mentioned which I had forgptten about. They brought back memories for me, not just of the song itself, but of what I was doing when I heard it/sang it. Constant chills up the spine with this one! Cheers, Catrin |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: bflat Date: 09 Oct 00 - 07:41 PM Give me the stories found in Harry Chapin's songs. There are too many to mention just one title. bflat |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 09 Oct 00 - 06:46 PM Another that you might consider to modernize is The Farmer's Curst Wife. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 09 Oct 00 - 06:44 PM Mark Clark: I sing Jam on Gerry's Rocks, and I'm just working on memorizing The Little Brown Bulls. Small world. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Naemanson Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:36 PM Kendall, you are right! The minute I saw his name I knew it was Norman Kennedy. Catrin, have you considered any of the gender-bender songs? You know the songs where the woman dresses in men's array and goes forth as either sailor or soldier to gain the day? BTW, a good one would be Willie-O where the whole ship's crew are women looking for one man. Unfortunately it is a recent song and copyrighted. Or maybe Canadee-i-o where the woman dresses as a man to search for her lost love, ships out, gets caught, nearly thrown overboard by the crew (what's that all about?), then the captain saves her and eventually marries her. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 09 Oct 00 - 11:56 AM See my PM Clinton - Thank you! Dan - interesting point *BG* Catrin
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST,dan evergreen Date: 09 Oct 00 - 11:54 AM |
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Subject: King Henry From: Clinton Hammond2 Date: 09 Oct 00 - 11:42 AM Catrin Yup... that's the one... if yer keen to see the verses I wrote at all, PM me... I won't post them here, 'casue they're a little 'blue'! LOL!! {~` |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Mark Clark Date: 09 Oct 00 - 11:06 AM I always thought some of the shanty boy songs made good stories. "Little Brown Bulls" and "Jam On Gerry's Rocks" are two that come to mind. Nobody seems to sing those anymore. - Mark |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: kendall Date: 09 Oct 00 - 10:22 AM Naemanson, that Scottish singer was probably Norman Kennedy. One of my favorite stories in song is Henry Martin |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 09 Oct 00 - 08:52 AM And its even more embarassing when you don't close bold commands properly.... |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 09 Oct 00 - 08:51 AM Re: my last post above. I just caught myself saying "the tories are damn good" Oh no!! help, wash my mouth out, please do not misunderstand. That's supposed to read Stories (not tories). It's amazing how one absent letter can change the whole meaning of a sentence......
Catrin Redfaced -- PA -- |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST,Jaze Date: 09 Oct 00 - 08:14 AM I recently heard Joan Baez sing a "traditional" song called "Seven Curses". Imagine my surprise to learn it was written by Dylan in the 60's!It's a great song in the traditional style. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: IanS Date: 09 Oct 00 - 06:10 AM All of the above mentioned songs have terrific stories but my choice if I had to write a story based on a song would be to go for something simple but with a lot of gutsy emotion in it like the Recruited Collier - this could so easily be pulled into a contemporary setting. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 09 Oct 00 - 05:16 AM Clinton is that the one on a sort of Beauty and the Beast theme, with the genders swapped round (He, the beauty, she, the beast). Something about "I never thought a fiend from hell would stretch down at my side" (or something like that) and when he wakes up she's turned into a beautiful maiden. Hard to believe, but I'd forgotten all about it. Even though it was one of my favourites once. Thinking about now, I get goosepimples. DaveO - The Fair Flower of Northumberland is one of my favourites. I am learning it at the moment. Rich - LOL - actually, Barbara Allen is on my list of possibilities. The epitome of unrequited love that - everybody dies. You can see how many folk songs can so easily be set in present day. Its because the tories are so damn good and timeless and about the human condition. People are people. Mbo and Indy Lass - I don't know that one, but it sounds similar to Jock of Hazeldean, (which is one I sing) Also by Walter C. Scott. Cheers all, Catrin |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Clinton Hammond2 Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:25 AM I'm sorta fond of the tale told in the song that Steeleye Span did called "King Henry"... Chivalry defeating 'the beast' as it were... I even took it upon mysef to write a new verse to fill in the left out details of their "coup'ling"...
LOL!!!!! {~` |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Mbo Date: 08 Oct 00 - 06:22 PM Ah, Indy Lass! I too love "Lochinvar" and have put my own tune to it as well! |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall) Date: 07 Oct 00 - 11:14 PM I like that one song about unrequited love. You know the one I mean. Rich |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 07 Oct 00 - 10:46 PM The Fair Flower of Northumberland |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: GUEST,Indy Lass Date: 07 Oct 00 - 10:30 PM Ooops...that should be spelled "Lochinvar." Here's a site with the poem. www.zoomnet.net/~petecol/scott_sw.html |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Indy Lass Date: 07 Oct 00 - 02:32 PM There's a great poem by Sir Walter Scott, one of my favorite writers, called "Lochenvar." It's about a young man who crashes the wedding of the lady he loves (and she loves him best) but she has been betrothed(?) by her father to some looser nobleman. In the end he gets her aboard his steed and rides away over the lea. I got it from a book of scottish poetry. I've put my own tune to it. The poem may be on the internet somewhere... |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 07 Oct 00 - 01:29 PM My nominee: Binnorie. Two sisters fight over a man; the elder drowns the younger; body is washed up where a famous harper sees it; "A harp he made of her white breast bone".
Later, at the castle, when the elder sister comes into the presence of the harp it sings and plays by itself and accuses the sister of the murder. |
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Subject: RE: favorite stories in folk songs? From: Catrin Date: 07 Oct 00 - 06:26 AM Kernow Jon, You're so right - I've just refreshed it because I missed it before, to give a chance for other 'catters to read it. Fascinating stuff!!!! Not my place to write about it though. I think it would need to be someone who knows much more about Irish history than I do - like someone who lives, or has lived there, for many years. Hope that makes sense. Cheers, Catrin |
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