'Except two little human beings, sweeter than my..

Subject: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 14 Oct 00 - 12:30 PM

In the shower this morning (I do my best thinking in the shower) it came upon me that someone at the Mudcat may be able to answer a question that has lingered with me for decades.

Along about 1982, I was listening to a folk show while driving in my car. The host was interviewing a Canadian woman who had just released an album of songs for mothers. He played an acapella cut of the song below. It's the only song I've ever learned in one hearing and it remains in my repetoire. However, I am unable to give credit to the songwriter. So, I ask you, Mudcatters: "Which Canadian woman wrote the following song".

Overweight and turning gray. Happy, happy Mother's Day (2)

(dirge like) Was it worth it? I don't know. Really isn't much to show,(2)

Except two little human beings, sweeter than my wildest dreams.(2)

Overweight and turning gray. Happy, happy Mother's Day (2)

(spirited)

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: GUEST,algium
Date: 14 Oct 00 - 12:33 PM

Dolly Parton ?

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 14 Oct 00 - 02:58 PM

Algium,

I would have remembered Dolly, even on the radio. Her sweet Southern drawl would have given her away.

Thanks for trying though.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Oct 00 - 03:04 PM

Don't know, Rog, but it has a lot the same feel as Rosalie Sorrels stuff. Don't know if she was Canadian, tho.

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Metchosin
Date: 14 Oct 00 - 03:28 PM

Roger, it might be Connie Calder, I'll try to do some checking.

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Groucho Marxist (inactive)
Date: 14 Oct 00 - 03:29 PM

Rosalie Sorrels is from Idaho. I've got all of her LPs and CDs and that is not a song that she's ever done.

Groucho

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Willie-O
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 05:56 AM

Sure you have the year right? Nancy White has recorded at least one CD on the topic, Momnipotence, (she's funny too), but it came out maybe five years ago.

Likewise, Connie Kaldor became a mother in the 90's and wouldn't have written that so long ago. I think.

As to who it was...got me stumped.

Willie-O

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 03:50 PM

Refresh. I obviously don't have a clue, but maybe someone else does.

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: richardw
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 10:08 PM

I posted the request on a Canadian list and got these reponses from Connie Kaldor and Nancy White--then I read the words. Anyway two songwriter's down--hundreds to go.

"Well although I might feel that way some days I definately didn't write the song. Good luck Connie Kaldor"

"God, Richard, you really know how to hurt a person! just because a person has children, it doesn't always mean she's a complete idiot. sincerely,

nancyw "

I will post any other responses.

Richard Wright

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: MarkS
Date: 16 Oct 00 - 10:32 PM

Maybe Margaret Crystal? Don't know for sure but the year might be about right.
MarkS

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Groucho Marxist (inactive)
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:45 AM

I can tell you with certainty that it was not by Margaret Christl.

May I suggest that, after 18 years, Roger in Baltimore's memory may be mistaken and that, perhaps, the song and songwriter that he's looking for are not Canadian.

Groucho

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: richardw
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:00 AM

I wonder if it could be Penny Lang?

Richard Wright

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Groucho Marxist (inactive)
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:08 AM

As with Margaret Christl, I can tell you with certainty that it is not Penny Lang.

As I mentioned, my suspicion is that the woman in question is probably not Canadian.

Groucho

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: GUEST,james
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 12:11 PM

Sylvia Tyson perhaps

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: Groucho Marxist (inactive)
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 03:23 PM

I know all of Sylvia Tyson's recordings well, and this is not one of her songs.

I have also checked with Mike Regenstreif at CKUT in Montreal. He has been a great resource of information for me and lots of other people. He's also never heard of this song.

I repeat my suggestion that Roger in Blatimore was probably remembering incorrectly when he said that the singer was Canadian.

Groucho

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: GUEST,Roger in Baltimore
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 06:00 PM

Well, y'all could be right about her not being Canadian. It was a few years ago. As I go back to try and reconstruct, I heard it between 1987 and 1990 (see how the time slipped?).

I'm sure it wasn't Rosalie Sorrels, because I have known of here for decades and would have recognized her. I will make another posting leaving the Canadian out.

Roger in Blatimore

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From:
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 08:21 PM

Have you checked out Nancy White? - one of Canada's greatest satirical songwriters. I'm sure you can contact her via the web. She's based in Toronto.

Good luck Moon Joyce

Subject: RE: Which Canadian woman wrote this song?
From: richardw
Date: 21 Oct 00 - 01:33 PM

Moom Joyce;

Look back in the thread for Nancy's response.

Richard