Lyr Req: The American Stranger

Subject: The American Stranger
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 08:30 PM

The song is called "The American Stranger". I've heard it in Scotland and northern England, and seen versions in books, but I can't find it on the web. The first verse begins "I'm a stranger to your country, from America I've came, There's none of you can ken me, Nor yet can know my name". Any help appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 08:45 PM

If you were to type american stranger into the "Digitrad and Forum Search" box on the main Forum page, you would find this thread:  Lyr Add: American Stranger

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 08:59 PM

There are over a dozen broadside copies on the Bodley Ballads website, but the only way I can turn them up is by searching on 'American'. 'Stranger' doesn't work for me, and 'American' and 'Stranger' doesn't work either. There's a new search system there now, just when I got some of the idiosyncracies of the old one figured out. [It wouldn't look for some words, or at least couldn't find them even though they were legitimate ones.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:17 PM

I gave up using the search function at the Bodleian for just those reasons.  I've found that "Browse Index" works much better, given a bit of practice.  "American Stranger" immediately turns up 17 references.  In case Craig doesn't know what we're talking about, it's here:  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: Abby Sale
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 09:44 PM

try a 'truncated' search on "I'm a stranger in this country." It works.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 10:25 PM

Thanks to all - I didn't know about the Bodleian collection, and now that I do I can say it is a pain to search - but then,if it had been an easy song to search for, I wouldn't have had to ask!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: GUEST,Phil Cooper
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 10:35 PM

There's a good recorded version by both Tom Gilfellon on an old LP and by Julie Henigan on her Waterbug CD, American Stranger.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:04 PM

Re: searching the Bodleian. In the late '70s, I would go to a library in Britain, look through the collections page-by-page, make a pile to be copied, pay the library 10P a sheet + postage, go home and wait 2 months for the postman to come. I find the Bodleian very convenient.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 17 Oct 00 - 11:48 PM

I have to second the motion on Julie Henigan. A wonderful, understated soulful singer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The American Stranger
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 18 Oct 00 - 12:39 AM

Well it looks like the new SEARCH system on the Bodley Ballads website is better than the old one. On the old one I couldn't find 'maid' or 'fair' although both exist in titles and/or first lines, and now they can be found with the new SEARCH.

I think I'll pass on a note to Mike Heaney at the Bodley Ballads website about my troubles finding "American Stranger". Does anyone have any other anomalies to cite about the new SEARCH system that would be useful to pass on? I'll wait for 48 hours for any responses.

[Mike Heaney is also editor of 'Folk Music Journal'.]