Women's Song Circle

Subject: Women's Song Circle
From:
Date: 14 Sep 97 - 02:56 PM

Checked the forum to see if this has been done before. If I missed it, sorry. How about a "sing" for just the ladies? Why? Because in the other Fantasy Circles, men, and songs from the male point of view, seem to have a bit of an edge. I know that RS has a compilation of "Songs from a Woman's Day." Maybe we could begin with some of those and add from our own favorites?

Have a theory that the aggregate effect of such a collection could have a quite different feel to the earlier mixed ones. (Don't mind a bit if the fellows want to do the same.) One suggestion, before we start: no more than two songs of the same type, e.g. parody, lullabye, P.C., etc. in a row , so we don't get stuck in a rut, eh?

Could we tune up with She'll be Comin' Round The Mountain, just because it's still fun and WE ALL KNOW IT. Then, after some sweet-tart fresh lemonade (the party's young yet), let everyone, in turn, or in chorus, as you please, sing something she likes? (Looks to be a fine evenin'!)

Shula

P. S. The ancient Jewish custom of a "women's celebration" at the new moon of each month, (except for the new moon at Rosh Hashannah, for obvious reasons), is being revived, in more and more Jewish communities. In the Biblical tradition, the women would gather outside the encampment, singing, dancing, and playing on harps and timbrels and such. Nowadays, the one thing you can count on at these gatherings, is that there will be singing. This is not, methinks, unlike the custom in many other cultures, so it has a nice universal feel, at least, to me. Anyway, I am quite partial to any excuse for singing, and this is as good as any.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 15 Sep 97 - 08:50 PM

Gonna try this again. What about it, Laoise, Alison, Susan, Helen, ALL SINGING PERSONS OF THE FEMALE PERSUASION: -- C'mon over, give us a tune, why doncha? Don't be shy, now! Make yersefs t'home. Set'n sip a'spell; see ef'n y'don't feel th' music rise on up out'yer toes n' git them pipes a'swirlin.'

Fancy a bit o' Irish, Laoise; won't ya favour us wi' a swaite one?

Welcome, all!

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Ferrara
Date: 15 Sep 97 - 11:02 PM

Shula, (and other participants), sure. You caught my interest, even tho I haven't participated in any of the other fantasy circles.

Now, the first song that comes to mind for me has a strong feminist tone. I grew up under the benevolent despotism of a southern Italian father, who unwisely fell in love with, and married, an independent, uppity woman from Georgia. Mom just naturally raised me and my sister to be feminists, tho we'd never heard the word at that time. So, when I heard Jane Voss singing "Standing Behind Some Man," I fell in love with it and that's what I would start with tonight.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 15 Sep 97 - 11:23 PM

Dear Ferrara, Thanks so much for starting off the evening. Lord love ya! Was unable to find your selection in the DT; why not post the lyrics here? Lemonade...? Spiked, or virgin...?

Note to all: Please share lyrics, and chords,etc. if you can, if they are not already in the DT. We'll all be the richer!

Who'll be next?

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: PattyG
Date: 15 Sep 97 - 11:34 PM

Hm-m-m-m....what a delightful idea! Would the suggestion of "Mother Macree" (oh dear, is that how you spell that?) be acceptable? I can remember my favorite aunt singing that song at family reunions to dear Grandmother Burns. And Patty thinks she'll have just a touch of vodka in that Lemonade, might she?

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 16 Sep 97 - 12:29 AM

Dear PattyG:

Splendid! Don't think anything's "unacceptable" -- all are friends here. Vodka, it shall be! Lyrics to Mother Macree?

Thanks,

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: RS
Date: 16 Sep 97 - 02:07 AM

Here is one of my very favourite feminist songs of all time - "I'm Gonna Be an Engineer" - I first heard it sung by Angele Arsenault, at a folk festival about 15 or 20 years ago - then didn't hear of it again until I found it on the DT - credited, words and music, to Peggy Seeger, 1970. When I read the words alone, they seem to have an angry tone - but Angele sang this with excitement, and more a feeling of rebelliousness than anger.

Alas, the DT as yet has no tune ... I remember fragments, but can't sing through the whole thing. So for now I'll make up what I'm not sure of. Anyone who knows this song, can sing louder than me ... and if no one knows it, well no one will know which parts are not as originally composed!

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 16 Sep 97 - 02:45 AM

Dear RS, Thanks, and hopes for more from your collection, (sorry I mis-remembered the title). So glad you could join us. Got a fresh pitcher of Sangria, pour ya some?

Who'd like to share next?

Shula

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN WE GROW UP (from Marlo Thomas)
From: Catfeet
Date: 16 Sep 97 - 07:54 PM

Ok, I'm dating myself an showing my generation, but I'd like to add When We Grow Up, as sung by Marlo Thomas on the album Free To Be You & Me. It's not necessarily feminist, but I've always thought of it as one of those you can do/be whatever you want songs. Lyrics to follow.

WHEN WE GROW UP

When we grow up will I be pretty?
Will you be big & strong?
Will I wear dresses that show off my knees?
Will you wear trowsers twice as long?

Chorus

Well, I don't care if I'm pretty at all
And I don't care if you never get tall
I like what I look like and you're nice small
We don't have to change at all

When we grow up will I be a lady?
Will you be on the moon?
Well, it might be all right to dance by it's lignt
But I'm gonna get up there soon

Chorus

When I grow up I'm going to be happy
And do what I like to do,
Like making noise and making faces,
And making friends like you.

And when we grow up do you think we'll see
That I'm still like you
And you're still like me?
I might be pretty, you might grow tall,
But we don't have to change at all.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Lorraine
Date: 16 Sep 97 - 10:28 PM

Songs about, by, for women--humm. I figure this isn't quite the right political correctness but I'll jump in with A Bird in the Bush. Margaritas please

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Sharon
Date: 16 Sep 97 - 11:52 PM

The rest of you ladies wouldn't mind if I just kick offf my shoes and rest and listen a while, would you? It's been a long day with the young'uns. Knew you'd understand. Sangria'll be fine for me as well

Subject: Lyr Add: THE HOUSEWIFE'S LAMENT
From: Shula
Date: 17 Sep 97 - 12:19 PM

Sharon, not at'all, glad t' have ya!

Now, just ez I s'spected, I go out fer ta skeer up some more 'shine 'n' vittles, and what do ya'all all go 'n' do? This P.C. stuff is just dandy, but it cain't be ALL the songs we know, so you gals pass around these h'yar brownies 'n' Congo bars, and don't nobuddy hog th' jug, 'n' I'll lighten thangs up a bit with a little piece from a fella sister in sufferin,' Mrs. Sara A. Price back about a hunert-fi'ty year agone, sung to th' choon o' "Streets of Laredo" (Pass me thet ol' ax in th' corner thar, thet'll do nicely, thank'ee; anybuddy wanta sang along, this'un's in RUS.):

THE HOUSEWIFE'S LAMENT

One day I was walking,
I heard a complaining,
And saw an old woman,
The picture of gloom.
She gazed at the mud
On her doorstep ['twas raining],
And this was her song
As she wielded her broom:

(Refrain): O life is a toil,
And love is a trouble,
Beauty will fade,
And riches will flee,
Pleasures they dwindle,
And prices they double,
And nothing is
As I would wish it to be.

There's too much of worriment
Goes to a bonnet;
There's too much of ironing
Goes to a shirt;
There's nothing that pays
For the time you waste on it:
There's nothing that lasts us
But trouble and dirt. (Refrain)

In March, it is mud,
It is slush in December,
The midsummer breezes
Are loaded with dust,
In the fall the leaves litter,
In muddy September,
The wallpaper rots,
And the candlesticks rust. (Refrain)

There're worms on the cherries,
And slugs on the roses,
And ants in the sugar,
And mice in the pies.

The rubbish of spiders
No mortal supposes,
Nor the ravaging roaches
And damaging flies. (Refrain)

It's sweeping at six
And dusting at seven,
It's victuals at eight
And dishes at nine,
It's potting and panning,
From ten to eleven
We scarce break our fast,
'Til we plan how to dine. (Refrain)

With grease and with grime,
Fom corner to center
Forever at war,
And forever alert.
No rest for a day,
Lest the enemy enter;
I spend my whole life
In struggle with dirt (Refrain)

Last night in my dreams,
I was stationed forever,
On a far little rock
In the midst of the sea;
My one chance of life
Was a ceaseless endeavor
To sweep off the waves
As they swept over me. (Refrain)

Alas! 'twas no dream,
Ahead I behold it;
I see I am helpless
My fate to avert
She lay down her broom,
Her apron she folded
She lay down and died
and was buried in dirt. (Refrain)

Now, while some other folks carry on, let me git me a swipe er two o' th' hard cider, 'n' I'll come back 'n' give ya a proper Bessie Smith take on "Mandy Lane."

Hey, now, din't some o' you other gals bring some eats? Since we got no handy fellers nigh, guess we'll have t' take turns t' fetch 'em out te kitchen, ya reckon?

Sing purty!

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: RS
Date: 17 Sep 97 - 11:31 PM

Ah Shula I was about to introduce this very song - "The Housewife's Lament" - but was waiting a little bit until it came round to my turn again!

But maybe we can sing it again, with a different tune? I discovered this in Alan Lomax's "Folk Songs of North America", with a very catchy tune that I couldn't get out of my head, once I had sung it through the first time. I went around the house humming it, & tapping the rhythm out on whatever what within reach, until my kids begged for mercy! & I had to stop (but not for long!) If Max will explain how to create & send a Midi file, we can all sing it together.

[I have Music Write but have barely used it ... does anyone know if I can use it for this purpose?]

I did find this song on DT, with a few modern "updated" endings, but I must admit my favourite is the original. I always pause dramatically when I get to "and was buried in ... dirt."

If I get a chance, I'll post the background info that Alan Lomax includes, about the song & about Sarah Price herself.

Sing on!

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: alison
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 12:27 AM

HI

I brought some good old Irish potato bread, nice and hot and dripping with butter.

I'm going to sing "The rose of Glenshee," It's probably in the database. Starts off with her telling him she doesn't need him or his money and ends happily ever after. I'll stick a whistle slow air on the end . It'll be "Give me your hand," in D feel free to harmonise.

Make mine a Bailey's please.

Slainte

Alison

Subject: Lyr Add: OH, HOW HE LIED
From: Speed-1
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 01:07 AM

How about this under the category of girl falls for boy, boy turns out to be a slug, boy gets his. (Excuse my space bar, either it doesn't work, or puts out two spaces!)

She sat 'neath the lilacs and played her guitar,
Played her guitar, played her guitar.
She sat 'neath the lilacs and played her guitar,
Played her "Gi - tah - hah - hah - har"

He sat down beside her and smoked his cigar,
Smoked his cigar, smoked his cigar,
He sat down beside her and smoked his cigar,
Smoked his "Ci - gah - hah - hah - har"

She said that she loved him and Oh, how she sighed!
Oh, how she sighed! Oh, how she sighed!
She said that she loved him and Oh, how she sighed!
Oh, how she "Si - hi - hi - hi'd"

He said that he loved her, but Oh, how he lied!
Oh, how he lied! Oh, how he lied!
He said that he loved her, but Oh, how he lied!
Oh, how he "Lie - eye - eye - eyed"

They were to be married but She up and died,
She up and died, She up and died,
They were to be married but She up and died,
She up and "die - eye - eye - eyed"

He went to the funeral, but just for the ride,
Just for the ride, Just for the ride.
He went to the funeral, but just for the ride,
Just for the "Ri-eye-eye-eyed"

He sat by her tombstone and Laughed 'til he cried,
Laughed 'til he cried, Laughed 'til he cried,
He sat by her tombstone and Laughed 'til he cried,
Laughed 'til he cried.

The tombstone fell over, and Squish, Squash he died,
Squish, Squash he died, Squish, Squash he died
The tombstone fell over, and Squish, Squash he died,
Squish, squash, he "Die-eye-eye-eyed"

The moral of this tune is "Don't tell a lie",
"Don't tell a lie", "Don't tell a lie",
The moral of this tune is "Don't tell a lie",
"Don't tell a 'Lie-eye-eye-eye!'"

Speed

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Ferrara
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 03:43 AM

Dear Speed-1, in the version I learned of your song, there were these two verses:

Then she went to Heaven and flittered and flied, flittered and flied, etc.

He went to the other place and sizzled and fried, sizzled and fried, etc.

Very satisfying.

Someday soon I'll type in the words to "Standing Behind Some Man." Honest. Right now it's past 2 in the morning and I just want to listen to the rest of you sing. I didn't come emptyhanded, tho. In our current weight-conscious society it's important to be GC (Gastronomically Correct); but at 2 in the morning, the hell with that. I've brought a cherry-rum-walnut pie. Hope you enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 18 Sep 97 - 04:09 PM

Alison - You beat me to the Rose of Glenshee, so I'll do one with a faster tempo: The Maid on the Shore. I heard it first from Stan Rogers, so this is his version, but Karen Casey also does it with Solas, with slightly different lyrics. The story: woman gets kidnapped by a bunch of sailors, sings them to sleep, steals all their treasure, escapes. I like to think that this wasn't just an isolated incident, but that she does this for a living.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: RS
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 12:35 AM

Thanks Ferrara, I've been looking for some really decadent goodies, I'll have another piece of your cherry-rum-walnut pie, do you have the recipe handy?

Try my Pineapple Cheesecake, it's incredibly easy to make & unbelievably delicious ... when people ask our family how long it keeps for, we answer "No one knows!"

Just posted Tumbalalaika on a separate thread, so you've got the words if you need them ... let's sing it not too fast, not too slow, with a thoughtful, affectionate style. English first, so you understand what you're singing ... then Yiddish, so you can feel the rhythm & flow of the Yiddish words.

Subject: Lyr Add: ORO MY LITTLE BOAT / ORO MO BHAIDIN
From: Alice
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 01:01 AM

There is a song in Gaelic called "Oro mo Bhaidin" in which the Connaught fisherman praises his curragh. I love the tune, but needed to sing it in English, so as I thought of my great grandmother in Leitrim who eloped to marry her own true love rather than the man picked by a matchmaker, I wrote these lyrics. My great grandparents had to leave Ireland for America, and I could see the allegory of a young girl naive with fantasies of her future married life in this song. I kept the meaning of the original first verse in Gaelic.

ORO MY LITTLE BOAT

I shall hoist my sail for the west
Oro my little boat O
And I'll return on St. John's eve
Oro my curragh.

CHORUS
Oro my little boat O
Oro my curragh
Oro my little boat O
Oro my curragh.

I shall marry my own true love
Oro my little boat O
And he so kind and gentle will be
Oro my curragh.

Chorus

He shall love and care for me
Oro my little boat O
As Daddy cares for Mother and me
Oro my curragh.

Chorus

I shall have a baby sweet
Oro my little boat O
Whom I shall rock as my boat rocks me.
Oro my curragh.

Chorus

Holy Mary pray for me.
Oro my little boat O
Pray for blessings as blessed can be.
Oro my curragh.

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: RS
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 01:35 AM

Well I'll suggest one more song before I sign out for the night ... it's not really my turn yet, but I just posted Erev Shel Shoshanim (on a separate thread) & I'd love to hear it a couple of times through before I go.

I'll read the English translation aloud before we begin, & wish you all goodnight when we are done. (But I'll be back another day!)

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: alison
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 03:56 AM

hi

Alice, what's the tune, I really liked the lyrics. Anyone want some caramel mud cake?

This thread needs a calorie warning!!

Slainte

Alison

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Speed-1
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 10:46 AM

Ferrara - Thanks for posting the two verses I know belong, but forgot to type! That's what I get for trying to sing, or type for that matter, at 2 in the am!

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 05:59 PM

Alison,

I have only heard it in Gaelic sung on a record by Mary O'Hara... Songs of Ireland. She sings three verses, the meaning of the first is the one about St. John's eve. The other two verses are roughly, "Isn't my little boat beautiful floating in the harbor? And the oars pulling strong and quietly. How magnificently she leaps the high waves. How light to carry up from the strand." The tune is unique and haunting. If you can't find a recording, (and I have never found the music,) then email me with your phone number and I will call you and sing it to you over the phone. [e-mail] Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 06:01 PM

Sing some more songs, ladies! I can't wait til my turn comes around again!! I want to give you the lyrics to an old American folk song about a waitress being heckled by traveling salesmen.

Alice

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Sharon
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 09:37 PM

Perhaps I'll sing "The Water is wide".......lovely, accompanied with chords on the hammered dulcimer. The cheese cake would also make a wonderful accompaniment....... Perhaps a little white wine a little later on.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 19 Sep 97 - 09:41 PM

No offense, but I'm getting the impression I should start a non-alcoholic circle. Maybe all the temperance and Prohibition songs we know? Or lives ruined by drink?

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: alison
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 06:57 AM

Hi

We know you're out there fellas, we can see you hiding in the corners........ So to annoy you even further we're going to sing "Maids when you're young never wed an old man."

Psst. Joe, I've sneaked you out a bit of mudcake, it's in the "Free drinks" thread......Enjoy.

Make mine a Coke this time round thanks.

slainte

Alison

Subject: Lyr Add: MY MOTHER WAS A LADY
From: Alice
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 12:54 PM

Well, I checked in last night to see if it could be my turn again, and the circle had been fairly quiet. It is now almost lunch time here in Montana on Saturday, so I am going to go ahead with the waitress song. Source is a little booklet called "Songs of the Pioneers" price, $1.50, ©1970 by Albert E. Brumley & Sons.

MY MOTHER WAS A LADY

Two drummers* they were seated in a grand ballroom one day
While dining they were chatting in a jovial sort of way.
There came a pretty waitress to bring a tray of food
They spoke to her familiarly in a manner rather rude.
At first she did not notice, nor make the least reply,
But one remark they made to her brought teardrops to her eye.
She turned on her tormentors, her cheeks were blushing red.
Then posing as a picture... this is what she said:

chorus
My mother was a lady, and yours I would allow.
Perhaps you have a sister who needs protection now.
I came to this great city to find my brother dear.
You wouldn't dare insult me, sir, if brother Jack were here.
(*traveling salesmen, drumming up business)

pass the cheesecake, please. Alice in Montana

Subject: Lyr Add: STANDING BEHIND SOME MAN (Jane Voss?)
From: Ferrara
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 03:02 PM

Alice, there's another verse to your pioneer song, I believe, where one of the insulting drummers turns out to be the long lost brother. Of course he changes his tune when the girl in question is HIS sister!

Also, love your words to the Gaelic song. I think we have a copy of "songs of Ireland" so will try to find the tune.

RS (and anyone else), if you really want the recipe for cherry rum walnut pie, send e-mail to [e-mail]. It's an original recipe and I'd love to pass it on. At a potluck, one friend told me sheepishly that she'd eaten four slices! Boy, did that please me. I've never quite mastered the womanly art of cooking and I'm trying to catch up now. Next year I'll try for the womanly art of housekeeping.

Here are the words to "Standing Behind Some Man." I'll see if I can get a midi version posted to the database so you can have the tune. Or e-mail me and we can try to arrange something over the phone.

STANDING BEHIND SOME MAN. Written by Jane Voss (I think)

1. Behind every man who makes a great name,
It's said a woman does stand,
Faithful and true, willing to do
And play any part in his plan.
Oh how many lives have been lived out that way,
As somebody else's right hand,
How many women without faces or names
Standing behind some man?

2. Once upon a time I called a man mine
And I waited at his every whim
In worry and fear cried many a tear
In the long nights waiting for him.
Oh the years that I've wasted, the love that I've lost
Measure it nobody can
I sold my birthright for a warm bed at night
To be standing behind some man.

3 Oh the love of a man is a beatiful thing,
A joy and a comfort so kind
But if the loving you crave just makes you a slave
You're selling yourself down the line.
Each person must have their own work to do,
Each life its own special plan
And a woman is lost who pays the great cost
To be standing behind some man.

4 If you take a butterfly by the wings,
You know it will never more fly;
If my life must be some small captive thing,
You know that I'd sooner die.
Lovers may come, lovers may go,
But I only have what I am,
And I'd rather be lonesome and free
Than be standing behind some man.

You know I'd rather be flying lonesome and free,
Than be standing behind some man.

Subject: Lyr Add: SHE IS LIKE THE SWALLOW
From: Suibhan
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 04:28 PM

Sorry, I can't contribute any recipes. How about "She is like the Swallow," another beautiful song by Karan Casey.

She is like the swallow that flies on high
She is like the river that never runs dry
She is like the sun beaming on the lee shore
I love my love but love is no more

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Lorraine
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 05:18 PM

I will jump back in and sing Isabella Gunn a song by Eileen McGann of a woman from the Ortneys who immigrated to Canada struggling as an explorer-no real chorus but a wonderful song.--No food I can't really cook- just sing--So here goes. Hope you enjoy it too.

Subject: Lyr Add: A YINGELE FUN POLYN / A LADDIE FRA POLAND
From: Shula
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 10:56 PM

Um! Um! Um! Can't go out t' fetch th' fiddler 'n' th' gal with th' clarinet, without you gals a'skeerin' th' fellers half out thar socks (them's ez whar's 'em o'course). Well I figger it won't do no harm t' mend a fence er two by askin' my own kind feller, Akiba, t' take'em up a mess o' soup 'n' sammiches 'n' fruit 'n' sody's 'n'coffee and hef a dozen fresh-made pies. (Reckon they orta take kindly t' my pecan pies; got some French apple 'n' lemon chess 'n' raspberry/nectarine t' send 'em, too, 'n' a-plenty more left fer us'ns.) Thet ol' keg a thar'n t'won't last 'em th' night, so jes t' prove we's still on frien'ly terms, I'm a'gonna git my fella t' brang 'em th' bottle a Calvados I keeps fer t' make (a kosher version of) Canard á la Normandie, on speshul 'casions. Thet orta hold 'em awhile!

Looks like this hyar ev'nin's done spread out t' a three-day ree-treat, so I s'spose we'll hefta hev some akshul supper sometime soon. Got a big pot a beef 'n' barley soup on th' fire, 'n' lotsa greens 'n' 'maters 'n' cukes 'n other salad fixin's, if anyone's a gittin' hongery long 'bout now. How's 'bout th' non-cookin' ladies bringin' snacks 'n' whistle-wetters, soft er hard, it makes no never mind?

Now I promised Peter T. a "man-lovin" Yiddish song so he don't hefta worry no more 'bout any evil intentions toward those with th' congenital misfortune a bein' unable t' sit t' pee. This'uns got sump'n fer ever'one: y' see, this here gal, she's a'doin'erran's fer her Ma, 'n' ever' feller she meets up with, looks better'n th' last, 'til she meets a pertic'ler nice Polish boy, 'n' thet settles thet.

A YINGELE FUN POLYN
(Yiddish, Transliteration)

Di Momme ho't mikh geshikht
Koif'n a yashtchik.
Ho't zikh in mir farliebt,
A bocher a prikashtchik
Oy! Iz dus a bocher'l!
A shayns un a fynes!
A mir far zy-ne bayndeleckh,
Oy! Ketsele du mynz!

Un di Momme ho't mikh geshikht
Koyl'n a hin. R!-r!-r!-r!-r!-r! *
Ho't zikh in mir farliebt, --
Dem shoykhets a zin.
Oy! Iz dus a shoykhet'l!
A shoykhet'l in a zydener kapote,
Oy! Shenk mir aza chusend'l,
Oy! Ty-ere, ziser tate!

Un di Momme ho't mikh geshikt
Fregn a shyla
Ho't zikh in mir farliebt
Der ruv oyf a vy-le
Oy! Iz dus a rebenu!
Oy, (Gevalt!) Iz dus a tzadik!
Mir far zy-ne payeleckh,
Un mir far zaynem spodik!

Nor as di Momme ho't mikh geshikt,
In mark arayn nokh kolyn
Hob ikh mikh farliebt
In a yingele fun Polyn.
Oy! Iz dus a yingele!
Mit eygelekh vos brennen!
Ich vil shoyn gur kayn ander'n,
In lebn mir nisht kenen!

*(terrified chicken noise, high-pitched string of rolled r's)

(Here's a singable translation. It is a work in progress, since I don't feel confident enough of my knowledge of Scots vocabulary to give it the authentic Scots flavor I'd like. Why, Scots? Easy! There IS NO "plain English" translation for Oy! Would LOVE assistance "ethnically upgrading" my English lyrics, if there's a Scotswoman about!)

A LADDIE FRA' POLAND

Oh, my mother sent me forth,
A basket (for) to buy;
Am I to blame, my beauty caught
The basket-seller's eye?
Och! Is this no' a brave youth?
Sae handsome an' sae fine!
Such strong and cunning bones has he --
Ah! Sweet wee cat o' mine!

Again, my mother sent me out,
To kill a fine, fat hen. R!-r!-r!-r!-r!-r!
Another fellow fell for me --
This time the butcher's son!
Och! An' such a wealthy man,
Dressed a' in a coat o' silk!
Send such a husband, Athair, Dear,
For I'll ne'er see his ilk!

An' next my mother bid me seek
A G-dly man's reply;
Twas then I took the fancy
O' our gentle young rabbi!
Och! Sure he is a pious man!
A scholar, wise and pure,
With gleaming, curly side-locks,
And hat of softest fur!

(But) when mother sent me forth once more,
To fetch a hod o' coal,
T'was then I lost my ane heart,
To a bonny, black-eyed Pole!
Och! Sae rare a laddie,
With glowin' coals for eyes! --
I'll lo'e him true, my whole life thro'
Nae other will I prize!

Hope thet'll make amends t' th' fellers, and keep th' rest of us'ns singin' yit awhile. Off t' fetch out th' vittles. Who'll hev th' next go?

Back in a bit,

Shula

Subject: Lyr Add: IDA LEWIS
From: Barry
Date: 20 Sep 97 - 11:34 PM

Here girls, always liked this one, (I wrote it).

IDA LEWIS

Ida Lewis left Newport at the age of 15,
Moved onto Lime Light Rock in the 1850's
Her father was a captain, now keeper of the light
Soon the duties feel on Ida to keep the lamps burning bright.

Her sisters & brother she'd row to school every day
In a small open lifeboat across the rough bay
From his wheelchair her father would watch through the storms
In horror as Ida would row the children back home.

Renowned for her skills no matter the weather
At swimming or rowing no man was her better
At the age of 16 she had saved 4 men's' lives
By the time she retired she had saved 25

There are saints on the water & demons in the sea
One & all they praised Ida for her great bravery
On the very night this women died, who had lived on the shoals
Every bell on every boat in Newport did toll

Now they've renamed that rock the Ida Lewis Rock Light
And in her honor today the lights are still burning bright
But sometimes at night when it's rough & it's cold
Some claim to see Ida pulling boys from the foam.

True story/song. See Woman Who Kept The Lights.
Now maybe I'll go see the guys
Barry

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: MOTHER, MAY I GO OUT TO SWIM?
From: A Male
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 12:29 AM

MOTHER, MAY I GO OUT TO SWIM? (BATHING SONG)

Sung by Julian Eltinge of Cohan & Harris' "Honey Boy" Minstrels
Word and Music by Lester Keith

A sweet little peach from Manhattan Beach
Was strolling upon the sand,
And met a young sport from jolly Newport
Who thought she was perfectly grand
She murmured to him, "I'd go take a swim,
But I am engaged to be wed,
Though it's very warm, it's very bad form."
"Yours looks good to me," he said
She answered right away, "To Ma I used to say"
[Chorus]
Mother may I go out to swim,
Yes my darling daughter,
Hang your clothes on a hickory limb,
But don't go near the water.
You may look cute in your bathing suit,
But act just as you oughter,
Now and then you can flirt with the men,
But don't go near the water.

This dapper young swell then said to the belle,
"Please come out and dine with me,
It's quite impolite, but come out tonight,
I love you and you must agree,"
She answered in haste, "It's very bad taste
To dine with a stranger I'm told:"
But her taste was fine for champagne and wine
Cost him twenty dollars cold,
And afterwards he thought, Of what her mother taught
[Chorus]

Copyright 1908. [With music. I suspect the songwriters Keith Lester, Lester W. Keiffer, Lester Keith, and Lester W. Keith are the same person, but who was he? For the chorus see the Opie's Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes]

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 12:51 AM

O.K. That's it guys, back t' th' trees with ya, afore I git ol' Bess 'n' ventilate yer drawers! 'Sides, ya wanta be stayin' on m' good side eff'n y' fancy any more good eats herea'tter!

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: RS
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 04:16 PM

Ok Ok it seems an appropriate time for a "peace" song ... I just posted Hinei Ma Tov, we'd better do the gender-inclusive "all of us" version a couple of times ... then once "they've" all gone away we could do the "sisters" version as a round a few more times (to clear the air) ...

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Bob Landry
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 05:16 PM

I'm not sure whether or not I should tread in this thread. but I am the guy who stood in front of a roomful of 30 women and dared to utter the phrase "Trust me!"
Some of your music is great. I'm going to add some of your songs to my collection. (The Maid on the Shore is already there and, yes, I think she does steal for a living.)
I'll be on my best SNAG behaviour (that's a rare event), dig out my wok and whip up a 5 course meal for you wonderful, ravenous singers: salad rolls, tomato beef, stir fried veggies, Bun Bo with vermicelli noodles, shrimp satay and stuffed green peppers.
For those of you who wush a non-alcoholic buzz, I go get some ice coffee specially prepared by my friend Kim at the Golden Bird Restaurant.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 05:34 PM

Thanks, Bob.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 05:47 PM

Howdy, Bob,

Is't gittin' too raucous up thar in th' treehouse, er iz ya jes' a'hankerin a'tter a kitchen t' putter in? Since I done stot dis hyar thread, I guess I'll fix th' reg'alashuns 'bout it, so hyar 'tis:

FELLERS 'LLOWED ONLY IF'N THEY HAS WOMAN-FRIENDLY SONGS T' SHARE 'N' THEY 'MEMBERS TH' MANNERS WHAT THAR MAMAS DONE LARN"T 'EM!

Hope thet'll suit ever'body. Wanta thank Barry most p'litely fer his very own ballad, "Ida Lewis," 'n' tell thet scalliwag what don't know 'iz own name t' git right back on down thet thar hole he done crawl't out on't! Now as t' you, Bob, cain't say we couldn't use a bit o' he'p with th' cookin', but ez nobuddy don't much cotton t' slav'ry 'roundabout these hyar parts, ya ain't got t' keep t' th' kitchen, nuther. C'mon out 'n' give us a choon thet don't put some pore ol' gal t' sufferin' an we's be right nigh glad t' hev' ya! Done said m' piece, 'n' thar's a end on't!

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 05:59 PM

'Nuther thing: heer'd tell Tim J. has a bunch a nice "gal" stuff, so brang 'im 'long! (Hope he don't mind a'settin' on th' porch swing t' light up, though; don't much keer fer stale see-gar smoke in the curtains.) All's welcome, s'long's ya wipe yer boots afore ya step foot in th' parlor. Ef'n I k'n sneak in a not-really-folksong, long about now, I'd like t' do "Dream A Little Dream of Me."

'Evenin,'

Shula

Subject: Lyr Add: ALL THIS USELESS BEAUTY (Elvis Costello)
From: Catfeet
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 07:15 PM

Here's one for y'all that'll probably get both sides of this little fray a trifle annoyed, but that I like anyway, if just for it's good annoying qualities. It's called All This Useless Beauty (by Elvis Costello), and I heard it on June Tabor's Angel Tiger album. Ahem, here goes.

It's at times such as this she'd be tempted to spit, if she wasn't so ladylike,
She imagines how she might have lived back when legends & history collide
So she looks to her prince, finding since he's so charmingly slumped at her side
Those days are recalled on the gallery wall,
And she's waiting for passion or humor to strike
What shall we do, what shall we do with all this useless beauty, all this useless beauty

Good Friday arrived, the sky darkened on time, till he almost began to negotiate,
And she held his head like a baby & said "It's okay if you cry"
Now he wants her to dress, as if you couldn't guess
He desires to impress his associates
But he's part ugly beast and hellenic deceased
And she finds that the mixture is hard to deny
What shall we do, what shall we do with all this useless beauty, all this useless beauty

She won't practice the looks from the great tragic books
That were later defaced disgraced celluloid
They no longer make sense, but you can bet
If she isn't a sweetheart, a plaything or pet
The film turns her into an unveiled threat

Nonsense prevails, modesty fails, grace and virtue turn into stupidity
While the calendar fades almost all barricades to a pale compromise
While our rulers have feasts on the backsides of beasts
They still think they're the gods of antiquity
If something you missed didn't even exist, it was just an ideal, is that such a surprise?
What shall we do, what shall we do with all this useless beauty, all this useless beauty?

Catfeet

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Catfeet
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 07:23 PM

I forgot to pass around what I brought, it's called clarey, it's a rhine wine enhanced with honey, cinamon, cloves, and a whole bunch of other nice, exotic tasting spices. Enjoy!

Catfeet

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Sharon
Date: 21 Sep 97 - 10:36 PM

Hey Shula, Now don't go givin' me a bad name in those other threads. All I did was warn those fellas that they best not get too rambunctious. They never know when one of us might happen to peek in. Considerin' that we let old Bob in here, I don't think my little warning was out of line. You know we gotta check on them a little...... They think they can get along without us, but we know how that goes.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Sheye
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 11:57 AM

I'm sneaking through the creaking screen door and offering amaretto chocolate cheese cake to appease the gods and tummies tied to a sweet tooth.

Not exactly a girl-song, but indicative of strength, determination, and personal pride, how 'bout "Je ne Regrette Rien" (Edith Piaf).

Now for the pleading: please read the thread "The Years Go by Fast". The rest of the story is that my father had this poem but his house burned down in 1995, and we lost it in the fire. I wrote my final poetry essay in high school as an overview of aging, with this poem as the introduction. We read and discussed life through this poem more than once over the years.

The family was summoned by my grandmother this weekend (she passed away; we attended her memorial). We are a HUGE catholic (some practicing, some non-) family and once again, the absence of this poem was felt. If anyone can help? Many thanks and blessings.

Love,

Sheye

Subject: Lyr Add: WASHIN' UP
From: Bert
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 12:15 PM

Hi Gals,

I gonna sneak in here with a song my Mother used to sing. It's about doing the dishes - which is called "Washing Up" in England. Does anyone know any more verses?

We're emancipated, they've given women votes
and girls may now fly aeroplanes, wear trousers and row boats
They say that we have leisure to read and write and think
but still we seem to spend our time, with elbows in the sink

Washin up,Washin up,Washin up,
We're at it hours and hours each day
every plate every saucer every cup
we'd like to fling them miles away
We can't enjoy the way we should a single bite or sup
for we realize with pain, that we'll have to start again
Washin up,Washin up,Washin up.

Thanks, Gal.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 12:33 PM

Dear Bert,

Painful, but ak'rit; thank'ee fer sharin.


Dear Sheye,

Wish I could he'p out, Sugar, good luck a'huntin' down them verses o' yore'n. Plum tickled t' find a feller admirer o' La Formidable Piaf! A few pertinent sites:

The Songs of Edith Piaf - http://pantheon.cis.yale.edu/~bodoin/edith_piaf.html •Edith Piaf's Paris - photographic history of Edith Piaf and the Paris she knew.•The Nights of Edith Piaf: A Short Biography - http://soundprint.brandywine.american.edu/~soundprt/more_info/piaf_bio.html

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Sheye
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 12:48 PM

Shula:

Thanks for the words and the site addresses. If you haven't seen it, there is a French movie about her. No sub-titles, though.

As always, it's comforting to be able to poke a cold wet nose into the middle of a gathering and not be met with a rolled up newspaper for it. Merci encore.

Sheye

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Bob Landry
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 04:47 PM

Merci beaucoup, Shula. I do love to putter in the kitchen. A family tradition started by my father, continued by me and that my two sons show definite signs of carrying on.

Now that I've finished wokking and you'all are well fed, I'll sing Frankie and Johnny and play Miss MacLeod's Reel on the guitar.

BTW, I've had the pleasure of meeting Sheye; she ain't a feller.

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LADIES CASE
From: Bruce
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 06:02 PM

THE LADIES CASE Compos'd by Mr. Henry Carey. [Wrong!]

How hard is the fortune of all womankind,
Forever subjected, forever confined,
The parent controls us until we are wives,
The husband enslaves us the rest of our lives.

If fondly we love, yet we dare not reveal,
But secretly languish, compelled to conceal,
Deny'd every freedom of Life to enjoy,
We're sham'd if we're kind, we're blamed if we're coy.

[If fortune we have Oh! then we must be joyn'd,
To the Man that is by our Parents Design'd,
Compel'd for to have the Man we never see,
No matter if Ugly or Handsome he be.

Then who would be Wealthy or Strive to be great,
Since so many Dangers upon them does wait,
That Couples most happy that Love uncontroul'd,
That marrys for nothing despises the Gold.]

The first verse is familiar as one in most versions of the traditional song 'The Wagoner's Lad.' The text here is from a single sheet song with music, but evidently an unathorized issue. Henry Carey is elsewhere credited with the first two verses here, which was his complete song, "The Ladies Case". I do not know exactly when it first appeared, but can narrow down the range. The song was printed without credits and without music in a book of 1734, 'The Vocal Miscellany', II, p. 159, and noted in a book with music, 'The Universal Musician', [1737], to have been sung by Miss Raftor (trained by Carey) at the Theatre Royal. She made her debut in 1728 and became Mrs. (Kitty) Clive in 1732. Mr. Gouge (whose first name seem to be unknown) was credited with the music in later printings, e.g., 'The Muses Delight', p. 143, Liverpool, 1754 (slightly revised and retitled 'Apollo's Cabinet', 1757). The song then can be definitely put as 1728-32. The verses here are from the single sheet issue, c 1730.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: rechal
Date: 22 Sep 97 - 09:16 PM

I'd like to sing two Hazel Dickens songs: Tomorrow's Already Lost and Working Girl Blues.

I started to type out the lyrics but I lost them somewhere -- maybe under that pile of laundry -- and just don't have the energy for HTML tonight.

'Night, ladies. Sweet dreams....

Subject: Lyr Add: THREE FISHERS and STOWAWAY (Teresa Doyle)
From:
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 12:57 AM

I'll hide out here on the porch, he says to himself, and hum along to myself and listen in case there might be a song to pick up or a piece of cake gone astray. And they seem to be having a cheering glass in there too. What's the point of having a guys' treehouse, says he, if you can't do guy stuff like smoke cigars? Never smoke my cigars in anyone else's house anyway. And you can't get three guys up in a treehouse but a fight starts over something. (Grumble, sniff, looks at his knuckles and frowns)

Can't sing a nice love song like Dark-Eyed Molly, 'cause it's already in the database. Can't sing the song about the tricky mermaid, Maid On The Shore, 'cause that's there too. Wouldn't do to sing Wagoner's Lad, as they would think I'm not putting it into its historical context, even though its not in the database and Joan Baez sang it and she's not the treehouse type. (Mutter, grumble, snivel, I can smell that cake)

I'll sing Three Fishers. Always liked the way that the women went back to business so quickly after disaster. Reminds me of Gramma.

THREE FISHERS
(Lyrics by Charles Kingsley; music by Garnet Rogers; sung by Stan Rogers)

Three fishers went sailing out into the West
Out into the West as the sun went down
Each thought on the woman that loved him the best
And the children stood watching them out of the town

For men must work, and women must weep
For there's little to earn and many to keep
And the harbour bar be moaning,
And the harbour bar be moaning.

Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower
And they trimmed the lamps as the sun went down
And they looked at the squall and they looked at the shower,
And the night wrack came rolling in ragged and brown.

For men must work, and women must weep
Though storms be sudden and the waters run deep
And the harbour bar be moaning,
And the harbour bar be moaning.

Three corpses lay out on the shining sand
In the morning gleam as the sun went down
And the women were weeping and wringing their hands
For those who would never come back to the town.

For men must work and women must weep
For the sooner it's over, the sooner to sleep
And goodbye to the bar and its moaning
And goodbye to the bar and its moaning.


But I'll hum Stowaway, by Teresa Doyle, says he, about Christy Campbell who learned survival skills from the Micmacs and helped those hard-hearted Scots -- but an Argyll shouldn't have expected better treatment.
Meanwhile I smell that infernal cake, says he, and watch them pour Baileys!

STOWAWAY

Last night a Selkirk ship made anchor
Down at Painter's Quay
A woman on the hillside
Turned her face towards the sea
And as she saw them load the cargo
At last she knew her mind
Somehow, this time, they mustn't leave her
Stranded here behind.

With little means to pay her passage
Nor money for supplies
No one here to stand beside her
And take her for his bride
Under veil of darkest cover
The night watch made a slip
And she crept into the cargo chamber
Deep within the ship.

CHORUS
Lonely stowaway
Homeless castaway
Stowaway, stowaway, stowaway
Here to stay, here to stay, here.

Cast aside when the ship made anchor
Weak but still alive
All alone in a bitter land
How could she survive
Late that fall a kindly native
Saw her camped alone
And for her first long Island winter
The wigwam was her home.

(Chorus)

The Micmac people shared with her
The food they had in store
The medicine man began to teach her
Healing lore
In the spring she returned to the Selkirk people
And in her healer's hand
She the key to their survival
The secrets of the land.

(Chorus again)


It's cold out here, and my cigar is going out. I'd best be back up to the treehouse. Whisky and fisticuffs have little enough to recommend them, but at least they keep you warm. Hmm. I hear a snatch of "She's Like The Swallow", and a claim that it is an Irish song. My CD "Another Time -- The Songs of Newfoundland" claims that "popular in Newfoundland, it is unknown in England where it originated." Glad to know that the Irish still remember it. Maybe I'll sneak back later and listen some more at the keyhole. . .

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From:
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 01:05 AM

Got it wrong, he says, as he climbs the ladder to the treehouse. Sun was never known to go down in the morning. Must be "In the morning gleam as the tide went down. . ."

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 01:16 AM

Dear Tim,

Doncha be a'takin' on so! Soon's y've haid yer REAL smoke, (on the REAL front porch swang), c'mon inter th' parlor 'n' set a spell. Half th' fellers iz hyar a'ready; must be th' scent o' good cookin' 'n' th' sound o' warm laughter jes' a 'slitherin' up thet ol' tree. Got plenty more vittles; saved some Calvados jes' cause I th'ot it'd tak' th' chill off'n ya. (If'n ya don't a'ready know, thet's th' seerin' apple brandy thet REEL MEN drenk over t' Normandy, whar they keep some o' th' jen-oo-ine Frenchies!) C'mon, Tim, step lively, don't let in th' chill, Honey!

Thanks fer th' choons,

Shula

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 11:46 AM

How about another sea song? This one's called Billy Taylor (it's in the DB) but it's really about his true love who: follows him out to sea disguised as a sailor, shoots Ol' Bill when she finds out he's cheated on her, and then is made second-in-command by the captain. I like to contrast this with one of those weepy songs about women who die of grief when their true loves sail away.

Join in on the chorus, and have some salt fish for lunch.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Speed-1
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 03:33 PM

Shula - How about "They're rioting in Africa"( which is not it's title).

My contribution to our drinking is a drink called Bola. I think the actual recipe is in "The Joy of Cooking". It was the favorite drink of my late Great-Uncle Peter who always made a big fuss over having only fresh raspberries in it.

L'Chaim.

Speed

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 03:50 PM

Speed:

Didn't I larn ya thet 'un? It's A.K.A. "The Merry Minuet." (It's in the DT, happily with both titles.)

Hy-dee-ho!

Shula

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BONNY SHEPHERD LAD
From: Jon W.
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 06:45 PM

Well I'm a feller - but I got a wife'n'seven daughters (the last two her idea not mine). 'sides most the parties I've been to the womenfolk's got the best conversations anyway. So here's my contribution:

The Bonny Shepherd Lad

There was a bonny shepherd lad, kept sheep on yonder hill
He fell in wi' Loughie's daughter and he vowed to hae his will

Chorus (after each verse):
Singin' heigh ho the mornin' dew, heigh ho the rose an rue
Follow me my bonny lass for I'll nae follow you

Noo he couked her on a grassy bank, the lassie fer tae please
But aye she sighed and sweetly cried but wouldnae pairt her knees

Noo it's easy easy wi' me, Sir, and ye shall hae yer will
Gin we lay down in the bothy at the back o' yonder hill

But she snecked and barred the bothy door, and merrily did shout
Now I'm a maiden here within and you a fool without

And my faither bought at great expense a grand high-steppin gray
But when he put her tae a fence she backed and backed away

And yer like a cock ma faither had, it crowed and waved it's camb
And ne'er a hen trod in the yard, I think yer just the same

And my mither bought a likely hen on last St. Martin's day
She clucked and clucked and clucked again but still she'd never lay

Oh, the de'il gang wi' ye lassie, gin the bridal bed ye see
Ye'll be coupit down and loupit on by a lesser man than me

This is from an album of Scottish songs by Celia Fisher and Artie Tresize (sp?) which also has Billy Taylor, mentioned above.

I just have to grin at the image of the outwitted shepherd lad exchanging insults with the bonny lass until finally he retreats, stroking his ego as he goes...

Subject: Lyr Add: WAGONER'S LAD
From:
Date: 23 Sep 97 - 11:56 PM

I'll have a piece of cake here yet.

Maybe if I sing Wagoner's Lad. Poor soul. Who knows why she courted the wagoner's lad, and why he left her with such curt and cruel words? How old or young might have they been? Twenty? Thirteen? How did they meet? Why did she place her love and hopes with such a creature as a wagoner's lad, rather than a full-blown wagoner? Did he get her pregnant and want to leave, or did he just decide he'd like to move on? The brevity of the song leaves much to the imagination. By all means, you with songbooks, ready to pounce, please add lyrics to enlighten us.

WAGONER'S LAD
(WAGGONER'S LAD, I suppose, if you are English)

Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind
She's always controlled; she's always confined
Controlled by her parents until she's a wife
A slave to her husband the rest of her life

I'm just a poor girl my fortune is sad
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad
He treated me kindly by night and by day
And now with me lately he will not stay.

Your horses are hungry come feed them some hay
Come sit down beside me as long as you may
My horses aren't hungry they won't eat your hay
So fare you well darling I'll be on my way.

(Repeat first verse)

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Shula
Date: 24 Sep 97 - 12:11 AM

We've cake a'plenty stranger, glad to share. Thanks fer thet swate ol' melodie. Sump'in in yer voice sounds a mite famil-yer, -- ya warn't a' languishin' out on't porch last evenin,' was ya, son? C'mon inta th' light and heng yer burthen by th' door. Reckon we k'n squeeze ya in near th' fire 'n' I'll be more'n pleased t' fetch ya out a plate o' vittles 'n' all th' cake y' c'n swaller, with what t' wash it down!

Don't be shy, now; name's Shula, what's yore'n?

Subject: Lyr Add: MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, WIVES
From: Ferrara
Date: 25 Sep 97 - 08:12 AM

Well. This certainly has the feel of a real-life party or song circle: If you get 'em talking and eating, they forget to sing! -- It's a tough choice between pleasures. Some friends have started just having soup and salad for dinner. That keeps guests from getting too stuffed and lazy to sing....

I'd like to sing a fine song called "Mothers, Daughters, Wives" by Holly Near. (?) Words are in Rise Up Singing. Here's the chorus:

Well, the first time it was fathers,
The last time it was sons
And in between your husbands
Marched away with drums and guns
But you never though to question,
You just went on with your lives,
'Cause all they taught you how to be was
Mothers, Daughters, Wives.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PRODIGAL SON
From: Sheye
Date: 25 Sep 97 - 12:26 PM

Doubt it's my turn, but I've got a minute, so... This is a Michelle Shocked tune. I call her style "washboard music, tho' others might fancy a different description. My tummy's too full for eats right now...

THE PRODIGAL SON

What's to be done with a prodigal son?
Welcome him home with open arms.
Throw a big party, invite your friends,
Our boy's come back home.

When a girl goes home with the oats she's sown,
It's draw your shades and your shutters.
She's bringing such shame to the family name,
The return of the prodigal daughter.

Oh, cotton-eyed Joe.

I went to see a doctor and I almost died.
When I told my mamma, Lordy how she cried.
Me and my daddy were never too close,
But he was there when I needed him most.

Look, here comes a prodigal son!
Fetch him a tall drink of water,
But there's none in the cup 'cause he drank it all up,
Left for the prodigal daughter.

Singin' oh, cotton-eyed Joe.
Oh, cotton-eyed Joe...

Out in the cornfield I stubbed my toe.
Called for the doctor, cotton-eyed Joe,
I called for the doctor, cotton-eyed Joe.

Had it not 'ave been for the cotton-eyed Joe,
I'd 'a' been married a long time ago,
Oh I'd 'a' been married a long time ago.

Look, here comes a prodigal son!
Fetch him a tall drink of water,
But there's none in the cup 'cause he drank it all up,
Left for the prodigal daughter.

Singin' oh, cotton-eyed Joe...

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Sheye
Date: 25 Sep 97 - 12:28 PM

The name is "THE PRODICAL SON" -return- lyrics. Huff.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: RS
Date: 25 Sep 97 - 09:15 PM

Well this last song, about "bringing such shame to the family name" and "calling for the doctor" puts me in mind of the Tom Paxton song "She Sits on the Table" ... if you don't already know it, you can look up the words in the Database before we begin. I've only heard it once, performed live in concert by Tom himself, but it so moved me that I have never forgotten it. The imagery is so vivid, the emotions so intense.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Nonie Rider
Date: 26 Sep 97 - 01:53 PM

And for modern retold lyrics, get hold of a Heather Alexander tape with "Black Jack's Lady." I can't post full lyrics, but it tells what happens AFTER the lady who ran off with the gypsy Black Jack Davey found herself abandoned the next day.

She rides after him, sword in hand; kills men who accost her; meets Davey in battle; and her spirit still rides through the hills dealing vengeance to unfaithful men.

~Young men, be true in the loving you do
Or else may the Gods have pity on you
If you meet with the Black Jack's Lady.~

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From:
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 01:59 AM

Is that like "Black Jack Davy", done by Steeleye Span? Lady leaves the squire for some hoodlum heath-rover, which make for a nice song but is something I suspect few ladies of the time did.

What does Cotton Eyed Joe have to do with Women's songs? The version I know is somewhat like the one posted, but politically incorrect these days so I won't post it. You may find it on Tommy Jarrell's LP from the 1970's "Sail Away Ladies", and I don't know if it has been released on CD.

Subject: Lyr Add: IF I WAS A BLACKBIRD
From:
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 02:11 AM

Here is a love song, this version from PEI but I suspect from the UK or Ireland originally:

IF I WAS A BLACKBIRD

I once knew a maiden, a maiden so rare
Fell in love with a sailor, a young sailor boy
He courted her truly by night and by day
Till at length that young sailor he sailed far away.

CHORUS:
And if I was a blackbird who could whistle and sing
I'd follow the ship that my true love sails on
And in the top rigging I'd there build my nest
To fly like a seagull to his lily white breast.

My love he is handsome in every degree
My parents despise him because he loves me
But let them despise him and say what they will
While there is life in my bosom I'll love that boy still.

(Chorus again)

And if I was a scholar who could handle a pen
A long loving letter unto him I'd send
I'd tell of my sorrows, my griefs and my woes
If I could but find him I'd crown him with gold

(Chorus again, last line repeated twice)

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: I WISH I WAS A MAID AGAIN
From: Alice
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 12:30 PM

Speaking of Blackbird's, ...

I WISH I WAS A MAID AGAIN

Do you see the blackbird in yonder tree,
They say he's blind and he cannot see,
But never a girl as blind as me,
When I fell into bad company.

Well he courted me when I was thin,
He courted me and my love did win,
But now that the baby swells to my chin,
He passes my door and he won't come in.

Oh, I wish I wish, and I wish in vain,
I wish I was a maid again,
A maid again, I'll never be,
Til roses (or cherries or apples, take your pick) grow on an ivy tree.

repeat first verse

This is like another Irish song, "The Butcher Boy", which also has some lyrics in common with the English "There's a Tavern in the Town", "dig my grave both wide and deep, etc....carve a dove to signify I died of love." These lyrics are also in a version of "Careless Love", "now my apron strings won't pin, you pass my door and won't come in". Lots of variations of this. Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From:
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 07:22 PM

Alice, this is similar to the song Marianne Faithful sang on the Chieftain's " The Long Black Veil". Her voice isn't what it was when she was a sweet young thing, before she fell into the hands of Mick Jagger, but it is entirely suitable for the song.

There are other verses, but I've lent that CD and don't have it at the moment.

Is Butcher Boy the one that begins:

In Jersey City, where once I dwelled, A butcher boy he loved me well, He courted me my life away, And with me now he will not stay.

The one I knew had similar lyrics to Baez's Wagoner's Lad, but was sung to the tune of Barbara Allen.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 08:32 PM

Tim, I first learned this from the Clancy Bros. and Tommy Makem recordings. They sing the first line, "In London City where I did dwell, a butcher boy I loved right well..." Their notes in one songbook are, "This tragic and beautiful ballad is a variant of the widely known "Gosport Tragedy". It has become very popular throughout Ireland, where everyone seems to have a soft spot for a nice sad love song."
I think I have a more recent Tommy Makem tape on which he sings, "In Dublin City..." I remember reading somewhere regarding this song that there is a variation of it in every language in Europe, being such a common tragic fate of young girls. Sadly, a universal theme. Alice

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Helen
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 08:46 PM

I'm totally devastated. I missed out on this song circle from it's beginning, and I think the only reason is that I'm not much of a singer and I thought that I wouldn't know any songs to suggest. Now that I've watched the video replay (in my mind) of this wonderful singing, talking, eating and laughing party I know exactly which two pieces to contribute.

But before I do, thanks for all the wonderful songs, but especially for the Piaf song "je ne regrette rien" (I regret nothing) which I have pretty much lived by since I was a teenager.

Also, Ferrara, the song "Mothers, daughters, wives" is sung by, and I'm sure was written by an Australian feminist singer/songwriter called Judy Small. Well worth checking out her stuff if you can find any of it. I've been to lots of her concerts and the aura of the crowd is huge after she starts singing.

So, to my two selections - to be listened to while I pass around some of my cherry, chocolate & walnut cake, my Great Aunt Charlotte's secret recipe - are:

Judy Small's song called "Bridget Evans", about the British women at Greenham Common protesting at a nuclear power site, and then an O'Carolan harp tune called Miss Fanny Poer, or more commonly called Fanny Power. I don't know the words, only the tune, and the reason I'm playing this on the harp is - you need to know that the word "fanny" doesn't mean "butt" in Australia, it means vagina, so whenever I say the name of this tune I say it as if it means "woman power!"

I don't remember all of the words to Bridget Evans, but I will do a search for them when I finally prise myself away from this party, and before I start writing the report which is due tomorrow :-(.

There's a woman in Great Britain, Bridget Evans is her name, and she's out on Greenham Common .......?

And they're fighting for their families, they're fighting for their friends and it won't stop no it won't stop till this nuclear madness ends, till this nuclear madness ends.

The tune of this is very powerful and sounds wonderful when everyone joins in with loud and harmonious voices.

Love to you all, and thanks heaps Helen

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BUTCHER BOY
From: Alice
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 09:01 PM

I thought this would be in the DT, but I just looked under courting and suicide as well as other searches and didn't find it. Here you are:

THE BUTCHER BOY

In London City, where I did dwell,
A butcher boy I loved right well.
He courted me my life away,
And now with me he will not stay.

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain,
I wish I was a maid again.
A maid again, I'll never be,
Til cherries grow on an ivy tree.

I wish my baby it was born,
And smiling on his daddy's knee,
And me, poor girl, to be dead and gone,
With the long, green grass growin' over me.

She went upstairs to go to bed,
And calling down to her mother said,
"Give me a chair til I sit down,
And a pen and ink til I write down."

At every word she dropped a tear,
And every line cried, " Willie, dear,
Oh, what a foolish girl was I,
To be led astray by a butcher boy."

He went upstairs and broke the door,
And found her hanging from a rope.
He took his knife and he cut her down,
And in her pocket these words he found.

"Oh, make my grave large, wide, and deep.
Put a marble stone at my head and feet.
And in the middle, a turtledove,
That the world my know I died of [for] love.

Alice in Montana

Subject: Lyr Add: MAGGIE DALY
From:
Date: 27 Sep 97 - 09:36 PM

Here is a women's ghost song, written by PEI folksinger, and writer, Teresa Doyle, based on a local ghost story. The ghost told Captain Daly he'd remarry and have other children, which he in time did.

MAGGIE DALY

The year was 1896, in a fishing town on the Eastern Shore
The pride of Beach Point died in childbirth, ne'er to see the son she bore,
Captain Daly, a proud sea captain, in sorrow stood by her bedside
In his arms he held the baby, caressed him with the tears he cried.

CHORUS
Maggie Daly, a Beach Point lady,
Maggie Daly died to bear her baby boy.

And all of Beach Point cried in sorrow, for that little lass they'd see no more
Who will now accept the burden to raise the tiny son she bore
Captain Daly, packed his sorrows, boarded ship and sailed away
In the arms of Maggie's aged mother the homeless little waif did lay

CHORUS
Maggie Daly, a Beach Point lady
Maggie Daly, who will tend your little son?

When Captain Daly came ashore to Maggie's home he did repair
Her mother's face was lined and haggard to tend the child meant sleep came rare
That night board ship, his sleep unsettled, his troubled mind would not keep still
Then by his bed stood Maggie Daly, and from her lips strange words did speak.

CHORUS
Maggie Daly, a Beach Point lady
Maggie Daly, what has brought you here to me?

Joseph Daly, listen to me, to what I say you must agree
A captain's place is not dry land, and a newborn needs a woman's hand,
Mother dear is much too old for a little child to keep and hold
It's with his mother he's got to be, I've come to set his spirit free.

CHORUS
Maggie Daly, a Beach Point lady,
Maggie Daly will come to set his spirit free.

Within a week that healthy baby, beside his mother's body lay,
Their spirits once again united, together now the two must stay,
Captain Daly some years later found himself another wife,
But in his dreams that apparition would stay with him throughout his life.

CHORUS
Maggie Daly, a Beach Point lady,
Maggie Daly, who died to bear her baby boy
Maggie Daly, a Beach Point lady,
Maggie Daly came to set his spirit free.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: Lyr Add: BALLAD OF LUCY JORDAN (from M Faithful)
From: Sheye
Date: 29 Sep 97 - 11:25 AM

Speaking of Faithful, this is the tune that made me take a second hear to what she had to sing:

THE BALLAD OF LUCY JORDAN - recorded by Marianne Faithful

The morning sun touched lightly on the eyes of Lucy Jordan
In her white suburban bedroom in her white suburban town
As she lay there 'neath the covers dreaming of a thousand lovers
And world turned to orange and the room went spinning round.

At the age of thirty-seven she realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car with the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing as she sat there softly singing
Little nursery rhymes she'd memorized in her daddy's easy chair.

Her husband was off to work and the kids were off to school
And there were oh-so-many ways for her to spend day
She could clean the house for hours or rearrange the flowers
Or run naked through the shady streets screaming all the way.

At the age of thirty-seven she realized she'd never ride
Through Paris in a sports car with the warm wind in her hair
So she let the phone keep ringing as she sat there softly singing
Little nursery rhymes she'd memorized in her daddy's easy chair.

The evening sun touched gently on the eyes of Lucy Jordan
From the rooftop where she climbed when all the laughter grew too loud
And she bowed and curtsied to the man who reached and offered her his hand
And led her down to the long white car that waited past the crowd.

At the age of thirty-seven she knew she'd found forever
As she rode along through Paris with the warm wind in her hair.

I've typed it in from memory. Feel free to correct.

As always,

Sheye

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 30 Sep 97 - 01:39 AM

Re: "The Butcher Boy" and other songs with common lyrics, Sylvia, of Ian & Sylvia, sang "Every Night When the Sun Goes In" on one of their recordings (Four Strong Winds) with the lyrics "I wish to the Lord my babe was born and sittin' on, sittin' on his daddy's knee, and me poor girl I wish I was dead and gone, with the green grass growin' over me." A great blues performance. Alice in Montana

Subject: Lyr Add: OUTLANDISH KNIGHT (Frankie Armstrong)
From: Moira Cameron
Date: 30 Sep 97 - 01:26 PM

Although I've never received criticism myself for singing traditional songs, I know several women musicians who have been told that the traditional songs they sing are no longer politically correct. The argument is that the old songs often don't portray women in a positive light. I have never had any trouble finding traditional songs that can be used in a feminist context. My favourite is The Outlandish Knight. Often when I sing this one, I receive cheers when the song's climax is reached.

OUTLANDISH KNIGHT
(Adapted from Frankie Armstrong's version)

An Outlandish knight from the northlands came
And he came a-courting me
And he promised he'd take me all to the northern lands
And there he would marry me.

"Go fetch some of your father's gold
And some of your mother's fee
And two of the best horses in the stable
Where there stands thirty and three."

Then he's mounted on the milk white steed
And she on the dappled gray
And they rode till they came to the salt waterside
An hour before the day.

"Light off, light off your steed," he said
"And deliver it unto me
For six pretty maidens I have drownded here
And you the seventh will be.

And take off, take off your silken clothes
And deliver them unto me
For they are too fine, and too rich a gear
To rot with you under the sea."

"Well if I must take off my silken clothes,
Then--oh--turn your face from me
For it is not fitting for such a ruffian
A naked woman to see."

So he turned his face away from her,
To view the leaves so green,
And she catched him by his middle so small
And she tumbled him into the sea.

Well, he swam high and he swam low
Till he came unto the side,
Saying, "Reach down your hand my fair pretty maid,
And I will make you my bride."

"Oh lie there, lie there you false-hearted man
Lie there instead of me
If six pretty maidens thou have drownded here--
Well the seventh one has drownded thee!"

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 22-Jan-02.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From:
Date: 30 Sep 97 - 07:03 PM

Chris Foster sings a version of this song, which he calls "The False Knight". His is longer, and verses about a cat and a parrot named Polly are included. I think that the parrot warns her, and the parrot is promised a nice cage with a door of ivory for his services. (Well done, well done, my pretty Polly). It's on Sting of The Tale. I will try to transcribe it if I can make out his accent, as the tape has no lyrics with it. Some of the verses are as posted above.

The song bears no relation to The False Knight On The Road, which is a song about a little boy or girl confounding a riddling knight.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Sep 97 - 09:03 PM

Look in the database for a song called "Lady Isobel and the Elf Knight." It's almost the same song. It's fascinating to see how many variations there are.
-Joe offer-

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From:
Date: 30 Sep 97 - 09:31 PM

Foster's version has elements of both the one mention by Joe and the one posted by Moira.

I shall transcribe and post it, once someone tells me how to get the lines to stay together in nice neat stanzas and not run all over the place as my posts end up doing.

As I say, it's good to have lots of variations, so then we can pick and choose between the verses we like.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FOGGY DEW
From: Alice
Date: 05 Oct 97 - 10:55 PM

I have an old songbook called "The Home and Community Song Book", ©1931, sponsored by Better Homes In America Inc, and National Recreation Association. In it is written, "The publications in this series comprise books of music for use in private and public schools, in homes, and for large and small groups of people who come together to sing."... the purpose of "Better Homes in America, Inc., Honorary Chairman, Herber Hoover, To put knowledge of high standards of house building, home furnishing and home life within the reach of all citizens. To encourage general study of the housing problem and problems of family life. To promote the improvement of homes and to extend knowledge of the ways and means of making home life more attractive and happier through the development of home play, home art, home reading, and home music." The purpose of the National Recreation Association was "That every child in America have a chance to play. That everybody in America, young or old, shall have an opportunity to find the best and most satisfying use of leisure time."

In this book I found two songs called "The Foggy Dew", which are completely different in lyrics and tunes than the two Foggy Dew songs that we usually hear. One is English and one is Irish.

THE FOGGY DEW
English

One night as I lay in my bed
As I lay fast asleep,
My pretty love seemed to come to my head
And bitterly she did weep.
She wrung her hands and she tore her hair,
Crying, asking what shall I do?
For they say the love that men-folk bear
Dries off like the foggy dew, dew dew,
More swift than the foggy dew.

Watch on, dear love, the lee long night,
And the morning will be here.
Then rise, pretty maid, and don't be afraid,
Men love, be it mist or clear.
So dry your eyes and kiss me, dear,
As once you used to do,
For the only cold that you must fear,
Is the chill of the foggy dew, dew, dew,
Is the chill of the foggy dew.

She dried her eyes, and the gay sun shone,
And the world grew green in the blue,
For the last of the foggy dew was gone
The last of the foggy dew.
But love was there in the mist and shine,
The old love, wonder, and new.
O fie! Pretty maid, to let eyes like thine
Be dimmed by the foggy dew, dew, dew,
By fear of the foggy dew.


THE FOGGY DEW
Alfred Perceval Graves (Irish)

    Oh! a wan cloud was drawn
    O'er the dim, weeping dawn,
As to Shannon's side I returned at last;
    And the heart in my breast
    For the girl I loved best
Was beating—ah beating, how loud and fast!
    While the doubts and the fears
    Of the long, aching years
Seemed mingling their voices with the moaning flood;
    Till full in my path,
    Like a wild water-wraith,
My true love's shadow lamenting stood.

    But the sudden sun kissed
    The cold, cruel mist
Into dancing showers of diamond dew;
    The dark flowing stream
    Laughed back to his beam,
And the lark soared singing aloft in the blue;
    While no phantom of night,
    But a form of delight
Ran with arms outspread to her darling boy:
    And the girl I love best
    On my wild, throbbing breast
Hid her thousand treasures, with a cry of joy.


Is this thread getting too long?
Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Nonie Rider
Date: 07 Oct 97 - 05:54 PM

Yeah. Let's do a Women's Song Circle II. Will start one if there isn't one already.

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Alice
Date: 03 Jun 99 - 02:21 PM

refresh... just for the fun of it

Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle
From: Helen
Date: 01 Jul 00 - 09:05 PM

Refresh again, in the light of this discussion:

Women's HearMe?

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=22846&messages=28

Helen