Subject: Lyr Add: THREE FISHERS and STOWAWAY (Teresa Doyle) From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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 |
Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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
Chorus (after each verse):
Noo he couked her on a grassy bank, the lassie fer tae please
Noo it's easy easy wi' me, Sir, and ye shall hae yer will
But she snecked and barred the bothy door, and merrily did shout
And my faither bought at great expense a grand high-steppin gray
And yer like a cock ma faither had, it crowed and waved it's camb
And my mither bought a likely hen on last St. Martin's day
Oh, the de'il gang wi' ye lassie, gin the bridal bed ye see 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
Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind
I'm just a poor girl my fortune is sad
Your horses are hungry come feed them some hay
(Repeat first verse) |
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?
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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,
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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?
When a girl goes home with the oats she's sown, Oh, cotton-eyed Joe.
I went to see a doctor and I almost died.
Look, here comes a prodigal son!
Singin' oh, cotton-eyed Joe.
Out in the cornfield I stubbed my toe.
Had it not 'ave been for the cotton-eyed Joe,
Look, here comes a prodigal son!
Singin' oh, cotton-eyed Joe... |
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 |
Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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
CHORUS:
My love he is handsome in every degree (Chorus again)
And if I was a scholar who could handle a pen
(Chorus again, last line repeated twice) |
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,
Well he courted me when I was thin,
Oh, I wish I wish, and I wish in vain,
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: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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,
I wish, I wish, I wish in vain,
I wish my baby it was born,
She went upstairs to go to bed,
At every word she dropped a tear,
He went upstairs and broke the door,
"Oh, make my grave large, wide, and deep. Alice in Montana |
Subject: Lyr Add: MAGGIE DALY From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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
CHORUS
And all of Beach Point cried in sorrow, for that little lass they'd see no more
CHORUS
When Captain Daly came ashore to Maggie's home he did repair
CHORUS
Joseph Daly, listen to me, to what I say you must agree
Within a week that healthy baby, beside his mother's body lay,
CHORUS
|
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
At the age of thirty-seven she realized she'd never ride
Her husband was off to work and the kids were off to school
At the age of thirty-seven she realized she'd never ride
The evening sun touched gently on the eyes of Lucy Jordan
At the age of thirty-seven she knew she'd found forever
As always, |
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
An Outlandish knight from the northlands came
"Go fetch some of your father's gold
Then he's mounted on the milk white steed
"Light off, light off your steed," he said
And take off, take off your silken clothes
"Well if I must take off my silken clothes,
So he turned his face away from her,
Well, he swam high and he swam low
"Oh lie there, lie there you false-hearted man |
Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca 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.
One night as I lay in my bed
Watch on, dear love, the lee long night,
She dried her eyes, and the gay sun shone, |
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
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Subject: RE: Women's Song Circle From: Helen Date: 01 Jul 00 - 09:05 PM Refresh again, in the light of this discussion: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=22846&messages=28 Helen |
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