Women's Song Circle

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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: 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.