Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's Hair

Subject: Red is the Color of My True Love's Hair
From: Bluesman and kde
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:39 PM

I have searched for the lyrics for this song everywhere I can think of. I thought it was played by Bob Dylan but cannot find the lyrics on any of the "complete" Dylan lists that I've visited. Any help would be appreciated.......Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:55 PM

Well Jim, there is

Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair (trad)

or

Yellow is the Color of My True Love's Hair, by Donovan.

Would it be either of these you're looking for, or did Dylan write another version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Sarah2
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:56 PM

Gee, I musta missed that one. I know about "Black is the Color (or Colour)..." and Donovon's "Yellow is the Colour..." but not this one, unless Dylan named it something weird, and even then I don't remember it. Do you have any phrases? I'll be interested if someone comes up with it...

Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:56 PM

You got any more of this Bluesman? The only two that I'm familiar with is the Donovan song "Colours"....Click Here....also in the DT HERE. Then there is "Black is the Color" in the DT, pretty well known, Click Here.

Is it possible it was Donovan and not Dylan?

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:57 PM

I see we're all in agreement.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:00 PM

:D both of you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:01 PM

Ah, that was meant to be a smily face for Sarah and Spaw... : D

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Sarah2
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:02 PM

Ah, yes, sick -- er, great minds...

Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:04 PM

Tell you what Noreen.....Three people in agreement and three links in seven minutes total is pretty fast action! Now we await Bluesman for an answer........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:05 PM

and here I was hoping that someone finally considered a red head their true love............ oh well.......

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:15 PM

HEEEEYYY........Who loves you Mets? Have a big Spaw hug just for being a redhead!

((((((((((((((((((M))))))))))))))))))

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:20 PM

**Thread drift alert**

Oh yes, Metchosin- one of the great lines-

Red hair and black leather, my favourite colour scheme. (Richard Thompson)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:23 PM

Think we're wanting to know more than Bluesman is, Spaw?!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:28 PM

I guess we are Noreen........I always hate it when you get one quick and the poster doesn't get back right away.

HEY BLUESMAN!!!!!! WHERE ARE YOU BUDDY????? C'MON BACK AND GIVE US SOME NEWS!!!!!!

Spaw

Subject: ADD: Red Haired Mary 2 ^^
From: Sarah2
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:28 PM

Metchosin,

Now, here's a song of true love:

RED HAIRED MARY

As I was going to the fair at Dingle
One fine morning last July
When going down the road before me,
A red haired girl I chanced to spy.

Well I went up to her, says I, "Young lady,
Me donkey, he will carry two."
And she looked at me, her eyes a-twinkle,
And cheeks they were a rosey hue.

"Well I thank you kindly, sir," she answered,
And then she tossed her bright hair,
"Now seein' that you've got your donkey,
I will ride with you to the Dingle fair."

But when we reached the fair at Dingle,
I took her hand for to say good-bye,
When a tinkerman stepped up beside me,
And he struck me in my right eye!

Refrain:
"Keep your hands off red-haired Mary,
Her and I are to be wed.
We're seein' the priest this very morning,
And tonight we'll lie in a marriage bed."

Now I was feeling kind of peevish,
And my poor old eye was sad and sore,
So I tapped him lightly with me hobnails,
And he flew back through Tim Murphy's door!

Then a policeman, he came round the corner,
And he told me I had broke the law,
Then me donkey kicked him in the ankle,
And he fell down and broke his jaw!

Now he went off to find his brother;
The biggest man you ever did meet.
He 'gently' tapped me with his knuckles,
And I was minus two front teeth.

Now this red haired girl, she kept on smiling.
She said, "Young sir, I'll go with you instead.
We'll forget the priest this very morning,
And tonight we'll lie in Murphy's shed!

Through the Dingle Fair we rode together,
My black eye and her red hair.
Smilin' gaily at the tinkers,
By God we were a handsome pair.

***

Sarah^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:29 PM

Well thanks Spaw......blush...now my face matches my hair.

Nice drift anyways Noreen, glad Richard didn't think anything beat a 52 Vincent and a red headed girl either.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Metchosin
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:34 PM

Aw Sarah that's wonderful! .......I always fancied someone with no front teeth.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:34 PM

...I c'n do you a few verses of 'Dark is the Colour of my true love's hair' while you're waitin'? :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Sarah2
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:37 PM

Well, Metchosin, I think I'll off to bed before I find myself speculating on the high chances of your finding someone in this forum...Nope, not gonna touch that one.

Sarah

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:42 PM

LOL Sarah!

Bluesman's probably searching through more Dylan sites...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 11:50 PM

Sarah? Do you know Cletus, Paw, Buford, and the Reg boys? Hardly a full set between 'em!!!

Ain't this great? 21 posts and we had all the info in 4!!!

BLUESMAN?!?!?!?!? GET YOUR CARCASS BACK HERE!!! NOW!!! AIN'T NOTHIN' ON THEM DYLAN SITES BOY!!!!!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Bluesman and kde
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 12:16 AM

Hey Folks, Give me a breaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!! LOL I must tell you that I didn't expect this fast action. I cut the 'puter off and was sitting on the bed playing my acoustic for my love, Katie, playing a bunch of the songs that I found the words for on this site. (Ahhh, what is that woodsy scent drifting above the incense??????) I have so many of you on this board to thank. You all are such nice folks, and so determined to help. Now, why did I think Bob Dylan did the song??? (Tune in next week for the startling answer!!!!!) Actually, during the sixties and seventies, I didn't play or care for folk music that much. I was playing bass in a traveling R&B and NC Beach Music Band. I started finger-picking this song a couple of nights ago and knew only the first verse, and I don't have any idea just where the $%*& I came up with the idea that Dylan did it. Don't know where the "Red" came from either!!!!! (LOL) HOWEVER, I will sing it with the first verse "Red" instead of "yellow" since my Katie has reddish hair and I'll also dedicate it to Metchosin. Thanks again and I hope to get to know all you folks personally. I'm in Eastern NC, Greenville to be exact...........Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 12:22 AM

Well Jim, glad we helped. Right now my mother-in-law is in Greenville on business and I can guarantee you don't want to meet her!! We also have a very active member who's a student at ECU. His name is Matt_R and he's a very talented young man with broad tastes in music....but the boy needs to get out more. Send him a PM and let him know there's another 'Catter in the area.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Bluesman and kde
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 12:28 AM

Spaw, How can I send the message to Matt_R ? Being a newbie here, I'm so confused!!!!(LOL) I'm looking for some pickers in the area. Thanks for the info............Jim (Sorry about your mother-in-law!!!!! LOLOLOL)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 12:33 AM

Under the "Quick Links" at the top of the pade, on the scroll down menu, click on "Send a personal message" and follow the instructions. Be sure to type in his name as Matt_R with the inderscore between the Matt and the R. Its easy......and welcome to the 'Cat.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Bluesman and kde
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 12:36 AM

Thanks, Spaw. Will get in touch with him. Looking for some acoustic players. By the way, I'm starting a new thread for another song I've been lyric searching for. Hey, you guys are tops!!!!! Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Noreen
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 08:20 AM

Hey Jim, thanks for giving us a good laugh! Welcome to the 'cat- you're obviously new to the place if you thought that was quick- the record for answering a request, complete with clickable link, is two minutes. Don't usually have three people answering with the same info at the same time though- ROTFL!

Enjoy the music and the company here.

Noreen
near Manchester, UK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Mar 01 - 09:40 PM

Try Davy Graham --- Folk Blues ad Beyond' -- He sings this - I have the original record. This is the one. [e-mail] Gerald

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Bluesman and kde
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 02:38 AM

Noreen, Glad I could give you guys a good laugh. Don't take for granted that I'm a comedian, actually I'm a "commodian", ie. a crappy comedian. Hey I love you folks already. My songbook is filling with words from all the links and stuff y'all (Southern for "you all" or "all of you") send in. Glad to be onboard..........Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 04:27 AM

Ah, the love of my life had auburn hair. Better than red, even. Alas, she married another...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: alison
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 05:43 AM

I'm sorry Joe... if only you'd told me sooner..... *grin*

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST,Roll&Go-C
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 02:10 PM

I seem to remember a version which ran "Black is the color of my love's true hair" but maybe it was idle speculation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Metchosin
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 02:20 PM

I think we settled it with "Black" as the traditional version, "Yellow" as the Donovan song, but if you can come up with a "Red" I wouldn't be disappointed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 12:14 AM

Here I got all excited for nought! When I saw this thread I thought I was about to discover another song in praise of red-haired women. Already have "The Loch Tay Boat Song," The Tinker's (Red-haired) Daughter," and the tune, "The Red-Haired Lass." The love of my life was a red-haired lass, and my dearest female friend has a headful of red hair that should be declared a national treasure (IMHO). I could wax rhapsodic, but will go have a stiff drink instead.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 12:17 AM

Rhapsodic takes too much time and you miss a lot. I'd go for a powerbuffer instead.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 02:05 AM

Ever been powerbuffed by a red-haired lass, Spaw?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Jacob B
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 10:24 AM

Roll & Go, you're thinking of the version that the Smothers Brothers sang. I was wondering if I was the only one who remembered it. It went:


Black, black, black is the color of my love's true hair
Though her tresses are as red as a rose
Black, black, black is the color of my love's true hair
And only her hairdresser knows
Does she or doesn't she?
Only her hairdresser knows!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:23 AM

Which ties in nicely with the parody "Black is the colour of her pubic hair".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 08:40 PM

Yellow was the colour of my true love's teeth 'Til she brushed them with Germoline Now they've all got gan-ger-ene THAT'S the kind I love the best (courtesy of Dave Turner, ca. 1969)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: alison
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 10:56 PM

oh fibula... more lyrics please..... hahahaha

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: raredance
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 12:04 AM

now why would Spaw go power buffing with a red-assed hare, he's a possum guy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST,Francesca
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 06:47 AM

Dear Sarah

Just visiting for the first time. Do you have a tune for your Red-Haired Mary lyrics? Will you lend it to me?

Francesca

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 07:05 AM

Alison - I only ever heard it being sung once, and to be honest I was too blocked to remember the words! If anyone fancies having a go at writing it though...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: alison
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 07:12 AM

lol

no doubt someone will rise to the bait....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: GUEST,Roll&Go-C
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 09:24 AM

Thanks, Jacob B, for reassuring me that not I am not alone in my memories of outrageous parodies of fine traditional songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red is the Color of My True Love's H
From: Sarah2
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 11:33 AM

Francesca,

It's in the Digital Tradition song list. Ya go to the blue box at the top right hand of this thread, click on the R, which will take you to songs with titles beginning with R. Scroll down to Red Haired Mary, and click on the title there. At the bottom of the lyrics is another blueclicky that says "Click to Play." That's the magic one.

I heard it on a Clancy Brothers album, and they had a lot of fun with it...

Sarah