Origins: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)

Subject: folk song 'the widow'
From: Andy Anderson
Date: 30 Jan 99 - 02:11 PM

my wife is anxious to trace the words for a song which we heard last night. It's called "The Widow" but she can't remember who wrote it. Lee Collinson was singing it at the Fo'c'sle in Southampton, UK.

It is about an insatiable widow who calls on the Devil, but even he cannot satisfy her!

any of you fine folks know the songwriter?

TIA - Andy A

Subject: RE:
From: Sam Hudson
Date: 31 Jan 99 - 06:11 AM

Hi Andy

The song is by Mick Ryan (late of The Crows) from the West Country, and it's also been recorded by the Poozies. I have the lyrics but I won't post them because of the usual copyright worries... if you'd like to mail me at

[e-mail]

I'll send them to you - it's a good song and well worth singing!

Regards

Sam

Subject: The Widow By the poozies
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 01 - 07:01 AM

Hiya Guys I'm at college and the computers are a bit parp so ui can't get the lyric search 2 work 4 me. So if some1 could supply me with the lyrics to 'The Widow' that i have only ever heard by the poozies sung by kate rusby i would be extremly grateful 2 u forever cheers dorrie xxxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: English Jon
Date: 02 May 01 - 07:41 AM

Something along the lines of:

High upon a lonely hill, a widow lived alone.
An inn she kept, and as she slept, the pillow heard her moan.
“It's many a lonely traveller has spent the night with me,
But there's not a man in all creation has contented me.

“For some can manage once or twice, and sometimes three or four,
But there's not a man in all the world who ever can do more.
I'd do anything to find him, in heaven or in hell.”
And as these words were spoken, she's heard the front door bell.

So nimble she's jumped out of bed, and the door she's opened wide,
And as she stared, a tall and handsome stranger stepped inside.
She gave him bread and brandy, and when that he was fed,
He said, "My dear, be of good cheer. It's time to come to bed.

For I've heard you moaning down below, and I've come to see you right.
But you must come to hell with me if I can last the night.”
She said, "You randy devil, with your bargain I'll agree.
For hell on earth, or hell in hell, it's all the same to me.”

And the wind blew cold and lonely all on the widow's moor,
And she never ever turned away a traveller from her door.

So nimble they've jumped into bed, and the devil started well.
She thought before the night was over, she'd be in his hell.
And when they got to number ten, the widow shouted “More!”
And when they got to 25, again she cried for more.

At 59, the devil was compelled to take a rest.
The widow said, "Come raise your head and put me to the test.”
And when they got to 69, "Again, again!" she cried.
The devil said, "Well, I can see just how your husband died."

Then something about the devil fleeing as soon as it's morning. Mind's gone blank. Sorry.

And as she sat and grumbled, she thought of 99.
"If only that old devil could have made it one more time!
I'll call him up again tonight and see what may be done.
With a bit more application, he might have made the Ton.”

But when she called him up that night, no devil did appear.
For the first time in eternity, the devil shook with fear.
"Of all the dreadful torments in heaven or in hell,
I never knew what pain was, 'till I rang the front door bell.”

Hope that helps.
I've only heard this a couple of times, so it's probably got mistakes in it.
Anyone know the missing verse?

Cheers,
Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: IanC
Date: 02 May 01 - 07:45 AM

Jon

Yours is in DT under "The Devil vs The Widow"

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 01 - 02:20 PM

Thank u u may have just saved my life dorrie xxxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 02 May 01 - 07:26 PM

Don't forget to credit author Mick Ryan. Do you think this song is feministically correct (fc) or incorrect?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: Les from Hull
Date: 03 May 01 - 08:42 AM

I think that the title should be 'The Widow's Promise', which is how it appears on Mick's 1986 album with Crows, the band he was with at the time.

Philippa - as to your question, I can only say that I have heard the song sung by both sexes in mixed company and I haven't heard any complaints.

Les

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 May 01 - 09:32 AM

Since this song has no midi in the DT you might be interested to hear a tiny bit here.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 May 01 - 11:04 AM

This song was posted here only 2 weeks ago, in the thread called "Bawdy Songs for Women to Sing."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: GUEST,Dinga
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 03:44 PM

The missing verse is

At 99 the devil he began to cry and weep.
He said "I'll give you anything if you let me go to sleep"
Before the morning light was up the Devil hobbled home.
The widow still not satisfied was (always?) left alone

The word in brackets is not alwyas but I just can't work it out

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 03:59 PM

Aaaaaargh....Memories!!
I was in the Crows line-up when Mick first offered the Widow for consideration.
In fact, I felt that the sentiments were very PC, actually.
The idea of a woman getting one over (so to speak) the Devil himself had a certain synchronicity about it.
Added to the fact that the Poozies (an all female band for those who don't know) picked up on the song, and made it the crowd pleaser that it became, is obviously a validation for its existence.

Mick and his musical partner Pete Harris have gone on to write many shows since those early days, (check out Wildgoose records for more info).

I'm just pleased that I was involved with the songs first outing all those years ago (prob 1981/2)

Regards Ralphie (an Ex Crow)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 04:04 PM

The verse is.....

At 99 the devil he began to cry and weep.
He said "I'll give you anything if you let me go to sleep"
Before the morning light was up the Devil hobbled home
The widow still not satisfied once more was left alone

Khatt

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 06:32 PM

How lovely that this thread has been revived just in time for Valentine's Day....!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Feb 08 - 06:45 PM

I WONT post the VERY Bad joke that I have just remembered !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow By the poozies
From: eddie1
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 02:29 AM

Oh go on. You know you want to!

Eddie

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WIDOW'S PROMISE (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 09:23 AM

Here are the lyrics as sung by The Poozies:


THE WIDOW'S PROMISE
(Mick Ryan) - as recorded by the Poozies

High upon a lonely moor a widow lived alone
An inn she kept, and as she slept, the pillow heard her moan
"Oh many is the traveler who's spent the night with me,
There's not a man in all creation gives content to me.

Oh some can manage once or twice, and some make three or four,
It seems to me a rarity is the man who can do more.
I'll do anything to find him, in Heaven or in Hell."
And as these words were spoken, then she heard the front door bell.

CHORUS: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door.

So boldly then the widow ran and the door she opened wide,
And as she did a tall and handsome stranger stepped inside.
She gave him bread and brandy, and when that he was fed,
He said, "Me dear, now have no fear, it's time to come to bed.

For I've heard your call way down below and I've come to see you right.
But you must come to Hell with me if I can last the night."
She said, "You randy devil, to this bargain I'll agree,
For Hell on earth, or Hell in Hell, it's all the same to me."

CHORUS: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door.

So then they both fell into bed, and the devil was working well,
He thought before the night was through she'd be in his Hell,
But when they came to number nine the widow cried out, "More!"
And when the twelfth time came around again she cried for more.

At twenty-five the devil felt compelled to take a rest.
The widow said, "Come raise your head and put me to the test."
At sixty-nine the widow laughed, "Again, again!" she cried.
The devil he said, "Well I can see just how your husband died."

CHORUS: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door.

At ninety-nine the devil he began to cry and weep
He said, "I'll give you anything if you let me go to sleep."
Before the morning light was up the devil hobbled home,
The widow, still not satisfied, once more was left alone.

There she lay and grumbled as she thought of ninety-nine.
"If only that old devil could have made it one more time!
I'll call him up again tonight and see what can be done.
With a bit more application, he could have made the ton."

But when she called to him that night, no devil did appear.
For the first time in eternity, the devil he shook with fear.
He said, "Of all the torment I've witnessed here in Hell,
I never knew what pain was 'till I rang your front door bell."

CHORUS: And the wind blew cold and lonely across that widow's moor
And she never ever turned away a traveler from the door.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 10:04 AM

There is also a beaut recording of this by Sylvia Herold on her 'A bowl of crystal tears' album.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Mick Ryan
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 09:09 AM

Imagine my surprise when I came across this continuing conversation about 'The Widow's Promise', a song I wrote in 1982 (it may have been '81). The song came about because the band I was then in)'Crows' needed an up-tempo, light-hearted song to balance our set. I extrapolated the characters from a traditional song, 'The Devil and the Feathery Wife' I had heard Nick Dow sing and an original song, 'The Mother in Law', written by Gerry Rees. Having said this, the story, the tune and the lyrics are my own. It did its job in the repertoire of 'Crows' and 'Mick Ryan and Pete Harris' for a number of years and, taken up by Sarah Gray in the eighties and then 'The Poozies' in the nineties, it gained a certain currency. I will always be grateful to 'The Poozies' for recording the song and making me a few bob. I would like to point out, though, that the original tune, as recorded by 'Crows' on 'No Bones Or Grease' (Dragon Records, 1986) and 'Mick Ryan and Pete Harris' on 'The Widow's Promise' (Terra Nova, 1996) is in 4/4 time (in this case a fast hornpipe) not a jig as recorded by 'The Poozies' and others. Anybody wanting to get the words as originally conceived might like to get my songbook (vol. 1) from Jacaranda music. Included in this volume is another naughty song of mine, 'Desperate Dan', which I think is funnier. Anybody who does buy the book will see that the first line of 'The Widow's Promise' is 'High UPON a lonely moor....' not, as I've seen elsewhere online, 'High ATOP....'(Aaaaaargh!). The song has also been published as 'traditional' in a book of 'travellers' songs'. I take this as a compliment. When the error was discovered, the publisher awarded me an erratum slip! I won't say that that's the story of my life...! Mick Ryan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: breezy
Date: 14 Jan 10 - 09:29 AM

Cheers Mick very interesting and informative.

The songbook is a great addition to any singers library.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 01:46 AM

Ah. Mick what memories!!
Of all the CROWS out takes, That song (and Poor Old Willie Worrall) are the two that I haven't got recordings of. Odd really, considering the number of times we performed it! Seem to remember that it ended up as the encore song of choice.
I do have quite a few recordings of the Dave Bordewey years though, If you're interested!
Cheers mate
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: SunrayFC
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 03:05 AM

Yes..Crows were great, as was Wareham Folk Club back in the late 70's.
Wonderful times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:37 AM

And the original recording of "Jah Northfield" with Ian Blake on clarinet/sax.
Why do I feel a box set coming on?
Maybe because nobody would release it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Mick Ryan
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 08:45 AM

Hello Ralph. Re. 'Willy Worrel'. I recorded it with Pete Harris on one of our albums on the 'Wildgoose' label. Realising that the tune I had used for the 'Crows' version was 'A Policeman's Lot Is Not A Happy One', I made up a new, and, in my opinion, even more suitable (though natually I would say that, wouldn't I?)tune for the 'Ryan and Harris' version. It is also published with this tune in the songbook volume one. By the way, you (very kindly) mention elsewhere my 'folk operas' ('A Day's Work', 'The Voyage', 'Tanks For The Memory' and, currently, 'The Navvy's Wife')as being co-written with Pete Harris. Sorry mate, but they're all my own work! 'The Navvy's Wife' (available as a double album on 'Wildgoose'. See, also, our website www.thenavvyswife.co.uk)features, amongst others, Paul Downes, with whom I now work as a duo (see 'Grand Conversation' on 'Wildgoose'). What are you up to these days? I am meeting up with John Burge on Frday 22nd or Swindon Folk Club's fiftieth birthday event. Preparatory to this , I was listening to the 'Two Magicians' track on the first 'Crows' album. By the cringe, you and John really kick ass on the accompaniment for that one! I hope you are still out there playing. All the best, Mick.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Hamish
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:21 AM

What are they doing? I could never figure it out. For arithmetic simplicity, suppose the night is ten hours long. 100 times = 10 times an hour. Once every six minutes. With no breaks to have a little snooze, wipe down, go to the loo, make a cup of tea or anything. Six minutes? Doesn't sound like long enough to "give content". Or so I've been told (on numerous occasions, he adds, purely for humorous effect, you understand.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Cuilionn
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:33 AM

Grand thread-- and Mick Ryan, a treat to hear the tale right from the horse's mouth!

I had learned this off the Poozies' recording and sang it during a house ceilidh in Roanoke, Virginia a few years ago. It was late at night and I thought I'd try the song out, unsure of the reaction...but as the verses spun out, I saw a few smiles playing around the edges and carried on.

At the song's end, a visiting Welshman came up to me. "Oh, that was a great one to hear..." says he, wiping away a tear. "I haven't heard anyone sing that one since my mum back in Wales!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 07:15 AM

Dear Hamish, (re. the maths of the song). It's a made up story. it never (sorry to disappoint) really happened. This reminds me of my show 'A Day's Work', at the end of one performance of which the entire cast was lying on the stage 'dead'. Afterwards, a bloke came up to me and observed that he could see us breathing. I couldn't resist remarking that if we had actually died it would have been a very short run. I would advise anybody to read Johnson's preface to Shakespear on the flexible conventions of storytelling. Regards, Mick Ryan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 10:06 AM

Does anyone know where I can find the poozies version online? I cant find it anywhere?
x

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Celtaddict
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 10:34 PM

Hello, Mick Ryan, it is good to 'meet' you. This song has been a favorite of mine for many years. I am not really a singer, mind, but was over in Ireland (I am a Yank myself) once for a mighty sing on the Burren and eventually a few folks pointed out that I could not just listen but must sing too. Frances Kennedy had, a good deal earlier, done a funny bawdy song or two. I did this one and it went over well. The folks near me asked who wrote it (noise levels were such that no introductions were possible but people quieted at once when they heard singing) and I told them Mick Ryan. They looked at one another and said, incredulously, "Not OUR Mick Ryan." They only knew your more serious songs, and I did not realize I was that near to your territory.
Slainte!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 01:54 AM

Hi Mick. Have a great time with Mr Burge in Swindon!
Yes, there was some good stuff on the First Crows LP. I really like though, the recording we did of "When I'm Dead" in the second incarnation of the band...How did Dave get those high notes? Tight trousers perhaps?
Still playing. Mainly with Housewives Choice. Just about to put out a solo CD of Concertina stuff, thats been kicking around in my head for the past decade or two, and enjoying retirement!
Love to Debs, and see you down the road sometime, maybe...
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Mick Ryan
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 04:57 AM

Dear Celtaddict, interesting to hear about your session on the the Burren. Mick Ryan is a fairly common name in Ireland, but not in Swindon (Wiltshire) where I'm from (though my dad was from Wexford)! Possibly some confusion there? Anyway, I'm glad you like, and are singing, the song. All the best, Mick Ryan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Celtaddict
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:35 AM

Ah, well, all I knew was the name and nothing else by which to identify you; it sounds as if they were thinking of another, nearer by, and he may have had a surprise when he saw them next. But it is a fine song and I need to hunt up the (vintage) albums. I learned the song traditionally, from a friend.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Mick Ryan
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:45 AM

Dear Celtaddict, if you google Mick Ryan and Pete Harris 'The Widow's Promise' you may find a copy of that CD (on Terra Nova). I've also heard tell of the two 'Crows' albums('Crows' on Dingle Records and 'No Bones Or Grease' on Dragon Records) being 'out there' in the netiverse somewhere. All my recent recordings are available through Wildgoose Records (they have a website). All the best, Mick Ryan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Celtaddict
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 11:16 PM

Thanks! My friend learned it from 'No Bones or Grease.'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 12:08 AM

Hi Mick very interesting. Don't know about "Bones" But, I own the rights to The first LP. And nobody has asked me if iy's availanle for download?
Any clues as to who?
Ralphie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,quirky music fan.
Date: 31 Mar 10 - 02:42 PM

Just heard this for the first time tonight on Mike Harding's Radio 2 show. Not heard of the Poozies before and had to look the song up. Great to find all this discussion about a song that is fab and quirky.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Two2Many
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 09:42 AM

How would we go about getting permission to record this song on our next album? Please contact me, ([e-mail]) with the answer. Your help is most appreciated.

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Apr 12 - 12:13 PM

Poozies version is on you tube Here

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Reinhard
Date: 04 Oct 13 - 02:55 PM

The German/Irish/Scottish band Cara recorded a beautiful version of The Widow's Promise for their brand new CD Horizon, with Gudrun Walther and new band member Kim Edgar singing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 10:04 PM

A group called "Empty Hats" did a performance of this song that was recorded here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS9h9mgjeY


And a rather nice performance of the song by A Fanfare of Strumpets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-QeXl0POiE

You'll notice that although this song was written by a man, it's the women who seem to take delight in singing it.

Here's a composite of the lyrics posted above.

THE WIDOW'S PROMISE
(Mick Ryan)

High atop a lonely hill, a widow lived alone.
An inn she kept, and as she slept, the pillow heard her moan.
"It's many a lonely traveller has spent the night with me,
But there's not a man in all creation has contented me.

"For some can manage once or twice, and sometimes three or four,
But there's not a man in all the world who ever can do more.
I'd do anything to find him, in heaven or in hell."
And as these words were spoken, she's heard the front door bell.
And the wind blew cold and lonely all on the widow's moor,
And she never ever turned away a traveller from her door.

So nimble she's jumped out of bed, and the door she's opened wide,
And as she stared, a tall and handsome stranger stepped inside.
She gave him bread and brandy, and when that he was fed,
He said, "My dear, be of good cheer. It's time to come to bed.

For I've heard you moaning down below, and I've come to see you right.
But you must come to hell with me if I can last the night."
She said, "You randy devil, with your bargain I'll agree.
For hell on earth, or hell in hell, it's all the same to me."

And the wind blew cold and lonely all on the widow's moor,
And she never ever turned away a traveller from her door.

So nimble they've jumped into bed, and the devil started well.
She thought before the night was over, she'd be in his hell.
And when they got to number ten, the widow shouted "More!"
And when they got to 25, again she cried for more.

At 59, the devil was compelled to take a rest.
The widow said, "Come raise your head and put me to the test."
And when they got to 69, "Again, again!" she cried.
The devil said, "Well, I can see just how your husband died."

And the wind blew cold and lonely all on the widow's moor,
And she never ever turned away a traveller from her door.

At 99 the devil he began to cry and weep.
He said "I'll give you anything if you let me go to sleep"
Before the morning light was up the Devil hobbled home.
The widow still not satisfied was (always?) left alone

And as she sat and grumbled, she thought of 99.
"If only that old devil could have made it one more time!
I'll call him up again tonight and see what may be done.
With a bit more application, he might have made the Ton."

And the wind blew cold and lonely all on the widow's moor,
And she never ever turned away a traveller from her door.

But when she called him up that night, no devil did appear.
For the first time in eternity, the devil shook with fear.
"Of all the dreadful torments in heaven or in hell,
I never knew what pain was, 'till I rang the front door bell."

And the wind blew cold and lonely all on the widow's moor,
And she never ever turned away a traveller from her door.

Any corrections?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Mick Ryan
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 06:06 AM

There are a few changes to my original lyrics in this version of my song. That's the folk process for you. None of them is a problem for me, except one, and that is a very big problem. Viz, 'atop' (aaargh!!!). I truly cannot bear that word in any context, least of all in a song written by me. Please (please!) sing 'High UPON a lonely moor....'. Please.
And don't get me started on 'munch'!

Mick Ryan.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Widow's Promise (Mick Ryan)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 28 Apr 15 - 08:26 AM

There's a fine recording by the Australian band, Triantan, on their recent CD, Turn Again. And Mick Ryan will be pleased to know that they sing, High *upon* a lonely moor....