Lyr Req: Bow Down (from Dirk Powell)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down (from Dirk Powell)
From: GUEST,diplocase
Date: 07 Dec 23 - 01:59 AM

To reply to John Minear's question:

I picked up the "tar paper shack" verse from a September 12, 2019 entry on this page. The wider conversation which provides the context is mostly talking about another song in the same family. That song is also called Bow Down, and it appears to be 20th c.,. It bears more resemblance to familiar gospel and blues lyrics("you're gonna look for me and I'll be gone"):

https://mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/146541-What-s-the-origin-lyrics-of-this-song-All-Around-the-Mountain

The writer attributes the "tar paper shack" verse to the singing. of a band called Sweet Corn. I haven't been able to trace the band or the verse any farther back. But the vivid description speaks to an experience of American rural poverty and I like the way it sings.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the Cold Around the Mountain / Bow Down song recorded by Dirk Powell is a version of the Two Sisters, but I'm pretty sure that he (or the early 20th century person who first headed the folk process off in this direction) had that song in mind (Listen for instance to Jean Ritchie's "There Lived an Old Lord").. The songmaker seems to have re-used its structure, rhythm, and some of the chorus. And so the circle goes on!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down (from Dirk Powell)
From: John Minear
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 10:05 AM

I think I had a foggy mountain breakdown there. I have listened again and again, again, and now I hear what apparently everyone else hears on that first verse .

All around the mountain and it was so cold, bow down.
All around the mountain and it was so cold, bow down,
All around the mountain and was so cold,
Couldn't hear nothing but the big wind (?) roar (?) bow down.

And the last verse on the original recording repeats this, except there seems to be a change at the end of the last line. But my hearing may not be up to these finer nuances. Surely there are better ears than mine.

I did kind of like 'Fog on the mountain..."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down (from Dirk Powell)
From: John Minear
Date: 10 Jul 21 - 09:30 AM

Two questions. First of all where did the last verse listed above about a "Long cold night in a tar paper shack" in the transcription by Diplocase come from? I do not hear it on the original recording by Powell, Hermann, and O'Brien, and I can't find any reference to it otherwise. Also, as I listen to the original recording, here is what I am hearing as the last verse:

Fog on the mountain and it was so cold, bow down.
Fog on the mountain and it was so cold, bow down,
Fog on the mountain and it was so cold,
Couldn't do nothing but.......

I can't make out the end of the last line. This is basically a repeat of the first verse with a change in the last line from "hear" to "do" and then the ending. Has anybody deciphered the ending of that last line? Or has anybody tried contacting Dirk Powell or John Hermann? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down (from Dirk Powell)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 21 - 08:46 AM

there lived a lord by the northern sea
Bow Down x2
There lived a lord by the northern sea
Bow and Balance to me

There lived a lord by the northern sea
and he had daugheters one, two three

I will be true; true to my love
Lover my love will be true to me.


Jean Ritchie – There Lived an Old Lord Lyrics | Genius Lyricshttps://genius.com › Jean-ritchie-there-lived-an-old-lord...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down (from Dirk Powell)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Jun 20 - 12:36 AM

Diplocase sang this wonderfully today. Melody sounds like "Crawdad."

Here's a recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOW5Q47IjBA

Subject: Lyr Add: BOW DOWN (from Dirk Powell)
From: GUEST,Diplocase
Date: 29 Dec 16 - 01:48 PM

BOW DOWN
As recorded by Dirk Powell on "Songs from the Mountain" (2002)

All around the mountain and it was so cold, bow down
All around the mountain and it was so cold, bow down
All around the mountain and it was so cold,
Couldn't hear nothin' but the big winds roll, bow down

Wind blew north, the wind blew south, bow down
Wind blew north, the wind blew south, bow down
Wind blew north, the wind blew south,
Wind blew sand in the black snake's mouth, bow down

Wind blew up, the wind blew back, bow down
Wind blew up, the wind blew back, bow down
Wind blew up, the wind blew back,
Wind blew snow in the fox's track, bow down

Wind blew far, the wind blew wide, bow down
Wind blew far, the wind blew wide, bow down
Wind blew far, the wind blew wide,
Little kid play on the groundhog hide, bow down

Wind blew hard, the wind blew free, bow down
Wind blew hard, the wind blew free, bow down
Wind blew hard, the wind blew free,
Dry leaves rattle on the dead oak tree, bow down

Long cold nights in a tar paper shack, bow down
Long cold nights in a tar paper shack, bow down
Long cold nights in a tar paper shack,
Chilly wind blowin' through every crack, bow dow

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: GUEST,Tom Paley
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 03:02 PM

I think I learned my version, called "The Lord by the Northern Sea", many years ago, from my old friend, Jim Blaut. I also know part of a Swedish version, the first verse being:

Det bodde en bonde vid sjöastrand.
(Det blåser kallt, kallt väder ifrån sjön.)
Och tvenne dottrar hade han.
(Det blåser kallt, kallt väder ifrån sjön.)

Translation:
There lived a farmer by the sea-strand
   (There blows cold weather in from the sea.)
And two daughters had he.
   (There blows cold weather in from the sea.)

The bit in parentheses is the refrain.
In this version the father is a farmer, not a lord, but the story is much the same as other versions.

Jody, I live in London, but I do get over to the States at times.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 22 Jul 01 - 10:57 AM

The Bow down refrain was first (?) noted in England in the mid-19th century, and seems to have originated there, though at what time is unknown.  Bronson (The Ballad as Song, 1969) cites a copy from Kent of c.1770, which contains the lines

Hay down down derry down
And the bough it was bent to me
I'll prove true to my love
If my love will prove true to me.

as an earlier form from which it may have developed.  He considers the Bow down/ Bow and balance to me refrain to have developed in Appalachia as part of the "play party" tradition.

I put a rather long list of links to material relating to the Child #10 family of songs in this earlier thread:

'twasisters' lay the bent to bonny broom

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 11:42 PM

Tom's in Merrie England. When he isn't visiting Sweden, or summering in the Midwest (US--specific state disremembered).

I can dig up his URL and let you know in a PM, if you wish.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 10:03 AM

My thanks to all of you for your help. Once I get the lyrics scribed, I'll be happy to send them to you if you want them.

dmp

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 09:57 AM

I learned this one from Tom Paley around, Oh!!! 1952 or so. I do believe it is a very old song, Malcolm Douglas is right, it is a variation of the Cruel; Sister, or it could be the other way around. It's easilly as old as other "Cruel Sister" songs.

By the way, Does anyone know where Tom Paley is? I haven't seen him in at least 20 years, I'd like to write him or something. If any of you out there in "mudcat Land" do have contact with Tom, just tell him Jody Gibson was asking about him, and give him my "Handle" Thanks

Subject: Lyr Add: THE KING OF THE NORTHERN SEA
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 09:47 AM

The King of the Northern Sea" is also known by the title, "Bow Down"Here's the song, just in case it's the one you're looking for.

There was an old king of the Northern Sea,
BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
There was an old King of the Northern Sea
BOW AND BALLANCE TO ME.
There was an old Kin of the Northern Sea, He had daughters, one two three
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE, LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.

(all subsequent verses follow the same pattern, the words in "all caps" are in the same place for each verse) (from here on, I'll only give the 5th line, follow the pattern established above and you've got it. )

II A Young man he came courtin' there, he chose the youngest because she was fair
IIIHe bought her a ring and a beaver hat, her sisters were jealous because of that.
IVThe sisters walked down by the water's brim, the oldest one pushed the fair one in.
VShe floated down where the Miller sat, he took her ring and her beaver hat.
VIThe oldest sister was burned at the stake, the Miller was hang-ed for what he did take.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 09:38 AM

Now that's the information we needed.  It appears that Bow Down is a version of the song (Cruel Sister variant) that most of us suspected, but with a completely new set of lyrics, written by John Herrman, attached to it.  As such, hardly anybody who doesn't have the record will know them, and it's not surprising that you couldn't find them anywhere.  Looks like you'll have to work them out for yourself, I'm afraid.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 08:20 AM

Performed by Dirk Powell, John Herriman, Tim O'Brien on "Songs From The Mountain" CD.

It is a repetitive song with most lines starting with the word "wind." I am close to having the words just from listening to the CD.

Snippets....

All around the mountain and it was so cold Bow down

Wind blew north, the wind blew south Bow down

Wind blew sand in the black snake's mouth

Wind blew up, wind blew back Bow down

The wind blew snow in the fox's tracks...

dmp -- and I hate snakes, too

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jul 01 - 12:21 AM

2Shz - can you make a stab at transcription and tell us about the recording? Maybe we can help fill in the blanks. It doesn't sound like something we have, and it sounds interesting.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer, who hates snakes but is fascinated by snake songs-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 11:40 PM

Tell you what; quote what you can make out of it, and tell us who recorded it, and we might get somewhere!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 10:17 PM

Although you would think "Bow Down" would be a gospel, religious, or some such song. It isn't. Lots of lines about the wind...and then there's that line about the pesky snake with the sand in its mouth...

Subject: Lyr Add: WE BOW DOWN
From: Haruo
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:42 PM

That was my first thought, too. Then I thought, maybe the "praise song" with the lines (can't recall what the incipit is) "We bow down, and we crown You the King / King of all kings you will be".

Oh, here it is: "You are Lord of creation"...

"We Bow Down"

You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life,
Lord of the land and the sea;
You were Lord of the heavens before there was time,
And Lord of all lords You will be.

We bow down and we worship You Lord,
We bow down and we worship You Lord;
We bow down and we worship You Lord,
Lord of all lords You will be.

You are King of creation and King of my life,
King of the land and the sea;
You were King of the heavens before there was time,
And King of all kings You will be.

We bow down and we crown You the king,
We bow down and we crown You the king;
We bow down and we crown You the king,
King of all kings You will be.

Or perchance the "March of the Peers" from G&S's Iolanthe ("Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes") and my Jonah parody of it ("Bow, bow, ye Ninevitic masses")?

Liland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:36 PM

The most common song I've encountered using the Bow Dowm as a chorus line is Two Sisters. (Child #10). There are quite a few versions in DigiTrad

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:31 PM

It does seem pretty obscure; no results for black snake's mouth, for example.  Tell us who recorded this CD, and we might be able to get a bit further with it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:05 PM

Malcom -- I've spent hours on the web using Google, Mudcat, and other search engines looking for the lyrics. Last time I had this much trouble getting lyrics, I just scribed them from the CD...which, after I did that, posted them here so anybody else looking for them wouldn't have to go to the trouble I went through.

dmp

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Haruo
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:03 PM

That was my first thought, too. Then I thought, maybe the "praise song" with the lines (can't recall what the incipit is) "We bow down, and we crown You the King / King of all kings you will be". Or the "March of the Peers" from G&S's Iolanthe ("Bow, bow, ye lower middle classes") and my Jonah parody of it ("Bow, bow, ye Ninevitic masses")?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:02 PM

You gave me a good chuckle, Alex. The song is an old traditional folk song, I believe. One of the lines in it is "wind blew sand in the black snake's mouth" -- I will probably end up listening to the CD and typing as I listen.

Thought I'd see if anyone knew where I could find the lyrics before I did that.

dmp

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 09:00 PM

There are three things you could do to help us give you an answer.  First, if you haven't already tried it, search for bow down via the "Digitrad and Forum Search" on the main Forum page (there are songs here which might be what you're looking for).  Second, give us some usable information about this Songs of the Mountain CD, like who recorded it and what the record label was.  A search for that title at  Google  returns several thousand references, which few of us have time to look through!  Third; can you quote even just a little bit of the words, or give us just a hint as to what the song was about?  Titles of songs vary, as a rule, more than do their texts.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bow Down
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 08:56 PM

I assume you do not mean the University of Washington fight song.

Alex

Subject: Bow Down
From: GUEST,Goody2Shz
Date: 20 Jul 01 - 08:40 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics to Bow Down. The song is on the "Songs From The Mountain" CD. I've looked and looked and looked for those dadgum lyrics and can't find them anywhere on the web. Anyone happen to have, or know where I can find them. Thanks!