Hal an Tow

Subject: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 04:01 AM

What is the origin of this song? Where did the Watersons get it from? Is it from the oral tradition? Do any variants exist? Is it just a Victorian re-creation?

I Learned:

Since man was first crearted His works have been debated And now are celebrated The comming of the horn!

as the first verse from Barry Warmsley, singer, fiddler player and biology teacher, of Birkenhead and other places. Where did this come from? Does anyone else know it?

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: gnu
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 04:27 AM

I don't know his Mudcat name, but there is a 'Catter who probably knows a good deal about the info you seek because his band is named Hal & Tow. Perhaps Kendall can PM him for you to see if he can assist you, if answers to your post do not afford you satisfaction. If you need to, refresh this after a day or two and, hopefully, I will pick up on it if Kendall does not.

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 04:39 AM

Have a look at the thread Hal an Tow: Notes

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 08:54 AM

See also this thread:  alt. verses to Hal An Tow,  which includes a translation of the text into Cornish, and links to several previous discussions of the song.

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 03:07 PM

Well, I am amazed! Thanks for putting me on to the older thread and thanks to all those who contrubuted to it. It does feel like a strange old song. But I must say the older thread contains some fine examples of people bringing some slightly dodgy baggage to a very difficult bit of old song.

Anyway thanks again

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: kendall
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 09:02 AM

Hey Bernie, are you there? What can you tell us about this?

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: IanC
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 05:26 AM

I just have a brief note about the so-called "Aunt Mary Moses" problem. I think Shirley Collins caused this when she recorded it on "No Roses"(?). It's just a rather old mis-hearing (mondegreen) of:

"God Bless Saint Mary, Moses and all their Power and Might O!"

There are versions around (I don't know where at the moment) with the correct text in.

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST,DaisyA
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 09:38 AM

Don't Oysterband do a version called Hal an Tol? (with an L instead of a W)?

Daisy

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: Snuffy
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 09:54 AM

I have a version by Oysterband, but I think it's called Hal An Tow. (I'm at work now and can't check it)

Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: Snuffy
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 06:39 PM

It's actually called Hal-An-Tow (with hyphens). Would Hal an Tol be a Bristol version?