Lyr/Chords Req: When First Unto This Country

Subject: When First Unto This Country
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 20 Oct 01 - 06:15 PM

I found a couple of sets of (similar) lyrics here, but I'm looking for a version for a cousin who thinks she remembers this being done by Ian Tyson or Gordon Lightfoot in the early 'sixties. The version she remembers starts out, "When first unto this country as a stranger I came, I courted a fair maid and Nancy was her name." Thanks. And yes, I tried Google. And OLGA.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: When First Unto This Country
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Oct 01 - 06:51 PM

A friend of mine sings the version by Ian Tyson. If no one else posts the lyrics, I'll give him a call.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: When First Unto This Country
From: masato sakurai
Date: 20 Oct 01 - 10:07 PM

The New Lost City Ramblers' version of "WHEN FIRST TO THIS COUNTRY" (lyrics are in the DT) (from the Gant Family) is:

[E]When first to this [B7]country a [A]stranger I [E]came,
I [A]courted a [B7]fair maid and [A]Nancy was her [E]name.

SOURCE: Old-Time String Band Songbook, p. 45.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: When First Unto This Country
From: raredance
Date: 20 Oct 01 - 11:39 PM

It's on "Ian & Sylvia" the duo's first recording for Vanguard. Of course the CD is in my office so I can't transcribe it at present. Vanguard just recently put out all of their Ian & Sylvia albums in a box set.

rich r

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN FIRST UNTO THIS COUNTRY
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Oct 01 - 12:21 AM

This is how my friend sings it, kind of a combination of Ian Tyson and New Lost City Ramblers.

Ebbie

WHEN FIRST UNTO THIS COUNTRY

When first unto this country a stranger I came
I courted a fair maiden and Nancy was her name

I courted her for love but her love I didn't obtain
Do you think of any reason or right to complain

I rode to see my Nancy, I rode both day and night
I courted pretty Nancy, my own heart's true delight

I rode to see my Nancy, I rode both day and night
'Til I stole a fine grey horse from Captain William White

The sheriff's men had followed and overtaken me
And they carted me away to the penitentiary

They opened up the door and then they shoved me in
And they shaved off my head and they cleared off my chin

They beat me and they banged me and fed me on dry beans
'Til I wished in my own heart I'd never been a thief

With my hands all in my pockets and my cap set on so bold
In my coat of many colors like Jacob's of old.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: When First Unto This Country
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Oct 01 - 10:39 AM

I always was intrigued by this song, the bizare fragmentary lyrics, and the odd chord and beat change at the beginning of the second line.

Ebbie - I do wonder at your second verse:

I courted her for love but her love I didn't obtain
Do you think of any reason or right to complain

I remember it differently and what I remember seems to make more sense:

I courted her for love but her love I didn't obtain
Do you think I'VE any reason or right to complain

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: When First Unto This Country
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Oct 01 - 01:30 PM

Charley N, I agree! I didn't argue with my friend. Or maybe I misunderstood him...

Reminds me of when my cousin sang:

'My heart is withered like a banjo
Of a rose I saw dying today'

Ebbie