Lyr ADD: I Come For to Sing (Gibson, et al.)

Subject: Two Songs:Whiskey & Come for to Sing
From: GUEST,Dallas
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 09:43 AM

In my quest to increase the song I can sing, I have been searching the Internet for two separate songs and have found neither. So I ask the experts on the board. Both songs I have heard at the MRF, but I have heard it in a few other places on occasion.

The first song's chorus goes like this:

Some come to work, while others to play
Some come in evening, to pass time away
Some come to laugh, their voices to ring
But as for me, I come for to sing

---

The second is a more rousing tune, with the chorus:

We're all here to drink the whisky
We're all here for nothing less
Raise your glass and toast your neighbor
Turn and toast the rest
Cause its one two three rounds
We're hellish glad we're here
We're here to drink the whiskey
And then we'll drink the beer

Now I have since forgot if the tune is different for the choruses than the verses for these songs, so if they are please alert me to that, and if possible where I can find the tunes. Thanks for your help!

See We're Here to Drink the Whiskey

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 09:53 AM

The first is "I come for to sing"

---

The second is "We're Here to Drink the Whiskey" and the lyrics can be found here (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Paul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 10:49 AM

Isn't the former the intro to "There's A Meeting Here Tonight" (for years a wonderful Limeliters Standard).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: MMario
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 11:04 AM

Dallas - I *think* the verse and chorus to "I come for to sing" is the same tune...I learned this at Georgia ren-faire too many years ago - I haven't ever heard the variation done at MDRF. (and I'd like to...)

But if I recall correctly the same is NOT true of 'We're all here to drink the whiskey'. Hopefully a certain celtic soul will be by to tell you for sure.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: MMario
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 11:32 AM

I could have SWORN I had "I come for to Sing" - must have lost it in one of my disk crashes...and can't find anything on the web except the chorus.

At GARF the landlord of the inn (good ol' Fergus(who's real name I really should remember )) used to sing this - and as I recall had five verses spring, summer fall and winter, plus one about people discontented with their life. *SOMEWHERE* I have a tape with Fergus singing this.

and yes, guest, it was used by the limeliters in a medley.

Subject: Lyr Add: I COME FOR TO SING
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 08:04 PM

This is all that's given on the web page GUEST,Paul cited:

I COME FOR TO SING

CHO: Some come to work, while others to play.
Some come in evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Subject: ADD: There's a Meetin' Here Tonight
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 04:27 AM

On their live 1987 album "Harmony," the Limeliters use "I Come For to Sing" as an introduction to "There's a Meeting Here Tonight." I'm sure they recorded the song in the 1960's, but couldn't find it (album is Tonight: In Person - 1961). The Limeliters often opened concerts with this song in the 1960's. There's not much to the lyrics of the main song. It's a good one for us foggy-minded, lyrically-challenged singers.
-Joe Offer-

THERE'S A MEETING HERE TONIGHT

Some come to work, while others to play.
Some come in evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

There's a meetin' here tonight
There's a meetin' here tonight
I know you by your friendly face,
There's a meetin' here tonight

There's a meetin' here tonight, great God
I'm glad you came along
Hope all the brothers and the sisters here
Will help me sing this song...

There's a grin on every upturned face,
And a smile in every eye,
Brothers and sisters, let me hear you shout
Let me hear your joyful cry...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: MMario
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 10:41 AM

dang - I wish I could find the lyrics to this...I know there is at least one more verse I've heard.

what I remember is:

Some come to work, while others to play.
Some come in evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Some come in winter to ward off the chill
some come in summer to drink up their fill
Some come in autumn, and others in spring
But as for me, I come for to sing

Some come to work, while others to play.
Some come in evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Some folks enjoy life, while others do not.
Some love to extol on what they ain't got.
But as for me, it don't mean a thing.
For when I come, I come for to sing.

Some come to work, while others to play.
Some come in evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 10:27 PM

I COME FOR TO SING is sung by Bob Gibson on "Joy Joy! the Young and Wonderful Bob Gibson," Riverside CD #9909, 1996. Authorship is credited to "Gibson, Wright, Young." A sound sample at allmusic has lyrics that are slightly different from those given above:

Some come to dance. Some come to play.
Some merely come to pass time away.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Two Songs
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 06 Jun 05 - 01:03 AM

Some come to dance, some come to play,
Some merely come to pass time away.
Some come to laugh and their voices do ring.
But as for me, i come for to sing.

Some folks they like me, others do not.
Some love to extol on what I ain't got.
But as for me, it don't mean a thing.
I come for to see you, I come for to sing.

(That's how I remember Bob Gibson singing it. He opened many a show with it, back in the late 50s.)
    Sandy

Subject: ADD: I Come For to Sing (Bob Gibson, et al)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 03:22 AM

Here's my transcription of the version sung by Bob Gibson on Joy Joy! the Young and Wonderful Bob Gibson, Riverside CD #9909, 1996

I COME FOR TO SING
(Bob Gibson, Wright, Young)

Some come to dance, some come to play;
Some merely come to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Some folks enjoy me, others do not.
Some love to extol on what I ain't got.
But I don't mind, it don't mean a thing.
I'll keep on comin', comin' to sing.

Some come to dance, some come to play;
Some merely come to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

But as for me, I come for to sing.

---

Other verses Mudcatters have heard:

Limeliters - intro to "There's a Meetin' Here Tonight"
Some come to work, while others to play.
Some come in evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

---

from MMario
Some come in winter to ward off the chill,
Some come in summer to drink up their fill;
Some come in autumn, and others in spring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Some folks enjoy life, while others do not.
Some love to extol on what they ain't got.
But as for me, it don't mean a thing.
For when I come, I come for to sing.

---

from Mike Sands, through Joe Offer
Some come to stay, while others must leave;
Some come to laugh while others still grieve.
But one and all, we want the same thing,
For when we come, we come for to sing.

Any other verses, versions, attributions?

This thread attributes the song to a Maine sea captain named Bob Stuart, but I find the Bob Gibson attribution more credible. The Harry Fox Agency attributes the song to "Gibson, Wright, Jung."

Subject: ADD Version: I Come For To Sing
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 03:58 AM

Here's my transcription of a version sung by a women's group named "Sailor's Dream."

I COME FOR TO SING
(no attribution found)

CHORUS
Some come to work, while others do play.
Some come at evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Some come in winter to ward off the chill,
Some come in summer to drink up their fill;
Some come in autumn, and others in spring,
But when I come, I come for to sing.
CHORUS

Some people have, what others do not.
And some like to tell me 'bout what I ain't got.
But I don't mind, it don't mean a thing.
For when I come, I come for to sing.
CHORUS

Some come to stay, while others must leave;
Some come to laugh while others still grieve.
But one and all, we want the same thing,
For when we come, we come for to sing.
CHORUS

---

Album notes:

Album Notes
Sailor's Dream is a project dreamed up when Tanya Brody realised that there would be 3 fabulous voices at the Colorado Renaissance Festival who could sing together. Tanya Brody, Lolly Foy and Patricia Irby all love singing and playing with vocal harmonies. They were "tossed" up on stage in an empty slot and thus Sailor's Dream began.

Sailor's Prayer is the end result of this collaboration. With songs ranging from hard pulling sea shanties to traditional love songs, to drinking songs and bar room ballads everyone is sure to enjoy this album. Full of wonderful women's vocal harmonizing and fun songs, Sailor's Prayer has been enjoyed people all over the country.

Sailor's Prayer is a must have for anyone who enjoys acapella women's voices. Tanya Brody teams up with Patricia Irby of Canterbury Transfer and Lolly Foy of Wench Work to produce some of the most glorious harmonies ever heard. From heart rending pieces like Sailor's Prayer and Auld Lang Syne to dirty ditties like Twiddles and Tanya's own Maiden's Revenge or good old fashioned drinking songs like Johnny Jump Up and All For Me Grog this album has a full range of emotion and sound. These three women have a blend and a sense of "mojo" (as Patricia calls it) that few groups ever achieve.

This title is available through digital retailers like iTunes and Rhapsody. See Tanya's full discography of recordings here:
http://www.themusesmusic.com/Discography.htm

Subject: ADD Version: I Come For to Sing
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 04:13 AM

One more - Here's my transcription of a five-minute version sung by a somewhat pretentious* group called "The Muses." It's almost the same as the "Sailor's Dream" version, but with more words. Bob Gibson clocks in at 1:20 minutes. I'll stick with him.

I COME FOR TO SING
(no attribution found - as sung by "The Muses")

CHORUS
Some come to work, while others do play.
Some come at evening, to pass time away.
Some come to laugh, their voices do ring,
But as for me, I come for to sing.

Some come in winter to ward off the chill,
Some come in summer to drink up their fill;
Some come in autumn, and others in spring,
But when I come, I come for to sing.
CHORUS

Some live right here, they come all the time,
Some cross the oceans, they come from all climes;
But come by land, or come aye by wing,
You know if I'm here, I came for to sing.
CHORUS

Some come to stay, while others must leave;
Some come to laugh while others still grieve.
But one and all, we want the same thing,
For when we come, we come for to sing.
CHORUS

Some people have, while others have not.
And some like to tell me 'bout what I ain't got.
But I don't mind, it don't mean a thing.
For when I come, I come for to sing.
CHORUS


*Maybe they're very nice people and I shouldn't be saying nasty things like that about them. I do like their verses, but they sound like filkers with a bit of an "affectation."

Subject: RE: req/ADD: I Come For to Sing (Bob Gibson, et al.)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 03:48 PM

YouTube has a nice video of Bob Gibson singing a version of this. Search for "I come for to sing."

Subject: RE: req/ADD: I Come For to Sing (Bob Gibson, et al.)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 05:59 PM

Here's Bob Gibson
Robyn