Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!

Subject: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: M.Ted
Date: 07 Feb 02 - 11:46 AM

Of course, we all are concerned and hoping for the safe return of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped, presumably by fundamentalist Pakistani terrorists--it is particularly poignant because his wife is pregnant--He turns out to be a fiddler who played a lot in the DC area--less than six degrees of separation here-- From yesterday's Washington Post:

A Deeper Shade of Bluegrass for Danny

By Lloyd Grove Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, February 6, 2002; Page C03

Madam's Organ owner Bill Duggan didn't quite recognize the face. "When I saw the picture in the paper, I knew I'd seen him, but I didn't place him as the same guy," Duggan told us yesterday. "I just knew him as Danny. Then [bluegrass musician] Bob Perilla called me and was very upset. He wanted to know if there was any way to paint this guy as something other than a reporter or a CIA agent, which they were then trying to make him out to be."

So tonight the Washington bluegrass community will gather at Madam's Organ in Adams Morgan to pay tribute to kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl -- who used to drop by on bluegrass night each week to play fiddle when he lived in Washington from 1993 to 1995. Duggan recalled that Pearl had long hair, and at one point spikes, when he showed up at the club to perform.

Perilla, of Bob Perilla's Big Hill billy Bluegrass, said his band will play Pearl's favorite tune, the traditional standard "Red Haired Boy." Perilla told us: "He was a spirited player. He had a lot of heart and soul to his music. He was one of us. There is a touchstone of emotional support provided by bluegrass. It has a more somber and reflective and sad quality, and that's the sort of thing we'd ike to try to emphasize and have people think positive thoughts for his quick release."

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: Melani
Date: 08 Feb 02 - 12:41 AM

Ouch. Here's hoping for a safe and speedy release.

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: 53
Date: 08 Feb 02 - 06:49 AM

Yes, let's get him back safely.

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: SharonA
Date: 08 Feb 02 - 06:13 PM

Hoping he'll be home again soon.

I read this at the Washington Post site: "Pearl's French-born wife, Mariane, who is also a journalist, told BBC television this week that she is willing to trade places with her husband and urged the Pakistani kidnappers to contact her. Under the newspaper's emerging media strategy, Mariane Pearl and Managing Editor Paul Steiger have spoken mainly to CNN International, Fox News and the BBC -- all of which reach Pakistan. Pearl's wife has also given statements to two Pakistani newspapers." Yikes.

Anybody have a link to tune or lyrics (if there are any) of "Red Haired Boy"? Perhaps we should arrange to play the song Mudcat-wide at the same time.

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Feb 02 - 09:09 PM

The only lyrics I know that go to the tune of Redhaired Boy is 'The Little Beggarman'. Wouldn't call it bluegrass though.

I am a little beggarman, a begging I have been
For three score years in this little isle of green
I'm known along the Liffey from the Basin to the Zoo
And everybody calls me by the name of Johnny Dhu

Of all the trades a going, sure the begging is the best
For when a man is tired he can sit him down and rest
He can beg for his dinner, he has nothing else to do
But to slip around the corner with his old rigadoo

I slept in a barn one night in Currabawn
A shocking wet night it was, but I slept until the dawn
There was holes in the roof and the raindrops coming through
And the rats and the cats were a-playing peek a boo

Who did I waken but the woman of the house
With her white spotted apron and her calico blouse
She began to frighten and I said boo
Sure, don't be afraid at all, it's only Johnny Dhu

I met a little girl while a walkin out one day
Good morrow little flaxen haired girl, I did say
Good morrow little beggarman and how do you do
With your rags and your tags and your auld rigadoo

I'll buy a pair of leggins and a collar and a tie
And a nice young lady I'll go courting by and by
I'll buy a pair of goggles and I'll color them with blue
And an old fashioned lady I will make her too

So all along the high road with my bag upon my back
Over the fields with my bulging heavy sack
With holes in my shoes and my toes a peeping thru
Singing, skin a ma rink a doodle with my auld rigadoo

O I must be going to bed for it's getting late at night
The fire is all raked and now tis out of light
For now you've heard the story of my auld rigadoo
So good and God be with you, from auld Johnny Dhu

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 09 Feb 02 - 08:07 PM

You can find "Red-Haired Boy", which is the same as the tune for "The Little Beggarman", on this Old-Time Music MIDI Archive -- which is a great site, by the way. Note: I've found the site works better when you access it on IE rather than Netscape.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 02:17 PM

Tragically, this story does not have a happy ending. The Wall Street Journal stated yesterday that "a videotape was delivered to the U.S. consulate in Karachi tonight with gruesome footage showing Pearl being killed with a knife, according to a source close to the investigation. His body has not been found but authorities considered the videotape authentic."

See this thread: OBIT: Daniel Pearl R.I.P.

Guess it's time to learn "Red-Haired Boy" in tribute. I could not find the tune on the site that Mark Cohen linked, but "THE BEGGARMAN'S SONG (JOHNNY DHU) " – same lyrics as posted above – is in the Digital Tradition with a midi file of the tune. Does anyone have a link to "Red-Haired Boy" lyrics if they exist?

I still think we Mudcatters should pick a date and a time, and play the song together.

Sharon

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: Allan S
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 02:59 PM

The news this morning said his throat was cut. I hope the ones who did it rot in Hell

Subject: RED HAIRED BOY / THE BEGGARMAN tabs, chords, midis
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 04:29 PM

Here are some links to flatpicking tabs, chords and more midi files to "Red Haired Boy". There's also a link to a banjo forum where someone else asked for lyrics (and got the same answer as Ebbie provided here!); answers include variations of "The Beggarman" lyrics, for anyone interested in taking a look at them.

Flatpicking tab & midi file: http://www.renesenn.de/flat-red.htm

Flatpicking tab (no midi) – pdf file: http://www.flatpick.com/flatpickjam/tabs/Red_Haired_Boy.pdf

Guitar Workshop tab by Dan Huckabee: http://www.musicians-workshop.com/samples/red_hair.html

Chords and notes: http://rigel.csuchico.edu/~pubscout/tunes/red.html

Midi of guitar solo: http://www.latebloomersmusic.com/lbaudio/rhb.mp3

Discussion of "Red Haired Boy" on a banjo forum (scroll down page): http://listproc.ucdavis.edu/archives/banjo-l/log0001/


All right, then. I'm going to start learning the thing, to play as a tribute to Pearl. Who's with me? :^)

Sharon

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 Feb 02 - 07:16 PM

Quite sad. "MacPherson's Lament" all over again.

Art

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 09:52 AM

Sharon A, why don't you compose one of your thoughtful,soul caring songs about Daniel Pearl, using the same lack of feelings you shared in your auntie song on the other post. the manner of his death must give you some food for thought.

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: kendall
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 04:23 PM

I think we should spread the word that every bullet we use has been dipped in lard.

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: Genie
Date: 23 Feb 02 - 11:10 PM

Nothing new to add, really. I'm heartbroken and thoroughly outraged by this vicious murder and the extraordinary cruelty to Mr. Pearl's family in the way he was killed and his body mutilated. It's hard not to feel some kinship with him and his family from all that has been written about him, including his being a musician.

Art T., It sounds more like William Wallace than MacPherson, unfortunately.

Genie

Subject: RE: Terrorists Kidnapped Bluegrass Fiddler!
From: SharonA
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 02:27 PM

"GUEST, guest" wrote with sarcasm, but (s)he has unwittingly inspired me to write something in a dark and serious vein. Don't worry; I won't post it when it's done!