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Subject: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: AndreasW Date: 19 May 98 - 03:09 AM Hi, fellow mudcateers, I need help with the lyrics of a song called "The Maid from Amsterdam". I am looking for one line which I can't understand from listening to the recording. (English is "only" my second language) The recording is by a group called "Kings Galliard", on the CD called "Rocky Road to Dublin" There are two versions of this song in the database under the title of "A-Rovin" but both didn't help me as they are only similar. I am looking for the exact word(s) in the recording mentioned above. I marked the place where I don't know the word(s) with 3 question marks. Should I have made some errors elsewhere please give me a hint, too. Now the text as I hear/understand it: The Maid from Amsterdam (aka A-Rovin') In Amsterdam there lived a maid, mark well what I do say, In Amsterdam there lived a maid, and she was Mistress of her trade, Chorus [after each verse] I go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ru-i-in I go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. I kissed her once, I kissed her twice, mark well what I do say, I kissed her once, I kissed her twice, said she your men you're all so nice I put my hand upon her knee, mark well what I do say, I put my hand upon her knee, said she you men are fancy-free, I put my arms around her waist, mark well what I do say, I put my arms around her waist, said she don't man, you're ??? [repeat first verse] Thanks for any help, Andreas |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Wolfgang Hell Date: 19 May 98 - 05:10 AM Andreas, enter "maid Amsterdam" in the search window (upper right) and you´ll get one song called A Rovin´ which seems to be the same song. In that song the line is: "...you´re in great haste" Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: AndreasW Date: 19 May 98 - 05:21 AM Thanks Wolfgang, I had found that song in the database but I must have missed the one line I was looking for as there are so many lines that are different (I did the search some days ago after a long working day...). Now after getting your hint I listened to the song again and "you're in great haste" could indeed match what I hear. Thanks again, Andreas |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Bert Date: 19 May 98 - 10:23 AM When I learned a sanitized version of that in school, yonks ago, it was "Plymouth Town". I wonder which version was earliest. Bert. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Barry Finn Date: 19 May 98 - 03:24 PM Sometimes it has an extra refrain, example:
In Amsterdam there lived a maid
Grand Chorus: A-rovin, a-rovin,a-rovin's been my ruin I'll (we'll) go no more a-rovin with you fair maid. Shay say it may have started off it's life back in 1640, in "The Rape Of Lucrece", Hugill doesn't believe this & Doerflinger does't say, but they all agree that's it very old. Most of the song has been prettied up of it's fowl language,to make it printable, so what you see now is probly not what it once was. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Bruce O. Date: 19 May 98 - 10:23 PM The original version has been taken to be "Watton Town's End", with is with tune on my website. There is no version of this or any song like it in Thomas Heywood's 'The Rape Lucrece'. All the songs are in the 1638 edition, and over half of them were in the original 1608 edition, and there are a few bawdy ones, but nothing like the "Maid of Amsterdam". |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: BK Date: 20 May 98 - 12:29 AM Interesting; I partly learned this - sl different version - from an old reference book which clearly & unequivocally attributed it to "The Rape of Lucrecia." Now, what am I to think?? Cheers, BK |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Bruce O. Date: 20 May 98 - 09:42 AM What is the opening line of the song that your ref. book says is in 'The Rape of Lucrece'? |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DID HE TAKE FAIR LUCRECE BY THE TOE MAN From: GUEST,IanC (at British Library) Date: 08 Aug 03 - 09:15 AM This is in response to BruceO's two posts above. I've had this on my list for a while, but I've only just had the chance to consult a copy of the original printing of Heywood's play (1608) in the British Library. Though it's possible to claim that the song isn't in the play, I don't think it's reasonable to claim that there isn't one which is similar. On pages G5 and H (towards the end) of the original is the following trio between Valerius, Horatius and The Clown which, given the subject matter, has to be said to be in rather poor taste. Vale. Did he take fair Lucrece by the toe man? Clow. Toe man. Vale. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha, ha man. Hor. And further did he strive to goe man? Clow. Goe man. Hor. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha man, ha fa derry derry downe a, hey fa derry dino. Vale. Did he take fair Lucrece by the heel man? Clow. Heel man. Vale. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha, ha man. Hor. And did he further strive to feel man? Clow. Feel man. Hor. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha man, ha fa derry derry downe a, hey fa derry dino. Vale. Did he take the Lady by the shin man? Clow. Shin man. Vale. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha, ha man. Hor. Further he too would have bin man? Clow. Bin man. Hor. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha man, ha fa derry derry downe a, hey fa derry dino. Vale. Did he take the Lady by the knee man? Clow. Knee man. Vale. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha, ha man. Hor. Further then that would he be man? Clow. Bee man. Hor. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha man, ha fa derry derry downe a, hey fa derry dino. Vale. Did he take the Lady by the thigh man? Clow. Thigh man. Vale. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha, ha man. Hor. And now he cme it somewhat nye man? Clow. Nye man. Hor. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha man, ha fa derry derry downe a, hey fa derry dino. Vale. But did he do the tother thing man? Clow. Thing man? Vale. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha, ha man. Hor. And at the same had he a fling man? Clow. Fling man. Hor. I man. Clow. Ha, ha, ha man, ha fa derry derry downe a, hey fa derry dino. The correspondence between the songs was originally pointed out by John Masefield (1906) in This Article (well worth the read!) though he got the name of the play wrong, probably because of the full name of the play "The Rape of Lucrece a Roman Tragedie with the severall songes in their apt places, by Valerius, the merry lord amongst the Roman Peeres". :-) |
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Subject: Lyr Add: Song from "Rape of Lucrece" From: GUEST,IanC (in British Library) Date: 08 Aug 03 - 10:26 AM Sorry - 2 things I got wrong. 1st this is a LyrAdd. 2nd the book is Octavo, so the pages should be numbered G4V and HR respectively. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE AMSTERDAM MAID From: GUEST,Q Date: 08 Aug 03 - 01:30 PM Lyr. Add: THE AMSTERDAM MAID In Louisville I met a maid, Mark well what I do say, An' she was mistress of her trade, It was diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my hand upon her toe, Mark well what I do say, She says, Young man, you're rather low, For to diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my finger on her knee, Mark well what I do say, She says, Young man, you're rather free, For its diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my arm around her waist, Mark well what I do say, She says, Young man, you're in great haste, For to diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my hand upon her thigh, Mark well what I do say, She says You're getting pretty nigh, To my diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my hand upon her ass, Mark well what I do say, She says, Let's lay down on the grass, An' diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. From MO, 1933, "learned it about 1890," southwest Missouri. From Randolph-Legman, 1992, "Roll Me in Your Arms," # 20, pp. 124-125. Sheet music provided, not the usual tune. More explicit versions in Ed Cray, "The Erotic Muse." He also reproduces a verse from Purslow, "The Wanton Seed," which may indicate that the son had a long life on shore as well: As I was going over the fields, Mark you well what I do say. As I was going over the fields, A fair pretty lass came close to my heels Which caused me to go a-screwing, Which brought me to my ruin, Which caused me to go a-screwing All under the new mown hay. Watton Town End, mentioned above by Bruce O, is in the DT. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 08 Aug 03 - 02:32 PM I believe "Bruce O" has inadvertently confused this song with the one Hugill calls "Ratcliff Highway," which has been regarded as a descendant of "Watton Towns End." The resemblance seems to me to be rather superficial. A possible missing link may be a song called "The Frigate Well-Mann'd," supposed to be in a chapbook called "Lovely Peggy's Garland" at the British Library, catalogued T.C.6.a.8 (44). Sea song aficionados would be grateful if any 'Cat at said Library could look it up and post the lyrics, or report if they are unfindable. I'm trying to trace the development of these songs. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Jerry Date: 08 Aug 03 - 03:10 PM I don't know Mudcat's norms about bawdy postings. I learned several uncensored verses to Maid of Amsterdam directly from Stan Hugill back in 1989 or so. I'm willing to share them but I'm unsure about what's appropriate language for The Forum. Advice? P.S. I think I know what the answer will be... Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: greg stephens Date: 08 Aug 03 - 03:13 PM Post them. Rude songs are perfectly standard on Mudcat. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MAID OF AMSTERDAM From: GUEST,Jerry Date: 08 Aug 03 - 04:45 PM OK, twist my arm. Stan sang these verses during the infamous Uncensored Sea Songs workshop at the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival in '88 or '89. I had the luck to share the stage with him, along with a couple of other unwitting folks who, like me, thought that "uncensored" meant ribald, double-entendre material. Stan talked a bit to introduce things, but then Tom Lewis, who was in the audience, asked to share a song from his Royal Navy days. He stepped forward and proceeded to sing two of the most graphic and obscene songs I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. That set the tone, and must have induced Stan to open up his treasure box of "the real versions" of chanteys. Here's his take on MAID OF AMSTERDAM: In Amsterdam there lived a maid Mark well what I do say! In Amsterdam there lived a maid And she was mistress of her trade. I'll go no more a rovin'... I took this fair maid to the park Mark well... And we set down where it was dark. I put my hand upon her breast... And the wind from her ass blew south southwest. The flesh of her breast was as white as milk... And the hair of her cunt was soft as silk. The cheeks of her ass were tight as a drum... And the lips of her cunt were red as a plum. Her belly it was soft and wide... And it gave me such a lovely ride. I have always hoped his wife or sons would publish the collection of unbowdlerized chanteys he hinted he had in his files. No sign of it yet, unfortunately. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Bruce O. Date: 09 Aug 03 - 11:23 AM I goofed. "Watton Town's End" supplies the prostitute whose trade is with sailors to whom she gives a case of the pox, but that's only a sparce frame to hang the anatomical progression on.
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Subject: Lyr Add: GENTLY JOHNNY MY JINGALO From: GUEST Date: 09 Aug 03 - 12:50 PM The version of "Gently Johnny my Jingalo" in the DT has been rewritten. Here is the version that Cecil Sharp actually collected (from William Tucker in 1907).
GENTLY JOHNNY MY JINGALOI put my hand all on her toe Fair maid is a lily O I put my hand all on her toe She says to me do you want to go?
CHORUS: Come to me quietly
I put my hand all on her knee I put my hand all on her thigh I put my hand all on her billy I put my hand all on her breast I put my hand all on her head |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Anne Croucher Date: 09 Aug 03 - 01:11 PM Also I took this fair maid for a walk Mark well what I do say I took this fair maid for a walk Says she 'young man I'd rather talk' The last line of the first lot verses I know are all 'says she 'young man.... and are all generally off putting, then the last two verses are When I had to go to sea Mark well .... When I had to go to sea That girl said she'd be true to me When I got back home from sea Mark well... When I got back home from sea A soldier had her on his knee Anne |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THERE WERE THREE BIRDS From: GUEST,Q Date: 09 Aug 03 - 01:45 PM Lyr. Add: THERE WERE THREE BIRDS (Three Birds 2) There were three birds that built very low, The first and the second cry'd, "Have at her toe." The third he went merrily in and in, in, Refrain (add to each verse) Oh, never went wimble in timber more nimble With so little screwing and knocking on't in, With so little knocking in. There were three birds that built on a pin. The first and the second cry'd, "Have at her shin." The third he went merrily in and in, in. There were three birds that built on a tree. The first and the second cry'd, "Have at her knee," And the third he went merrily in and in, in. There were three birds that built very high. The first and the second cry'd, "Have at her thigh." The third he went merrily in and in, in. There were three birds that built on a stump. The first and the second cry'd, "Have at her rump." The third he went merrily in and in, in. 1661 edition of "Merry Drollery," printed and discussed in Ed Cray, "The Erotic Muse," 2nd. ed., 1992, p. 319-320. Birds = men, wimble = auger. Cray says that this seems to be the earliest known of these progression songs. The McCurdy version in the DT is shortened and somewhat revised. Also see thread 26717 for comment. Bruce O on McCurdy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,LIGHTER Date: 12 Aug 03 - 02:21 PM Hi, Bruce O and Q ! The songs you mention are most apposite. A similar progression features in Planxty's song "Cumhla." I believe this is a translation from Irish; if so, they may well have altered it somewhat. Haven't heard the song in years, further info would be welcome. (Besides being catchy and well performed, the song is notable because, unlike the examples here, it's expressed from the bemused lady's POV - as I recall ! Hi to Jerry as well ! I too was at Mystic that day, but didn't catch the stanza about "a lovely ride." Anyway, one year later we came back for more. Stan was there in great form, but he declined to perform any more "uncensored" sea songs on a public stage. He confessed the performance context had made him uncomfortable : "In the old days, a bunch of sailors might be singing those songs in some sailortown pub, but if a decent woman walked in, they'd immediately shut up." I agree the uncensored shanties should be published for the cultural record. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Bruce O. Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:19 PM After copying out "Pillycock" from 'Pills to Purge Melancholy', I find it's already in DT. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 12 Aug 03 - 04:32 PM "Pillycock" lyrics are close kin to aforesaid "Cumhla." Planxty version begins something like, "Who is that there now ticklin' the toes of me?" with each stanza progressing further. It's not in Digitrad. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE JOLLY BEGGAR From: GUEST,Brian N. Date: 07 Jan 06 - 12:18 PM I was wondering about a possible link between this song (A-Rovin') and the Jolly Begger(man) as in the Child Ballad... I see alot of resemblance. The Jolly Beggar It's of a jolly beggarman came tripping o'er the plain He came unto a farmer's door a lodging for to gain The farmer's daughter she came down and viewed him cheek and chin She says, He is a handsome man. I pray you take him in We'll go no more a roving, a roving in the night We'll go no more a roving, let the moon shine so bright We'll go no more a roving He would not lie within the barn nor yet within the byre But he would in the corner lie down by the kitchen fire o then the beggar's bed was made of good clean sheets and hay And down beside the kitchen fire the jolly beggar lay The farmer's daughter she got up to bolt the kitchen door And there she saw the beggar standing naked on the floor He took the daughter in his arms and to the bed he ran Kind sir, she says, be easy now, you'll waken our goodman Now you are no beggar, you are some gentleman For you have stolen my maidenhead and I am quite undone I am no lord, I am no squire, of beggars I be one And beggars they be robbers all, so you re quite undone |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Charley Noble Date: 08 Jan 06 - 12:03 PM Brian- The chorus does have a resemblance but there are a lot of songs that may have been mixed into the stew to come of with Maid of Amersterdam. The tunes also do not correlate. Now Jerry's verses from Stan Hugill do open some new territory. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Brian N. Date: 08 Jan 06 - 10:57 PM Thanks for the response, I guess what I am trying to figure out is when did the song originate? and what were the original lyrics? Is it Elizabethan or is that a "myth". The Rape Of Lucrece I would agree with what Hugill writes in Song Of The Sea (1977): "The verses describing the progress of the seduction have a faint resemblance to those in a song [Rape Of Lucrece].... but this is a common technique in folksong and no measure of age" Originally it seems Stan thought it possible to be Elizabethan when he wrote in Shanties Of The Seven Seas, 1961, that is was of: "fair antiquity...Some say the tune of A-rovin' is Elizabethan; this may be quite true" He changes his mind by 1977, in Songs Of The Sea, he writes: "Certain authorities, in the past, have claimed this shanty to be of Elizabethan origin, but I diagree entirely..." Is it possbile that A-Rovin' and Maid Of Amsterdam were at one time different songs and then combined?? EG.. Johnny My Jingalo which bears a closer resemblance to the Rape Of Lucrece and many of the landmen songs such as The Jolly Begger(man) -- thus placing the song more of 18th C. Personally I think something of the Rape Of Lucrece as a source... Since so much was passed by word of mouth, I find it difficult to beleive there is no truth in what Captain W.B. Whall, and Masefield write of the origins --- certainly this ia a rumour which must have circulated at sea for some time. Does anyone have more insight as to the 16th C. origins??? Thanks, Brian |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Brian N. Date: 09 Jan 06 - 01:22 AM Oh, should also mention that all the songs from Heywood's, Rape of Lucrece is available online in the Restoration Theatre Song Archive: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/english/research/Archive/codespages/code16.htm There is one DUTCH song listed for Rape Of Lucrece, O Mork giff men ein man but doesn't seem to fit --- some really good songs in the play though!! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Lighter Date: 09 Jan 06 - 09:55 PM As IanC observed earlier in this thread, John Masefield was almost certainly the first writer to connect "A-Roving" with Heywood's song. Later collectors seem to have taken this statement on faith; there's just no likelihood that the resemblance was passed on by word of mouth at sea ("Arrrrrgh! Know ye that 'A-Rovin'' comes from a seventeenth-century play by Thomas Heywood called 'The Rape of Lucrece'?" : Sorry, this just doesn't work for me !). Hugill printed the Heywood song in "Shanties and Sailor Songs" in 1969. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,Brian Date: 10 Jan 06 - 07:51 PM Thanks for that insight. I misunderstood, I thought Masefield had "heard" that it came from Rape Of Lucrece, as in he stumbled upon some rumour or had read it somewhere else... and was just one of many who claimed it came from the play. I didn't realize he is the one who originated the statement in 1905. I was thinking the rumour more likely to be that the song came from some old play -- and a few decided to research this...like Whall, Wood, Masefield etc.. to narrow the roots. I am just curious how Masefield was able to pinpoint Rape Of Lucrece as a source, or did he just read through a bunch of plays until he found one that had a seduction sequence that seemed to have some antiquity. Curious? Thanks, Brian |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: IanC Date: 11 Jan 06 - 06:15 AM Brian John Masefield was educated. ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Flash Company Date: 11 Jan 06 - 10:33 AM Frank O'Reilly with the Union Folk used a verse after 'I put my hand upon her thigh' as follows And why did I no further go, mark well what I do say, Why did I no further go, Because her leg was cork, you know I'll go no more a roving with you fair maid. FC |
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Subject: Lyr Add: A-ROVING (Davis & Tozer) From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 10 Jun 07 - 01:49 PM Lyr. Add: A-ROVING Davis and Tozer, 1887 1. Solo In Amsterdam there lives a maid, Mark you well what I say! In Amsterdam there lives a maid, And she is mistress of her trade, I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid. Chorus A-roving, a-roving, Since roving's been my ruin, I'll go no more a-roving From you fair maid. 2. Solo Her eyes are like two stars so bright, Mark you well what I say! Her eyes are like two stars so bright, Her face is fair, her step is light; I'll go no more a roving from you, fair maid. Chorus A-roving, a-roving, Since roving's been my ruin, I'll go no more a-roving From you, fair maid. 3. Solo Her cheeks are like the rosebuds', red, Mark you well what I say! Her cheeks are like the rosebuds', red, There's a wealth of hair upon her head; I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid. 4. Solo I often take her for a walk, Mark you well what I say! I often take her for a walk, And love to hear her merry talk; I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid. 5. Solo I love this fair maid as my life, Mark you well what I say! I love this fair maid as my life, And soon she'll be my little wife; I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid. 6. Solo And if you'd know this maiden's name, Mary you well what I say! And if you'd know this maiden's name, Why soon like mine, 'twill be the same, I'll go no more a-roving from you, fair maid. Davis and Tozer give in full a version 37(b), "Simplified Version," which differs in music but not words. Frederick J. Davis and Ferris Tozer, 1887 and later eds. (with 37b added to revised ed.), "Sailors' Songs or 'Chanties,'" pp. 68-71, Boosey & Co., Ltd., London. Lacks the ribald verses added by chantey |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 10 Jun 07 - 03:48 PM Last sentence cut off for some reason. Lacks the ribald verses added by many chantey 'singers', and, perhaps by some sailors on undisciplined vessels. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: GUEST,PMB Date: 11 Jun 07 - 05:47 AM But then I got an awful shock Mark well what I do say For I put my hand upon her cock pause ---- (Her COCK?) For her skirt was a kilt And her name was Jock, I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: shipcmo Date: 12 Apr 10 - 04:16 PM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Snuffy Date: 12 Apr 10 - 07:33 PM I put my hand upon the spot Mark well etc She said "Now you know what I've got" I took one look and nearly died Mark well etc 'Twas secret agent Henry Hyde |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: EBarnacle Date: 13 Apr 10 - 09:54 AM For years, I have been doing: 'Twas then she let all her clothes fall, mwwids,... I took one look and turned to go.... 'Twas detective Frankie Serpico. It's hard to realize that so many years have gone by since that [in]famous ribald sea chantey symposium. I asked Stan for access to his archive of ribald chanteys and his reply was that Gershon Legman had it and was going to publish it one of these days. I asked him for a backup copy and he, gentleman that he was, said that he'd think of it. Legman is, I believe, gone and there is still no book or album. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: EBarnacle Date: 13 Apr 10 - 09:57 AM By the way, has anyone got a recording of that event? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 13 Apr 10 - 04:41 PM Legman died in 1999. Google has put together a comprehensive list of his books and articles, including translations into French and German. Nothing on the sea chantey. Search inauthor:Gershon inauthor:Legman |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Lighter Date: 13 Apr 10 - 04:49 PM The Hugill/Legman material has been discussed here: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=74245#1293479 There appear to have been no further developments. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr help req: Maid from Amsterdam From: Charley Noble Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:06 PM Where is the "ghost whisper" when we need her? Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: GUEST Date: 02 Feb 11 - 01:34 PM Where did you find the John Masefield article? I'm working on a paper on Heywood right now and this would be an intriguing connection to look up. The article link is no longer there. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 02 Feb 11 - 02:23 PM See Masefield, "A Sailors Garland ...", 1906, etc. and other references in The New Cambridge Bibliography...., vol. 5, found by entering Masefield, 1906, in Google. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: Gibb Sahib Date: 02 Feb 11 - 03:38 PM See also Luce's "Naval Songs" (1883), which I believe has the earliest *chanty* related published mention of "A-roving"...(so far) Here's what Luce gives for title and lyrics -- which are, unfortunately, nothing special: LEE-GANGWAY CHORUS In Amsterdam there dwelt a maid, And her you ought to sea. In Amsterdam there dwelt a maid, And making baskets was her trade. I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. A-roving, a-roving, since roving's been my ruin, I'll go no more a-roving with you, fair maid. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: GUEST,SteveG Date: 02 Feb 11 - 05:42 PM GUEST, If you look back up the thread you'll see that the only connection between Heywood and 'A-Roving' is the use of a very common motif that can be found in numerous songs and forms. There is no direct connection at all and nothing really to suggest that they are related. Check Lighter's post. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: Lighter Date: 03 Feb 11 - 01:27 PM The "Secret agent 'Enry 'Yde" business was recorded by Oscar Brand in the 1950s. He either invented it or got it from a very contemporary source. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: GUEST,Bobby T. Date: 16 Aug 14 - 07:14 AM Very recent version from Nils Brown appearing on a pirate-themed video-game calle Assassins Creed Black Flag (along with about a dozen other old shanties) has a different ending all along: Then a great big dutchman rammed my bow Mark well, what I do say A great big dutchman rammed my bow And said: "Young man, this is my frouw!" So take a warning, boys, from me Mark well, what I do say So take a warning, boys, from me With other man's wifes don't make too free |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Maid from Amsterdam / Amsterdam Maid From: Lighter Date: 16 Aug 14 - 08:56 AM Nice addition. It comes from Harlow's book; he got it from Fred Buryeson's 1909 article, so it seems to be genuine. |
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Subject: ADD Version: A-Rovin' From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Feb 17 - 03:11 AM We have two versions of this song in the Digital Tradition, and other versions scattered all around. I thought it might be an idea to consolidate them into this one thread that has most of the versions we have posted. Here's our first version from the Digital Tradition: A-ROVIN' (1) In Amsterdam there lived a Maid Mark well what I do say! In Amsterdam there lived a maid And she was mistress of her trade I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid One night I crept from my abode Mark etc. One night I crept from my abode To meet this fair maid down the road I'll go etc. I met this fair maid after dark And took her to her favorite park. I took this fair maid for a walk And we had such a loving talk. I put me arm around her waist Sez she, "Young man, you're in great haste!" I put my hand upon her knee Sez she, "Young man you're rather free!" I put my hand upon her thigh Sez she, "Young man you're rather high!" * She sore that she'd be true to me But spent me pay-day fast and free In three weeks time I was badly bent Then off to sea I sadly went. In a bloodboat Yank bound round Cape Horn Me boots and clothes were all in pawn Bound up Cape Stiff through ice and snow And up the coast to Cally-o An' then back to the Liverpool Docks Saltpeter stowed in our boots an' socks Now when I got home from sea A soger had her on his knee. * I've omitted 7 of Hugill's rather clumsy attempts to sanitize the song. If you can't figure out how an "anatomical progression" works, you're beyond help. RG From Shanties from the Seven Seas, Hugill @bawdy @sailor @work filename[ AROVIN1 TUNE FILE: AROVIN.1 CLICK TO PLAY TUNE FILE: AROVIN.2 CLICK TO PLAY RG A-ROVIN' (alternate titles: Amsterdam or The Maid of Amsterdam) In Amsterdam there lived a maid Mark well what I do say! In Amsterdam there lived a maid And she was mistress of her trade We'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid CHORUS A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's bin me ru-i-in We'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid 2. One night I crept from my abode. Ch. Mark well what I do say! One night I crept from my abode To meet this fair maid down the road. Ch. We'll go no more a-rovin' with you, fair maid. Full Chorus A-rov.in', a-rovin', Since rovin's bin me ru-i-in, We'll go no more a-rovin', With you, fair maid. 3. I met this fair maid after dark, An' took her to her favourite park. 4. I took this fair maid for a walk, An' we had such a lovin' talk. 5. I put me arm around her waist, Sez she, 'Young man, yer in great haste!' 6. I put me hand upon her knee, Sez she, 'Young man, yer rather free!' 7. I put me hand upon her thigh, Sez she, 'Young man, yer rather high!' 8. I towed her to the Maiden's Breast, From south the wind veered wes'sou'west [sou'sou'westj. 9. An' the eyes in her head turned east an' west, And her thoughts wuz as deep as an ol' sea-chest. 10. We had a drink—of grub a snatch, We sent two bottles down the hatch. 11. Her dainty arms wuz white as milk, Her lovely hair wus soft as silk. 12. Her heart wuz poundin' like a drum, Her lips wuz red as any plum. 13. We laid down on a grassy patch, An' I felt such a ruddy ass. 14. She pushed me over on me back, She laughed so hard her lips did crack. 15. She swore that she'd be true to me, But spent me pay-day fast and free. 16. In three weeks' time I wuz badly bent, Then off to sea I sadly went. 17. In a bloodboat Yank bound round Cape Horn, Me boots an' clothes wuz all in pawn. 18. Bound round Cape Stiff through ice an' snow, An' up the coast to Callyo. 19. An' then back to the Liverpool Docks, Saltpetre stowed in our boots an' socks. 20. Now when I got back home from sea, A soger had her on his knee. The last three or four stanzas are fairly modern. Saltpetre, guano, and all kinds of nitrates were shipped from the west coast of South America to British and continental ports mainly in the latter days of sail. Source: Shanties from the Seven Seas, collected by Stan Hugill (1961), pp. 48-49 In the Digital Tradition, Dick Greenhaus says, "I've omitted 7 of Hugill's rather clumsy attempts to sanitize the song. If you can't figure out how an "anatomical progression" works, you're beyond help. RG" Well, maybe because I spent 8 years in a Catholic seminary, I guess I'm beyond help. I never can figure these things. out. So, what were the actual words that Hugill sanitized from? I put the verses Dick omitted in italics. Please, somebody put me out of my innocent misery and tell me what the words really were... -Joe- Up above, Jerry filled in most of the blanks for us. Here's Jerry's post. Can anybody add more? Thread #5070 Message #999107 Posted By: GUEST,Jerry 08-Aug-03 - 04:45 PM Thread Name: Origins:Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid/A-Rovin Subject: Lyr Add: MAID OF AMSTERDAM
OK, twist my arm. |
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Subject: RE: DTStudy: A-Rovin' From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Feb 17 - 03:14 AM ...and the second version in the Digital Tradition also fills in some of the blanks from the Hugill version - where's this one from? A-ROVIN' (2) In Portsmouth town there lived a maid Bless you young women In Portsmouth town there lived a maid Do mind what I do say! In Portsmouth town there lived a maid The British Navy was her trade, I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid. A-rovin', a-rovin', since rovin's been my ru-i-in I'll go no more a-rovin' with you fair maid. She swore to me that she was true Bless etc. She swore to me that she was true Do mind etc. She's true to me, she's true to you She's true to the whole damn Navy, too I'll go no more etc. I put me hand upon her toe Sez she,"Young man, you're rather low" I put me hand upon her knee Sez she,"Young man, you're makion' free" I put me hand upon her thigh Sez she,"Young man, you're drawin' nigh" I put me hand upon her thatch Sez she,"Young man, that's my main hatch" I slipped me mainmast to her blocks Sez she, "Young man, I've got the pox!" @bawdy @sailor @work filename[ AROVIN2 TUNE FILE: AROVIN.2 CLICK TO PLAY TUNE FILE: AROVIN.1 CLICK TO PLAY RG |
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Subject: RE: DTStudy: A-Rovin' From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Feb 17 - 03:17 AM Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on this song: A-Rovin'DESCRIPTION: In this cautionary tale, a sailor meets an Amsterdam maid, fondles portions of her body progressively, has sex with her, and catches the pox. She leaves him after he has spent all his money.AUTHOR: unknown EARLIEST DATE: 1887 (College Songs) KEYWORDS: bawdy disease sailor warning whore FOUND IN: Britain(England,Scotland(Aber)) US(MA,NE,So,SW) Australia REFERENCES (20 citations): GreigDuncan7 1479, "A-Rovin', A-Rovin'" (1 fragment, 1 tune) Walton/Grimm/Murdock, pp. 36-38, "A-Roving" (1 composite text, 1 tune) Colcord, pp. 87-88, "A-Roving" (1 text, 1 tune) Harlow, pp. 49-52, "A-Roving" (2 texts, 2 tunes) Hugill, pp. 48-52, 101, "A-Roving" (6 texts plus 3 fragments, 4 tunes; the 5th text is "Go Rowing," a 1916 Norwegian adaptation by Henrik Wergelands taken from Brochmann's "Opsang Fra Seilskibstiden." p.101 is a version of "A Long Time Ago") [AbrEd pp. 46-48] Sharp-EFC, XXV, pp. 28-29, "A-Roving" (1 text, 1 tune) Cray, pp. 64-67, "A-Rovin'" (1 text, 1 tune) Randolph-Legman I, pp. 124-125, "The Maid of Amsterdam" (1 text, 1 tune) Doerflinger, pp. 56-58, "A-Roving" (2 texts, 2 tunes) Bone, pp. 99-103, "Amsterdam" (1 censored text, 1 tune) Shay-SeaSongs, pp. 80-81, "Maid of Amsterdam (A-Roving)" (1 text, 1 tune) Linscott, pp. 125-130, "Amsterdam" [1 fragment, 1 tune, censored by the informant) Meredith/Covell/Brown, p. 96, "A-roving" (1 text, 1 tune) Finger, pp. 156-157, "The Amsterdam Maid" (1 text, 1 tune) JHJohnson, p. 51, "The Amsterdam Maid" (1 text) Fireside, p. 168. "A-Roving" (1 text, 1 tune) Silber-FSWB, p. 89, "A-Roving" (1 text) DT, AROVIN1* AROVIN2* ADDITIONAL: Captain John Robinson, "Songs of the Chantey Man," a series published July-August 1917 in the periodical _The Bellman_ (Minneapolis, MN, 1906-1919). "A'Rovin" is in Part 1, 7/14/1917. ADDITIONAL: Henry Randall Waite, _College Songs: A Collection of New and Popular Songs of the American Colleges_, new and enlarged edition, Oliver Ditson & Co., 1887, p. 80, "A-Roving!" (1 text, 1 tune, probably cleaned up as the girl merely causes the man to spend all his money) (part 3, p. 74 in the 1876 edition) Roud #649 RECORDINGS: Richard Maitland, "A-Roving" (AFS, 1939; on LC26) Stanley Slade & chorus: "A'Roving" (on Lomax41, LomaxCD1741) CROSS-REFERENCES: cf. "The Fire Ship" (plot) and references there cf. "All Under the New Mown Hay" cf. "Yo Ho, Yo Ho" (theme, lyrics) cf. "Tickle My Toe" (theme) cf. "The Girl in Portland Street" (plot, theme) cf. "Baltimore (Up She Goes)" (theme) cf. "Ye Wanton Young Women" (theme, chorus lines) NOTES: This is a partial formula song in that the sailor begins at the knee, moves up to the thigh, and then to the "snatch." See "Yo Ho, Yo Ho" ("I Put My Hand") for extended treatment of this formula. - EC Some similar lines are found in Thomas Heywood's "The Rape of Lucrece" (c. 1607), and Shay traces this piece back to that time (Masefield also accepts, and may have originated, this identification), but Doerflinger states that they are not the same song. The version collected by Meredith from Wally Marshall has an unusual ending; when the singer places his hand upon the girl's breast, she breaks wind, seemingly causing him to abandon the venture. In College Songs (1887), there is a song "Rig-a-jig," with verses "As I was walking down the street, Heigho (x4), A pretty girl I chanced to meet...." "Said I to her, 'What is your trade?' ... Said she to me, 'I'm a weaver's maid.'" I suspect dependence, but the song ends after two verses, so it is not clear how it proceeded. Or, rather, I suspect it IS clear but the song has been cleaned up by excision. - RBW Roud assigns #7181 to the GreigDuncan7 fragment, which changes the sex of the object, viz., "I'll gang nae mair a rovin' wi' you, young man." The fragment of the chorus gives no idea of the rest of the song so I have chosen to lump this text with the common "A-Rovin'." - BS Last updated in version 4.0 File: EM064 Go to the Ballad Search form Go to the Ballad Index Instructions The Ballad Index Copyright 2016 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle. |
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Subject: ADD Version: The Amsterdam Maid From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Feb 17 - 04:37 AM THE AMSTERDAM MAID In Louisville I met a maid, Mark well what I do say, An' she was mistress of her trade, It was diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my hand upon her toe, Mark well what I do say, She says, Young man, you're rather low, For to diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my finger on her knee, Mark well what I do say, She says, Young man, you're rather free, For it's diddle, diddle, diddle alla day I put my arm around her waist, Mark well what I do say, She says, Young man, you're in great haste For to diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my hand upon her thigh, Mark well what I do say, She says, You're getting pretty nigh To my diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. I put my hand upon her ass, Mark well what I do say, She says, Let's lay down on the grass An' diddle, diddle, diddle alla day. Sung as above by Mr. L. B., Joplin, Missouri, April 14, 1933. He learned it about 1890, in southwest Missouri. Randolph notes: "This is 'The Amsterdam Maid,' found in many songbooks. See: Finger, Frontier Ballads (1927) pp. 156—57; Johnson, Bawdy Ballads and Lusty Lyrics (1935) pp. 32—33; Joanna Colcord, Songs of American Seamen (1938) p. 87; Burl Ives, Song Book (1953) pp. 114—15." Again, this is a world-famous song, with half a dozen fine melodies—that given here not being one of them—which would require the space of a monograph properly to display and discuss. Numerous older British country versions exist, the usual bawdy nautical form being a recent development, with its usual title "A-Rovin'," and probably the best tunes, in Hugill, Shanties from the Seven Seas, pp. 46—51 and 101 with four tunes. See a few further references in Cray, Erotic Muse, pp. 18—19 and 152, the most valuable being to the still unpublished Robert Gordon manuscripts. Source: Roll Me In Your Arms: 'Unprintable' Ozark Folksongs and Folklore, Volume 1 (collected by Vance Randolph, edited by G. Legman, University of Arkansas Press, 1992) - #20, page 124 |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: doc.tom Date: 15 Feb 17 - 05:40 AM The 'Bless you young women' second line (A-roving 2 above) comes from [only?] John Short - but the rest of the verses above are not his. What isn't in any of the verses quoted above is Short's 'I lift this fair maid over the stile... and nine months after she had a little child' verse - go on, you can work it out! |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: GUEST Date: 30 Mar 20 - 07:47 PM The way I heard it, the progression is well preserved. In Amsterdam there lived a maid, etc. In Amsterdam there lived a maid and she was mistress of her trade. I"ll go no more a-rovin with you, fair maid. I took this fair maid for a walk, etc. And we had such a loving talk. I put my hand upon her knee, etc. She said young man you're very free I put my hand around her waist, etc. She said young man you're in great haste. I put my hand upon her patch, etc. She said young man that's my main hatch. In six weeks' time I was badly bent, etc. And off to see I sadly went. |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: Steve Gardham Date: 31 Mar 20 - 03:58 AM Other bawdy songs that use this common progression can be found in Cray. Yo ho, yo ho and Billy go leary And I remember from 60s folk clubs a version of 'Bound for Baltimore' that had it. 'Yo ho' I remember from the 50s. It went to the tune of 'Johnny I hardly knew ye' I put me hand upon her toe, yo ho, yo ho, I put me hand upon her toe, yo ho, yo ho I put me hand upon her toe She said young man you're rather low, Stick it in, stick it out, stop muckin about, Yo ho, yo ho. Vaguely remember the progression was 'calf, knee, thigh, (Can't remember the last one.) but there's a version in Rugby Songs |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: GUEST,lamarca's OM Date: 03 Apr 20 - 01:18 AM I "...acquired a certain measure of... renown" in, maybe, 8th grade? when I learned this from Oscar Brand's "Bawdy Songs and Backroom Ballads". He sings the "...Secret Agent 'Enry 'Yde" as the last verse, as mentioned above by Snuffy. |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: Steve Gardham Date: 03 Apr 20 - 05:51 AM Just remembered. I think it was 3 'yoho's on the end. |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: mg Date: 03 Apr 20 - 08:11 PM kipling wrote a poem to this...in lowestoft a boat was made and she was made for the herring trade The Lowestoft Boat (East Coast Patrols) 1914–18 IN Lowestoft a boat was laid, Mark well what I do say! And she was built for the herring trade, But she has gone a-rovin’, a-rovin’, a-rovin’, The Lord knows where! 5 They gave her Government coal to burn, And a Q. F. gun at bow and stern, And sent her out a-rovin’, etc. Her skipper was mate of a bucko ship Which always killed one man per trip, 10 So he is used to rovin’, etc. Her mate was skipper of a chapel in Wales, And so he fights in topper and tails— Religi-ous tho’ rovin’, etc. Her engineer is fifty-eight, 15 So he’s prepared to meet his fate, Which ain’t unlikely rovin’, etc. Her leading-stoker’s seventeen, So he don’t know what the Judgments mean, Unless he cops ’em rovin’, etc. 20 Her cook was chef in the Lost Dogs’ Home, Mark well what I do say! And I’m sorry for Fritz when they all come A-rovin’, a-rovin’, a-roarin’ and a-rovin’, Round the North Sea rovin’, 25 The Lord knows where! |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: GUEST,sailon Date: 27 Nov 20 - 12:19 AM I the movie "Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure" (1979)(starring Anthony Hopkins), near the beginning, the sailors sing A-Rovin'. The religious pilgrims shut their ears to the lewd lyrics. |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: Lighter Date: 25 Feb 21 - 01:57 PM At an 1888 reunion of Yankee Civil War veterans in Boston, "Miller...sang 'A Roaming I Will Go With You, Fair Maid." --National Tribune (Washington, D.C.) (Dec. 6, 1888). |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: Lighter Date: 26 Feb 21 - 09:31 AM Oscar Brand's note to "Bawdy Songs and Backroom Ballads," vol. 4 (1957): “I learned the ending published herein [“It was secret agent Henry Hyde!”] at a house party at Vassar. It has supplanted in my esteem the older, ‘She was true to me, true to you, true to the rest of the navy, too.’” The "true to the navy" lines are also claimed by "Hinky Dinky Parley-Voo." |
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Subject: Lyr Add: A ROVING From: Lighter Date: 26 Feb 21 - 10:06 AM Sung at Harvard during or immediately after the Civil War. [William Allen Hayes, ed.] Selected Songs Sung at Harvard College: From 1862 to 1866. (Cambridge: pvtly. ptd., June, 1866), pp.30-31. (With a number of other folk songs, incl. a "Golden Vanity" in which the captain is thrown overboard!) A-ROVING I. At number three Old England Square, Mark well what I do say, At number three Old England Square, My Nancy does'nt she live there ; [sic I'll go no more a roving with you, fair maid. CHORUS. A roving, a roving, Since roving's been my ru-i-n, I'll go no more a roving with you, fair maid. II. With love for her my heart did burn, Mark well what I do say, With love for her my heart did burn, And I thought she loved me in return ; I'll go no more a roving with you, fair maid. CHORUS.—A roving, a roving, etc. III. But when my money was gone and spent, Mark well what I do say, But when my money was gone and spent, Then off on her ear away she went ; I'll go no more a roving with you, fair maid. CHORUS.—A roving, a roving, etc. IV. She was a girl a-passing fair, Mark well what I do say, She was a girl a-passing fair, With dark blue eyes and curly hair ; I'll go no more a roving with you, fair maid. CHORUS.—A roving, a roving, etc. V. By this I have a lesson learnt, Mark well what I do say, By this I have a lesson learnt, I'll keep the money that I've earnt, And go no more a roving with any fair maid. CHORUS.—A roving, a roving, etc. |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: Lighter Date: 26 Feb 21 - 10:09 AM That's the earliest version known - a college song. It was reprinted in various college song books over the next few decades. "On her ear": indignantly. |
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Subject: RE: Origins:A-Rovin/Maid from Amsterdam/Amsterdam Maid From: Steve Gardham Date: 26 Feb 21 - 10:34 AM What is very obvious about the song in general is there is absolutely nothing in the song itself that says it is a chanty, or even to mark it out as a chanty. So the earliest version, if that is what it is, is very much a shore-based song! |
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