Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed

Subject: Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed
From: maldenny
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 05:58 PM

I was looking at a broadsheet ballad called "The Comical Wager" in the Bodelian collection, but I haven't been able to find a source for the tune, which is given as "Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed".

There's an unusual two line chorus in between each verse which, I presume, has a different tune to the rest of the song.

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks,

maldenny

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 Oct 02 - 08:09 PM

All I can tell you at the moment is that the broadside is an early version of The Cluster of Nuts, also known as Jack and his Nuts. The refrain doesn't necessarily have to have had a different tune; it could, for example, be a repeat of the second two lines of the verse. There's a traditional tune for the later form of the song in the DT, with a text collated from a fragmentary set noted in the early years of the 20th century and a broadside (unnamed, but not the one you mention).

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 02 - 04:10 PM

Thanks for the information, Malcolm. I'll have a look at the tune and let you know if it fits.

maldenny

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed
From: MMario
Date: 28 Oct 02 - 04:28 PM

I can't find any of the titles in Bruce O's index to thetunes of broadside ballads.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 05:14 AM

Malcolm, I've had a look at "The Cluster of Nuts", and it could be made to fit, though not happily. I might go along with that tune for now. Thanks for the help.

MMario, I'm fairly new to the world of Broadside Ballads - where is Bruce O's index of tunes? I've been restricted to Claude Simpson and the ABC index so far.

maldenny

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Seven Long Years Have I Been Wed
From: masato sakurai
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 07:14 AM

Broadside Ballad Tunes

This is a part of Bruce Olson's web site.

~Masato