Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?

Subject: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: John Routledge
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 08:32 PM

The following is a fragment of a song that I have just recalled from the late 60's in the UK following a very nostalgic night.

Hawthorn white and hawthorn red
Hanging in the garden by my bed
Tell me simple tell me true
When comes the winter what must I do?

I have a lute and I have a lyre
A black cat sits down by my fire
A nightingale to my tree is tied
That bird looks sick the hawthorn cried.

It was sung by Ellis Holiday and Dereck Proctor.

Any clues concerning the remainder greatly appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 08:38 PM

Found this from the "Pagent of Letchworth"
HAWTHORN

CLOSE-LEAVED trees with bowers bedight-
    Hawthorn red and hawthorn white;
    Crowns, with pearls and rubies spread—
Hawthorn white and hawthorn red.
To our Common comes the Spring
    Laying it with foamy billows;
Nightingales and thrushes sing
    Resting on its snowy pillows.

Will look for the lute verse.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Nov 02 - 08:41 PM

No luck at all. Sorry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: nutty
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 04:37 AM

I've vague memories of hearing Graeme Miles sing this song ...... I will get in touch with him ...... watch this space

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: IanC
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 05:42 AM

Sorcha

Is that on the web?

:-) ... Ancient Letchworth resident

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: nutty
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 07:08 AM

Yes Ian ...its here

LETCHWORTH

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: IanC
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 10:32 AM

Thanks, Nutty! ... :-)

Subject: ADD: Hawthorn White, Hawthorn Red
From: nutty
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 02:07 PM

I've spoken to Graeme and my memory was correct for once.

To the best of his recollection he heard the song in Newcastle sung by a gentleman called Ronnie Duke ..... He thought that it may be a traditional Northumberland song as he remembered singing something similar at school but he has since learned that it may have been written by Charles Causley ....... I did an internet search but have not been able to come up with the Causley version .... someone else may have more luck ....
anyhow .. this is how Graeme remembers the words

Hawthorn White, Hawthorn Red

Hawthorne white, hawthorne red
Hanging in the garden overhead
Tell me simple, tell me true
When winter comes what will I do

I have a house with chimneys four
I have a silver bell on my door
A single hearth, a single bed
But that's not enough the hawthorn said

I have a lute, I have a lyre
I have a yellow cat by my fire
A Nightingale to my tree is tied
But never sings the hawthorn cried

I have a horse with wings for feet
I have a chicken each day to eat
When I was born the church bells rang
But just for time the hawthorn sang

I have a silk and satin spread
That runs blood red round my bed head
So why is my heart as light as lead
There's no love there the hawthorne said


Graeme sometimes sings the first verse as a chorus and also adds an extra verse (verse 4) that he wrote.

I have a garden filled with flowers
Where I walk for many long hours
Roses white and Roses red
But they'll soon wither the hawthorne said

Hope that helps you John ....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: MMario
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 02:12 PM

tune? (he said greedily)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: nutty
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 03:57 PM

Sorry MMario but I don't know the tune well enough to make a Midi .... perhaps John can help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: John Routledge
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 04:49 PM

Yes Nutty I know the tune. I am a bit of a tecnophobe so i will sing it down the phone :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: MMario
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 04:50 PM

co-operation is the name of the game!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: John Routledge
Date: 26 Nov 02 - 05:12 PM

And a bit of lateral thinking MMario :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Hawthorn white hawthorn red ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Nov 02 - 04:00 AM

Can't say I see the connection between the song and the city, but be sure to take a look at the Letchworth Garden City Website that Sorcha linked to. Letchworth is a fascinating example of a planned city that works - and it's a beautiful place, too. IanC gave me a great tour.
-Joe Offer-