Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler

Subject: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Paddy Plastique
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 03:43 AM

Here I go again - set up a thread (sort of) about this and got shag-all response, so I'll re-phrase it.
I'm looking for the words to a song from the brilliant soundtrack of Pasolini's film of the 'Canterbury Tales' (1972).
All of the music in the film seemed to come from the Topic back catalogue - all the big singers/some instrumental music.
For the opening credits he used a song telling the story of a fiddler who only knew 1 tune and, as I remember, went down to hell and played it for the devil - and probably stayed there.
Has anyone any ideas about what the song might be, the words and the singer???
Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Declan
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 04:58 AM

PP,

This song rings a bell from the distant past. It sounds like a song I would have heard a lot in the late sixties, but I couldn't say for certain who recorded it. If its the one I'm thinking of the chorus is basically a fiddle tune with a lot of nyahs in it. If that doesn't make sense, we're probably thinking of different songs.

I have never been able to find any of Passolini's films on sale in this country and I think they're probably banned here.

If I can remember any more about the song I'll let you know.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: MikeOQuinn
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 05:13 AM

I, too, am now interested in this song. There's a song that a cowboy band I was in used to perform, called "Tyin' Knots in the Devil's Tail". It might be interesting to put the two in a set together.

'Course, in a lot of ways, it sounds like a take on Charlie Daniels' Devil Went Down to Georgia done Irish. (Carlow? Dublin?)

-J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: weerover
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 07:31 AM

Sounds like "The Devil Went Down to Dingle" which I've seen somewhere in this forum before.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Declan
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 10:24 AM

"The Devil Went Down to Dingle" is in the Mudcat Songbook and was written by Rich. This is a direct parody on the Devil went down to Georgia transposed to an Irish setting and is not (unless I'm very much mistaken) the song being looked for here.

There's a song in the DT called "The Old Piper" which looks as if its related to the song I think we're looking for, although obviously the instruments are different.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 11:12 AM

the fiddler
there was a fiddler in the days of old and he lived in the town of ballymo
he was asked to play for the king one day but the only tune that he could play was yah di dah dilldle i day yah di dah diddle i day etc
foster and allen recorded this the album name i think was bunch of thyme.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Paddy Plastique
Date: 13 Jan 03 - 05:26 AM

Jeyes Fluid ! I never thought I'd get to see Foster & Allen & Pasolini mentioned in the same breath - with all they have in common.
But that's the song alright, guest - the version in the film was a far cry from the sort of delivery I'd expect from F & A, though.
I'll have a look around and see if I can get the rest of the lyrics.
As to the availability of the film in Ireland - I don't think it is banned - and anyway, such bans are a nonsense these days, with communications as they are. I remember seeing some of his films on a satellite channel a few years back (no, not THAT sort!). Here's a link to the BFL's blurb on their video version - which should be available to rent in some of those 'arthouse' video places in Dublin (that one on Georges St., for ex.) Canterbury Tales
They blow the sexual content out of proportion in that - bleddy British prudery - or marketing.. But it's bawdy alright - just like the songs in it..
Maybe I'll try to get it out over here on the Continong, and note down the lyrics.
Again, the credits of the film said the soundtrack was available on Topic - but that was 1972..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Feb 03 - 07:27 PM

Here's The Complete Topic Records Discography (click) but I don't find any soundtrack album there for "Canterbury Tales" -- or any other film, for that matter.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DE'IL CAM UP TAE ALBA
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 01:06 AM

This thread reminded me... I used to be on a Silly Wizard e-mail list several years ago. Several members of the band were on the list also then, including brothers Phil and Johnny Cunningham (accordionist and fiddler, repectively). I forget the exact circumstances but somebody on the list called for some humour dealing with Johnny Cunningham. So to take a piss, I responded with this parody of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia":


THE DE'IL CAM UP TAE ALBA

The Devil came up to Scotland; he was searching out some crack
After losing out in Georgia, he thought he'd try a different tack
Well, he found him a session in a pub and, pulling up a seat
He took out his fiddle and jumped right in and never missed a beat

But he found it hard to keep up with this fiddler by his side
When the Devil quit in the middle of a reel, this fiddler's grin was wide
He said, "Hi, I'm Johnny Cunningham", it hit the Devil like a brick
thinking, "Not another Johnny!", he just said, "People call me Nick"

(Johnny:)
"I heard about the deal you tried in Georgia, years ago
What brings ye tae our pub tonight? Will ye gi'e it one more go?"

(Devil:)
"Well, I've played my fiddle a thousand years, but to beat you I'm unable
Still, I'll bet your soul against the tab I can drink you under the table"

Well, Johnny, ye slacken off your bow, `cause the Devil feels like drinkin'
He made this bet, but he'll learn yet he'd better change his thinkin'
He'll learn some day it doesn't pay to piss on Fiddlers' Hill
But tonight ye drink and make him foot the bill...

Well, they started out with whiskeys, triple portions were agreed
They were off to a storming start and Johnny set the speed
And after trying ev'ry brand, they finally settled in with stout
But the Devil'd been on many a tear, so he figured he'd hold out

Now, the days grew into weeks, and how the Devil's cheek grew thin
But he hung in there with all he had, sure this mortal would give in
Still Johnny led him pint for pint and, as he called for one more round
The Devil looked up, then rolled his eyes and pitched forward on the ground

Well, the Devil only groaned when the barmaid nudged him with her heel
So Johnny handed her the Devil's purse and played him one more reel:

    Mist on the mountain; play, lads, play
    Jenny won't tak' ye, but Maggie may
    Ye'll feel as fit as the butcher's dog
    Seanair, where's your troosers? Shut yer gob!

The devil, broke, slunk back to Hell to still that bodhrán in his brain
But he's curs'd with pride that he won't hide; you know he'll try again
Though he's King of Sin, he can never win; his slips are almost Freudian
He'll always goof and here's the proof: he's learning the accordion

    Mist on the mountain; play, lads, play
    Jenny won't tak' ye, but Maggie may
    Ye'll feel as fit as the butcher's dog
    Seanair, where's your troosers? Shut yer gob!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 02:06 PM

Didn't W.B. Yeats write astory about an Irish fiddler and the Devil?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 02:28 PM

In 1952 I heard "The Old Piper" sung and played by Fracis McPeake ("Old Francie," as introduced by his sons). We were all part of a huge folklore extravaganza put on by the English Folk Song & Dance Society (Cecil Sharp House) in the Royal Albert Hall in London. The McPeakes came to our house for a meal, and sang into our microphones for us. Young Francie said he couldn't possibly sing the song as he hadn't the "Nyyyyanh," for it as his Da had! I'm sure he sings it now that Old Francie is gone West.

Anyway- what your originl memory about the song, Paddy, is that the song's first vs ends,"...and this is all the tune that he could play."
He also goes down to Hell in the end, still playing the song. Sure you weren't talking about a piper instead of a fiddler?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 02:49 PM

AND; Will Millar of The Irish Rover re-wrote Steven Vincent Benet's
The Mountain Whip-Poor-Will with an Irish slant and calls it Hells Broke Loose in Antrim. Not bad really, but it ain't the original either.

Don

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Cluin
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 03:05 PM

Then there's Archie Fisher's Orfeo--his Celtic take on the Orpheus story (with refrains in middle Danish)--from way back. In that one, the King of the Faeries replaces the King of the Underworld.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,steve mann
Date: 24 May 04 - 04:21 AM

I too wanted to ask if anyone knew if the soundtrack to Canterbury Tales was available anywhere and if anyone could identify the artists.
In particular there was one singer -sounded Scottish- singing a song which contained a line sounding like
"to-na-nick-a-da- to-na-nan-noo-na, (x3)
did ye ever see sech an ill figure do"
something like that anyway.
I think the singer was the same guy who sings "Poor Tommy" in the movie "Tom Jones" from 1964/65.
The words to the fiddler/ piper song are something like:
"there was a young singer, ball-a-hoorie
lived in the town, ball a moo rie
and this young singer he liked to play the music
and this was the only tune that he could play..
nyah-nyah-nyah- etc"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,guest, lynn boone
Date: 10 Jul 06 - 10:34 PM

I'm sorry. I do not know where one might find the soundtrack to the Canterbury Tales. You might inquire with Professor Allen of the English Dept. at the University of Texas at San Antonio. If anyone would know where to find what you're looking for, it would be him. I myself was just searching for the lyrics to "Poor Tommy" from "Tom Jones" of 1963. The sinder caught my attention. Do you know them, or where I might find them?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,steve mann
Date: 07 Jul 07 - 02:10 PM

Hello Lynn

Did you find out anything about Poor Tommy? Its a Scottish singer, I'm sure, in the film.
I'm still green about being unable to identify the artists for much of the Pasolini film's fantastic music. Great version of Royal Forester too.
I think the Little Journeyman is by Mrs Clancy or Makem (in the film)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 12:02 PM

Steve Mann --

Could the song you heard be "Torn-a Ma Goon?"

Torn-a, ripped-a, torn-a ma goon (3)       [torn my gown]
Did ye ever see sic an ill-faured loon?       [ill-favored]

A version's in the DT as Torn A' Ma Goon.

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 12:10 PM

The other song you asked about is variously known as "The Old Fiddler," "The Old Piper" or, in John Wright's 1970s rendition, "The Old Jews Harper."

There was an old fiddler, old and hoary,
Lived in the town of Ballynorie,
(line not remembered)
And this was all the tune that he could play --

followed by instrumental.

It's in the DT as "There Was An Old Piper."

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: steve mann
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 05:11 PM

Dear Bob

You are a star and I am much indebted!
Your comments have opened up a real avenue of enquiry.
Yes - the Torn A' Ma Goon lyrics are what I was thinking of from the Pasolini "Canterbury Tales". And a bit of a 'net search I think would confirm to me that the singer was Jimmy McBeath.
That lead helped me find out a couple more answers I was seeking:
(a) the "Royal Forester" version heard in the film was that recorded by Alan Lomax as sung by John Strachan
(b) the version of the "Farmers Cursed Wife" was another from the Lomax recordings, being sung by Thomas Moran and not, as I thought, by Seamus Ennis.
(c)another song heard in the film is "The Mermaid", but situated in Fishguard Town rather than elswhere.

The other songs I recognise from the film, or don't and would like assitance are:-

"The Old Piper of Balaboreen" - possibly sung by Seamus Ennis
"The Little Journeyman" - probably sung by Sarah Makem
"See the little fishes .. how they sport and play" - definitely the Copper Family, but dunno the title
"Paddy`West's House" - sung by actor Hugh Griffith
"We were ploughing our way down the wild Irish sea" - no idea for title or singer
".son of a bitch .. that gave a poor fellow the itch" and also "where I can find her" - no idea again, sounds like a rugby song!
"Veni Sancti Spiritus" - by Archbishop Langton

Thanks again for your help!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: steve mann
Date: 09 Jul 07 - 04:59 PM

Got another one: "The Dreadnaught" or "Liverpool Packet".
I guess Pasolini wasn't fussed about the appropriateness of Liverpudlian 19th century sea shanties in his 14th century movie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,anonymous
Date: 05 Jan 21 - 05:02 AM

Here is the (almost) complete list of folk songs.
http://anntheword.blogspot.com/2011/07/folk-songs-from-pasolinis-canterbury.html

The specific recording of Hal an Tow used is here about 47 seconds in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmmP9wibT1s

One folk song is still missing though. The (Gaelic?) song sung by a woman when Alan and John are searching for their missing horse in the Reeve's Tale.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,anonymous
Date: 05 Jan 21 - 05:07 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6HPXe-8APA

For context, it is 1:26:00 in this video.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Thompson
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 01:45 PM

Pasolini was an aficionado of Irish music? Well, you live and learn! Probably far too late for Paddy Plastique (?) but Canterbury Tales is on the Internet Archive, and the video or Blu-Ray can be bought on amazon.fr and probably elsewhere.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST,anonymous
Date: 07 Jan 21 - 07:44 PM

Yes, all of the films in the Trilogy of Life have really great folk songs in them. Racconti di Canterbury uses many Irish ballads that are anachronistic but give the film a real British feel. Arabian Nights also has some really good ones but unfortunately I could find nothing at all about the ones he uses in that film on the internet. In the Prince Yunan story in particular, he uses some catchy Chinese or Nepalese chants. Some good stuff. In general, the music is as good as the varied, foreign sets in these films and as helpful
in setting up the scenes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Acorn4
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 05:55 AM

The Charlie Daniels Band had a country hit with a song on this theme.

Seems just an excuse to allowthe fiddler to show off their paces a bit?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjPAqmnvGA

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Thompson
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 12:50 PM

Odd that he wouldn't use British ballads if he wants a British feel, mind…

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 21 - 04:34 PM

British as in British Isles. Also as one of the other posters pointed out, most of the tunes are taken from the Folk Songs of Britain collection by Peter Kennedy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Irish (?) Song - Devil & Fiddler
From: Noreen
Date: 11 Jan 21 - 06:41 AM

Anonymous GUEST, "British Isles" is not a term favoured in Ireland, as you may imagine.