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Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask
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Subject: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Cool Beans Date: 05 Feb 03 - 01:45 PM 1. Who is Eloise and how'd she get a job lining track? 2. Why is the postman whistling cheerfully in "The Letter Edged in Black,'' knowing that a black-bordered envelope denotes a death? 3. How, exactly, does my old gal look like a waterfowl in "Deep River Blues''? Is she standing on one leg, like a crane? Holding her head down like a duck? 4. Why does "Cocaine Blues'' posit that cocaine's for horses? What equine ailment would it treat? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Cluin Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:21 PM What the hell is mojo anyway? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Steve-o Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:37 PM Cool questions, Beans. Somehow my feeble memory says that a "mojo" is "control over someone else's drug habit". It may have expanded and generalized over time just to mean having "a magical spell on someone". Also, I've always wondered.....if you don't like my peaches, why would you shake my tree?? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Beccy Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:43 PM Some people gave coke to horses to make 'em, well, speed up... I don't know if it cured any ailments. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Ebbie Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:46 PM Horses=Heroin? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: CraigS Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:56 PM Eloise was out of work, But seeking cash she did not shirk She and the foreman went out back Now she's working, lining track |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Cluin Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:57 PM Izzat like layin' pipe? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: mack/misophist Date: 05 Feb 03 - 04:58 PM Horses=Heroin? Not in this context. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Sorcha Date: 05 Feb 03 - 05:03 PM Mojo is also a Vodoun/Voodoo term. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: CraigS Date: 05 Feb 03 - 05:07 PM The postman was applying an ancient principle once elucidated by Chester Burnett as See here, boy, I'd rather go to your funeral than have you come to mine! Cocaine was used in an ointment for horses affected by warble flies. The ointment contained citronella oil to keep the flies away, and the cocaine was to soothe existing bites, and stop the horse bucking when bitten. You can still get ointments of this type, but these days they contain amethocaine, not cocaine. A mojo is a Gris-Gris charm, usually contained in a little bag, and usually intended to give the owner power over women. Deep River Blues - try a PM to Mrs Duck ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Amos Date: 05 Feb 03 - 05:23 PM THere are many varieties of waterfowl, and as to why the author deemed a similarity t6o exist between his good old gal and a waterfowl, one can only retreat to the position that there is no accounting for individual perception of similarities. One man's water fowl is another man's buffalo, or vestal virgin, or cornflower, or bowling ball, for that matter. "My ole gal is three feet tall Head just like a bowling ball...." Substitute "lean and low"/"buffalo", or "needs no urgin'/vestal virgin", or "sweet and sour/dead cornflower", or: "My ole gal ain't got no hips, Looks just like a rocket ship" if you want to sound modern! Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice! A |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Bill D Date: 05 Feb 03 - 07:41 PM them waterfowl is known fer wiggly-wobbly rear ends when they walk on land..... |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Neighmond Date: 05 Feb 03 - 08:42 PM Really want to sound modern? My gal has that hi-fi-phonographic figure! 33-45-78 Courtacy of Archie Campbell Chaz |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: mg Date: 05 Feb 03 - 08:50 PM Who threw the overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder How many seas can a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand Why must I go bound while he goes free How much is that doggie in the window Where is my darling boy tonight |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Thomas the Rhymer Date: 05 Feb 03 - 08:51 PM |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Jack the Sailor Date: 05 Feb 03 - 08:54 PM What the hell are snow flies??!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Cluin Date: 05 Feb 03 - 08:59 PM Or ice worms? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Stilly River Sage Date: 05 Feb 03 - 10:25 PM Bill D, if that duck's a dabbler then he gets a stright up wiggly view. Boggles the imagination. . . oooooooooooooooh! |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: CraigS Date: 05 Feb 03 - 10:38 PM Doves can't sail - they're too stupid to drive boats, that's why they sleep on the beach! If one is bound, one cannot go anywhere, unless one is bound for somewhere, in which case that is permitted. The doggie in the window is $3. Don't ask why! TRhe darling boy threw the overalls in the chowder before going upstairs wtih Eloise to count the rails of the track they were about to line. I am shutting myself down in the home for the bewildered for a week to recover from all these obvious answers to obvious questions. My mind is still boggling from the waterfowl. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 05 Feb 03 - 10:44 PM What is it that "the passengers will please refrain" from doing in "The City of New Orleans"? Okay, I'm cheating. I know the answer. But I wanna play and I can't think of any others right now. Thought I'd give some other Bruce |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Sorcha Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:00 PM LOL! You gyz is all nutzo! |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:33 PM Meanwhile, back to that waterfowl thing..... Among the multitude of things one might do while accursed with a severe case of the Deep River blues is DRINK! It is entirely conceivable that enough liquor could make a woman look like a waterfowl (or something worse). Back in my drinkin' days I saw things that were a helluva lot weirder than waterfowlish women. But, if the waterfowl thing is really bothering you, here are some other things that she could look like that will rhyme with "pal" at least as well as "waterfowl": A ruptured bowel A Jersey cow Thurston Howell An old hog jowl A spottted owl A pregnant sow A wet dish towel A drawn out vowel And if you were to change the preceding line to something like "My old Sal is a good ole gal" she could even look like Colin Powell. Bruce |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Cluin Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:34 PM Don't the passengers have to frain at least once, before they refrain? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: GUEST Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:42 PM MoJo is MaryJane is MariJuana |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Cluin Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:44 PM Mojos were hard little white individually wrapped taffy-type candies... two for a penny when I was a kid. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: ddw Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:58 PM didn't we have a learned discussion a while back on who Eloise was? My recollection is that there actually was a woman rail-crew worker named Eloise who a singer (Leadbelly?) knew? Or am I just imagining that...??? david |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 05 Feb 03 - 11:59 PM "Mojo Risin'" from The Doors' "LA Woman" is supposedly an anagram for "Jim Morrison". I guess they didn't notice that it's missing an "r". Bruce |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 06 Feb 03 - 12:07 AM Actually, there are two old threads on Eloise. Here and here. Bruce |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: mg Date: 06 Feb 03 - 01:41 AM why in the heck should I wash my neck if there ain't no bugs on me |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Mr Happy Date: 06 Feb 03 - 04:55 AM in some song books, the chorus is called the 'refrain'. does this mean you should refrain from singing it? i've seen older song's choruses referred to as 'the burden'- heavy or what? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Schantieman Date: 06 Feb 03 - 06:36 AM Can't you dance the polka? What's the life of a man any more than a leaf? Waz you ever down Congo River? Oh, say waz you ever down Rio Grande? Who's got a berth for a shantyman? Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James? Isn't it good, Norwegian wood? Any old iron? Should auld acquaintance be forgot? and of course, Will ye go, lassie, go? S |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Rapparee Date: 06 Feb 03 - 06:50 AM If I got to a river and I couldn't get across, why would I pay for a blind horse to do so? And why would s/he go up and down instead of just standing there? (Oddly, I understand the "old saw mill" reference.) |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Mr Happy Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:06 AM Schantieman, Here's some answers! Can't you dance the polka? Not with my knees! What's the life of a man any more than a leaf? Three score and ten! Waz you ever down Congo River? No, but up the Swanee a lot! Oh, say waz you ever down Rio Grande? Up the creek! Who's got a berth for a shantyman? Down at the Y.M.C.A! Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James? The Grey Funnel Line? Isn't it good, Norwegian wood? Save a rainforest! Any old iron? Paint with Hammerite! Should auld acquaintance be forgot? Can't remember!- It's me age y'no and of course, Will ye go, lassie, go? 'Fetch!' 8-] |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Noreen Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:31 AM Hey Steve-o: Stay outa my orchard, Let my peaches be!! *grin* |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Micca Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:53 AM The refrain one, i always thought came from those little signs saying " Passengers will please refrain..from flushing toilets while the train is standing in the station" |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: GUEST Date: 06 Feb 03 - 08:15 AM There was a thread about this not long ago! S |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Beccy Date: 06 Feb 03 - 08:28 AM Bee-dubya-ell, At the risk of sounding like someone who listened to too many Doors albums as a youth (which would be accurate, actually...) Jim Morrison sang, "Mr. Mojo Risin" which is actually a perfect letter for letter anagram of "Jim Morrison". "Mojo Risin" would've been missing an M and an R. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Feb 03 - 08:40 AM Why is "Derry" "Down"? As in: Down, down, down, derry, down! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: GUEST,vectis Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:24 AM A waterfowl could be a duck. People can be affectionately referred to as duck, ducks, me duck or ducky. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: GUEST,alinact Date: 06 Feb 03 - 10:18 AM From one of Oz's great singer/songwriters, Paul Kelly. Allan CARELESS How many cabs in New York City, how many angels on a pin? How many notes in a saxophone, how many tears in a bottle of gin? How many times did you call my name, knock at the door but you couldn't get in? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Schantieman Date: 06 Feb 03 - 10:20 AM I think Mr or Mrs Duck should comment, Vectis.... S |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: JennyO Date: 06 Feb 03 - 11:43 AM What is this thing called, love? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Declan Date: 06 Feb 03 - 11:55 AM Who put the benzadrine in Mrs Murphy's Ovaltine ? What bought the blood on your right shoulder ? Where are you tonight, I wonder ? Where have you been all day Henry my Son? Cé hé sin amuigh, go bhfuil faobhar ar a ghuth ? If its nighttime in Italy, is it Tuesday over here ? Who is that there now knocking the ditches down ? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Bullfrog Jones Date: 06 Feb 03 - 12:05 PM If lemonade is made from lemons and orangeade from oranges, what do they use to make White Cockade? BJ |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: Willie-O Date: 06 Feb 03 - 12:05 PM Snow flies, AKA snow fleas, are real. They are weird little critters that appear on top of snow on warm late-winter or spring days. I see 'em in my driveway when conditions are right. Ice worms, I don't know about. I think they're a hoax perpetrated on gullible southerners. I figure your old gal can look like a wet waterfowl when she's... soakin wet, hair (feathers) plastered down, shakin' em dry, and possibly giving you a nasty stare like it's all your fault...why haven't you built that carport yet? W-O |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: JennyO Date: 06 Feb 03 - 12:34 PM If tin whistles are made of tin, what do they make fog horns out of? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: GUEST,alinact Date: 06 Feb 03 - 12:38 PM Declan "If its nighttime in Italy, is it Tuesday over here ?" No - it's Wednesday, according to Barry Dransfield. Allan |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: GUEST,HC Date: 06 Feb 03 - 01:34 PM How many roads must a man walk down? 42. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: johnross Date: 06 Feb 03 - 01:53 PM Why doesn't anybody ever rove out in June or April? And why always in the morning? Doesn't anybody ever get buried in a short, shallow grave? How do the lovers in those broken token songs break a coin into two pieces? With a hacksaw? Or do they bend it back and forth until it breaks? Is the Old Settler still surrounded by acres of clams, or have those acres been sold to a developer who built waterfront condos? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music questions I'm afraid to ask From: UB Ed Date: 06 Feb 03 - 01:59 PM When my woman walks, she shakes like a willow tree... |
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