Origins: Bramble and the Rose (Barbara Keith)

Subject: Chord Req: Chords/Tabs for 'The Bramble & the Rose
From: MCarney
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 09:00 PM

Hi -- I've tried for about an hour searching for the tabs or chords and/or lyrics to "The Bramble and The Rose". I have heard it performed by the group, Trapezoid, which isn't together anymore unfortunately. Actually, their incredible lead singer was just killed this spring in a tragic accident.

There must be other versions besides Trapezoid's, but theirs is truly beautiful, especially with the harmonies.

Does anyone have the chords and lyrics to The Bramble and the Rose? I'd truly appreciate having those posted here or you can email them to me.Thank you!!

Subject: RE: Req: Chords/Tabs for 'The Bramble & the Rose
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jun 03 - 09:11 PM

Hmmmm. I would have thought we'd have more on this song. You'll find the lyrics and chords here (click) in the Digital Tradition, but I guess we don't have a MIDI. You won't find a lot of tab here because it's difficult to post, but there are some hardy souls who have learned how to post it.
I thought Mary McCaslin or Jim Ringer wrote it, but I see that Barbara Keith wrote it in 1971. It's in Volume 38, #4 of Sing Out! My subscription started with Volume 39. anybody want to send a MIDI for me to post?
Anybody know anything about Barbara Keith? Also - note that this thread was a request for TAB.
--Joe Offer (click to e-mail)-

---

Here are the Digital Tradition lyrics for the song. Any corrections?

          THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE
(Barbara Keith)

Verse 1:

G                        D
We have been so close together
C       D               G
Each a candle, each a flame.
G                        D
All the dangers were outside us,
C        D               G
And we knew them all by name.

CHORUS:
    G    D        C              G
    See how the bramble and the rose
    C      D
    Intertwine
    G      D            C            G
    Love grows like a bramble and a rose
    C          D               G
    Round each other we will twine.

Verse 2:
Now I've hurt you, and it hurts me
Just to see what we can do
To ourselves and to each other
Without really meaning to.


Verse 3:
So put your arms around me
And we'll sing a true love song.
We will learn to sing together,
Sing and laugh the whole night long.

filename[ BRMBLROS
BJS   



	

Subject: RE: Req: Chords/Tabs for 'The Bramble & the Rose
From: BTMP
Date: 13 Jun 03 - 01:04 PM

Lynn Morris did a nice version of this song on her 1992 album by the same name, Rounder Records 0288.

Subject: RE: Req: Chords/Tabs for 'The Bramble & the Rose
From: Mudlark
Date: 14 Jun 03 - 12:00 AM

I always thot Mary McC. wrote that...for...agh...name escapes me.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: GUEST,DUDDY
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 08:10 AM

i have never heard this song song sung by any other group except the masterless men a group from Newfoundland canada it is beautiful as well as most of there songs

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: Big Mick
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 10:23 AM

Might I suggest that you give a listen to the version recorded by Mudcatter/folk DJ/Singer, Matt Watroba accompanied by the incredible Jan Krist? It is available on his "Live At The Ark" CD. Beautifully done, and I fall in love with Jan everytime she sings.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 05:29 PM

This is one of the most beautiful love songs that I have ever heard. A French-Canadian duo called "Acajou" does a great version of it; they have wonderful harmony when singing together.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 06:15 PM

Re. the query above about Barbara Keith, I believe it was on the self-titled LP "Barbara Keith" (Warner MS 2087), track 3.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: topical tom
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 06:15 PM

Typo!!! The name of the French-Canadian band is spelled "Akajou". They are a family band.Unfortunately, I was not able to find them on the Net. If anyone is interested, their e-mail address is Akajou [e-mail]. Hopefully, that is still the url.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: open mike
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 09:03 PM

I have always heard that this beautiful love song was written by
Mary McCaslin & Jim Ringer. It definately was thier signature song.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE (B Keith)
From: TonyA
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 08:51 PM

The Bramble and the Rose, by Barbara Keith

G                                          Em
1. We have been so close together            
2. Now I've hurt you, and it hurts me         
3. So put your arms around me                  

C             D                     G
1. Each a candle, each a flame.
2. Just to see what we can do
3. And we'll sing a true love song.

G                                        Em
1. All the dangers were outside us,         
2. To ourselves and to each other         
3. We will learn to sing together,            

Am             D                         G
1. And we knew them all by name.
2. Without really meaning to.
3. Sing and laugh the whole night long.

G       D            C                      G       C            D
- See how the bramble and the rose...... intertwine.

   G       D                  C                   G
- Love grows like a bramble and a rose.

Am                D                   G
- Round each other we will twine.

melody 1st verse (low b):
b b d d b d e e
d d d d d c b
b b d d b d e e
e e f# f# g a g

chorus (high b):
b a f# g g g a g ... d d g e f# g a
b a f# f# g g g a g
e e f# f# g a g

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: michaelr
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 01:02 PM

I remember hearing the chorus thus:

See how the bramble and the rose
Intertwine.
Love grows like a bramble and a rose
Often cruel and often kind.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Apr 09 - 03:03 PM

If you click on the link THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE near the top of this page (or just click here: THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE) it will take you to the lyrics in the Digital Tradition Database. On the right side of your screen you will see some graphics and links there put there by Amazon.com. If you learn to navigate your way through the links—it may take some experimentation to learn how to control it—you can play 30-second sound samples of THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE being played by these performers:

The Sunny Bottom Boys
Reilly & Maloney
The Black Family
Mary McCaslin & Jim Ringer [my favorite]
Trapezoid
The Lynn Morris Band

I love this feature. It's well worth the trouble to learn how to use it.

It works the same way for every song in the database—assuming Amazon can find a matching title in its database.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: The Bramble and the Rose
From: GUEST,John W
Date: 12 May 09 - 10:55 PM

he song was written by Barbara Keith

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: GUEST,Tumbleweed & Barntone
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 09:52 PM

I don't think the "Em" Chord is correct (in TonyA's Submission from Apr. 09. above)

Try putting a "D" chord in place of the "Em" and see what happens.   I've heard two versions of this song and neither uses the "Em".

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Kei
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 07:14 AM

Ann Louise White and Rhiannon Giddens did a breath-taking version of this song in a concert at Augusta Heritage's Vocal Week this summer.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Kei
From: John Minear
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 07:16 AM

It was me at Vocal Week, and apparently while there, I lost my cookie!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: Nick
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 07:34 AM

The easiest way to hear it would be to go to Spotify and download it. It's both FREE and hassle free apart from listening to the odd advert every now and again.
If you search for The Bramble and the Rose you'll find there are two versions there - one by Barbara Keith and one by Trapezoid.

Nick

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 12 - 11:06 PM

Blue eyed boy by barbara keith

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 15 - 03:55 PM

This is also a great song for racial reconciliation. I heard it for the first time after being stuck on the highway during the long clearance of a bad road wreck up ahead. This song describes the unique little community that formed as a multiracial group walked vehicle to pass the news from highway patrol-- that five children were being coptered to hospital. To me this song will always carry the tears of that news amidst the joy of simple community.   

~Susan

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 15 - 03:56 PM

(Barton and Para's soaring version on "Crazy Quilt.")

Subject: ADD Version: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Feb 20 - 01:39 AM

We got an email request for information about Barbara Keith and "Bramble and the Rose." It's in Volume 38, #4 of Sing Out!, and I don't have that issue. Can somebody look in the magazine and see if it might have an article about Barbara Keith or the song? If you could send me a scan, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks.
-Joe-
[e-mail]

Here's the Wikipedia page on Barbara Keith:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Keith

Here's the Barbara Keith recording of "Bramble and the Rose":

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

Here's my transcription from the Barbara Keith recording. Differences from the Digital Tradition are in bold:

THE BRAMBLE AND THE ROSE
(Barbara Keith)

We have been so close together
Each a candle, each a flame.
All the dangers were outside us,
And we knew them all by name.

CHORUS:
Now, see how the bramble and the rose
Intertwine
Now, love grows like a bramble and a rose
Often cruel, often kind.

Now I've hurt you, and it hurts me
Just to see what we can do
To ourselves and to each other
Without really meaning to.

CHORUS:
Now, see how the bramble and the rose
Intertwine
Now, love grows like a bramble and a rose
'Round each other they will wind.

So put your arms around me
Yes, and sing a true love song.
One that we can sing together,
Just to last your whole life long (??need help here).
CHORUS:
Now, see how the bramble and the rose
Intertwine
Now, love grows like a bramble and a rose
'Round each other we will wind.
Now, love grows like a bramble and a rose
'Round each other we will wind.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 25 Feb 20 - 09:56 AM

"Just to last your whole life long (??need help here)."

Just to last the whole night long. ??

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Feb 20 - 11:50 AM

Anybody got that Sing Out! Magazine?
Vol 38, no 4

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: cnd
Date: 27 Feb 20 - 12:35 PM

It's unfortunately just outside of the scope covered by my library, but I've put out a lend request and I'll let you know when I get it

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: cnd
Date: 27 Feb 20 - 12:39 PM

But, in filling in the lyrics, I agree with Starship's interpretation

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: GUEST,cnd
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 02:59 PM

Joe, here is the information as it appears in Sing Out! Vol. 38 No. 4 (Feb./Mar./Apr. 1994), p. 62. It also includes the sheet music, which I can email to you if you would like.

(I will also mentioned if you feel inclined to buy the whole thing it is available here for just $5)

Here's a song that was popularized by Mary McCaslin and Jim Ringer on their 1978 Philo album of the same name, hence, the alternate chorus. We wanted to represent the song as Barbara Keith wrote it, but felt that many people would be more familiar with the chorus as Mary McCaslin sings it. Gene Shay, board member and DJ extraordinaire, was kind enough to provide us with Barbara's original version, but we were unable to locate her. If anyone has information on her whereabouts, please let us know! That original was on Warner Brothers' Reprise label (MS 2087), unfortunately out of print. Mary McCaslin's rendition is still available as a cassette on Philo 1055 (c/o Rounder, 1 Camp St., Cambridge, MA 02140), and the Smith Sisters recorded it recently (on CD 70616 and CS 90616) for Flying Fish. In addition, there are at least six other covers of the song in our collection.

We have been so close together,
Each a candle, each a flame.
All the dangers were outside us,
And we knew them all by name.

CHORUS
Now see how the bramble and the rose
Intertwine.
Now love grows like the bramble and the rose
Often cruel, often kind.
Last line of 2nd Chorus:
'Round each other they will wind.
Last line of 3rd Chorus:
'Round each other we will wind.

Now I've hurt you, and it hurts me
Just to see what we can do
To ourselves and to each other
Without really meaning to. CHORUS

So put your arms around me.
Yes, and sing a true love song
One that we can sing together
Just to last a whole life long CHORUS

TAG: (and alternate chorus)
Now love grows like the bramble and the rose
'Round each other we will wind.

Words & Music by Barbara Keith
(C) 1971 EMI Fesit Catalog, Inc.
Reprinted by Permission of CPP/Belwin, Inc., Miami, FL
All Rights Reserved

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 06:00 PM

Check out The Stone Coyotes.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords/Tune Req: Bramble and the Rose (Keith)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 28 Feb 20 - 06:25 PM

Here it is done by Trapezoid, mentioned in the OP.