Background on two carols

Subject: Background sought on two carols
From: DMcG
Date: 21 Oct 03 - 04:47 AM

I'm looking for some background information on two carols. Anything anyone can add to this would be appreciated.

Child of God
Child of God (The little cradle rocks tonight in glory). The tune and first stanza were collected by R. Emmett Kennedy and published in Mellows (A. & C. Boni Inc., New York, 1925). 'Mellows' to the Negroes of southern Louisiana were melodies, in particular those of their devotional song. The remaining stanzas were collected independently by Emma M. Backus in 'Christmas Carols in Georgia' (JAFL xii, 272, 1899).


The Cowboy Carol (I have the ABC now)
This modern carol was composed by Cecil Broadhurst and registered for copyright 24th July 1944. Cecil was also an author of at least one play, but I know nothing else about him. Where did he live? Did he really have any connection with cowboys?

Subject: RE: Backgound on two carols
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 21 Oct 03 - 01:01 PM

Cecil Broadhurst was based in England as a singer-composer. He has collaborated on a couple of musicals. The classics conductor, Malcolm Sargent, made the arrangement of the Cowboy Carol that is most heard.

This doesn't answer your question about his knowledge of cows or cowboys- but I would doubt that he had any intimate information.

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 21 Oct 03 - 08:49 PM

"Child of God" probably around nowadays as
"If Anybody Ask You (Who I Am)"
("...tell 'em I'm a child of God")
Recorded several times by Odetta,
included in the original BLACK NATIVITY cast album.....

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: DMcG
Date: 22 Oct 03 - 04:54 AM

Thanks to you both. I thought it unlikely myself that Broadhurst had much first-hand knowledge of cowboys, but, as you say, we still can't quite confirm that. And "If Anybody Ask you (Who I Am)" is indeed the carol I am seeking more information about.

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: DMcG
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 04:53 AM

This is the last refresh before I give up!

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 05:37 AM

I won't be giving up, Dave! I'll be travelling throughout the Southeast this year, so if anyone knows of a library that would have some info, let me know and I can check it out.

Mary (who's used various tactics to sneak into libraries)

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 12:20 PM

"The Little Cradle Rocks Tonight" is included in the Hymns and Carols of Christmas web site: Little Cradle

The cradle really "rocks" and the Motown-gospel influence is evident in the Real audio on the Craig Curry website. The words and order of verses is quite different from the version in folkinfo.: Little Cradle

No supporting information given in the discussions of new world carols and 20th century carols in the large website at Hymns and carols.

The line "The Christ child passing, singing softly," is doubtfully from any Negro spiritual or plantation song; I would "guess" 20th c. composed gospel, added on to a couple of lines from an old song, even though it was collected as a spiritual in Georgia . (I said guess- meaning I am prepared to be wrong). Backus MS notes needed!

The last verse in the Penguin Carol book and folkinfo site seems to be an add-on, not in step with the rest of the carol, and absent in other versions.

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 12:22 PM

Does anyone have the Backus book? Are the lyrics different from the words posted at folkinfo?

Subject: RE: Background on two carols
From: DMcG
Date: 23 Oct 03 - 12:32 PM

Thanks, Q.