Lyr Req: Long Time Boy

Subject: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 05:48 AM

Happy New Year Y'all!

Anyone have the words to this one?

I think done by Mina + Frederik in the 60's.

Words I recall are;

'See that John Crow sit on the treetop,
Pick all the blossoms,
Let me hold your Hand boy
Let me hold your hand'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 07:26 AM

Not much to add,

1 it was 'Nina & Frederik'

2,
"It's (a) long time boy I never see you,
Come Let me hold your Hand boy
Let me hold your hand
It's (a) long time boy I never see you,
Come Let me hold your Hand boy
Let me hold your hand

See that John Crow sit on the treetop,
Pick all the blossoms,
Let me hold your Hand boy
Let me hold your hand

It's a long time boy I never hear you,
Come let me walk & talk boy,
Let me walk and talk,,, etc.,"

(From Memory before trying Google)

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 07:40 AM

Tried Google no joy so far, but have come up with a compilation CD on the CD Universe site, which doesn't list the tracks unfortunately.
John

Subject: Lyr Add: LONG TIME BOY (from Nina & Frederik)
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 08:54 AM

Can't find the words on Google, but I do have a Nina & Frederik CD with the track on it:

LONG TIME BOY
(Ena Dayne)
(transcribed from the singing of Nina & Frederik)

This long time boy I never see you, come let me hold your hand
This long time boy I never see you, come let me hold your hand
Hear that John Crow sit on the treetop, pick all the blossom
Let me hold your hand, boy, let me hold your hand

This long time boy I never hear you, come let we walk and talk
This long time boy I never near you, come let we walk and talk
Hear that John Crow sit on the treetop, pick all the blossom
Let me hold your hand, boy, let me hold your hand

He say that you'll marry me tomorrow, say how our love will be
Say that the sighing and the sorrow is over evermore for me

This long time boy I never hold you, come let we wheel and turn
This long time boy I never hold you, come let we wheel and turn
Hear that John Crow sit on the treetop, pick all the blossom
Let me hold your hand, boy, let me hold your hand


NB "Hear", as in "Hear that John Crow" in some places on the track sounds almost like "Feel", but "Hear" makes more sense, as per the bridge section, which is what the John Crow is saying. They definitely don't sing "See".

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 09:00 AM

Always sounded like Peel Neck John Crow to me.
John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: RolyH
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 11:23 AM

Also recorded by Nadia Cattouse in 1961.(Parlophone 45-R 4725)

I think Ena Dayne and Nadia Cattouse were the same person.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 07:11 PM

Ena Dayne and Nadia Cattouse ARE the same person.

And it's "Peel-neck John Crow...."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joybell
Date: 02 Jan 04 - 08:16 PM

I was singing this song in a restaurant in Melbourne in the 1970s. I had learned it from the hit parade during the decade before. A group of customers from Ghana told me it was one of their traditional songs. They said I was singing the English translation and the rhythms were a bit different. They sang it for me as they knew it. Joy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: RolyH
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 04:24 PM

Sorry. Slip of the keyboard.

I meant 'ARE'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 07:30 PM

Hi Roly
I wasn't correcting your grammar/ tense.... just your uncertainty ("I think....")

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joybell
Date: 03 Jan 04 - 07:43 PM

By the way my informants from Ghana called this song, in English, "Peel-neck John Crow". I neglected to ask them about the term "peel-neck" and have wondered ever since. None of the crows I have seen could be seen as having bare necks. Is it some other kind of bird? A bird that sits in the tree-tops, picks all the blossoms. Joy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 04:03 AM

Many thanks to one & all for complete lyrics!

I'm intrigued by the Nadia Cattouse/Ena Dayne story, but couldn't find any more info about it.

Anyone have more?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 04:30 AM

Just found mention of Nadia Cattouse's pseudonym being 'Eva Dayne'

Here detail.cfm?messages__Message_ID=927707

Anyone more info?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 11:11 AM

Thanks to those who corrected my transcription (must wash ears out!). The CD credits "Dayne" as the composer. I did a Google search for ' "long time boy"+dayne ' and came across this site: Mes Chansons Preferees , hence my naming above of the composer as Ena Dayne. However, on following the link through to the biog of Ena Dayne, I now think it is most unlikely that Ena Dayne, an English music hall artiste who turned to songwriting in later life, is the composer of this song. It must be Eva Dayne, whose name is mentioned on a German site in connection with a Nina & Frederik recording.

But I can't find any connection, through Google, between Eva Dayne and Nadia Cattouse, other than the Mudcat thread containing the message linked to by Mr Happy above.

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joybell
Date: 07 Jan 04 - 05:14 PM

So is this a translation from an African song? Joy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 05:23 AM

This version would appear to be West Indian, rather than African. The song is a calypso. It seems likely from the comments above that it is a translation of a traditional song, rather than an original creation. Nadia Cattouse is West Indian, so that would fit, if Eva Dayne is her pseudonym. Nina & Frederik performed many calypso / West Indian songs as Frederik had a passion for that style of music.

Your post above mentioning the people from Ghana recognising it as one of their own trad songs with a different rhythm could mean that it originated in Ghana and was "calypsified" in the West Indies before being translated into English.

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 08 Jan 04 - 05:28 AM

And thanks to Mr Happy for requesting the words - since transcribing it, I've sung it out twice, with very favourable reception!

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST,Graeme Freeland
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 11:52 PM

On the BMI music publishing site, the works of songwriter/composer Eva Dayne (ie Nadia Cattouse) are also listed under the name Nadia Evadne Webb. Can anyone (Margret RoadKnight perhaps?) explain the latter name?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 01:50 AM

Sorry, I'd only be guessing (a sometime-married-name?).
When next in contact with Nadia, I'll try to remember to ask, OK.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Mr Happy
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 06:26 AM

To all,

Thanks again for info. & Joan from Wigan, good to know this splendid song is getting a new airing.

Me & Cindy did it at a New Years Eve folk party with whistle & tom-tom backing from other guests- sounded fab!

I've searched the web for 'Peel neck John Crow' but can't find an explanation, anyone have W.Indian contacts etc where we might gain info?

Cheers,

Mr H

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 09:52 AM

"Peel-neck John Crow" sounds like a sort of vulture to me!
RtS
(At least we now know Nadia C is still alive despite other threads!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 05:02 PM

Yes I wondered about a vuture but they don't pick blossoms. "John" is a common name for the Crow in old English crow-scaring songs. Of course there are JACKdaws too, which are the same family. The JIM Crow song, and name, rather took over during the 19th Century, but before that the Crow was often JOHN. It would be good to hear from an African on the subject. Joy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST,Ralph Edwards
Date: 09 Mar 04 - 06:50 PM

I first heard "Long time, boy" by Nadia Cattouse in 1961, at a time when I would only buy rock 'n' roll or country & western. At only one hearing I found it so enchanting, that I surprised myself by buying it. I later got the Earth Mother L.P.
Subsequent to Nadia's appearances on TV, she sang at the Belmont Youth Centre in Shrewsbury , Shropshire, for the newly formed folk club(1965 ?). To the best of my recollection, she said that "Long time, boy" was a Barbadian love song and that 'peel-neck John Crow' was a type of buzzard or vulture(which ?) that had white feathers on it's neck, so that from a distance it's neck looked bald. Nadia said that the bird waiting for it's prey signified the passing of time, hence, "Long time, boy, I never see/hear/hold you", etc.
Nadia was very apologetic about her guitar playing, explaining that the wonderful playing on TV was Martin Carthy accompanying her. I thought her playing was perfectly adequate since it was her unique voice my wife and I had gone to hear.
This little concert introduced us to the emerging local folk scene which over the years has given us wonderful times and great friends; all because of Nadia. I've wondered for years where she was and hoped she was well. Those of you who are in touch with her please thank her on our behalf.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Mr Happy
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:18 AM

Some clues as to meaning of 'peel – neck John Crow can be found here:



PEEL-HEAD: bald-headed, usually certain chickens or vultures.

JANCRO: n. literally John Crow, buzzard




http://www.ddg.com/LIS/InfoDesignF97/malyce/dict.htm

Subject: Lyr Add: LONG TIME BOY (Ena Dayne)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 11:10 AM

LONG TIME BOY. Ena Dayne. Transcribed from the singing of Nina & Frederik.

This long time boy I never see you, come let me hold your hand.
This long time boy I never see you, come let me hold your hand.
Peel neck John Crow sit on the treetop, pick all the blossom.
Let me hold your hand, boy, let me hold your hand.

This long time boy I never hear you, come let we walk and talk
This long time boy I never near you, come let we walk and talk
Peel neck John Crow sit on the treetop, pick all the blossom.
Let me hold your hand, boy, let me hold your hand.

Chorus.

Please say that you'll marry me tomorrow, say how our love will be.
Please say that the sighing and the sorrow is over evermore for me

This long time boy I never hold you, come let we wheel and turn.
This long time boy I never hold you, come let we wheel and turn.
Peel neck John Crow sit on the treetop, pick all the blossom.
Let me hold your hand, boy, let me hold your hand.

Chorus.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST,Dan
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 02:53 PM

buy "Cult Cargo: Belize City Boilup"
its a great compilation that features "Long Time Boy"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 09 - 06:13 AM

The best version I ever heard of this long is by Nancy Ames from the album "The Incredible Nancy Ames." I believe this album was released in 1961. Anyway, that is when I first heard it on radio in Guam on a radio show called "Hit Corral.". I bought it on LP in 1963 when I entered college in the US mainland (Dayton, Ohio).

I later discovered it on an album by Nina & Frederik. The Nina & Frederik version was later released on a CD of their greatest hits. The Nancy Ames version was never released on a CD. However, I copied most of the songs on that album over to reel to reel tpe, then to CD, then now to MP3. However, there is a little bit of hiss and a few pops in the song since the album was a little bit worn by the time I copied it to tape.

I always wondered about the lyrics to the song. It's good to know other people also like the song and are curious about the lyrics. The Nancy Ames version is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. Totally obscure, but I love it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST,APD
Date: 05 Jun 09 - 05:28 PM

Using information from previous postings, I looked for the Nadia Cattouse version of the song. It is on the Cult Cargo: Belize City Boilup CD. However, I didn't want to pay for the entire CD just for that one song. I searched elsewhere and found the CD on the ThinkIndie.com website, where the song is available for download at less than $1.50 US.

I really like the Nadia Cattouse version. She sings it with a little bit of an accent, which really enhances the song. Her pacing is slower and more deliberate than the Nancy Ames version, but excellent in its own way.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 06:16 PM

a "peel neck john-crow" is a bald headed vulture.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: GUEST,elin
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 05:28 AM

A friend had an old record on which NINA SIMONE sang
Long Time Boy.
A fab recording, heard it a few times
back in the 1960's and it's still got a place in my
memory. Would love to find an MP3 download. Any
ideas, anyone?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Long Time Boy
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Dec 12 - 06:14 AM

Looks like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_Vulture#Diet is the culprit!!