Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing

Subject: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: matai
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 12:54 AM

im working on a PH.D on history/herstory in traditonal songs. just started a chapter on things stolen and need more lyrics. titles and relevant lines will do.
thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Allan C.
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:11 AM

matai, there's a little box labeled Lyrics and Knowledge on most pages here. Unclick the check mark beside Forum and then you can enter words such as thief, highwayman, stole, robbed, etc., (one at a time works best) and get a list of songs from the Mudcat's Digitrad database that contain the word. That'll get you started.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:17 AM

Turpin Hero, great song about a highwayman.
eric

Subject: Lyr Add: VAN DIEMEN'S LAND
From: Shimbo Darktree
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:17 AM

Try this one, about poaching, and a free trip to my birthplace, Tasmania:

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND

You rambling boys of Liverpool, I'll have you to beware
When you go a-hunting with your dog, your gun, your snare.
Watch out for the gamekeeper, keep your dog at your command,
And think about the hardships sailing to Van Diemen's Land.

We had two Irish lads on board, Jimmy Murphy and Paddy Malone,
And they were both the truest mates that any man could own.
The gamekeeper he caught them and from old England's strand,
They were fourteen years transported unto Van Diemen's Land.

The first day that we landed upon that fatal shore,
The settlers they inspected us, full twenty score or more.
They led us round like horses, and sold us out of hand,
And yoked us to the plough, brave boys, to plough Van Diemen's Land.

The hovels that we live in are built of mud and clay,
With rotten straw for bedding, and to that we daren't say nay.
They fence us in with raging fire, and we slumber as we can,
But it keeps away the tigers upon Van Diemen's Land.

There was a girl from Newport; Susan Somers was her name,
And she had been transported for the playing of the game.
She took the captain's fancy and he married her out of hand,
And she gives us all good treatment upon Van Diemen's Land.

One night as I lay sleeping all in the hold below,
I dreamed I was in Liverpool, way back in Marylebone,
With my true love beside me and a glass of ale in hand,
When I woke up broken-hearted lying off Van Diemen's Land.

So all you lively poaching lads, this warning take from me.
I'd have you quit night-walking and avoid bad company,
And throw aside your guns and snares, for let me tell you plain,
If you knew of our misfortunes, you would never poach again.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BOSTON BURGLAR
From: Shimbo Darktree
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:19 AM

Or maybe an American song, instead of Australian:

THE BOSTON BURGLAR

I was born in the town of Boston, a place you all know well,
Brought up by honest parents, the truth to you I'll tell,
Brought up by honest parents, raised up most tenderly,
Until I became a sporting man at the age of twenty-three.

My character was taken and I was sent to jail,
My friends they came and tried in vain to get me out on bail,
The jury found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down,
The Judge he passed the sentence, I was bound for Charlestown.

They put me on an eastbound train one cold December day,
And every station we passed through, you could hear the people say,
" There goes the Boston Burglar, in cold chains he is bound,
For one crime or other he is bound for Charlestown."

I saw my aged father standing at the bar,
Likewise me dear old mother, tearing at her hair,
Tearing at her old grey locks and trembling with a frown,
"My son, my son what have you done to be sent to Charlestown?"

There lives a girl in Boston, a girl that I love well,
If ever I gain my liberty, it is with that girl I'll dwell,
If ever I gain my liberty, there are two things I will shun,
Being a night street walker, and the drinking of strong rum.

All you who have your freedom, take a warning if you can,
Don't go round the streets at night, breaking laws of God and man,
For if you do, you'll surely rue, and find yourself like me,
Serving up full twenty years in the penitentiary.

How are we going so far?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:20 AM

Black Velvet Band

Newry Town (I took their jewels home)

Sovay (she steals all his money, but he refuses to give up his diamond ring)

I'll tell me ma (he stole my comb)

Whiskey in the jar (he counted out his money) (also, Jenny steals the protagonist's rapier)

There's a whole family of broadside ballads in which the intended victim steals the robber's horse and finds the saddlebags stuffed with swag.

In Lovely Joan, she steals his horse and ring.

In Patrick Street/Barrack Street/New York Girls, she steals his watch, money and all his clothes.

Are you really doing a PHD on this? It seems a rather random way to do doctoral research!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:21 AM

BTW, you can find the full lyrics to the songs I posted above by doing a search.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Celtaddict
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:38 AM

When you search, don't forget to use the keyword "poaching" as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: matai
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 03:43 AM

not totally sure yet nerd. i'll let you know when I've finished the chapter. my research has always had rather unconventional aspects to it. i was thinking of writing on the evolution of the woman's sentence in 20th century novels but after reading just about every novel written in english by women during that time i decided they'd done it for me. i may have a similar reaction to the songs but eventually i'll have to settle on something. i suppose i was thinking mostly about colonization and the stealing of land. most of these songs are about stealing things. i was just looking for an angle really and maybe needed to be more specific. my degree is in english and politics but my interest is in lyrics/poetry and how they reflect the people and the times so I was looking for a way of putting it altogether. I like the van dieman's land one. It put me in mind of Judy Small's 'Mary Parker's Lament'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Susan of DT
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 04:47 AM

Try the DT Keyword search (under quick links, above) for outlaw, for 221 songs. There are also a few under thief and robber, but mostly we put them under outlaw.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Lil Dog Turpy
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 06:37 AM

Here's a song about the dangers for women who shoplift. The version I learned had different lyrics and came from a Bandoggs record I think.

Ladies Go A' Thievin

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: GUEST,kathy
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 07:33 AM

There's always The Sheepstealer to be found in Songs of the Lower Thames

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: GUEST,Cj
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 09:46 AM

Sam Hall is another good one, simalar in storyline to the boson burglar. enter it in lyrics search. it's in the D.T.!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Padre
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 09:57 AM

"The Miller's Will" - 'Father, oh father, my name is Ralph, out of each bushel I'll take half....'

"Hooks and Nets" - a great poaching song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Artful Codger
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 01:06 PM

One of my favorites (though "traditional" in style only) is "Abe Carman" aka "The Robber's Song", from Peter Bellamy's folk opera The Transports. He wrote two quite different versions, both of which are terrific. The second version can be heard on the compilation "Wake the Vaulted Echoes"--don't know if it was also included in the 25th anniversary edition of Transports.

Also search on "goodnight ballads" (such as Tyne of Harrow), which were written by highwaymen. Also songs about Ned Kelly's band, such as "Streets of Forbes".

For poaching, there's "Dogs and Ferrets"/"While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping" and "The Lincolnshire Poacher".

I assume this topic should not embrace piracy or robbing a woman's maidenhead, both of which would deserve chapters unto themselves. ;-}

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Les B
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 01:24 PM

On the American side their's a whole slew of songs about outlaws (as Susan pointed out above) - Railroad Bill, Jesse James, Cole Younger,
Sam Bass, etc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Les B
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 01:25 PM

Sorry, that should be "there's" !! Also Billy the Kid, Belle Starr, et.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 02:16 PM

Don't forget Pretty Boy Floyd.
Daddy Fox.
The Maid on the Shore (well, not the theme, but she does rob the captain, every right to, really).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: GUEST,Bill Deld
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 03:01 PM

Try "Ladies go a'theiving" by 'Hallaird' & Nic Jones
It can be found on this site

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Mark Ross
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 04:13 PM

Isn't WALTZING MATILDA about stealing sheep?

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 04:29 PM

Or rather the sticky end of a sheepstealer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 07:46 PM

Ooooooooooooohhhhhhh!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: The Walrus
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 08:15 PM

There are a number about thefts linked to prostitution, both robbery by the 'lady of negotiable affection' (Lass of London/Whitecopper Alley), others by the punter ('Rigs of London').

Of course, ther's also John Gay's "Begger's Opera", the whole show is about highwaymen, thieves and receivers.

Walrus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Genie
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 10:22 PM

Geordie (stole 16 of the king's royal deer)

Anathea (her brother Lazlo stole a stallion)

3 Jolly Rogues (the weaver, he stole wool, and the miller, he stole corn, and the little tailor, he stole broadcloth for to keep those 3 rogues warm)

Jesse James

There also must be lots of songs about Robin Hood.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: GUEST,Georgiansilver
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 03:51 AM

The Cadgwith Anthem is about the not so noble art of the Highwayman.
Great song!
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 08:17 AM

And of course, "Hughie Graeme", (Child #191, spelling variable), and most of the rest of the border ballads either concern theft of some kind, or the constant feuds resulting from these thefts.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 09:55 AM

Martin Graebe sings an excellent version of 'Sam Hall' on his and Shan Cowan's CD, 'Parallel Strands' (Wild Goose Records, WGS 323 CD, 2005). The song is called 'Tyburn Hill' and is from the Baring Gould collection.

If you're researching this area you might like to consider my theory that the English versions of 'Geordie' are, possibly, a response to the enclosure of English farmland that occurred, roughly, between the 17th and 19th centuries and have nothing to do with the Middle Ages and Medieval deer parks. But then again I'm probably talking complete rubbish!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: R. Padgett
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 02:50 PM

I Wish There was no Prisons I do Dont you
And the old treadmill makes me feel ill I only steal
My belly for to fill with me hands with me mitts with me maulers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Little Robyn
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 03:46 PM

Have you got Kath Tait's 'MacKenzie' in your list?
(Are you a Kiwi Matai?)
Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: GUEST,Lighter at work
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 06:01 PM

You've read every 20th century novel written in English by a woman ?

Now that's Incredible !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Barry Finn
Date: 21 Sep 05 - 06:10 PM

Didn't matai mention above


"i suppose i was thinking mostly about colonization and the stealing of land. most of these songs are about stealing things. i was just looking for an angle really and maybe needed to be more specific"


Can you be a bit more speciic?


I'm sure the US & the UK have a wealth of material, traditional & non traditional songs concerning colonizing & land stealing/grabing, if that's what you're after? Songs that grew out the US's western expansion, The Souix Indians & Sweet Betsy From Pike, Joe Bower's (who along with his brother Ike-Betsy's lover?, also came from pike county come to mind).

With England's (eye's bigger than their stomach & sea sick from ruling so many waves? Nothing personal, we learnd well from you, too well) past interest's with South Africa, America, Canadia, New Zealand, Australia, India & etc (Kipling way be a usefull resource) I'm sure colonizing wouldn't be out of one's grasp. Anyway sounds sounds like an interesting project. Lets us know where you're with this & how you're proceeding. Hope we can help.

Good Luck

Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Genie
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 01:08 AM

Not exactly "traditional," ;-), but how about "The Lady Came From Baltimore?"

Then there's "Henry Martin" (sung by Joan Baez). He and his brothers drew lots to see which one would "turn robber all on the salt sea for to maintain his two brothers" and himself.

And of course Alfred Noyes's poem "The Highwayman" has been set to music, too. (I have a recording of Phil Ochs singing it.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 02:03 AM

This one is off topic in one sense, but precisely on in another:

Put your arms around me like a circle round the sun
You know I love you mama when my easy ridin's done
You don't believe I love you, look at the fool I've been
You don't believe I'm sinking, look at the hole I'm in

Stealin', stealin', pretty mama don't you tell on me
'Cause I'm stealin' back to my same old used to be

(can't find my old Arlo Guthrie album to see if it's trad or more recently composed)

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Genie
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 02:37 AM

Good one, Mark!

Then, if we really stretch it, of course, I guess we could add:

"Steal away
Steal away to Jesus.
Steal away, steal away home,
I ain't got long to stay here."

... and that sort of songs.

Plus all those songs about "s/he stole my heart ... ."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Sep 05 - 04:19 AM

then there's Scarborough Fair - Paul Simon nicked that, mind you....forgive and forget!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: trad songs about stealing
From: Genie
Date: 27 Sep 05 - 02:52 AM

Well, if we're gonna include 'stolen' songs, we'll hafta include lots of songs "by" Alan Lomax, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Alfred Brumley, Robert Burns, and a host of others, I suppose. :)