Lyr Add: Lang a-Growing

Subject: Lyr Add: LANG A-GROWING
From: mcmud
Date: 27 Sep 98 - 02:17 PM

This is a song that I've carried around in my head for twenty-odd years. I can't find it in the database, although I might not have searched the critical phrase. Can anyone out there tell me the title and the origin of the tune? Thanks.

Verses

The trees they are ivied, the leaves, they are green
The times they are a-past, that we hae seen
In the lang winter's [night] tis I [who] must lie alain
For ma bonnie lad is lang lang a-growin

Oh father dear father, you have done me muckle [mother?] wrong
For ye hae wedded me to a lad that's sore young
For he is but twelve, and I am thirteen
And ma bonnie lad is lang lang a-growin

Oh father dear father and if it pleases you
I'll cut ma lang hair upon my brow
And vest coat and [breeches?] I'll gladly put on
And I to the school will gang with him

Oh father dear father, if you think it will fit
We'll send him to the school for a year or [two] yet
And I'll tie a green ribbon around about his bonnet
And that'll be a token that he's married

And in his twelth year he was a married man
And in his thirteenth he had gotten her a son
And in his fourteenth, his grave it grew green
And that put an end tae his growin

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 27 Sep 98 - 02:36 PM

It is variously called Daily Growing or Trees they do Grow High or Bonny Boy is Daily Growing or Lang A-growing. I was surprised to see we have only one version in the database.

muckle (much) is correct. The age difference is usually greater - "I'm twice twelve and he is but fourteen"

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: mcmud
Date: 27 Sep 98 - 02:49 PM

Neat. Thanks, Susan. Hedy West, I believe, sang this tune on a folk collection that I listened to decades ago. I was never able to relocate the recording, but the verse stuck with me.

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Zorro
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 04:36 AM

Joan Baez does this on one of her earlier albums. And I believe it's in one of her song books. I believe it is one of the Child ballads.

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Kiwi
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 06:36 PM

I've also heard this song done by a group known as Golden Bough. In fact, it's the only version I've heard all the way through. Anybody have a favorite version to recommend to me?

Slán, Kyra

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 28 Sep 98 - 06:49 PM

Zorro - Child missed this one.
I mention Baez, Repath, and Sara Cleveland in the DT. The first tune sounds like Baez and the second Redpath, if I remember correctly. I don't recognize the third at all.

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Briain
Date: 08 Oct 98 - 07:25 PM

10/08/98 There are fine versions by Joe Heaney and also Sean ac'Dhonnacha "An Spa/ilpi/n Fanach". Domonic Behan Has a version in "Ireland Sings"

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Graeme
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 06:20 AM

There is also a version sung by Pentangle - can't remember which album, but I'll find out if you're interested.

G

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Ewan McV
Date: 09 Oct 98 - 06:26 PM

The words are clearly a Scots set of the very widely known song, close to one sung in the late 50s and early 60s of the Folk Revival in Scotland, except for the third verse which has I suspect wandered in from another text. I cannot put a name to the 'original' singer who brought this version into use, but I'll consult a few books and see what turns up.

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: JB3
Date: 10 Oct 98 - 04:11 PM

There's a lovely version in Cecil Sharpe's 100 English Folksongs published by Dover, with piano arrangement.

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Ewan McV
Date: 11 Oct 98 - 04:26 AM

I've been inclining to the view that the text at the top of this thread came into the Scottish Folk Revival through the singing of Jeannie Robertson, but cannot confirm it.
The only relevant version to come to hand is a shorter one, titled The College Boy, printed by Buchan and Hall in The Scottish Folksinger, and credited to Jeannie's daughter Lizzie Higgins.
Their note says that Maidment said the original 'college boy' was the youing Laird of Craigstoun.' they also comment of course that 'there are numerous Scottish and Irish versions'.

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From:
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 12:41 PM

We have words and music to "The Trees They Do Grow High"

If still required - please reply!

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Genie
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 12:56 PM

There are some versions here, including my favorite verse about "never more complain o' his growing."

Click here

Genie

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 03:05 PM

I like Joan Baez' version best but the Pentangle one has a verse for after the death, which leaves it a little bit more upbeat than others'...

Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: dougboywonder
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 03:38 PM

You might be interested to know that it was sung by the fantabulous Sarah Hayes (who is a staggering 14...) at last weeks young folk award semi-final concert. Her rendition was so powerful she'll no doubt be singing it again in London at the finals on 7th December - admission is free....