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ADD: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain')
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Subject: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Mark Ross Date: 23 Jun 04 - 01:42 PM My partner(She Who Must Be Obeyed)is enamored of the soundtrack from the movie COLD MOUNTAIN, and particularly of the song I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN. Does anyone out there in MudCat Land know the origin of this tune and where I can find the lyrics? Mark Ross |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: open mike Date: 23 Jun 04 - 02:46 PM looking here: http://www.coldmountainmovie.com/ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Mark Ross Date: 23 Jun 04 - 04:15 PM Thanks, but unfortunately it seems you have to buy the DVD to get the info. Any other suggestions. Mark Ross |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: 8_Pints Date: 23 Jun 04 - 04:53 PM Hi Mark, Riley Baugus visited the UK in November'2003 and was featured in Ryburn Valley Folk Club, Rishworth, Yorkshire run by Pete Coe before the film was released. He introduced this song and explained that only one verse was traditional (collected in the Appalachians) the remainder having been written by Anthony Menghella. In fact if Menghella had consulted the Penguin Book of English Folk Song he would have discovered that the song was published as "I Wish, I Wish". A different variant was also collected in Cumbria by Ann Gilchrist from a 70 year old carpenter, Mr. James Bayliff. It uses many of the same verses but has a different tune, and was recorded as "A Brisk Young Sailor". It was released on a Paul & Linda Adams LP, "Far over the Fell", SFA027 in 1975. Hope that casts some light on the matter. Bob & Sue vG |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Mark Ross Date: 23 Jun 04 - 06:53 PM Thanks, much. Mark Ross |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Geoff the Duck Date: 24 Jun 04 - 04:22 AM Cold Mountain has been discussed before - One thread had a link to a website with Lyrics from Songs in Movies (Earlier Thread). I just checked ,but the song you are asking for is still not posted there. Just a warning, the website will try to put about 20 cookies on your computer every page you open. Quack! GtD. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN From: Jim Dixon Date: 27 Jun 04 - 01:07 AM According to the film credits, I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN is "traditional, with additional lyrics by Anthony Minghella," and it is performed by Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus, and Ray Winstone. The soundtrack album, however, says it is performed by Tim Eriksen, Riley Baugus, and Tim O'Brien. The oldest recording by that name seems to be a field recording made in 1965, in which it is sung by Dillard Chandler. This version can be found on the collection "High Atmosphere." There are also recordings by The Be Good Tanyas and Uncle Tupelo. I WISH, I WISH is obviously related, but not quite the same. Following is a composite from several sources on the Internet. I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN I wish, I wish my baby was born, And sitting on its papa's knee. And me, poor girl, were dead and gone, And the green grass growing over me. I'm not no saint, nor I never shall be 'Til the sweet apple grows from the sour apple tree, But still I hope the time will come When you and I shall be as one. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: masato sakurai Date: 27 Jun 04 - 02:16 AM From notes to High Atmosphere (Rounder CD 0028): I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Joybell Date: 27 Jun 04 - 06:42 PM Oh dear - the "Died for Love" song group. Once tangled in them and you'll never be free. If your still determined, however there are lots here in the DT. A good starting place is "Jamie Douglas" or "Died for Love" or "Tavern in the Town". Good luck. Don't expect to be back too soon. Joy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 27 Jun 04 - 07:58 PM "Joybell" is only too right. It's the song-group (more like a loose international conspiracy, really) that not even the bravest will take on. Threaten somebody who knows their onions with it and they will likely blanch and change the subject. The collectors and commentators of the early 20th century tended blithely to over-simplify the relationships, but that was because they didn't have access to the enormous amount of material that we have now. The closest to a useful comment I have managed on that lot was "largely incapable of disentanglement." That's my story and I'm sticking to it. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 27 Jun 04 - 08:13 PM "I Wish, I Wish," from "The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs" (and "Classic English Folk Songs"), sung by Mrs Cecilia Costello in 1951, is in the DT. According to notes in "Classic..." she learned most of her songs from her father, County Roscommon, Ireland. In the version given by Jim Dixon, the four verses of the folk song have been combined and reduced to two. Lyrics are not given in the booklet with the cd, and not having seen the movie, I don't know if the song in the movie is the same as the one on the cd. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: GUEST,Cruiser Date: 07 Feb 06 - 10:39 AM What is the meaning "ribbons five" of: Then we might need our ribbons five. Something to do with death? Thanks, Ron I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN I wish, I wish my baby was born And sittin' on its papa's knee And me, poor girl And me, poor girl, were dead and gone And the green grass growin' o'er my feet I ain't ahead, nor never will be Till the sweet apple grows On a sour apple tree But still I hope the time will come When you and I shall be as one I wish I wish my love had died And sent his soul to wander free Then we might need our ribbons five (meet where ravens fly??) Let our poor body rest in peace The owl, the owl Is a lonely bird It chills my heart With dread and terror That someone's blood There on his wing That someone's blood There on his feather https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDJN01XdN9A |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: COLD MOUNTAIN-I Wish My Baby Was born From: Cruiser Date: 13 Feb 06 - 08:43 PM Perhaps what I ask above was the result of misheard lyrics. I've seen the lyrics written instead as: " Then we might meet where the ravens fly" which makes much more sense because of the several raven scenes in the movie. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,coyote breath with no cookie Date: 10 Jul 13 - 04:28 PM I know this thread is years old but I just really listened to it closely a few days ago. I have come upon a verse with owls like this: "The owl, the owl, is a lonely bird it fills my heart with dread and fear for someone's blood is on it's wings and someone's death is drawing near." Makes sense to me as Owls are often seen as bringers of fate, premonitions of doom attend their wanderings. The raven verse has a similar sense of impending doom. Ravens are messengers from the "other side". I keep hearing the second verse as: "I ain't no haunt (pronounced haint) nor never will be..." etc. I guess it could be "saint". The person singing this song seems sad and abandoned. Wishing for the peace of the grave because of their great shame at having a child out of wedlock. We tend to forget how powerfully some social situations could affect a person's life because we allow so much in our lives that would have been taboo just a few decades ago. Murder ballads exist in part because abortion was completely unheard of in most communities. Murder and suicide were an answer. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST Date: 10 Jul 13 - 07:12 PM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Brisk_Young_Sailor_Courted_Me |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Gutcher Date: 11 Jul 13 - 02:29 AM @Ghest Cruiser 7/2/06. I have not come across ribbons five before but I do sing a Border Ballad called "Oor Young Lady" which refers to the ribbons nine and I have often wondered what the significance of the ribbons was. This ballad is about new life as opposed to death in the example given of five ribbons. The full version of the ballad can be found on the CD MT313 with the ribbons being mentioned in verses 2 and 3. [2]Her apron was o the hollands smaa rowed aroon wi rhe laces aa she was feart her babe wad faa so she"s rowed him in her apron. [3]Her apron was o the hollands fine rowed aroon wi the laces nine she was feart her babe wad tine so she"s rowed him in her apron. Hollands smaa and hollands fine refer to the fineness, and therefore the cost, of the woven fabric, the smaller the weave the more expensive. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Gutcher Date: 11 Jul 13 - 02:43 AM Oops, just noticed the second last post refers to a child being born out of wedlock. The ballad referred to in my last post concerns a rich young lady having an illegitimate child to the heir of the chief of the border clan of Maxwell. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Richard from Liverpool Date: 11 Jul 13 - 02:51 AM Related to "O Waly, waly" surely? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Gutcher Date: 13 Jul 13 - 04:47 AM I have just noticed that I have equated laces with ribbons---just like a man--- put it down to senility. However they may be part of the same question an answer to which would be appreciated. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Clem Kadiddlehopper Date: 28 Apr 14 - 08:09 PM I've come across very similar lyrics except for the changes: The owl, the owl, Is a wise old bird, (A wise old bird), But even he, (But even he), Doesn't know, (Oh, doesn't know), How many licks, (How many licks), it takes to get, to the center, (Oh to the center), of a tootsie roll pop. (A tootsie roll pop!) The end. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Dave Hanson Date: 29 Apr 14 - 03:53 AM you wanna lay off the drugs for a bit Clem. Dave H |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST Date: 04 May 14 - 03:41 PM You wanna lay off the banal and trite retorts Dave? Unlike the character Ruby in "Cold Mountain", you sir, are not an original. Clem |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Dani Date: 04 May 14 - 08:51 PM Ruby was pretty awesome : ) If you haven't read the book, grab a copy. The movie was amazing, heartwrenching and beautiful. But the writing in the book is even more so. It was Charles Frazier's first published novel, and one of the few books I've read that I thought the movie did a service. Dani |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 05 May 14 - 08:42 PM referring back to Gutcher's comment in July last year Laces & ribbons can be the same. Not all laces are strips of fine fabrics full of decorative holes. Corset & shoe laces are ribbons or tapes. But corsets could also be decorated with (hole-filled) lace. I tried to get a translation of the Scots verse but Google Translate does not offer Scots as a language. It claims the text is English & I assume ran Spellcheck over the unknown words! sandra |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,M K Date: 07 Dec 15 - 10:41 AM can somebody explain the meaning of this song ... in what context is it written and what do the owl being a lonely bird means ... what does the blood on the wing says ... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Steve Gardham Date: 07 Dec 15 - 10:56 AM As stated earlier most of the stanzas in this family of lament songs are commonplaces, many dating back to the 17th century, possibly even earlier. They have been reworked many times and many have lost their original meaning. It is possible to split them up into half a dozen or so distinct songs albeit with some overlap and we have done this for the Roud Index. Tracing the history backwards through the centuries is though a real minefield. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Richie Date: 16 Apr 17 - 02:42 PM Hi, I'm adding this to my US versions here: http://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/us--canada-versions-7-died-for-lovebutcher-boy.aspx This page is unfinished. Have a dozen or so versions still to put on. I think the text (1st line second stanza) as it appears online is wrong so I'm including it here: I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN- Dillard Chandler of Madison, NC, 1965 recording I wish I wish my baby was born And setting on my papa's knee, And me poor girl were dead in gone And the green grass growing over my grave, That ain't not hit, ner never will be[1], Till the sweet apple grows on the sour apple tree But still I hope the time will come, When you and I shall be as one. 1. (Translated) That isn't it, nor never will be, Richie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Gm5qShn40 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Richie Date: 16 Apr 17 - 02:49 PM Correction (shall instead of will): I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN- Dillard Chandler of Madison, NC, 1965 recording I wish I wish my baby was born And setting on my papa's knee, And me poor girl were dead in gone And the green grass growing over my grave, That ain't not hit, ner never shall be[1], Till the sweet apple grows on the sour apple tree But still I hope the time will come, When you and I shall be as one. 1. (Translated) That (ain't) isn't it, nor never shall be, Richie |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Richie Date: 16 Apr 17 - 03:35 PM Hi, It's disgraceful that it took three tries to get this right, so I know I need to be more careful :) The line in question (1st line, 2nd stanza) should be: "But a maid again, I never shall be" even if it's changed to "That ain't not it" it's still a corruption of what was "a maid again" at one time. It's possible he sings something like "a maid again" but it's too hard to understand. He also sings "pawpa" for "papa." I WISH MY BABY WAS BORN- Dillard Chandler of Madison, NC, 1965 recording I wish I wish my baby was born And setting on his papa's knee, And me poor girl were dead and gone And the green grass growing over my grave. That ain't not hit, ner never shall be[1], Till the sweet apple grows on the sour apple tree But still I hope the time will come, When you and I shall be as one. 1. (Translated) That ain't not it, nor never shall be, Richie (three strikes and yer out) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Steve Gardham Date: 16 Apr 17 - 05:33 PM Quite common in these laments that draw material from many sources but your 2 stanzas have different rhyming patterns. The first should be ABAB (over me) and the second AABB. I have even come across this in 17thc versions. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,gutcher Date: 16 Apr 17 - 05:43 PM If Sandra in Sydney be still to the fore and if she cares to put up the Scots words she wishes to have a translation for I will do my best to help. Some Scots words have a different meaning from the same word in English An example being the word "eerie" as used by Burns, Scott, Gault etc.. Sorry about the delay, I could not have followed the rest of the thread at the time. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Richie Date: 16 Apr 17 - 11:49 PM Hi Steve-- Gutcher-- In a way, this reminds me of Joseph Taylor's powerful version collected in Lincolnshire in 1906: I wish my baby that he was born Lyin' smilin' on its father's knee And I was dead and in my grave And green grass growin' over me. I wish, I wish, but it's all in vain I wish I was a maid again But a maid again that never can be Since that-e-young farmer sat wooing me. Dig me my grave long, wide and deep Put a marbil stone at my 'ead and feet But a turtle-white dove put over above For to let the world know that I died for love. Richie |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Alice Date: 28 Feb 18 - 08:58 PM The “ribbons five” might refer to traditional Celtic handfasting https://www.waterlilyweddings.com/2016/04/hand-fasting-a-celtic-tradition-for-your-irish-wedding-ceremony/ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Guest SRB Date: 29 Apr 19 - 11:16 PM The Appalachian culture was derived fromIrish and Scot settlers, so this song probably came over with them and was morphed a bit over time. .I puzzled too about "ribbons five". Sorry if my Crucifix is showing but could the words be "meet the risen Christ?" |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Lorenzo Date: 19 Dec 19 - 02:47 AM Hi guys, I lost my doughter one mounth ago, after 30 minutes that she was born ...After that, my mind remind me this song. Thank you to every one that wrote in this thread in the last 20 years, I don't know why, but I feel better now. "Still I hope the time will come, when you and I, will be as one" Love from Italy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Steve Gardham Date: 19 Dec 19 - 02:52 PM A very touching and sad story, Lorenzo. I truly feel for you. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Evan Date: 28 Feb 21 - 03:38 PM I'm so sorry, Lorenzo. I'm glad music can help you feel more whole again. That's one of the reasons it's here, I think. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: mg Date: 28 Feb 21 - 04:45 PM here is a beautiful version of butcher boy from Russia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oius1eEpghU n Dublin town Where I did dwell A butcher boy I loved so well He courted me My life away And now with me He will not stay I wish I wish But I wish in vain I wish I was A maid again But a maid again I ne'er can be Till apples grow On an ivy tree She went upstairs To go to bed And calling to Her mother said Bring me a chair Till I sit down And a pen and ink Till I write down I wish I wish But I wish in vain I wish I was A maid again But a maid again I ne'er can be Till apples grow On an ivy tree He went upstairs And the door he broke And found her hanging From her rope He took his knife And cut her down And in her pocket These words he found: "oh, make my grave Large, wide and deep Put a marble stone At my head and feet And in the middle A turtle dove So the world may know I died of love" |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: mg Date: 28 Feb 21 - 04:49 PM oh dear. it does not include the relevant verse. i wish my baby it was born and smiling on its daddy's knee and me poor girl to be dead and gone with the long green grass growing over me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oius1eEpghU Russian version of Butcher Boy |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,julian Date: 26 Aug 21 - 07:49 PM this song is very sad to me. i think this must refer to either a miscarriage or a mother/child death due to complications in birth. i have listen mainly to the tim eriksen, Riley Baugus and tim obrien version the most although the others are very good to so ill be writing about those lyrics here. i have know formal education in regard to the song so please take this with a grain of salt. i think this song deals with a parents pain after a miscarriage. the song is titled i wish my baby was born which obviously implies the child had never even made it out of the womb alive. the first verse, I wish, I wish my baby was born And sitting on its papa's knee And me, poor girl And me, poor girl, were dead and gone And the green grass growing o'er my feet I ain't ahead, nor never will be Till the sweet apple grows On a sour apple tree the line "and me poor girl, were dead and gone" in this version i think the line is a wish (inferred from the very first line) to trade the life of ones partner for the life of the child. alternatively i think this line could be saying, "and (as for) me (you) poor girl, were dead and gone" so as to say id trade my own life for the babies. however i think the latter to be unlikely because of the grammar at play in the written lyrics but i really cant be certain. "and the green grass growing o'er my feet" either this line is meant to be about visiting the grave of your dead partner or about wishing for death yourself, and having grass growing over you. "i aint ahead nor never will be till the sweet apple grows on the sour apple tree" this line kind of stumps me, im left thinking that its about general depression and a bleak outlook on life (not entirley unlikely) but i feel as though this is either a line written in modern times to help finish the song or im just not getting the point of it. as i think more about the above line i am realizing that perhaps the author is saying Im not ahead (in death) nor never will be, until the sweet apple grows on the sour apple tree (an impossibility. in other words when a parent dies before a child this is keeping up with the natural order of things, the parent is and always has been ahead of the child. but this time around the child has surpassed the parents. "But still I hope, But still I hope the time will come When you and I shall be as one" i think this is about the wish for death so as to unite the child and the parent(s) the next line is interesting... because as i interpeted those above lines i thought to myself, no this song must just be about a miscarriage and not a mother/ child death because it reads as though the father is wishing for the death of the mother rather than the baby but as i get down to this line my perspective has changed. "I wish, I wish my love had died And sent his soul to wander free Then we might meet where ravens fly Let our poor bodies rest in peace" i think this verse is a perspective shift to that of the dead mother, who wishes that the father could join the realm of the dead to meet her and their child so they can all walk as one. at first my interpretation of the song was that this was a perspective shift between both of the parents and that both were wishing death for the the other so as to replace the death of the baby but now as i sit writing about it i think more and more that this is about a mother who has died while giving birth to her child and she wishes simply to have her family as one again. if not i could see this meaning that the mother is wishing to trade her husband for the child but that even then she wishes for them all to be together. this is so sad. "The owl, the owl Is a lonely bird It chills my heart With dread and terror That someone's blood There on his wing That someone's blood There on his feathers." now the song becomes harder for me to interpret. i think as others have said that it is very true that the owl leads a lonesome existence and it is often a haunting omen. it is the Hoo of the owl we hear at night alone in the forest, stalking its prey up above in the trees. i see this as an omen of death. possibly for the father who lives on or for the parents both who wish death upon each other and themselves, so as to reunite this sorrowful family. in conclusion i think that the parents wishing death on one another is not necessarily out of hatred or selfishness but rather a longing for the family to be whole and in one place together even if its in death. i know ive bounced aroudn alot between which meanings i thought were the correct ones but at the end of the day i see multiple meanings in songs a lot and the ones with the most meanings tend to be my favorites. RIP all of the miscarried children who never got to see life and my heart goes out to the parents of them i hope you all find peace soon, one day we will all be reunited under heavens beautiful gates and we will see that all of this toil and suffering was part of a greater plan. im nearly going to cry because im so sorrowful for the parents who have lived through the worst pain imaginable. -your friend, julian. |
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Subject: RE: ADD: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: GUEST,Steve M Date: 28 Jul 23 - 06:14 PM Beautiful song. Working through it as homework from my banjo lesson. Really interesting threads above… My take is that the narrator is a pregnant woman who’s been abandoned by her lover. She wants the pregnancy to be over and the man to take responsibility for the child. Which he won’t, so she wishes she was dead because of her shame and grim prospects as a single mother. Ravens and owls are bad omens. She would prefer that she and her lover were both dead because that’s the only way they can be together. But she wants the baby to be born so he/she will at least have a chance. It’s very sad but beautiful to play. |
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Subject: RE: ADD: I Wish My Baby Was Born ('Cold Mountain') From: Steve Gardham Date: 29 Jul 23 - 02:19 PM In most versions this is the general theme of the song so you are correct. In some developments dating back to the 18th century she has already hung herself and the introductory verses are her suicide note, but in actuality this episode was introduced from an Irish broadside called 'The Rambling Boy' of the late 18th century. It appears most noticeably in the American oecotype 'The Butcher's Boy', but also appears in some later English versions probably brought back over here by American forces in the 2 world wars. |
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