ADD: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 04:51 PM

Also "Arise, Arise" in Sharp and Karpeles, 80 English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians. Startling anapaestic metre:

Arise, arise, you slumbering sleeper,
Arise, arise, tis break of day:
Go open your doors, your doors and windows,
And hear what your true love doth say.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
From: Hagman
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 01:07 AM

Even later, Bella Hardy has a version from 2022 that starts off the same then diverts completely. Free listen here

Mainly Norfolk has of course a good selection of variants, plus a few YouTubes.....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 15 Aug 23 - 09:11 AM

A little late as well. This is a version I found in Belden's Folk songs of the Ozarks book. We recorded this version in 2002. Hopefully the link will work. Otherwise go to youtube, put cooper nelson early drowsy sleeper in the search and it should come up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoUe-Fn5vYs

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper
From: GUEST,Richard.Sails
Date: 15 Aug 23 - 05:03 AM

A little late to the party, but having just heard 'Awake, Awake' on radio 3 sung by The Full English in Fay Hield's arrangement I was having a little look and found it as Drowsy Sleeper in Stephen Sedley's the Seeds of Love.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DROWSY SLEEPER (from Bob White)
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Nov 98 - 12:29 PM

Suzanne,
This is probably not the version you recall but I like it:

THE DROWSY SLEEPER
(as performed by Bob White at the Ark in the early seventies)

Awake, awake you drowsy sleeper
Awake, awake, it's almost day
Come and stick your head out at the window
And listen to what your true love says
Go then go then and ask your momma
If you my lovin bride might be
If she says no I'll court another
And never no more will bother thee
Awake, awake you drowsy sleeper
Awake awake it's almost day
Come and stick your head out at the window
And listen to what your true love say
I'd rather be in some dark hollow
Where the sun don't never shine
Than to see you with another
And to know you'll never be mine
Awake awake you drowsy sleeper
Awake awake its almost day
Come and stick your head out at the window
And listen to what your true love says
Oh can't you see those doves a flyin
Flyin in the pines so high
They are mourning for their true loves
Just as I do now for mine
Awake, awake you drowsy sleeper
Awake, awake it's almost day
Come and stick your head out at the window
And listen to what your true love says
Cheers, harpgirl

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: harpgirl
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 04:24 PM

I learned this from Bob White who does a great version. I'll post it Sunday when DoneyGals get back from the Barberville Festival gig (West of Ocala )gotta roll...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Allan C.
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 03:42 PM

Yes, the "bedroom window" song has most of the same lyrics I am acquainted with. I think the Ian and Sylvia version began with "Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper. How (why?) is it that you slumber so? For your true love stands by your window..." and there the memory gets a bit fuzzy. But I am certain that the tune they used was rather different and, truth is, I like it better. I think of it as being among the better "silver dagger" songs.

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 02:26 PM

I believe it's in the database as OH, WHO IS AT MY BEDROOM WINDOW? As I say, this may not be exactly the song you're looking for, but as I recall it's quite similar. It has been a long long time since I heard it sung on the front porch back home.

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Doctor John
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 02:13 PM

Hedy West does a good version of this song. You can find a recording of it on Vanguard LP (now o/p) but rereleased on King Records (Japan) KICP2026 which has the two Hedy West Vanguard LP's on it; highly recommended.

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 02:00 PM

In DT look under 'drowsy' or 'silver dagger'.

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 01:57 PM

Allan C: My folks sang this (or a version of it) back in the mountains when I was growing up, except they called it *Katy Dear*. Try *silver dagger* or *who is at my bedroom window* in the database, and see if one of these is the song you're looking for.

Bill

Subject: RE: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Allan C.
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 11:41 AM

Seems hard to believe that it is not in the database. Ian and Sylvia did an interesting version of this song many years ago. I am sure I have the lyrics in my files and will do a search unless someone else posts them first.

Subject: Awake, Awake, You Drowsy Sleeper - Lyrics?
From: Suzanne
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 10:40 AM

Does anyone know the lyrics (or where I could find the lyrics) to this song? I believe the first verse is: Awake, awake, you drowsy sleeper Why do you lie and slumber so? When your true love has gone and left you never to return no more.

My grandmother used to sing this to us when we were kids, and I cannot remember the rest.

Any help will be appreciated! best regards, Suzanne