If I was/were a blackbird? Author?

Subject: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Jen S.
Date: 09 Dec 98 - 11:52 PM

Hello! This is one of my favorite songs, so favorite, in fact, that I had a dream about it last night... and have actually written more verses. Does anyone know who the author is? The only version I've ever heard is by Silly Wizard.

Just want to make sure if I'm stepping on anyone toes authorwise that I can ask the right people about using the lyrics in my story!

Oh, it goes "If I was/were(can't quite remember) a blackbird/could whistle and sing/I'd follow the vessel/my true love sails in/and in the top rigging/I would there build my nest/and I'd flutter my wings/o'er her lily white breast... etc. Thanks!

Jen S.

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Murray on Saltspring
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 03:34 AM

This is probably (nay, certainly) an anon folksong, but the version I'm familiar with was recorded many years ago by Delia Murphy, and this to me is "her" version. But in the book "Walton's New Treasury of Irish Songs & Ballads", part 2 (1966) page 45, there's a full version of 5 verses + chorus (which begins as title) with an alternative "male version" opener. Maybe you can post your new verses?

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 10:58 AM

I also have the Delia Murphy version. In Colm O Lochlainn's 'Irish Street Ballads', #46, is a version of 3 verses and chorus which he says is from Dublin street singers of the 1920's.

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From:
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 09:40 PM

Hi,

i've only ever heard this song as sung by a PA/NJ minstrel group known as "Double Indemnity." I"ve actually been questing for the Silly Wizard version.

If you like, I'll post the verses that I have on this version.

Sla/n, Kyra

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Jen
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 10:34 PM

Sure, and I'll post mine too, once I have it finished. Should have it finished sometime tomorrow.

I have the Silly Wizard version on two CDs, I believe(If I could find those two CDs, that would help...)

Most of their stuff is still available through Green Linnet records, at least they were the last time I got a catalogue from them.

I had no idea there were that many versions!

Jen S.

Subject: Lyr Add: IF I WAS A BLACKBIRD
From: Jen
Date: 10 Dec 98 - 11:07 PM

My Version, with extra verses. I only used the refrain and the first verse from the Silly Wizard version.

There's a story in this somewhere, fighting to get out... Maybe I'll write it next!
^^

CHO: Oh, if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing,
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in,
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest,
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily-white breast.

My parents they chide me and will not agree.
They say me and my false love married will never be.
Ah, but let them deprive me, oh, let them do what they will,
While there's breath in my body, she's the one that I'll love still. CHO.

I met this fair maiden back in London town.
She 'witched me and wooed me 'til I thought I would drown.
Then she pushed me aside and went on with her life.
She laughed when I said I wanted her for my wife. CHO.

I left home one morning through snow, sleet and hail.
I wanted to catch her before she set sail.
But alas, my heart broke as the ship left the shore,
And I lay there a-moaning to see her no more. CHO.

I went to the witch who lives out by the sea,
And asked her for help to get my love back to me.
She offered me potions. She offered me wine,
But not a drop I would drink till my love was mine. CHO.

She gave me a bottle. She bade me to drink.
I drank and I shivered. I dared not to think.
Was this death that I tasted or redemption at last?
Ah, my heart, it is broken but the pain it will... Pass? CHO.

And now as I lay here with grass for my bed,
I lie here and wonder will she cry when I'm dead?
Will her sorrow surround her as she kneels by my side,
Or will she laugh as she dances on the hill that I died? CHO.

I wake the next morning. I open new eyes.
I flutter my feathers. I soar to the skies.
The witch waves me on and I fly out to sea.
I will never forget her, but will she know me? CHO.

Jen S.

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 19-May-02.

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: MMario
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 09:58 AM

BRAVA! BRAVA! Jen, would you mind if people USE your lyrics? This is a really nice twist on the tale....

MMArio

ps: kyra/kiwi..Double Indemnity also does Sterling Ren-Faire in upstate NY July and August....

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Jen
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 10:26 AM

Just now noticed that they didn't post like I had them written, with all the nice spaces and such...

No, I wouldn't mind. *grin* would be honored to actually hear someone sing 'em... (just as long as you don't claim credit, that is fine with me!)

Jen S. (Can't tell I'm a fantasy writer, can ya?*g*)

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 11 Dec 98 - 07:41 PM

Aah, but Delia Murphy, though. She was wonderful. She was the wife of the person who was the Irish ambassador to Austria, I think it was. Wonderful warm recordings of some lovely Irish songs (in English, but you can't have everything).

Unfortunately, in the British Isles at least, there doesn't seem to be a compilation CD of her 78 rpm records, but I've collected a number of compilations to amass some sort of discography, plus an odd track by her sister, Angela Murphy.

If I Were a Blackbird was always one of my father's favourite songs, so being able to play it for him now is a definite plus. I still go weak at the knees when I hear The Spinning Wheel, and Three Lovely Lasses from Bannion has a particular frisson for me.

Well, cre elley foddym gra?

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Bruce O.
Date: 12 Dec 98 - 01:38 PM

Delia Murphy was wife of Walter Kiernan, Irish ambassador to a number of places, including the U.S., and, if I remember correctly, the U.N.

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Will
Date: 12 Dec 98 - 01:56 PM

Lovely lyrics, Jen.

Just put a "br" within angled brackets (< & >) at the end of each line to make the lines break (its one of the few pieces of HTML that you will ever need).

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Jen
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 10:13 PM

Thanks! It works!!
Jen

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Jen
Date: 19 Dec 98 - 10:20 PM

Thanks! It works!!
Jen

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 13 Sep 02 - 04:52 PM

Aidan O'Hara (former RTÉ radio presenter) wrote a biography of Delia Murphy, "I'll Live Till I Die".
I haven't got a-hold of a copy of the book yet.

Subject: RE: If I was/were a blackbird? Author?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 13 Sep 02 - 05:57 PM

Other Blackbird background threads:

Req: If I Were a Blackbird

If i was a blackbird?

~ Becky in Tucson