Favorite songs of longing and old love

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,guy Wolff On Lap top
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 10:35 PM

My Dearest Dear
The Blackest Crow

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: oldhippie
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 09:01 PM

How about this one?

"Fifteen years ago and I still feel the same
Why did he have to mention your name
I'm so broken up inside as if its been a week or so
He thinks I forgot you fifteen years ago."

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Callaghan
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 04:52 PM

How about Spancilhill?

It is a song about longing for a place and a person and has a beautiful ending:

She said "Johnny, you're only joking," as many's the time before.
The cock crew in the morning; it crew both loud and shrill.
I awoke in California, many miles from Spancilhill.

Michele C.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: quokka
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 01:52 PM

Just thought of another one, in the second category - 'My Beloved Wife' by Natalie Merchant, from the album Tigerlily. It sends shivers up my spine.

You were the love for certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain how I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife

I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me

You were the love for certain of my life
For fifty years simply my beloved wife
With another love I'll never lye again
It's you I can't deny
It's you I can't defy
a depth so deep into my grief
Without my beloved soul I renounce my life
As my right
Now alone without my beloved wife

My love is gone, she suffered long
in hours of pain
My love is gone, now my suffering begins
My love is gone, would it be wrong
If I should surrender all the joy in my life
Go with her tonight?

My love is gone, would it be wrong
If I should just turn my face away from the light
Go with her tonight?


(Some lines are repeated but you get the drift)
The line that sends the shivers is the second last line
Maybe it's the emotion in Natalie's voice - I used to actually break down in tears trying to sing it - and there's not many songs can do that to me!

Anyway...I would say 'cheers' as usual but it seems a bit out of place after talking about this sad song! Although it sounds depressing, it's actually a very beautiful song

Quokka

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: quokka
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 12:33 PM

Neil D, 'The Voyage' was written by Johnny Duhan.

Cheers,
Quokka

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 05:25 PM

Dave's Wife, I can heartily agree with your choice of Jesse. Raises goosebumps every time.


My fave for a long gone faithful lover is the traditional
John Riley


My pick for long term married love:
Roseville Fair

which to those of us who were raised on Lawn Guyland, first sounded to me like:
Roosevelt Field

And perhaps either place would be a fine way for a happy couple to meet, tho the Fair would be my first choice, even without Macy's.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Jay777
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 05:49 PM

1. Missing You- Christy Moore.
2. 45 years- Stan Rogers.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Doc John
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 02:20 PM

1. Celia by Phil Ochs
2. Maggie as sung by Dave Burland to be followed immediately played by George Lewis.
Doc John

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: topical tom
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 12:26 PM

Thanks, GUEST,rcline.I just recalled another verse.I'm not sure if there are any more:

               You can fly home to me,darling one, darling one,
               You can fly home to me,darling one.
               If you cut away the strings then you'll see that you have
                wings
               And fly home to me,darling one.

                            CHORUS

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,rcline
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 08:23 PM

tom...
         The second verse I heard t this song is:
There's a cool breeze a blowin through my heart through my heart ,
there's a cool breeze blowin through my heart
golden leaves are fallin gently in the yard
like the day I first held you in my arms..

I havn't heard april Verch's version yet,   the one I heard was by a grop called "Salamande Crossing"   they did a very good cd   it's worth looking for..
r
c

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: BK Lick
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 03:23 PM

The Dutchman by Michael Smith -- excellent thread here.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Art Thieme
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 02:43 PM

Without reading any of the above posts, my trad and more modern favorites of all time are:

#1--The Lakes Of Ponchartrain

#2--He Went To Paris (Jimmy Buffett)

...and now I'll peruse the selections of others.

Art

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

Christy Moore does one called "The Voyage" that fits the second criteria. I don't know who wrote it.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: quokka
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 09:41 AM

'Birds and Ships' words by Woody Guthrie, music by Billy Bragg, sung by Natalie Merchant on Mermaid Avenue.(This is just from memory so might not be completely accurate)

Birds are singing in your eyes tonight
Sweet flowers blossom in your smile
Th wind and sun are in the words you say
Where might your lonesome lover be?

Birds may be singing in my eyes this night
Sweet flowers blossom when I smile
But my soul is stormy and my heart blows wild
For my lover rides a ship on the sea

My soul is stormy and my heart blows wild
Where might my lonesome lover be....

Cheers,
Quokka

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 08:51 AM

Anderson's Coast

"And where are you, my Annie?"

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Jayto
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 07:53 AM

Lonesome whistle blow by Hank Williams longing for a love.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 09:09 PM

A poem by Rupert Brooke called Jealousy: -


When I see you, who were so wise and cool,
Gazing with silly sickness on that fool
You've given your love to, your adoring hands
Touch his so intimately that each understands,
I know, most hidden things; and when I know
Your holiest dreams yield to the stupid bow
Of his red lips, and that the empty grace
Of those strong legs and arms, that rosy face,
Has beaten your heart to such a flame of love,
That you have given him every touch and move,
Wrinkle and secret of you, all your life,
-- Oh! then I know I'm waiting, lover-wife,
For the great time when love is at a close,
And all its fruit's to watch the thickening nose
And sweaty neck and dulling face and eye,
That are yours, and you, most surely, till you die!
Day after day you'll sit with him and note
The greasier tie, the dingy wrinkling coat;
As prettiness turns to pomp, and strength to fat,
And love, love, love to habit!
                            And after that,
When all that's fine in man is at an end,
And you, that loved young life and clean, must tend
A foul sick fumbling dribbling body and old,
When his rare lips hang flabby and can't hold
Slobber, and you're enduring that worst thing,
Senility's queasy furtive love-making,
And searching those dear eyes for human meaning,
Propping the bald and helpless head, and cleaning
A scrap that life's flung by, and love's forgotten, -- -
Then you'll be tired; and passion dead and rotten;
And he'll be dirty, dirty!
                            O lithe and free
And lightfoot, that the poor heart cries to see,
That's how I'll see your man and you! -- -

                                          But you
-- Oh, when that time comes, you'll be old and dirty too!

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Beer
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 08:56 PM

Dave's Wife thank you for that reminder of a beautiful song. I jut went to You Tube and it is there by Janice. What a great great song. Topical tom, I still have a difficult time singing that song.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: quokka
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 08:30 PM

Johnny McEvoy's song 'Long Long Before Your Time' seems to fit both categories...in a way.

Cheers,
Quokka

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 02:22 PM

Nobody has said Faded Love/Bob Wills yet. Often overused, over played, but still a good song.

Also, San Antonio Rose.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: LeTenebreux
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 02:07 PM

My wife and I love the song "The Hobo's Last Letter"

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: kendall
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 06:35 AM

A Daisey a day by Jud Strunk.
Some day you'll call my name and I won't answer. (Hank Williams)
Starlight on the rails. Utah Phillips.

Lonesome Robin by Bob Coltman. ...and you're wondering what Marian found to do, that's better than coming to see you one last time, no more Robin, no more, your outlaw days are over.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 03:55 AM

"You Belong to Me" written by Chilton Price and sung preferably by Kate Rusby. (On Youtube)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: topical tom
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 12:42 AM

For longing, a song that I have heard sung by April Verch but I cannot find the lyrics.It begins:

          There's a light in the window, darling one, darling one.
          There's a light in the window, darling one.
          It will shine on forever through darkness and bad weather
          To guide your way home, darling one.

                           Chorus

          Nobody knows what they'll find down the road
          But my love goes with you wherever you may go.
          The light in the window will always shine on
          To light your way home, darling one.

Anyone know any more of the lyrics?It's a beautiful song.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: topical tom
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 12:18 AM

For old love, "Stars in Their Crown" by Garnet Rogers:

Stars in Their Crown

That pair in the corner,
They're here every Tuesday
They come when the market first opens its stalls.
And it's got so that lately
I'll wait just to see them
Their heads bent together,
As they come down the hall.

And her hair has grown whiter
His has grown thinner
And their pace has slowed down,
As the years have grown long
But they keep step together
Amongst strangers who hurry,
These two old companions,
Walking slowly along.

They always take the same table
And they open their menus,
And I watch as his hand stretches out to touch hers,
And she, with the other, reaches under her chair,
And fumbles her glasses from out of her purse.
And she reads him the specials,
He does the ordering,
They joke with the waitress, about watching their weight
But the waitress says nothing, she just snaps her gum
And then brings their dessert,
That they'll share from one plate.

Sometimes I watch them too closely,
They notice me staring
And they smile at me vaguely,
Not really seeing my face
But they know I'm a stranger,
Not one of their friends
Who have died, or long since
Moved away from this place.

They keep to themselves
They're each other's shelter,
Two hearts grown together,
Two parts of a whole
And I smile at them shyly,
I know I intrude, on this pair of old lovers,
And I turn and I go.

But, you know that I've seen them
As they leave the cafe,
He pull out her chair,
And he helps her to stand
And he holds out her coat,
And he hugs it around her
And together they leave
Holding each other's hand.

And there's a love beyond words
In their every small gesture,
As the two old companions make their way through the town
A love beyond name, beyond years, beyond measure
And the days that they share
Are the stars in their crown.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,cStu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 07:44 PM

Martha by Tom Waits is already mentioned. Good.

I was just checking to make sure ;~)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: KT
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 07:41 PM

Wonderful to see you here, Gregory.

How nice to be reminded of your wonderful song, which I've sung so many, many times over the last 30 some years. Many a bride and groom has been blessed by your song, as have countless families, congregations and individuals.

Your music is a gift! Thanks for sharing it.

KT

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Gregory Norbet
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 07:05 PM

Dear friends,
the song I composed in 1972, Wherever You Go, is about connections, threads, and the fabric of grace and complimentarity that ensues. It is about faithfulness to those given to us to cherish and nurture, but it is also about God's faithfulness to us. In this sense, God is the eternal, consummate lover of us all. Knowing that deep in ourselves, we are empowered to bring that immense quality to our relationships.
Peace and Grace,
Gregory

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 06:28 PM

1. 'Somewhere in America' by Eric Bogle ('Somewhere in America, a world away from you'
2. 'Love Song' by Victoria Wood (From the perspective of a man whose wife of many years has died in hospital, and he hasn't really taken it in yet.)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Dave'sWIfe
Date: 27 Jul 05 - 04:41 AM

No, 'Whither Thou Goest' is not the song I was referring to. I wasn't able to find the lyrics, but it's highly possible that both 'Whither Thou Goest' and 'Wherever you go' are both based on the same Bible verses. Those verses from Ruth are very popular at weddings, espceically Interfaith weddings.

'Wherever you go'is a very common Catholic 'Folk' Hymn composed by Gregory Norbet formerly of Weston Priory in Vermont. It became hugely popular in the mid to late 1970s and is now one of the more common songs sung at Catholic Weddings. If you search on the title and the last name of 'norbet', you'll find most of the online references are from individual Catholic parishes who are providing lists of acceptible songs for weddings.

'Wherever you go' is really a lovely song and woth seeking out. I don't know which CD it's on.. maybe LISTEN or LOCUSTS AND HONEY. You can find it by going to the music page at:
Weston priory Webpage

Joe Offer is porbably familiar with this song and maybe Sinsull too.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:55 PM

Dave's wife - do you mean "Whither Thou Goest"? I don't think you do, but the words are similar, and you can hear the melody here. Search for "Whither Thou Goest" "Perry Como" at cdnow.com

Another suggestion for "long love" (a German proverb: Young Love, Long Love) is "Mary in the Morning" ;-)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:19 PM

Grow Old Along With Me--as done by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 10:35 PM

There's a lovely slow song by Janis Ian called 'Jesse' which I always took to mean as Jesse had died and she was waiting in vain for him/her to come back home but.. it could mean Jesse's just away on a long trip or seperated from her by a long distance, right. It's got a nice melody. ROberta Flack did a nice cover of it. it's on one of her Greatest Hits CDs.


Jesse                                                                                 
Janis Ian

Jesse come home
there's a hole in the bed
where we slept
now it's growing cold
hey Jesse, your face
in the place where we lay
by the hearth, all apart
it hangs on my heart

and I'm leaving the light on the stairs
no I'm not scared - I wait for you
hey Jesse, I'm lonely, come home

Jesse, the floors and the boards
recalling your step
and I remember, too
all the pictures are fading
and shaded in grey
but I still set a place
on the table at noon

and I'm leaving a light on the stairs
no I'm not scared - I wait for you
hey Jesse, I'm lonely, come home

Jesse, the spread on the bed
is like when you left
I've kept it all for you
and all the blues and the greens
have been recently cleaned
and they're seemingly new
hey jes, me and you

we'll swallow the light on the stairs
we'll do up my hair
we'll sleep unaware
hey Jesse, I'm lonely, come home

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Rain Dog
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 12:40 PM

In the second category

Time Wears Awa' by Emily Smith from the album A Day Like Today

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:44 AM

Well - not strcitly speaking about longing.. but:
Our Love Is here To Stay

That can be interpretted many ways and certainly could be sung to a faithful lover far away.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: MissouriMud
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 11:31 AM

1. The Banks of the Dee - words a bit dated being that its from the 1770s but the Langolee melody is as lovely as ever. Us "rebels" made a nasty parody of this but the original is very heartfelt yet with the expectation of return that is missing in the many other simlar themes such as much of the "Johnny has gone for a Soldier"/"Shule Aroon" (sp?) family

2.   When You and I were Young Maggie - Although Maggie may have died after only a brief marriage the words relate to a much longer relationship

Couldnt think of any traditonal US tunes in these categories, though I know there are some -   Stephen Foster's "Old Dog Tray"? (probably not)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: kendall
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 08:31 AM

I remember Loving you
Faded roses of December
Phoebe Snow

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 07:04 AM

Apropos of little to do with Love Songs.. in looking for the definitive lyrics to 'Wherever you go' (which I didn't find) I came across Brother Gregory Norbet's current Website where you can hear Midi's of his music (But NOT,sadly, "Wherever you go')

Brother Gregory Norbet Music Site
http://www.gregorynorbet.org/

He's no longer with Weston priory but with some place called The Hosea Foundation and guess what? They have a website too!
http://www.hoseafoundation.org./


Now, none of this has much to do with earthly love, but.. I mentioned the guy and theser links don't come up quickly in goggle searches, so here they are for future reference and google searches.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Dave'sWife
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 06:10 AM

>>>1 Come all you maids that live at a distance<< AKA - 'Live not Where i Love - wonderful choice!

Oddly enough, I have sung that at memorials.

Joe offer might second my mention of a Catholic Liturgical song often sung at Weddings AND funerals:
- Wherever You Go by Brother Greogory Norbet of Weston Priory

It's a wonderful, simple song that seems to fit both occasions. it's based on the Book of Ruth (Ruth Ch1:16,17) I can't seem to find the Lyrics online... dang! I'll try and type them from memory:

Wherever you go
I shall go
Wherever you live
so shall I live
your people will be my people
and your God will be my God too

Wherever you die
I shall die
and there shall I be buried beside you
we will be together forever
and our love will last for all time

Something like that.. i'ts a lovely melody and the lyrics can express comittment across miles.



Seems odd to me that typing in the title of the song and the name 'norbet' don't bring up the lyrics readily. Brother Norbet was a superstar of the 1970s Catholic Folk Movement.

Well, whatever you do, don't sing 'The river is wide'!

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: erinmaidin
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 06:07 AM

My Donal
Love's Old Sweet Song
Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: fat B****rd
Date: 26 Jul 05 - 05:26 AM

Tomm Waits "Martha"
Ronnie Lane "Annie"

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 09:36 PM

Well, I think Kate Wolf's "I'm Amazed to Find that You're Still on My Mind" deserves consideration.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 09:14 PM

2. I'll give you a Daisy a Day, Dear.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 08:58 PM

Thanks for the great ideas. I especially appreciate being directed toward Grey DeLisle. She's wonderful!
Chris

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Dave F
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 03:15 PM

For Cat 2 try Dave Evardson's "My Darling Girl" (Song for Julie)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: moongoddess
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 02:27 PM

One of my favorite longing for a love song is "Black Haired Boy' written by Grey DeLisle. Here are the lyrics:

Black Haired Boy
Oh, where's the little black haired boy with shining eyes of blue
Where's the little black haired boy that bid my heart adieu
I wandered in the valley and swam across the sea
I prayed the good Lord's mercy would bring him back to me
Oh where's the little black haired boy with shining eyes of blue
Come home now little black haired boy, my heart belongs to you

Be joyful little black haired girl, your boy's not been untrue
Be joyful little black haired girl for since we bid adieu
I toiled in the valley and drowned beneath the sea
I prayed the good Lord's mercy redeem and rescue me
Be joyful little black haired girl, your boy's not been untrue
For though my spirit's heaven bound my heart belongs to you

    If you Google Grey DeLisle and "Black Haired Boy" you can hear her singing this beautiful song.


For Category 2, I would put my vote in for John Prine's "In Spite of Ourselves". Again, if you Google the song you can probably find the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Janie
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 02:24 PM

L.S. you're right. A singing partner taught it to me for us to perform as a male/female duet. He had adapted the lyrics so the message was about young lovers separated involuntarily. I had forgotten that he had done the adaptation.

Janie

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 02:00 PM

Actualy, the best song about old love is in Spanish, "La Mujer Que Yo Quiero" written by Juan Manuel Serrat. Magnificent version in Hebrew, done by David Broza.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: frogprince
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 01:56 PM

"Old Love", which is in the D.T.; I thinks it's Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen that I've mainly heard do it.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Emma B
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 01:34 PM

1 Come all you maids that live at a distance
2 John Anderson my Jo (the "original" version)

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 08:12 AM

Surely If I was a Blackbird isn't really about faithful love separated?

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Janie
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 08:10 AM

Category 1: "If I Were a Blackbird" "That's No Way to Say Goodbye"

Category 2: "Your Long Journey" (lyrics available in a thread but I couldn't link to them.)

Janie

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 08:07 AM

Whoops! Hit the return key and sent it too soon. Those were the first ones which came into my head. I was going to say for category 2: When you and I were young, Maggie. That one's in the database.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 08:03 AM

Category 1: If you have the Gaelic, Mo Ru\n Geal Dileas, Calum Sgaire, and Runrig's Tillidh Mi Dhachaidh.

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: bfdk
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 06:09 AM

For category 1:
Runrig: I'll Keep Coming Home & Going Home
Jed Marum: Mary McGuill
Nick Keir: Festival Lights & Running Home
Bruce Guthro: All the Miles

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Sooz sans cookie
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 04:52 AM

Robin Laing's "Black Clothes"

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 04:27 AM

'Always something there to remind me'... not folk but you didn't specify.

LTS

Subject: RE: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 25 Jul 05 - 03:49 AM

1) Ten Thousand Miles Away.
2) The Devil and the Feathery Wife.

Subject: Favorite songs of longing and old love
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 24 Jul 05 - 09:55 PM

What are your favorite songs in two categories:
1. Longing for a sweetheart who is faithful but temporarily far away.
2. Love between a couple that's been married many years.
Any great ideas?
Thanks! Chris Cotton