Songs about women coping

Subject: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 31 Dec 98 - 11:23 PM

Hi Animaterra, in another thread (time signatures) you mentioned that you were putting together a program of songs, relating (I'm not sure here, just guessing) on how women cope? Sounds interesting, would make for a great thread if you'd care to explain & care for comments? Good Luck, no matter what. Barry

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 04:43 AM

I, too, would be interested. I am involved with a lot of women friends who are coping in the most creative ways, and, as a writer, I've some material which might be of interest. Hope to see a thread on this.

kat

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Animaterra
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 09:27 AM

Well, right now it's just in the planning stage, but I'm thinking about all the songs that illustrate the various coping mechanisms we all- not just women- use in our lives. There is so much material, showing everything from stoic surrender to lunacy and beyond to power, etc. Here's a sample of the songs I'm considering, and the coping mechanism as I see it:

Anachie Gordan (suicide) The Oak and the Ash (homesick- wants a man to take her home) Liverpool Lullabye & Still I Love Him (Do you love an apple) (codependency!) Hostile Baby Rocking Song (slightly cracked humor) Solvay (violence) Gypsy Rover (or one of its ilk) (defying convention, runn-ing off) When Every Woman (power and hope)

I don't know whether this would be a solo program or whether I'd sing with a friend or two or use it with my chorus. I welcome other suggestions! Happy New Year! Allison

Subject: Lyr Add: CARRIGDHOUN^^
From: Alice
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 02:04 PM

The first that comes to my mind is "Carrighdoun". Thanks to Frank McGrath for emailing me the lyrics and sheet music to this song last June. I think I entered the lyrics on a thread before, but here they are again. I had to remove the abc software from my computer, but if you want a gif of the music, I can email it to you.

alice in montana

-----------

CARRIGDHOUN

The heath was green on Carrigdhoun, bright shone the sun o'er Ardnalee,
The dark green trees bent trembling down, to kiss the slumbering Own-na-Buidhe,
That happy day, twas but last May, tis like a dream to me,
When Donal swore, aye o'er and o'er, We'd part no more astor mo chroidhe.

On Carrig Dhoun the heath is brown, the clouds are dark o'er Ardnalee.
And many a stream comes rushing down, to swell the angry Own-na-Buidhe,
The moaning blast comes sweeping past, through many a leafless tree,
And I'm alone, for he is gone, My hawk has flown, ochone mo chroidhe.

Soft April showers and bright May flowers, will bring the summer back again,
But will they bring those happier hours, I spent with my brave Donal then,
There's but a chance - he's gone to France, to wear the Fleur-de-Lis.
But I'll follow you, my Donal Dhu, For still I'm true, to you mo chroidhe.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Alice
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 02:19 PM

Carrigdhoun, or Carraig Donn, was recorded by Mary O'Hara. It's one of my favorite songs to sing. I loaded the gif onto my website, which is easier than sending you email. The music is here: Carrigdhoun

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 02:48 PM

Hazel Dickens comes to mind on this topic, e.g. her song "You'll Get No More of Me" about kicking the bum out, and "Won't You Come and Sing For Me" about the support of friends easing her passage to the next life.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Animaterra
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 03:24 PM

Thanks, Alice, for Carrigdhoun- it's great! I realized that most of the choices I gave are about negative coping. A more positive one is "When I was a fair maid".

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: folk1234
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 04:26 PM

One of the best songs I've ever heard about the traditional lot of women, and one that truly is an inspiration to all women kind, is "Tree of Life" by Eric Peltoniemi. My favorite interpretation is done by Bok, Muir, & Trickett on their "Fashioned in the Clay" album from Folk Legacy. Ever since we first heard it done by Cathy Barton, Dave Para, & Ed Trickett at the Branford (CT) folk music socitey (circa 1988), my wife has wanted me to add it to my repertoire. I can't figure out the chords. (Perhaps Sandy Paton can help, please.)

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: mm
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 06:43 PM

Well, maybe it's not what you want, but what about the Dublin song that begins:

O, when I was married I wore a black shawl But now that I'm married I wear bugger all, Ah but still I love him, I can't deny him, I'll go with him wherever he goes.

Do you love an apple, do you love a pear, Do you love a laddie with bonny brown hair? Ah, but still...

and so on, detailing the annoyances of a spendthrift and disrespectful husband, but contradicting it utterly in an indulgent and fond chorus.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Alice
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 08:20 PM

mm, having once been on the receiving end of domestic violence, I changed the way I sing that song. The version I came up with at the end of each verse is,

How could I love him,
Should I forgive him,
Should I go with him wherever he goes?

By the end of the long litany of verses, there isn't anyone in their right mind who would agree in going with someone like the character in the song.

Version in the database is called Still I Love Him. The Clancy Brothers recorded a different version called When I Was Single.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 01 Jan 99 - 08:58 PM

I guess The Devil and the Farmer's Wife is about the ultimate in coping. For less violent coping, there's Kate and her Horns, Devil and the Feathery Wife, Eppie Morrie, Sweet Joan, Dog and Gun, Billy Taylor, Short Jacket and White Trousers.....it's a long, long list a-winding.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Animaterra
Date: 02 Jan 99 - 06:16 AM

Great songs- mm, Alice, I do have "Still I love him" on my list but I agree that the idea of hanging in with the b****** gives me shivers. I do like your alternate words, Alice... but think I would stick with the original and make voice and expression speak louder than words. Having lived for over 17 years with someone who is almost as difficult to get along with as I can be, the song has a particular eloquence...

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Bill Cameron
Date: 02 Jan 99 - 07:56 AM

"Do You Love An Apple" fits in that odd category of songs with lovely melodies and purely poetic lyrics, expressing sentiments that are perhaps best described as pathological. There are in contrast lots of songs of upstanding content that are trite and unmelodic; I know a lot of people who sing "...Apple" because of its virtues of singability; but no one who can really get behind it.

A similarly dark and attractive song without the foolish romanticism is "Liverpool Lullaby" (DT) wherein the coping mechanism is the faint hope of winning a lottery, and the protagonist's love and hope for the future of her child.

Another, which I never cared for much, is Stan Rogers' "Lies", where she copes by anticipating Friday night, when at least he takes her out to the Legion dance....

Then there's "The Black Freighter"...

Kill them now? Or kill them later?

(Ouch)

Bill

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Jan 99 - 04:14 PM

For the killing "Willie Taylor" has a stand up out come & another one while we're on the waves might be Canada-i-o. There's also a grim side of coping. Marrying to get out of a hateful existance, even if it's by means of trickery or by claiming the right of some one's hand through rape is a sad sight. "The Shearing's Not For You" a beautiful song has, the awful line "Do you mind on younder hill, when you swore you would me kill, if you did not have your will, my Bonny Lassie-O". It's an old theme in traditional music going back some ways in song. Barry

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: BSeed
Date: 02 Jan 99 - 05:08 PM

On KPFA, our indispensable listener-supported radio station, I heard some startling statistics about women and the law. A woman in the US who kills her abusive husband, it seems, is more likely to be convicted and will serve far more time than a husband who beats his wife to death. This is mostly because of "use a gun, go to jail" laws, but also can be attributed to the fact that male cops and prosecutors are likely to investigate and prosecute the beating deaths as manslaughter.

Also, women who are arrested for crimes in general are far more likely to be convicted and to do serious time in prison than are men. An example: a woman serving a mandatory-minimum drug crime sentence of fifteen years while her husband, whose involvement in the crime was far greater than hers (she had merely handed him the telephone when his drug connection called), was allowed deal for a misdemeanor conviction. The wife, having no real involvement in the transaction, had no knowledge she could trade for a reduced charge.

How, indeed, do women cope? --seed

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Helen
Date: 02 Jan 99 - 05:51 PM

I tried to find the words and music to a Bushwackers song (Australian bush band) called Past Carin'. It is a woman's lament about having to endure such hard times out on an isolated farm and she has endured so much that she has grown to be past caring. It's very poignant. If it is a Henry Lawson poem, and I suspect it is, then I will look it up and type in the words, and maybe put the tune in as well. There are other Henry Lawson poems/songs on similar themes.

Also, what is the song about a woman who has suffered from domestic violence from her husband for years and she finally takes her revenge and buys herself enough time to leave him safely by sewing him into the bed with a needle and thread when he is dead drunk?

Helen

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: harpgirl
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 01:02 PM

"Geraldine and Ruthie Mae" comes to mind. It is about two homeless women who cope together. It is a moving song but so sad it is not easy to sing...harpgirl

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 01:06 PM

As a witer and human rights activist, I've done a bit of research and written some articles on domestic violence,as well as defended myself against it, in the past. I can indeed attest to the fact that women do have a hard time with the law and how they deal with abuse.

This past year, one edition of my column, "A Mind-Full Spoken©" was on how cattle rustling in Wyoming carries much more severe maximum penalties than does beating up one's spouse. $10,000 and ten yrs. time are the max for stealing someone's livestock, while beating on your spouse is usually treated as a misdemeanor, until the third time when it can be charged as a felony. even then thepenalty max is the same for a kid sneaking out after curfew!

Lots of song material there!

Katlaughing

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: rosebrook
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 02:20 PM

Excellent thread!

Here are a couple more suggestions for you:
Still Ain't Satisfied by Bonnie Lockhart. Very strong, moving song about the token measures our government doles out towards women's issues.
Give Your Hands to Struggle by Bernice Johnson Reagon, a civil rights anthem inspired by activist Septima Clark.
We Don't Need the Men by Malvina Reynolds. I especially like the line "We don't need to have them 'round, except for now and then. They can come to see us when we need to move the piano..."
Rambling Woman by Hazel Dickens. A song about a level-headed woman making decisions in her life. Inspiring!
Ballad of the Welfare Mother. absolutely chilling.
Regarding domestic violence, there are many survivors who have shared their experiences through creativity of poem and song. One of my favorites is Take Back the Night.

I've been enjoying everyone's submissions and I hope this continues!!

Rosebrook

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Bill Cameron
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 02:45 PM

Helen, the song about the seamstress with the drunken husband--isn't it sung by the House Band? Anyway, she doesn't sew him up to "buy time to leave him"--she whups him good with a frying pan and offers him a chance to mend his ways, strictly on her terms.

Canadian justice system seems to be operating differently--no great surprise I guess. A woman in Ottawa who was just convicted of shooting her abusive husband while he slept was sentenced to, I believe, 3 years of house arrest, no jail time. Whether that's appropriate or not--lets just say opinions vary. Considerably.

Bill

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 03:24 PM

Animaterra,

The "Women" section in the dreaded RUS provides these possibilities. "The Ballad of Erica Levine", "Bread and Roses", "I'm Gonna Be an Engineer", and "Step It Out Nancy" (not very PC.) I cannot recall the artist, but some current singer/songwriter has written "Ain't I a Woman" based on a quotation from Harriet Tubman. Hope you find some more.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: rosebrook
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 03:31 PM

Boy, now you got me thinking about domestic violence. Phyllis Horne did a song called "Your Definition of Love" that I like. Part of the lyrics:

Where is the last girl who ran around with you?
Is she in her mama's arms crying?
Or is she a friend
You still see now and then
Let's explore your definition of love.

If we can start out just holding hands
I'll try to keep an open mind
And compare your talking
With the way you really treat me
And explore your definition of love.

She's inspiring to me.

Rose

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Ferrara
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 04:41 PM

You may be interested in checking out Jane Voss' song, "Standing Behind Some Man." -- "I'd rather be lonesome and free, than be standing behind some man." Also, Meg Christian's "Mountain Song": "I have dreamed on this mountain since I first was my mother's daughter, And you cain't take me dreams away (not with me watching). You may drive a great big machine, but I was born a great big woman, and you cain't take my dreams away (without me fightin')...."

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 03 Jan 99 - 05:07 PM

The mention of Jane Voss reminded me of her song "Still My Thoughts Go Back To You," where she has moved on, and time works many wonders, but still her thoughts go back . . .

Lynn Morris wrote a song called "I Can Call Jesus Anytime" when she gets in trouble or discouraged. Coping by finding solace in religion.

And then there's the song by D. Olney called "Queen Anne's Lace" about a woman who "traded all her pain for bright lights and pink champagne" and is now as fine as Queen Anne's Lace, but the singer "knew her when."

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: BSeed
Date: 04 Jan 99 - 12:45 AM

rosebrook, how about posting the lyrics to some of those songs (and you others, as well), and information on sources--i.e., publishers, album titles, etc. --seed

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: alison
Date: 04 Jan 99 - 05:43 AM

Hi,

the one about being sewn to the mattress... isn't that A stitch in time "Past caring" is Henry Lawson.... it's been done by Phyl Lobl and Us not them.

There's a good one I think by Alastair Hewlitt, can't remember the title.... Chorus goes

He can't seem to get off the bottle
He just doesn't know when to stop
something snaps in his head and he won't come to bed
'Til he's finished every drop.

It's about a woman who sticks by her alcoholic husband.

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 09:09 AM

I'm not sure what the woman in this song is coping with - there's a wide difference of opinion about whether she's a kidnapping victim or an accomplished thief - but "Maid on the Shore" is one of my favorites about a woman taking life on her own terms.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 07:18 PM

Holly Near did a great rendition of "Mountain Song", on what I believe was her first album. Can't find my copy right now, but it is a great song.

katlaughing

Subject: Lyr Add: PAST CARIN' (Henry Lawson)
From: Alan of Australia
Date: 05 Jan 99 - 07:20 PM

G'day,
Helen, to save you some typing here's Past Carin', seeing I've got it typed already.

PAST CARIN'
by Henry Lawson

Now up and down the sidling brown
The great black crows are flyin'
And down below the spur I know
Another milker's dyin'
The crops have withered from the ground
The tank's clay bed is glarin'
But from my heart no tear nor sound
For I have got past carin'
Past worryin' or carin'
Past feelin' aught or carin'
But from my heart no tear nor sound
For I have got past carin'.

Through death and trouble turn about
Through hopeless desolation
Through flood and fever fire and drought
And slavery and starvation
Through childbirth sickness hurt and blight
And nervousness and scarin'
Through bein' left alone at night
I've come to be past carin'
Past botherin' or carin'
Past feelin' and past carin'
Through city cheats and neighbours spite
I've come to be past carin'.

Our first child took in days like these
A cruel week in dyin'
All day upon her father's knees
Or on my poor breast lyin'
The tears we shed - the prayers we said
Were awful wild - despairin'
I've pulled three through and buried two
Since then - and I'm past carin'
I've grown to be past carin'
Lookin' up or carin'
I've pulled three through and buried two
Since then and I'm past carin'.

'Twas ten years first then came the worst
All for a barren clearin'
I thought, I thought my heart would burst
When first my man went shearin'
He's drovin' in the great north west
I don't know how he's farin'
And I the one that loved him best
Have grown to be past carin'
I've grown to be past carin'
Past waitin' and past wearin'
The girl that waited long ago
Has lived to be past carin'.

My eyes are dry I cannot cry
I've got no heart for breakin'
But where it was in days gone by
A dull and empty achin'
My last boy ran away from me
I know my temper's wearin'
But now I only wish to be
Beyond all signs of carin'
Past wearyin' or carin'
Past feelin' and despairin'
And now I only wish to be
Beyond all signs of carin'.

Cheers,
Alan

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 02:05 AM

Susan-Marie, The Maid was indeed a very accomplished thief, with a touch of magic to boot. No kidnapping here, she's far to fast. Barry

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Helen
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 03:55 AM

Thanks Alan, for putting the lyrics of Past Caring in. I have typed in the music to Noteworthy, but I am in a hurry at the moment so I'll post it using the MidiText programme, hopefully tomorrow. Helen

Subject: Tune Add: PAST CARIN'
From: Helen
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 05:36 AM

Hi all,

Here is the MidiText version of Past Carin', as promised. It's a very nice tune, and the poem was adapted & set to music by Steve Ashley. It was on the Bushwackers album called Bushfire.

Double thanks to Alan of Australia - firstly for posting the lyrics and secondly for the MidiText programme.

Helen

MIDI file: pastcari.mid

Timebase: 192

Key: D
TimeSig: 4/4 24 8
Name: Staff-1
Start
0000 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0160 0 68 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 59 110 0256 0 59 000 0032 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 61 110 0160 0 61 000 0032 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000 0032 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0432 0 59 000 0048 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0032 1 64 110 0094 0 64 000 0002 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 73 110 0256 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0336 0 71 000 0048 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 68 110 0256 0 68 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0032 1 68 110 0160 0 68 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0432 0 59 000 0048 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0160 0 68 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 59 110 0256 0 59 000 0032 1 61 110 0160 0 61 000 0032 1 61 110 0256 0 61 000 0032 1 59 110 0094 0 59 000 0002 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000 0032 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0432 0 59 000 0048 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 73 110 0256 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 68 110 0160 0 68 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 68 110 0448 0 68 000 0032 1 68 110 0160 0 68 000 0032 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 64 110 0160 0 64 000 0032 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0624 0 59 000 0048 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 68 110 0094 0 68 000 0002 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 68 110 0160 0 68 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0094 0 66 000 0002 1 59 110 0256 0 59 000 0032 1 61 110 0160 0 61 000 0032 1 61 110 0256 0 61 000 0032 1 59 110 0094 0 59 000 0002 1 57 110 0160 0 57 000 0032 1 59 110 0160 0 59 000 0032 1 61 110 0094 0 61 000 0002 1 59 110 0624 0 59 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Staff-1
M:4/4
Q:1/4=120
K:D
F2F2^GA3|^G2F2F2B,2|-B,CC2B,2A,2|B,2CB,5|
F2F3^GA2|^GF3EF2A|c3BA3B|-Bc2B4c|-cc2B2B^G2|
-^GA2^GF3^G|-^GA2^GF3E|-ECB,5F|-FF2^GA3^G|
-^GF2FB,3C|-CC3B,A,2B,|-B,CB,5c|-cc3BB2^G|
-^GA^G5^G|-^GA3^GF2E|-ECB,6|-B,F2^GA3^G|-^GF2FB,3C|
-CC3B,A,2B,|-B,CB,6|-B,/2||

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Bert
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 09:01 AM

Some women use humor to help them cope

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Bert
Date: 07 Jan 99 - 09:03 AM

Well that didn't work. It was supposed to be a link.

http://www.mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=46283

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From:
Date: 08 Feb 99 - 11:49 AM

What happened to this thread?
Eric Bogle has written a far bleaker Scottish equivalent to the 'Liverpool Lullaby', called the 'Glasgow Mother's Lullaby'. I was almost moved to tears when I found a book ('Finding Peggy') by a journalist, Meg Henderson, about her youth in a Glasgow slum, who used almost the same words as Eric in talking about her parents' relationship.

Harry Chapin's 'Why Did Little Girls Grow Crooked' is not so much about coping, but it does ask some basic questions, and as it must be twenty years old it really is a remarkable song.
Traditional ones:
John Anderson My Jo (the pre-Burns version!)
John Grumlie
Lovely Joan
Bonnie Laddie Ye Gang By Me
The Sands on the Shore
the Jute Mill Song (sorry, not trad, but seems like it)
and the most gruesome of all coping songs, Prince Heathen (Child #104).

I'm surprised Judy Small's songs haven't been mentioned in this thread. She has a higher percentage of songs about women coping in whatever way, in whatever situation, than most singers, and she has an unashamedly old-fashioned style that makes her a pleasure to listen to - for me, at any rate. Try:
Mothers Daughters Wives
Bridget Evans
Alice Martin
The Family Maiden Aunt
From the Lambing to the Wool
The I.P.D.
Mary Parker's Lament
Montreal December '89 (although it's not so much about coping either, more about male violence)
Much Too Much Trouble
No Tears For the Widow
Song For Jacqueline (not about coping either, perhaps, but very touching)
The White Bay Paper Seller
Women of Our Time
- you will notice I'm really struck! Unfortunately, I've 'lost' her website, but she has several CDs out which should be available in the States, as well as a compilation available from Greentrax in Edinburgh:

http://webzone1.co.uk/www/scotsweb/greentrax.htm

Judy Small gave the loveliest little example of coping as a female singer when one night at the Tonder Festival in Denmark she and Danish singer Bente Kure went on after about fifteen male colleagues and belted out this gem:

We're gonna get you folks to take a good look at this stage
There's people of all sizes here and folks of different age
But there's something quite unbalanced, and I wonder if you see
The thing that is unbalanced - you guessed it, it's we

'Cause we're the token sheilas on this here stage tonight
It seems to take just two of us to counter all that might
Yes, the world's full of testosterone but now it's quite all right
'Cause we're the token sheilas on this here stage tonight
Yes, we're the token sheilas on this here stage tonight

Sorry, going on for too long again! But it's such a great thread, and I missed out because my PC crashed in January and I had to wait for the new one. Got close to Mudcat cold turkey! - Susanne

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Cuilionn
Date: 08 Feb 99 - 02:42 PM

There's a grand sangster in Washington State whae's been wrichtin' grand sangs aboot women copin'. Her name's Linda Allen, an' if ye can get yir hands on her recordings "Women's Work" an' "Washington Notebook" I'm thinkin' ye'll hae a hantle o' material tae wairk wi', an' all o' it verra accessibly singable. She haes a way o' luikin' at life thro' sae mony different folks' eyes, an' then craftin' sangs for ilka sairt o' vision... She's aye a treasure, an' still wrichtin' an' singin' wi' nae end in sicht.

Ye micht alsae luik tae th' sangs o' Cindy Kallet, Kat Eggleston, an' Scotland's brilliant sangster, Sheena Wellington. She daes a cover o' Brian McNeill's sang "Strong Women Rule Us All With Their Tears" that maks ye feel bold an' bitter an' brave eno' tae tak on a hantle o' sodjers single-handit, an' then gae hame an' cuik yersel' a haggis for congratulation an' comfort.

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Laurel
Date: 09 Feb 99 - 02:56 PM

Animaterra- There are a lot of coping songs under "Women" in Rise Up Singing, (aka: The Blue Book). Take a look in there. Also, "The Fair Maid on the Shore" and "The Unquiet Grave" are about women coping, ("the Unquiet grave" if you get the right version, for there are some with men coping too). If you want a song about men coping, try "The Newry Highwayman".

Laurel

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Cara
Date: 09 Feb 99 - 05:10 PM

There's a lovely song from Nova Scotia (so I understand) called "Sonny" or "Sonny's Dreams". Quite wrenching, depending on the interpretation-

Sonny, don't go away I'm here all alone Your daddy's a sailor He never comes home

And the nights are so long Silence goes on I'm feelin' so tired And not all that strong

Sonny lives on a farm and he works on the land...

It's about Sonny coping too, I guess

Slainte Cara

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 09 Feb 99 - 06:32 PM

For a slightly different perspective how about Rockin The Cradle/Wee One or The Ale Wife.

Harry Robinson wrote and recorded The Whaling Wife, if it's not in the Dt I'll chase it up.

Regards
John

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Laurel
Date: 10 Feb 99 - 08:36 AM

Like Cara said, "Sonny's Dreams" is a great one. Really moving.

Laurel

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: alison
Date: 10 Feb 99 - 06:15 PM

Hi,

and it's in the database

SONNY'S DREAM

Slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 10 Feb 99 - 10:59 PM

But the tune isn't. I transcribed it a couple of weeks ago - will post tomorrow.

Regards
John

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Mary Ann
Date: 11 Feb 99 - 11:21 PM

As long as Cuillan mentioned Linda Allen in Seattle (wonderful!), let me throw in Heidi Muller's "Average Woman" song

"The average woman is woman enough." check out her tapes if you aren't familiar with her music.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PATTERN (Kim McKee)^^
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 04:10 PM

Hi, Animaterra:

Just got Jean Redpath's CD, "A woman of her time", which is all about women coping and thought you might like to know about it. There's a really poignant poem on it that I posted to the "sad song sung by Jean Redpath" thread, today.

Anyway, the songs on here are really good and include:

Women of Our Time
Why shoudl I a brisk young lassie?,br> The Mistress
A'the week yer man's awar'
Harry's wife (really good!)
The Lodger
Lunderston Bay
Retirement (the poem I mentioned)
False bride
Tecumseh valley
Blue blazin' Blind drunk
Glasgow lullaby
The jute mill song
An auld man cam coortin' me
High Jeanie High
The gardener
Nancy of the Golden hair
Mhairi's song
The guidwife speaks
From the lambing to the wool

Let me know if you want more info. Also, for a fun coping song try Willson & McKee's Calgon Cruise written by them and on their CD Farther Down the Road from Rimsong Music POB 704 Polson, MT 59860. Its all about a mom who goes into the bathroom, locks the door, fills the tub with calgon bubbles, sinks in, and imagines herself on a wonderful getaway "cruise". It's a lot of fun and a great positive example of coping.

Another of theirs which is a favourite of mine is "The Pattern", also the name of their first CD. Kim McKee wrote it after reading how the women in seafring villages would knit an "identifying" pattern in the sweaters for their men. Here are the copyrighted lyrics:

Oh the sea can take the lovers
and the Fathers from our homes
and leave a hole within the hearts
of those who watch them go

So we stitch for them a sweater
with love, to keep them warm
and hidden there within the wool
the pattern for their return

Chorus:

And this man will not be nameless
when they claim him from the swell
There is so much more to this man's life...
That pattern does not tell

This pattern gives his name to him
if he's lost upon the foam
But does not tell much of his life
or those he left at home

Of the loving nights with tallow lights
the laughter and the tears
It speaks his name but does not sing
the song of all our years

Chorus:

I remember all the love I felt
while stitching slow and even
The tenderness he spoke to me
upon his sea-bound leavin'

Now I sit beside this peat fire
dreaming of my lover, gone
And cry and sing a prayer
for the pattern of my son

Chorus:

And this boy will not be nameless
When they claim him from the swell
There is so much more to this boy's life...
That the pattern does not tell

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Lucius
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 04:41 PM

Yes, Annamaterra, its me.

I'd suggest Stand by your Man", but it seems like you already have some variants on this tune, re: Do you love an apple, Liverpool Lullabye, etc...

How about "The Ballad of Penny Evans"? I know that you know this tune.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 07:07 PM

Thanks, Kat. It sounds like a cd worth getting. I love Jean Redpath- met her once long ago and found her to be the gracious lady you have confirmed her to be.
Aha, Bob! Your suggestion belies the sensitive guy you really are. *grin!* Allison

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Lorraine
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 08:24 PM

Hi you might want to look at Isabella Gunn by Eileen McGann on her Elements CD of a woman who steals away from Scotland (dressed as a ship hand of course)to Canada and becomes a fur trader-based on real woman. You might consider Crafty Maids Policy- I think I've seen it with another name here but you know the one where the maid makes off with the gentlemans horse. good luck

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Don Meixner
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 08:37 PM

I recall a song some years back on an album by Bottle Hill. The title of the song escapes me but I'm sure its in the attic of no return. The chorus follows.

Cattle was their game,

Archer was the name,

They gave to the acreage that they owned,

If the Brazos don't run dry,

and the new born calves don't die,

Another year for Mary will have flown.

And when I think of women who cope, I think of the farmwife in Stan Roger's, "Lies" there can't be many better descriptions of a women's more private moments than that.

Don

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Ferrara
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 09:40 PM

"Here's To You Rounders (and Here's to your RailRoad Men)". About a woman whose husband left many years ago and now she refuses to have him back. It may be on Art Thieme's CD. (Art, I apologize for not knowling.) A fine feisty woman.

There's one by Eric Bogle, never knew the title, it may be mentioned above. Chorus goes something like "Oh, my dear, it's a weary, weary life / Wha would be a drinkin' man's wife? Wha would bear all this trouble and strife? / Wha but a silly woman?" I never liked that last line, but I love the song anyway.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Night Owl
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 09:51 PM

"Custom Made Woman Blues"-Hazel Dickens and Alice Girard (Rounder); Jean and Lee Schilling also sing a song about a mother's struggle with the Still and the local sheriff...which starts "The little girl sat on the log cabin floor...." and the chorus starts "Mamie, don't make liquor tonight..Sheriff Black may be watching the still"...and the name of the song is.......um....uh......oh well, maybe later!

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Night Owl
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 09:53 PM

and then there is "Don't Put Her Down, You Helped Put Her There."

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: Susan A-R
Date: 27 Mar 99 - 11:16 PM

There's also a wonderful album by a group out of the Northamptoon area called the Rude girls. Among other things they do the Ballad of Francine Hughs (never know how to spell that) about the woman who actually set her husband's bed on fire (with him in it) after he'd abused her for years. Also has a great cross dresser sailor song called the Female Rambling sailor. I also like Tom Paxton's Mary Got a New Job. There are also some pretty interesting songs about creative political actions. My favorite is one which I know as The Balloon Song about a group of women who go into an Oktoberfest celebration, which is attended by George Bush and Helmut Cole (sp) The security is tight, but they look the part of nice Madchens. Under their dresses they have big No Euro Missile banners, attached to helium balloons. Up they go and there's nothing that can be done about 'em. I also like Jock O Hazeldeen, since the woman runs off with the guy she wants to marry, rather than going for the weaaalthy fellow her folks have picked out for her. Isabella Gunn is also a great one. I also remember a Judy Small song about Jessie Street (Streep) an upper class Austrlian woman who worked a lot in pretty radical causes. Gate sof the Boyne (or is it Aboyne) is also great. Shehas the taste to love a guy who comes and gets her out of the mess she's in. I'd prefer it if she did it herself, but . . . Cindy Kallet does that one with Gordon Bok. How about Coal Mining Woman, sung y Cathy Fink, Betsy Rose also does one called I'm Settled, about throwing a party, since she has no intention or wish to get married, and that's where you get al of the goods. Anyway, there are lots more. I'll keep thinking, and if any of this appeals, let me know and I'll track down lyrics.

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 12:27 AM

Wow! Susan A-R: I'd forgotten about the Rude Girls! Thanks for reminding me. I used to go down to Pulaski Park, about two blocks from our house and listen to them! What fun! They've got some very fun and irreverent songs.

Allison, there is also a good one on Holly Near's tape "Imagine My Surprise" called Mountain Song which she has paired up with Kentucky Woman. In fact that whole tape has great women songs on it, including Fight Back; Put Away; Rock Me In Your Arms, etc.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Animaterra: Songs about women coping?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 28 Mar 99 - 09:29 AM

Thanks to all of you for a seemingly endless supply of songs- there's enough here for years of programs. Obviously people like Holly Near, Sally Rogers, and others make a career out of it. I'm so grateful to all of you for the suggestions. I'm still working on the idea- I started out thinking of it as a solo program, and still plan to do something like it, but I also think it'll be fun to do this with my whole chorus! Thanks again
Allison

Subject: RE: Songs about women coping
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 23 Sep 12 - 09:06 PM

"Stone Cold Dead In The Market" is about a woman who murders her abusive husband.

Subject: RE: Songs about women coping
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 07:30 AM

very interesting reading, thanks for reviving this thread

Subject: RE: Songs about women coping
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 08:41 AM

Irish song, Bantry Girls Lament, comes into tht category

Subject: RE: Songs about women coping
From: GUEST,Cathy in Sydney
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 08:45 AM

How about Blue Bleezing Blind Drunk - Margaret Walters sang it at a session at Turning Wave Festival in Yass (NSW, Aust) last week. The Unthanks do a version of it. Although really, I think the woman in the song should go further than singing about it - she should actually drown HIM, not her sorrows.

And I like Kristina Olsen's I Just Want You to Hold Me. Nice mix of vulnerability and strength - the experience of lots of women I reckon.

Subject: RE: Songs about women coping
From: fat B****rd
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 09:38 AM

James Taylor's Millworker and O.C Smith's The Balad of Hickory Holler's Tramp.

Subject: RE: Songs about women coping
From: oldhippie
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 05:23 PM

Annie by Fred Small

Subject: Lyr Add: DANCING AT WHITSUN
From: GUEST,jood
Date: 24 Sep 12 - 05:59 PM

Dancing at Whitsun (trad/John Austin Marshall)) Maddy Prior and Tim Hart?

It's 50 long springtimes since she was a bride
but still you may see her at each whitsuntide
in a dress of white linen and ribbons of green
as green as her memories of loving

the feet that were nimble tread carefully now
as gentle a measure as age will allow
through groves of white blossom by fields of young corn
where once she was pledged to her true love

the fields they stand empty the hedges grow free
no young men to tend them of pastures go seed
they are gone where the forests of oak trees before
have gone to be wasted in battle

down from the green farmland and from their loved ones
marched husbands and brothers and fathers and sons
there's a fine roll of honour where the maypole once stood
and the ladies go dancing at whitsun

there's a straight row of houses in these latter days
all covering the downs where the sheep used to graze
there's a field of red poppies and a wreath from the Queen
but the ladies remember at whitsun
yes the ladies go dancing at whitsun.