Mistletoe bough, recording.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: quantock
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 09:32 AM

According to Sally Norris in her book, Tales of Old Somerset, the events described in the song happened at the rectory at Bawdrip in Somerset on 14th June 1681. Eleanor Lovell was the unfortunate bride.

Rob.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 06:11 AM

Yes, Splott Man's quite correct. There's an old ruined cottage in Llyn, North Wales, where Menir and her true love were wed. It was part of the curse on the place that if sweethearts married, their marriage would end in sorrow. I can't remember the exact details, but Menir disapeared - and a bolt of lightning split the oak tree, leaving her awful trapped remains to be discovered. Sad, really.

About The Mistletoe Bough which Sussex Carole so kindly suggested: Calennig recorded A Gower Garland (Wild Goose Records) as a Phil Tanner 50th anniversary tribute. I learnt this song from William Gammon of Mumbles, Gower, who believed that the tragedy occured in Oystermouth Castle - one of a number of likely places where the bride hid in the old oak chest.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: JohnB
Date: 31 Dec 05 - 02:20 PM

GuestDB (who should join, it's easy and free) is quite correct it is a relly good CD.
Track Listings
1. Foggy Dew
2. Jockey To The Fair/Dame Durden
3. Mistletoe Bough
4. Cupid's Garden
5. Queen Eleanor's Confession
6. Spotted Cow
7. Seeds Of Love
8. Barley Mow
9. Prentice Boy
10. I Have Parks I Have Hounds
11. Break O'the Day
12. Sheepshearing Song
13. Tailor's Breeches
14. Downhills Of Life
15. I Wish I Wish
16. Joan's Ale
17. Outlandish Knight
18. Such A Beauty I Did Grow
19. Banks Of Allan Water
20. King Arthur Had Three Sons
21. Light Of The Moon

Available at Amazon UK the Saydisc site is currently under reconstruction, anticipated to be up and running Jan 2006.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Cats
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 04:14 PM

ACtually this is from Splott Man at Cats.

Kathy went out to the garage about an hour ago and we haven't heard from her since.

Jon feels a song coming on!

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 02:05 PM

There's some great singing and songs on the 'Songs of Thomas Hardy's Wessex' CD mentioned above - recommended for more than just 'The Mistletoe Bough'. In my opinion its a CD that ought to be better known.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: JohnB
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 09:54 AM

We went to see the "Chronicles of Narnia" movie the other day. In one scene there is a large chest which the older girl gets into, while they are playing Hide and Seek. I leant towards my wife and whispered "she's never heard the Mistletoe Bough has she".

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: GUEST,Splott Man in Cornwall on his holidays
Date: 30 Dec 05 - 06:26 AM

There is also story from North Wales where she hides in a hollow tree and her remains are discovered years later when the tree is chopped down.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 05:47 PM

The same theme used by Samuel Rogers In his poetry collection ITALY ~ "Ginevra & the Duke of Guise".

Rosie

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 05:26 PM

Oh yes, Malcolm, so he does. More like The Cruel Sister in that respect isn't it. Now there's an idea for another useless song list - "Songs About Useful Things to do with Dead People"

Perrine
Twa Corbies
Cruel Sister

You'd have to exclude songs where dead people are useful in producing songs. Too convoluted - that idea. One day I'll die and my kids will find us mouldering away out here surrounded by useless lists. AHHHH! Cheers, and Joy

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 02:49 AM

Oh, he gets found after about six weeks. Since les rats l'avaient boufée (he was hiding in the flour bin, and Perrine had quite forgotten that he was there), the bony remains are converted into moderately useful items of furniture. French humour.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:15 PM

There is a French song - "Perrine" which uses the same idea of someone being locked in something (a cupboard in this case - and it's a man)and never found. This song is more recent, I believe. It's a joke about rat-proof cupboards. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:10 PM

He was sitting by his fire late one dark and stormy night sipping his cocoa. "Pilot 'tis a Fearful Night", he remarked to his faithful servant. "Ah! that it be", answered the servant who used to be a Cornish sea-captain. "But you already wrote that one, that you did."
"Well then", said Bayley touching his pen to his lips, "I'll do one about a bride who gets locked up in a chest and never gets found." "Never catch on. Ah, it be a highly unlikely story that one be!"

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:34 PM

Thomas Haynes Bayly?

Oh, no, we never mention him!

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Tradsinger
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:01 PM

I've always been interested in this song as I have recorded it from several source singers, all of whom claim that it is based on a local incident, be it Hampshire, Oxfordshire or Gloucestershire. Where was Thomas Haynes Bayly from and where was he when he wrote the song?

Gwilym

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 04:03 PM

I understand that many families of noble standing, with castles, claim that this song is about one of theirs. Who wouldn't. I wish I had a castle. I'd claim it.
When Thomas Haynes Bayly wrote "The Mistletoe Bough" in 1820 the name Lord Lovel was a household name from the other song about him. It looks as though Bayly slotted in a well-known name. Note that like many older ballads the lady's name is not mentioned. This makes it easy for anyone to claim her as theirs. Clever! Clever!
Cheers, Joy (Stay away from old chests until after Christmas)

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: JohnB
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 10:19 AM

It is on "Songs of Thomas Hardy's Wessex" Sally Dexter, Julie Murphy, Ian Giles, Andy Turner with the Mellstock Band. Saydisc CD-SDL 410.
Sung solo buy Andy Turner with viola and cello acc.
What a marvelous memory I have, I remembered it was on the pile of cd's right beside the computer.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Juan P-B
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:52 AM

A new version of this lovelywas written in 1996 by Barry Wake, a local songwriter here in Southampton (UK) - Called 'Lovell's Bride' - Apparently the story happened at Marwell House, Near Winchester, on the lady's wedding night - The house is still there but is part of a zoological park now - The ghost of her ladyship is still reported to haunt the place

Barry's stuff is locally home grown and can be 'got' by calling him on [phone]

Have a Grand 'Season' - whatever/whomever your god

JuanP-B

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Snuffy
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 08:59 AM

Another traditional recording is on VTVS01/02 'Many a Good Horseman' available from Veteran. The 95-year old Gordon Syrett was recorded in 1982, and speaks the last verse, instead of singing it.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 07:27 AM

I'll second Gadaffi's recommendation of the Village Carols website; a wonderful collection of carols from South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. For those who can't get to Dungworth to hear Will Noble sing The Mistletoe Bough the next best option is to hear the recording on the Village Carols CD 'Hark, Hark!'

There's another good traditional recording of this song which was collected by George Frampton from the Millen family of Kent on the CD Down Yonder Green Lane.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:51 AM

Go to http://www.villagecarols.org.uk/. Dr. Ian Russell's your man, and has built up an amazing collection of songs sang at Christmas in the pubs in the South Midlands over the years.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 02:32 PM

What KathWestra said (I'm late again.)

Been meaning to learn it for years.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 03:22 AM

Oh! WOW! Snuffy just sent me a recording of this song. I've been singing it for years but I use a different tune. It fits so well with the American version of "Away in a Manger". I apologise to Thomas Haynes Bayly every time I do this but it does sound good this way.
If you'd like my rendition of it just send me a PM. I'd be happy to send you my CD. If you want the original tune though, Snuffy may be able to help. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Llanfair
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 02:22 AM

Thank you so much. I'll be able to get her a copy now.

Cheers, and season's greetings, Bron.

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: KathWestra
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 11:47 PM

American singer (and marvelous songwriter) Joan Sprung, on her Folk-Legacy LP--now available on CD from Sandy & Caroline Paton at www.Folk-Legacy.com

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Emma B
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 06:11 PM

the "pub" Carol version is on "Arise and Sing" - recorded at the Blue Ball, Worrall

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: SussexCarole
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 06:06 PM

Calennig on Gower Garland

Subject: RE: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 05:50 PM

Artisan, on 'Bygone Christmas'.
I heard it yesterday!
Robyn

Subject: Mistletoe bough, recording.
From: Llanfair
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 05:45 PM

I am looking for a recording of "Mistletoe Bough" for a friend. Can anyone tell me who has recorded it, please.