Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)

Subject: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 01:26 PM

Looking for song origins for a tune called "Where the White Lilies Grow".

I think it's a two-step. I learned it from some Midwesterners (USA--Illinois and Iowa) but they didn't know anything about the origins.

I've never heard any words to it, but we weren't lyric-oriented so there could easily be some that I don't know about.

We played it in D. I learned it from fiddlers (as opposed to dulcimers, who play everything in D around here, regardless) so I assume that's the standard key but I can't swear to it.

This isn't quite the way I learned it but it's basically the same thing.

I've tried emailing various old-time clubs and musicians in that area and haven't gotten anything.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Louie Roy
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 04:15 PM

Scoville,Several of the Oregon Old time fiddlers play this all the time and they do play it in "D" Chord.and I believe they play it as a waltz I'm trying right now to have one of them send me an MP3 and if they do and if you're interested I'll email it to you.When it originally came out I don't thimk it had any words,but several years ago one of the fiddlers put words to it about a soldier boy in the civil war and I do have the words somewhere in my song books.Louie Roy

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 04:30 PM

I actually know the tune well, I just don't have an mp3 of the version I know. I've heard it played as a waltz by some Iowans, too. I'm mostly interested in background information, althugh anything I can get would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 06:01 PM

Very popular in Canada. Hear a fiddle and guitar rendition here: www.dulcitunes.com/tunes6.php.
Where

One website calls it Canadian, but no documentation. I doubt that is has any connection to the line in the "House Carpenter."

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 11:23 AM

Hmmm, it seems to be an elusive little bugger, doesn't it? I'm not that surprised to hear it's in Canada since I learned it in the Midwest and have never seen any references to it in Southern music.

I doubt it has anything to do with the House Carpenter, too. I assume it's one of those early-20th century sentimentals, or a derivative of one, but I can't prove it.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: RangerSteve
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 05:15 PM

Great tune. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll have to get my band to learn it. If anyone ever come up with the words, I'd appreciate learning them.

Steve

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Louie Roy
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 07:58 PM

I've contacted several of the O.O.t.fiddlers and they all play it as a waltz in the key of "D" I'm not saying it can't be played in a 2 step but it sounds better as a waltz

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: GUEST,SCoville at Dad's
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 01:09 AM

I HATE it as a waltz. Sorry, but I just don't hear the notes fitting. I used to have a recording of it as such and ended up selling the CD because I couldn't stand to hear it. I'll have to try to find another recording of it because the way I learned it, it's lovely and there is no way it could possibly be played in 3/4 time. Would require serious retooling.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: GUEST,Scoville at Dad's again
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 01:18 AM

Sorry, I don't think I have a way--or at least, I completely do not understand how to go about--posting the version I know, which might be a bit more helpful.

I think the people from whom I learned it may have either learned it from, or shared the basic arrangement with, "Chirps" Smith of the Volo Bogtrotters (Illinois) and I tried to get somebody to forward an inquiry to him, but never heard back.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: GUEST,Scoville yet again
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 01:27 AM

http://dulcitunes.com/tunes/rawhere.mp3

THis is a bit too fast and raggy, and the guy is almost as bad a fiddler as I am, but this is what it sounds like (more or less) as not-a-waltz. THe notes are the same as I know but the rhythm is different--I learned it more relaxed.



On a side note:

This is a weird site with some rather pornographic icons [??] that has recordings of some common tumes, if anyone wants to check it out after the kids are asleep.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Louie Roy
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 10:33 AM

This much is what I found
Words by Marilyn Caylor 1976
Music by Pete Haynes 1976
Title by Esther Morgan Pete Hayne's sister.
Hope this helps

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Scoville
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 10:01 PM

Much more than I had. Maybe I can make better search progress with that.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: GUEST,SJ
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 10:40 PM

Hi--
Did anyone every find the history/lyrics to this fiddle tune? If so, can you post or send to me off line? [e-mail]

Thank you kindly!

S

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Scoville
Date: 10 Nov 06 - 04:11 PM

Nope, I never really did. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: GUEST,Marilyn Haynes Caylor Shollenberger
Date: 29 Aug 15 - 07:33 PM

To all you great folks out there who love the tune: WHERE THE WHITE LILIES GROW...let me set the record straight....my father who was Pete Haynes....not the punk rocker....wrote this tune arount 1968 or so....I added wrote word for it in 1972 have it copyrighted....the song was originally written as a waltz and the words fit the waltz tempo.....several folks have two stepped it and written different words to it....My father was a champion fiddler and played with many of the great National fiddle champions in the 60's 70's and 80's....I grew up on the piano stool accompanying him....it is such a joy to see that his legacy song is being played all over the country....I'm so humbled by the love and joy it spreads....I can be reached on facebook under Marilyn Haynes Shollenberger if you would like more information.

Subject: RE: Origins: Where the White Lilies Grow (two step?)
From: Louie Roy
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 03:24 PM

Will guest Marilyn Haynes Caylor Shollenberger please post an MP3 on Mudcat thread Louie Roy