Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar

Subject: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: Sherbs
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 03:45 PM

This is something that's been bugging me for years. Does anyone else think there's a direct link between these two songs (When I was on Horseback & The Streets of Laredo) not just the lyrics which are very similar but the tune aswell. It always sounds to me like the same tune which has been distorted by time and distance.

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 03:59 PM

Yes, it's the same.
When I Was On Horseback is listed in the DT as a variant of The Unfortunate Rake, and all the rest of that ilk,

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: oldhippie
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 05:47 PM

Folk Song USA by John and Alan Lomax traces "Streets of Laredo" back to Ireland and England and offers partial lyrics:

"Had she but told me when she disordered me
Had she but told me of it in time
I might have got salts and pills of white mercury
But now I'm cut down in the height of my prime."

Subject: RE:Origins:When I was on Horseback /Streets of Lar
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 06:21 PM

countess richard is stupid to say that they are the 'same'. Any imbecile can note that they're not.

Common origin is however clear.

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 07:55 PM

Thread 3918 has links to threads on this complex: All wrapped

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 02:57 PM

Guest ed
According to Malcolm Laws Jnr both Streets of Laredo (Cowboy's Lament - Laws B1) and When I was On Horseback (Bad Girl's Lament - Laws Q26) originated from the British Broadside, The Unfortunate Rake; but I would guess you are already aware of this, if your your somewhat arrogant manner is anything to go by.
Look no further than your mirror for an imbecile.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 02:58 AM

PS,
You can add 'St James Infirmary/Workhouse' and 'House of the Rising Sun' to your list.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 04:21 AM

...and Shirley and Dolly Collins' "Young Girl Cut Down in her Prime" on their album 'Love, Death and the Lady' - a beautiful melody to this version.

Guest

Subject: RE: Origins: When I was on Horseback / Streets of Lar
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 07 Mar 07 - 02:58 PM

Hello Jim Carroll

Thank you for saving me the bother of letting Guest Ed know that he's an imbecile.
I once had a similar pointless exchange with someone without ears who refused to recognise that The Blacksmith, Our Captain Calls and To Be A Pilgrim shared the same tune.

Next theme for an argument: The Prickle Eye Bush, The Gallus Pole, Streets Of Derry and Maid Freed From The Gallows