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23 Jul 07 - 03:06 AM (#2109008) Subject: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC (with tongue in cheek In Stan Rogers 'Harris and the Mare' the narrator admits his wife throws the first blow. The victim lashes out to defend himself and is then attacked by the narrator. I love this song but cannot get my mind around the innocent narrator bit. Is this why the neighbours did not lend a hand? What do others think? |
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23 Jul 07 - 09:47 AM (#2109208) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: mack/misophist Without checking the words to be certain, my recollection is that the 'victim' had stated an intent to rape the narrator's wife. The bystanders appear to side with the 'victim' because of the narrator's 'conchie' politics. I read somewhere once that the song is based on a real event but no details were given. |
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23 Jul 07 - 09:57 AM (#2109216) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged mack - The 'victim' swore the wife 'would leave the place with him'. No mention of rape. Could be just bravado. Didn't know anything about the story apart from the song so may be based on real happening. Thanks for that. |
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23 Jul 07 - 10:52 AM (#2109248) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Arkie I have not heard the song in quite a while so memory is a bit foggy but I had the impression Young Clary was a bully and drunk to boot and had pulled a knife when the narrator went to the defense of his wife. I assumed the neighbors were afraid of the bully but it could have been the narrator's politics or a bit of both. |
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23 Jul 07 - 10:57 AM (#2109255) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged He pulled the knife after being 'attacked' by the narrator. (I must emphasise I am not defending the 'bully', I think he got what he deserved but apart from insulting the wife, he did not start the assault) Sticks & stones ............. I will post the words when I get the chance. |
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23 Jul 07 - 10:59 AM (#2109257) Subject: Lyr Add: HARRIS AND THE MARE (Stan Rogers) From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged From the DT HARRIS AND THE MARE (Stan Rogers) Harris, my old friend, good to see your face again More welcome, though, yon trap and that old mare For the wife is in a swoon, and I am all alone Harris, fetch thy mare and take us home The wife and I came out for a quiet glass of stout And a word or two with neighbours in the room But young Clary, he came in, as drunk and wild as sin And swore the wife would leave the place with him But the wife as quick as thought said, "No, I'll bloody not" Then struck the brute a blow about the head He raised his ugly paw, and he lashed her on the jaw And she fell onto the floor like she were dead Now Harris, well you know, I've never struck an angry blow Nor would I keep a friend who raised his hand I was a conscie in the war, cryin' what the hell's this for? But I had to see his blood to be a man I grabbed him by his coat, spun him 'round and took his throat And beat his head upon the parlor door He dragged out an awful knife, and he roared "I'll have your life" And he stuck me and I fell onto the floor Now blood I was from neck to thigh, bloody murder in his eye As he shouted out "I'll finish you for sure" But as the knife came down, I lashed out from the ground And the knife was in his breast when he rolled o'er Now with the wife as cold as clay I carried her away No hand was raised to help us through the door And I've brought her half a mile, but I've had to rest a while And none of them I'll call a friend the more For when the knife came down, I was helpless on the ground No neighbour stayed his hand, I was alone By God, I was a man, but now I cannot stand Please, Harris, fetch thy mare and take us home Oh, Harris, fetch thy mare, and take us out of here In my nine and fifty years I'd never known That to call myself a man, for my loved one I must stand Now Harris, fetch thy mare and take us home |
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23 Jul 07 - 11:17 AM (#2109276) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: ClaireBear I have always assumed that the onlookers in the tavern didn't help because they were members of the same Pacifist church as the speaker. I'm not sure if the church is meant to be Shaker, Mennonite, Amish, or something yet else; that the speaker is of one of these faiths is demonstrated by the fact that he uses the quaint pronouns "thee" and "thou" when speaking to Harris...and the fact that he wants Harris to take them home in a horse-drawn vehicle, although the song seems to be set in relativelyt modern times. Anyway, I'd speculate that the other tavern-goers were looking on in shocked disapproval of the speaker's behavior, not having been pushed over the edge of their behavioral paradigm as had he. The whole song hinges on being pushed beyond the boundaries of what he thought his belief system was. So out of his element, it's a small wonder he didn't know where to stop. Claire |
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23 Jul 07 - 11:37 AM (#2109292) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Bee I'm doubtful if religion has a place here: 'thy' is not consistently used, could just be old language use, and the wife says "I'll bloody not", not too decorous for any strict religious types, plus they're all in a tavern. It sounds to me more like a story set post world war I, or possibly an earlier war. Conscientious objectors were relatively common in Canada, and my greatgrandfather, alive at the time, did unselfconsciously use 'thy', in Cape Breton, and not due to religious usage, and horse driven conveyances were common. But yes, a case of shock all around at bloodshed occurring, I think. You could speculate the wife responded with a slap as an outraged defense of her reputation and honour. |
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23 Jul 07 - 12:23 PM (#2109343) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Greg B One might argue that Clary's response to the wife's 'blow' (if it were, for example, a slap) was disproportionate and beyond that required in self-defense. Therefore, the narrator might have been justified in escalating the matter, what with his wife on the floor like she was dead. But perhaps not--- the narrator would have had to be in fear for himself or another to use the force that he testifies to (i.e., slamming Clary' head into the parlor door, apparently repeatedly). On the other hand, the final escalation comes from Clary, who produces a knife. No doubt the narrator would be tried for 2nd-degree manslaughter and would make the self-defense argument. It would then be up to the jury. |
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23 Jul 07 - 01:16 PM (#2109381) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged Also a hypocrite - 'Nor would I keep a friend who raised his hand' yet is disappointed when they treat him that way. Also, is the wife dead? 'with the wife as cold as clay I carried her away' I like the recording by Stan (the first of his I heard which made me search for more by him) but I cannot get the 'feel' of it to sing. |
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23 Jul 07 - 01:18 PM (#2109382) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself I've never been comfortable with this song. For one thing, from what I've seen of somewhat similar situations in this old life, even a 'wild' and 'drunk' young bully is unlikely to insist someone else's wife leave with him unless he has some reason to think he has a claim on her - which doesn't excuse him, but complicates the situation a little. Then there's her violent response, which touches off all the rest of the violence. No grown woman with a modicum of sense would react like that unless she wanted to watch two men fight over her, or wanted some proof that her husband cared enough about her to fight for her. As for the onlookers - they know enough to stay out of that kind of a mess. Or are we supposed to believe that they would let one of their neighbours murder another before their eyes simply because the prospective victim was a pacifist? And if that is the case, what the hell is this guy doing taking his wife into a tavern where these lovely neighbours meet? Like the old man used to say, "Stay out o' them places!" And then the lesson Harris learns: "In my nine and fifty years I've never known/That to call myself a man, for my loved one I must stand". This guy is fifty-nine years old, and it never before occurred to him that he might some day feel duty-bound to defend someone he cares about? Not exactly a deep-thinker, is he? Overall, the song seems to me a folkie-version of "Coward of the County", the message of the song being that anyone who claims to be a pacifist is full of shit, and/or as thick-headed as buddy in this ballad ... |
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23 Jul 07 - 02:41 PM (#2109443) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,petr Id say its a double homicide.. (the wife is killed, and he kills Clary in self defense) I had always assumed the wife was dead, - 'she fell unto the floor like she were dead' - with the wife as cold as clay I carried her away' I think its an ugly incident that escalates, but Ive never thought that the neighbours didnt help because of his politics - rather its the unwillingness to get involved - probably because of their fear of the Bully. at no time would I think the narrator is guilty of murder, Im not a lawyer but from what I remember from some law studies I did there is such a thing as a reasonable defense- and Clary responds by pulling out a knife and threatening to kill him.. I dont even think the woman overreacted by slapping or striking Cleary. |
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24 Jul 07 - 10:35 AM (#2110059) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Bee If you'd heard some of the old Eastern Shore fishermen stories I've heard, you wouldn't find the lyrics remarkable except for the narrator's philosophising. Those old boys were very tough, very rough, and often not half civilized, and their wives were pretty rugged as well. I had a job correcting local genealogies a while back. Quite a few stories got included by the collectors. One fisherman, early 1900's, accused by a neighbour of stealing a crate of cod, arrested in Halifax. It's November, snowing and blowing, and it is over 50 km. to Halifax from the community. Wife receives news of husband in jail that evening. Puts on her coat and walks to Halifax to post his bail. |
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24 Jul 07 - 11:19 AM (#2110100) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself There's nothing remarkable about two guys kicking the shit out of each other or even stabbing each other in a barroom fight - but what's the point of the song supposed to be? And, let's say this guy is one of those old Eastern Shore fishermen - I suppose it's bad form to quote myself, but: "This guy is fifty-nine years old and it never before occurred to him ... (see above)" The most logical moral of the song is, I suppose, "Men, when you're old, never wed a young maid". |
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24 Jul 07 - 04:45 PM (#2110371) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Barry Finn The young pup deserved, from the wife, what's called in inner city circles a "bitch slap", by all means he asked for it & had it coming. That he choose to respond with a knock out punch instead of eating the slap was a giant step beyond an excepted social boundary (according to the jest of the song). That he recieved what he had dished out & saw again as unexceptable was his err in judgement which was compounded by pulling out a knife with the intention of gutting the one who delivered what was seen by the pup as one who dared to defy his arrogrance, brutality, intimidation & audacity. He in the end was rolled over on his on knife, justice by the poet or in this case songwriter if you ask me. It's a song. Don't like it, don't sing it, if you can't get past it build a bridge & get over it. Barry |
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24 Jul 07 - 05:18 PM (#2110392) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin I'm a huge Stan Rogers fan, but I never did like this song. |
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24 Jul 07 - 05:26 PM (#2110399) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Big Mick I think Barry has the right of it. I really like the song but have a terrible time trying to figure out the key and picking pattern. I think it's just a mental block. But it is a good yarn, well told.... Mick |
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24 Jul 07 - 05:49 PM (#2110427) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself I'm unconvinced. I don't find it much of a yarn, and it doesn't seem to be saying anything worthwhile, near as I can figure ... But I would be interested in hearing some argument in its favour other than, 'I really like it'. I'm quite willing to admit the possibility that I'm just not getting something in the song - but I'd like to know what it is. 'what's called in inner city circles a "bitch slap"' - Yes - and I wonder how many men in the inner city have ended up dead in consequence of one these well-deserved 'bitch slaps' - and how many more woke up alive the next morning after some indignant woman resisted the temptation to deliver a well-deserved bitch slap. |
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24 Jul 07 - 06:16 PM (#2110451) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: SINSULL "wife is in a swoon" - she's alive, I think. Strange business. |
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25 Jul 07 - 08:28 AM (#2110797) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Charley Noble Well, at least we're not coming to mortal blows about this song. Should there be a workshop at Getaway, manslaughter 101, with an optional "key and picking patterns" 101 who feel a need to sing this depressing song? It is a powerful and unforgetable song. Charley Noble |
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25 Jul 07 - 08:55 AM (#2110811) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged Well Mick & Charley, the fact it is a powerful song is what prompted me to start this thread. I prefer 'story' or 'narrative' type songs and this is a fine example but I find myself not quite in line with the singer so am trying to clarify it. If I can't there are plenty more to choose from (White Squall being one). Lots of good insights from you folks - thanks. |
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25 Jul 07 - 09:09 AM (#2110823) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick I surely love "White Squall" as well. meself points out that it doesn't say much of anything. Well, I probably agree that it doesn't have any huge, social significance ..... but many great songs don't. It is just a story, and well told, IMO. I also love narrative style songs. Mick |
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25 Jul 07 - 09:35 AM (#2110858) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk Unlogged Mick Do you know Eric Bogles 'Campbells Daughter'. A really good strong story. I contacted Eric & told him I thought it is one of his best & he said yeah, he always thought it was under-rated. Whenever I perform it, it gets instant attention. I sang it at an impromtu sing in a country pub & a local lady commented that images just formed in her mind. Different types but these three songs are very emotive and pictures spring into my mind when I hear / play them. |
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25 Jul 07 - 10:00 AM (#2110884) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick Thanks for the tip, Black Hawk. I guess I must have heard it, as I am a big fan of Bogle, but I just can't remember off the cuff. I will haul out the CD's when I get home this weekend. All the best, Mick |
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25 Jul 07 - 10:10 AM (#2110890) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk Unlogged Mick, Strange you should say that about Campbells Daughter. I only started listening to his stuff quite recently but have some friends who are big fans, met him a few times, go to all his concerts when in the UK etc. When I heard this song it struck me hard & I asked around for words, chords etc. None of these 'fans' had heard it or remembered it! Yet when I play it they say its great(an I'm not very good). As Eric said, VERY under-rated. |
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25 Jul 07 - 10:44 AM (#2110931) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Greg B Mary Travers performed the song at a concert rather early in the PP&M reunion. She did a very creditable job--- I think she sang it in a baritone register :-) It is an interesting melody, one that goes from a tuneless--- but not really--- narrative, to some rather soaring heights. Takes a helluva singer to deliver it with the dynamics that are there. Which maybe explains why Stan Rogers and Mary Travers are among the few who can deliver on its potential. |
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25 Jul 07 - 12:25 PM (#2111002) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick Back to Stan. Does anyone have the "Songs from Fogarty's Cove" songbook, that would be willing to list the titles that are included in the book? I am considering purchasing it (in fact will likely do so just to add it to the one spot left in my overstuffed musical library)but I would like to know the songs it will contain. I tried a google search but none of the listings I had time to look at included a listing. All the best, Mick |
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25 Jul 07 - 01:33 PM (#2111058) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Greg B I have it, haven't cracked it in a while, but recall it had damned near everything. Perhaps not the 'From Fresh Water' stuff... |
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25 Jul 07 - 01:41 PM (#2111065) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick Harris and the Mare? |
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25 Jul 07 - 01:59 PM (#2111073) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST There is nothing in the story that says the wife is dead. It says she's cold as clay which probably means that she is knocked out or in shock but not dead. No one helps due to fear of Cleary. Nothing to do with religion. The narrator is C.O not the whole bar. It's a wonderful drama. |
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25 Jul 07 - 02:10 PM (#2111082) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself So they say. |
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25 Jul 07 - 02:35 PM (#2111098) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,petr to me cold as clay means dead. but otherwise Im glad to hear she's ok. |
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25 Jul 07 - 02:35 PM (#2111099) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Charley Noble Oh, "Harris and the Mare" is dramatic enough, and the message is evident that sometimes even peaceful people are forced to stand up for those they love and do brutal things. Yes, it happens. Of course the song would also have been "dramatic" if Clary had been persuaded to "cool it" before he got abusive enough to provoke a slap. I find conflict resolution even more dramatic. Maybe I'll compose a different version of the song, with Harris and his mare taking everyone back home to sleep it off. Then the mare trots back to the pub for a stiff drink. Of course, Steel-eyed Stan also composed "The House of Orange" which I believe condemned violence on both sides of that, thankfully, historic conflict in Northern Ireland. Charley Noble |
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25 Jul 07 - 02:41 PM (#2111108) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,petr also - where the hell was Harris all this time, would he have helped him? yon - trap (isnt that kind of rude?) plus he's not going call any of them a friend, I wonder if hes ever going to that pub again, thatd be a shame. |
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25 Jul 07 - 03:14 PM (#2111134) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself "Yes, it happens." Um ... was there ever any question about that - other than in the mind of the thick-headed narrator? If there was, Kenny Rogers beat Stan to the punch with 'Coward of the County' ... |
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25 Jul 07 - 03:16 PM (#2111137) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick petr, are you reading the lyrics? Or just commenting without full attempt to understand the tale? The second half of the first verse establishes that she is just passed out with the following: .......For the wife is in a swoon, and I am all alone Harris, fetch thy mare and take us home The song goes on to establish that the antagonist was acting far outside the bounds of established manners, suggesting he would take the woman home and have his way with her, the inference that he was making untoward references about her, and she responded by slapping his face, a typical response to ungallant behaviour. He then pushed further the norms of acceptable behaviour by knocking her out with a blow. The protagonist (Conshie, or Concientious Objector, and a pacifist under normal circumstances) then reacted to the outrage by going after the bad guy in defense of his lady, and in response to real physical harm done to her as opposed to a slap that she had delivered. In the brawl the antagonist ends up with his own knife in his belly. And you must know that a TRAP simply refers to a two wheeled, horse drawn cart. Anyone playing a version of this song? Mick |
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25 Jul 07 - 03:27 PM (#2111150) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,petr thanks for the correction Big Mick I didnt know that about the cart.. yes Ive read the lyrics, and sang the song too. I know 'in a swoon' - but you have to admit - cold as clay sounds dead. when is anyone cold as clay? cheers Petr |
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25 Jul 07 - 03:34 PM (#2111156) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick Sorry for the tone of that post, Petr. I get in a hurry and throw things out without reading them. Sometimes they come off intolerant, and I always end up wishing I read them before hitting the send button. "cold as clay" certainly is used to denote the condition of a dead person usually. It just seems to me, that when one reads the whole song lyric and then applies the context, it is apparent that she is simply out cold, or unconscious. All the best, Mick |
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25 Jul 07 - 04:04 PM (#2111183) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Gerry Campbell's Daughter is on the album, The Emigrant and the Exile, with John Munro. It's my favorite track on a CD with several good tracks, and it's the track I put on the radio when the CD came out. Somehow, the CD didn't make much of an impression - it seemed to disappear without making much impact. I don't kow why. Maybe people expect every Bogle album to have a No Man's Land on it, or a Band Played Waltzing Matilda, and if there's no song to meet that standard, people are disappointed. Having praised Campbell's Daughter, I do have to say there was something about it that bothered me, only I can't remember any more exactly what it was. It may be that it was written to sound like a traditional ballad. I love traditional ballads, but if you're writing a ballad now, I think it should sound like you wrote it now, not like you're trying to pass it off as trad. This is not meant as criticism of Bogle or anyone else, but as an expression of my personal tastes in music. As for Harris and the Mare, does anyone think that maybe it was Rogers' way of expressing the opinion that conscientious objection is hypocrisy? |
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25 Jul 07 - 04:10 PM (#2111192) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself Yes, "cold as clay" is misleading, particularly given the associations of "clay" with death (symbolically, the substance of a lifeless body, as well as what a body is often laid in, according to many songs), not to mention the obvious association of "cold" with death. However, we do have the expression "out cold" to indicate unconsciousness, accompanied by, presumably, lowered body temperature. Just looked up at Mick's post again, and notice that he in fact used the expression "out cold" ... |
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25 Jul 07 - 04:15 PM (#2111197) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick GUEST, Gerry that is an excellent observation. Stan certainly was one to point out hypocrisy, as he saw it. Mick |
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25 Jul 07 - 06:56 PM (#2111328) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: maeve This is an interesting discussion of an interesting story song. I used this song as one third of a very challenging final exam for a particularly bright and responsive group of ten to twelve-year-olds years ago. Responses were permitted in any combination of written, oral, and painted forms. Their thoughtful responses were the reward of which every teacher dreams and few receive. I appreciate the equally thoughtful discussion here. Thanks for reminding me of that stunning group of children. maeve |
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25 Jul 07 - 07:07 PM (#2111337) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself "As for Harris and the Mare, does anyone think that maybe it was Rogers' way of expressing the opinion that conscientious objection is hypocrisy?" This will be the second time in this thread that I commit the questionable act of quoting myself, but - here's me, 'way up the thread: 'Overall, the song seems to me a folkie-version of "Coward of the County", the message of the song being that anyone who claims to be a pacifist is full of shit, and/or as thick-headed as buddy in this ballad ... ' This is one of the things that bothers me about the song - it strikes me as a rather simple-minded dismissal of what can be a noble stance. Once again, the idea that this man could live in the type of community that produces a Cleary, and never face the possibility that he might someday feel duty-bound to physically defend a loved one goes beyond the bounds of credibility, to my mind. Furthermore, the idea that someone would take the rather drastic step of becoming a conscientious objector without ever having compared fighting in a (distant?) war to fighting in a more immediate context to protect family members, spouse, etc., is hard to credit. The first question anyone challenging your stance would ask is, "What would you do if the Germans [or whoever] attacked your home, your family?" - to which you would reply either "I would fight to defend my family - but I don't believe they ever will attack my family", or "I would not raise a hand even against attackers of my family, because I believe that would be wrong." But this guy - again, he's fifty-nine years old, and the very idea that being a man might mean having to defend your wife is new to him ... ?? |
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25 Jul 07 - 07:19 PM (#2111342) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,petr no problem mick. it certainly is a song that gets one thinking.. when I first heard it 20years ago, I wondered about what was behind the writing of the song. (ie. is it surprise at ones own willingness for violence in defense of a loved one, in spite of nonviolent beliefs or about knowing who your true friends are etc) why dont the others intervene, I can understand fear of the bully or possibly just not wanting to get involved. But why dont they help him out the door afterwards.. It would seem theres no reason to fear Clary now.. |
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26 Jul 07 - 02:01 PM (#2111965) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Art Thieme To me, the song does question the idea that conscientious objectors might act differently when the proverbial threat is at their own door. One is the ideal way we hope we might act. The other allows us to adjust to a the nuances of a particular situation--one with heavy emotional content. Knowing Stan, he took many shots at those positions he judged to be less than manly in the macho, maybe Ernest Hemingway, sense. I know I would act on the emotions of the moment if someone was knocking down our own door. Indeed, the only time I ever got credit for laying a guy out in a bar was when a drunk (who shall remain nameless) came on hard to Carol at The Fifth Peg bar/folk club in Chicago----> and she was eight months pregnant at the time. I intervened, got between the two of them, put my hands on his 2 shoulders and pushed him back. As he was quite drunk, he staggered back---and knocked down a row of bar stools! Folks were sure I'd punched him out. Soooo, I was tossed out of the bar. (John Prine was singing his set in the music room---1970; everyone was back there listening and that's why the bar stools were empty.) Stan asked me once why I didn't do any of his songs!? I told him that I could never do 'em with the voice and the style he brought to them. He set the standard very high by nailing the song every time he chose to sing one. Stan took exception to that---so I learned "White Squall." Art Thieme |
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26 Jul 07 - 04:10 PM (#2112038) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself "the song does question the idea that conscientious objectors might act differently when the proverbial threat is at their own door" - Again, a problem I have with the song: Why on earth pick on conscientious objectors? Hardly taking on a pressing issue, or a menacing group of people - unless the song is intended as an obscure swipe at draft dodgers - which I don't think it is, and if it were, it would be so obscure as to be ineffective ... "he took many shots at those positions he judged to be less than manly in the macho, maybe Ernest Hemingway, sense." - To me, it is misleading to equate Stan's outlook - as revealed in his songs; I never met the man - with that of Hemingway (your hesitancy on the point noted). While there is an overlap, Hemingway's machismo is that of the privileged man who needs to seek out challenges to test his manhood; Stan's is that of the unprivileged man who must respond to the challenges life hands him, and the challenges that interest him are those that relate to family, work, and community. Hemingway's protagonists typically go sport hunting and sport fishing; they seek out exotic locales; they are isolated from family and community even when among them; they do not need to do menial physical labour. Stan's fishermen and seamen are working men; sometimes their work takes them to exotic locales; they work hard and take risks for their family and community, including their fellow workers. Hemingway's machismo is of an elitist variety - the superior man demonstrating his superiority, while Stan's is of an egalitarian type - the ordinary man demonstrating the strength it can take to be an ordinary man. All this is probably why, while it is popular to sneer at Hemingway's machismo, you don't hear people sneering at the corresponding aspect of Stan's outlook - in my limited experience, anyway. "I intervened, got between the two of them, put my hands on his 2 shoulders and pushed him back" - Okay, so here's you, presumably a not particularly war-mongering or warlike folk-singer, no doubt rather surprised, maybe even shaken up, by that night's unanticipated events - but was the idea that someday some situation might arise in which you would be moved to defend your wife entirely new to you? Were you surprised philosophically? I doubt it - I doubt ANY man reaches adulthood - let alone late adulthood, as in the song - without considering that he may someday feel that he should defend someone he cares about. I suppose I'm flogging Harris's dead mare by now, but that's part of why the song just lacks credibility, to my mind. |
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26 Jul 07 - 08:14 PM (#2112221) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Arkie Have enjoyed this thread about what I believe is a great song. There is something about it that stayes with you when the song is over. I do not think the song is stating an opinion about concientious objectors. I think that is one detail adding to the drama of a non-violent person being pushed to the edge when faced with unforeseen trouble and danger. |
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26 Jul 07 - 09:36 PM (#2112271) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Charley Noble meself- Nicely argued, with regard to Hemingway. Then there's the Old Man and the Sea... And Stan did compose The House of Orange, as I've mentioned above. He was a complex man. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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26 Jul 07 - 09:40 PM (#2112275) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Jeri I agree Arkie. I think the main point of the song is to simply explore one possibility. There are no real answers provided, because you're left wondering about things. Clary's attack on his wife precipitated his death, but the neighbors could have stopped the attack and in doing so, prevented Clary's death. They didn't have to use violence - there were things they could have done, starting with speaking to him. They didn't try, and I believe they're the ones most in the wrong. Charley Noble wrote "the message is evident that sometimes even peaceful people are forced to stand up for those they love and do brutal things." I think it's more about the importance of standing up one another, for other members of the community or for their loved ones. If the neighbors had 'stood up' earlier, there might have been no death. Possibly, the line "I had to see his blood to be a man" may mean the situation had to get violent before he realized he had the strength to stand against wrong. Things had to go THAT far before he learned. The main point seems to me to be that you can have the loftiest ideals and live your life according to some higher purpose, but it means little if you don't do right by the people closest to you. |
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27 Jul 07 - 01:21 AM (#2112334) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Art Thieme Yes, in certain of his songs, Stan seemed to enjoy pushing folks' buttons and, also, pushing their noses in the possibilities that their rather emotional p.c. stands, given the "right" situations, might prove hard to live up to. I always thought these songs were almost personal protest songs for Stan. I think he probably enjoyed it a bunch when his songs, on whatever topic, made folks squirm some. The songs also made people think that the world wasn't as polarized and as black-and-white certain as they thought. Hearing Stan sing these songs actually showed vividly that the color GRAY, itself, has many important and unique variations. It made me see the value of making a spontaneous and emotional snap judgment throw to second base if the guy running was to be called out. (Pardon the mixed metaphors. It's late and I ought to get to bed.) Thanks to all you Mudcatters, and to Stan, for giving me musical things to ruminate upon now that I'm unable to make the music. As the old cowboy song says, "I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you!" Art Thieme |
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27 Jul 07 - 01:44 AM (#2112341) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin That's an old Ian Tyson song, Art. |
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27 Jul 07 - 03:27 AM (#2112372) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin But as the knife came down, I lashed out from the ground And the knife was in his breast and he rolled o'er Definitely not murder. Self defence. Case dismissed. |
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27 Jul 07 - 03:50 AM (#2112380) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin And Big Mick requested a song list from the book "Songs from Fogaty's Cove"... it includes all songs (as follows) from Stan's first 4 albums: Watching The Apples Grow Forty-Five Years Fogarty's Cove Maid on the Shore Barrett's Privateers Fisherman's Wharf Giant The Rawdon Hills Plenty of Hornpipe The Wreck of the Athens Queen Make and Break Harbour Dark Eyed Molly Oh No, Not I Second Effort Bluenose The Jeannie C. So Blue Front Runner Song of the Candle Try Like the Devil Turnaround The Witch of the Westmoreland First Christmas The Mary Ellen Carter The White Collar Holler The Flowers of Bermuda Rolling Down to Old Maui Harris and the Mare Delivery Delayed Northwest Passage The Field Behind the Plow Night Guard Working Joe You Can't Stay Here The Idiot Lies Canol Road Free in the Harbour California |
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27 Jul 07 - 12:09 PM (#2112705) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Art Thieme Ian Tyson might've sung it, but it was an old song from the changing of life's situations in Texas. I'm gonna leave old Texas now Ain't got no place for the long-horned cow They've roped and fenced all over my range And the people there---they are so strange Gonna take my horse and away I'll go Find a better life in Mexico And so kind folks, I must bid adieu I'm a better man for just the knowing of you! Art |
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27 Jul 07 - 12:48 PM (#2112729) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Q (Frank Staplin) The Rogers song tells a story that has appeared on police blotters all over the country. Anger, drink and a woman end in killing. Roger's song packs a punch and sticks in the mind. I am reminded of the killing on Catfish Row in the first act of "Porgy and Bess." "I'm Going to Leave Old Texas Now" has several versions, usually sung to the tune of "Trail to Mexico." Frank Goodwyn sang it, among others. I have not heard it with the last line as given by Art Thieme. What is the source, Art? |
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27 Jul 07 - 06:09 PM (#2112939) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself "The Rogers song tells a story that has appeared on police blotters all over the country. Anger, drink and a woman end in killing." - Okay - but for that sort of thing, I prefer something along the lines of the old Jimmy Buffett song: It was a Cuban Crime of Passion, Messy and old-fashion'; ..................... I was hoping someone would reveal something in Harris, etc., that I had missed, or offer some way of looking at it that would change my feeling about it, but I guess that ain't gonna happen. Maybe it really does just come down to a matter of taste ... I might come back to comment on a few other things that have come up, if I have time. Art: I think you're right about Stan's 'personal protest songs' ... I think that was always my sense regarding this song - but I questioned the need to protest whatever it is exactly he is protesting here ... Later, gang! |
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27 Jul 07 - 06:20 PM (#2112949) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin Oh, I'm thinking of a different song, Art. Ian & Sylvia's "These Friends of Mine". |
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27 Jul 07 - 08:47 PM (#2113042) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Art Thieme Gordon Bok does it with 3 verses I think. But I got the one I used to do back in the late 1950s from Bob Gibson. I put it on a sampler compilation LP issued by Rockford, Illinois' folk club named CHARLOTTE'S WEB for an early anniversary---possibly their first!? The LP was called GET FOLKED---about '74 or '75. It also closes the 2006 CD of my songs Dennis Cook produced. It's on Sandy and Caroline Paton's grand ol' Folk Legacy Records. Art |
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28 Jul 07 - 07:53 AM (#2113226) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: maeve Art- I learned it at school in Indiana in about 1965-66. That version is: Old Texas I'm going to leave *(echo: I'm going to leave) Old Texas now * They've got no use * For the long horned cow * They've plowed and fenced * My cattle range * And the people there * Are all so strange * I'll bid adieu * To the Alamo * And turn my head * Toward Mexico * maeve |
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28 Jul 07 - 08:12 AM (#2113235) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: maeve And now, back to our regularly scheduled program... maeve |
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28 Jul 07 - 09:51 AM (#2113288) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,DonMeixner Well I must admit this post has puzzled me. To me the whole story is obvious. Old Guy, younger wife, tho' not stated, drunk ass in a bar, hits on her, hits her, gets dead. End of story. But the whole is she isn't she dead too thing bothered me a bit. So I'll ask this, and maybe it was covered already, I haven't motored through the whole thread. Which was she first, In a Swoon, or Cold as clay? Don |
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28 Jul 07 - 10:42 AM (#2113310) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Marc Bernier So which came 1rst, Coward of the County or Harris and the Mare? Has any one else ever found it curious, that two guys named Rogers recorded a song telling really similar stories, during the same period of the late 70's? Also. Could one of you folks who do it post the chords you use please? I get this song requested from time to time, (I think it's a great song by the way) and I'm frequently willing to give it a shot. However about the time I'm committed to singing the song I always feel that I'm missing something in the chord pattern I use that particular night. Great thread Marc Bernier |
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28 Jul 07 - 11:08 AM (#2113330) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself "Has any one else ever found it curious, that two guys named Rogers recorded a song telling really similar stories, during the same period of the late 70's?" Hmmm, I think you may be on to something ... Has anyone ever seen Kenny Rogers without the beard - and with the top of his head shaved? ... No? I wonder why not ... |
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28 Jul 07 - 11:31 AM (#2113347) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Marc Bernier Hmmm. There's even more to ponder here than meets the eye. |
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28 Jul 07 - 11:38 AM (#2113353) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Jeri Don, I believe she's cold AND in a swoon. Symptoms of shock... It certainly isn't the primary thing on the protagonist's mind by the end of the song, and I have to believe that's because he believes she's going to be fine once they get home. |
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28 Jul 07 - 12:30 PM (#2113384) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Black Hawk Well Guest Don - this post may puzzle you but only because you see it your way (is there a song there?) I have never thought of a 'younger' wife - nowhere does it give that indication. Let me change the scene a little:- Clary comes in - 'jokingly' says wife will leave with him - she takes offense & strikes him (first blow) - Clary reacts instictively & hits her - Husband attacks Clary, grabs by throat & repeatedly bangs head against door - Clary draws knife in self-defence & kills husband. Would Clary be convicted of murder, manslaughter or be aquitted on self-defence grounds? Good songs make you dig beneath the surface eh? (BTW if you search for an interview with Billy Edd Wheeler you will find out how 'Coward of the County' came to be written - nothing to do with Stan or Kenny Rogers) |
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28 Jul 07 - 12:52 PM (#2113406) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself Reading between the lines: "young" Clary goes after the wife of a fifty-nine year old man; ergo, the wife is substantially younger than her husband - stands to reason, don't it? No, it's not stated explicitly; this is what interpretation is about. Of course, other interpretations are possible: maybe 'young Clary' is 87 - but 'old Clary', his dad, is 102 ... (BTW, is there anything interesting about the how 'Coward of the County' came to be written? Because I'm perfectly willing to take your word for it that it had nothing to do with either Rogers without searching out an interview.) |
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28 Jul 07 - 01:09 PM (#2113415) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Black Hawk Sorry meself, but that is your (and maybe others) interpretation, not mine. As to 'stands to reason' - here is a true story. Whilst overseeing divers installing a new jetty at a chemical complex I routinely visited their canteen cabin to review workloads. Everyday I would see on a table a 'mens' magazine called 'Over Fifties - the Mature woman'. As the divers were all young I asked who they belonged to. The youngest lad (about 22 yrs old) owned up. Who wants to look at naked women over 50 I said. When my 'pal' (their boss) told my wife I was in serious trouble. My wife (and I) were both early fifties. Young men can hit on older women as young women can hit on older men. (Interesting about BEW and CotC if you are into country music & Gatlin Brothers stuff. BEW wrote some of the best songs to come out of America IMO) |
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28 Jul 07 - 01:12 PM (#2113418) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Q (Frank Staplin) "Coward of the County" written by Roger Bowling and Billy Ed Wheeler. Lyrics here: http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/cowardof.htm Coward of the County |
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28 Jul 07 - 01:38 PM (#2113440) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,DonMeixner "She fell unto the floor LIKE she were dead." The story of the Conshie in the war is the moral irony to me. AS he explains all to Harris. Self defense on Clary's part is only admissible when force meets equal force. Clary was a belligerent drunk and had the knife, the Storyteller was unarmed. As to whether this rates writting a song or not. Of course it does. Songs are communications to tell a story, express love and affection, entertain, repeat an event.... all of which happens here. Maybe not enough of a song for some, plenty for me. Don |
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28 Jul 07 - 01:52 PM (#2113448) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: robomatic I heard a snatch of Stan Rogers' song: "Goin' Down to Old Maui" and had no idea of who wrote it or what else he may have written until I was at a party and mentioned the snatch of song and was leant a tape of "Between The Breaks". Immediately learned it and "Barrett's Privateers" for singing while hiking. Stan's voice had the earthy low tones and his lyrics the historic range and maritime slant I'd associated with Gordon Bok. As for the theme of peacefulness versus violence in everyday life, I think the song is a consistent look at the situation just as the theme crops up again and again in the songs mentioned in this thread, and such films as "High Noon" "Shane" and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". It is a basic American theme of how to be a civilized man without being a pushover, along with the allied observation that it's easier to make a peaceful man violent than the other way around. |
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28 Jul 07 - 01:55 PM (#2113449) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself "Young men can hit on older women as young women can hit on older men." This is not news to me. However, it is enough of a departure from what is expected conventionally in a narrative as to require some kind of notice, I should think. I'm just trying to find an interpretation that provides some substance to - well, I have said. |
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28 Jul 07 - 02:20 PM (#2113462) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,DonMeixner I have now read the whole thing and the conclusion is obvious. WE all should be doing something else with our Saturday. Don |
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28 Jul 07 - 02:50 PM (#2113488) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Willie-O Robomatic, if you want to straighten out the origin of "Maui", you need to look up another Stan-- t he late Stan Hugill, the only working folksinger in the 1980's who also sailed on the Cutty Sark. No kidding. This isn't my favourite Stan song. I saw him perform it at least once--I do recall Garnet remarking that it was his favourite at the time, "cause it's about a guy who finally takes a stand". Beats me--ask Garnet. If you take it at face value, I'd call it justifiable, but the scenario is too artificial for me to take it seriously. I'm not a complete pacifist, but it's a perfectly good philosophy for those who practice it with some consistency, which the narrator doesn't. I would urge anyone to go buy Songs From Fogarty's Cove (OFC Publications). Not only is the selection of songs outstanding, but if you are interested in learning effective use of DADGAD tuning, this book was the best training I ever had. W-O |
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28 Jul 07 - 02:52 PM (#2113489) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself Ah! Finally, some sense is introduced into this discussion! (robomatic: Stan didn't write "Maui"; it's trad. - there was quite a long and involved thread on its origins recently.) |
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30 Jul 07 - 10:06 PM (#2115181) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin And it's "Rolling Down to Old Maui", just in case you do a search for it. |
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31 Jul 07 - 01:54 PM (#2115760) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: McGrath of Harlow There's no moral inconsistancy or hypocracy whatsoever in someone who is unwilling to take orders from the government to kill total strangers, but who is ready to use their bare hands to defend their family from a direct attack. There's a term for that - "fist-fighting pacifism". |
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31 Jul 07 - 01:59 PM (#2115769) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Art Thieme McGrath, Right on! Art |
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31 Jul 07 - 02:08 PM (#2115777) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself I'm with Willie-O here: "the scenario is too artificial for me to take it seriously" - although it is clear that many others don't have that sense in regard to this perceived artificiality, and there doesn't seem to be any resolving that one - either you find it convincing or you don't, apparently ... I agree with McGrath in regard to the "fist-fighting pacifism" ... And I disagree with Garnet, if he thinks (or thought) that being a conscientious objector means that you won't take a stand. To my mind, it means exactly the opposite. |
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31 Jul 07 - 02:38 PM (#2115801) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged When I wrote Also a hypocrite - 'Nor would I keep a friend who raised his hand' yet is disappointed when they treat him that way I was referring to the fact that HE states he would not keep a friend who used violence but is miffed at his neighbours for not sticking by him when he uses it. Nothing to do with wars, governments etc. I agree with GUESTmeself that standing up for your beliefs usually takes more guts than going with the flow. The fact that it is so artificial & contrived is what gives me doubts about it - BUT I still like the song & Stans delivery. (Never heard it by a female & cannot imagine it having the same impact but am willing to be amazed) Thanks all for your views. |
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31 Jul 07 - 02:44 PM (#2115808) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Big Mick, in South Dakota Right on, meself. I suppose the rub comes in the "common usage" as opposed to the "definition". I am not sure there is such a thing as a true pacifist, according to the definition. And I believe that someone willing to go to jail rather than participate in an event (war) to which s/he is totally opposed on a moral, principled basis, is taking a stand which requires a great deal of courage. I think "fist fighting pacifism" is a fine description. As to the song, hell, there are many songs that one cannot take seriously, but they still enjoy. This one is just a yarn, with a bit of Stan's prodding nature tucked in it, and it is enjoyable. BTW, I ordered Songs from Fogarty's Cove. In the course of that process I corresponded back and forth with Ariel. She seems like a great person. Mick |
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08 Aug 07 - 04:04 PM (#2121959) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Big Mick Got the songbook. Here is what Stan says about this song: READ THE STORY OF THE SONG AND PLAY HERE. A recording of the play, as well as another that Stan wrote the music for (The Sisters by Silver Donald Cameron) compromise a CD titled "Poetic Justice" which is available from Fogerty's Cove Music (hence it is available from Stan's family and they benefit...thankfully) and can be ordered through StanRogers.net. BTW, the songbook is wonderful, especially Stan's observations about the songs and the albums. Well worth the money for Stan fans. And, now, I finally realized the mistake I was making in the song..... All the best, Mick |
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08 Aug 07 - 05:33 PM (#2122030) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,meself Interesting. Unfortunately, the press release doesn't really throw any more light on the song - there's just enough there to reinforce each of the various interpretations that have come up on this thread. A little poignant at the end, with the speculation on Stan's future projects - more radio work, a novel ... |
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08 Aug 07 - 06:45 PM (#2122084) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,Art Thieme Is Garnet participating in this thread with another name?----Someting someone said sounded like he was here... And give my best to Ariel! Good memories -- with Emily Friedman, Juel Ulven and "Come For To Sing" magazine in Chicago-- Stan at Holstein's bar. A rose, by ANY OTHER NAME, would smell as sweet. ;-) Art Thieme |
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09 Aug 07 - 06:19 PM (#2122771) Subject: RE: Harris and Mare - murder or not? From: Cluin ...and I had no songs in these keys, so I had to write one... Yeah I read that in the book, too. Mick and thought "But that's why we have capos!" A glib little intro on Stan's part, but I know what he means. When I was putting together a medley of Celtic and old-time tunes on the mandolin, I wanted to include a jig in F#m. Now I could have transpose, but I found it just as easy to compose one. I called it "Frost on the Pumpkin", because that's what I was looking at out the window at the time. And it had some runnin'-up-the-fretboard tinkly bits in it. |
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25 Dec 12 - 10:01 AM (#3456839) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,GUEST, pirbird Anyone having trouble believing the scenario to be plausible should have a look at the trial of Jane Hurshman, who killed her abusive husband, Billy Stafford, in 1982, in Halifax. Billy was a known bully, tolerated by the community for years, who was well known for terrorizing whole families if one member got in his way for the smallest of offenses. Everyone knew that if you cross him in any way at all, you would have to end up killing him. Most people, of course, don't want to kill people over small offenses, and let him have his way. Jane wasn't getting any help from the community and knew that if she left him, he would go after her parents and then kill her. She did the only thing she could think of - she waited till he passed out drunk one night and shot him. Jane was convicted of manslaughter and spent six months in prison. On the night she killed him, she fully believed he would kill her when he woke up. In Canada, you cannot use undue force in self defence i.e. you cannot use a weapon on an unarmed attacker. Billy was passed out. Jane shot him. She did time. The courts were sympathetic, she did the least possible time in a minimum security prison. Her story was dramatized in "Life with Billy" and drew attention to the whole problem of domestic abuse. If Clancy was a bully like Billy, this explains the inaction of the onlookers in the bar. He would also have enjoyed bullying someone not likely to fight back, like a pacifist. I am the daughter of a Mennonite. I am not a pacifist myself, but respect the tremendous courage that often has been shown by people of true pacifist convictions. My mother's people fled pogroms in Russia to settle in Canada. Her great uncle told stories of whole villages being herded into wooden buildings which were then set on fire by Cossacks. Pacifists have been jailed and even lynched for their refusal to go to war. On October 26, 2006, a number of Amish school children were shot and killed in the community of Nickel Mines. The community publicly forgave the shooter. They also also set up a charitable fund for the family of the shooter. Knowing the kind of conformist pressures exerted in religious communities, I am extremely dubious about ritualized forgiveness ceremonies. The salient fact is, however, the community most definitely did not call for vengeance or punishment. As for the "bitch slap", some men just don't take no for an answer. They see any verbal response as coyness, and a tease, on the part of the woman; and often take this as an invitation to be even more aggressive. Maybe the wife sized him up as beyond reason and acted accordingly. Since most women are less physically powerfull than most men, most bitch slaps don't do any real harm. It's true that around 50% of Mennonite men in Canada did respond to the call up for military service during World War II. But the other half did not. |
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25 Dec 12 - 11:12 AM (#3456864) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: Sandy Mc Lean A bit of thread drift but Jane Hurshman was found not guilty of murder by a jury of her peers at trial. That should have ended the case right there but the crown prosecuter appealed the decision. (allowed under Canadian law) The jury decision was rendered on the feeling that her action was one of self defense. The crown argued that Stafford was asleep and drunk at the time he was shot and the danger to Hurshman's life was not immediate. A life of threats and violent abuse was not sufficient justification. The appeal judge (no jury) followed the letter of the law and found her guilty of manslaughter. A great deal of public outrage followed and the case showed the stupidity of laws being held above justice! |
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25 Dec 12 - 10:57 PM (#3457087) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: McGrath of Harlow The American anarchist writer Paul Goodman described his position as being "a fist-fighting pacifist", and that has always seemed a pretty morally sound stance, in principle at least. Though I doubt if either Paul Goodman or myself would in practice be too likely to come out winner in a fist-fight. So I don't see anything inconsistent in the narrator's actions or reprehensible in his wife's. As for the bully, anyone who pulls out a lethal weapon in a fight has no call to object if it ends up being used on them. And I'd read it that the wife is 'cold as clay' because she's in a state of shock at the whole episode. |
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20 Jul 14 - 01:12 PM (#3643655) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST,The Crispy Druid Call me an overanlyzer - but I don't think any of the three survived the encounter. I don't think anyone's disputing that Cleary bought it when he fell on his own knife; so I'll move on. Next, I know it unlikely to kill from a single blow - but that the wife is still unconscious a half-mile's walk (stagger?) later, and that I don't think body temperature drops drastically from being knocked out; I think Cleary managed to end her life. That the speaker refuses to accept that she is dead is, I think, a reasonable response to the sudden and violent loss of a loved one. Lastly, after Cleary pulled the knife he struck the speaker a blow that brought him to the ground and covered him in blood. I think that wound was a deadly one. When the speaker meets Harris, coming up on a cart with a horse... I think Harris passed away long ago, maybe went to war when the speaker stayed home and died in the fighting; come as an agent of Death to collect the Speaker as he bleeds out. It seems to me that Stan puts an awful lot of nostalgia on that first line, yon trap and that old mare. That is, if the speaker even left the room. Perhaps the people in the bar never lifted a hand to help him out because the rest of the scene after his fight with Cleary could have been a hallucination brought about by loss of blood. At least; it's this line of interpretation that sent the chills up and down my spine and made me again terribly sorry that I'll never have a chance to see Stan live in concert. |
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18 Jan 21 - 07:36 PM (#4088682) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: GUEST I think Harris is his dog and he is asking him to fetch the mare because his wife is too heavy to carry. |
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19 Jan 21 - 05:10 AM (#4088734) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: GerryM Chris Gudgeon, in his biography of Stan Rogers, writes about Harris, This song started when Stan, who considered himself a pacifist, asked: "What would cause me to raise my hand at another man?" The answer: "If they laid a hand on my wife." |
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19 Jan 21 - 09:29 AM (#4088775) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: JHW Yesterday I was remembering 'smiling ba'rds lying to you every where you go' (after hearing a true tale of drowned immigrants) but it took me a while to recall where it came from. I then remembered being disappointed when I found out that Mary Ellen Carter was not a true story. So does that make a better songwriter or storyteller? |
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19 Jan 21 - 11:37 AM (#4088795) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: Mrrzy Never heard of this song. Really like it. Pacifist here, offsprung from conscientious objector in WWII. |
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19 Jan 21 - 12:48 PM (#4088805) Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare - murder or not? From: Felipa It's an interesting discussion; I can see why one participant in the debate used this song in the classroom. In fact, the literary criticism above even includes discussion of what people know about the author to help them interpret the text. My own reaction was very much, is this song based on a real story. Then I read that Art Thieme had a similar experience of having to defend his wife in a pub. What if the man he hit has fallen and hit his head, dying or being left seriously brain damaged? It happens. I wondered did Art tell Stan the story before Stan composed Harris and the Mare. Though I was thinking more on the lines of an older historical story. If the song was based on a news story or trial report, Rogers would probably had said so in the intro in his song book. And his biographer said the song came from Rogers' own pondering of what might cause him to react with violence. I certainly donn't see the lyrics as a story of hypocrisy, rather of cognitive dissonance. The narrator sees himself as a principled man of peace, and though he lashed out in justifiable anger he had not intended to kill (he had not pulled a knife, the dead man had rolled on to his own knife). The narrator is shocked at what has happened and feels an internal conflict. The biggest question though may be why the others neither intervened nor even helped in the aftermath .. one thing I wondered was whether there was some old resentment over the narrator having been a "conshie" at the time of war. |
