12 Jan 11 - 09:22 PM (#3073451) Subject: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: jody Dear helpful folks, I've got a gig next week where my sword dance team will be doing a lecture demo about rapper and long sword with examples, explanations and a few tunes and songs. I'm hunting for the right trad song to sing. It needs to fit somehow with the dancing or perhaps the winter season and should have an easy chorus so the rest of the team and perhaps even our audience can join in. Byker Hill would work well being a Northumbrian collier's song with a simple chorus and fun. We'll probably sing that. Any other suggestions? |
13 Jan 11 - 12:20 AM (#3073506) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: JohnB Try one of the various sword dance calling on songs. JohnB |
13 Jan 11 - 08:45 AM (#3073677) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: Hoblander The mighty and famous Redcar Sword Dancers have been singing Byker Hill as their party piece song and intro for the past thirty years or more. But I'm not saying you can't sing it!!!!! Quack Doctor |
13 Jan 11 - 02:47 PM (#3073851) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: GUEST,SteveG The trad calling-on song for rapper is usually a version of The Royal Earsden, 'Good people give ear to my story, I've callede for to see you by chance. Five lads i have brought blythe and bonny, intending to give you a dance.' etc.... Each Yorkshire longsword dance has its own song(s). Ivor Alsopp's book has them all. |
13 Jan 11 - 04:08 PM (#3073896) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: gnomad More as a matter of interest than a suggestion, there is the song preceding the Papa Stour dance, which has elements more commonly associated with mummers plays and the rare distinction of requiring seven dancers. When I saw this performed by a team of Shetland schoolboys in the 70's or 80's (Cleethorpes, I think) I couldn't make out more than a few of the words, having a terrible blind spot with Scots accents, so I cannot confirm that this was the text used despite witnessing a number of performances. I expect there will be a recording available somewhere if you feel the search is merited. |
13 Jan 11 - 04:37 PM (#3073915) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: Steve Gardham Jody, If you tell us which tradition(s) you'll be dancing/demonstrating we can post the lyrics and let you know where you can get the tunes. |
13 Jan 11 - 11:32 PM (#3074175) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: jody Thanks for all of your suggestions and thank you Doctor for sharing Byker Hill with my team. Very generous of you. It's also a party piece I'm seeking, not a calling on song. We don't have or plan to have that element in our performance. Yes, we do Papa Stour and I looked at the link Gnomad offered with the lyrics. Those words would need a major rewrite... all that bit about how manly the dancers are... all of our dancers are female. I am one of the musicians for the celebrated Half Moon Sword from NYC, 1st place winner for rapper in Sidmouth '91 and still going strong. http://www.halfmoonsword.org/ Since you asked, aside from Papa Stour and our own rapper, we also do Flamborough, Bampton Weavers and Cumbria modeled on the dancing of our friends Carlisle Sword, Morris and Clog (thank you Frank and Mike). Back to songs. This is what I want, a fun, easy, simple chorus trad. song that might go over for a crowd of urban 20-somethings who know nothing about sword dancing or English traditions. Tall order, I know. That's why I'm looking for suggestions. Thanks. |
14 Jan 11 - 04:02 AM (#3074224) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: GUEST,FloraG Go for something with an easy chorus picked up second time through or something they will know. Dirty old town Drunken sailor When the boat comes home or irish pub songs. For the 20 somethings these are new and refreshing - often the first time they will have heard live accoustic music outside of school. I play Biker hill in em and intersperse it with go and enlist as a tune - trouble is the words get a bit lost when you play it at a good dance speed. Enjoy your do. FloraG. |
14 Jan 11 - 12:05 PM (#3074502) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: JohnB What about a round? "Oh thanks I'll have a pint of bitter" :) JohnB |
14 Jan 11 - 01:28 PM (#3074579) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: GUEST,SteveG You dance Flamborough. Whilst Flamborough has no associated song the two traditional tunes used have American originals, Buffalo Gals and So Early in the morning from the minstrel days. Both tunes have local words, respectively 'Old Johnny Walker' and 'Mr Noah' both very simple, catchy and with chorus/repetition. You can hear and see both at www.yorkshirefolksong.net |
14 Jan 11 - 05:01 PM (#3074710) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: jody Thanks Steve G, I couldn't find Mr. Noah at www.yorkshirefolksong.net but I was glad to see a photo of my old friend, singer John Greaves. Is that the same as "Mr. Noah Build an Ark" here on Mudcat? http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=71379 When Half Moon dances Flamborough we play a great Northumbrian pipe tune called "Parnall's March" paired with "The Boys of Blue Hill." |
14 Jan 11 - 07:11 PM (#3074778) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: Steve Gardham Sorry about that. The info is in with 'Keep that Wheel a Turning' which is the same tune. Here's the lyrics we meant to include. There are various Flamborough words set to the tune. the main one is 'Mr Noah built an ark The People thought it such a lark Into the ark they would not go though Mr Noah pleaded so Down came the rain in torrents x3 And all of them were drowned In the house and out of doors Washing windows, scrubbing floors Baking, manding gardening too, All the things we have to do Do it all for Jesus x3 As you have done before. There is another ditty to the same tune 'Rings came home late one night, Challenged Polly out to fight.... And some more I can't remember It's a very long time since I danced Flamborough but I seem to remember once we'd used the 2 trad tunes we went into hornpipes like Harvest Home. |
21 Jan 11 - 02:33 AM (#3079182) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: jody Thanks Steve, Flora and the rest for your song ideas. At the sword dance gig last night we did sing Byker Hill and dance raper along with Papa Stour and Bampton Weavers long sword dances. As for the other song, I picked "Pleasant and Delightful" because it's a classic and a right good English chorus song that many on our team knew well enough to join in and help the audience along with the singing. The affair went over very well. |
21 Jan 11 - 12:52 PM (#3079468) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: Hoblander Ah but...... when you sang Byker Hill did you stand on tables and chairs to sing the chorus? In my opinion Half Moon's performance of Papa Stour is THE best, bar non. Quack Doctor. |
21 Jan 11 - 12:58 PM (#3079472) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: GUEST,SteveG Great stuff, Jody! Glad it all went well. Which of the 3 Byker Hill tunes did you use? I would imagine from your desciption it is the well-known one sung by that famous New Yorker, Heather Wood. |
23 Jan 11 - 12:48 AM (#3080447) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: jody Quack Doctor - Alas, there were no available tables and chairs to stand on so we just used the floor... what's the significance of your comment anyway? I'm glad you like our Papa Stour. We have been doing it for almost 30 years now. Where did you see us? I was wrong in bragging about winning the Sidmouth competition in '91 for rapper, it was Papa Stour that won us first place. SteveG - Well we did not use that fabulous slip jig Martin Carthy uses. Too fancy for this gig. I'm not sure that it's Heather's version or not but we sang the minor one that goes: 1 1 1 71 3 1 17 5 4 4 4 34 5 7 7 . What's the third tune? |
23 Jan 11 - 03:43 PM (#3080885) Subject: RE: Song Req: What song for this sword gig? From: Wheatman You are quite welcome to use the following song I have penned based on the Kirby Malzeard song [Ivor Allpsop –Longsword dances –(ISBN 0-96277554-7-8), in there you will find the original songs and the tune], the beheading song is based on Bob Peggs "Rise up Jock". All you need to do with my rendition, is change the locality to fit with your team and the references to team colours. Just a thought Brian Kell. Calling on Song I beg your attention come here what I say These dancers have come here by chance From out of the fen they have travelled to day Intending to give you their dance Fenland's the place they were all born and bred All tigers so gallant and true With their Red, Black and Yellow And shiny bright swords A performance they'll offer to you Chorus They are all actors bold Never came on stage before And they will do their best And the best can do no more There leader is one with a deal of respect The others all follow with pride They play out their part And act out their tale 'till one of their number has died Rise up again Jack like the sun in the morn To continue the saga once more They'll finish their tale Move on without fail Until they call once again to your door Chorus <><><><><><><><>< Resurrection Song Rise up Jack and sing your song For the summer's short and the winter's long All join hands and form a ring And we'll see that spring time blooms again |