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25 Aug 11 - 03:34 PM (#3212634) Subject: Clear crystal fountain From: GUEST,loftypeak Have been looking for 'pub' songs with good choruses, this seems a good candidate. Can I ask a question that was originally posed in December 1999, but not answered at that time, does anyone know what the references to the 'clear crystal fountain' are about. Have never sung in a pub before, booked for mid-October, I like to know the background of the songs that I sing when possible. I wonder if the line is just 'padding'. |
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25 Aug 11 - 05:06 PM (#3212678) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle From: Hesk In "The Wanton Seed", "a clear crystal fountain" is said to refer to winter storms, hence "over England shall roll". Hope this helps. |
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25 Aug 11 - 05:53 PM (#3212705) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle From: Artful Codger For what it's worth, links to some previous threads on the song, just to tie things together: Lyr Add: The Punch Ladle: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=104197 Lyr Add: Fathom the Bowl - minor changes: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=15756 Lyr Req: song about punch ladle / Fathom the Bowl: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=36974 DigiTrad entry: http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=1968 |
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25 Aug 11 - 11:55 PM (#3212872) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: GUEST,Bill S from Adelaide My father he do lie in the depths of the sea No stone at his head but what matter to he Though the sharks have his body, the Lord has his soul Give me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl Where did that come from? |
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26 Aug 11 - 06:47 AM (#3212945) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: Snuffy Looks like an adaptation of the line found in several shanties and sea songs (Boston Harbour for one): The sharks'll have his body, and the devil have his soul |
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26 Aug 11 - 07:28 AM (#3212956) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: doc.tom At Brendon on Exmoor, in the 1880s, according to John Lock's handwritten mss of his songs, the text went (with his veracular spelling!): O my father he lies at the bottom of the sea Cold stones for his pillow what matters to me Here a clear christol fountain through old England doth flow Bring me the punchladel I'll fill you the bool. |
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26 Aug 11 - 09:56 AM (#3212998) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: Hesk Learnt by ear, in Hampshire, UK:- Me Father he do lie in the depths of the sea, With no stone at his head, but what matters for he, It's the clear crystal fountain, near (oe'r) England shall roll. Give me the punch ladle, and I'll fathom the bowl. |
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26 Aug 11 - 09:56 AM (#3212999) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: Dead Horse I always assumed it was a reference to the flow of smuggled brandy etc that would be served in the finest chrystal goblets & decanters. In other words, the stuff being smuggled ended up in the finest houses and was therefore semi legitimate. |
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26 Aug 11 - 12:57 PM (#3213055) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: GUEST,loftypeak Yes Hesk, I couldn't quite see why it should 'roll', so your analysis makes sense. I also like the flow of smuggled brandy. My version of the words has the fountain 'near Ireland' just to confuse things further. However I'm grateful for all your inputs, at least I can make some comment now if asked. Cheers |
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26 Aug 11 - 03:42 PM (#3213136) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: Artful Codger Added to which, the crystal fountain line often occurs in the first verse as well (or instead), the one mentioning brandy, rum, oranges and lemons coming into England. FWIW, since storms often "roll in" or "roll over" an area, I don't understand why this verb should raise an eyebrow in connection with the storm interpretation. |
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27 Aug 11 - 11:15 AM (#3213458) Subject: RE: Fathom the bowl/Punch ladle-clear crystal fountain From: greg stephens Surely the "crystal fountain" just refers to the punch(and other drinks) whose pleasures roll over the country. The phrase"crystal fountain" refers in literary circles to the life giving waters that sprang from the rock of Horeb when Moses gave it a whack in the book of Exodus. The writer of the song is comparing the action of the punch ladle to that of Moses' staff. |