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09 Oct 99 - 02:56 PM (#122320) Subject: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Nikki Hershberger (neh9w@bethelks.edu) Hi! I'm getting deeply into ballads about historical events (wrecks, battles, etc...maybe I'm just feeling apocalyptic lately!). I'm looking for songs to enjoy; something along the lines of "Wreck of the You-know-what", except maybe not so OVERPLAYED. Anybody want to suggest some favorites? |
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09 Oct 99 - 04:49 PM (#122331) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: bobby's girl In the days when I used to sing in folk clubs, one song I sang which was always very popular was the Ellen Vannin - and there is also The Herald of Free Enterprise which I have on a Roy Bailey CD tho I don't know if he wrote it. |
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09 Oct 99 - 06:56 PM (#122343) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: wildlone Mine are the Agincourt Carol.Brave Lord Willoughby. Defeat of the Spanish Armarda. Admiral Benbow.to name a few Also Bells of Rhymney & The Gresford Disaster |
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09 Oct 99 - 09:31 PM (#122373) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Susanne (skw) Herald of Free Enterprise was written by Robb Johnson. Spine-chilling! James Keelaghan has some very good songs in this line: Abraham, Kiri's Piano, Hillcrest Mine, Glory Bound, Small Rebellion, Cold Missouri Waters. Brian McNeill's entire 'Back o' the North Wind' CD qualifies, plus qwuite a number of his other songs, e. g. Montrose, Greenland's Icy Waters, The Roving Dies Hard and Seacoalers. And what about all those songs about highwaymen and bushrangers? Which reminds me of Judy Small (again!) whose songs about the role of women in history are usually great. 'Fraid I'll have to stop, or I'll go on all night. - Susanne |
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09 Oct 99 - 10:27 PM (#122383) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: roopoo I always liked "Lord Franklin", and whether it was just the arrangement or not, Steeleye Span's version of "Montrose", which takes 15 minutes! But best of all is a lovely song, although not strictly speaking historical (1950s) about a Derbyshire sheepdog who stayed and guarded her master's body after he died in a blizzard one December until they found him in March: "Tip of Derwent". I daresay there are many more which have flowed through my brain over the years, but I'm not a singer and they don't always stay in there! mouldy |
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10 Oct 99 - 02:32 AM (#122426) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Les B In terms of American songs there's "Amelia Earhart's Last Flight," Leadbelly's "Titanic," and lots of train songs like "Wreck of the old 97," "Engine 143," etc. I think there are a couple about submarines going down ("The Thresher" ?) and I've heard that the Russians had some folk songs about a nuclear disaster on a sub, but don't know the titles. |
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10 Oct 99 - 02:44 AM (#122428) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Stewie I reckon one of the greatest of them all is 'The Baron of Brackley' Child 203. A gripping tale of heroism and betrayal. I have a marvellous recording of a composite version by the fine singer from Melbourne, Australia - Danny Spooner. It's in Vol IV of Child's 'English and Scottish Popular Ballads'. |
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10 Oct 99 - 01:04 PM (#122480) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: gulick and maxine Our favorite is "The Irish Rover",(about ship wreck) the one with the "10 mil. bales of old nanny goat tails, and 8 mil. sides of blind horses hides". If you dont already have that one, and want the entire lyrics, we can send you them ----- (but later 'cause now we got to dig taters). Another neat song(one about a battle) is "Pea Ridge" a Rebel song.Can send the words for that one too. Happy yodelin' |
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10 Oct 99 - 01:18 PM (#122483) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Mudjack The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is a mighty strong story of war and visually tells a story with out any glory. As it should be. Mudjack |
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10 Oct 99 - 02:39 PM (#122509) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Magpie I side with you, Mudjack!!! Magpie |
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10 Oct 99 - 02:39 PM (#122510) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Margo I like "Three Score and Ten", a sad account of a terrible storm that took the lives of many fishermen from Grimsby in the 1880's. It is on Lou Killen's "A Seaman's Garland" CD, available here at the Mudcat. There are more notes in the CD sleeve, if you're interested let me know. Margarita |
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10 Oct 99 - 03:44 PM (#122520) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: bseed(charleskratz) Woodie Guthrie wrote a few: "The Reuben James," "Deportees," the Bonneville Dam songs, the one about the Union Christmas party where company thugs barred one of the exit doors then shouted FIRE! inside the hall and there was a mad rush for the exit and dozens of people, mostly children, were killed in the crush at the barred door, and "Pretty Boy Floyd," dust bowl ballads such as "Do-Re-Mi," etc. The Civil War era produced songs as diverse as "John Brown's Body," "Marching Through Georgia," and "Goober Peas." Some historical songs are about heroes and great events, others about how common people are affected by the events. Generally, I prefer the latter. --seed |
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10 Oct 99 - 05:45 PM (#122534) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Jennifer, the wife of Songster Bob, lead a workshop on historical songs at the FSGW Getaway this afternoon. Most were civil war songs, the 19th century American one and the 17th century English one, plus Jennifer's one on Napolean, and a some others.
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10 Oct 99 - 08:05 PM (#122558) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: John in Brisbane My Australian favourite is the Ballad of 1891 which in a fairly bloody manner chronicles the battles between shearers and the establishment in order to establish basic working conditions, and the first organised workers union in this country. Unless I'm wrong this is a major omission from the database. I'd be more than happy for anyone to post it please. Regards, John |
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10 Oct 99 - 10:11 PM (#122590) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: northfolk/al cholger Nobody did this topic better than Woody... Some of my favorites: 1913 Massacre Plane Wreck at Los Gatos Great Historical Bum maybe I'm stretching the category to include a couple of these... Also like the concept of the common man's impact on history...favorite there, Si Kahn's "Bleeding Hearts"...what else? |
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11 Oct 99 - 01:42 AM (#122636) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: roopoo I forgot about "Three Score and Ten". It's a belter! mouldy |
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11 Oct 99 - 08:05 AM (#122663) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: catspaw49 I too like Woody's stuff. 1913 Massacre was a real favorite for awhile. In this category too, I suppose that "Christmas in the Trenches" would sorta' fit. Spaw |
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11 Oct 99 - 09:01 AM (#122665) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Pete Peterson There are a bunch from the old-timey tradition that are good "historical" songs; some of them look at things from a worms-eye view. Examples of these are Otto Wood the Bandit (original recording the Carolina Buddies) Kenny Wagner (another small-time robber, as told by Ernest Stoneman) The Death of Floyd Collins (Vernon Dahlhart strikes again) on a larger scale there are the various Titanic songs; my personal favorite is the Carter Family's but Down with the Old Canoe is a winner too Battles: The one that always moves me is the Cumberland Crew-- the first ship to learn that under certain conditions, iron floated, and wood sunk. Drummer Boy of Shiloh-- the list goes on! I used to introduce Marching through Georgia in about 1970 by saying you got to hear lots of anti-war songs'; this is about the only pro-war song I know (Still is!) |
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11 Oct 99 - 09:21 AM (#122670) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Mbo What about "Kelly, the Boy from Killane" by The Clancy Brothers, "Summer of '45" by Robin Laing, "Killecrankie," and "Glencoe"? I also think "The Mermaid" is a great song about shipwreck (and also funny.) -Mbo |
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11 Oct 99 - 02:07 PM (#122719) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Doctor John Les B refers to "The Thresher" written and recorded by (the greatly underestimated) Phil Ochs. Many of his songs chronicle the times very well. B Seed refers to Woody's "1913 Massacre"; "Ludlow Massacre" and "Harriet Tubman" are excellent too. Nic Jones - never one to give us yet another version of John Barleycorn or Solvey - recorded unusual songs about Napoleon (why's he so popular in English folk song?) and Marlborough - well worth a listen. I wonder what the earliest is? Mine is "Fair Rosamund" about Henry ll. Dr John |
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11 Oct 99 - 02:12 PM (#122721) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: kendall I agree with everyone who picks The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, but, another of my favorites, in fact one of the first I ever learned was Henry Martin. And, lets not forget Bob Coltman's re write of Sir Patrick Spence. |
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11 Oct 99 - 03:32 PM (#122740) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: faeryrose The Foggy Dew is a song written by Father P. O'Neill in tribute to the men who fought and died in the Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin and is quite interesting. If you want some interesting filks try Barrett's Privateers... Lord of Caerte is one of a soldier's point of view of his army's fated slaughter.
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11 Oct 99 - 04:25 PM (#122745) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Art Thieme It's pretty strang---I just started a thread to post the lyrics to "BRACERO" by Leon Payne. It's not particularly my favorite story song but it is sort of a story song--albeit rather truncated. Art |
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11 Oct 99 - 06:53 PM (#122778) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Susan A-R The Piper's Refrain tells of a Scotsman who betrayed a kinsman and was cursed to die in Ticondaroga(I don't even guess that my spelling is correct). This name made no sense to him until he ended up over here on Lake Champlain and found out that the fort at the south end of the lake went by that name. The MacArthur family does it beautifully. The Black Family does Those Warlike Lads of Russia, about Bonapart abandoning his armies to the Russians and their winter. The Ballad of Spring Hill i8s a grreat mining disaster song. Is it by Ewan McCall?? Fred Small does a chilling song about a girl growing up in Australia with the usual stereotypes about native peoples, resulting in her fear to go to them, or to bypass their camp in order to fetch help for her dying mother. I believe he draws it from a true story. His Over the Olsund is also an absolutely wonderful song about the Danish efforts to get the Jews out before the Nazi raids. That one makes me cry every time I hear it (Gordon Bok's base harmony on the chorus helps.) In fact, the entire I Will Stand Fast album is full of such stories. Only one or two new agey typ songs. The Blue and the Gray, about the decoration of graves (union and confederate) in Mississippi is one of my current Civil War Favorites. Oops, I see what you mean, you can go on and on. Susan
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11 Oct 99 - 07:40 PM (#122791) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Art Thieme Just put up a new thread to posr my favorite story song of all time---"CALIFORNIA JOE" by Captain Jack Ceawford--The Poet Scout of the Black Hills. But ya gotta hear Jim Ringer's rendition of this song. Art |
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11 Oct 99 - 07:57 PM (#122796) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: kendall Gordon Bok also did a great job on THE PIPERS REFRAIN. When I was in Scotland, I did this one in a number of pubs and folk clubs. Of course they all knew the story, and they were quite pleased to hear the song. |
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11 Oct 99 - 09:14 PM (#122816) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Nikki Hershberger Ohboy, ohboy, ohboy!!!! Thanks all! I'm getting extremely excited just looking over these. Nuthin' better than a huge list of songs that I can't wait to track down and learn. |
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12 Oct 99 - 02:37 AM (#122902) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: faeryrose Whiskey in the Jar is a great Irish drinking song about a man (a bandit) who was betrayed to the authorities by his lady love. |
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12 Oct 99 - 02:41 AM (#122903) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: bseed(charleskratz) Nikki, I hope you did glean from somewhere above that many, maybe even most, of these songs are avaiable in the Digitgal Tradition database: You can find them either by typing the name of the song in the box in the upper left or by clicking on the letters of the alphabet and scrolling through the lists. All the titles in the list are links to versions of the songs, many of which have sound files along with the lyrics. --seed |
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12 Oct 99 - 09:44 AM (#122950) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Heather A friend of mine does one called Indian Pass that is very good. I can check with him this weekend and see where to get the words and tune if you want. |
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12 Oct 99 - 01:56 PM (#123043) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Davey Check out Lee Murdock's recordings... He specializes in stories and songs about the Great Lakes, and some of his songs date from the 1800s.. |
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12 Oct 99 - 02:04 PM (#123048) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Bert Just for starters... When the Alabama's Keel was laid Battle of New Orleans D-Day Dodgers (Dunno if it's true but it's a good story) Come to the Bower (Allen Damron) Heart of the Appaloosa Woad Grace Darling Bert. |
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12 Oct 99 - 05:26 PM (#123129) Subject: Lyr Add: ANDREW ROSE^^^ From: Matthew B. Here's a historical one you might like: "Andrew Rose" (listed in our database). Anyway, anybody familiar with sea shanties will tell you that cruelty at sea was not only widespread and commonplace, but it was even encouraged for the most part. But there was one exception, so brutal, that when the ship returned to Liverpool, the captain was hanged!! But even more significantly, the Mate was sentenced for not intervening (or, as they used to say back then, interposing) on the sailor's behalf. This legal decision had far reaching effects, all the way to Nuremburg, where the excuse of "following orders" doesn't allow a man to commit crimes against humanity.
ANDREW ROSE Andrew Rose, the British sailor CHO: Wasn't that most cruel usage 'Twas on the quarter-deck they laid him, 'Twas up aloft the Captain sent him The captain gave him stuff to swallow; 'Twas in a water-cask they put him; For twenty days they did ill-use him, Come all ye friends and near relations,
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12 Oct 99 - 05:39 PM (#123140) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Llanfair Poor Andrew Rose!!!!Long Lankin is supposed to be a true story, and I love singing that one. The tale of the Congleton Bear is in the database, too, also the Hartlepool monkey. Aren't the story ballads what folk is all about??? Oral Tradition??? Hwyl, Bron. |
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12 Oct 99 - 06:27 PM (#123168) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Marki A few of my favorites are: Brennan on the Moor (about an Irish bandit) Admiral William Brown (about an Irish war hero in South America) Bonnets of Bonnie Dundee (about Viscount Claverhouse) Flight of Earls (about the modern "flight" of people from Ireland looking for jobs etc.) Grace (about Grace Gifford, temporary wife & then widow of Joseph Plunket, a leader in the 1916 Uprising) Those are all Irish/Scottish songs. But also Johnny Horton always did a ton of historical songs, i.e.: Battle of New Orleans, SInk the Bismarck, Battle of Bull Run etc. Also Johnny Cash did a few "story" songs like: Wreck of Old '97. This is a great way to learn history. I made a couple of assortment tapes containing "story" songs that I bore my passengers to death with when out driving in my truck. I figure it's good for them to learn a thing or two. |
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13 Oct 99 - 04:55 AM (#123317) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: JennyCurtiss With so many great ones, it's tough but I'd have to pick 'You Can't Tie an Eagle Down', a remarkably stirring tune about legendary pilot Bob Hoover's battle with the FAA; 'Roll On, Red Thunder' about the tragic death of airshow performer Jan Jones; and 'Bill's First Ride', recounting the first flight of famed aviator Bill Kershner. (All by Barb MacLeod.) There are so many wonderful songs about railroads and shipwrecks, I had to try for a little equal time for us airport bums; we like to sing too. By the way, howdy all. Mudcat is a fantastic resource. I've been sifting through it for hours, so glad I found it. Flyin' Jenny |
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13 Oct 99 - 09:09 AM (#123354) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Matthew B. Llanfair, you sound a bit sarcastic, seeming to imply that the Andrew Rose story never happened. Is that what you're trying to say? |
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13 Oct 99 - 12:14 PM (#123430) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Jane Bird I'm rather fond of Queen Eleanor's Confession, which isn't entirely historically accurate, but is based on the story of Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his mistress "Fair" Rosamund Clifford. This ballad is also mentioned in Hardy's novel Return of the Native, which is how I came to research it. Jane |
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13 Oct 99 - 12:27 PM (#123437) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: McCSharon Any more songs from the 1840-1860's that have been recorded recently? My father loves these old songs, need a November Birthday present. |
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13 Oct 99 - 12:47 PM (#123448) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Frank Hamilton One of the things that I've noticed is that supposedly historical songs may or may not be factually accuraate. One of my faves is the American folk song "Jay Gould's Daugher", the daughter of the famous railroad robber baron. His daughter is depicted as being spoiled but Sam Hinton tells us that in fact his daughter was a well-known philanthropist. I believe I can trust folk ballads as much as I do for most history books for historical accuracy. Frank Hamilton |
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13 Oct 99 - 02:47 PM (#123522) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Matthew B. How about "historical" songs that are deliberately, wildly inaccurate? Any examples? (That doesn't count overly heroic but supposedly accurate songs like Davy Crockett) |
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13 Oct 99 - 05:04 PM (#123558) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Bert The shanty Santayana says "General Taylor ran away, he ran away at Monterey" which is not ture. |
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13 Oct 99 - 07:10 PM (#123596) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Mían jeez, my mind is going a bit haywire in trying to comply with the search for favorite historical stories. Let me show you what path it took before I stopped it in amazement: Roll On, Columbia, Roll On |
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13 Oct 99 - 08:32 PM (#123621) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: northfolk/al cholger How about a little misleadership...have been listening to a new recording of Utah Phillips stuff, titled, Moscow Hold, Fits the topic, hysterical story songs.... |
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13 Oct 99 - 10:25 PM (#123659) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Amaranth A favourite of mine is "MacDonnel on the Heights" it is written by Stan Rogers and is on his album "from fresh water". |
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13 Oct 99 - 11:21 PM (#123685) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Susan A-R Tommy Sands There were Roses (I heard him sing it this weekend, and he described it as a true incident which he was finally able to commit to song about ten years after the fact. |
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13 Oct 99 - 11:50 PM (#123697) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Matthew B. Bert, I'm glad you mentioned Santiano. Here's what I wrote about it in my book (as a footnote to one of the many delightful versions of this song): According to The Book of Lists, General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna (1795?-1876) was one of the 5 worst generals in military history. In the Mexican-American War alone (1846-1848), he lost every battle he ever fought! Early in his career, Sam Houston's men caught him in his underwear, trying to escape from the bed of a woman while his troops were being decimated by an attack that came during their siesta!! A dozen years later, he fled a losing battle in the Mexican American War so quickly that he left behind his famous wooden leg, which the Americans found. Soon, folks all over America were wearing little wooden-leg pins on their lapels to "honor" this event. However, this ignoble ending has not stopped us from totally reversing history for the sake of a good sea shanty. In this version, Santy beats Taylor. After all, his name is so much more musical, that he deserves the glory for that reason alone. |
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14 Oct 99 - 02:58 AM (#123737) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: John Berquist There are some lumbering ballads about accidents, especially on river drives. Two good ones are the classic 'Jam on Gerry's Rocks' and 'River Through the Pine' Check Edith Fowke's books for starters. And Lightfoot's opus about the Edmund Fitz. |
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14 Oct 99 - 03:28 AM (#123740) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Ely Galveston Flood (Wasn't that a mighty time? . . .) 1913 Massacre Jesse James (the Golden Ring version, which is more accurate than the more other one) Prairie Grove ("Come all you sons of Ioway and listen to my song . . . ") I thought there should be a song about James Root, who saved a trainload of people during the huge forest fire in Hinckley, Minnesota, in September, 1894, by driving to an abandoned, water-filled gravel pit and having them all get out and soak themselves. Somebody else has published a song about it already, but I didn't like it so I'm making up my own (not for publication or anything--I'm not a songwriter by any means). It's not one of my *favorites* yet but I'm working on it. |
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14 Oct 99 - 10:50 AM (#123819) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Art Thieme Hey folks, John Berquist just posted a few before this one. John is a Minnesota folklorist, singer, amazing player of many kinds of squeeze boxes and accordions. Sadly (or happily--depending on your point of view) he and his family are now in Chicago part time and would be a perfect person to have at the University of Chicago Folk Festival if anyone there will take my SUBTLE hint!!!!! John, I know you might rather be in Minnesota for the winter, but we've got to take lemons and make lemonade. (Believe me, I know.) Anyhow, John Berquist is the person I learned the fine historical Minnesota ballad, "THE POKEGAMA BEAR" from. It's on my recent CD fer Waterbug. As they always say in Minnesota, "So..." Art |
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14 Oct 99 - 01:36 PM (#123871) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Bert MatthewB, I didn't know you had a book. Tell us about it. Art, and you have to tell us all about ...the fine historical Minnesota ballad, "THE POKEGAMA BEAR" Bert. |
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14 Oct 99 - 01:42 PM (#123873) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Bert Don't forget to search DT for 'Stanley Holloway' for some excellent historical stories. |
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24 Jun 01 - 06:11 PM (#490974) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST,andhe@zianet.com For those who are interested, Eleanor of Aquitaine (sp?)was first the wife of Phillip of France who divorced her when she bore only girls. After marrying Henry II she had several sons including Richard Th Lion Hearted and Prince John. By the time Prince John came alone, Henry had split up his relm to the point where he had no land for Prince John, hence John's was known as John Lack Land. King Henry ordered Queen Eleanor to deed her holding in Aquitaine and Anjou to John. She refused saying that these lands were reserved for the son who would rule: Richard. King Henry then locked her in a tower and told her she would get out when she signed a deed which stated in her room ot rooms(I'm not that sure of the size of her apartment or whatever you want to call it.) King Henry waited 13 years and she never did sign the deed. After Henry II death, Richard had her released. In the end, however, Prince John became King John after Richard's death as Richard left no heirs. ( The fact he never consumated his marriage may explain this.) I learned a different version (much cleaned up) during the 1960's. The fact that the Chad Mitchell Trio was singing this song may have had a great deal to do with why the version was much less racy than the one I found here. Then again, I grew up in Massachusetts and I can assure you that puritanism isn't dead - just the Puritans! Hope you enjoy this epistle. Oh by the way, if you want to keep what happened to King Henry VIII wifes fate straight. just remember this rhyme: Divorced, beheaded,died. Divorced, beheaded, survived! Enough esoteric for today. andhe@zianet.com |
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24 Jun 01 - 07:39 PM (#490994) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: SINSULL Utah Phillips' "Enola Gay" gave me shivers the first time I heard it. "Mary Hamilton", "When The Evening Star Went Down" (Shipwreck via Work),"The Hills Of Shiloh" (modern take on it),"Henry Martin" (the pirate), "Hey Nellie Nellie" (also modern take on Civil War theme). The 'chucks (?) do a beautiful, moving ballad about Mary Brown, wife of John Brown. Could go on forever with this one. |
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25 Jun 01 - 12:08 PM (#491463) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: RWilhelm We used to do a whole set of disaster songs including the following. I beleive these are all in the DT database:
Jay Gould's Daughter |
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25 Jun 01 - 12:10 PM (#491466) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: SINSULL Are there any songs out there about the Triangle Shirt Factory fire? |
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25 Jun 01 - 12:13 PM (#491467) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: SINSULL click here And in the immortal words of Roseanna Annadanna "Nevermind". Does answering your own question break a record? |
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25 Jun 01 - 02:16 PM (#491565) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: mousethief Many of the songs written and sung by expatriate British "folkie" Al Stewart are historical in nature. He sings songs about such diverse historical topics as Admiral Lord Fischer, the WW2 German/Nazi invasion of Russia, the fall of Constantinople in 1543, and Lindy's famous airplane ride across the Atlantic. Check out all his lyrics at: Alex |
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25 Jun 01 - 04:26 PM (#491648) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Uncle_DaveO There's a distinction to be drawn here between songs about historical incidents and songs that illustrate (even though not literally based on a true incident) a historic period or movement. A lot of the songs named so far really belong in the second category. Some more of that sort are The Buffalo Skinners, and Guthrie's If You Ain't Got the Do Re Mi. Then there's another classification to be made, between songs that were sung roughly at the time they deal with and those that are sort hark back from later times to the times they speak of. Dave Oesterreich |
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25 Jun 01 - 04:39 PM (#491654) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: SINSULL Did anyone mention "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?" which summed up the depression in a few verses. |
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25 Jun 01 - 06:02 PM (#491715) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: jaze "China" by Joan Baez about Tiannemen Square(sp?) I'm surprised no one has written a song about the horror of Kosovo. Perfect subject for a folk song. Where are Dylan and Baez when you need 'em? |
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25 Jun 01 - 06:11 PM (#491722) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: mousethief I thought Paxton did one about Kosovo. Maybe it was about ethnic cleansing in Bosnia. It's been a while. Alex |
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25 Jun 01 - 06:20 PM (#491733) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: SINSULL Rwanda? |
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25 Jun 01 - 06:23 PM (#491735) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: mousethief Help me, Rwanda? Sorry, poor taste. Alex |
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25 Jun 01 - 06:26 PM (#491739) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: mousethief This is what I was thinking of: Paxton did one called "On The Road From Srebrenica" -- it was during the war in Bosnia. Alex |
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25 Jun 01 - 06:50 PM (#491766) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Susanne (skw) Eric Bogle wrote 'Romeo and Juliet in Sarajevo' after a true event, and Karine Polwart's 'Whaur Dae Ye Lie', also about Srebrenica, is heartrending in its simplicity. Then there is Allan Taylor's 'Libertas Ragusa. I've heard none on Africa, though, other than South Africa. |
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26 Jun 01 - 01:29 AM (#491968) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST,mgarvey@pacifier.com I wrote one about Kosovo but I forgot it. I have one about Sarejvo. Just email me if you want words. mg |
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26 Jun 01 - 02:22 AM (#491985) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Joe Offer Judy Cook recently recorded a gem called Daughters of the Revolution. The event the song describes may be fictional, but there's a lot of truth in the song, and a nice touch of humor. -Joe Offer- |
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26 Jun 01 - 03:03 AM (#491999) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: georgeward Sinsull, there is a ballad of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Ruth Rubin wrote it. Good song. I just did it with a group of school kids in NYC. Thought I got it from the DT, but I'm not finding it now. I'll dig out my notes. -George ::-.--O |
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26 Jun 01 - 04:08 AM (#492007) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Aidan Crossey Coleraine Regatta - doesn't commemorate a big historical event, just one old, blind man's day out by train to Coleraine. He gets drunk, has to be escorted home. End of story. But it's a cracker nevertheless.
"Come all kind friends and true etc. "The Death of Queen Jane" and "Derry Gaol" (as sung by the Bothy Band on Afterhours) "Don't Cry In Your Sleep" - one of the most touching of Scottish ballads "Ben McCulloch" by Steve Earle "Johnny Come Lately" by Steve Earle aagain And many many more if I could just get my brain in gear.
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26 Jun 01 - 05:22 AM (#492023) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Try some of the recordings of Dave Stone. He's got the Journey, about the emigration of the Scots into Canada. Down Through Halifax covers the settlement years of Halifax, and soon they will have a CD of songs about the Halifax Explosion. The Journey |
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26 Jun 01 - 06:16 PM (#492502) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Chicken Charlie Don't know if these were actual history or imitations thereof, but "Barrett's Privateers" and "Flowers of Bermuda" are great Stan Rogers cuts. Also "Witch of the Westmereland." Also his "Rise Again" (Mary Ellen Carter). For truly old stuff from the British Isles, I favor Patrick Spens, Battle of Harlaw, and Johnny O'Breadisley--lots of fun done unaccompanied in coffee houses. Barbree Allen, Fair Ellender, Silkie, Stewball. Also interminable Western "Bad Man Ballads"--Jesse James, John Hardy, Railroad Bill, Frankie & Johnny (x3), Betty & Dupre (x2), Lazarus in the Van Ronk version. Best of all is Staggerlee--I believe my personal best on that one was a seventeen minute marathon version with all known verses, broadcast by one of those 10-watt local radio stations from a coffeehouse in Eugene Oregon c.1972. The sound engineer loved it. It's been all downhill since. CC |
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26 Jun 01 - 07:57 PM (#492592) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Midchuck I'm very partial to Tom Russell and Ian Tyson's Claude Dallas, even though the facts appear to be that Dallas was considerably more cold-blooded than the song makes him out to be. Kendall did a great "rewrite" of Sir Patrick Spens, called Patrick Spenser, at Old Songs a couple of times. I came back and found the lyrics in the DT, but I need the melody. Badly. Would you get on that, please, Kendall, right away? Peter. |
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27 Jun 01 - 12:27 AM (#492737) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Amos Several all time standards in my personal book: The Golden Vanity Many of these are illustrative rather than anecdotes of a particular events. The Springhill Mining Disaster and a number of similar songs come to mind as well from the whole '30s-50's period of labor unrest. A |
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27 Jun 01 - 04:22 PM (#493310) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Walking Eagle I agree with the discussion about And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda. War sucks and that's that! Don't know why I favor American Civil War songs then. Sheridan's Ride, and The Casto Hole come to mind. These songs were very local to West Virginia and are unlikely to be on any databases. Another one, a turn on the common man-wants-woman-but-can't-have-her-so-murders-her folk theme is a song based on fact. The Ballad of Frankie Silver. She supposedly murdered her husband in Western North Carolina and was the first woman executed in North Carolina. These lyrics might be on a database somewhere. |
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27 Jun 01 - 10:41 PM (#493604) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Amos I thought it was "man gets woman knocked up, can't confront marrying so kills her, the dumb shit"!! A |
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28 Jun 01 - 06:06 PM (#494294) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST,Gene A Canadian net friend sent me a CAS TAPE of
The Death Of Will Rogers And Wiley Post and also
The Last Flight of Will Rogers And Wiley Post
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29 Jun 01 - 04:08 AM (#494557) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Aidan Crossey I can't remember the band's name (shame!) who recorded "The Train That Carried Jimmie Rodgers Home." (Nashville Bluegrass Band?) Cracking piece of modern-ish folk history. |
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10 Mar 04 - 02:56 PM (#1133247) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST,allecat I have been reading the feedback, it has been great. I teach high school and I am trying to put together cd's for each time period I teach. Are there any songs about Spanish-American war? Also I am new to this what is the DT? |
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10 Mar 04 - 03:09 PM (#1133259) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST,MMario Allecat - the DT is the Digital Tradition. A summery can be read here. If you look closely at the 'lyrics and knowledge Search' box you will notice that there are checkboxes for two things - the DT and the forum. The forum is the database of discussion threads here - the DT is the copy of Digital Tradition hosted here at the Mudcat by Max. the Digital Tradition can also be accessed via Yet another Digital Tradition page - an independent site that has the nice feature of displaying sheet music for those songs with tunes in the database. |
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10 Mar 04 - 03:12 PM (#1133260) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST,allecat Is there anywhere where I can buy or download many of these songs by the original musicians or those who have remade them? |
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10 Mar 04 - 03:16 PM (#1133263) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: MMario Camsco or Folk Legacy would be good bets for a lot. |
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10 Mar 04 - 03:25 PM (#1133271) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: GUEST Some Matt McGinn historical songs: ( see www.matmcginn.info for words & music) Ballad of John McLean ( about the Scottish Republican ) Ballad of the Q4 ( about the building of the QE2) Benny Lynch ( about the Glaswegian Boxer ) The Man they Couldn't Hang ( a man from Exeter who was sentenced to be hung for murder but just wouldn't go down ) the Ibrox Disaster ( when 66 people died at the Ibrox Stadium ) and many more, no doubt |
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10 Mar 04 - 04:06 PM (#1133286) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Big Mick Two of my recent favorites were written by Canadian Bill Gallaher. They are "The Last Battle" which tells of the Meti, and "Augustus and Catherine" which tells of the Candadian Overlanders. All the best, Mick |
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10 Mar 04 - 05:50 PM (#1133369) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: Burke allecat, there's an old discussion on the Spanish American War you could look at. Also just put Spanish American War in the search box & see what comes up. |
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11 Mar 04 - 12:56 PM (#1133995) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: SmokinBill Just last week I wrote a song in this vein. It's about something that actually happened in my little hometown a couple of years ago. Johnstown, N.Y., has a population of about 9,000, so I guess I wrote it for a very small audience. I set it to the tune of "Pretty Boy Floyd" because the title character is something of a folk hero around here now. (His nickname is "The Fox", in case you're wondering about the second-to-last verse.) When I get it recorded, I'll throw the .mp3 up on my Web site. "The Ballad of Mayor Bill" Copyright 2004 Bill Ackerbauer Come, gather 'round me, people And a story I'll rehash Of how the mayor got arrested Just for picking up some trash It was here in lovely Johnstown Where the Cayadutta flows, And Mayor Pollak's story Is one that everybody knows When he was elected, He took right to the streets To set a good example For all the people he would meet The mayor got some funny looks While on his daily rounds But he was on a mission To beautify Johnstown It was over on West State Street On a pleasant summer day The mayor saw some garbage That he thought he'd throw away A jug of wiper fluid And a tattered children's sled Were all it took to get some folks Screamin' and seein' red The cops took down some statements And they slapped him with the charge They said he was trespassing And he took it pretty hard The mayor had his day in court The judge dismissed his case The mayor was vindicated To the cops' disgrace The mayor said he'd had enough And he wouldn't run again He was sick of all the disrespect From his own policemen The police and the old boys Ran him out of City Hall And the moral of the story Is plain to one and all: If you love your city And you'd like to make a change You'd best forget about it Or folks will call you strange Leave that garbage where it falls To pick it up's a crime "To hell with all the neighbors," Just let the town decline But if you're willing to take a risk And think outside the box To make your town a better place, You must be crazy like "The Fox." Do this for me, people, Next time you see old Bill Pat him on the back for me And say I wish him well Smokin' Bill's Digital Depot |
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11 Mar 04 - 01:03 PM (#1133999) Subject: RE: Fav. Historical Story-songs From: JedMarum This is a collection of historical songs from the US Civil War. There are some quick loading sound samples, too. Here's another link with more detail about the songs, lyrics, notes, references, etc. |