|
01 Feb 00 - 02:04 PM (#171779) Subject: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST Im new here and i was wondering what Mudcat is all about. It says that it is dedicated to blues and folk music. I was wondering if it is only limited to discussion about this topic, or if any topic is open? Please give me a feel about what is acceptiable so I dont look like an idiot by offending someone. Thanks. |
|
01 Feb 00 - 02:14 PM (#171787) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MMario I would browse through about a months worth of threads and make a decision for myself. Musically oriented topics are probably "safest", especially if slanted towards blues or folk or traditional songs. The SITE is dedicated to Blues and Folk. The FORUM per the owner (Max)is not. |
|
01 Feb 00 - 02:15 PM (#171788) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Amos Spend some time cruising the threads and you'll quickly see 'Cats discuss all kinds of things in this and many other universes :>). Get a name, so we know how to address you, (by registering) and see the recent thread "Help:New Member" for some of the folderol that goes on around here. It's a fine group and we all look like idiots here sooner or later, so don't worry about it. Welcome. If you just explore the current batch of threads you'll see what a wide-ranging bunch it is. But we are all here because we play, or sing, or enjoy, or recite, or create blues and folkmusic of some sort. A |
|
01 Feb 00 - 02:18 PM (#171792) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: JR If you don't offend someone, you're probably not doing it right. |
|
01 Feb 00 - 04:10 PM (#171827) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: TerriM I can tell you that this bunch of people saved my sanity when I had insomnia by giving me something to do and someone(s) to talk to in the wee small hours and then, when I asked, had about 40 different cures or aids to sleeping. This place is wonderful Terri |
|
01 Feb 00 - 04:58 PM (#171841) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: paddymac What's a mudcat? It's an ugly fish that tastes great when filetted, dipped in sweetened condensed milk, then eggs, then cornflake crumbs, and then gently pan-fried in butter. What's a Mudcatter? Well, that's a whole different kettle of fish. Adjectives that come to mind include: loving, lovable, zany, goofy, intelligent, informed, helpful, caring, generous, worldly, artistic, diverse, entertaining, creative, forgiving, witty, ascerbic, irrascible, long-winded, sexy, partyers, patient, understanding, tolerant, and many others that generally define the human condition. Get yourself a pint, then plop your butt down in a chair by the fire and chat for a while. I trust you'll fall in love with our family. |
|
02 Feb 00 - 02:08 PM (#172400) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST,Neil Lowe It is the sound of one hand clapping. It is a little bird, thinking, "hmmmmmm......" It is no one hearing the sound a forest makes when it falls on a tree. Or something. Regards, Neil |
|
02 Feb 00 - 03:55 PM (#172458) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Mbo Amen to that, paddy! --Mbo |
|
02 Feb 00 - 04:15 PM (#172464) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Amos Neil, I don't think little birds think "hmmmm." I have one at home and usually it thinks "fooood". Sometimes "lookitme, lookitme". And sometimes just pure "Eeeek!!!". A |
|
02 Feb 00 - 07:51 PM (#172593) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Alan of Australia G'day, And don't forget the site also includes the Digital Tradition folk song database where you'll find lyrics & tunes to thousands of folksongs. Look for the "DigiTrad Lyrics Search" box at the top of the forum home page.
Cheers, |
|
03 Feb 00 - 12:01 AM (#172712) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: WyoWoman It also includes, as I just discoverd, links to places all over Cyberland where you can buy more music than your credit card condones. Go up top and click on the fish, then heat up your Visa buying yet another CD someone has mentioned on here. I've probably bought $300 worth of music since I first started hanging out here in May, but I didn't know until tonight that we can go to Amazon.com through this site and Max gets a percentage. I have a new bookmark and I promise to use it assiduously. WyoWoman |
|
03 Feb 00 - 11:48 AM (#172867) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Rick Fielding This is what I meant in my thread about GUESTS identifying themselves with a name. (any name) A number of good folks took this thread at face value and explained mudcat stuff to the poster. I'm sure however, that quite a few others perceived a possible controversy troll happening here, because of recent events, and ignored the post entirely.(I know they did, actually). Had GUEST at least come back to say thanks, I would have welcomed the effort. Rick |
|
03 Feb 00 - 01:15 PM (#172907) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Alice Alot can be learned in this thread and it's links...Mudcat jargon and 'inside' jokes
Welcome to the Mudcat. Alice |
|
03 Feb 00 - 01:32 PM (#172917) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: katlaughing Thanks for saying it, Rick. |
|
03 Feb 00 - 01:46 PM (#172922) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MMario it's given us a nice neat thread to refresh for beginners though.... |
|
06 Sep 03 - 02:06 AM (#1013761) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull refrsh for beginers. |
|
06 Sep 03 - 03:19 AM (#1013773) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Amergin john....i thought the beginners permathread pretty much covered everything.... |
|
06 Sep 03 - 03:55 AM (#1013777) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST,a beginner What's a permathread? |
|
07 Sep 03 - 12:27 AM (#1014165) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Hrothgar Go to the home page, and click on FAQ. From there, click on Table of Contents. Click on PermaThreads - - and I hope you have some spare time. :-) p.s. It helps if you register. It won't cost anything but your sanity. |
|
07 Sep 03 - 12:40 AM (#1014168) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST Can I tell you about Mudcat? I lost my job, I lost my wife, I lost everything. I'd tell my partner that I was looking for work. I wasn't. I got my 'hit' from being part of the wonderful mudcat |
|
07 Sep 03 - 08:31 PM (#1014611) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Guy Wolff how to kill a thread GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST GUEST. get a name GUEST! All the best to those of good will > . Guy |
|
07 Sep 03 - 08:44 PM (#1014620) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Nigel Parsons Just in case the foregoing puts a genuine 'Guest' off, I would like to point out that the bulk of the membership are welcoming (yes, we do have problems with people signing in as 'Guest' merely to disrupt proceedings, but those 'Guests' can often be recognised!) I'll assume this message is from a genuine 'Guest' As Mmario & Amos said in the first two responses "Welcome aboard!" if this is what you want, it's here! If it's not what you want, feel free to try elsewhere. Nigel |
|
05 Sep 07 - 04:44 PM (#2141825) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck While exploring the Net, I seem to do things in the wrong order, meaning that I had someone snap at me my first night here, nearly sending me scampering away. I do apologize for any newbie mistakes I might make, but I don't quite get the Net yet. Add to that my clueless approach to this laptop... The site stood out for me because of the catfish, which was always a favorite in my family and remains one of my mom's favorite goodies. We didn't have the farm-raised variety, instead having channel cats from the nearby rivers and creeks (or "cricks" as some in the family choose to say) of South-Central Illinois--the fierce ol' critters from the Wabash and Little Wabash. Speaking of... This is Burl Ives country. We're not far from where he was born, and I attended the Charleston, Ill., college that he had attended though it had changed its name since his time. Traditional music has been part of this region for generations back. Illinois was settled south to north, so we have a lot of influences. The Southern Illinois Brogue, as linguists dubbed it, is quite distinctive. I hope to be able to visit and study every day if possible. Having just landed eight books at ebay for a stunningly low price, I'm ready to help contribute songbook contents, including those from the collection I've been compiling since the early Sixties. Now, I need to find out which contents go where, so I'll likely ask before I place. Today, I'm following provided "beginner links" that I should have looked for when I arrived. I didn't quite understand the setup, and the links are a teensy point size, meaning I can barely read some of them due to scarily poor vision; I am extremely nearsighted, and now my near vision is going. *SIGH* Forgive me if I miss a link because I really do have trouble reading them. Don't tell me... I probably entered this in the wrong place. I started out about the catfish and ended up far from there. |
|
05 Sep 07 - 04:47 PM (#2141828) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MMario moonstruck - your web browser should have settings to increase the size of the print. In Internet Explorer is it under "view" then "text size" |
|
05 Sep 07 - 05:40 PM (#2141867) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Bill D Yes, indeed...it is all much easier if you can see easily..*smile* and don't worry about explaining how new you are and confusing it is...just read topics and threads that interest you and say something if you have a comment... This is really a pretty nice place. |
|
05 Sep 07 - 05:56 PM (#2141876) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: gnu No worries... just keep learning as you go. As far as someone "snapping" on your first visit, do not let that deter you. Most everyone here is nice... musta been someone having a bad day... sorry if it was me. As far as contributing and participating in any manner.... you post any questions and you will get help... these here Mudcatters are the best group of people I have ever had the privelege to know. They are helpful and knowledgible.... and beyond. |
|
05 Sep 07 - 06:25 PM (#2141911) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: John J You'll never leave. JJ |
|
05 Sep 07 - 06:28 PM (#2141916) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Art Thieme This place is the only entity of any kind that could keep me from obsessing specifically about Oreos. (I finally gave it to my higher power.) Ultimately though, I became totally engrossed with my lack of any kind of Mudcat cookie. Truthfully, I had too much damn "help from my friends" here at Mudcat! ;-) Some have been friends. Some have been less than that!! Most have been grand people. And I've got my cookie!!!!!!!!! Art |
|
05 Sep 07 - 10:35 PM (#2142059) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: katlaughing LOL...AND, we've got you ART!! Moonstruck, welcome, welcome, welcome to the Mudcat Cafe. You're gonna do jist fine! Just ask, as the others have said, and one us will be bound to answer. If you're too embarrassed, you can always go to your Personal Page (up there at the top) and send one of us a PM (Personal Message). We'll do our best to help out. We say crick out here in western Colorado, too, but it may have come from our southern ancestors migrating here after the Civil War. BTW (by the way) Art Thieme has some mighty fine CDs, some of which songs are specific to Illinois as he was quite involved in the Chicago folk scene AND also performed on riverboats with John Hartford. Take care and holler if you've got aany problems with the site. kat |
|
05 Sep 07 - 10:55 PM (#2142070) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Alba Hello, a big warm cuddly welcome from me too Moonstruck. Glad to have you here. There's safety in numbers.. Smile Looking forward to seeing you around the Mudcat ma dear. Best of Wishes, Judi |
|
05 Sep 07 - 11:01 PM (#2142072) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Big Mick it may have come from our southern ancestors migrating here after the Civil War You might try PM'ing Art about that piece of history. I think he was just starting out as a folk singer just after the Civil War. ***chuckle***. He lost his cookie soon thereafter..... I'll get my hat.......... Mick PS. Welcome dearie. Glad you are here, and I hope you enjoy the Mudcat. |
|
05 Sep 07 - 11:17 PM (#2142075) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Stilly River Sage Art said: Truthfully, I had too much damn "help from my friends" here at Mudcat! ;-) Well, Art, some of us were just trying to keep you off the streets! sound of a whip cracks in the distance . . . How are those CD copies of yours coming along? You can take a rest for a few minutes if you need to. :) SRS |
|
05 Sep 07 - 11:23 PM (#2142082) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: katlaughing LOL, Mick and SRS! Mick, I don't think my ancestors stopped by IL on the way to CO, but ya never know. Bound to be some mixing up somewhere to keep the ol' crick going, eh?**bg** |
|
05 Sep 07 - 11:47 PM (#2142094) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: CapriUni Welcome, Mystmoonstruck! I found this place about six or seven years ago; for a long time, I searched the Digital Traditions database, but never had the courage to plunge deeper into the threads below. Finally, I did. And it was this cookie recipe that convinced me that these were people I wanted to hang out with. Eventually, I got myself the other kind of cookie (the one the computer and Mudcat uses to remember you by). And though I sometimes wander off, I always manage to come back (usually around Secret Santa time). ;-) This place is definitely addictive, but it keeps us off the streets (unless we're buskers, and then it gets us out there)! By the way, my Mudcat member name is a contraction of "Capricorn Unicorn" -- many around here just call me CU... |
|
06 Sep 07 - 04:07 AM (#2142192) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Oh my! I haven't been back here, and I'm sorry for that! Thanks for your welcome, for it's greatly appreciated. I have been enjoying exploring the site, splitting my time between bidding on ebay and investigating various topics here. I won eight books that should be exceedingly enjoyable, several of them with CDS, too, including three Morris Dance volumes! A number of links have helped guide me places, which I've been storing in my Songs and Music folder in Favorites. Capricorn! I am that! And, I have an affinity for unicorns. Just check out my ever-growing herd of mythical beasties on our knickknack shelves~unicorns, pegasi(?), alacorns, dragons, and even a hippocampus. You know, it's too often that I become lost in some posts because I don't know what so many things mean~HTML included. I still haven't figured out blog, MNS (I think it is), and a hundred other things I've seen. It's going to take awhile for me to catch onto all of the jargon. I puzzled over LOL for several months before asking someone what it meant. Oh! I still don't get the sideways expression/symbols. Perhaps I should make a dictionary for myself. Back to the warm welcomes: Thank you so much, everyone, for welcoming me to the site and offering patience, help and understanding. I have been too ill to go to events for a couple of years but hope to get to several in the fall. Can I make it all of the way to Fort Massac in Metropolis, Illinois? I did about three years ago and was inordinately proud of myself for not getting lost. Of course, I couldn't walk for a week, but it was worth it! I definitely will get to an event in Kinmundy, which is rather close; I actually did quite well in tips even when I didn't intend to. I had purchased some kettle corn, placing it in a metal bowl I carry. Before I knew it, the popcorn remnants had been joined by coins and bills! Several people laughed at my surprised expression. "You were having too much fun playing!" a lady told me. "You had quite an audience behind you." That was a most pleasant surprise. I didn't mind sorting through popcorn for money. By the way, I play the bowed psaltery, which still seems to be a mystery instrument to most when I attend events. I spend more time explaining what it is than playing most of the time, so much so that I'd like to make up a sign explaining what it is so that I can get all of the way through a song. *giggle* Once more: Thank you for welcoming me to this remarkable site! |
|
06 Sep 07 - 07:05 AM (#2142267) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST Hi, Duane D also plays bowed psaltery. Welcome. bbc |
|
06 Sep 07 - 07:06 AM (#2142268) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST,bbc Sorry about that. I'm getting used to a new laptop & forgot I wasn't signed in. The previous post was from me. bbc |
|
06 Sep 07 - 11:25 AM (#2142453) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Stilly River Sage CapriUni, that cookie recipe looks like a deadly weapon! Have some delivered immediately to the Mudcat Tavern so the denizens can test (and disarm, if necessary) that explosive combination of ingredients. SRS |
|
06 Sep 07 - 11:40 AM (#2142468) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: CapriUni Unfortunately, I don't bake, SRS (except for little things that can fit in a toaster oven -- I suppose I could whittle the recipe down to one cookie?). But the very presence of that recipe indicates the mad, creative, and expansive character of the people here. Oh, and MystMoonstruck: to decipher the sideways symbols, turn them 90 degrees clockwise in your imagination (or turn your head 90 degrees counterclockwise). Does that help? :) -- smiley ;) -- winking smiley :( -- frown :/ -- wry concern, or "Hmmm." Those are the basics. anyway. Some people add noses: :-) or :o). |
|
06 Sep 07 - 01:20 PM (#2142556) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Mr Red stick around and see what people say. Initially you will feel the urge to respond, to joke, to er.. enjoy. A little patience will prevent excrutiating embarrassment in a year's time when someone refreshes the thread and your comments come back to haunt you. Of course it would happen to a shy modest folk slueth like Mr Red ....... Oh no. |
|
06 Sep 07 - 11:16 PM (#2143016) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck I'm being made to feel very welcome. Thanks to everyone for the information and guidance. I even had a family mystery solved by finding out "who" Charley Noble is! You see, every time my dad would talk to someone we didn't recognize or run an errand, we would hear the name "Charley Noble". None of us had a clue about where Dad came across the name, supposing that it was someone he knew at some point in his life. Now I know about Charley Noble! They say you learn something new every day. Well, it's been more than that since I bought the laptop then, some time later, signed up for the Internet. I've been spending a lot of time at story forums, but this is challenging them for entertainment. Eventually, I shall read all of the threads and, I hope, catch on to all that confuses me now. Knock on wood!!! |
|
06 Sep 07 - 11:41 PM (#2143022) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Ron Davies Myst-- Welcome! The bowed psaltery--that's a haunting instrument--and one I don't find easy. Played it a bit at a Renaissance Fair a awhile ago--isn't it the instrument referred to in "Praise him with the psaltery and harp"?'. Wonderful for pentatonic and Appalachian tunes and songs--maybe since a lot of Appalachian tunes are pentatonic---and really early music. Hope you get a chance to come to a Getaway so many of us can hear you. What songs do you like to play--or is it mainly tunes? Again, welcome! |
|
07 Sep 07 - 12:05 AM (#2143027) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: katlaughing Love the bowed psaltery. Wish I had one! I do have a plucked psaltery and play lap dulcimer, as well as a bit of fiddle. If you like stories, check out the MUdcat Story Threads. |
|
07 Sep 07 - 02:18 AM (#2143057) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck I play any and all melodies that capture my interest though I haven't been brave enough to try to sing along. A few times, I've played the song and, when it caught a lot of attention, took a try at singing it. For example, I ended up singing "The Derby Ram" to a circle of children at a local park. Upon finishing, a little girl asked, "What's a ramsir?" *giggle* I used to be considered a very good singer, but severe asthma that doesn't seem to want to be controlled has caused me to hesitate trying to sing unless it's wintry weather. Nothing like terrifying your audience with a full-fledged asthma attack. By the end, they're ready to take you to the nearest nursing station! My bowed psaltery is from Unicorn Strings and has a lovely tone that varies with the seasons. Like me, it's best in autumn and winter; like me, it tends to get raspy in summer. In spring, it varies. I play it a bit differently from most in that I hold it on my left inner forearm, almost in violin position, mainly because wearing a bodice and/or cincher makes it impossible to place it on my lap and play. To balance it on a stand mutes it too much I think. I've had a couple of people suggest that I amplify it, but I hesitate to do that, fearful that it would change the sound too much. I love the crystalline tone it has during cold weather. I carry it in satchels made out of different sorts of table runners, and it has endured heat and humidity, dust, snow and even a thorough drenching in a "toadstrangler". I've taken it to every event since I bought it--except for the first. You see, my friend who went with me to events didn't trust that I could learn tunes well enough not be embarrassing, at least not so soon after I had purchased it. That first event was Feast of the Hunter's Moon near Lafayette, Indiana. Not long after we arrived and stopped by a booth where two ladies were singing. I spotted a psaltery toward the back and, when they had finished, asked about it. "Oh! You play psaltery! You must play this!" I found myself holding a Unicorn Strings psaltery but without the "training wheels"--those plastic strips with notes. I was not at all certain I should try, but I did: "What If a Day"--a relatively ambitious song I learned from Kine's "Songs from Shakespeare's Plays". I played it through twice, and they recognized it! WOW! After that, my friend allowed me to bring along my beloved psaltery, and I found myself put on the spot a number of places. I have to explain that I've been cripplingly shy all my life but had been coming out of my shell while attending reenactment events. The psaltery pulled me out into the open. At Fort Massac in Metropolis, I sat in with The Peacocks for a couple of songs. They were very kind and encouraging to me, assuring me that it's quite difficult to play with a group, especially since I still had those training wheels. The next year at Feast, I was listening to a group of ladies who had gathered for a jam session at one of the tents. A gentleman nearby noticed the psaltery poking its pointy nose from under the satchel flap. "You've got one of those catscratch things!" he announced. I knew what he meant because I had tried to play one or two of them made by crafters, and both were "scritchy", a rather unusual but not too unpleasant sound. I had to disprove his misconception, so I very, very softly bowed a couple of notes, enjoying his look of astonishment. "Hey, ladies!" he shouted. "We've got a guest musician!" Well, there I was again, a nervous, klutzy but at least plastic strip-free guest. When we finished a couple of numbers, each lady had to give it a try, and each said the same thing, something I've heard repeatedly since: I want one!" I tried to play the dulcimer before, but I simply couldn't catch on. The first time I held the psaltery, I tried a version of "The Silkie", and I played it through! When I played double-keyboard organ, I was always good at playing by ear. The psaltery was that much simpler because I play with one bow and need only a melody. It has an amazing range, and it does indeed have a haunting sound. The first time I played "Coventry Carol", it sent chills all over me and gave me a new respect for the beauty of carols. I dug out the traditional/folk songbooks I had collected to play on the organ, taught myself to read music again, and began learning. Later, I realized that I could play any song that I could hum my way through unerringly. If I could hum it and have it firmly in mind, I could find it on the strings. So, I began listening regularly to the tapes and CDs I had accumulated, and my list of songs grew. My playbook, which is divided by subject matter, each in alphabetical order, needs to be updated I'm certain; it contains songs from many time periods and countries plus various songs that seem to suit the instrument, including "Speak Softly Love", "Ashoken Farewell", "What Is A Youth?" (from "Romeo & Juliet"), "The Theme from Poltergeist" (honestly!), Beatles tunes and others from the Sixties, and various other songs from movies and Broadway. I plan to unearth my library of songbooks once more since I'll be adding a batch won on ebay, including three books of fiddle tunes and three of Morris Dance melodies. I'm also looking for an array of ethnic melodies; one of my favorites to play is "Bekledim Waltz". I was fortunate enough to play it for a gentleman from Russia who was visiting Fort de Chartres during an event. "That's from my country!" he proclaimed happily. I received a hug and two Russian coins, which I keep in my pouch. Sorry. When I get on the subject of my psaltery, I get carried away. This is from Wikipedia: "The bowed psaltery is the descendant of the plucked psaltery, including the one David played for Psalms. Wikipedia has this: The conventional bowed psaltery is triangular in shape, allowing each string to extend a little farther than the one before it, so that each can be individually bowed. Chromatic bowed psalteries have the sharps and flats on one side and the diatonic notes on the opposite. It is a psaltery in the traditional sense of a wooden soundbox with unstopped strings over the soundboard. It significantly differs from the Mediæval plucked psaltery only in that its strings are arranged to permit bowing. The soundboard has a soundhole or rose in the center. It is normally played with a small bow, often made in the earlier semicircular style, rather than a modern concave violin bow." During the medieval period, they began bowing the psaltery, and it was quite popular for a time before fading into disuse. It came back into vogue during the Elizabethan era before once more disappearing. This is a third go for the instrument, and it should be more readily available since it is purported to be easy to learn although I've met many people who argue that, the ones who tell me that their psalteries have been stuck in closets. It's rare for me to meet another player. I would love to be able to play the fiddle, but my muscular disorders won't allow it. But, I CAN play the psaltery, even on a really bad day, even when my hands are numb. If I can hang on to the ash bow and balance the psaltery, I can play. I saw one on ebay for $51, a non-US instrument and was soooo tempted to bid for it since it was described as having a deep, throaty sound. I wonder if it was like the one I once tried at Feast, a remarkable-sounding instrument made of heavier wood than mine. Thank you for the link to the story thread. My usual source of event stories is from a friend who is an avid reenactor--along with her husband and their dog, Bonney, who is a great hit with audiences, especially with her "poor wounded doggie" act. |
|
07 Sep 07 - 07:31 AM (#2143180) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: Ron Davies MystMoonstruck-- What great stories--and what a great repertoire you have. I agree about "Coventry Carol" on bowed psaltery. Really early tunes--especially modal tunes or those in minor keys--sound just wonderful on the instrument. Sacred Harp--frequently modal--works well often. Have you tried "Samanthra" --("His voice as the sound of the dulcimer sweet"...?) Some Irish songs also work really well--especially the slow melancholy ones. I also think Jean Ritchie uses the bowed psaltery on some of her songs--there's one about winter I think she has where it is used--and very effectively---she may well play it. It seems hard to me to play uptempo songs on it--but then it seems to me you don't really want to do that anyway--it's great just to hear each tone ringing out. |
|
07 Sep 07 - 11:07 AM (#2143307) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST,CLETUS HARDDINGER Well hay thair Moonie. I wanna' telya to be welcum heer at Mudcat. I wuz reedin yer stuff an ya seem a reel fine person but I cant figger all what it yer sayin about playin sum salty thing. Firs thing iz thet salt doant start withen a P. An I cant figgger fer tha life uv me how ya can play salt but yall seem purty hot fer it an all so I sez mor powr to ya. Paw an Buford and tha Reg Boys alzo sez welcum. CLETUS |
|
07 Sep 07 - 11:31 PM (#2143745) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Dick invited me....Digital Days (97)
Sincerely,
We still need a "third line" someplace that AMERICAN folk/blues (academic discussion - references PLEASE!!!) will remain for a full seven-day-week....and a moderator keeps the kritters konfined. |
|
08 Sep 07 - 12:20 AM (#2143756) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: katlaughing OH, those are just the BS section story threads. If you want event stories, take a look at A Gig from Hell and also, Why We Sing. Great story of your psaltry days! And, don't mind ol' Cletus. He's one of the Institooshuns of the Mudcat.**bg** |
|
08 Sep 07 - 01:21 AM (#2143773) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Cletus made my day! He sounds like my relations down south in Mason and Watson and parts all around. I once recorded one of our gab sessions for a linguistics course in college because them up North didn't think I was telling the truth about how people talk where I come from. I always said that I spoke three ways: one way down in Mason, the other around home in Effingham and the other on campus in classes and with my professors. It was like learning three languages. Eastern Illinois University (which was attended by Burl Ives when it was a teachers college) is in Charleston, Illinois, right near the greezy-greasy line, as they referred to it in linguistics studies. In that class, I seemed to be the only person from south of that line. So, while I might be trying to write like the English major I was, in casual speech, I sometimes slip into that other speech pattern. Yep! I talk diff'ernt, too! I read Cletus' message aloud for my mother, and she laughed heartily and said, "Sounds like my kinda people!" Moonie? I like that! I've been called Myst and Mysty, but Moonie is a new one, and it rather suits me since my real name is Cynthia from the Greek name for the goddess of the moon. So it all fits together, doesn't it? I imagine many figure I'm quite Moonstruck, especially when I slip into the garb and pack up for an event. I dug out my playbook and was quite astonished when I reread my lists. Here's a sampling of what's there: Alan Tyne of Harrow*All Among the Barley*All the Pretty Little Horses*And Let the Canakin Clink*Ash Grove (Every psaltery player has the duty of learning this song and Ashoken Farewell, or so I was told~and I did!)*Banks of the Dee*Basket of Eggs*Blackbird*Barbara Allen*Black Nag*Byker Hill*Bonnie, Blue-Eyed Nancy*Charlie Is My Darling*Come, Fair Rosina*Courtin' in the Kitchen (People LOVE this one!)*Cruiscin Lan*The Cuckoo's Nest*The Collaraine Jig*Derby Ram*Do You Love an Apple?*Early One Morning*Eileen Aroon*The Fair Lass of Islington*Fare Thee Well Enniskillen*Fiddler's Green*Fiollegean (I'm desperate to find out more about this song that I've found only one recording of)*Finnegan's Wake*Four Pence a Day*The Fairy Dance*The Fairy's Love Song*Garryowen*Greensleeves*Glencoe*Green Grows the Laurel*Henry Martin*High Barbaree*A Highland Lad My Love Was Born*Home, Boys, Home*Illinois Cotillion*I'm a Young Bonnie Lassie*The Jewel*Jug of Punch*Kerry Dance*Kerry Slide*Laugh and Half Daft*Let Him Go, Let Him Tarry*Lish Young Buy-a-Broom*Londonderry Air*A Lusty Young Smith*... I'm sure you see the range in traditional/folk. Add to that odds and ends such as Tammy (very pretty on the psaltery), Josette's Theme from "Dark Shadows", Those Were the Days (recorded by Mary Hopkin), Yesterday, Sealed With a Kiss, and Groovy Kind of Love (which most guess as a bit of classic music!). Non-British Isles melodies include Avec Mes Sabots, Chevalier Du La Table Ronde, Kerobushka, and Meidl in Di Yoren. Generally, the first time I play a melody, I know whether or not I'll be playing it a lot though I'm hooked on learning more and more songs, especially some that are rather obscure. I've had requests from people that I've been able to fill, including Amazing Grace, Finnegan's Wake and Pretty Little Horses. People would ask me if I could play songs, and, when I gave it a try, I ended with, "I guess I can!" My friend stumped me with the theme from "Gilligan's Island" though I did get through part of it. Has everyone seen the thread about worst lyrics? It's rather fun what shows up! I am very much enjoying my visits to the Cafe and hope to spread the word about it. I've been made to feel welcome and have been guided to sites I likely would not have encountered on my own. I've solved the Charley Noble mystery and learned about "mind your Ps and Qs). I've discovered where half my Daddy Claude's version of "Davy Crockett" came from but still need to explore the other half. Who knows? Someone might supply an answer for that, too. Shame on y'all! You've made Mudcat so much fun that I'm neglecting my story forums! "Can anyone tell me about Mudcat?" it says. Well, I'm certainly learning a lot in this thread, and I'm sure that this is going to be quite an education. |
|
08 Sep 07 - 06:41 AM (#2143850) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: catspaw49 Welcome to the 'Cat Moonie! I've been here since '98 and there is nowhere quite like it on the net. I'm glad you liked Cletus and I wish I could say the same. He and Buford and Paw hang out around my place and can be a real pain in the ass. The Reg Boys, three Canadian brothers all named Reg, are their best friends and all of them together can be too damn much to bear.. Cletus often gets on my computer when I'm elsewhere but I try to keep him off. He has no membership here as a judge once ruled that allowing him membership would be "Contributing to the Delinquency of a Congenital Idiot." You like stories huh? We have some really great writers around here, I'm not one of them but they ARE here! Sometimes a lot of us do some joint story writing where we all contribute to the story and it goes where it goes. Since you like Cletus, here's how he came to be hanging out around my place, a post of mine from 2002 says...................... ******************************************************************************************* Subject: RE: BS: MUDCAT CHRISTMAS TAVERN '02 From: catspaw49 - PM Date: 09 Dec 02 - 06:05 PM Geeziz, the place somehow never changes.......No matter what incarnation, there's always a certain sameness.............The Jello Pit looks good JE!!! I like the Red and Green combination....Very Christmassy........Yeah you pedantic types.....I know it ain't a word, but fuckoff huh?...........Cleigh will be along shortly, he's getting all duded up in his finery from WW....bubble wrap cape and all. By the way, he's had a bad case of the Green Apple Quickstep so when he shows up, kinda' watch it.....The stuff is real slippery! Cletus, Paw, Buford, and the Reg boys are out on the road somewhere now and I kinda' hope they don't show up....I mean they can wreck a good time pretty quick or get us all arrested. But I kinda' miss them too, especially this time of year becasue it was right around this time when I first met them selling Christmas Trees......If you haven't heard the story, let me kick back with a big glass of Maker's Mark and tell you........Thanks JE..Fine bourbon!!!!... Yeah, well ya' see it was like this..................................... I had noticed an area on Rt. 664 just outside of our little village being carefully prepared and roped off as I drove by and every now and then there were these three guys working there, building a little shed and driving stakes into the ground about 6 feet apart. It finally dawned on me that they were getting ready to sell Christmas trees. Now I have always gotten ours from the same place for years, but the prices were getting pretty steep so I kept an eye out for new sources. The day they put up the lights, I stopped to see when they'd be bringing the trees in. As I got out of the van I couldn't help but notice that these three, from all appearances, were a bit "down on their luck" and it made me want to help them out a bit. Cletus came up to me and introduced himself and I asked about the trees. He was glad to tell me all about them in that way which I've since learned to interpret. At that time however all I could seem to understand was that they were "working on them." Working on a Christmas Tree? How the hell do you work on a Christmas Tree? These many years later, that kind of phrase would set off alarms, but I didn't know Cletus then so I thought it was just an odd hilljack way of phrasing things. Paw came over and I liked the old guy a lot right away. He said he'd seen me before and I remembered something about the sewage plant and the day it exploded. I couldn't place what it was that this guy had to do with it but the correlation seemed quite vivid. I shook his hand and he farted in return. I had never met anyone who was quite so casual with flatulence. Paw used it almost as punctuation......."How ya' doin'?" (rriippp) "Purty day ain't she?" (bbraawwmmpp)..........Fair to say it took some getting used to and made it easy to understand why this old coot could probably not find gainful employment. But for all that, he was a friendly cuss who told me they called him Paw because he was from Paw-Paw, West Virginia. He pointed out the other fellow named Buford who was involved in extricating himself from a string of Christmas lights that seemed to have attacked him. Even from a distance, the unmistakable smell of Iron City brew was pretty strong. I figured he spilled about the same amount on himself as he drank and I later found this to be not only true, but the amounts involved were prodigious. All in all, I couldn't help but like them even if they were, well, let's just call them odd and drop it right there. They told me the trees would be in and they'd be open for business on Friday at 6 PM. I left shaking my head at the idea of bringing Karen and the kids to "pick out the tree" as was so traditional with our family. What the hell? We could at least check them out. On Friday afternoon Karen and I were going into Lancaster and as we passed by I pointed out the place, not that it was really necessary to point. I'd never seen anything quite so garish in my life but it was one of those gray Ohio days, very cold and occasionally spitting snow so perhaps it was the contrast......perhaps not. Karen was making comments about the place, but as we drove past we could both see the trees that were now in place. Surprisingly enough, they looked magnificent! All were very full and perfectly shaped and a greener bunch of Christmas trees I'd never seen. Even at 65 mph, Karen saw one on the far end of the first row that she said was absolutely "the one!" Since she and our kids were going to spend the night with Connie and go shopping on Saturday, I promised her I'd stop back and get the tree and forget the tradition for one year. So on my return trip I looked at my watch and saw that I'd arrive about the time Cletus told me they would open and sure enough, I was the first one there. Cletus, Paw, and Buford, greeted me as a long lost friend. They were really in the Christmas Spirit and offered me some of their "spirits." Friends, there is 'Shine and then there is 'Shine and whatever it was they had in the Mason jars was not. I found out later that this was a homebrew of their own and made not from corn, but soybeans instead, and distilled through an old radiator off a Mack. Luckily I only tasted it, but that single gulp went down like a 4-stage rocket, taking my breath away, and immediately starting to bore a hole in my stomach. After the coughing subsided I gave them the common courtesy line you use upon tasting any 'Shine..........."Smooth!" They were all adorned themselves with some of the seediest Santa hats I had ever seen and were ready for business. They said I was the first customer and I nodded appreciatively while glancing about at the trees. Even up at a closer viewing they seemed almost perfectly formed and beautifully green and I thought the light snow must be the reason they glistened so under the glaring bulbs. It was dark now and the temperature had dropped to about 25 with a nasty northwesterly blowing in a chill from Alberta. My eyes were no longer crossed from the 'Shine and I slowly became aware that something was odd about the trees. They weren't moving at all. Not a branch, not a needle, absolutely nothing was moving although the breeze was pretty stiff. Paw commented on the weather and let fly an air biscuit as I walked over to the tree Karen had seen earlier. I reached out to touch it and it was positively stiff! I felt several branches and the whole thing down to the smallest needle was like glass. I put a little extra pressure on a needle and it shattered in my gloved hand. What the hell was this anyway? Cletus came up and asked how I liked them as Paw and Buford tossed wood in a barrel to start a warming fire. I said I thought these were real trees, but they seemed to be artificial. Cletus protested they were real.......and recycled. Once in awhile you hear something that is so absurdly ridiculous that it takes some time before you can absorb the fact that the speaker is completely serious. Recycled Christmas trees. My mind was slowly opening to the sound of Cletus' voice proudly telling the tale of how they collected them last year and then formed them up, glued in branches with rubber cement, gave them several coats of shellac, painted them with spray cans of "Yew Be Green" epoxy, and topped the job off with several coats of lacquer. I stared at the tree. I stared at Cletus. I stared at the tree. I stared at Cletus. I stared at the tree. I stared at Cletus. Cletus noticed I was a bit pale and pulled me by the arm over to the shed where Paw and Buford had finished filling the barrel and were dumping gasoline onto the contents. Cletus said that I should have another drink and then Paw asked if I was cold. I nodded vacantly, my mind still unable to absorb the insanity which surrounded me. Then I heard Cletus say, "Hey Paw, show him how we light a fire." With that, Paw bent over pointing his butt at the barrel, Buford held a Zippo to his ass, and Paw ripped a monster of a fart, something akin to a Cherry Bomb in it's magnitude. An enormous flame shot out of his ass and ignited the barrel which flared high in the air. But it was a truly huge blaster and the flames not only ignited the barrel, but the nearest recycled Christmas trees. Coated as they were with such a combustible mixture, they didn't catch fire, they friggin' exploded! Bits of flaming plastic-like shards went flying away on the wind to explode the next tree, and the next, and the next. Within 30 seconds the remnants of every tree was flaming brightly and in less than a minute the flames were gone and 50 smoldering sticks were all that remained. None of us had moved and Paw was still bent over and looking over his shoulder at the charred remains of their business. The next day when I picked Karen up, we stopped at our usual place and picked out a lovely Frazier Fir. I had told her the story and that I figured that here was a case where a single fart may not have saved the world, but at least did save 50 home fires. We stopped at their place and the boys were cleaning up the mess and told us it probably meant a Christmas that would be a little bleak for them. Karen is a kind soul and right then and there invited them to our place for Christmas Day. She said they should come early and maybe Santa will have left something for them and that they would be welcome for Christmas dinner too. As we drove home I tried to explain that this probably wasn't a great idea but Karen felt pretty bad for them and they had cheerfully accepted her invitation. On Christmas morning they arrived at 6 AM and the day went downhill from there. But that's another story. So friends, no matter how bad it is and how you feel, there is always a friend out there for you. Even if you're obnoxious, nasty, and haven't bathed in a month, there is always the chance that if you can light a good fart, miracles will occur. Yeah, that was day I tell ya'.............and after while maybe I will......... Gimmee another Maker's Mark JE..............make it a triple....... ******************************************************************************************************** Seriously Moonie, it has gone downhill ever since. Spaw -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
08 Sep 07 - 08:19 PM (#2144306) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Maker's Mark! A friend who is sort of hooked on freebies for folks, signed me up as an MM Ambassador, and I even have one of the barrels named for me though I don't recall what I did with that particular certificate, though it might include Cyn and/or Semele, Cyn being from Cynthia and Semele being my event name. Considering I'm a teetotalling lady of Irish/American Indian descent, it's rather odd to be connected with hard liquor. But, they're very generous, sending me address labels, business cards, and all sorts of gifties. I enjoyed the story of course. It's one of those that, if I heard it at an event, would have had me clapping both hands over my mouth as I giggled and turned bright red. Yes, I'm rather a goof. Double nickels and I still blush far too much and giggle often. I'm certain people say, "Oh, it's the silly redhead again!" *SIGH* Oh to be one of those poised, oh-so-serious ladies in their perfect period attire. I've never managed to do that. And when will we hear the rest of the story--as we're heading for the holiday seasons? Moonie... I like that! |
|
08 Sep 07 - 10:45 PM (#2144355) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Mudcat is about gathering information I see, and I've read and reread to figure out how I should go about listing a song that I have had no luck at finding, having only one recording of it. It is difficult to interpret because it doesn't sound like a professional-level recording, rather echoey, as if recorded in an auditorium or other large event area with no musical accompaniment, only the thumb of feet keeping the beat. It's a sea chantey-type song and is absolutely mesmerizing; half is sung in English, the rest in Gaelic I believe. It's on one of those compilation CDs that are on sale for St. Patrick's Day. Please, can someone explain how I go about placing a request for this or another song not in the listings here or, as far as I know, anywhere else? No one at any event has recognized it. Hmmm... I don't think my playing is that bad. The title is "Fiollegean". Do I start a thread just for this song? I considered where I could beg for help. Is there an official begging-for-help thread? I need to mark it then! |
|
08 Sep 07 - 11:11 PM (#2144367) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: catspaw49 Is this just a tune or does it have words? Go to the Start a Thread blue clicky and start a thread using the appropriate prefix which are on the drop down. Put the title in the thread name. Give as much info as you can in your first post.........Not hard at all! Go do it. Spaw |
|
09 Sep 07 - 06:09 AM (#2144460) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: GUEST,MystMoonstruck Thanks, I shall do that as soon as I try catching some of the lyrics to give others a start. This one has been a puzzle for everyone I've posed it to. When I start listening to it, I'd love to have a Repeat on the Media Player, but I haven't gotten it to mind me yet, so I keep hitting Previous. I am seriously hooked on this song~have been since I first heard it. The singers aren't credited, so it's a puzzlement, that's for certain. Yes, it has words, but they're rather hard to hear because it sounds as if they're in a large hall, not a recording studio. Also, they keep "work time" by stamping their feet, which led me to view it as a chanty. It's a mystery I'd love to solve; just knowing all of the lyrics and getting to the meaning will be wonderful. It's obviously about a man named "Fiollegean" who seems to have his undoing through liquor. |
|
10 Sep 07 - 09:21 AM (#2145389) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Myst, is there a web-link to the file on the internet? |
|
10 Sep 07 - 09:32 AM (#2145397) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Couldn't find anything on the net under the name you gave, Fiollegean |
|
11 Sep 07 - 01:40 AM (#2146114) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Sorry. I haven't been back here to check on things. I'm not sure what you mean about "web-link to the file on the internet". I've not caught on to all the jargon; it will take me awhile. The song is on a CD, but I don't know how to get it from there onto the Net. That would be a great help, wouldn't it? I don't have any way of letting someone hear it unless I can track down the original CD. Then, I could relate the item number--if the CD is still available. I've purchased a number of those St. Paddy's Day specials, but this song appears on only one, which is unusual since most seem to interchange, as with the triple set I bought at Wal-Mart; it rounds up a scattering of songs I have elsewhere and gives these names: Spailpin, Column MacOirea. On other CDs and cassettes, these songs appear with no credit for the performer(s). I've tried so many spellings, just to see what comes up, but the mystery continues. I am positive it's a seafaring song; that's about all I'm certain of. There's a line in there: "He could grow kale and cabbages"; it's so difficult to decipher. GAH! I just spent some time going through cassettes and CDs trying to find it! When I do, perhaps I can decipher some of it because more clues always make for better searches, true? I've been finding out with a lot of searching. I did find an amazing site that plays hundreds of melodies, some of which I saved to a favorites folder just in case I couldn't find my way back. Thank you for searching. I have been trying mainly by talking to musicians and, more recently, hours on the Net focused just on this song. I'd be so proud to have it added to Mudcat's library. |
|
11 Sep 07 - 03:11 AM (#2146135) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: autolycus Welcome Moonie, from a relative newbie, circa '05 (they don't seem to hold it against me) you said you were a Capricorn. Careful. Some of us are astrology buffs. Also, not in USA but UK. There are full lists of 'smilies' which can be googled via 'smiley'. So no need to reinvent the wheel. Some genius will give you links before you can read War and Peace Woody Allen-style in 7 minutes ("it's about Russia"). Ivor (a Cancerian :-) the only one I seem to use) |
|
11 Sep 07 - 07:43 PM (#2146863) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Myst, Sorry, I had assumed it had been a song you found on the web. Since it was on a CD, yes, it would help to have further clues. When you get some clues together, start up a new thread, put the Lyr Req: at the start so we know what kind of thread it is. Since you have a title, put that in after that, and in the 1st message of the thread, but as many of the clues together that you have, snippets of lyrics, singer's name if possible. |
|
12 Sep 07 - 12:05 AM (#2146990) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Thank you for the simple outline in setting up a thread. Simple is best for me. Actually, it's absolutely necessary! I know I recorded this song several times on tapes that go to events with me. If I can't find the CD, I'll surely find one of the tapes. Then, I can transcribe words and finally start that thread--now that I know how. But, how do I bold Lyr Req:? I tried bold commands, and that didn't work. If it's not bolded, is that OK? I can't figure out how to do bold and italic. Help! Yes, I'm a Capricorn, a born-on-the-cusp one. For many years, they argued about when the sign started. For a very long time, Dec. 22 was not considered the start; the 23rd was. At last, they settled the debate. Strangely, if a read a bit of both, they seem to suit me. You're a newbie from 2005?! Oh dear! I'm going to be the newbie for a very long time I suppose. I haven't been here very long, and I've learned soooo much! By September 2009... WOW! I might even find "Fiollegean" by then! Last night, I spent three solid hours looking through various sites, including one of those virtual books~which is really cool! I searched with every possible spelling I could come up with, and I used the snippet I remembered. I got one hit! Well... It turned out to be my own forum entries here! Woah! I searched and found ME! Talk about a mindbending experience! |
|
12 Sep 07 - 12:37 AM (#2146999) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: katlaughing Myst...when you start a new thread, there is a Drop Down Menu which allows you to choose an appropriate prefix for your thread. When you click on Start A New Thread, it will take you to a new page. At the top, left there are two blank boxes. One says "prefix (optional) and has a small arrow pointing downward. Click on that arrow and choose your prefix. In the case of the song you'd like to find, you would want to choose "LYR REQ" which means "lyrics request." The box just to the right of the prefix choice box is where you will put the title of your thread. Be as specific as possible. Then, click where it says "Create Thread & Compose a New Message." Just follow from there and you should be okay! You've got our curiosity up, now, wondering about that song! kat |
|
12 Sep 07 - 03:42 AM (#2147047) Subject: RE: Can anyone tell me about Mudcat? From: MystMoonstruck Thank you for the details. They will help greatly when it's time to create the thread. It seems each site is a bit different, so I'm always fearful of doing something wrong. I can say this: Since discovering The Mudcat Cafe, my desire to pick up the bowed psaltery again has grown. Since I haven't been able to go to an event for a couple of years due to illness, I haven't played much and feared that I might have forgotten many of the melodies I knew. But, with my curiosity engaged now, I've been collecting new songs to try; this place certainly has helped me launch searches. I shall be thrilled if I can bring a "new" song to everyone's attention as we solve the mystery that is "Fiollegean". I wish there was someway for it to be heard since that might bring recognition. It might be known by an entirely different name. I still haven't found out about the first half of Daddy Claude's version of "Davy Crockett". Where on Earth DO those opening stanzas come from?! Well, that's what this site is all about, right? I wasn't certain if I should start a thread among the DC ones for my granddaddy's version. The last half obviously is inspired by "Pompey Smash" (I think it is), but the opening... I'm purely puzzled by that. All of you have encouraged me to put on my garb and go to the next event, where I certainly plan to play a lot of songs. Thanks for the inspiration! I'll tell 'em Mudcat sent me! *giggle* |