Lyr Add: Catch-Me-If-You-Can

01 Apr 00 - 09:15 PM (#205411)
Subject: Catch-Me-If-You-Can
From: Malcolm Douglas

Following from Songs Sung By Marina Russell Of Upwey, Dorset, here is one of Mrs. Russell's songs, taken from Frank Purslow's collection of songs from the Hammond/Gardiner mss., The Wanton Seed: a .midi of the tune goes to Alan of Australia's Mudcat Midi Site.

CATCH-ME-IF-YOU-CAN

1. 'Twas early, early all in the Spring
    The small birds they did sweetly sing
    So sweetly they were singing;
    So sweetly they were singing.

2. As I walked forth down by a riverside
    A pretty girl I chanced to spy
    She was taking of the air-O!
    She was taking of the air-O!

3. I said, "Fair maid, will you go along with me?
    I'll show you what you never, never see
    I'll show you shady bowers;
    I'll show you shady bowers."

4. So this fair maid gave her consent
    And along with me she straightway went
    And soon he gained her favour;
   And soon he gained her favour.

5. "So now you've had your will of me
    And robbed me of my sweet liberty
    Pray tell to me your name, Sir;
    Pray tell to me your name, Sir."

6. "My name is Catch-Me-If-You-Can
    And I'll marry you when I return
    When I return from the wars O!
    When I return from the wars O!"

7. When six long months were over and passed
    The fair maid she grew thick round the waist
    And she thought of shady bowers;
    And she thought of shady bowers.

8. When nine long months were over and gone
    This young maid bore a beautiful son
    But then there was no father;
    But then there was no father.

9. So she sent out a horse and man
    "Go, catch this young man if you can.
    Go, catch him and no other;
    Go, catch him and no other."

10. They catched the rogue and bound him fast
    They took this young man in at last
    And robbed him of his pleasure;
    And robbed him of his pleasure.

Notes: Tune: Hammond D.832. Mrs. Russell, , Dorset. Jan/Feb. 1907, with bar five embellished as per William Farnham below. Text: Hammond D.564. William Farnham, South Perrot, Dorset. June 1906, opening amended as per broadside. (Purslow)

Malcolm

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02 Apr 00 - 06:01 AM (#205545)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch-Me-If-You-Can
From: Alan of Australia

G'day,
Thanks to Malcolm the tune can be found here at the Mudcat MIDI site.

Cheers,
Alan

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06 Apr 00 - 08:00 AM (#207586)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch-Me-If-You-Can
From: Wolfgang

old thread on this song with lyrics variant.

Wolfgang

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06 Apr 00 - 09:04 AM (#207612)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Catch-Me-If-You-Can
From: Malcolm Douglas

Thanks for the link, Wolfgang.

Malcolm

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