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13 Aug 97 - 09:40 AM (#10329) Subject: Today is the day they give babies away From: maldensup@mbln.lib.ma.us Hello, I am writing from the Malden, Mass., Public Library with a library user's query, which is, What is the title and composer of the folk song (?) from the 30s which began: "Today is the day they give babies away for half a pound of tea / If you know any ladies that want babies, send them up to me." Any information you have would be appreciated. Melissa Mitchell Information Librarian Malden (Mass.) Public Library |
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14 Aug 97 - 11:41 AM (#10404) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: LaMarca Melissa, I don't know the exact title for the song, but the folksinger Rosalie Sorrels has sung it for years as part of her "Hostile Baby Rocking Songs" medley. She has a wonderful set of nasty songs that mothers have developed to sing as soothers when they would much rather just throw the colicky child out the window. I don't know if she's recorded the medley, but you can try checking some of her recordings... |
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14 Aug 97 - 11:51 AM (#10405) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: Bert Hansell La Marca, talking of "hostile... songs" you don't happen to have any about teenagers do you? Bert. |
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14 Aug 97 - 12:07 PM (#10406) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: Alice I had forgotten about this song until I saw that first line posted. My mother knew this one, but my parents have been gone for many years. She probably learned it from listening to the radio, and the 1930's is probably the correct era. She taught me one called "Rythm in My Nursery Rhymes", and they may be from the same time period. I recently found her old high school composition book with page after page of lyrics in it, including "Rythm in My Nursery Rhymes". La Marca's suggestion sounds like the most direct search route. Alice in Montana |
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14 Aug 97 - 12:15 PM (#10407) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: dick greenhaus Just to belabor the obvious, it IS in the database, |
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14 Aug 97 - 12:30 PM (#10414) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: Alice Dick... the most direct search!! The database!! As my son would say, well, Duh. We keep forgetting about looking there first. |
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14 Aug 97 - 02:42 PM (#10425) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: Justin Rosalie Sorrels recorded it a few years ago. I'll check my copy tonight, if I remember, and get back to you tomorrow with the album name etc. Do you need the lyrics too? My e-mail address is jkodn@prolifics.com |
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14 Aug 97 - 05:14 PM (#10446) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: maldensup@mbln.lib.ma.us Hi again folks, thanks for all the replies, Dick, I swear I searched "give babies" the other day on the database and didn't find it. But I do now. I am going to have a happy patron! Thanks. Melissa Mitchell |
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15 May 16 - 03:33 AM (#3790388) Subject: RE: Today is the day they give babies away From: GUEST,Joseph Scott Version of this song in E. C. Perrow's notes, probably from about 1909. (See "E. C. Perrow original manuscripts online" thread.) Not included in Perrow's 1910s multipart article. "This is the day to give babies away For a half a pound of tea. If you see any ladies That want any babies Just send them right to me." |