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31 Aug 97 - 03:43 PM (#11585) Subject: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Peter Skinner Hello, I am looking for the words to the song Lakes of ponchetrain. I think Gypsy Reel have done it. Please can anyone help????? Simon (peter's Son) |
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31 Aug 97 - 06:14 PM (#11590) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Helen Hi Simon Do a search in the database on the name Ponchartrain (this spelling). A few versions come up. Helen |
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06 Sep 97 - 05:48 PM (#11909) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Peter Skinner Thanks and I have now found it. Bye |
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07 Sep 97 - 02:55 PM (#11932) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: mandola man Have you heard Marting Simpson's cajun version |
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08 Sep 97 - 03:11 AM (#11964) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Helen I have only heard the Christy Moore version, which I like very much. A Cajun version sounds intriguing. Helen |
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08 Sep 97 - 04:30 AM (#11968) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Laoise Listen to Paul Brady's version. It's much better than Christy Moore's. I can't remember which Album its on but I think it is one with him and Andy Irvine. The words are slightly different too. Laoise. |
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12 Sep 97 - 06:53 PM (#12228) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Alan of Australia Hey, Mandola Man, don't I know you? I think I recognise your instrument. If so say hello from me to Mrs Mandola Man.
Cheers, |
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15 Sep 97 - 05:10 PM (#12318) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: LaMarca Paul Brady's version is on "Welcome Here Kind Stranger" (a line from Lakes of Ponchartrain). It's the one with the weird painting of him on the album cover that looks like he's snorting cocaine or something. Martin Simpson's version which he jazzed up with a Cajun band is on his "Collection" CD anthology; it's interesting, but I don't think it works very well. |
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24 Sep 97 - 02:26 PM (#13064) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: mandola man Hi Alan, nice to hear from you. I have very fond memories of playing in sessions with you and the others at the western suburbs. Regards to all you guys in Sydney. Thanks for the comment from LaMancha, sorry I spelt Martin wrong above, slip of the finger, but I think the the cajun version works very well, it is not better than any other version, but I like to hear people trying cross-overs of all sorts. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. |
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07 Sep 05 - 04:51 AM (#1558299) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: GUEST,Leslie Trying to find the "On the lake of Pontchartrain", I think it is by Trapezoid- i heard the vinyl version in 1981- made a poor casette recording of it- and this song has been haunting me for 24 years. I just started to research it August 25th, and found out that it is not an irish song, but perhaps an American folk song from Louisina- then a few days later the New Orleans was hit by Katrina and devasted... well now I have to have this recording Can anyone direct me?? lesnolan@optonline.net |
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07 Sep 05 - 05:09 AM (#1558304) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: The Borchester Echo You'll find an excellent version of Pontchartrain on Hot Vultures Vulturama WEBE9031 here . |
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07 Sep 05 - 05:48 AM (#1558313) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: GUEST I remember hearing a song called "The Banks of the Old Pontchartrain" by Hank Williams in the late 50's/early 60's. Have no idea if it's the same song. Hank Jr. may have recorded a version. |
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07 Sep 05 - 06:39 AM (#1558328) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: The Borchester Echo . . . and I'm deeply puzzled why so many people should mistake Pontchartrain (Lakes Of) for an Irish song. You don't (as far as I'm aware) encounter all that many Créoles on the loose alongside Irish loughs . . . |
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07 Sep 05 - 07:19 AM (#1558348) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Le Scaramouche Sam Henry and later, Planxty's fault. |
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07 Sep 05 - 07:51 AM (#1558367) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Mr Red Cajun version would be a natural Waltz. |
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07 Sep 05 - 09:18 AM (#1558428) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Amos On the Banks of the Old Pontchartrain (Hank Williams) is a different song; it has some imagery in common, but was written in the 20th century. A |
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07 Sep 05 - 09:28 AM (#1558433) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Den Countess, I don't see too many on this thread mistaking, "The lakes of Pontchartrain," for an Irish song. It was probably made most popular by Irish artists. Such as those mentioned above Planxty, Christie Moore and Paul Brady (going by the responses on this thread). I don't believe any of them claimed it either. Not sure where you're coming from with your comments. |
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07 Sep 05 - 09:37 AM (#1558446) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: The Borchester Echo Den, may I refer you to Guest: Leslie above who revived the thread and who said that s/he had "found out that it was not an Irish song". It is frequently claimed as such, mainly by those who have had, allegedly, a song called Shores of Erin in their family for "generations" and, moreover, accuse Ewan MacColl of nicking the tune for Shoals of Herring. |
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07 Sep 05 - 09:45 AM (#1558453) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Dave Hanson And now the authorities are going to pump the dangerously polluted water from New Orleans into the estuary OR Lake Pontchartrain. eric |
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07 Sep 05 - 10:12 AM (#1558475) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: ard mhacha So now we are being blamed for stealing The Lakes of Pontchartrain, no, CR, we know it isn`t an Irish song, I do remember Paul Brady singing this song, most likely his singing and arrangment was much better than earlier versions, Irish artists are inclined to do that sort of thing. |
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07 Sep 05 - 10:34 AM (#1558500) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: The Borchester Echo Nah, I said there are many who mistake PONTCHARTRAIN for an Irish song. The one you mention possibly is one, for all I know . . . |
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07 Sep 05 - 10:52 AM (#1558510) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: ard mhacha Well now, The Lakes of Pontchartrain, this is the only version of the song that I know, "It was on a bright May morning I bade New Oreleans adieu, and I took the road to Jackson my fortune to re-new, I Cursed all foreign money no credit could I gain, etc. Does those words ring a bell CR. and again I say it, not Irish. |
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07 Sep 05 - 11:38 AM (#1558543) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: GUEST,Art Thieme It was on the 3rd of February I bid Cairo town adieu Traveled down the river road my fortune to pursue... I swung on board of an old boxcar just as the day did dawn, I rode the rods from sun to sun and then lit down again, And as the shades of evening fell the low ground I did gain, And it was there I met that creole girl on the banks of Pontchartrain... My version of this good song will be on a Folk Legacy CD made from the "On The River" cassette (and a few other songs) I made to sell when I sang on steamboats. |
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07 Sep 05 - 11:48 AM (#1558555) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: The Borchester Echo Art Thieme: I hope you proof read the sleeve artwork carefully and make sure it says PONTCHARTRAIN |
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07 Sep 05 - 11:54 AM (#1558556) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: greg stephens Art Thieme: your version of Pontchartrain "will be on a Folk Legacy CD". Now, that use of the future tense is ambiguous to my ears. Does it mean that if I go out and buy this CD now, it will have Pontchartrain on it? Or does it mean, when the CD comes out, it will have Pntchartrain on it. You may think I am being a bit nitpicking here, but the fact is that I would like a copy of this record, and I want to know if my desire can be fratified right now. On the subject of the songs Irishness. OK, in the sense that it had no specially Irish connection before Christy Moore learnt it from Mike Waterson(of Watersons fame): it isnt Irish. On the other hand, since its meteoric rise to an internationally loved and very widely known status can be attributed to Irish performers(Planxty, Brady etc): yes it is Irish. Where a folk song flourishes is surely just as significant as its precise birthplace. |
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07 Sep 05 - 12:09 PM (#1558565) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Sorcha Geeze, CR.....un knot yer knickers. |
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07 Sep 05 - 12:13 PM (#1558567) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: greg stephens OOOOH Sorcha, watch out. Do not poke lions in the ear with a walking stick. |
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07 Sep 05 - 12:44 PM (#1558586) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Den Greg, you make a good point there. There have been threads on this forum debating the origins of this song and I'm not sure if anyone is quite sure of the definitive origin. |
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07 Sep 05 - 12:52 PM (#1558593) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: greg stephens Don't be too censorious of spelling variations, Countess Richard. Shakespeare signed his name seven times(that have survived). Each time it's spelt differently. But as a writer, he's spoken of quite highly by a lot of folks. So how did the Comte de Pontchartrain actually spell his name? (assuming he could write). |
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07 Sep 05 - 01:35 PM (#1558613) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Sorcha LOL! |
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07 Sep 05 - 01:39 PM (#1558618) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: GUEST,harpmolly I just sang this song to a friend of mine last night. We were both touched by how appropriate it is for the current events down South... "Twas on one bright March morning I bid New Orleans adieu... I said, 'my bonny Creole girl, me money here's no good, If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood.' 'You're welcome here, kind stranger, our house it's very plain, But we never turn a stranger out of the Lakes of Pontchartrain.'" The themes of hospitality and taking in someone who's lost everything are pretty powerful right now. Molly |
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07 Sep 05 - 01:44 PM (#1558624) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Le Scaramouche Planxty (and I include Paul Brady, who learnt it from them) aren't wholly to blame for it being thought Irish, Sam Henry included it in Songs of the People, I believe. |
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07 Sep 05 - 01:48 PM (#1558626) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: M.Ted For reasons I don't care to explain, I was watching the beginning of the notorious TV program, "Dallas", when I realized that the theme song is an ironed out, jet-age version of this very song. |
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07 Sep 05 - 03:30 PM (#1558690) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Amos The OTHER song, written in modern times, begins: "I wandered from Texas to old Lousian' Over mountains and valleys and plains. 'Til footsore and weary, I rested a while, By the banks of the old Pontchatrain. The loveliest maiden that I've I saw, Passed by, as it started to rain. And we both took shelter beneath the same tree, On the banks of the old Pontchartrain." It is a very different song, just thematically similar. A |
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07 Sep 05 - 10:53 PM (#1558721) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: GUEST,Art Thieme Greg Stephens, It's not out yet, and it'll be quite a while I suspect. But Sandy tells me it'll happen. Art |
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07 Sep 05 - 10:56 PM (#1558724) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Malcolm Douglas The set in Henry was learned in America. All the relevant details are in previous threads on the subject; there is no need to repeat them here. It will only create confusion. |
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07 Sep 05 - 11:11 PM (#1558730) Subject: Lyr Add: LAKE OF THE PONCHO PLAINS From: GUEST There's a wonderful variant of the song to be found in 'Singing Cowboy, A Book of Western Songs' collected and edited by Margret Larkin, published by H. Knopf, 1931, reprinted by Oak, 1963. Larkin got the song from Reva Cordell who collected it from an unnamed cowboy. It's called 'Lake of the Poncho Plains' and has its own melody which you can find in the book if you're lucky enough to locate a copy. The words are: ON THE LAKE OF THE PONCHO PLAINS It was late one summer's evening when I bid LA adieu And started my way to Texas which I was forced to do Through swamps of alligators I started my weary way Over railroad ties and crossings my weary feet did play It was getting late one evening when higher ground I gain It was there I met the Cree girl on the Lake of the Poncho Plains "Good evening fair damsel. My money is no good. If it weren't for the alligators I'd sleep out in the wood." She taken me to her mother's house and treated me quite well Her raven hair in ringlets around her shoulders fell I tried to paint her beauty but found it was in vain Oh how handsome was that Cree girl on the Lake of the Poncho Plains I begged her then to wed me she said it ne'er could be She said she had a lover and he was far at sea She said she had a true lover and true she would remain 'Till he returned to her again on the Lake of the Poncho Plains Adieu to you my pretty miss I may never see you more But I'll always remember your kindness that was shown by your cottage door It's around the flaming circle a cup to my lips I drain Drink success to the beautiful Cree girl on the Lake of the Poncho Plains It does seem odd to ride east out of Los Angeles through swamps of allegators. The Mohave Desert isn't noted for its alligator population. Poster is DADGBE |
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07 Sep 05 - 11:19 PM (#1558737) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Q (Frank Staplin) Compte De Louis Phelypeaux Pontchartrain, Comptroller General and Secretary of State for France, ca. 1700. Not only was he literate but he helped revise one of the Academies of France (Inscriptions et Belles Lettres). All of this in previous threads. |
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07 Sep 05 - 11:26 PM (#1558741) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Malcolm Douglas Posted here 5 years ago, in thread Origins: Lakes of Ponchartrain : see links above. As I suggested, most of what there is to say has been said already. This is a very old thread, recently revived by someone who presumably hadn't bothered to read the others. If there's genuinely new information to be had, by all means add it; but please don't just repeat what has already been said. That will only make it harder for people who come looking for information in the future to find what they need. |
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08 Sep 05 - 12:40 AM (#1558767) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Seamus Kennedy Same tune as The Blarney Roses, isn't it? Seamus |
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08 Sep 05 - 08:29 PM (#1559422) Subject: RE: Lakes of ponchetrain From: Malcolm Douglas There are several tunes used, but, yes; Blarney Roses is certainly a close relative of the (currently) best-known, which was also used for Lily of the West and, earlier, for Caroline of Edinburgh Town. See the other threads for more detailed information. |
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18 Mar 11 - 10:33 AM (#3116439) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lakes of Ponchetrain? / Ponchartrain From: GUEST,Leslie Nolan OK. Searched for this song again, yesterday, St. Paddy's. I know, I know. Still can't get it out of my mind... 1981! Thirty years ago folks! And years from my old post. Here is the vinyl that I heard, and put us all in a time warping revery: Trapezoid - Now & Then CD Trapezoid Discography of CDs 5 stars Available from Amazon Marketplace 2 New from $29.89 4 Used from $7.02 So much bickery over its origins. Too much energy wasted on who and where. The song is transformative. TRANSFORMATION and beauty. Now and Then. Now and Again. Again and Again. Beauty is mystical and magical. Amen. |
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18 Mar 11 - 01:59 PM (#3116541) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lakes of Ponchetrain? / Ponchartrain From: PoppaGator Hmm ~ I'm surprised to find a discussion of this song to which I haven't already added my two-cents-worth. Especially since some of it was written during the immediate post-Katrina period, when I was spending a lot of time on the computer and specifically at Mudcat, while in "exile" (also known as "evacu-cation") How'd I miss this one? This most certainly *IS* an Irish song, once you realize that the narrator is (in all likelihood) an Irish immigrant to New Orleans who was recruited to labor in the construction of the New Basin Canal, which ran from the shore of Lake Pontchartrain south to center of town, just a few blocks from the Mississippi River waterfront. New Orleans was the number-one US destination for Irish immigrants during the first wave of famines (1840s-ish), thanks to this gigantic construction project. Unfortunately, so many immigrant laborers on the project died of Yellow Fever that an Irishman's statistical chances of survival were actually better back home (even in the sorely affected rural west) than as an immigrant to Louisiana. Word of the catastrophic death toll made its way back to Ireland, and significant numbers or Irish immigrants never came to New Orleans again; all the immigration afterwards would be concentrated in the ports of the northeastern US. New arrivals would either stay in the Boston/NYC/Philly area or hop on trains to Chicago and points west. The fact that the usual tune to which "Lakes of Pontchartrain" is sung is recognizably Irish supports the theory that its lyric comes from the Irish-immigrant experience of this part of the world. The geographical error(s), including the use of the plural for Lake Pontchartrain, are understandable as a stranger's inexact understanding of the harsh environment into which he was suddenly thrust. Check out Paul Brady's website for some excellent tablature of his arrangement of this song. It's one of only two numbers posted there. (The other is "Arthur McBride.") Incidentally, I have heard this lyric sung to at least one entirely different melody by bluegrass groups. |
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18 Mar 11 - 02:14 PM (#3116554) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lakes of Ponchetrain? / Ponchartrain From: GUEST,Ian Gill In the 'Christy Moore Songbook' [ISBN 0 86322 063 0] Christy notes 'I learned this song in 1966 from the singing of Mike Waterson of Hull'. Bill Caddick does a lovely version of it, introduced by: 'There's always one line in this song that makes me smile, see if you can guess which one it is...' He then winks broadly at the line in question. Any guesses ? Seriously, a great song. I think 'Indian Lass' and 'Little Mohee' are, too. |
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18 Mar 11 - 05:24 PM (#3116674) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lakes of Ponchetrain? / Ponchartrain From: PoppaGator Ian: My guess is that the line about alligators ~ "if it weren't for the alligators /I'd sleep out in the swamp" ~ is the one that always made Bill smile... |
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19 Mar 11 - 12:58 AM (#3116823) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lakes of Ponchetrain? / Ponchartrain From: MGM·Lion ... except, Poppa, that it is the *wood* [to rime with 'good'] that he sez he would sleep out in, isn't it? Re different melodies: Maggie Holland [once married to Ian Anderson of Hot Vultures, whose version is mentioned above] had a different from the most familiar air for the song, tho sang the same words as Brady et al. ~Michael~ |
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19 Mar 11 - 11:04 AM (#3116982) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lakes of Ponchetrain? / Ponchartrain From: GUEST,Ian Gill Wasn't that tricky, was it Poppa ? Don't think I'd sleep too well in a wood full of alligators, mind. |