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Lyr Req: Every Man's Heart (Archie Fisher)

26 Jul 01 - 11:58 AM (#514974)
Subject: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women?
From: ChrisHall

At a recent show here in Vancouver, BC, Archie sang a song he said a friend of his wrote. I thought it was called 'Four Women'. At any rate, it was about the four women that every man will have in his life. If anyone knows if this is the title, or heaven forbid, knows the words/music, I would be grateful.

Cheers

Chris Hall


26 Jul 01 - 03:23 PM (#515148)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Wome
From: Trapper

I just saw Archie a few weeks ago at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and I don't recall him singing that song there. I couldn't find the lyrics, but here's some stuff I did find....

- Al

Here's a link to an article in The Daily Barnacle, a small newspaper in British Columbia.

Fisher found inspiration in Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. In the book, Proulx wrote, "There are four women in every man's heart." When Fisher wrote and asked if the statement was a true proverb, Proulx replied, "It is now because I wrote it." Fisher sang about the maid in the meadow, the demon lover, the stout-hearted woman, and the tall quiet woman. Fisher noted that in English love songs, there are happy endings, but in Scottish love songs, love is unrequited.

The actual quote from "Shipping News":

"Used to say there was four women in every man's heart. The Maid in the Meadow, the Demon Lover, The Stouthearted Woman, the Tall and Quiet Woman. It was just a thing he said. I don't know what it means. I don't know where he got it."

- Billy Pretty to Quoyle, quoting his father William Ankle , from E. Annie Proulx, Shipping News

This Pulitzer Prize winning book follows a third-rate American newspaperman's redemption and rebirth in Newfoundland.


26 Jul 01 - 03:50 PM (#515175)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Wome
From: ChrisHall

Thanks,

I have been searching around myself, and than saltspring article is about the only reference I can find to the sonf. Sigh....ah well, I shall perservere. I should inquire around to see if anyone has a recording of the show.

Cheers

Chris Hall


14 Oct 08 - 09:52 PM (#2465866)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Wome
From: GUEST,Gary Bass

I would love to have the lyrics to Every Man's Heart (Archie Fisher). Does any kind soul have the lyrics to this one?. (I just purchased Archie Fisher's new CD for the song, but unfortunately there are no lyric sheets ;-( , though it does have some nice photos.........

Thanks,

Gary


15 Oct 08 - 04:51 AM (#2466041)
Subject: Lyr Add: EVERY MAN'S HEART (Archie Fisher)
From: Singing Referee

I was introduced to this by Dan McKinnon. Beautiful song.

EVERY MAN'S HEART
(Archie Fisher)

CHORUS: I'll tell you an old tale I learned in a rhyme,
There are four women in every man's heart.
Through the ages of love they pass one at a time,
To hold you together or tear you apart.

When you carelessly gather the wild flowers of youth,
The maid in the meadow will run by your side.
She will tell you of tenderness, courage and truth,
Her innocence blooms when the flowers have died. CHORUS

When the cold cloak of loneliness blankets your soul,
The demon lover will burn at your breast.
Her passion's the furnace; your body's the coal,
And love is the steel to be tempered and pressed. CHORUS

When you're lost and you're tossed on the ocean of life,
The stouthearted woman will give you her hand.
She is more than a lover; she is more than a wife,
A beckoning beacon to guide you to land. CHORUS

When you rake through the embers of love you will find,
The tall quiet woman who shines through your eyes,
Into the shadows that burden your mind,
Her peace and contentment are the wanderer's prize.

LAST CHORUS: I'll tell you an old tale I learned in a rhyme,
There are four women in every man's heart.
But where will the place be, and when is the time,
To bring you together or keep you apart.


15 Oct 08 - 06:20 AM (#2466104)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: John MacKenzie

Oh, nice words! I need the tune.

JM


15 Oct 08 - 06:48 AM (#2466116)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: Singing Referee

The words above, I gleaned from Dan McKinnons album 'Fields of Dreams and Glory'. Buy it! You won't be disappointed. If you appreciate the lyrics above, you'll love Dan's songs as well.


15 Oct 08 - 06:59 AM (#2466124)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: Singing Referee

Or of course you could buy Archie's album. (Not sure what it's called. Dan also heard Archie sing it some time ago, asked Archie for it, and recorded it way before Archie got round to it!)

Or better still, both!


15 Oct 08 - 07:25 AM (#2466138)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: maeve

"Windward Away" thread
------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's on his newest cd, :Windward Away". The above link will take you to a thread discussion of that album, as well as a link to the Red House Records site including additional information regarding the album and one way to purchase your own copy. It is a lovely thing indeed. Another new album is already in the works.

Singing Referee, might you provide a link for those who'd enjoy Dan's album "Fields of Dreams and Glory" ? Thank you.


15 Oct 08 - 07:29 AM (#2466143)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: maeve

By the way: In his album notes Archie notes that Annie Proulx has hinted that the four women may well be within one woman.


15 Oct 08 - 08:19 AM (#2466176)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: Singing Referee

I'd always assumed that to be the case. That's what makes the song for me.

Here's a link to Dan's Website

From there there's a link to cdbaby, to buy his albums. Not sure how this works outside the US though. You can always buy them at his gigs, but you've just missed him in the UK, gone/going home to Canada this week I think. Back in May 2009.


15 Oct 08 - 08:25 AM (#2466182)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: John MacKenzie

That's like the theory that each man is allowed 16 wives.
Four better,
Four worse,
Four richer,
Four poorer.

JM


15 Oct 08 - 04:55 PM (#2466642)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: SINSULL

Giok! Cellar!


16 Oct 08 - 04:36 PM (#2467643)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: GUEST,Dan Back in Nova Scotia

G'day Folks, Yes I did record Every Man's Heart by Archie, but with his consent first. He wanted me to wait until he recorded it first. Which I did, only I released my CD almost three years previous. I guess things move in their own time in the borders.

Best wishes to all,

Dan


16 Oct 08 - 05:04 PM (#2467668)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: maeve

Guest Dan Back in Nova Scotia- Thank you for stopping by with that information. Yes, Archie's newest cd was a long time in the making.

I look forward to hearing your handling of Every Man's Heart and the other songs on your album. Welcome to Mudcat!


17 Oct 08 - 05:50 AM (#2468066)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: Singing Referee

Thanks for the clarification Dan. I wasn't far out! Tried to remember the story as you'd told it at a gig a couple of years back.

Look forward to meeting you again next year.

The Ref


17 Oct 08 - 05:38 PM (#2468626)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Song sung by Archie Fisher-Four Women
From: GUEST

Singing Referee,

Thanks for taking the time to put out the lyrics to the song. Wow, I can't wait to learn it. Such beauty in one little song!

Musically,

Gary Bass
(almost famous folksinger)