Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms

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Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms

28 Jul 01 - 10:13 PM (#516912)
Subject: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Peg

I looked in the DT and found only a scrap of lyric...a woman sang the whole song at the sessiun at Paddy Burke's the other night (guest Roisin White was great!) and I had forgotten how much I liked this song. I now can't recall where I first heard it but want to add it to my repertoire...any help with lyrics and tune? Possibly a recording?

thanks!!

Peg

p.s. am thinking I might put this on the forthcoming C

Click for lyrics & tune in Digital Tradition
Early fragment here (click)

28 Jul 01 - 10:19 PM (#516915)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Brían

Peg, I have it. From the great Sean 'ac Dhonnchadh. I will post it later if no one else gets it to you. One of my favorite songs.

Brían.

28 Jul 01 - 11:15 PM (#516937)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST,geniesings@hotmail.com

I used to have a Burl Ives record (called "Wayfaring St ranger," I think). He sang the Green Broom song. It starts out: There was an old woman da da da da da da da da da da da da da She had but one son and his name, it was Tom, And he went to the woods cutting broom (Or "brougham").

If you go to Songs.com and look under Child's ballads or Folksongs of England, Ireland, and Scotland, you will probably find it. If I can find the rest of the lyrics, I will send them

28 Jul 01 - 11:18 PM (#516939)
Subject: Add: Brooms, Green Brooms ^^^
From: Brían

Here you are:

GREEN BROOMS
There was a man and he lived in the east
His trade it was cutting down brooms, green brooms,
He had a son, and his name it was John
And he spent all the day in his room, gay room,
He spent all the day in his room.

One day he arose and up to John goes,
He said he would burn his room, gay room,
If he didn't rise and sharpen his knives,
And go down to the woods to cut brooms, green brooms,
Go down to the woods to cut brooms.

Well, John went on down to the green wood,
Till he came to a castle of fame, great fame,
He spied this maid and he stood at the gate,
Saying fair maid do you want any brooms, green brooms,
Fair maid do you want any brooms.

This lady being up in her window so high,
She spied this young man so terribly neat, neat, neat,
She says to her maid, go down to the gate
And call in this young man with his brooms, green brooms,
Call in this young man with his brooms.

They sent for the priest and married they were,
All in this lady's room, gay room,
So boys, will we drink, or what do you think,
Is there nothing like cutting down brooms, green brooms,
Is there nothing like cutting down brooms.

I enjoy the constant internal rhyming and repetition(neat, neat, neat, fame great fame, etc...) that really add to the humor.
Brían. ^^^

and

28 Jul 01 - 11:36 PM (#516946)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Sorcha

Brian is REALLY good, huh?

28 Jul 01 - 11:46 PM (#516950)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Peg

well thanks! I will also check out those websites. I think the version the woman sang the other night contained some slightly different lyrics (no surprise there) but this is a great help! Now I need a reminder of the tune...

thanks again!

Peg

29 Jul 01 - 12:30 AM (#516960)
Subject: ADD: Green Brooms ^^
From: Joe Offer

This one has a couple more verses than the one above and the one in the Digital Tradition.
-Joe Offer-

GREEN BROOMS (3)

1. There was an old man and he lived in the east
And his trade it was cutting down brooms, green brooms
He had a young son, his name it was John
And he stayed in bed until noon-day, noon
And he stayed in bed until noon

2. The father arose and up to John goes
And swore he would burn his room, gay room
If he didn't rise and sharpen his knives
And go down to the wood to cut brooms, green brooms
And go down to the wood to cut brooms

3. So Johnny went on down through the green wood
Till he came to a castle of fame, fame, fame
He spied a maid and stood at the gate
Crying: Fair maid, do you want any brooms, green brooms
Fair maid, do you want any brooms?

4. This lady being up in her window so high
She spied this young man so terribly neat, neat, neat
She said to her maid: Go down to the gate
And call in this young man with his brooms, green brooms,
And call in this young man with his brooms

5. So Johnny went into this castle so great
And entered this lady's room, gay room
She gave him a chair and bad' him sit there
Crying: You're welcome, young man, with your brooms, green brooms
You're welcome, young man, with your brooms

6. Then to Jack she did say: You're handsome and gay
Give over your cutting of brooms, green brooms
And smiling she said: Give over your trade
And marry this lady in bloom, gay bloom
And marry this lady in bloom

7. Then Jack gave consent, to this lady's content
And married they were in her room, gay room
And Jack blessed the day that he travelled that way
And became lord of that castle of fame, great fame
And became lord of that castle of fame

8. So, come all you young blades, whatever your trades
May you meet with a lady in bloom, gay bloom
So, boys, will we drink, or what do you think?
There is nothing like cutting down brooms, green brooms
There is nothing like cutting down brooms

Source: "Folksongs of Britain & Ireland," Peter Kennedy, 1975

@work @courting @marriage
filename[ GRNBROM3
BH JRO
Oct01 ^^

29 Jul 01 - 12:41 AM (#516961)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Peg

beautiful Joe! thank you!!!!!

Peg

29 Jul 01 - 12:59 AM (#516963)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Malcolm Douglas

Beat me to it that time. I was making a midi of Sean Sean McDonagh's tune as given in Kennedy (significantly different from the unattributed tune in the DT). The above text was noted from McDonagh in 1951 by Seamus Ennis and Alan Lomax. A midi of the notation goes to The Mudcat Midi Pages; meanwhile it can be heard via the South Rising Folk Network site:

Green Broom^^

Versions of this song have been found throughout England and Ireland, also occasionally in Scotland and Newfoundland. The earliest recorded set seems to be that printed in Thomas D'Urfey's Pills To Purge Melancholy (1698-1720).

29 Jul 01 - 01:07 AM (#516966)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko

Don't forget Danu's lovely version! It appears on their Shanachie release - Think Before You Think

29 Jul 01 - 01:16 AM (#516971)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Malcolm Douglas

We were mainly speaking of traditional sets of the song, rather than modern arrangements of it; what was Danu's source?

29 Jul 01 - 05:21 AM (#517015)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Brían

The midi that Malcolm offers goes with the words I have given. I forgot one verse that is The same as verse 5 that Joe Offer offers(I like repetition):

I have noticed that John McDonagh performed different versions of the same songs through out his carreer. His perfomances of BEAN AN FHIR RUA(THE RED HAIRED MAN'S WIFE) As appear on Amhráin ar an Sean-Nós(Songs in the Old Style) and An Spailpín Fánach(The Wandering Laborer). There are different words an different verses in each. I just mention this to demonstrate the variation in traditional song, not only between different singers, but but in different performances by the same singer.

Brían.

29 Jul 01 - 06:38 AM (#517042)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: kendall

I recorded this for Folk Legacy about 25 years ago.

29 Jul 01 - 08:53 AM (#517089)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Brían

Thanks, Kendall, I'll have to look up some of your Folk Legacy recordings. Have a great time in England.

I wonder if anyone can direct me to getting the recordings of John McDonagh that Seamus Ennis and John Lomax recorded? The only recordings of John I have are the ones already mentioned and the CD reissue of John lomax's Ireland which does not contain this song.

Brían.

29 Jul 01 - 09:31 AM (#517105)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Diva

Not sure of Danu's source Malcolm but they sing it as I remember it from the singing of Cy Laurie who as i recall got it from Sean. Diva

29 Jul 01 - 10:10 AM (#517112)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Malcolm Douglas

According to Kennedy, McDonagh's set as recorded by Ennis and Lomax appeared on Folk Songs of Britain, vol. III (Caedmon TC1144 and TOPIC 12T159).

The songs in Kennedy's book are all available, sung by the singers from whom they were noted, from Kennedy's FolkTrax. Not studio quality, of course. McDonagh's Green Broom appears on FTX-021 - A-Beggin' I Will Go: Songs of the Trades. He also features on FTX-029 - The Black Velvet Band: Songs of Newsworthy Sensation, singing Morrissey and the Russian Sailor.

As I've said before, Kennedy's site appears to work only in Internet Explorer.

Thanks for the info, Diva; it's always good to have a context, for revival performances just as for traditional ones.

29 Jul 01 - 10:22 AM (#517115)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Brían

Thank you, Malcom.

Brían.

29 Jul 01 - 11:39 AM (#517149)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Peg

actually, Malocolm, the woman who sang it the other night *did* mention the Danu version as her main inspiration (I had forgotten that).

And since I started the thread, I dunno if it is appropriate for you to say "WE were mainly speaking of.." etc. I mean, why aren't all contributions to the discussion (including all recorded versions of the song, which I also inquired about) valid?

I appreciate your vast knowledge and your huge contribution to this site, but Ron Olesko was trying to make a contribution to the thread and it did sound like you were kind of belittling it...perhaps you weren't, but that is what it seemed like to me...

Peg

29 Jul 01 - 12:03 PM (#517161)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Malcolm Douglas

I do see your point, though a discussion will often move beyond the initial intentions of the person who started it. No intention of belittling anybody, but I've always felt that a reference to a commercial recording of a traditional song should include a reference to its traditional source, unless of course none is acknowledged; that way, it's put into context and is much more useful, besides the importance of giving proper credit to the traditional singer from whom it was learnt. I'm actually trying to get people to give more information, not less! Perhaps I should have said all that at the time, but I fear it was very late at night over here, and I was ready for some sleep, so I daresay I seemed a little terse.

Malcolm

29 Jul 01 - 12:44 PM (#517179)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: toadfrog

As a "revival" song, this one has been around at least 50 years. My family a Burl Ives recording (33 RPM vinyl) from the beginning of the 50's. Of course he did not much acknowledge traditional sources.

29 Jul 01 - 12:46 PM (#517180)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Diva

I quite agree.... I always acknowledge my sources and I like other singers to do so.... its just good manners :-) Diva

29 Jul 01 - 01:55 PM (#517216)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST

Malcom, Danú's source is Sean 'ac Dhonncha

29 Jul 01 - 01:59 PM (#517221)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Brían

I visit this site not only because I want to learn new songs and remember old ones, but because I want to learn every thing I can about the song. Here's more: ÚDARÁS AMHRÁN.

Brían.

29 Jul 01 - 02:03 PM (#517223)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST,Angun

Thank you for the link Brían!

Angun

29 Jul 01 - 02:07 PM (#517224)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: kendall

It was a long time ago, but, I think I mentioned that I learned it from Buryl Ives. Brian, check out the Folk Legacy site. It is a treasure house of folk and traditional music.

29 Jul 01 - 02:43 PM (#517239)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Brían

I sure will, Kendall. PM me any time Angun.

Brían.

29 Jul 01 - 03:50 PM (#517274)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Peg

wow, great link! Lots of wonderful songs included in it.

Malcolm, I basically agree with you that all arrangements based on traditional singers' work should be acknolwedged and celebrated. Unfortunately it isn't always the case. This does not mean someone posting helpful information should be blamed for that (and I am not saying you did that! Just an acknowledgement that we are not all on the same page with the right or preferred way of attributing sources)

As for a discussion moving beyond the original poster's intentions, well, of course that happens, but I think the main objectiveof a thread is still defined by how it began...how else can we determine its evolution?

This has been a most educational thread regarding this song! And I thank everyone for their efforts! Now I will have some great resources for the liner notes if this song ends up on my forthcoming recording project...and of course Mudcat contributors will be thanked.

Peg

13 Jun 04 - 12:04 PM (#1206242)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST,Nina Scott-Stoddart

I just thought I'd add this version I have: (I'm singing the song tonight in Nova Scotia). The lyrics seem close to the Burl Ives recording I remember hearing as a child:

There was an old man and he lived in the west
and his trade was a cutting of broom, green broom.
He had but one son and his name it was John,
and he li-ed abed 'til twas noon, bright noon, and he li-ed abed til twas noon.

The old man arose and unto his son goes
and he swore he'd set fire to his room, his room,
if he would not rise and unbutton his eyes
and away to the woods to cut broom, green broom, and away to the woods to cut broom.

So Jack he did rise and did sharpen his knives
and away to the woods cutting broom, green broom
From market to fair crying everywhere,
"Oh fair maids, d'ye want any broom, green broom? Oh fair maids, d'ye want any broom?"

A lady sat up in her window so high,
and she heard Johnny crying green broom, green broom.
She rung for her maid and unto her she said,
"Oh go fetch me the lad that cries broom, green broom! Oh go fetch me the lad that cries broom!"

So John did come back and upstairs he did go
and he entered that fair lady's room, her room.
"Dear Johnny" said she "Oh can you fancy me?
Will you marry a lady in bloom, in bloom? Will you marry a lady in bloom?"

So John did consent and unto the church went
and he married this lady in bloom, in bloom.
She said "I protest there is none in the west
is so good, and the lad who cries broom, green broom! Is so good as the lad who cries broom!"

This is from a collection of folk songs of the British Isles, no source attributed, but from my memory of the Ives version, this one is VERY close. I love "unbutton his eyes" -- very vivid!

Nina Scott-Stoddart

18 Jun 04 - 09:15 AM (#1209837)
Subject: Lyr Add: GREEN BROOMS
From: Jim Dixon

From the Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads Harding B 16(108a) "between 1849 and 1862":

GREEN BROOMS

1. THERE was an old man and he lived in the West,
And his trade was making of brooms.
He had a son. Naughty boy Jack was his name;
And he would lie in bed until it was noon.

2. The old man arose and put on his clothes
And swore he would fire the room
If Jack would not rise, and open his eyes,
And away to the wood and get brooms.

3. Then Jack he arose, and put on his clothes,
And away to the wood and got brooms,
To markets and fairs, I vow and declare,
Singing, "Maidens, do you want any brooms?"

4. A lady she sat at her window so high
And hearing of Jack crying, "Brooms, green brooms,"
She rang at her bell and to her maid call'd,
"Go fetch me the lad crying, 'Brooms, green brooms.' "

5. So Jack he comes back and upstairs he goes,
And enters the lady's room, room, room.
"You are a clever young blade, Jack. Leave off your trade,
And marry the lady in bloom."

7. Then Jack he consents, and to the church went,
And married the lady in bloom.
There's none in the world, I vow and protest,
Compared to the lad that sold brooms, green brooms.

05 Oct 05 - 04:14 AM (#1576246)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Le Scaramouche

This must be the Bertie Wooster of folk songs.

05 Oct 05 - 05:24 AM (#1576273)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST,DB

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this previously but if you can find a copy of a CD called 'Somerset Sisters' by Roots Quartet (Michelle Hicks & Yvette Staelens)(RQ Records, RQRCD004, 2000) you can hear Louie Hooper, one of Cecil Sharp's Somerset singers, singing 'Green Broom'. Mrs Hooper was recorded, in the late 1930s/early 1940s, I think, by the BBC; she was 81 at the time. As far as I know this is the only recording of this important singer to be made commercially available - only in the UK!! I suspect that if Mrs Hooper had been Greek or Spanish or American etc., etc., all of the priceless recordings that the BBC made at that time would be freely available - but, unfortunately, she was English, so we can't hear them.

06 Oct 05 - 01:29 AM (#1576910)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Joe Offer

Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index:

Green Broom

DESCRIPTION: Old broom-cutter tells his lazy son to get to work cutting broom. The boy does, then takes it to market to sell. A lady hears him, and has him brought in, where she proposes marriage to him. They wed, as the lady sings his praises.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1720 (Pills to Purge Melancholy)
KEYWORDS: love marriage work worker courting
FOUND IN: Britain(England(All),Scotland(Aber)) Ireland Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (6 citations):
Stokoe/Reay, pp. 104-105, "Broom, Green Broom" (1 text, 1 tune)
Sharp-100E 49, "Green Broom" (1 text, 1 tune)
Kennedy 223, "Green Brooms" (1 text, 1 tune)
Karpeles-Newfoundland 76, "Green Broom" (1 text, 1 tune)
SHenry H147, p. 474, "Green Broom" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, GRNBROOM* GRNBROM2*
Roud #379
RECORDINGS:
Sam Larner, "Green Broom" (on SLarner02)
Sean McDonagh, "Green Brooms" (on FSB3)
BROADSIDES:
Bodleian, 2806 c.17(156), "The Green Broom," W. Armstrong (Liverpool), 1820-1824; also Harding B 16(108a), Firth b.26(294), Firth b.25(38), Firth c.18(205), "Green Brooms"; Harding B 28(93), "Jack and His Brooms"
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Jack and His Brooms
Notes: Found in Gammer Gurton's Garland, according to Sharp, and also in Pills to Purge Melancholy. -PJS
Not to be confused with "The Broomfield Hill," also sometimes found under the title "Green Broom." - RBW
File: ShH49

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions

10 Oct 05 - 10:27 PM (#1580647)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Jim Dixon

Dave & Toni Arthur sing GREEN BROOM on their album "Morning Stands," Wooded Hill CD #18, 1998. Here's an excerpt:

John Langstaff sings GREEN BROOM on the album "A Revels Celebration of Spring, Summer & Fall," Revels CD #3, 1998; also on The Revels' "Seasons for Singing: A Celebration of Country Life," Revels CD #1095, 1995. Here's an excerpt:

Sam Larner sings GREEN BROOM on his album "Now Is the Time for Fishing," originally released as an LP in 1961, re-released as Topic CD #511, 2000.

Waterson:Carthy sings GREEN BROOM on their album "Fishes & Fine Yellow Sand," Topic CD #542, 2004.

10 Oct 05 - 10:41 PM (#1580657)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Malcolm Douglas

Sam Larner was a traditional singer by anyone's standards; the others you mention are not, though most will have got their sets from traditional sources. Did any of them name those sources?

27 Oct 19 - 01:42 PM (#4015700)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST

Sadly, too late to reply to Malcolm now (2019), but, yes, Toni and I credited Sean McDonagh as the source/inspiration of our recorded version. Dave Arthur

27 Oct 19 - 01:47 PM (#4015702)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Jim Carroll

"Sean McDonagh"
Seamus Ennis made a great job of McDonagh's version when he sang it for the BBC
Sam's four radio programmes made for schools 'To Make a Fisherman' includes his singing it - PM me with an e-mail address if anybody wants them
Jim Carroll

27 Oct 19 - 03:04 PM (#4015714)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Jim Carroll

Just listened to a superb hour-long radio tribute to Seamus Ennis on Irish Lyric FM - stacks and stacks of examples of his collecting work in Ireland and Scotland
It should be available for listening in a couple of days time
Warra star
Will open a thread giving details later
Jim

28 Oct 19 - 10:32 AM (#4015826)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Mrrzy

Ed McCurdy has a slightly different version.

28 Oct 19 - 11:51 AM (#4015841)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Mrrzy

Rats. Not on internet. Here goes:

There was an old man, lived out in the woods
His trade was a-cutting of broom, green broom
He had but one son, without thrift, without good
Who lay in his bed till twas noon, bright noon

The old man awoke one morning and spoke
He swore he would fire the room, that room
If his John would not rise, and open his eyes
And away to the woods to cut broom, green broom

So Johnny arose and he slipped on his clothes
Away to the woods to cut broom, green broom
He sharpens his knives, for once he contrives
To cut a great bundle of broom, green broom

When Johnny passed under a lady's fine house
Passed under a lady's fine room, fine room
She called to her maid, go fetch me she said
Go fetch me the boy who sells broom, green broom

Then Johnny passed into the lady's fine house
And stood in the lady's fine room, fine room
Young Johnny she said, will you give up your trade
And marry a lady in bloom, full bloom

Johnny gave his consent and to church they both went
He wedded the lady in bloom, full bloom
At market and fair all the folks do declare
There's none like the boy who sold broom, hreen broom

28 Oct 19 - 11:52 AM (#4015842)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Mrrzy

Greeen. I accidentally hit Post trying to fix that typo.

01 May 21 - 03:16 PM (#4104215)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: Joe Offer

Joe - do cleanup

03 May 21 - 10:20 AM (#4104477)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST,Guest TF

Bitter Withy recorded a version of Green Broom on an LP called "The Golden Bird" published by Oliver and Boyd. Edinburgh in 1969. (Sheesh).It was intended for schools English projects. Google "The Golden Bird" for various mint copeies of the LP which also featured Barbara Dickson, Archie Fisher and a US couple called Telford & Charmaine who were resident in UK at that time.

03 May 21 - 09:02 PM (#4104591)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: GUEST,Guest TF.

With Chuck Fleming on fiddle on various tracks. How could I forget Chuck?

03 May 21 - 10:57 PM (#4104604)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brooms, Green Brooms
From: RTim

Here is my version.....sorry if it is self promotion, but it is a good song.....

https://soundcloud.com/tim-radford/11-green-broom

Tim Radford

Click for lyrics & tune in Digital Tradition Early fragment here (click)

Green Broom

Click for lyrics & tune in Digital Tradition
Early fragment here (click)