|
07 Sep 01 - 05:02 PM (#544751) Subject: Breast of Glass From: Jenny S Does anyone know if there is a song called the Breast of Glass? We have the tune on an old recording of Joe & Antoinette McKenna (harp & pipes).
|
|
07 Sep 01 - 06:14 PM (#544791) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Sorcha I found a bunch of recordings , but nothing else on Google. Let me try some tune sites/////// |
|
07 Sep 01 - 06:20 PM (#544793) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Sorcha No luck at JC's, Walshaw's web wide index, or Al Warnocks site. Anybody else? |
|
07 Sep 01 - 06:53 PM (#544820) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Sorcha Oh,yea, full title is I'll Give My Love a Breast of Glass. |
|
09 Sep 01 - 03:46 PM (#545791) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jenny S Hello, Sorcha Well, you did better on Google than I did - I entered "Breast of Glass", and Google (helpful to the last) removed the "of" "since it is a common word" and then brought up (no pun intended) loads of stuff about chickens and noodles! On second thoughts, about that pun... "I'll give my love a breast of glass" got the same mix of results as "Breast of Glass" McKenna... All McKenna, no-one else - I'm beginning to wonder if Joe & Antoinette wrote it. Jenny |
|
09 Sep 01 - 05:11 PM (#545813) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jenny S Hello, Sorcha Well, you did better on Google than I did - I entered "Breast of Glass", and Google (helpful to the last) removed the "of" "since it is a common word" and then brought up (no pun intended) loads of stuff about chickens and noodles! On second thoughts, about that pun... "I'll give my love a breast of glass" got the same mix of results as "Breast of Glass" McKenna... All McKenna, no-one else - I'm beginning to wonder if Joe & Antoinette wrote it. Jenny |
|
09 Sep 01 - 05:49 PM (#545823) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Sorcha Hey, among other things, I got Breast of Pheasant Under Glass......... |
|
10 Sep 01 - 07:54 AM (#546113) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jenny S Eh? Something else that Google brought up?? |
|
10 Sep 01 - 05:21 PM (#546579) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) In my family, we sang: Unto me the time draws near When you and I must part No one knows the inner grieves Of my poor aching heart.
I wish my breast was made of glass And so on...it was referred to as, "Unto me," or sometimes, "Inner Grieves." Could this be the song you're looking for? Maybe with these extra words, you can find it in DT. |
|
10 Sep 01 - 05:29 PM (#546585) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jeri Here's Bird In A Cage
I wish your breast was made of glass
|
|
10 Sep 01 - 07:37 PM (#546664) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Snuffy Jeri, that's very similar to a verse of 'My Dearest Dear' - I think it must be a common motif. |
|
23 Sep 01 - 04:51 PM (#557209) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jenny S Many thanks for the leads. Jeri's words could fit the tune, but not Kytrad's (unless some refrain-bits are added here ahd there)... |
|
20 Jan 02 - 11:58 AM (#631631) Subject: Lyr Add: THE CHARMING BEAUTY BRIGHT From: Jim Dixon From The Max Hunter Folk Song Collection. (This page also gives links to several variants.) This seems to be the song Kytrad was referring to, but the wording is somewhat different.
THE CHARMING BEAUTY BRIGHT
It's wrought of me, the time draws near
Why do I suffer for your sake
Your cheeks are of the rosy red
Your company my dearest dear
That every day makes three, my dear
I wish my breast was made of glass
When I'm for miles and miles away
The eagle and the blackbird whirl |
|
20 Jan 02 - 03:29 PM (#631737) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Deckman I'm sure that this doesn't fit your song, but I find it interesting. In 1952, Burl Ives sang a Coronation Concert for the new Queen in London. One song he did, and the title escapes me, had the following verse: In my heart pray, place a mirror, and therin you'll see My love and my devotion Lie only, in thee CHEERS, Bob |
|
20 Jan 02 - 06:04 PM (#631814) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: GUEST,kytrad Mrs. McDonald's song involves three of our family ones! The main body of her song we know as, "Unto Me the Time Draws Near;" the last two verses are similar to verses in my Dad's proposal song to Mom, "I've Been a Foreign Lander" (he was from the next county), and the title we had to a different song also, "The Fair Beauty Bright." Each of these three is a complete song in its own right. I'll give lyrics if there's interest. |
|
20 Jan 02 - 06:48 PM (#631835) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jeri I'd certainly love to see the lyrics, if you please. Your Dad's proposal song must be wonderful. (Well, it seems to have worked!) I love those last two verses in the song above. |
|
20 Jan 02 - 06:52 PM (#631837) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Snuffy "My Dearest Dear" recorded by Sweeney's Men ca. 1970 is very similar. I'll post it soon, once I've got my sound card working again. WassaiL! V |
|
20 Jan 02 - 08:28 PM (#631892) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Art Thieme Strange, the "Colorado of BUST" thread was the very next one. |
|
20 Jan 02 - 08:46 PM (#631902) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Malcolm Douglas Snuffy: you posted that one a while back, at The Blackest Crow: meaning?. The text is very close to the traditional set noted by Cecil Sharp from Mary Sands at Allanstand, North Carolina, in 1916, though the tune you gave didn't resemble hers on the face of it. I can't tell whether it's an entirely different melody, or whether Terry Woods just interfered with a traditional one. |
|
21 Jan 02 - 09:59 AM (#632162) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Snuffy I thought I might have posted it, but couldn't remember where. The CD sleeve just says (Woods, Copyright Control) so it could well be his adaptation of something else. WassaiL! V |
|
21 Jan 02 - 10:43 AM (#632191) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Art Thieme Jean, Hi. I'll always remember your sister, Edna, singing "Foreignlander" at a University of Chicago Folk Festival. Her LP for Sandy was a beauty. Art |
|
21 Jan 02 - 02:43 PM (#632357) Subject: Lyr Add: FOREIGN LANDER From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) I've been a foreign lander for seven long years and more; Amongst the bold commanders where the thundering cannons roar, I've conquered all my enemies both all on land and sea- But it's you my dearest jewel, your beauty has conquered me.
If I could build a ship my love, without the wood of tree,
Don't you remember Queen Ellen, all in her flowery reign
I wisht I were a turtledove, just a-fluttering from my nest,
I wisht I were ten thousand miles, all on some lonesome shore, Mom said he spoke the last three words, kind of loud, and leant forward in his chair..."You could see the question mark!" she said. "Do you mean that?" she asked him. "Yep," he said, and they were engaged. And that's how the song came down to us. Jean (This is in, SINGING FAMILY, I just noticed)! |
|
22 Jan 02 - 01:37 AM (#632758) Subject: Lyr Add: MARY ANN From: Sandy Paton Song titled (I think) "Mary Ann." From Maud Karpeles (?) Nova Scotia collection. Recorded years ago by Ian & Sylvia. I first heard it from Happy Traum at a party at Dave Van Ronk's place in New York back in the mid 50s. Words I can recall are: Fare you well, my own true love, Fare you well for awhile. My ship is a-waiting and the wind blows high (free?) And I am bound away to the sea, Mary Ann. And I am bound away to the sea, Mary Ann. Your company, your company, Your company unto me, It makes me feel, when we're apart, That every day is three, my dear Mary Ann. That every day is three, my dear Mary Ann. I wish my breast was made of glass, Wherein you might behold The secret of my own true love In letters writ in gold, my dear Mary Ann. In letters writ in gold, my dear Mary Ann. And there were probably other verses, including one about the lobster boiling in the pot, which I never sang. Any of you remember this? It has a lovely tune! I'm just too freakin' lazy to climb the stairs to check the source. Been a long and hard day! Sandy |
|
22 Jan 02 - 01:45 AM (#632760) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Deckman A lobster boiling in the pot A blue fish on the hook Their sufferings long, but it's nothing like The ache I bear for you, my dear, Mary Ann CHEERS to you Sandy, Bob |
|
22 Jan 02 - 07:55 AM (#632875) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jeri Jean, thanks for posting the proposal song. Lovely! I'm a bit confused by the phrase about "the golden," but maybe it was a phrase your parents would have both understood. Maybe it's "the golden, chain'd," and Queen Ellen was out saving the souls of people "chained" to their riches? Is the tune in Singing Family? I've got to buy that when I get my paycheck! |
|
22 Jan 02 - 02:24 PM (#633170) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Sandy Paton That "Mary Ann" text may be from Creighton, rather than Karpeles, but Deckman offered the verse I couldn't recall, so... Thanks, old buddy. Sandy |
|
22 Jan 02 - 05:40 PM (#633333) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) Jeri, the little d after 'chain' is my silly typo. It should read, 'to cleanse the golden chain,'- whatever that might mean...Malcolm??? But it's a lovely image- 'As she walked out of her paradise to cleanse the golden chain...' surely it's something most uplifting, too! |
|
09 Sep 06 - 02:01 PM (#1830686) Subject: Lyr Add: BREAST O' GLASS From: Desert Dancer BREAST O' GLASS Sung by: Neal Morris, Recorded in Mountain View, AR 9/2/61 The Wolf Folklore Collection (there's a sound recording on that site) Oh, unto me the time draws near When you and I must part. No one can know the grief and woes Of my poor aching heart, Nor what I've suffered for your sake; Believe me when I say, You are the girl that I'll love best Until my dying day. I wish my breast was made of glass, Wherein you might behold Your name engraved upon my heart, With letters lined with gold. Your name is sacred to my heart, 'Tis you I love so dear. I wish that you could go with me, Or I could tarry here. I wish I was ten thousand miles Upon some lonesome shore, Away to the rocks and the mountains high Where the wild beasts howl and . . . And when I'm far and distant away, Think of your absent friend, And if an opportunity suits, A letter to me send. When the wind blows fair to you, my love, Send me a sigh or two. You need not doubt but I?ll repay When the wind blows fair to you. When the warm wind blows fair to you, my love, When the wind blows fair to you, You need not doubt that I'll repay When the wind blows fair to you. The crow that is so black, my love, Will surely turn to white, If I ever prove false to you, my love, Bright day will turn to night. Bright day will turn to night, my love, The elements will turn, The fire will freeze and be no more, And the raging seas will burn. ~ Becky in Tucson |
|
09 Sep 06 - 02:05 PM (#1830691) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Desert Dancer THE BLACKEST CROW (MY DEAREST DEAR) [notes and transcription] by Lyle Lofgren, (Originally published: Inside Bluegrass, March 2005.) " The numerous modern recordings are due to Tommy Jarrell (1901-1985) of Mt. Airy, NC. He inspired a whole generation of musicians who flocked to learn old-time music, including this song, from him. ...this one, by Bruce Molsky and Carla Gover on Molsky's CD Lost Boy (Rounder 0361)." [Tune is written out on that site.] 1. As time draws near, my dearest dear, When you and I must part, What little you know of the grace and awe Of my poor aching heart. Each night I suffer for your sake, You're the one I love so dear; I wish that I was going with you, Or you were staying here. 2. I wish my breast was made of glass Wherein you might behold Oh there your name I's wrote, my dear, In letters made of gold. Oh there your name I's wrote, my dear, Believe me what I say, You are the one I love the best Until my dying day. 3. The crow that is so black, my love, will surely turn to white If ever I prove false to you, Bright day return to night. Bright day return to night, my love The elements will mourn, If ever I prove false to you The seas will rage and burn. 4. And when you're on some distant shore, Think of your absent friend, And when the wind blows high and clear, A line to me, pray send. And when the wind blows high and clear, Pray send a note to me, That I might know by your handwrite How time has gone with thee. NOTE: Songs with glass breast / blackest crow imagery are to be found in: Belden Ballads & Songs, MO Folklore Society, p. 484 (Banishment) Brown North Carolina Folklore, vol. III, p. 262 (The Slighted Girl) Randolph Ozark Folksongs, vol. IV, #760, (I Love You Well) Sharp English Folksongs from S. Appalachians, Vol. II, #77 (p. 13) (My Dearest Dear) ~ Becky in Tucson (Sorry about the untranslatable single quotes in the previous post. I didn't look at my preview closely enough.) |
|
09 Sep 06 - 02:16 PM (#1830701) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Desert Dancer From Margaret MacArthur, "The Old Songs" (a 2006 Rounder Records re-release of Margaret's third album CDPHIL1001). PDF notes here. 11.My Dearest Dear 4:55 (traditional) Dulcimer (D-G-D tuning) This song comes from Cecil Sharp's Eighty English Folksongs from the Southern Appalachians, with two additional verses (3 and 4) from Vance Randolph's Ozark Folksongs. In Mrs. Flander's files I have found a New England version dating from the late 18th century. [NOTE: she says this is not the Flanders version!] My dearest dear the time has come when I and you must part And no one knows the inner grief of my poor aching heart Or what I suffer for your sake, for the one I love so dear I wish that I could go with you or you could tarry here I wish my breast was made of glass for in it you might behold Your name in secret I would write in letters of bright gold In letters of bright gold true love, pray believe me when I say You are the one that I love best until my dying day The crow that's black, my dearest dear, shall turn its color white If ever I prove false to thee the brightest days turn night The brightest days turn night true love, the elements shall mourn If ever I prove false to thee the raging seas shall burn Your company, my dearest dear, your company to me It makes me think when you're away that every day is three That every day is three, true love, and every hour is ten It makes me weep when I should sleep and say I've lost a friend So when you're on some distant shore think on your absent friend And when the wind blows high and clear a line or two pray send And when the wind blows high and clear pray send it love to me That I may know by your hand write how time has gone with thee ~ Becky in Tucson |
|
09 Sep 06 - 02:20 PM (#1830702) Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRUELOVER'S FAREWELL From: Desert Dancer From the notes for Far in the Mountains: Volumes 1 & 2 of Mike Yates' 1979-83 Appalachian Collection 35. The Truelover's Farewell (Roud 422) (Sung by Evelyn Ramsey at her home in Sodom Laurel, Madison County, NC. 30.8.80) So far away from friends and home, There's one that's dear to me. There's one forever in my mind, And that fair one is she. Come back, come back, my own true-love, And stay awhile with me. For if ever I have a friend on earth, You've been a friend to me. Hush up, hush up, my own true-love, For I hate to hear you cry. For the best of friends on earth must part, So why must you and I? Ten thousand miles away, my love, You know that never can be. For the parting from my old true-love, Shall be the death of me. I wish my breast was made of glass, Wherein you might behold. It's on my breast the secret's wrote, With letters made in gold. Oh, take this ring I will to thee, And wear it on your right hand. And think of my poor aching heart, When you're in some foreign land. So fare you well, my old true-love, So fare you well for awhile. I'm going away but I'm coming back, If I go ten thousand miles. A version titled The Unkind Lovers, or, The Languishing Lament of Two Loyal Lovers, is to be found in the Osterley Park Ballads, taken from a broadside printed by C Bates (1630 - 1712). Robert Burns clearly knew the song, which he used as the basis for his well-known poem My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. Cecil Sharp collected six versions in England, as well as a further nine sets from Appalachian singers. One of these versions came from a Mrs Sylvaney Ramsey of Hot Springs, who may have been related to Evelyn Ramsey. Evelyn's verse 5 (which begins, 'I wish my breast was made of glass') also appears in Doug Wallin's song The Time Draws Near, and in several versions of The Willow Tree/Brisk Young Lover/Died for Love over much of the Anglophone world, while other verses appear in the Hayes Shepherd recording Hard For to Love mentioned previously. ~ Becky in Tucson |
|
09 Sep 06 - 02:55 PM (#1830717) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Desert Dancer Blackest Crow: Meaning (also mentioned above, here) has a lot of nonsensical speculation on meaning & mondegreens, but also some other full texts. |
|
09 Sep 06 - 06:06 PM (#1830842) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Malcolm Douglas The Far in the Mountains reference is wrong; the broadside was called 'The Unkind Parents, or, The Languishing Lamentation of two Loyal Lovers'. The Bodleian dates Bates' operation to 'between 1685 and 1714'. The broadside has 16 verses. That's more than I feel like typing out just now; fortunately, though, there is also a copy in the Samuel Pepys Collection (5.322): The Unkind Parents. |
|
19 Jul 10 - 09:47 AM (#2947588) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Guy Wolff soryy I put this up so I could put it to my file . |
|
19 Jul 10 - 10:19 AM (#2947605) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Jack Campin Guy, "Add to Tracer" is the way to keep track of a thread. Just click it. I wonder if this image has any connection to the culture-bound psychiatric condition of early modern Europe where people believe parts of their bodies have turned to glass? The most celebrated case was Tchaikovsky, who at some periods believed his bum was made of glass. |
|
19 Jul 10 - 02:06 PM (#2947759) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Steve Gardham That mean he was a pane in the ass? |
|
19 Jul 10 - 05:35 PM (#2947884) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: Guy Wolff Thanks jack I never noticed that thing right above where we write !!! AH well .. Old dog old tricks and still new to me .. All the best , Guy |
|
19 Jul 10 - 06:08 PM (#2947897) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Breast of Glass From: TheSnail Disturbing metaphor. Glass is hard and brittle. Breasts are soft and squidgy. |