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Hal an Tow

08 Sep 01 - 04:01 AM (#545039)
Subject: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk

What is the origin of this song? Where did the Watersons get it from? Is it from the oral tradition? Do any variants exist? Is it just a Victorian re-creation?

I Learned:

Since man was first crearted His works have been debated And now are celebrated The comming of the horn!

as the first verse from Barry Warmsley, singer, fiddler player and biology teacher, of Birkenhead and other places. Where did this come from? Does anyone else know it?


08 Sep 01 - 04:27 AM (#545042)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: gnu

I don't know his Mudcat name, but there is a 'Catter who probably knows a good deal about the info you seek because his band is named Hal & Tow. Perhaps Kendall can PM him for you to see if he can assist you, if answers to your post do not afford you satisfaction. If you need to, refresh this after a day or two and, hopefully, I will pick up on it if Kendall does not.


08 Sep 01 - 04:39 AM (#545048)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST

Have a look at the thread Hal an Tow: Notes


08 Sep 01 - 08:54 AM (#545113)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: Malcolm Douglas

See also this thread:  alt. verses to Hal An Tow,  which includes a translation of the text into Cornish, and links to several previous discussions of the song.


08 Sep 01 - 03:07 PM (#545266)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk

Well, I am amazed! Thanks for putting me on to the older thread and thanks to all those who contrubuted to it. It does feel like a strange old song. But I must say the older thread contains some fine examples of people bringing some slightly dodgy baggage to a very difficult bit of old song.

Anyway thanks again


09 Sep 01 - 09:02 AM (#545589)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: kendall

Hey Bernie, are you there? What can you tell us about this?


10 Sep 01 - 05:26 AM (#546072)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: IanC

I just have a brief note about the so-called "Aunt Mary Moses" problem. I think Shirley Collins caused this when she recorded it on "No Roses"(?). It's just a rather old mis-hearing (mondegreen) of:

    "God Bless Saint Mary, Moses and all their Power and Might O!"

There are versions around (I don't know where at the moment) with the correct text in.

Cheers!
Ian


10 Sep 01 - 09:38 AM (#546184)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: GUEST,DaisyA

Don't Oysterband do a version called Hal an Tol? (with an L instead of a W)?

Daisy


10 Sep 01 - 09:54 AM (#546200)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: Snuffy

I have a version by Oysterband, but I think it's called Hal An Tow. (I'm at work now and can't check it)


10 Sep 01 - 06:39 PM (#546624)
Subject: RE: Hal an Tow
From: Snuffy

It's actually called Hal-An-Tow (with hyphens). Would Hal an Tol be a Bristol version?