Lyr Req: traditional versions of fairport lyr

07 Dec 01 - 10:51 AM (#605724)
Subject: traditional versions of fairport lyrics
From: GUEST,Andy

Hello, I'm looking for traditional versions of fairport lyics, (as it says in the subject.)I know that the version of Tam Lin Fairport recorded was changed from the traditional version, and I was wondering if anyone knew the traditional lyrics. As far as I know, the main difference btween fairport's and the traditional version is that in the traditional version Tam Lin is turned into a lot more things by the fairy Queen, although there may be other cahnges. I was also wondering if Fairport had changed the lyrics of the following songs in any way:

THE DESERTER
MATTY GROVES
POLLY ON THE SHORE
THE HEXAMSHIRE LASS
REYNARD THE FOX
THE WIDOW OF WESTMORLAND
THE BEGGARS SONG
CLAUDY BANKS

If anyones got any info regarding these I would be v. grateful. my email is [e-mail] Cheers!!

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07 Dec 01 - 11:39 AM (#605752)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: traditional versions of fairport lyr
From: Wolfgang

Andy,

obviously the best place for the first question are The Tam Lin pages which give not just 'the', but several traditional versions.

Wolfgang

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07 Dec 01 - 12:41 PM (#605785)
Subject: ADD Version: CLAUDY BANKS
From: GUEST,JohnB

Claudy Banks From an Earlier Mudcat Thread on Claudy Banks, I thought this version sounded trad. Try Child or Bronson for some of the others.

I got this version of Claudy Banks from the great Fred Jordan. The Coppers also sang a similar version. The Young Tradition were probably restricted by time and space when they recorded the shortened version, which is in the DT.

CLAUDY BANKS

'Twas on one summer's evening all in the month of May.
Down by a flowery garden I pensively did stray,
I overheard a fair maid in sorrow to complain,
All for her absent lover who ploughed the raging main.

I stepped up to this fair maid; I took her by surprise,
I own she did not know me I being all in disguise,
I said, "My charming creature, my joy and my delight,
How far have you to travel this dark and rainy night."

"It's to the banks of Claudy, kind sir, I'd have you show,
Take pity on a poor maid who knows not where to go,
I'm looking for a young man; Johnnie is his name,
And it's on the banks of Claudy I'm told he does remain."

"These are the banks of Claudy," I said, "Whereon you stand,
But do not trust your Johnnie for he's a false young man,
Oh do not trust your Johnnie for you'll not find him here,
But tarry with me in yon green wood no danger need you fear."

"If my Johnnie he was here this night he'd keep me from all harm,
But he's in the field of battle and he wears a uniform.
He's in the field of battle and his foes he will destroy,
Just like the king of honour all on the walls of Troy."

" 'Tis six long months or better since Johnnie left this shore,
A-cruising the wild ocean where the foaming billows roar,
A-cruising the wild ocean for honour and for gain,
But I'm told his ship was wrecked nigh to the coast of Spain."

Well when she heard this dreadful news she fell in deep despair,
A-wringing of her hands and a-tearing of her hair.
"If my Johnnie he is drownd-ed no man on earth I'll take,
But I'll wander through some valley so lonesome for his sake."

Well when Johnnie he heard her say so he could no longer stand,
He fell into her arms crying, "Betsy I'm that man,
I am that faithful young man and whom you thought was slain,
And since we've met on the Claudy's banks we'll never part again.

Good Luck JohnB

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07 Dec 01 - 01:04 PM (#605801)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: traditional versions of fairport lyr
From: GUEST,Hester

Try www.contemplator.com/folk.html

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07 Dec 01 - 04:07 PM (#605915)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: traditional versions of fairport lyr
From: Phil Cooper

I my opinion Fairport has adapted traditional lyrics/tunes to fit their style very well. Dave Pegg's setting of "Polly on the Shore" makes for an effective arrangement (I would steer you towards Martin Carthy, Martin Simpson's or Shirley Collin's versions for their tune variant). In Chicago, the Midnight Special host, Rich Warren, once played Fairport's version of Tam Linn and Michael Cooney's full version together. While Fairport had done a "Reader's Digest" to the lyrics, they kept the spirit of the song without dumbing it down. It takes a singer of great skill, like Michael Cooney, to pull off singing the long version and carry it off.

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07 Dec 01 - 06:17 PM (#605987)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: traditional versions of fairport lyr
From: Susan of DT

Andy - Most of these lyrics are here in the Digital Tradition database. Use the blue search box - enter a word or phrase.

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