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Origin: Scarlet Ribbons

28 Feb 98 - 02:18 PM (#22545)
Subject: Scarlet Ribbons
From: rdea@seark.net

Anyone know the origin or story behind song? All I can find is "traditional."

28 Feb 98 - 06:13 PM (#22570)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Alice

When I saw this thread title, I thought, "no sweat, I know these lyrics by heart".... but when I saw you wanted the writer, I had to dig through the trunk of notebooks and file folders to find my copy of the music. It is not traditional. The lyrics are by Jack Segal, music by Evelyn Danzig, copyright 1949 by Mills Music, Inc. The singer I most associate this with is Bing Crosby.

Alice, in montana

01 Mar 98 - 12:51 PM (#22626)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: rdea@seark.net

Hi Alice in Montana and thanks! I've been wondering about this for a long time. I am really surprised that the date is 1949. Thought it would be a lot older! I think I read somewhere that Harry Belafonte was the first to record it...not sure. To me it is one of the sweetest, saddest songs. Can hardly sing it without tears. My sister raised her girls on this song and at Christmas time , a beautiful arrangement of scarlet ribbons are found under their pillows though they may be hundreds of miles away. In song, Rebecca

01 Mar 98 - 12:58 PM (#22627)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Reid (Faded Denim)

Alice and Rebecca I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who loves this song. I always sing it with heartfelt emotion, soft and gentle, and I can always count on some tears from my audience (and sometimes from me too). It's a great song that I learned from an old Harry B. record. Thanks for the origin notes. Reid

01 Mar 98 - 01:54 PM (#22630)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Bruce O.

According to 'Pop Memories' Jo Stafford's rendition made it to #14 on the hit parade in Jan., 1950, and Harry Belafonte's to #30 in Dec. 1952.

01 Mar 98 - 05:25 PM (#22646)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Alice

I must have seen a movie with Bing singing this song, (or else my memory is playing tricks on me), anyone know if he did? I have a website bookmarked on Bing Crosby, but this is not on the list of songs. Just seems like one of the sweet sentimental types that he would sing. alice

01 Mar 98 - 06:42 PM (#22657)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Joe Offer

Well, Alice, I couldn't find a Der Bingel recording of "Scarlet Ribbons." I searched CD Now, and found albums with the song from the following artists: Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, Brothers Four, Jim Ed Brown & The Browns, Alasdiar Gillies, Kingston Trio, John Macnally, Tommy Makem, Men They Couldn't Hang, Nrbq, Sinead O'Connor, Patti Page, Jo Stafford, Lawrence Welk, Roger Whittaker, Glenn Yarbrough. Hmmm...many are from performers that the unwashed among us would call "folk"....does that mean it's a folk song?
-Joe Offer, feeling incorrigible today-

01 Mar 98 - 07:00 PM (#22662)
Subject: Lyr Add: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF SLEEP
From: Alice

Who knows, Joe, maybe my brain is just getting old. I could have gotten it mixed up with this one.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS INSTEAD OF SLEEP
(Irving Berlin)

Both Bing and Rosemary Clooney had hit versions of this song from their 1954 movie White Christmas. Bing's recording was made May 4, 1954, accompanied by the Joseph Lilly Orchestra. It hit the Billboard charts in December for 3 weeks, peaking at No. 27. "Count Your Blessings" was the 11th song introduced by Bing to be nominated for an Academy Award.

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

My apologies for posting a non-trad. You must admit, the tunes for Scarlet Ribbons and Count Your Blessings are similar. alice

16 Jul 98 - 10:34 PM (#32743)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From:

16 Jul 98 - 10:39 PM (#32744)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: mk

I had a record of Harry Belefonte that included "scarlet Ribbons" but it is no longer with me. I wish I could find another record-CD or whatever. Anyone know a source? My copy was on RCA label. Murray

17 Jul 98 - 01:07 AM (#32759)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Alice

Murray, just refer to the list from CD Now (order on the internet) that Joe Offer posted on this thread back in March. alice

17 Jul 98 - 12:45 PM (#32780)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: dick greenhaus

I don't know if any musicologists noticed, but the tune for Scarlet Ribbons is a simple modal variant of the popular tune for "The Grey Silkie".

17 Jul 98 - 08:32 PM (#32807)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: Barbara

Hey, cool, Dick. I think. You're right, and you've either improved Scarlett Ribbons or spoiled the Grey Silkie for me. (grin). Barbara

17 Jul 98 - 09:34 PM (#32812)
Subject: RE: Scarlet Ribbons
From: rich r

Joe,

You forgot to list The Kingston Trio , another one of those "folk " groups, as having recorded the song. The Great Silkie, hmmmm, what kind of a medley would that make? Getting pretty far off the track, The Secret of Roan Innish is an entertaining movie that features silkies.

rich r