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Tune Req: needlecases

14 Sep 02 - 08:08 AM (#783746)
Subject: needlecases
From: GUEST,tim.glen@virgin.net

Anyone got the words and tune for "needlecases"? Thanks len

14 Sep 02 - 10:00 AM (#783768)
Subject: RE: needlecases
From: Sorcha

Could you give us a bit more info? Who, when, where, lyric snippet, etc.

14 Sep 02 - 04:37 PM (#783988)
Subject: RE: needlecases
From: Ebbie

We do a tune called 'Etui' (sp?). Could that be it? I've never heard of any lyrics for it, though.

14 Sep 02 - 04:44 PM (#783995)
Subject: ADD: needlecases
From: IanC

from the singing of Bob Arnold

I'm a poor wand'ring sailor, my name it is Jack
My clothes are all tattered and scarce hang on my back
My belly 'tis empty and my feet they are sore
Won't you buy a case of needles from Jack that's so poor

ch.
Needlecases won't you buy one
Oh you'll buy one I'm sure
You'll buy a case of needles
From Jack that's so poor

I once was a farmer, I followed the plough
Don't think I'm a charmer, just look at me now
All tattered in rags from the bottom to top
Don't think that I'm a poor silly wandering rag shop

Once I had a table all lined with good food
For eating and drinking of all that is good
But now I've no table, no things and all that
I'm forced to get a crust with the crown of my hat

Now since you'll not buy one, I find I must leave
To leave such good company it does my heart grieve
It does my heart grieve, but if I should come back
Will you buy a case of needles from poor wandering Jack?

As far as I know this is a post Napoleonic war begging song. Times were hard (see "The Hard Times of Old England") and the soldiers and sailors returning home from war only made things much harder.

:-)
Ian

14 Sep 02 - 05:03 PM (#784013)
Subject: RE: needlecases
From: Malcolm Douglas

Another version, also from Oxfordshire, appears in Peter Kennedy's Folksongs of Britain and Ireland. There is also an American old time tune, Needlecase or Needle in the Case, which is perhaps related. You can find notation for that via J C's Tunefinder; search for needle.

14 Sep 02 - 05:25 PM (#784029)
Subject: RE: needlecases
From: GUEST,Al

I know a fiddle tune called "needle case", but no words. Al