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28 Apr 03 - 02:43 PM (#942071) Subject: Nautical phrase 'Lowland maids' From: radriano Is the phrase "Lowland maids" traditional? There are quite a few songs that mention "sailing to the Lowlands" but does "Lowlands" refer to any particular country? There's a version of "Lowlands Away" in F. Tozer's book, "Sailors' Songs or 'Chanties', 1910" that includes the phrase "Lowland maids" and then "Lowland men". I have not seen this phrasing in other versions of "Lowlands Away." I'm refering to the shanty that starts off with: I dreamt a dream the other night Lowlands, lowlands away, my John I dreamt I saw my own true love My Lowlands away |
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28 Apr 03 - 04:04 PM (#942129) Subject: RE: Nautical phrase 'Lowland maids' From: Padre 'Lowlands' often referred to Holland. There is an old song with the line 'The Lowlands of Holland.' It could also refer to the countries along the Baltic or the North Sea (Germany/Poland) |
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28 Apr 03 - 04:06 PM (#942130) Subject: RE: Nautical phrase 'Lowland maids' From: GUEST,lighter The "Lowlands" most likely refers historically to Holland (aka the Netherlands), one of the "Low Countries," but the song "The Lowlands of Holland" seems to refer instead to the Dutch East Indies ("where the sugar can is plentiful, and tea grows on each tree," in Paddy Tunney's version). Other songs mention the "old Viginia lowlands" and the "Lowland Sea" (near Holland, maybe). Then there's the fiddle tune, "Billy in the [unidentified] Lowlands" (or Low Ground). Davis & Tozer evidently prettified and rewrote many of their shanties. They may be entirely responsible for the "maids." |
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28 Apr 03 - 04:07 PM (#942131) Subject: RE: Nautical phrase 'Lowland maids' From: MMario I've been told that the Atlantic coast along the Sea Islands of Georgia were also known as the "low country" |
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28 Apr 03 - 05:19 PM (#942193) Subject: RE: Nautical phrase 'Lowland maids' From: radriano Yes, GUEST,lighter, I've also heard that the Davis & Tozer collection contained some "prettified" shanties. Their version of "Lowlands Away" may be one of those. And I can't think of any other shanties that contain the phrase "Lowland maids" or "Lowland men." |