|
08 Oct 03 - 11:35 PM (#1032177) Subject: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: GUEST,Wes F. Can someone help me with this? A friend of mine is INSISTING that there's a song out there, most probably of Scottish origin, called "The Bonepicker's Song" or "The Bonepickers", but I've never been able to find it. He says that it's about these people who go to battlefields after the fighting and pick up the bones of dead English soldiers, grind them up, and sell the bone dust back to English gentlemen to be used in powdering their wigs. The story intrigued me so much that I've exsausted myself trying to find this song, to no avail. Please help if anyone knows of a site where it could be found. There should be one out there I've missed! ;-) Thanks so much, Wes F. |
|
09 Oct 03 - 01:29 AM (#1032231) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: mack/misophist In George III's time, soldiers had a flour ration for wig powdering. Gentlemen usually did it with scented talc, I believe. It's an interesting idea, but it seems like too much work for too little return. Maybe they sold the bones to medical schools? |
|
09 Oct 03 - 05:28 AM (#1032277) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: Gurney If there were only skeletons left, how did anyone know what nationality they were? Most bodies rotted away naked by the time the ghouls and looters had finished with them, always providing that the victors didn't allow camp-followers to collect their dead. And what kind of person would write a song like that? What kind of person would want a song like that! Let him find it himself, Wes. |
|
09 Oct 03 - 08:39 AM (#1032353) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: Malcolm Douglas Perhaps your friend is pulling your leg, or someone has been pulling his. It's not impossible that such a song exists, but it does seem rather unlikely; unless it's a modern piece, of course, perhaps not widely-known. The Bodleian site is down just at present, but I'll have a look later on the offchance. Meanwhile, my suspicion would be that someone has half-remembered, and quite misunderstood, Richard Thompson's song Sam Jones. |
|
09 Oct 03 - 11:49 AM (#1032463) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: cattattoo "And what kind of person would write a song like that?" Apparently, someone who was opposed to British occupation in Scotland. It would have to be a satirical song, of course. I just liked the story and wanted to find it. Incidently, my friend and I are part of an historical re-enactment group depicting Scottish, Irish, and English Jacobites in the 18th century. Just wanted to let you know "what kind of person would want that song". Cheers, Wes |
|
09 Oct 03 - 11:53 AM (#1032465) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: cattattoo "Meanwhile, my suspicion would be that someone has half-remembered, and quite misunderstood, Richard Thompson's song Sam Jones." Quite possible. Some one may be having a spot of fun with him, but it's still a cool story. I checked out "Sam Jones", by the way, and it looks like a good song too. Thanks! :-) Wes |
|
09 Oct 03 - 12:04 PM (#1032472) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'The Bonepicker's Song'? From: cattattoo I know that talc was used by gentlemen and flour by soldiers, and the point wouldn't be to make money by actually cleaning and grinding bones to sell to wig owners for a profit. It would've been about having the last laugh, knowing that they had gotten over on "the Man" . I don't doubt that it's just a humorous song of the time, a 'what if' kind of song. This humor just happens to be rather dark. Wes |