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Lyr Add: Lang a-Growing

27 Sep 98 - 02:17 PM (#39641)
Subject: Lyr Add: LANG A-GROWING
From: mcmud

This is a song that I've carried around in my head for twenty-odd years. I can't find it in the database, although I might not have searched the critical phrase. Can anyone out there tell me the title and the origin of the tune? Thanks.

Verses

The trees they are ivied, the leaves, they are green
The times they are a-past, that we hae seen
In the lang winter's [night] tis I [who] must lie alain
For ma bonnie lad is lang lang a-growin

Oh father dear father, you have done me muckle [mother?] wrong
For ye hae wedded me to a lad that's sore young
For he is but twelve, and I am thirteen
And ma bonnie lad is lang lang a-growin

Oh father dear father and if it pleases you
I'll cut ma lang hair upon my brow
And vest coat and [breeches?] I'll gladly put on
And I to the school will gang with him

Oh father dear father, if you think it will fit
We'll send him to the school for a year or [two] yet
And I'll tie a green ribbon around about his bonnet
And that'll be a token that he's married

And in his twelth year he was a married man
And in his thirteenth he had gotten her a son
And in his fourteenth, his grave it grew green
And that put an end tae his growin

27 Sep 98 - 02:36 PM (#39642)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Susan of DT

It is variously called Daily Growing or Trees they do Grow High or Bonny Boy is Daily Growing or Lang A-growing. I was surprised to see we have only one version in the database.

muckle (much) is correct. The age difference is usually greater - "I'm twice twelve and he is but fourteen"

27 Sep 98 - 02:49 PM (#39645)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: mcmud

Neat. Thanks, Susan. Hedy West, I believe, sang this tune on a folk collection that I listened to decades ago. I was never able to relocate the recording, but the verse stuck with me.

28 Sep 98 - 04:36 AM (#39698)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Zorro

Joan Baez does this on one of her earlier albums. And I believe it's in one of her song books. I believe it is one of the Child ballads.

28 Sep 98 - 06:36 PM (#39770)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Kiwi

I've also heard this song done by a group known as Golden Bough. In fact, it's the only version I've heard all the way through. Anybody have a favorite version to recommend to me?

Slán, Kyra

28 Sep 98 - 06:49 PM (#39771)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Susan of DT

Zorro - Child missed this one.
I mention Baez, Repath, and Sara Cleveland in the DT. The first tune sounds like Baez and the second Redpath, if I remember correctly. I don't recognize the third at all.

08 Oct 98 - 07:25 PM (#40951)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Briain

10/08/98 There are fine versions by Joe Heaney and also Sean ac'Dhonnacha "An Spa/ilpi/n Fanach". Domonic Behan Has a version in "Ireland Sings"

09 Oct 98 - 06:20 AM (#41034)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Graeme

There is also a version sung by Pentangle - can't remember which album, but I'll find out if you're interested.

G

09 Oct 98 - 06:26 PM (#41075)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Ewan McV

The words are clearly a Scots set of the very widely known song, close to one sung in the late 50s and early 60s of the Folk Revival in Scotland, except for the third verse which has I suspect wandered in from another text. I cannot put a name to the 'original' singer who brought this version into use, but I'll consult a few books and see what turns up.

10 Oct 98 - 04:11 PM (#41154)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: JB3

There's a lovely version in Cecil Sharpe's 100 English Folksongs published by Dover, with piano arrangement.

11 Oct 98 - 04:26 AM (#41199)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Ewan McV

I've been inclining to the view that the text at the top of this thread came into the Scottish Folk Revival through the singing of Jeannie Robertson, but cannot confirm it.
The only relevant version to come to hand is a shorter one, titled The College Boy, printed by Buchan and Hall in The Scottish Folksinger, and credited to Jeannie's daughter Lizzie Higgins.
Their note says that Maidment said the original 'college boy' was the youing Laird of Craigstoun.' they also comment of course that 'there are numerous Scottish and Irish versions'.

08 Oct 01 - 12:41 PM (#567455)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: GUEST,ncdtc.sunnystock@virgin.net

We have words and music to "The Trees They Do Grow High"

If still required - please reply!

08 Oct 01 - 12:56 PM (#567464)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Genie

There are some versions here, including my favorite verse about "never more complain o' his growing."

Click here

Genie

08 Oct 01 - 03:05 PM (#567557)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: Mrrzy

I like Joan Baez' version best but the Pentangle one has a verse for after the death, which leaves it a little bit more upbeat than others'...

08 Oct 01 - 03:38 PM (#567578)
Subject: RE: Name that tune?
From: dougboywonder

You might be interested to know that it was sung by the fantabulous Sarah Hayes (who is a staggering 14...) at last weeks young folk award semi-final concert. Her rendition was so powerful she'll no doubt be singing it again in London at the finals on 7th December - admission is free....