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Andy's Gone With Cattle

22 Jun 04 - 06:50 PM (#1212484)
Subject: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Franz S.

I'm browsing Utah Phillips' Loafer's Glory program #55, "Down Under". He says he doesn't know who is singing the recording he plays of "Andy's Gone With Cattle". The only recording I could find reference to on the Net is Priscilla Herdman's 1977 one on her Water Lily album. Since I don't have the album I can't compare. The voice on the Loafer's Glory recording is female, and has that accent that is not American but may not be English (Irish? Aussie?). As nearly as I can tell, the instrumentation of the Loafer's Glory version is not incompatible with what I know about the Priscilla Herdman recording.

So my question is: Is the recording played on the Loafer's Glory program that of Priscilla Herdman? And if not, who is it?

I thank you for your kind attention.


22 Jun 04 - 07:57 PM (#1212543)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: mg

Couldn't tell you but she is the most wonderful singer and that is the most wonderful song -- I think it is one of the all time great love songs. She put a lot of tunes to H. Lawson's words...I can't say for sure on that one though. mg


22 Jun 04 - 07:57 PM (#1212545)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: mg

Oops. Wrong song. I was thinking of the Drover's Sweetheart. But Andy's Gone for Cattle is also very nice. But not as wonderful I don't think. mg


22 Jun 04 - 11:25 PM (#1212635)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Franz S (& mary garvey),

Andy's Gone With Cattle is one Henry Lawson poem that was collected with its own long-established traditional tune - so I think it unlikely that someone like Priscilla Herdman would compose a new one ... assuming that is who sings in this instance. I think I have the cassette version of the Water Lily album - at home - so I'll have a quick listen when I go home.

I do know of several Australian women who have recorded this song ... but Priscilla Herdman sounds more likely on your Utah Phillips program. When you say are "browsing" the "Down Under" program - is that on-line ... or simply on some recording you have?

Regards,

Bob Bolton


23 Jun 04 - 12:15 AM (#1212649)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Padre

Rock Creek recorded the song on its privately released cassette done about 1980.

Padre


23 Jun 04 - 06:37 AM (#1212755)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: JennieG

Lawson also wrote another poem, "Andy's Return" - my choir sings the two together as a medley.

Cheers
JennieG


23 Jun 04 - 08:24 AM (#1212805)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Bob Bolton

G'day again Franz S,

I've checked my Priscilla Herdman Cassette ... and she does use the 'traditional' tune (as reported by folklorist John Manifold " ... the one I learned as a boy (c. 1930?) and published in the Bandicoot Ballads (c. 1951)". Her version is a little brisker than I'm used to ... maybe a matter of climate? ... and varies in internal rhythms - but pretty well Manifold's 'trad' tune.

That doesn't help you much in identifying the singer ... I guess that, to me, Priscilla doesn't sound "typically American" - her North-east ... verging into Canada accent might be taken as "... not American but may not be English ..." if not exactly: " ...(Irish? Aussie?)".

Nice song anyway - good luck sorting out who sings it on Utah Phillips' program.

JennieG: What tune does your choir use for Andy's Return?. The c. 1966 Bush Music Club LP Songs from Lawson used what was euphemistically described as " ... one of their favourite tunes ... " - The Ball of Kerriemuir!

Regards,

Bob Bolton


23 Jun 04 - 08:38 AM (#1212817)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: JennyO

I've found two other women mentioned as having recorded this:

Shirley Power

and Jean Redpath

Could it be one of these?


23 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM (#1212885)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Franz S.

Thanks for the info, folks. Bob, I have all 100 of the Loafer's Glory programs, and I'm about halfway through making a playlist (database) for each program. Each program has about 20-25 items, classified as story, song, comment, or poem, and for each I'm trying to provide a title, origin (author, etc.), performer, and approximate time (from start of program and running). It has been great fun reviewing the programs, and most info, even when Phillips doesn't provide it, is pretty easy to find using Google and the online indices. Some, like this, is difficult. Phillips says the recording is on a tape that came to him out of the blue, and it would require someone being familiar with both the program recording and all the available recordings. I have the program but not the Herdman or other things for comparison. Just thought I'd give it a shot, and I always learn a lot even if my questions are not fully answered.


23 Jun 04 - 11:35 AM (#1212933)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Backstage Manager(inactive)

I know, for a fact, that Utah Phillips is very familar with Priscilla Herdman and with her recording of "Andy's Gone With Cattle." So, if he doesn't identify the singer from a tape that came to him out of the blue, I'd be pretty certain that it's not Priscilla.


23 Jun 04 - 01:04 PM (#1212990)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Franz S.

JennyO, thanks for the references. I'm checking both of them (and contributing to the economy at the same time).


23 Jun 04 - 02:29 PM (#1213046)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Zhenya

It was also sung by Ann Mayo Muir on the Bok/Trickett/Muir album "A Water Over Stone."


08 Jul 04 - 11:55 PM (#1221872)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Franz S.

THanks to all of you. I haven't nailed down the recording that was played, but I have heard and will hear often some wonderful music. None of the recordings match Phillips' broadcast, but they're great discoveries for me nonetheless.   So I think I'l l just let the mystery be.


04 Nov 06 - 11:56 PM (#1876481)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST

what the hell is the meaning of this poem...i am doing an assignment and i cant find the meaning anywhere...so can you help?


05 Nov 06 - 12:18 AM (#1876488)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: The Fooles Troupe

Looks like you'll probably fail if your english comphrension skills are that poor then... this is poetry as simple as it gets...

"Andy, a well loved family member has tried to earn some money by working as a drover raking cattle to market. His family and friends miss him. "

The above opinion of this poem is mine and Copyright, so you better not use it without written permission AND ATTRIBUTION!!!

I'm sure your teacher will find this by Googling! :-)

There is also another famous follow up poem where a letter is received from him.


05 Nov 06 - 12:38 AM (#1876495)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: freda underhill

Here is a link to a version sung by Bernadette Robinson

Andy's Gone with Cattle


05 Nov 06 - 05:46 AM (#1876565)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST

This song was also recorded by Martyn Wyndham Read on an early album entitled appropriately 'Andy's Gone'. Released on the Broadside label in 1979, but no longer available. Martyn of course specialises in Australian songs of this ilk.

Also recorded by Eddie Murphy singing with the wonderful Salmontails in 1980. Their LP is now highly collectible.


05 Nov 06 - 09:22 AM (#1876657)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Dave Sutherland

I first heard it sung by the late Red Sullivan back in 1968 although I don't know if he ever recorded it. I always thought that considering all the tasks that Andy is expected to do around the place he isn't so daft to bugger off (lol). You can have that one GUEST


05 Nov 06 - 10:18 AM (#1876676)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Uncle Phil

There is also a nice version by a female singer on the Overlanders, the first of Ted Egan's Faces of Australia series. The accompanying songbook credits the music they used to John Manifold.
- Phil


05 Nov 06 - 02:47 PM (#1876873)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Larkin

I've sung it myself for years but   I think the lyrics are And may the rain (showers) in torrents fall and all the tanks run over.

not

Oh may the showers in tomorrow fall
And all the tanks run over

What a gorgeous song

larkin


05 Nov 06 - 06:37 PM (#1877036)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: The Fooles Troupe

And now GUEST has let the ilks loose in this thread....


05 Nov 06 - 07:27 PM (#1877066)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: gnomad

Martyn has also released this one on the Emu Plains recording [dunno whether he re-recorded or used the old one] definitely "torrents" in his version.

Lovely track, but I suspect MWR could make the phone book sound good too.


06 Nov 06 - 05:13 AM (#1877274)
Subject: Lyr Add: ANDY'S RETURN (Henry Lawson)
From: Hrothgar

Andy's Return
1888
Henry Lawson


With pannikins all rusty,
    And billy burnt and black,
And clothes all torn and dusty,
    That scarcely hide his back;
With sun-cracked saddle-leather,
    And knotted greenhide rein,
And face burnt brown with weather,
    Our Andy's home again!

His unkempt hair is faded
    With sleeping in the wet,
He's looking old and jaded;
    But he is hearty yet.
With eyes sunk in their sockets—
    But merry as of yore;
With big cheques in his pockets,
    Our Andy's home once more!

Old Uncle's bright and cheerful;
    He wears a smiling face;
And Aunty's never tearful
    Now Andy's round the place.
Old Blucher barks for gladness;
    He broke his rusty chain,
And leapt in joyous madness
    When Andy came again.

With tales of flood and famine,
    On distant northern tracks,
And shady yarns—'baal gammon!'
    Of dealings with the blacks,
From where the skies hang lazy
    On many a northern plain,
From regions dim and hazy
    Our Andy's home again!

His toil is nearly over;
    He'll soon enjoy his gains.
Not long he'll be a drover,
    And cross the lonely plains.
We'll happy be for ever
    When he'll no longer roam,
But by some deep, cool river
    Will make us all a home.


06 Nov 06 - 07:21 AM (#1877329)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Howard Jones

I don't have it to hand, but I'm fairly sure that the version on the BBC's "Folk on Friday" album (dating from the late 1960s) was by Red Sullivan.


06 Nov 06 - 09:55 PM (#1877964)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Bob Bolton

G'day GUEST (of 04 Nov 06 - 11:56 PM),

If you are having trouble with some of the Australian vernacular terms in the text, there is a glossary of Australian terms in the the Mudcat's "Quick Links" at the top of the page. One 'click' down in the drop box it turns up as "Aussie Glossary" and was compiled keeping in mind that people might like to know what the heck we were all singing about!

Regards (errr... good luck with the assignment!),

Bob


13 Feb 20 - 07:23 PM (#4034125)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,hannah ma

I heard Jean Redpath's version first and still like it best. The words are slightly changed and there is an extra verse:
Auntie's growing thin and white
And Uncle's cross with worry:
Poor old Blucher howls all night
Since Andy left MacQuarrie.

It's available on Google music on the album "Summer of My Dreams".
Redpath was a Scot, and a wonderful singer.


13 Feb 20 - 09:14 PM (#4034135)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Bruce D

There are a ton of recordings of the Henry Lawson Poem "Ändy's Gone With Cattle"

Its proberly one of the most recorded poems of Henry Lawson because its simple to put to music.


Lawson re-wrote the poem a number of times, with Ruddick books on Henry Lawson listing most of the variations.

These is a second poem by Henry Lawson as a follow up called "Andy's Return", which has been also recorded by a lot of Artists.

I do have copies of all the variations to "Ändy's Gone With Cattle" as published by Ruddick, but to find it, I'll have to dig the book out of the back of the caravan.


Bruce D


13 Feb 20 - 10:43 PM (#4034142)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,Gerry

The Loafer's Glory programs are available for listening and download here. Andy's Gone With Cattle starts in at about 30:30, and you can skip directly to it. I'm sure that's not Priscilla Herdman, it doesn't sound at all like she does on Water Lily or any other album. It's the same tune Herdman uses. Phillips attributes the tune to Slim Dusty, but I think he was mistaken. Bob Bolton, upthread, and Chris Kempster, in The Songs of Henry Lawson, both write that the tune is trad, collected by John Manifold.


14 Feb 20 - 06:21 AM (#4034179)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,Henry Piper (of Ottery)

Re Hannahs post above. "Bluchers" were a brand of stout waterproof boots much favoured by"Swagmen" and outback workers generally, …..not sure how they would Howl !!!!!


14 Feb 20 - 06:48 AM (#4034182)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: The Doctor

I have two recordings by women, Phyl Vinnicombe on Bullockies, Bushwackers & Booze, and Margaret Monks on Folksongs of Australia (Denis Gibbons). I also have Redd Sullivan singing it on the Folk on Friday LP.


14 Feb 20 - 12:58 PM (#4034232)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Bill D

As noted, a number of folks have recorded the song. I also have Gerry Hallom's version.
"Gerry Hallom sang Andy's Gone With Cattle in 1981 on his Fellside album Travellin' Down the Castlereagh. This track was also included in 1996 on his anthology CD Undiscovered Australia."

Having heard various people sing it, I have a strong objection to it being sung mechanically in a sprightly waltz tempo. Gerry Hallom and Jean Redpath, in my opinion, do it 'right'.


14 Feb 20 - 05:44 PM (#4034291)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Helen

Here is the version by
Priscilla Herdman on her Water Lily album.

Or the version by
Ann Mayo Muir


14 Feb 20 - 08:31 PM (#4034330)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Hagman

Lots of really good background here, as usual, from Reinhard https://mainlynorfolk.info/wyndham-read/songs/andysgonewithcattle.html


14 Feb 20 - 10:15 PM (#4034334)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Reinhard

From Jean Redpath's album notes:

Blucher - a name commonly given to blue cattle dogs because as pups they often slept in their owners' Blucher boots


14 Feb 20 - 10:21 PM (#4034335)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,Gerry

Henry Piper, just because Blucher is a kind of boot doesn't mean it can't also be a dog's name.

Doctor, Phyl Vinnicombe has been going by Phyl Lobl for many years now.


14 Feb 20 - 10:30 PM (#4034336)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Bruce D

In this case "Blucher" is a dog (line 23).

Most likely howling because of nearby dingos.


15 Feb 20 - 05:11 AM (#4034353)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,akenaton

Well Blucher is obviously a dog in the context of the song, but it's sad that so few comment on Lawson's overriding theme in most of his writing.
A regret for the passing of a way of life, the people it produced, their fallibility and their moral strength.


15 Feb 20 - 09:23 AM (#4034390)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey

Probably got sod all to do with this thread But!

I have been in North Queensland for the last couple of weeks and while driving down from Cairns to Townsville actually passed three people on horseback driving cattle - presumably changing pastures.

Hope springs eternal!

Please don't get me going on green issues - especially regards Oz.


15 Feb 20 - 09:49 AM (#4034397)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: gillymor

Eilis Kennedy did a lovely version with William Coulter on gtr.

Andy's Gone

This version can also be heard on her excellent "Time to Sail" CD.


15 Feb 20 - 03:45 PM (#4034455)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Helen

The tune reminds me of another older song and I can't for the life of me remember what it is or even any of the lyrics.

I can't even get a fix on whether it is a British Isles trad song or whether it is a light classical song or anything.

Please someone help me to eject this earworm. It has been bugging me for a couple of days.


15 Feb 20 - 03:53 PM (#4034456)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: gillymor

Hey Helen,

The beginning sounds a little like Sweet Thames Flow Softly to me.


15 Feb 20 - 06:53 PM (#4034473)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Helen

Thanks Mr g, I can hear a bit of similarity but the other tune which is just out of reach of my conscious brain is a really familiar old tune, and maybe even a Christmas carol.

And to make it even more difficult, it's like a B part which isn't in the versions linked to here but which would follow on from the Andy tune and fit well with it.

If only my silly old brain could latch onto some of the lyrics.


16 Feb 20 - 09:04 PM (#4034542)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Helen

I finally worked it out. The melody of Andy's GWC reminds me of the Christmas carol, O Christmas Tree/O Tannenbaum.

I kept hearing the part where the melody goes up but it has taken me a couple of days to finally identify the tune.

This is what I kept hearing in my head as a kind of melody break which isn't actually in Andy's GWC but the rest of the Tannenbaum melody seems similar to the Andy song - well, it does to me, anyway.

X:1
T:Mystery earworm
C:Unknown
M:6/8
K:D
L:1/4
Q:1/4=180
AAF c3|BBA A3|AAF d3|ccB B3|


16 Feb 20 - 11:12 PM (#4034552)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: GUEST,Gerry

I wonder whether I could get away with singing Andy to the tune of Tannenbaum at the next meeting of our folk club....


16 Feb 20 - 11:27 PM (#4034554)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Helen

Yeah why not give it a go. See how long it takes for anyone to notice.

Or just throw in the high bit at random.


17 Feb 20 - 09:38 AM (#4034604)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Sandra in Sydney

gerry, you're booked!


17 Feb 20 - 03:10 PM (#4034673)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: Helen

Well I honestly thought you guys would tell me I was imagining the similarity to O Tannenbaum.

Gerry, if you do perform Andy's GWC to that tune I'd like to see the video clip. Especially if there is footage of the confused looks on the faces of the audience. LOL


23 Mar 20 - 02:48 PM (#4041621)
Subject: RE: Andy's Gone With Cattle
From: The Sandman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5w75f_Lz_A