Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)

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Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)

14 Nov 98 - 11:42 AM (#45360)
Subject: Please help me find another set of lyrics:
From: Kathleen

If anyone has heard of a song with "When apples grow on a lilac tree", I would appreciate the lyrics to it. It is a song about a boy asking a girl for a kiss and she says she will allow it when apples grow on a lilac tree! Lo and behold her lilac bush appears with apples growing on them! A song from the 30's...Thanks for any help!

14 Nov 98 - 12:52 PM (#45366)
Subject: RE: When Apples Grow on the Lilac Trees
From: Joe Offer

Oh, this one is going to bug me. I know I've heard the song, but all I could find was ,this, which says that Mary Martin sang it at the age of five, which would make it about 1918.
This is frustrating! Somebody help!
-Joe Offer-

14 Nov 98 - 01:52 PM (#45369)
Subject: RE:
From: lesblank

My Grandmother used to sing this song every night before bedtime. That was over sixty years ago and I've forgotten the first line BUT:

... And I will give you just one kiss when apples grow on the lilac tree.
The boy felt very sad at heart - she was the only one!
The girl felt quite remorseful at the terrible wrong she had done.
So bright and early on the very next morn, he was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart standing in the garden tying apples on the lilac tree.

14 Nov 98 - 04:15 PM (#45376)
Subject: RE:
From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca

I think the line appears in various folk songs -- isn't it in the one that Marianne Faithful sang with the Chieftains? It may be a line like "As I rode out one fine summer/May morning" -- a building block used to construct many tunes.

14 Nov 98 - 06:14 PM (#45389)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LILAC AND THE APPLE (Kate Wolf)
From: Joe Offer

Well, I guess I haven't heard the requested song. This is the one I was thinking of. Good excuse for me to post this beautiful song.

THE LILAC AND THE APPLE
Words & Music by Kate Wolf
© 1977, Another Sundown Publishing Co. (BMI)

A Lilac bush and an Apple tree
Were standing in the woods
Out on the hill above the town,
Where once a farmhouse stood.
In the winter the leaves are bare
And no one sees the signs
Of a house that stood and a garden that grew
And life in another time.

One Spring when the buds came bursting forth
And grass grew on the land,
The Lilac spoke to the Apple tree
As only an old friend can.
Do you think, said the Lilac, this might be the year
When someone will build here once more?
Here by the cellar, still open and deep,
There's room for new walls and a floor.

Oh, no, said the Apple, there are so few
Who come here on the mountain this way
And when they do, they don't often see
Why we're growing here, so far away.
A long time ago we were planted by hands
That worked in the mines and the mills
When the country was young and the people who came
Built their homes in the hills.

But now there are cities, the roads have come
And no one lives here today
And the only signs of the farms in the hills
Are the things not carried away
Broken dishes, piles of boards,
A tin plate, an old leather shoe.
And an Apple tree still bending down
And a Lilac where a garden once grew.

This is a taste of the wonderful music you'll find on Kate Wolf's Gold in California collection. Just before she died in 1986, she selected her favorites for this collection.
-Joe Offer-

16 Nov 98 - 10:10 AM (#45606)
Subject: RE:
From: Hank

When I saw that title I couldn't help but think the next line has to be "on the big rock candy mountain" The meter is right, and it is the right nonsense more or less. Now if someone can write the rest of the verse.

17 Nov 98 - 01:59 AM (#45751)
Subject: When apples grow on a lilac tree
From: Charlie Baum

From the singing of Lisa Null, who used to sing the song a cappella in a version she learned at Camp Onaway in New Hampshire, circa 1953. She sang this version at the NOMAD Festival in Newtown, Conn. on Nov. 7th.:

{N.B. The "da da"s seem to be an a cappella fill in for what must have been a piano riff in the original.]
A little boy and a little girl in an ecstasy of bliss da da da da
Said the little boy to the little girl, "Pray give me just one kiss."
The girl drew back in great surprise. "You're a stranger, sir." said she.
"And I will give you just one kiss when the apples grow upon the lilac tree."

The boy was very sad at heart. She was the only one. da da da da
The girl was quite remorseful at the terrible wrong she had done.
So bright and early the very next morn he was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart standing in the garden, tying apples to the lilac tree.

--Charlie Baum

17 Nov 98 - 11:52 AM (#45799)
Subject: RE:
From: Kathleen

Wonderful...Thanks!

10 Feb 09 - 09:38 AM (#2562690)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST

Obviously, I'm late coming in on this conversation. This song was stuck in my head this morning and after reading all these e-mails, I realized I knew all the lyrics. It was the song that Mary Martin sang at age six. I performed it with a chorale group at St. Anne's school in Barrington, Illinois in 1959 when I was six years old . . . how very odd the things that we store in memory!

Mary Dawson

12 Feb 09 - 10:08 AM (#2564884)
Subject: Lyr Add: THE LILAC TREE (PERSPICACITY) (G Gartlan)
From: Jim Dixon

The sheet music can be seen at the National Library of Australia:
^^
THE LILAC TREE (PERSPICACITY)
Words and music by George H. Gartlan
New York: Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, Inc., 1920

A little boy and a little girl,
In an ecstacy of bliss,
Said the little boy to the little girl,
"Pray give me just one kiss."
The girl drew back in great surprise.
"You're a stranger, sir," said she,
"And I will give you just one kiss
When the apples grow on a lilac tree!"

The boy felt very sad at heart;
She was the only one.
The girl felt quite remorseful
At the terrible wrong she had done.
So bright and early on the very next morn,
He was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart standing in the garden
Tying apples on a lilac tree.

24 Feb 09 - 12:29 PM (#2574786)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,Biddy

Gosh On an off chance that I could find some thing about this song especially the music So I could give it to my grand daughter to sing
Look at all these memories I found. I am 68 now and I was taught this at school. We sang it at a concert in the primary school. The words in thee above message are as I remember them. >

24 Feb 09 - 05:14 PM (#2575020)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Stewart

And here's the tune.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

24 Feb 09 - 11:18 PM (#2575268)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Cruiser

I had not heard that neat song about apples growing on a lilac tree although I do remember a song by The Browns and later by Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s called You (I) Can't Grow Peaches on a Cherry Tree'

Stewart , that link did not work; is the link a midi?

25 Feb 09 - 03:39 PM (#2575793)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: VirginiaTam

My Mamma used to sing this to ma and I sang it to my girls.

26 Feb 09 - 07:34 AM (#2576273)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Suegorgeous

Sometimes apples grow on orange trees (or rather, don't) in these songs.

05 Mar 09 - 04:39 PM (#2582081)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Cruiser

From Dada The Music Movement

To play the 00:30 clip (by Doris Day) after following the link:

Click on the Pause Button (II). The music cue is paused when first opening the page.

Then click on the white 'Right Arrow' Button (>) that replaces the Pause button after first clicking that button.

When Apples Grow on the Lilac Tree Doris Day_30 sec Sound Clip

02 Apr 09 - 09:13 AM (#2603038)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,j.jumpup

The sheet music is listed at

http://www9.sheetmusicplus.com/store/shop_cart.html?command=showcart&add=yes&db=/store/db/inventory.db&cart=34476519022309693&sku=CV.2905

03 Apr 09 - 01:38 AM (#2603699)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,missingmynana

Thank goodness for Google. I was singing to my daughter the other night and reminiscing about how my Nana (grandmother) used to sing this very song to me and my sister. It was driving me crazy that I couldn't rememember the lyrics so I thought I'd google it. Well, here I am! Thanks to everyone who responded. The internet is a wonderful thing!

03 Apr 09 - 12:17 PM (#2603979)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Dave Roberts

Somewhere in the deepest, darkest recesses of my mind there lurk a few fragments of a song from the sixties, possible recorded by The New Christy Minstrels or another outfit of that ilk and called (I think) 'When Peaches Grow On Apple Trees'.
In it the singer details this horticultural phenomenon along with other highly unlikely occurrences as being more likely than his returning to his unfaithful lover once he has left.

Part of it went:

So wave, wave goodbye to me,
There's many a mountain I've yet to climb,
And anyone who waits for me
Will have to wait a long, long time...

'til peaches grow on apple trees...etc.....

There is also mention of 'when all the mighty oceans freeze', another unlikely occurrence.

This song may be a distant relation of the ones mentioned here.

Then again, it may not.

03 Apr 09 - 03:19 PM (#2604083)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Steve Gardham

There is a long tradition of this sort of imagery in trad song. It can be generally termed 'songs of marvels' or 'impossibilities'. The most common use is to state 'I will achieve a certain task when one or more of these impossibilities has been accomplished'
e.g.s
When fish fly (yes okay they can), rocks melt in the sun, tree grows in middle of sea, seas run dry, sun and moon meet in the sky (okay yes eclipses).

They often occur as promises in love songs either negatively or positively 'Then my love and I will be married', 'I will always prove true'

Sometimes they are riddles or just for amusement

Saw a hare chase a hound, saw a snail bite a dog, etc.

The same images can be found on seventeenth century broadsides and no doubt they are much earlier than this.

04 Apr 09 - 06:20 AM (#2604424)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Dave Roberts

Indeed. Come to think of it, 'Scarborough Fair' is another example of such a song.

04 Apr 09 - 04:40 PM (#2604717)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Cruiser

By several artists: The Browns, Nancy Sinatra, & Just Us (1966)

'I Can't Grow Peaches on a Cherry Tree'

I'd have tried to make you love me
I've done everything your way
And I'm trying for the words
You'll never say.

You think love has an illusion
It must end in sad inclusion
If that's what you feel
That's just how it will be.

Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
You can't grow peaches
On a cherry tree.

When I feel the peaches blossom
I'll regreat I said goodbye
I'll remember cherry kisses
And I'll cry.

But I can't go on pretending
That our love is never ending
For you can't be loved
Unless you want to be.

Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
And you can't grow peaches
On a cherry tree.

Someday I will find a new love
But for you that can be none love
For you can't be loved
Unless you want to be.

Doo, doo, doo, doo
Doo, doo, doo, doo
You can't grow peaches
On a cherry tree...

04 Apr 09 - 05:10 PM (#2604727)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: Cruiser

Two other groups sang 'I Can't Grow Peaches on a Cherry Tree'

'The Fleetwoods'

'Teddy Robin & The Playboys'

'Just Us' was the only group to chart with this song at #34 in 1966.

02 Jun 09 - 10:57 PM (#2647079)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,mel

My mom used to sing this song to me all the time 35 or so years ago and I could never remember all the lyrics. I just started singing it to myself today and decided to look it up.
The first line goes "Once there was a boy and there was a girl..who decided to ...?"
I am so delighted to have this forum to remember it with!!

Thanks ya'll!

03 Jun 09 - 02:00 AM (#2647115)
Subject: Lyr Add: THERE IS AN ALEHOUSE (Johnny Connors)
From: Jim Carroll

As others have pointed out,, the impossible motif appears in many traditional songs - this is one with similar motifs collected from Irish Travellers in the mid-seventies in London from the double CD 'From Puck to Appleby'.
Jim Carroll

3 - THERE IS AN ALEHOUSE
(Roud 60, Laws P25)
Singer 'Pop's' Johnny Connors

There is an alehouse all in Bray town,
Where my love Willie goes and sits down.
He will take a strange girl on his knee,
And he'll tell her things that he won't tell me.

For now I know, oh, the reason why,
Because that fair girl has more gold than I.
That her silver may melt, may her gold fly,
And she'll see the day she'll be as poor as I.

I wished, I wished, I wished in vain;
Sure I wish to God I was a fair maid again.
For that's a sight that I never might see,
Until apples grow 'pon an ivy tree.

I wished, T wished my babe was born,
And sitting on his daddy's knee.
Oh is that's the sight that I never might see
'til shamrocks grow 'pon a lilac tree.

This is usually known as Died For (or of) Love-The note to the versions collected for the BBC between 1952 and 1957 reads: 'As Sharp rightly observed, this is one of the most popu¬lar of English folk songs and it is one from which many fragmentations have been made, to survive as separate songs, some being difficult to identify, as several of the verses are commonplace... An American student version, supposed originally to have been collected in Cornwall, has been popularised as Tavern in the Town'.

We recorded There is an Alehouse on several occasions from travellers. 'Pop's' Johnny's text gives the reason for the girl's rejection as being 'lack of money', while others deal only with her being pregnant. We recorded a version of The Butcher Boy (Roud 409, Laws P24) from a young travelling woman, Bridie 'Dolly' Casey, which includes the first 'Alehouse', verse.

Ref. BBC Recordings of Folk Music and Folklore, Great Britain and Ireland, Section 1: Songs in English.
Other CDs: Jasper Smith, Amy Birch - Topic TSCD 661; Geoff Ling - Topic TSCD 660; May Bradley - Topic TSCD 662; Sarah Porter -MTCD309-10.

27 Oct 09 - 05:26 PM (#2753905)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST

hi there
I was trying to remember this song today along with lots of others my late granny used to sing to me and my dad before me. It made me cry reading the lyrics and listening to the tune, because I could hear her singing! thanks for everyone who posted.
Beth UK

02 Nov 09 - 12:56 PM (#2758028)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,Gues --for Kathleen

Hi,

There is a song by Patience and Prudence titled "Apples On the Lilac Tree" which may be what you are refering to.It is a wonderful song,and it is on YouTube.Go to Patience and Prudence and enter the title of the song to listen to it.Hope this helps ..Roy

Apples on the Lilac Tree
Sailboats in the sky
Stars are shining in the sea
You're the reason why

Apples on the Lilac Tree
Bluebells in the snow
Ringing out a laugh 'so dear'
I'm in love you know

Green Flamingos bend there knees
Dancing to a tune
Perfume floats along the breeze
And every month is June

When the magic moons of love
We will always be
Where the Golden Apples grow
On the Lilac Tree

Where the Weeping Willows laugh
There's a kangaroo
Shouting to a pink Giraffe
That "I'm in love" to you

When the magic moons of love
We will always be
Where the Golden Apples grow
On the Lilac Tree

02 Nov 09 - 01:12 PM (#2758039)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,For Kathleen

Song "Apples On The Lilac Tree" This link will take you to the song on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbzmkxTkhqo&feature=related Roy

02 Nov 09 - 02:48 PM (#2758109)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,guest john hartford

hi

I know it's not quite the same as the request but The Dublinners aficionados will know that one can't be a youth again " till apples grow on an ivy tree".

Song is called Love is Pleasing.

regards

John

26 Dec 09 - 02:56 PM (#2796823)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,Shirley Fritzler

I sang this song in high school (1952)

A little boy and a little girl, in an ecstasy of bliss.
Said the little boy to the little girl, pray give me one kiss.
The girl drew back in great surprise, you're a stranger said she,
and I will give you just one kiss, when apples grow on the lilac tree.

The boy felt very sad at heart, she was the only one,
The girl felt quite remorseful, at the terrible wrong she had done.
So bright and early on the very next morn, he was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart, standing in the garden,
Tying apples on the lilac tree.

26 Dec 09 - 08:46 PM (#2796999)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,999

There is a neat site (Google)

PDF] THE LILAC TREE

whereon is a picture of a newspaper ad for the song by George H Gartland.

The title is "The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity)"

It was in a trade paper for sheet music companies by the looks of it and the publication date was in 1921. They have a small box in which the company selling the sheet music to the song said:

"We have had orders and programs giving more different titles than Heinz has pickles."

A page worth reading for those interested in song histories.

26 Dec 09 - 08:54 PM (#2797004)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When Apples Grow on a Lilac Tree
From: GUEST,999

It is the site with this address:

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
THE LILAC TREE. (PERSPICACITY). By GEORGE H. GARTLAN. The boy felt very sad at heart, ... Tying apples on a lilac tree. •. Hinds, Hay den & Eldredge, Inc. ...
www.arcade-museum.com/mtr/MTR...72.../MTR-1921-72-24-27.pdf

17 Feb 10 - 06:10 PM (#2842394)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST,TEH

i'm singing this in choir, so here is the complete song:

A little boy and a little girl in an ecstasy of bliss
said the little boy to the little girl "pray give me just one kiss" the girl drew back in great surprise, 'you're a stranger sir!" said
and i will give you just one kiss
when the apples grow on a lilac tree
so bright and early on the very next morn he was quite surprised to see
his little sweetheart standing in the garden
tying apples on a lilac tree

hope i could help

20 Feb 10 - 04:08 AM (#2844819)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST

my mother played this song on the piano, from sheet music, in the early 1940s. my sister and i, along with our mother, would sing along.

20 Feb 10 - 09:59 AM (#2844998)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: MikeL2

Hi

I had not heard that song before, nor have I heard of apples growing on a lilac tree.

There is a line in Love Is Pleasing that says when apples grow on an Ivy tree.

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
I wish I was a youth again
But a youth again I can never be
Till apples grow on an ivy tree

I left me father, I left me mother
I left all my sisters and brothers too
I left all my friends and my own religion
I left them all for to follow you

And love is pleasin' and love is teasin'
And love is a pleasure when first it's new
But as it grows older sure the love grows colder
And it fades away like the morning dew

And the sweetest apple is the soonest rotten
And the hottest love is the soonest cold
And what can't be cured love must be endured love
But my own true love I will ne'er more behold

For love and porter makes a young man older
And love and whiskey makes him old and grey
And what can't be cured love must be endured love
And now I am bound for Americay

Oh, love is pleasin' and love is teasin'
And love is a pleasure when first it's new
But as it grows older sure the love grows colder
And it fades away like the morning dew

This has been recorded by many but the most popular version is by The Dublinners.

cheers

MikeL2

20 Jun 10 - 10:03 PM (#2931741)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST,Judy

My mother used to sing this song to us when we were young.

A little girl and a little boy
In an ecstasy of bliss
Said the little boy to the little girl
'Pray give me just one kiss'
The girl drew back in great surprise
"Your'e a stranger, sir', said she
But I will give you just one kiss -
When the apples grow on the Lilac tree.

The boy was very sad at heart
She was the only one
The girl was quite remorseful
At the terrible wrong she had done
So bright abd early on the very next morn
He was quite surprised to se
His little sweetheart
Standing in the garden
Tying apples on the Lilac tree.

27 Aug 10 - 03:44 PM (#2974172)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: Cruiser

A recital of the song from YouTube:

The Lilac Tree

17 Dec 10 - 04:05 PM (#3055846)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST,Jimmy Shaw

A little boy and alittle girl in an ecstasy of bliss, said the little boy to the little girl, Pray give me just one kiss. the girl drew back in great surprise, your a strange sir said she, but I will give you just one kiss, when apples grow on the lilac tree! The boy was very down-hearted, she was the only one. The girl was very remorseful, for the terrible wrong she had done. So bright and early on the very next morn, he was quite surprised to see, his little sweetheart standing in the garden, haning apples on the lilac tree!

18 Dec 10 - 01:45 PM (#3056549)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: michaelr

Thank you Jimmy for being the sixth person to post these lyrics.

Can we get to ten!?

24 May 11 - 07:02 AM (#3159648)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST,Sandra Snith

I use to sing this to my children as I rocked them to sleep 25 years ago. My daughter found the words to it and copied it off the inter net... Just in case your still watching this querey I'll give you the first verse, but I HAVE to go to work so I'll get to work and see if she can still find the site.
" A little boy and a little girl
In an ecstasy of Bliss
Said the little boy to the little giril "Pray Give me just one kiss...
The Girl drew back in great surprise... "You're a STRANGER, Sir said She, and I will give you just one Kiss...When the Apples grow on the Lilac Tree!...

26 May 11 - 05:27 PM (#3161037)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST,Sandra Smith

THE LILAC TREE
A little boy and a little girl
In an ecstasy of bliss
Said the little boy to the little girl,
"Pray, give me just one kiss.

The girl drew back in great surprise.
"You're a stranger sir," said she,
And I will give you just one kiss
When the apples grow on the lilac tree.

The boy was very sad at heart -
She was 'the only one'
The girl felt quite remorseful
For the terrible wrong she had done

So bright and early on the very next morn
He was quite surprised to see
His little sweetheart ... standing in the garden,
Tying apples on the lilac tree.
e are the Words you requested

03 Mar 12 - 07:17 PM (#3316850)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Lilac Tree (Perspicacity) (G Gartlan)
From: GUEST

Angie Walth @ aawalth@abe.midco.net

I like the words to this song "A little boy and a little girl", etc
etc. is the song I am interested in but I would like to know where I can get the music to this song. Please email me at the above address. Thank you.