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Origins: Rain and Snow

23 Nov 04 - 02:48 PM (#1336711)
Subject: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST,ClaireZ

I am looking for the origins of the song Rain and Snow, which was recorded by the Grateful Dead and Pentangle. According to Internet searches it was previously collected by Sharp from Mrs. T. Rice in 1916 in North Carolina, however where exactly did it come from - England, Ireland? Also, does anyone know of a recording of this song in it's traditional form.

Any assistance is much appreciated.

ClaireZ


23 Nov 04 - 03:10 PM (#1336724)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST,MCP

It was recorded on a Folkways record, FA 2418 End Of An Old Song (1975) by Dillard Chandler. In the Roud index Mrs Rice's source is the only one. Sharp's English Folk Songs From The Southern Appalachians gives the tune (with an ending variations) and a single verse:

  "Lord! I married me a wife,
  She gave me trouble all my life;
  Made me work in the cold rain and snow,
  Rain and snow, rain and snow,
  Made me work in the cold rain and snow"

without any notes.

There may be other American sources though.

Mick


23 Nov 04 - 03:13 PM (#1336729)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST,Hootenanny

Yes,

Obray Ramsey fom around Marshall, North Carolina an area rich in traditional music did a version on Prestige/International 13020 a 12" vinyl disc, accompanying himself on banjo.I don't think it has been re-issued on CD.
There is a version available on CD by the New Deal String Band which includes Tom Paley (founder of the New Lost City Ramblers) and another New Yorker and ex Washington Square musician Joe Locker both of whom are long time residents of the UK. Joe got the song from Roger Sprung another Washington Square player, who got it directly from the above Obray Ramsey. I find the chords used by Roger are more interesting than those on the Ramsey recording but that could be a matter of personal taste. This CD is still available direct from Tom Paley.

Hope this is of use.

Hoot


23 Nov 04 - 03:14 PM (#1336731)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Ebbie

Elizabeth LaPrelle recorded the song in her album by that title. Her version sounds pretty traditional to me.


23 Nov 04 - 08:04 PM (#1337095)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

See several versions and music in thread 28009: Rain and Snow
Obray Ramsay's version is there.

This is an unnecessary Thread.


23 Nov 04 - 11:57 PM (#1337272)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST,ClaireZ

Actually Q, I don't think this is unnecessary at all.

The heart of my question is can we trace this song across the pond and find it in the traditional repertoire of England or Ireland. I know it has been located in the Appalachian tradition and moved from there into bluegrass and beyond, but how about before that? I wonder if there are lyric links even if the tune can't be found.
Any ideas out there?

ClaireZ


24 Nov 04 - 01:34 AM (#1337305)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Mark Cohen

I thought they came from clouds. But that was written in 1969, so I must be mistaken.

Aloha,
Mark


24 Nov 04 - 12:44 PM (#1337853)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

ClareZ, your question has been answered in part by Malcolm Douglas in the thread cited.
Rain and Snow, thread 28009: Rain and Snow

It is best to keep information together in as few threads as possible. Saves time and confusion when looking for details on a song. Put a key word or part of a title in the Search blank. Try more than one if the first effort fails.


24 Nov 04 - 06:54 PM (#1338210)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST,former poster

ClaireZ, For the sake of tidiness, I suggest we ban new recordings of any previously recorded song. As Q might say, "Saves time and confusion when looking for details on a song." That attitude is one of the reasons I am a former poster.


24 Nov 04 - 09:42 PM (#1338331)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

A complete mis-statement of my position. Good new recordings come out all the time- I welcome them, and purchase as my budget allows.

An orderly and usable Mudcat, not overloaded by redundant threads, should be a concern of everyone using the facilities. Many threads contain only material duplicated elsewhere in the system. These slow and impede a search for information.

Newcomers should be encouraged to use the Lyrics and Knowledge Search facilities to find out what information is already in the system, and to add their comments where they best fit.

'How to use' messages appear frequently, and it is evident that failure to use the facilities is not always the beginner's (or even oldtimer's) fault. Instructions on the Features page are superficial, and the FAQ section is not described at all. I doubt that newcomers even see it.

'New Thread' instructions ask that a Search be conducted, and state that it is best to post in threads that already exist, but seemingly attention is seldom paid to these suggestions. Everyone makes mistakes with an imperfect system, but one should try.


25 Nov 04 - 10:37 AM (#1338786)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: MurkeyChris

Why does everything end up an argument?

Anyway Afterhours recorded a version of the song. This might suggest they now it as an Irish song, not sure.

Murk


08 Nov 12 - 02:31 PM (#3433191)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST,james cordeaux

Blue mule have a great version of this (spottify this)
also Jed Grimes a more up beat one.
Sounds best on banjo - i better buy one rather than continue picking the guitar!


08 Nov 12 - 03:24 PM (#3433223)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Charley Noble

James-

Please post your remarks on the other more comprehensive thread: Rain and Snow, thread 28009.

There's a link above that will take you there directly.

Charley Noble


24 May 20 - 11:57 PM (#4054970)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Joe Offer

Lisan Null sings a version with a verse that says "I shot her in the head"

Anybody got it?


25 May 20 - 01:01 AM (#4054984)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: cnd

Joe, this version has lyrics to that effect: Rain and Snow by The Lonesome Sisters (Sarah Hawker & Debra Clifford w/ Riley Baugus)

I shot her in the head
And I laid her on the bed
And I ain't gonna be treated this-a-way


26 May 20 - 09:52 PM (#4055394)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: Charlie Baum

Lisa got her version from Dillard Chandler:


RAIN AND SNOW
Dillard Chandler


It's I had me a wife,
She gave me trouble all of my life;
Made me work in the cold rain and snow.
Rain and snow, rain and snow
Made me work in the cold rain and snow.

She dresses me in old rags,
And the worst of old rags
And went dressed like some lady in some town.
In some town, in some town
And went dressed like some lady in some town.

She come down the stairs
Combin’ back her long wavy hair
And her cheeks were as red as a rose
As a rose, as a rose,
And her cheeks were as red as a rose.

And I took her to her room,
Where she met her fatal doom.
And I trembled to my knees with cold fear.
with cold fear, with cold fear,
And I trembled to my knees with cold fear.

I shot her through the head,
And I laid her on the bed,
And I trembled to my knees with cold fear.
with cold fear, with cold fear,
And I trembled to my knees with cold fear.


27 May 20 - 11:38 AM (#4055480)
Subject: RE: Origins: Rain and Snow
From: GUEST

Google

rain and snow song

Many people singing it come up.