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Tune Req: May You: Folksinger's Song (Jan Marra)

08 Jul 06 - 02:15 PM (#1778984)
Subject: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: GUEST,rhianon

A really good friend of mine was killed in a hit and run accident and the Folksingers Song was one of his favorite songs. However, we can't seem to find a sound byte of it. We have found the lyrics, but don't know how to sing it. If anyone has any idea where I can find please let me know. His memorial is on July 16. Thanks

08 Jul 06 - 02:32 PM (#1778993)
Subject: RE: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: GUEST,Ian Pittaway

Not heard of The Folksingers Song. Sometimes a song is known by more than one title. Perhaps it would help if you posted some or all of the lyrics?

08 Jul 06 - 03:34 PM (#1779007)
Subject: RE: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: Jeri

It's in the DT. It's also in the DT mirror site. Oddly enough, there's no copyright info in the DT, but the mirror site, which seems more accurate (I don't have a clue why), states, "Copyright 1980 Jan C. Marra". The author's name may help in a search for tune/chords. I found some reference to the Kingston Trio having recorded it, but I couldn't find a recoring with iton.

08 Jul 06 - 04:13 PM (#1779031)
Subject: RE: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: wysiwyg

Ask
JAN MARRA:

boss@janmarra.com

(Public email from her website)

~Susan

08 Jul 06 - 04:18 PM (#1779032)
Subject: RE: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: Peace

Try e-mailing Jan at

boss@janmarra.com

08 Jul 06 - 04:19 PM (#1779033)
Subject: RE: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: Peace

Sorry, Susan. Cross-posted.

09 Jul 06 - 07:57 AM (#1779387)
Subject: RE: Folksingers song - sound byte or chords
From: Rhianon_sings

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have emailed Jan. :)

23 Jul 06 - 01:48 PM (#1790800)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Folksingers Song - sound byte or chords
From: Jim Dixon

Follow-up: It looks like Rhianon got an answer. The lyrics of THE FOLKSINGERS SONG were printed in the program (click to open pdf file) of the memorial service for David "Bagel" Baker, and Jan Marra wrote a note in the on-line condolence book. There is more information about Bagel here.

http://web.archive.org/web/20060713084209/http://www.rememberingbagel.com/service.pdf

23 Jul 06 - 02:46 PM (#1790844)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Folksingers Song - sound byte or chords
From: wysiwyg

Glad we could help-- wotta Mudcat.

~Susan

23 Jul 06 - 02:49 PM (#1790847)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Folksingers Song - sound byte or chords
From: wysiwyg

PS, Welcome to Mudcat, Rhianon_sings. I just now realized you'd joined-- yer among yer own kind now, as many have said to many others.

~S~

18 Jun 16 - 02:26 PM (#3796441)
Subject: Lyr Add: MAY YOU: FOLKSINGER'S SONG (Jan Marra)
From: Joe Offer

http://web.archive.org/web/20060713084209/http://www.rememberingbagel.com/service.pdf

MAY YOU (THE FOLKSINGER'S SONG)
(Jan Marra)

May you never be sorry you traveled this road,
May you find all the work that you need.
May your eyes be bright when you're out late at night,
May never your glory get mixed up with greed.

May you always be paid all the money you're owed,
May you never get shafted and never get snowed,
May you never be forced into anyone's mold,
May your breakfast be hot and your beer always cold.

There's a number of people who'll sit in the rear,
They'll talk through your sets, they will catcall and jeer
A number of people will turn a deaf ear,
Just keep right on playing for those who will hear.

May they clap for your songs, may they laugh at your jokes
May they stay all night long, may they buy you rum cokes,
May they take to dinner and treat you to tokes,
May you make your bed among warm friendly folk.

When the time comes to pack up and ramble along,
May never you wonder just where you belong,
And if you hit hard times may they make you strong.
May every experience lend to your song.

May your heart be light, may you sleep well at night,
And I hope that you find all the love that you need.


Copyright 1980 Jan C. Marra


These are the lyrics from the funeral program that Jim Dixon linked to above. They're exactly the same as the lyrics in the Digital Tradition. Bob Clayton furnished the lyrics to the DT, and somehow the song got posted in the DT as having been written by Bob Clayton. That's wrong. We have confirmation from the author that the song was written by Jan Marra, http://janmarra.com/.
I have not yet been able to verify the lyrics.

This page (click) appears to indicate that Jan Marra performed "May You" at the Great River Folk Festival in Wisconsin in 1981.
Here's what Jan told me in an email: Currently, "May You" is published by Laughing Girl Music (BMI). Craig [Craig Merlin Broers] is releasing it this year (I think) on his own CD, but I don't remember his working title. We just recorded it together here in my area just a few weeks ago, with me on harmony vocals. He has a FB page so you might check with him there.
Jan says the only recording she made of the song was on a 1986 cassette titled Ten Original Songs.

I found a 2002 Jan Marra album titled Songs for Collectors on Spotify. She has a beautiful voice.

19 Jun 16 - 03:00 PM (#3796590)
Subject: RE: Origins:May You (Jan Marra) (aka Folksingers Song)
From: CupOfTea

This song hits home as I struggle to help create situations that can make all Jan's wishes for folk musicians come true. Back around late 80s when I had just returned from northern Illinois steeped in the musical riches of that time and place, I started doing House Concerts, starting with performers I enjoyed there. It was then not a common, or even much known, way of hearing performers in Cleveland.

The house concert with Jan Marra competed with a contra dance that many of my friends- and potential audience- were at. She condensed her show, finishing early enough that the 5 of us, including Jan, all went to the end of the dance. I remember her so fondly for that graceful interlude. Rather than grousing, she embraced the moment. I heard from friends a while later that she'd stopped touring. I felt sad to hear that, but understood all too well how those choices get made for survival. It was good to be reminded of a lovely person I knew so fleetingly.

Joanne in Cleveland

19 Jun 16 - 03:00 PM (#3796591)
Subject: RE: Origins:May You (Jan Marra) (aka Folksingers Song)
From: CupOfTea

This song hits home as I struggle to help create situations that can make all Jan's wishes for folk musicians come true. Back around late 80s when I had just returned from northern Illinois steeped in the musical riches of that time and place, I started doing House Concerts, starting with performers I enjoyed there. It was then not a common, or even much known, way of hearing performers in Cleveland.

The house concert with Jan Marra competed with a contra dance that many of my friends- and potential audience- were at. She condensed her show, finishing early enough that the 5 of us, including Jan, all went to the end of the dance. I remember her so fondly for that graceful interlude. Rather than grousing, she embraced the moment. I heard from friends a while later that she'd stopped touring. I felt sad to hear that, but understood all too well how those choices get made for survival. It was good to be reminded of a lovely person I knew so fleetingly.

Joanne in Cleveland

08 Nov 20 - 09:50 PM (#4078838)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: May You: Folksinger's Song (Jan Marra)
From: GUEST

I have a recording of this song on an old cassette of Jan Marra's. The line is "take you to dinner and bum you a smoke" on that recording. I love her songs. She is one of my very favorite folk singers.

Heidi in Eau Claire, WI