An folk-songy experiment
I was thinking about what few traditional songs I know and how the very best ones seem to have parts that people can sing along too (and, honestly, have been since stevieannie and micktim's utterly stunning "Sheath and Knife" at Interthingy). The sort of thing that goes
FIRST LINE OF VERSE
Line that people sing along to
SECOND LINE OF VERSE
Another line that people sing along to
While I was out walking in the woods the other day, a few snippets started coming to mind; I'd say this really started out as a hiking song, but mutated along the way.
Question, specifically for people who know traditional songs (stevieannie, telynor -- this is a heads-up), how well would this fit in that mold? I expect the language is wrong, but I can't define how or why; suggestions as to what would make it better or "more real" are welcomed)
And I don't have a title for it yet; the best that I have so far is "The Willow-tree" but it's not the best -- anyone have a better title?
THE WILLOW-TREE
Words & Music © 2005 David Weingart
May be sung, folk-processed, ripped to shreds, etc.
Once there was a willow-tree
Down by the banks of the river so fair
With the branch hanging low and the leaves growing green
And ne'er will I go to the river again
The grass grew soft and green and sweet
Down by the banks of the river so fair
And oft would I go down to rest my feet
And ne'er will I go to the river again
'Twas there upon the first of May
A lass I spied by the water's edge
With hair of red and eyes of green
Like unto none I'd ever seen
I bade her sit to talk with me
Under the willow branches green
She said if I would be her love
That in the water I must stand with her
On river's edge she took my hand
And so the water we stood in
And there I saw her as she stood
As a river-maid, born of water's blood
She held my hand to the deep of the stream
As we sank down to where no man could see
I drifted on towards yon far side
While the maiden kissed me as I died
So now my ghost sits by the stream
Where I met my doom by the willow-tree
FIRST LINE OF VERSE
Line that people sing along to
SECOND LINE OF VERSE
Another line that people sing along to
While I was out walking in the woods the other day, a few snippets started coming to mind; I'd say this really started out as a hiking song, but mutated along the way.
Question, specifically for people who know traditional songs (stevieannie, telynor -- this is a heads-up), how well would this fit in that mold? I expect the language is wrong, but I can't define how or why; suggestions as to what would make it better or "more real" are welcomed)
And I don't have a title for it yet; the best that I have so far is "The Willow-tree" but it's not the best -- anyone have a better title?
THE WILLOW-TREE
Words & Music © 2005 David Weingart
May be sung, folk-processed, ripped to shreds, etc.
Once there was a willow-tree
Down by the banks of the river so fair
With the branch hanging low and the leaves growing green
And ne'er will I go to the river again
The grass grew soft and green and sweet
Down by the banks of the river so fair
And oft would I go down to rest my feet
And ne'er will I go to the river again
'Twas there upon the first of May
A lass I spied by the water's edge
With hair of red and eyes of green
Like unto none I'd ever seen
I bade her sit to talk with me
Under the willow branches green
She said if I would be her love
That in the water I must stand with her
On river's edge she took my hand
And so the water we stood in
And there I saw her as she stood
As a river-maid, born of water's blood
She held my hand to the deep of the stream
As we sank down to where no man could see
I drifted on towards yon far side
While the maiden kissed me as I died
So now my ghost sits by the stream
Where I met my doom by the willow-tree