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REQ: Song from my youth: Henry Lee?

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Dave Orleans

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Feb 5, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/5/98
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Hi everyone,

When I was young my dad used to sing this short snippet avery time he'd
take a fast left turn in the car, hurtling us kids into each other
(accidentally on purpose?).

As we were turning, he'd sing:

Hey, 'round the corner, woo-hoo,
Lookin' for my Henry Lee,
Hey, 'round the corner, beatin' round the bush,
Lookin' for my Henry Lee!

Now was that a real song, possibly from sometime in the forties or
fifties (I heard it in the early fifties), or a handmade family
folksong? Maybe from Spike Jones or other novelty group.

I actually think I may have heard it on the radio back then, possibly a
girl singer with a hillbilly twang.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Keep singin' on the harmonies!
Dave Orleans


JCURTISS2

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Feb 6, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/6/98
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>Dave Orleans

>When I was young my dad used to sing this short snippet .....

>Hey, 'round the corner, woo-hoo,
>Lookin' for my Henry Lee,
>Hey, 'round the corner, beatin' round the bush,
>Lookin' for my Henry Lee!

>Now was that a real song.....?

Yes, it was a real song.... I can't remember the artists, but it was a
couple... Maybe Les Paul and Mary Ford? ...or maybe it was country enough to
be by Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper... anyhow, here's what I remember.....


Chorus:
Hey around the corner, ooh, hoo, hoo
Beneath the berry tree
Along the footpath, behind the bush,
Lookin' for Henry Lee

Tonight all the folks will cut the corn
Tonight I'll be glad that I was born
For my Henry Lee I'll see,
He'll be cuttin' corn with me
And we'll meet 'neath the bitter berry tree.

Chorus:

Tonight when the moon begins to sink
Tonight, there are footsteps which I think
Will at last bring him to me
My beloved Henry Lee
And we'll meet 'neath the bitter berry tree.

Chorus:

Can anyone fix this and/or tell us the real artists? Maybe this will help
anyhow. Good luck.

GrapeApe

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Feb 6, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/6/98
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>Can anyone fix this and/or tell us the real artists? Maybe this will >help
>anyhow. Good luck.


I believe its one of those folk traditionals that have been recorded countless
numbers of times. The only time I've seen it is in scholarly leaning folk and
blues collections like Alan Lomax and Harry Smith and Smithsonian Folkways
stuff.

JCURTISS2

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Feb 8, 1998, 3:00:00 AM2/8/98
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I had another thought about the artist since I posted my first answer and the
lyrics I remembered. Try Lula Belle and Scottie.

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