A Cowboy Song that strayed ...
Sian Thomas
information on a song that was only recently set to paper here in Wales.
An old friend of mine, Jacob Morgan, who died recently aged 84 had a wealth
of songs. He'd lived all his life in a small coal mining community in West
Wales and most of his songs reflected his community's life.
However, his brother had wandered quite a bit, including to the States, and
brought back a song or two. One he claims was a translation of an American
cowboy song, and it became Jacob's *party piece*. A gathering was never
quite ... complete? ... without it! I wonder if anyone can refer me to the
original?
Roughly, the story goes ...
Out on the Arizona prairies, the cattle graze, ... (plus general scene
setting). Then up pops Patrick Murphy, a cattle rustler by trade, and on
this particular occasion, he is caught in the act. The good-guys decide to
string him up, and he asks for one last request - that he is allowed to
choose the kind of tree from which they'll hang him. They agree, and he
demands that he be hung from a gooseberry tree. They say there isn't one
tall enough, and he responds that he can wait until one grows, and while
they're laughing, he escapes.
If there IS an original, I doubt if it uses *gooseberry*. I almost positive
that the tune will be different, as Jacob's version uses a much-adapted
Welsh tune known as Deio Bach; so the 8 line, 8-7 metre may not reflect the
original. Still, it would be really interesting to know if Jacob's brother
did adapt an existing American song ....
Sian Thomas
Y gerdd orau, cerdd at dy waith
ICQ #11650729
paul draper
I seem to recall a parody of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" with a
similar story.
--
Paul Draper
0171 369 2754
Kevin Sheils
>
> Sian Thomas wrote in message <7hu4na$35u$2...@nclient5-gui.server.ntli.net>...
> >The thread about Cowboy Songs has me wondering if anyone here can provide
> >information on a song that was only recently set to paper here in Wales.
<snipped story>
>
> I seem to recall a parody of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" with a
> similar story.
Which IIRC was sung by someone (George Frampton?) in the lunchtime
sessions at the "Volunteer" in Sidmouth in recent years.
--
Kevin Sheils
http://www.mrscasey.co.uk/ For Sidmouth/Towersey Festivals etc
Http://www.efdss.org/ For EFDSS, Cecil Sharp House etc
http://www.btinternet.com/~haleend For Waltham Forest Folk Events
Steve Ashton
>
> The thread about Cowboy Songs has me wondering if anyone here can provide
> information on a song that was only recently set to paper here in Wales.
>
> of songs. He'd lived all his life in a small coal mining community in West
> Wales and most of his songs reflected his community's life.
>
> However, his brother had wandered quite a bit, including to the States, and
> brought back a song or two. One he claims was a translation of an American
> cowboy song, and it became Jacob's *party piece*. A gathering was never
> quite ... complete? ... without it! I wonder if anyone can refer me to the
> original?
>
> Roughly, the story goes ...
>
> Out on the Arizona prairies, the cattle graze, ... (plus general scene
> setting). Then up pops Patrick Murphy, a cattle rustler by trade, and on
> this particular occasion, he is caught in the act. The good-guys decide to
> string him up, and he asks for one last request - that he is allowed to
> choose the kind of tree from which they'll hang him. They agree, and he
> demands that he be hung from a gooseberry tree. They say there isn't one
> tall enough, and he responds that he can wait until one grows, and while
> they're laughing, he escapes.
>
> If there IS an original, I doubt if it uses *gooseberry*. I almost positive
> that the tune will be different, as Jacob's version uses a much-adapted
> Welsh tune known as Deio Bach; so the 8 line, 8-7 metre may not reflect the
> original. Still, it would be really interesting to know if Jacob's brother
> did adapt an existing American song ....
>
> Y gerdd orau, cerdd at dy waith
> ICQ #11650729
I remember hearing this yn Loegr as:
An Englishman, a Welshman and a Jew,
Were sentenced to be hanged down Texas way,
............er,.......
The Englishman said "Any tree will do",
When suddenly these words came from the Jew,
Hang me please from a gooseberry tree,
that one is the tree for me,
Then the judge said something or other about gooseberries being rather
low,
Oh, alright then said Mose,
I'll wait 'til it grows,
Hang me please from the gooseberry tree.
He had to be Jewish or he would not have rhymed
That is all i can remember, because I had just been taken severely drunk
at the time.
Could it be an old music hall song?
Steve
Mick Tems
Thomas" <si...@iws.cymru.net.twp>:
>
If there IS an original, I doubt if it uses *gooseberry*. I almost
> positive
> that the tune will be different, as Jacob's version uses a much-adapted
> Welsh tune known as Deio Bach; so the 8 line, 8-7 metre may not reflect
> the
> original. Still, it would be really interesting to know if Jacob's
> brother
> did adapt an existing American song ....
>
lurking here, is there?
--
Mick Tems & Pat Smith: Calennig/Celfyddydau Mari Arts/
Clwb Gwerin Llantrisant FC Phone/fax: 01443 226892 Mobile 07979 055577
e-mail mari...@argonet.co.uk website: www.folkwales.org.uk
Bythynnod Ty Clwyta, Tafarn-y-Groes, Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf CF728AZ
Mick Pearce
Sian Thomas wrote in message <7hu4na$35u$2...@nclient5-gui.server.ntli.net>...
>The thread about Cowboy Songs has me wondering if anyone here can provide
>information on a song that was only recently set to paper here in Wales.
<snip>
Digitrad (Fall98) has the following:
HANG ME FROM A GOOSEBERRY TREE
An Englishman, a Welshman and a Hebrew
They were sentenced to be hanged down Texas way
And they each wre asked to choose a tree to swing from
And they started with the Welshman right away
So the Welshman chose a pear tree and was happy
The Englishman said "Any tree will do"
So they chose for him an apple tree to swing from
When suddenly these words came from the Jew
"Hang me please from my favourite tree"
And the judge said "What tree will it be?"
"It's the tree I love best, it's my dying request
Hang me please from a gooseberry tree"
Then the judge said "But surely you know
That a gooseberry tree's awfully low"
"Oh all right then" says Mose
"I will wait til it grows
"Hang me please from a gooseberry tree"
I learned a version of this song many years ago, so long that
I can no longer remember where it came from but these were
the lyrics. The last line is to the tune of "In the shade of
the old apple tree" AZ (Digitrad comments)
Mick
--
Check out Herga Folk Club at http://ds.dial.pipex.com/mcp/herga/
Kevin Sheils
>
> Sian Thomas wrote in message <7hu4na$35u$2...@nclient5-gui.server.ntli.net>...
> >The thread about Cowboy Songs has me wondering if anyone here can provide
> >information on a song that was only recently set to paper here in Wales.
> <snip>
>
> Digitrad (Fall98) has the following:
>
>
<snipped the lyrics so that netscape will let me post>
And was sung by Jim Ward, our guest at Hale End Folk Club here in
London, last night.