WNYC; Folksong Festival; Folksong Festival songs.
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- WNYC
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- Folksong Festival
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- Folksong Festival songs.
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- FOLKSONG FESTIVAL SONGS OSCAR BRAND WNYC NYC 7 FOLKSONG FESTIVAL SONGS Contents The Frog In The Spring 1 The Wee Cooper 0' Fife 2 Keys Of Cantebury 3 The Rich Old Miser 4 When I Was Single 5 It's The Same The 'Ole World Over 6 Dunderbecke 7 The Horse Named Bill 8 Old Soldiers Of The King 9 Follow Washington 10 The Hornet And The Peacock 11 Can't You Dance The Polka 12 The Squid-Jigging Ground 13 The Jolly Wagoner 14 Tickle Grove Pond 15 The Kinkaiders 16 The Wide Missouri 17 Gypsy Davy 13 I Came To This Country In 1865 19 The Conestoga Curse 20 The Cowboy's Life 21 The Sheep Shearing 22 Old Dolores 23 The Roving Gambler 24 Wandering 25 The Drunkard Song 26 The Temperance Song 27 The Embarkation From Kingsbridge 28 The Volunteer Boys 29 Beneath A Bridge In Italy 30 Dem Bones Are Gwine Rise Again 31 Scandalizing My Name 32 January 1958 Caravan Press 1 THE FROG IN THE SPRING There once was a frog and he lived in a spring, Sing song Kitty ketcha kimeo. He vas so fat that he could not sing, Sing song Kitty ketcha kimeo, Makeemio, makimeo, Madeerio, maware, Mahigh, mahay, Ma-in come Sally single, Sometime pennywinkle, Income midgecat, Hittem with a brickbat, Sing song Kitty ketcha kimeo. Now, way down yonder at the bottom of the creek, The men, they grow to eleven feet. They try to sleep but it isn't any use, Their feet stick out for the hens to roost. (chorus) I once had a horse and his name was Bill, When he ran he couldn't stand still, (chorus) Sing song Kitty ketcha kimeo. 2 THE WEE COOPER 0' FIFE Now, there was a young cooper wa' lived i' Fife, Nickety, nackety, noo noo noo. He has taken a gentle wife, Hey, willy wallity, none of your quality, Nickety, nackety, noo noo noo. She couldna bake, she wouldna brew, For spoiling all her comely hue. She wouldna card, she wouldna spin, For shaming all her gentle kin. Now, the cooper has gone to his wee shack, He took a sheepskin across his wife's back. . "Oh, I wouldna thrast ye for your gentle kin, But I will thrash m'ain sheepskin. Now, you w' have married a gentle wife, Nickety, nackety, nob noo noo, Pay you a mind to the cooper o' Fife, With his: Hey, willy wallity, none of your quality, Nickety, nackety, noo noo noo. 3 THE KEYS OF CANTERBURY* He: Madam, I will give to you the keys of Centerbury And all the bells of London, to ring and make you merry, If you will be my darling, my joy and my dear, If you will go a-walking with me anywhere. She: Sir, I'll not accept from you the keys of Centerbury Though all the bells of London should ring and make us merry, And I'll not be your bride, your joy and your lear And I'll not take a walk with you anywhere. He: Madam, I will give to you a little ivory comb To fasten up your golden locks when I am not at home, If you will be my darling, my joy and my dear, If you will go a-walking with me anywhere. She: Sir, I'll not accept from you a little ivory comb To fasten up my golden locks when you are not at home, And I'll not be your bride, your joy and your dear And I'll not take a walk with you anywhere. He: Madam, I will give to you a pair of boots of cork, The one was made in London and the other made in York, If you will be my darling, my joy and my dear, If you will go a-walking with my anywhere. She: Well, sir, I'll not accept from you a pair of boots of cork, Though one was made in London and the other made in York, And I'll not be your bride, your joy and your dear, And I'll not take a walk with you anywhere. He: Madam, I will give to you the keys to my heart And all my sacred promises that we shall never part, If you will be my darling, my joy and my dear, If you will go a-walking with me anywhere. She: Oh, sir, I will accept of you the keys to your heart To lock it up forever that we never more may part, And I will be your bride, your joy and your dear And I will take a walk with you anywhere. *from COURTIN'S A PLEASURE sung by Jean Ritchie and Oscar Brand Elektra record # EKL-122 4 THE RICH OLD MISER A rich old miser married me. His age was four score years and three. Mine was only seventeen. I wish his face I never had seen. No sooner had he got me home, Than he began to shout and moan. He beat me and he banged me too, 'Til my poor back was black and blue. Well, early next morning I arose, And after putting on my clothes, Before another word was said, I banged my ladle over his head. So he began to shout about, But I was young and strong and stout, Before he got from out the bed, I banged my ladle over his head. So all you wives who are going to marry, Mind what housing things you carry. Wherever you go, whatever you do, Always carry a ladle or two. 5 WHEN I WAS SINGLE When I was single, my clothes were the best, Now that I'm married I'm lucky I'm dressed. Ah but still I love you, I'll forgive you, I'll be with your wherever you go. When I was single I wore a black shawl, Now that I'm married I've nothing at all. Still I love you, I'll forgive you, I'll be with you wherever you go. When I was single you'd take me to dine, Now you insist there's no cooking like mine. Still I love you, I'll forgive you, I'll be with you wherever you go. When I was single, we'd hug all the night, Now it's, "I'm tired, please turn out the light. Still I love you, I'll forgive you, I'll be with you wherever you go. 6 IT'S THE SAME THE 'OLE WORLD OVER It's the same the 'old world over, It's the poor what gets the blame, While the rich gets all the pleasure. Ain't it a bloomin' shame. She was just a parson's daughter, Pure, unstained was her name, 'Til a country squire came courting, And the poor girl lost her name. (chorus) See him with his hounds and horses, Drinking champagne in his club, While the victim of his passion Drinks guiness in the pub. (chorus) There came a wealthy landlord, Marriage was the tale he told. There was no one else to take her, So she sold herself for gold. (chorus) In a cottage down in Sussex, There her grieving parents live, Drinking champagne that she sends them, But unwilling to forgive. It's the same the 'ole world over, It's the poor what gets the blame, While the rich get all the pleasure. Ain't it a blooming shame. 7 DUNDERBECKE There was a man named Dunderbecke, invented a macnine, For grinding things to sausage meat, and it was run by steam. Now kitchen cats and long-tailed rats will never more be seen. They'll all be ground to sausage meat in Dunderbecke's machine. (chorus) Oh, Dunderbecke, Oh,Dunderbecke, how could you be so mean For ever having invented the sausage meat machine. Now kitchen cats and long-tailed rats will never more be seen They'll all be ground to sausage meat in Dunderbecke's machine One day a little boy walked in to Dunderbecke's store. A little piece of sausage meat, was lying on the floor. While the boy was waiting, he whistled up a tune. The sausage meat got up and barked and ran around the room, (chorus) One morning something, it went wrong, the machine, it wouldn't go. So Dunderbecke, he stepped inside, the reason for to know. His wife, she had a nightmare, she was walking in her sleep. She gave a yank, and turned the crank, and Dunderbecke was meat.(chorus) 8 THE HORSE NAMED BILL (tune: Dixie) I had a horse and his name was Bill, And when he ran he couldn't stand still. He ran away -- one day -- And also I ran with him. He ran so fast he could not stop. He ran into a barber shop And fell -- exhaustionized -- His teeth in the barber's left shoulder. Say, I had a gal and her name was Daisy, And when she sang the cat went crazy, With deliriums -- St Vituses -- And all kinds of cataleptics. I'm going out in the woods next year And hunt for beer and not for deer, I am I am not I'm a great sharpshootress, At shooting birds I am a beaut. There is no bird I cannot shoot, In the eye, in the ear, in the tooth, In the fingers. In 'Frisco bay there lives a whale. She eats porkchops by the bale, By the hatbox, by the hogshead, by the pillbox, By the schooner. Her name is Lena, she's a peach, But don't leave food within her reach, Or babies, or nursemaids, Or chocolate ice-cream sodas. I once went up in a balloon so big, The people on earth, they looked like a pig, Like a mice, like flies, like katy-dids, Like katy-didn'ts, Well, the balloon, it turned up the bottom-side-higher, It fell on the wife of a country squire. She made a noise like a steam whistle, like dynamite, Like dynamite-not. Well, what could you do in a case like that? What could you do but stamp on your hat, On your toothbrush, on your toothpaste, And anything that's helpless? 9 THE OLD SOLDIERS OF THE KING Since you all must have singing and you won't be said Nay, I cannot refuse when you beg and' you pray, So I'll sing you a song as a poet night say, Of King George's old soldiers when they run away. We're the old soldiers of the King and the King's own Regulars. At Prestonpans we met with rebels one day. We marshalled ourselves all in comely array. Our hearts bid us stand and our heads bid us stay, But our feet were strong-minded and they took us away. We're the old soldiers of the King, and the King's own Regulars. To Monongahela with fifes and with drums, We marched in fine order with cannons and bombs. This great expedition cost infinite sums, But some underpaid doodles, they cut us to crumbs. We're the old soldiers of the King and the King's own Regulars. Oh, they fought us so unfairly from back of the trees, If they'd only fight open, we'd have beat them with ease. They can fight one another that way if they please, But we won't stand and battle such rascals as these. We're the old soldiers of the King, and the King's own Regulars. Yes, we turned and we ran, but that shouldn't disgrace us. We did it to prove that the foe could not face us. And they've little to brag of, that's a very plain case. Though we lost in the fight, we came first in the race. We're the old soldiers of the King, and the King's own Regulars. 10 FOLLOW WASHINGTON The day is broke, my boys, push on and follow, follow Washington. 'Tis he that leads the way, my boys, 'tis he that leads the way. Where he commands, we will obey, through rain or snow by night and day, Determined to be free, my lads, until our cause prevails. With heart and hand, and God our trust, we'll freely fight, our cause is just, Push on, my boys! My boys, push on, follow Washington! 'Til freedom reigns, our hearty band will fight like true Americans, March on, my lads! My lads, march on, follow Washington! The day is broke, my boys, push on and follow, follow Washington. 'Tis he that leads the way, my boys, 'tis he that leads the way! 11 THE HORNET AND THE PEACOCK The Peacock was "bred in the land of King George, Her Feathers were fine and her tail very large, She spread herself forth like a ship in full sail And prided herself in the size of her tail. Chorus: "Sing hubber and bubber," cries old Granny Weal, "The Hornet can tickle the British bird's tail. Her stings, they are sharp and they'll sting without fail, Bad cess to the British" cries old Granny Weal, Away flew this bird at the word of command, Her flight was directed to freedom's own land, The Hornet discovered the ship on the- sail, And quickly determined to tickle her tail, (chorus) The Peacock then mortally under her wing Did feel the full force of the Hornet's sharp sting, She flattened her crest like a shoal on a whale, Sunk by her side and she lowered her tail. (chorus) Here's success to brave Lawrence who well knew the nest Where the Hornet with honor and dignity rests, "American insects," quoth he, "I'll be bail, Will humble King George, 'til he takes in his tail," (chorus) 12 CAN'T YOU DANCE THE POLKA Now, shipmates, if you'll listen to me, I'll tell you in my song, Of things that happened to me when I came home from Hong Kong, Chorus: To me way, you Santy, my dear Annie, Oh, you New York girls, can't you dance the polka. As I walked down through Chatham Street, a fair maid I did meet, Who kindly asked me to see her home, she lived on Bleeker Street, (Cho "Now, if you'll only come with me, you can have a treat, You can have a glass of brandy, dear, and something nice to eat, (Cho When we got up to Bleeker Street we stopped at number forty-four, Her so-called mother and sister was a-standing at the door. (Ch And when we got inside the house the drinks was passed around, The liquor was so doggone strong my head went round and round, (C.. When I awoke next morning I had an aching head, I found myself there all alone, stark naked on the bed, (C My gold watch and my pocketbook and lady friend was gone. With a barrel for a suit of clothes, I signed up for Cape Horn. (Ch 13 THE SQUID JIGGING GROUND Oh, this is the place where the fishermen gather With oilskins, boots and Cape Anns battened down. All sizes and figures, with squid lines and jiggers, They congregate here on the squid jigging ground. Some are working their jiggers while others are yarning, Some standing up but there's more lying down, While all sorts of fun, tricks and jokes are begun, They wait for the squid on the squid jigging ground. How, the man with the whiskers is old Jacob Steele, He's getting well up but he's still pretty sound, While Uncle Bob Hawkins wears six pairs of stockings Whenever he's out on the squid jigging ground. Oh, there's men from the Harbor and men from the Tickle, All kinds of motor boats, gray, green and brown. Then - Hey! What's the row? Why, he's jigging one now! The very first squid on the squid jigging ground. Holy smoke, what a scuffle! All hands are excited! It's a wonder to me there is nobody drowned. Confusion and bustle and wonderful hustle! They're all jigging squids on the squid jigging ground. There's some of them jigging while others is ducking, Spots of the squid juice is flying around. Oh, one poor little boy got it right in the eye, But they don't give a damn on the squid jigging ground. So if you should ever incline to go squidding, Just leave your white shirt and your collar in town. Or if you get cranky without a silk hanky, Better stay clear of the squid jigging ground. 14 THE JOLLY WAGONER When first I went a-wagoning, a-wagoning did go I filled my parents heart with grief, with sorrow, care and woe, And many are the hardships that I have since gone through--ough--ough. Chorus: Sing wo, my lads, sing wo! Drive on, my lads, heigh ho! Who would not lead the merry life the jolly wagoners do! Upon a cold and stormy night when wetted to the skin I bear it with contented heart until I reach the inn And there I sit a drinking with the landlord and his kininin. (ch) Soon Michaelmas is coming on and pleasure we shall find. We'll make the gold to fly, my boys, like chaff before the wind, And every lad will love his lass, and she'll respond in kind--ind--ind. Sing wo, my lads, sing wo! Drive on, my lads, heigh ho! Who would not lead the merry life the jolly wagoners do! 15 TICKLE GROVE POND (Alan Mills - Folkways FP 531) In cutting and hauling in frost and in snow We're up against troubles that few people know And only by patience with courage and grit And eating plain food can we keep ourselves fit. The hard and the easy, we take as it comes And when the ponds freeze over, we shorten our runs To hurry my hauling, the spring coming on Near lost me my mare on the Tickle Grove Pond Chorus: Oh, lay hold, William Oldford, Lay hold, William White! Lay hold of the cordage and pull all your might Lay hold of the bowline and pull all ye can And give me a hand with poor Kit on the pond! I knew that the ice became weaker each day, But still took the risk and kept hauling away. And one icy evening bound home with a load The mare showed some halting against the ice road. All this I ignored with a whip handle blow For man is too stupid dumb creatures to know. The very next minute the pond gave a sigh And down to our necks went poor Kitty and I, (Chorus) I raised an alarm you could hear for a mile And neighbors turned up in a very short while. You can always rely on the Oldfords and Whites To render assistance in all your bad plights. When the bowline was fastened around the mare's breast William White for a shanty song made a request. There was no time for thinking, no time for delay, So straight from my head come this song rig
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- Citations
- Chicago: “WNYC; Folksong Festival; Folksong Festival songs.,” WNYC, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed May 7, 2025, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-80-53jwtm8x.
- MLA: “WNYC; Folksong Festival; Folksong Festival songs..” WNYC, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. May 7, 2025. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-80-53jwtm8x>.
- APA: WNYC; Folksong Festival; Folksong Festival songs.. Boston, MA: WNYC, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-80-53jwtm8x