Songs of My Childhood
Folk Songs of My Family
I have been blessed with a musical family. My mother had a beautiful alto voice, my uncle a wonderful bass, my grandmother a lovely soprano. I remember evenings sitting on the front porch of my grandparent's home singing hymns and old folk songs or gathering in the living room on Sunday afternoons after lunch and singing until our voices were hoarse. Those are memories that many of children today do not have tucked away, but I was priviledged to have enjoyed.
Please find below songs and links to songs that I grew up with.
Baa, Baa Black Sheep Where's Your Lamb
This has been a hard song to track down via the internet. I do have some documentation that this song was also called "Bones." Since I have not been able to find a link on the internet, the lyrics I remember are found below.
Baa, baa black sheep where's your lamb
Way down yonder in the valley.
Crows and the blackbirds are peckin' out its eyes
And the poor little thing cryin' Maaa-mie
Babes in the Woods
I get a lot of flack from my husband about this song because it is so morbid, but it is one of my favorites and I have taught it to my kids and will teach it to my grandkids (when that time comes).
The roots of this song date back to the 1500's. It was brought over and modified by English/Irish/Scottish immigrants that settled in the Appalachian Mountains and Ozark Mountains.
I am including three links to variations of this song. These linked sites are unique because there is an audio file for each one. The words I learned are close to the songs I have collected. My version is below.
Oh, don't you remember a long time ago
Three little babes, their names I don't know.
Went strolling away one bright summer day
Got lost in the woods I heard people say.
And when they were dead the Robin so red
Took strawberry leaves and over them spread.
And sang them a song the whole day long
Poor babes in the woods, poor babes in the woods.
Lyrics and Audio File:
http://www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter/0524/index.html
http://www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter/1374/index.html
http://www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter/1592/index.html
Dad Dad's Songs
There are three songs that are extremely special to me in this collection. Abdul Abulbul Amir, Frog Went a Courtin', and Bye O Baby Bunting were three songs that my grandfather use to sing to me. My mother and I would get tickled listening to his off-pitch baritone voice sing out these songs with gusto.
Abdul Abulbul Amir - Lyrics, Music & Midi:
http://www.contemplator.com/ireland/abdul.html
Frog Went a Courtin' - Lyrics, Music & Audio:
http://www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter/0159/index.html
Bye O Baby Bunting - Lyrics:
http://www.kididdles.com/mouseum/b040.html
Father, Dear Father, Come Home with Me Now
Another one of those lovely, sad songs of another era about a wayward father and the child that is trying to fetch him from a bar before his little sister dies.
Lyrics:
http://www.lyon.edu/wolfcollection/songs/deallittle1234.html
Actual Sheet Music:
http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/sheetmusic/b/b10/b1012/b1012-1-72dpi.html
Songs My Mother Sang
These are fun songs that Mother and I would sing together as we traveled down the road together.
White Coral Bells - Lyrics:
http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/whitecor.htm
White Coral Bells - Notation only:
http://www.homehi.org/wcb.html
Good Morning to You!:
http://www.scoutorama.com/dynso271.htm
Five Little Ducks:
http://www.republic.k12.mo.us/e2/welch/ducksong.htm
Go Tell Aunt Rhody:
http://xenia.media.mit.edu/~kristin/songbook/USFolk/AuntRhody.html
Little White Duck:
http://www.bussongs.com/songs/little_white_duck_short.php
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Darling Little Joe
Here is another sad song about a little boy who knows he is dying and the conversation he has with his mother.
Music & Lyrics:
http://www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter/0177/index.html
Wynken, Blynken and Nod
Eugene Field's poem Wynken, Blynken and Nod has been set to music by several composers, but I have never been able to find the melody that my mother sang to me. I have even visited the Eugene Field Museum in St. Louis and sang them the tune, but they had never heard it. At some point I will notate it and post it here!
Lyrics (Poem) Only:
http://www.clairesdotcom.com/pocketdragon/wynken.htm
Nannie's Songs
This is a beautiful song about an Indian maid and her cowboy sweetheart. I remember that my grandmother would sing the tenor on this song. The words I learned are a little different than the link version, but the tune is the same. I've written the version that I remember although, there are a few gaps.
Sweet Snow Deer, mine the moon is shinin' through the pine
While the Mohawk sleeps let up creep .??????
With your cowboy lover, our hearts will cover.
Don't hesitate, it is late, fully late for you and me
By the tree in the veil of tom-toms beating
Let's hit the trail.
My pretty Snow Deer, say you will go dear
In your arms I'll never part
Every trail leads to your heart.
It's time to marry, no time to tarry.
Let me carry you from here, my sweet Snow Deer.
Sweet Snow Deer - Music & Lyrics & Audio:
http://www.missouristate.edu/folksong/maxhunter/1591/
Another song that my grandmother sang is "Have You Ever Been to Texas in the Spring." In researching the song, I discovered it was written by Mary Daggett and is the official song of the Texas Federation of Garden Clubs. I contacted the TFGC historian, Lucy Hendy, and she was kind enough to send me the words. The actual music can be purchased from TGC Hq. at 3111 Old Garden Road, Ft Worth, TX 76107-3498 for + $1 postage. Ask for the book Weavers of the Tapestry
Official Song of Texas Garden Club
Have you ever been to Texas in the spring,
When the breezes blow and birds are on the wing;
Where blue bonnets wave in air,
And there's friendship everywhere,
While the busy bees are humming and the banjos are strumming.
Have you walk'd on velvet carpets in the spring,
Made of flowr's whose subtle odors mem'ries bring;
Have you seen those sunsets gay,
As they glorify the day,
Have you ever been to Texas in the spring?
