Post by Dick Glasgow on May 7, 2008 10:27:21 GMT 1
I couldn't help posting this jolly little YouTube video over on the H-D YouTubes section.
The Beers Family - Walkie in the Parlor
It's not the usual approach to ye olde H-D but doesn't it sound great?
I noticed on one site it described this player as the "finest Psaltery player in the World"!
In the original thread, Cooper took a little offense to the way this song & the way it was portrayed, & I can understand why, especially when you read the lyrics:
In that 2nd last line - "nice young Irish Girl" just doesn't ring true for me, given the rest of the song. Does anyone know if these are indeed the original lyrics, but if not, do you know what the song said here, originally?
However, I think we have to remember that this was filmed in 1965, when the Folk revival was in it's infancy, & we should also, perhaps, remember how much the World has moved on since then.
Anyway, from this clip & others on YouTube, it seems that this group was an important voice in the Folk Revival & although their approach & interpretations might seem dated now & I think they did some useful work.
Would I be correct in thinking they were one of the first groups to demonstrate & promote the use of the Limberjacks?
The Beers Family - Walkie in the ParlorIt's not the usual approach to ye olde H-D but doesn't it sound great?
I noticed on one site it described this player as the "finest Psaltery player in the World"!
In the original thread, Cooper took a little offense to the way this song & the way it was portrayed, & I can understand why, especially when you read the lyrics:
Walkie in the Parlor
Well, first they made the Earth,
Then they made the sky,
Then they made the little clouds
And hung 'em up there to dry
And then they made the Moon above,
Made the Sun to shine,
Then they made the little stars
From pretty babies' eyes.
cho:
Walkie in the parlor, boys,
Walkie in I say
Walkie in the parlor, boys,
And hear the banjo play.
Walkie in the parlor, boys,
And hear the banjo ring
And watch my honey's fingers
As she picks upon the strings.
Well, next they made the possum
And then they made the quail,
And then they made the old raccoon
With a ring around his tail.
Then they made Mr. Elephant
So big and large and stout,
But you know that he was not satisfied
Until he got his snout.
Then they made old Adam
Laid him out on the ground
And they gave him a dose of laudanum
Just to make him sleep so sound.
Then they took a couple of ribs
All from old Adam's side
And they made him a nice young Irish girl
For to be his loving bride.
Well, first they made the Earth,
Then they made the sky,
Then they made the little clouds
And hung 'em up there to dry
And then they made the Moon above,
Made the Sun to shine,
Then they made the little stars
From pretty babies' eyes.
cho:
Walkie in the parlor, boys,
Walkie in I say
Walkie in the parlor, boys,
And hear the banjo play.
Walkie in the parlor, boys,
And hear the banjo ring
And watch my honey's fingers
As she picks upon the strings.
Well, next they made the possum
And then they made the quail,
And then they made the old raccoon
With a ring around his tail.
Then they made Mr. Elephant
So big and large and stout,
But you know that he was not satisfied
Until he got his snout.
Then they made old Adam
Laid him out on the ground
And they gave him a dose of laudanum
Just to make him sleep so sound.
Then they took a couple of ribs
All from old Adam's side
And they made him a nice young Irish girl
For to be his loving bride.
In that 2nd last line - "nice young Irish Girl" just doesn't ring true for me, given the rest of the song. Does anyone know if these are indeed the original lyrics, but if not, do you know what the song said here, originally?
However, I think we have to remember that this was filmed in 1965, when the Folk revival was in it's infancy, & we should also, perhaps, remember how much the World has moved on since then.
Anyway, from this clip & others on YouTube, it seems that this group was an important voice in the Folk Revival & although their approach & interpretations might seem dated now & I think they did some useful work.
Would I be correct in thinking they were one of the first groups to demonstrate & promote the use of the Limberjacks?
1965 - Beers Family. Introducing the Beers Family: An American Folk Tradition. LP recording. [New York City]: Columbia Masterworks MS 6705. Principally folk music; performed by the Beers Family, with psaltery, old-time fiddle, limberjacks, mountain dulcimer, and fiddlesticks. Descriptive and biographical notes by Robert Sherman on container; additional notes on folded sheet ([8] p., ill.) inserted.
The Beers Family
The Beers Family - Lamplighter's Hornpipe
Here are a couple of links to their music:
FIDDLER BEERS & EVELYNE Walkie In the Parlor (Songs with Ancient Psaltery)
Walkie In the Parlor
Mind you, I'm not sure I approve of the way they treat this Fiddle, in this clip!
The Beers Family - The Connaughtman's Rambles
I've heard of how Bodhran's were often made from a Gardeners old Sieve, but never of a bow being made from an old Saw!
Perhaps it's from this implement that the term "Sawing" the Fiddle came from!
..... & how about that other fine old tradition demonstrated here, of BASHING the Fiddle, then the fingerboard with sticks, while the Fiddler played?
Have you ever felt the urge to do this while a Fiddler played next to you?
Let's face it, if the Connaughtman was a Fiddler & this is how they treated his Fiddle, no wonder he rambled!
Do you know of any other old Fiddle or Fiddler Bashing Traditions we should all know about?
Cheers
Dick
The Beers Family
The Beers Family - Lamplighter's Hornpipe
Here are a couple of links to their music:
FIDDLER BEERS & EVELYNE Walkie In the Parlor (Songs with Ancient Psaltery)
Walkie In the Parlor
Mind you, I'm not sure I approve of the way they treat this Fiddle, in this clip!
The Beers Family - The Connaughtman's Rambles
I've heard of how Bodhran's were often made from a Gardeners old Sieve, but never of a bow being made from an old Saw!
Perhaps it's from this implement that the term "Sawing" the Fiddle came from!
..... & how about that other fine old tradition demonstrated here, of BASHING the Fiddle, then the fingerboard with sticks, while the Fiddler played?
Have you ever felt the urge to do this while a Fiddler played next to you?
Let's face it, if the Connaughtman was a Fiddler & this is how they treated his Fiddle, no wonder he rambled!
Do you know of any other old Fiddle or Fiddler Bashing Traditions we should all know about?
Cheers
Dick
