I'm no folklorist, but I suspect at least the melody has deep, possibly Irish roots. I find it hard to imagine any cowboy would come up with the lines "Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly/
Play the dead march as you carry me on"
In any case, the "Unfortunate Rake" certainly traveled to Ireland.
The version I know best is the modern, folk-rock take by Steeleye Span (1971). They got it from a 1952 field recording of Mary Doran in Belfast. It has the unfortunate singer (in this case a soldier) entering Cork City to meet his downfall. Melodically, it is most similar to Dick Devall's version.
Maddy Prior on vocals, the great Martin Carthy on Telecaster, Ashley Hutchins (having just left Fairport Convention) on bass, Peter Knight on fiddle, and Tim Hart on rhythm guitar.
Thanks, Hal, for another educational & enjoyable posting!
Hi Eric, Happy New Year. thanks for the good thoughts. I started to write about the various melodies but they do run deep in Celtic traditions. I always loved Maddy Prior singing. We sure enjoyed out morning together recently. We'd love to get you out here. best,
What a wonderful way to take us deeper into understanding the history of songs of the west, mainly, and I particularly enjoyed seeing and hearing Don Edwards. So sad to see him go. Best to you and Teresa in the New Year!
Geez. Generally Substack works well. Thank you Kathy for your comments my friend. It’s tricky to speak for women as a man. I feel shame for the ways I have objectified women in my life and one thing I can do is try to add my voice to turn that tide
I love the processional, dirge-like quality of your song! I also love the Cab Callaway cartoon! I'm struck by the historical limited value of women in general, but certainly, this 'sort' of woman. Nowadays, people celebrate and revel in the Madonnas, the sexually explicit icons. I see your dance hall girls as capitalizing on their perception of what men, in their limited capacity could value in a woman. Perhaps, Marshall Dillan saw Kitty's value, but only as the characters were written in this century. You have given these wronged fair ladies dignity with your musical offering!
I'm here for the hurdy-gurdy and this delivers the goods.
Yes, that's Devon Lèger cranking the thing.... see you in Elko
I had to go back and listen to your rendition. Haunting and beautiful. A very familiar melody, it will stick with me for awhile. Thank you.
I'm no folklorist, but I suspect at least the melody has deep, possibly Irish roots. I find it hard to imagine any cowboy would come up with the lines "Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly/
Play the dead march as you carry me on"
In any case, the "Unfortunate Rake" certainly traveled to Ireland.
The version I know best is the modern, folk-rock take by Steeleye Span (1971). They got it from a 1952 field recording of Mary Doran in Belfast. It has the unfortunate singer (in this case a soldier) entering Cork City to meet his downfall. Melodically, it is most similar to Dick Devall's version.
Listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q4BrtuM5mU
Maddy Prior on vocals, the great Martin Carthy on Telecaster, Ashley Hutchins (having just left Fairport Convention) on bass, Peter Knight on fiddle, and Tim Hart on rhythm guitar.
Thanks, Hal, for another educational & enjoyable posting!
Hi Eric, Happy New Year. thanks for the good thoughts. I started to write about the various melodies but they do run deep in Celtic traditions. I always loved Maddy Prior singing. We sure enjoyed out morning together recently. We'd love to get you out here. best,
What a wonderful way to take us deeper into understanding the history of songs of the west, mainly, and I particularly enjoyed seeing and hearing Don Edwards. So sad to see him go. Best to you and Teresa in the New Year!
welcome to 2025. thank you Lita, Finest regards to you.
Beautiful Hal. Loved the history as well as your take on it. Best to you two for 2025…
Wonderful collection! Thank you Hal.
The best to you in the coming New Year!
Substack wouldn't post my comment and then they posted it twice so I deleted one.
Geez. Generally Substack works well. Thank you Kathy for your comments my friend. It’s tricky to speak for women as a man. I feel shame for the ways I have objectified women in my life and one thing I can do is try to add my voice to turn that tide
I love the processional, dirge-like quality of your song! I also love the Cab Callaway cartoon! I'm struck by the historical limited value of women in general, but certainly, this 'sort' of woman. Nowadays, people celebrate and revel in the Madonnas, the sexually explicit icons. I see your dance hall girls as capitalizing on their perception of what men, in their limited capacity could value in a woman. Perhaps, Marshall Dillan saw Kitty's value, but only as the characters were written in this century. You have given these wronged fair ladies dignity with your musical offering!