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Sycamore Tree (As I Sat Under A) featuring Revolving Doris by Noel Project [Email]
Genre: Holiday

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 2382
Comments: 14
Votes: 11
Plays: 694
Last Played: Sep 18, 2008 - 08:26:45 PM
Downloads: 120
Fans: 7
Uploaded: Dec 13, 2005 - 09:29:51 AM
Last Updated: Dec 12, 2005 - 03:45:54 PM
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Description:
A slightly unusual variant of the carol 'I Saw Three Ships', this
English song probably belongs to the wassail tradition. Wassailling
was a kind of forerunner to today's carol singing ... people would go
from door to door at Christmas singing songs and carrying a wooden
bowl which the householder was expected to fill up with ale or cider.
Presumably by the time they'd been round a few houses the whole thing
was becoming decidedly jolly. We've tried to capture some of that
ambience with our very English folky acoustic arrangement, and in the
same merry spirit we've incorporated a seasonal Irish jig called Oíche
Nollag (Christmas Eve).

Rebsie Fairholm: vocals
William Shaw: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, whistle, finest soup spoons,
bodhrán, tom-tom, software instruments

(The Noel Project would like to thank Rebsie and mando for allowing us to include this on our new CD, "Splendor Bright," available on The Lost Records™ label.)

Lyrics:
As I Sat Under A Sycamore Tree
Traditional, arranged by William and Rebsie

Lyrics:
As I sat under a sycamore tree
A sycamore tree, a sycamore tree
I looked me out upon the sea
A Christmas day in the morning

I saw three ships a-sailing there
A-sailing there, a-sailing there
The Virgin Mary and Christ they bear
A Christmas day in the morning

He did whistle and she did sing
She did sing, she did sing
And all the bells on earth did ring
A Christmas day in the morning

And now we hope to taste your cheer
Taste your cheer, taste your cheer
And wish you all a Happy New Year
A Christmas day in the morning
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I love the pure joy of this song &mdash 12/13/05 - 09:47:13 AM
It's such a great variation of the version I'm used to hearing, and your performance of it is incredible.

I'm looking forward to the Revolving Doris Christmas CD next year...maybe? Hopefully?
And while I've said it before, I'll say again how really grateful I am that you two added to the Noel Project CD.
Your additions are gold! Thank you!


[ Reply to This ]
I love the pure joy of this song &mdash 12/19/05 - 01:42:05 PM
Thank you for asking us, Myst! It's an honour to be a part of it.

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Refreshing &mdash 12/13/05 - 12:37:07 PM
I really enjoyed that. I even found myself singing along. I hope the spoons were stainless steel!! :)

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please come wassailling at my house... &mdash 12/13/05 - 02:15:52 PM
i'll give you mulled wine and a mince-pie! a little bit of olde england -
thank you - and a merry christmas to you and bless us - every one!! xxx

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please come wassailling at my house... &mdash 12/19/05 - 01:32:52 PM
Mince pie? Hmmm. Make it a bucketful of ale and we'll think about it.

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Great stuff &mdash 12/14/05 - 01:08:01 AM
I was lucky enough to get a preview of this, it is a really enjoyable track. I
love the folk instrumentation you guys use with so much ease. Great to
hear a bit of rocking out on electric guitar at the end in that 'Liege and
lief' way. This is a great addition to the festive Noel Project!
Steve

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wow wow wow!! &mdash 12/14/05 - 10:02:12 AM
I love this. This is probably one of the best recordings I have heard on here. Wonderful arrangement as well. This sounds like what real music sounds like. Love the change up in the middle. Very Very Good!!!

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Wonderful &mdash 12/14/05 - 04:13:33 PM
A wonderful contribution to the CD!

Your ability to get back some hundred years with your music is awesome!
Back to a time when there were no electricity, no cars, and when clothes
were often too bad in the winter, a very different world. And all that I can
sort of feel in your music. I can go back and "remember". And in the final
part you're gently taking me back home again.

If you people were swedish I bet you would get some sort of cultural grant
for keeping on with this.

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Wait a minute... &mdash 12/14/05 - 04:56:10 PM
I don't have my time machine handy, but I'm pretty sure they didn't
have electric guitars at the time this song was written...which is what
makes it so COOL!

You know your music turns me into a drooling fool. Every note you
guys play makes the world a better place and I'm really, really looking
forward to getting my Noel Project CD. This one will go on repeat.

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Imagine... &mdash 12/14/05 - 10:05:33 PM
...how thrilled Cat and I were when we received this for the CD. Without
you two Dorises and Curry and MidiOrleans our little Noel Project
would have been like white bread. Now it has more texture, variety,
joy, tradition, and a strong British accent.

Thanks for doing this. Wonderful job!

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we'll fill that bowl.... &mdash 12/18/05 - 06:55:47 AM
when you come a'knockin on the bunker door!
great, great stuff rebsie and mando.
brilliant

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enjoyed quite a bit &mdash 12/18/05 - 09:49:28 PM
as usual! Good doubling the melody lines on mandolin, fiddle, guitar,
whistle by William. Sweet singing by ms Rebsie. There's just someting
that you guys got that I don't - let's see . . rhythm, lilt, melody, joy!!

[ Reply to This ]
Merry Christmas! &mdash 12/25/05 - 06:50:29 AM
Thanks again, Wm and Rebsie, for this song, and thanks again
everyone for listening and for your comments.

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( : &mdash 04/19/08 - 06:02:52 PM
WONDERFUL hearing this ! I Love Your voice & it's great when William 'kicks in' ! Just love Your accent Rebsie & all those different instruments !
TX My Pleasure ! dl FAV

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