|
Description:
I have a huge 'wish list' of traditional songs waiting for me (or kind collaborators) to come up with arrangements for them. But this isn't one of them. I've never sung it before. I just woke up this morning with the tune in my head, and it wouldn't leave me alone until I'd recorded it.
Folk song nerds may be interested to know that this is one of a great number of English melodies which is in both the Aeolian mode and the Dorian mode, as it lacks the sixth degree of the scale which would differentiate the two. Actually, I'm probably the only person on the planet who thinks that's interesting, but never mind. :)
There's no deep symbolism in the words ... it's a simple bog-standard pastoral love song. But somehow I found it incredibly difficult to sing it without crying.
© traditional, arranged by Rebsie Fairholm 2007
Lyrics:
As I walked out one May morning, one May morning betime
I met a maid from home had strayed just as the sun did shine
What makes you rise so soon my love, your journey to pursue?
Your pretty little feet they tread so neat, strike off the morning dew
I'm going to feed my father's flock, his young and tender lambs
That over hills and over dales lie waiting for their dams
O stay o stay you handsome maid and rest a moment here
For there is none but you alone that I do love so dear
How gloriously the sun doth shine, how pleasant is the air
I'd rather rest on my true love's breast than any other where
For I am thine and thou art mine, no man shall uncomfort thee
We'll join our hands in wedded banns and married we shall be
Hardware:
G5, Rode mic, Aria electric guitar, M-Audio Keystation
Software:
GB3
|
What would we do ... &mdash 06/13/07 - 04:40:52 PM
... without Rode! The first thing that jumped out at me was the clarity of your production, quickly followed by the clarity of your voice. I'm a total sucker for these traditional songs, and love the way you approach this one. The keys and electric guitar work perfectly to support your increasingly amazing vocals.
Ummmm ..... I like it Rebsie ;)
Neil [ Reply to This ]
and .... &mdash 06/13/07 - 04:41:35 PM
Yup ... &mdash 06/13/07 - 04:54:51 PM
oh ... &mdash 06/14/07 - 04:38:46 PM
... and yes, the Rode was a good investment. I had a big guilt trip about buying it when I already had a decent condenser mic, but the difference in sound quality is amazing. It picks up subtleties in my voice I didn't even know were there. [ Reply to This ]
Gotta say... &mdash 06/13/07 - 05:06:06 PM
I love this kind of music also, and your voice is the perfect vehicle for singing it. Another time, another place when I hear you sing this. Beautiful. Thanks.
Jack [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/14/07 - 04:44:55 PM
Thanks Jack, it's always nice when people feel the music takes them somewhere else. [ Reply to This ]
Very.. &mdash 06/13/07 - 05:31:17 PM
atmospheric and for such a traditional style the elctronic instruments really added to it. I loved it and the simplicity of your voice.... I could almost smell the new mown hay of yore, M [ Reply to This ]
It's... &mdash 06/13/07 - 05:38:47 PM
a pretty little song, isn't it?! No wonder you woke up with it in your head... though it's funny that I never noticed it there! ;) The cello sound is very nice, but it would be better still to have the real thing. Any cellists out there? [ Reply to This ]
cellos &mdash 09/05/07 - 10:50:22 PM
cjhoose has a cello, and is refusing to play it..
---
Perfection is just down the road. Way down the road... [ Reply to This ]
Wolves... &mdash 06/13/07 - 05:51:38 PM
searching for lambs... and I, my daughter's shepard, stand vigil in the field... oh wait, got a bit overprotective there. :) Ah, another nice choice of music/lyric, beautifully breathily sung as you do so well, and perfectly sparsely orchestrated to make us hold our breaths to the end. The only suggestion would be to have one last repeated line of just the cello/guitar after your last verse, to end the song... ending everything after your last word felt abrupt, given the slow gentle tempo of this... or maybe I just wanted it to keep going just a little longer :-)
ttfn,
Drakonis [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/14/07 - 04:49:00 PM
Yes, you're probably right about the ending. I didn't really know what to do with it so I went for a fizzle-out.
Thanks for dropping by! [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful singing &mdash 06/13/07 - 09:59:45 PM
and very nice, effective instrumentation. The guitar and keyboard sounds nicely complement the traditional sound of the melody. Your singing is outstanding - heartfelt and rich, with a great tone. Thanks for sharing. Very, very nice work. Peace. [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/14/07 - 04:51:52 PM
Rebsie! &mdash 06/13/07 - 11:22:44 PM
You have a wonderful voice: clear, controlled, powerful, emotional (and English!) all at the same time. Very moving piece. I have a soft spot for English and Irish folk ballads, but I can't sing them right with my California accent. [ Reply to This ]
Difficult &mdash 06/14/07 - 01:40:29 AM
I am finding it very difficult to think of anything new to say except that I agree with the above comments.
Your voice is very beautiful, soulful and haunting and I am glad that I listened to it.
Len [ Reply to This ]
Yet another &mdash 06/14/07 - 01:03:38 PM
wonderful interpretation - I love the arrangement. This is another song I know from June Tabor (who is one of my favourite folk singers). However, I found your version far more haunting - The drone and sparse electric guitar are used to great effect and your vocal perfomance is very strong indeed.
Wonderful stuff Rebsie.
Peter [ Reply to This ]
Rebsie girl! &mdash 06/14/07 - 01:51:09 PM
Why aren't you in a Pentangle-style band knockin 'em dead in clubs and at festivals all over England? Somebody PUH-LEEZE send a copy of this to Fairport's Simon Nicoll!
Now I gotta go wipe my eyes.... [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/14/07 - 05:09:31 PM
Thank you Micheal. The sad thing is, I've had some gig offers this year which I've had to turn down because I don't have a band. I would love to start playing live but I need to find some UK musicians who have the time and energy to devote to it ... and I don't yet have anything to pay them with.
I'm keeping my hopes up though that something will happen. [ Reply to This ]
Ultimate feelings.... &mdash 06/14/07 - 02:03:27 PM
Hi Rebsie, you can realy create feelings like no other.
Crispi and clear voice makes the heart goes bom and there is even a litle tear in me eays......ohh
I love it Rebsie.... [ Reply to This ]
Ooo.. &mdash 06/14/07 - 02:34:20 PM
.. extremely beautifully sung, perfect voice for this and a tidy, simple arrangement. Just the right amount of instrumentation: nice use of electric guitar, nicely effected too to be slightly lutish and the cello part/voice is another excellent choice (a real celloist would admittedly be a little tweak - was this the Fitch free GB sw instrument one btw?)
My only nit is it lacks the sixth note of the Aeolian and Dorian mode....I'll be up all night: is it Aeolian- is it Dorian? ... pffft ...lol.
I wonder if you've heard Figgy Duff's take on the
Scottish traditional song "Henry Martin" about the
pirate Andrew Barton (daft title I know)? Not comparing, not biased either, just wondering .. gives me the hee-bee-gee-bees anyway ...
"I'd rather order songs with my true love's breast ..." .. nah, perhaps not ..;o) [ Reply to This ]
Another beautiful tune &mdash 06/14/07 - 02:55:06 PM
Thanks for keeping this music alive, Rebsie - I just love your traditional heart - probably an old soul, you are. The arrangement is just right here and your voice is pure. A joy to carry with - thanks for posting this! [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/14/07 - 04:27:15 PM
An old soul ... too right. I'm wondering when they're gonna give me a break. :)
There is something in traditional music which sometimes makes it feel more like channelling than arranging. I'm sure you know what I mean since you've had such incredible results from tuning in to your native tradition. Once you start poking the ancestors you find yourself stirring up some very powerful stuff. [ Reply to This ]
chills &mdash 06/14/07 - 03:31:14 PM
&mdash 06/14/07 - 04:30:03 PM
Searching For Lambs &mdash 06/15/07 - 03:49:31 PM
first of all ...the charming of your vocie
always giveme this sip of magic from
cup of real beaty yur songing have ...!
using electric guitar ...is just a real Shot
he touch of the chord gives a spraklin light
to the scene ... the back rich with colors
as the cello depth in all ..!
ye I agree with EPPY .. realy Insteruments gives
higher level of joy ...but so far ...still its
one of your best ..what a gem !!
P.S
( as it lacks the sixth degree of the scale which would differentiate the two. Actually, I'm probably the only person on the planet who thinks that's interesting, but never mind.)
emm are you sure ;O)
[ Reply to This ]
Splendid stuff ! &mdash 06/16/07 - 08:01:24 AM
This is excellent.
I love the atmosphere you create with just the voice and the sparse instrumentation.
Cheers
Dick [ Reply to This ]
So nice - &mdash 06/16/07 - 01:24:15 PM
I can imagine you sitting out on a small hill, with cello and lute players in tow, witnessing this pastoral scene, and then composing this little song to perform at the fair. More dorian than aolian, in my book. your vocal delivery is so perfect for this, and you keep the supporting instruments firmly in their supporting roles, which is great. [ Reply to This ]
The early morning mood &mdash 06/18/07 - 08:45:54 AM
Even before I read that you woke up and made it early morning I made the reflection that is bears so much of the early morning mood.
The simplicity and the mood makes this a top production.
A true fav of mine. So beautiful .. just so beautiful. [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/18/07 - 09:28:04 AM
Thank you Johannes! It means a lot to me that you appreciate and enjoy my music. I'm not sure how I ended up doing an early morning song when I'm useless for anything in the mornings ... this was recorded at 3 in the afternoon after several cups of tea. Anyway, your continued support is greatly appreciated. [ Reply to This ]
melting &mdash 06/18/07 - 09:44:42 AM
Your voice melts me insides. Beautiful, haunting all encompassing....... Reminds me of many a grand scale movies, where there is some scene from the middle ages or some mystical tale which warrants a clear and beautiful voice like yours. Peter Jackson ought to put you in his little black book for future movies.
Again, you melt me. [ Reply to This ]
Actually... &mdash 06/18/07 - 11:05:20 AM
...I found your description very interesting. So...that makes two of us on the planet...
;-)
Cool instrumentation. Like the choice of electric guitar with the vibrato. Nice touch. Your voice is beautiful, as always. [ Reply to This ]
Beautiful, Rebsie &mdash 06/18/07 - 03:14:47 PM
I lovely rendition - not that I've heard it before - and excellently chosen instrumentation to go with the vocals. I did find that by "How gloriously the sun doth shine" I was looking for a new instrumental injection to keep things interesting. Just a slight tinkering would have done the trick.
All the way through the song, I imagined you trying not to cry. That'll teach me to read your sleeve notes first!
:O) xxxx
[ Reply to This ]
simply &mdash 06/18/07 - 03:22:30 PM
less is more. I didn't read any description of the song, nor any comment. Why should i? This is hauntingly simple and beautiful. Glad i could push the play button again and again. Your voice shines, with just enough 'souffle' (forgive my french) to make it feel like you are singing right into my ears. Shivers.
- Walt [ Reply to This ]
Stunning! &mdash 06/20/07 - 02:40:13 PM
Just beautiful. Beautifully sung, arranged, and recorded.
I got here a little late so many others have said some of the same things I would have. The one I want to repeat is that I think it would be a great idea to have the music repeat one last time after you stopped singing.
I just didn't want it to end!
If I lived in England, I would be BEGGING to be in your backing band.
I will definitely be checking out the rest of your songs, and eagerly anticipating anything else you post.
~Brian [ Reply to This ]
thoughts from the bull... &mdash 06/20/07 - 07:06:08 PM
what more can be said? this is what you do and you seem to take this style one step closer to perfection with each new song. fantastic music, wonderful words, and a performance delivery that is simply unparalleled.
thank you for sharing your talent with us! [ Reply to This ]
&mdash 06/28/07 - 05:27:00 AM
Thanks Mark, I really appreciate the nice words, not just here but all the encouragement you've given me over the last couple of years. [ Reply to This ]
Full tonal shine &mdash 06/20/07 - 07:06:26 PM
The drone and hum followed by your voice was an experience in its own. I love the traditional sound. I could see a wandering minstril singing this. A grat listen thanks! [ Reply to This ]
Simply beautiful... &mdash 06/23/07 - 12:45:05 AM
and the voice!....what a sweet voice....I sure can understand how it brings tears to your eyes...Thank you! [ Reply to This ]
PERFECT &mdash 06/30/07 - 08:11:48 AM
Miss Rebsie ..
I swear that i've heard it the day after you posted it.
So i remember it and need to hear it again ..
i came here .. while i'm listen i see that i haven't comment here, and also i know that it was one of the RATING PICKS .. so here's my comment .. and i'm sorry i'm late ..
Miss Rebsie it's not just wonderful, it's amazing ..
Your voice is really perfect and fit with the music ..
i'm with Mr. Neil "The first thing that jumped out at me was the clarity of your production"
The lyrics is very nice to hear it by your voice ..
Well Done !!
Thanks for posting
Regardz
================
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi [ Reply to This ]
pretty good! &mdash 06/30/07 - 10:24:29 AM
Beautiful, &mdash 07/14/07 - 08:19:27 PM
Very Interesting! &mdash 07/16/07 - 01:45:26 PM
Rebsie,
Sure enjoyed the softness of the song, lambs are such
gentle creatures of the earth. Enjoyed the use of your
electric guitar in the piece.
Thanks for sharing!It's music I would not hear over here
in the US.Home of Commercial Music(The USA)radio waves
dwwave [ Reply to This ]
Rebsie... &mdash 07/29/07 - 01:33:16 AM
Your voice is AMAZING...A pure delight.
I love this arrangement. A definite fave.
Thanks
Steve [ Reply to This ]
omg.. &mdash 08/29/07 - 06:39:49 PM
The most beautiful voice I've heard on MJ so far...
And the production is just great as well, crisp and clear. Wish I could do anything remotely as great.
Another favourite added. [ Reply to This ]
sacrifices &mdash 09/05/07 - 10:48:47 PM
i have talked with butchers, the kind that do the killing. they say lambs are the hardest because they sound like children when they bleat. odd that the child sacrifice comes up in bible and then the lamb sacrifice; like it is the children we are losing. i got lost after the first few words in the drifting undersound and twangs. oh well never have been able to stick with a full line ever. maybe i'll get a chance to listen to it all again. but then again i much prefer just drifting though the mists. [ Reply to This ]
What a beautiful rendition of this tune &mdash 09/25/07 - 05:10:09 PM
Being rather fond of traditional folk music of the British Isles I am biased, but I still think this is a very lovely interpretation of this tune. Well sung with a minimalist arrangement to best present the message of the song.
Thanks!
Doug [ Reply to This ]
Searching For Lambs &mdash 12/12/07 - 04:11:41 AM
|
Ummmm ..... I like it Rebsie ;)
Neil
[ Reply to This ]