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Sovay (w/Rebsie) by LunaTrick [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 343
Comments: 21
Votes: 5
Plays: 46
Last Played: Sep 02, 2008 - 11:41:07 AM
Downloads: 13
Fans: 10
Uploaded: May 28, 2008 - 12:14:06 AM
Last Updated: May 28, 2008 - 12:14:06 AM
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Keywords:
Folksong (4), historical (6), folk (361), celtic (62), english (24)
Description:
My deepest gratitude to Rebsie for letting me work with her wonderful a cappella. It really did not need any accompaniment - this was purely self indulgent on my part. I tried to add a little period instrumentation - all the while keeping the vocals as the focal point. This was a real challenge for me because there is absolutely no time signature to the song. I was so tempted to cut it up but resisted the urge. The vocal track has not been touched - no editing or EQ - and I found a way to work around it. It was a lot of fun and I hope you enjoy this version. Here are Rebsie's original notes:

I meant to upload an English traddy song for St George's Day (April 23rd) but I forgot to record it in time. Oh well, being late and inefficient is an English trait anyway.

My confidence in my singing has hit an all-time low and I'm hoping this retreat into something simple and unembellished will help me straighten my head out.

This is one of the best-known and most widely-performed English songs about a strangely obsessed woman who goes to extreme measures to test her lover's fidelity. It probably originated as an 18th century broadside ballad designed to be sung unaccompanied, not least because it's The Song With No Time Signature ... try counting the beats and you'll see what I mean!

I assume there must be a lost additional verse at the end where Sovay's true love says "I ain't marrying you, you're a f***ing nutter, you are."

Lyrics:
Sovay, Sovay, all on a day
She dressed herself in man's array
With a brace of pistols all at her side
To meet her true love
To meet her true love away she'd ride

As she was galloping over the land
She met her true love and bid him stand
"Stand and deliver, young man" she said
"And if you do not
If you do not I'll shoot you dead"

He delivered up his golden store
And still she craved for one thing more
"That diamond ring that I see you wear
Oh hand it over
Hand it over and your life I'll spare"

"That diamond ring I will not part
From, it's a token from my sweetheart
Shoot and be damned, you rogue" said he
"And you'll be hanged
And you'll be hanged for murdering me"

She being softhearted as a dove
She turned her horse round
Turned her horse and rode from her true love

Next morning in the garden green
Young Sovay and her true love were seen
He spied his watch hanging by her clothes
Which made him blush then
Made him blush like any rose

"Why do you blush at so silly a thing?
I thought you had your diamond ring.
'Twas I who robbed you all on the plain
So here's your gold, love,
Here's your gold and your watch and chain."

"I only did it for to know
Whether you be a man or no.
If you'd have give me that ring" she said
"I'd've pulled the trigger
Pulled the trigger and shot you dead."

Hardware:
M-Audio49e

Software:
GB
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Sovay &mdash 05/28/08 - 12:37:20 AM
Man !!!! ... you reminds me of Minsteral Boy colab
time ..Rebsie is the best vocalist for such kind of
colabs ..loved your additions to her marvelous soft
voice ...was a lil smile hearin the horse lol ...
Hats off to u two !!

[ Reply to This ]
Thanks Feter &mdash 05/28/08 - 01:29:41 PM
There was a space between the verses and I thought a horse would do well to trot in at that point. And yes, her vocals are amazing!

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Great! &mdash 05/28/08 - 02:18:02 AM
WOW man.. that was so fast after the A Capella posted. Great addition, great vocals.. neat work by all means. KUDOS!

Take Care
- Yeman A. Al-Rawi

[ Reply to This ]
Heard it... &mdash 05/28/08 - 01:30:52 PM
loved it... and just had to work on it.

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Nice one Daniel and Rebsie &mdash 05/28/08 - 02:20:32 AM
Great collaboration - very well done

b

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As you know Bryn... &mdash 05/28/08 - 01:32:19 PM
It sure helps to have something marvelous to sculpt around... and this provided that opportunity.

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Sovay &mdash 05/28/08 - 08:32:34 AM
BEAUTIFUL!!! I'm so impressed that you did this w/o a time signature Daniel - please share your secret! Wonderful instrumentation - great job to you both!

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No secret Karen... &mdash 05/28/08 - 01:35:37 PM
I really had to listen to Rebsie's vocals and follow the lyrics, allowing the accents and inflections of the words to become a sort of rhythm. It was quite a challenge and I almost gave up at one point - but the vocal is so beautiful that I stayed with it. The amazing thing about this A cappella is that it is absolutely pitch perfect C# minor from beginning to end. I must have listened to it over 100 times - and never grew tired of hearing it.

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Fine work &mdash 05/28/08 - 12:42:55 PM
on the collaboration, the arrangement really supports the vocal.

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Thanks Boss &mdash 05/28/08 - 01:37:00 PM
Must check out your work. It was an honour to work on this lovely piece.

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Impressed &mdash 05/28/08 - 04:45:07 PM
Rebsie has never sounded better. This one struck me right away. Kind of a Dido sound to her voice.

Great job.

LL

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Yes - &mdash 05/28/08 - 11:15:40 PM
She deserves all the praise - great pitch, tone, and dynamics!

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Lovely, subtle additions, here.. &mdash 05/28/08 - 11:37:55 PM
Very well done, and a nice backdrop to Rebsie's voice!

:)
Thanks for sharing this here!

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Thanks Cat &mdash 05/29/08 - 09:24:03 PM
You're well qualified to say what good accompaniment is ...being the singer that you are.

Appreciate the comment!

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hey &mdash 05/29/08 - 01:11:24 PM
great job! your minimal accompaniment doesnt take away from the a cappella but in fact compliments it rather perfectly. a great song made even better. well done.

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Cheers... &mdash 05/29/08 - 09:26:45 PM
... I don't think I improved it.... but gave it a slight new twist perhaps!

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&mdash 05/30/08 - 06:14:16 AM
I don't envy anyone attempting to orchestrate a song like this ... no consistent time signature, melody in the dorian mode and pitched at C sharp ... I couldn't really have made it more difficult! :) I think you did the right thing in keeping it light and restrained.

Thanks for taking an interest in the song.

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It was a pleasure and a privilege... &mdash 05/30/08 - 06:08:05 PM
... to work with this. I thank you heartily for the opportunity.

I will also look forward to your future songs...

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Interesting .... &mdash 05/31/08 - 11:03:56 PM
Although this has elements of the minstral fancy for which I have come to know Rebsie for .... parts of it also had an almost jazzy feel to it .... great job Luna matching those challenging notes

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Thanks Alannah... &mdash 06/01/08 - 09:50:01 PM
Both you and Rebs are a delight to work with.

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Wonderful collab! &mdash 06/16/08 - 01:55:35 AM
Love the simplicity. Simplicity is so overlooked - very inspiring.

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