Topic: Sam McGee Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

He didn't really try to rhyme in a couple of verses.

5.1  I don't hear "and boy" but don't know what it could be.

[Johnm]

I believe your first observation is the point, Blues Vintage. Re-listening, I think 5.1 is "and oh, she had to shiver". I've made the fix.

[Blues Vintage]

I believe your first observation is the point, Blues Vintage.

I didn't pick up on that.

[Johnm]

Hi Blues Vintage,
Here are links to a couple of other songs that use "rhyme avoidance" for humorous purposes: Teddy Darby's "She Thinks She's Slick": https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1086.msg16167#msg16167 and an especially clever one, Jesse James' "Ramrod": https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=9951.msg86434#msg86434 .
all best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks, I'll check those out.

[banjochris]

Re-listening, I think 5.1 is "and oh, she had to shiver". I've made the fix.

John, I think it might be "of course" she had to shiver – he swallows the end of "course" but the "f" sound comes through, and it echoes 3.2.

My friend Mel Durham, great fiddler and bassist (born in 1914) used to sing this verse to the fiddle tune "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss":

She went down the new cut lane, and I went down behind her,
She bent over to buckle her shoe, and the wind blew up the avenue.

Chris

[Johnm]

Hi Chris,
I'm hearing "and" pretty clearly and don't hear a hard "c" sound that would start "course", nor the "s" sound that would conclude it at all. I think I'll stick with "and oh,".
All best,
John

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Sam McGee recorded "As Willie and Mary Strolled by the Seashore" at the same session at which he recorded the last three songs in this thread, accompanying himself out of C position in standard tuning capoed up, and playing in 3/4. The story is one which has been re-told in many songs--a long absent lover returns in disguise, trying to ascertain whether his lover has been true since his departure. A pretty crummy  (and implausible) stunt to pull, but that's just my response to it. Sam McGee maintains his strong forward rhythmic impetus on what would sound like a parlor song when played by many guitarists. I'd very much appreciate help with any places in the lyrics where you think I've been mistaken. Here is the song:



INTRO

As Willie and Mary strolled by the seashore, their last farewell to take
Says Mary to Willie, "If you never return, I'm sure my poor heart will break."
Don't mourn for a little while.", to Mary cried he, as he pressed the dear girl to his side.
"If I live, and ever return, I make this little Mary, my bride."

INTERLUDE

Three years had passed, when the news came at last, she stood in her own cottage door
A beggar passed by with a patch on his eye, his jacket all ragged and torn.
"Your company is sweet, little Mary.", cried he, "A message for you I be sign
The one that you love will never return to make this little Mary his bride."

INTERLUDE

"Oh sir,", cried she, "How can that be? My love for him never been told.
He's welcome to me, in his poverty, as though he was covered in gold."

INTERLUDE

Then the beggar drew the patch from his eye, and lay off the jacket beside
With cheeks red as roses and blooming with youth, it was Willie who stood by her side

INTERLUDE

"Forgive little Willie, little Mary!", cried he, "It's only your love I have tried.
Now off to the church, and let us go, I make Miss little Mary my bride."

CODA

Edited 4/8 to pick up corrections from Doug, Dave Kaatz and Johnm

All best,
Johnm

 
 

[Doug]

Hi Johnm,

Thanks for this.  I'm hearing:

1.3: "Don't mourn for a little-while," to Mary, cried he...
3.2: "He's welcome to me, in his poverty, ..."

(And I agree with you that it's not a nice thing for Willie to do to Mary!)

[David Kaatz]

Hi John,
1.3 I agree with Doug
3.2 I agree with Doug
4.2, cheeks red as roses....

Dave

[Johnm]

Thanks very much for the help, Doug and Dave, I have made the corrections you suggested. I also change "this" to "Miss" in the last line of the last verse.

[Blues Vintage]

1.4  I make this little Mary, my bride."

I don't hear "little''  but something like poor, po' or old.

Same goes for 2.4 and 5.2

[Johnm]

Hi Blues Vintage,
I"m still hearing"little", pretty swallowed, in all of those places.