Topic: Henry Thomas Lyrics

[Johnm]

It doesn't seem plausible that Daylight Savings time would have been used in prison, but not elsewhere in the same locality. I don't see it as being a condition specific to prison life, in whatever era.

[Stuart]

Hi John:

I know it's a judgment call, but my suggestion would be to use a capital "C' for "Charmin'." IMHO, "Charmin' Betsy" is a fictitious person, perhaps based on a real individual (as well as other individuals) and used to represent a character type. I understand it as a "proper" given name, although a fictitious one. --Just another thought.

[Johnm]

I considered that, Stuart, but shied away from it because it seemed a little too much like product placement.

[Stuart]

Fair enough, John. Like I said, it's a judgment call and nit-picking at best.

[waxwing]

And a mule is indicative of prison how? Mules were ubiquitous in the life of the Delta. As I said, I still like doing time, nothing says prison like that does.

Wax

[Johnm]

"Doing" doesn't end in "l" and rhyme with "jewel". The sound doesn't support the interpretation. 

[Stuart]

As an FYI:

http://bluegrassmessengers.com/charming-betsy--version-7-henry-thomas-1929.aspx

n.b. The mention of Paul Oliver's discussion in chapter 3 of his Songsters & Saints.

I'm sure there's much more out there, but it's apparent the song has a history. Also, I saw that it was the name of a schooner (ca.1800) that figures into maritime law:

https://constitutionallawreporter.com/2015/10/06/historical-charming-betsy-and-constitutional-law-2/

I don't know where the ship's name came from, but this suggests that there was a lot going on re: the origins and lines of transmission of "Charming Betsy." But I digress...

Fortunately we're only focused on transcribing the lyrics of Henry Thomas' song.

[Stuart]

Hi John:

I just listened to the line in question several times with the headphones, both at normal speed and slowing it down with VLC Media Player. I still hear "tired of." I do not hear "on." As for, "mule," I hear it when listening through the computer's speakers, but not clearly using the headphones at various speeds. It might be owing to the speakers and the environment in which the sound is reproduced. And it might be a case of the mind filling in what the ears do not clearly hear. It happens all the time, and just not when listening to music.

That's all I can offer for now. I'll leave it to you to determine whether to use what you think is the best guess, and/or note the uncertainty and leave it open for further revision. It's a tough one.

[banjochris]

Been out of town for a few days and finally had a moment to listen to Charmin' Betsy. Couple of things:

In most versions of this tune, the second line of the chorus ends "Cora Lee" or some such. He's not singing "Cora," but what about "Dora Lee" as a possibility, with Dora somewhat crushed into one syllable? It sounds more like "Dro Lee" to me than "truly."

Also, the line that's caused so much back and forth I'm reasonably certain is:
"I just got there in-a due old time"

Chris

[Johnm]

Thanks very much for the help, Chris! "Dora Lee" it is and "due ol' time" matches his sound perfectly and isn't a strain for meaning. I will make the changes. Thanks!

[Stuart]

I just listened a few more times and I'll second "Dora Lee." I'm still hearing "tired of" in spite of seriously considering the alternatives that have been suggested. And I'm still uncertain about "[?] time," but I'll let John make the call on this one.

[Slack]

"I just got there in-a due old time"

Brilliant!

[Johnm]

I'll second that!

[sofingraw]

I actually think in Charming Betsy, it’s ‘Geraldine’ instead of
Dora Lee, etc. Pronounced more like ‘Jurrldeen’.

Merely a suggestion

Ben