Subject: Foreign Lander lyrics From: GUEST,jazzcat Date: 01 Aug 02 - 02:41 PM Does anyone know the lyrics to the song "Foreign Lander". It can be heard on Rory Block's "I've Got a Rock in My Sock" album. Thank you!!! Jazz |
Subject: RE: Foreign Lander lyrics From: Joe Offer Date: 01 Aug 02 - 03:07 PM OK, this is supposed to be in Jean Ritchie's book, Singing Family of the Cumberlands (called "I've Been a Foreign Lander"), and also in the Armstrong Family recording Wheel of the Year. I have both, but can't find them just now. anybody got 'em? I did find it on a recording by Martha Hall on the Folkways recording Mountain Music of Kentucky, but I can't understand it well enough to come up with a decent transcription. I'm guessing the Rory Block recording is the same song. I don't have that one, but I see that Block lists it as "traditional." -Joe Offer- |
Subject: Lyr Add: FOREIGN LANDER (from Jean Ritchie) From: Joe Offer Date: 01 Aug 02 - 04:11 PM Well, when you look long enough.... -Joe Offer-
Jean, any comments you can give us on the song? -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: Foreign Lander lyrics From: masato sakurai Date: 01 Aug 02 - 10:43 PM Rory Block's sound clip is HERE. ~Masato |
Subject: RE: Foreign Lander lyrics From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) Date: 02 Aug 02 - 07:22 PM Joe, gotta go watch the storm- big thunder and heavenly fireworks outside! I'll write later- Foreign Lander was my Dad's proposal song to Mom... Jean |
Subject: RE: Foreign Lander lyrics From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie) Date: 03 Aug 02 - 06:24 PM Next day: Magnificent storm! Washed away all my petty little woes, and put Life back into proper perspective... My Dad's "Foreign Lander" is, as far as I know, the only variant around our part of Kentucky. The lyrics which you printed from SINGING FAMILY of the CUMBERLANDS, are the ones sung by my dad, Balis W. Ritchie, and his cousin Jason Ritchie. They were natives of Knott County, KY, so I guess the song came from there, and before that, Scotland/England. Martha Hall, my second cousin Herman Hall's wife, lived in our village, Viper, KY. She learned some songs from us, and when John Cohen came visiting Roscoe Holcomb, I think he recorded her...she was a shy woman and wouldn't sing for just anyone. As for Rory Block's recording, I can only guess. Her treatment is very agressive and different (it's usually a sweet, gentle song), but basically she seems to have our original song underneath. Isn't she Alan Block's daughter? George and I used to know Alan when he had a sandal shop in Greenwich VIllage next to Izzy Young's Folklore Center. We attended many a rent party for Alan and his wife, in their loft flat, and they gave me my first guitar at one of those parties! Anyway, Alan may have learned, "Foreign Lander" at one of these evenings, and later passed in on the Rory. An example of how folk songs 'travel...' Jean |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Foreign Lander From: GUEST,mjlykos Date: 06 Oct 16 - 12:38 AM These notably different lyrics come from the band "Socks in the Frying Pan" and album by the same name. "I've been a Foreign lander, for seven years or more Among the brave commanders, where wild beasts howl and roar I've conquered all my enemies, on land and on the sea But you my dearest jewel, your beauty has conquered me. I can't build a ship of love without the wood of trees A ship would burst asunder, if I proved false to thee If ever I proved false love, the elements would mourne The fire would turn to ice love, the seas would rage and burn. Have you heard the mourning(/morning?) dove, she's flying from pine to pine She's mourning for her own love, the way I mourne for mine I lie awake, out in the night, I see the shining stars I wonder if you see them too wherever you are. I've been a Foreign lander, for seven years or more Among the brave commanders, where wild beasts howl and roar I've conquered all my enemies, on land and on the sea But you my dearest jewel, your beauty has conquered me. But you my dearest jewel, 'tis you that's conquered me." |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Foreign Lander From: GUEST,mjlykos Date: 06 Oct 16 - 02:07 AM Does anyone know the significance of "Queen Ellen" and "cleanse the golden chain"? In response to any Google searches with "Queen Ellen" I just get info about a TV personality. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Foreign Lander From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Date: 06 Oct 16 - 08:43 AM I suspect "Queen Ellen" is Helen of Troy and the golden chain refers to an incident in the mythology. Regards |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Foreign Lander From: GUEST,AR Date: 06 Oct 16 - 03:18 PM There's a version of this on the Smithsonian release 'Mountain Music of Kentucky' too, sung by Martha Hall. It's basically just the first two verses. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Foreign Lander From: GUEST,Hootenanny Date: 07 Oct 16 - 09:34 AM Guest AR If you read the posts above there is a clear explanation of who Martha Hall was and how she learned the song. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Foreign Lander From: GUEST,AR Date: 07 Oct 16 - 12:02 PM Yes, thanks Hootenanny. I noticed that after I posted my post! D'oh. |
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