The Never Ending Pool

The tune of Dominic Behan's song 'The Patriot Game' is often cited as the source for 'With God On Our Side'. It is probable that Bob heard this song performed by The Clancy Brothers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5vm2mLb2c

Some time ago, I heard Liam Clancy mention in a radio interview that Dominic Behan had 'borrowed' the tune from a 17th century English ballad (which became popular in Appalachia) called 'the Nightingale' (aka 'One Morning in May', and 'the Trooper and the Maid'.



'The Nightingale' was included on Jo Stafford's excellent 1950 LP, 'American Folk Songs'. I have been searching for ages to find this song, and, finally, here it is:



Jo Stafford - The Nightingale http://www.sendspace.com/file/pe0zmc

interesting,preformed well by Jo Stafford.I really enjoyed listening to it.

another Bob/Jo Stafford link:

In 1952, she had her biggest hit (topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic) with 'You Belong To Me':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H1Imb6jm0U


Bob recorded 'You Belong To me' for the soundtrack of Oliver Stone's 'Natural Born Killers':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pz-TOrCG4w

Thanks a lot, Kevin. I think the story as I remember it was that Behan took it explicitly from Jo Stafford.

Here's a British broadside of "The Bold Grenadier", not dated, but it must be from ca. mid 19th century.

Jürgen, below is the reference to the earlier version, in the Bodleian Broadside Library:

Printer: Onley, W. (London)
Date: between 1689 and 1709
Imprint: Printed by and for W.O. and are to be sold by the Booksellers
Illus. Ballads on sheet: 1

Copies: Douce Ballads 2(166b)

Ballads:
1. The nightingale's song: or The soldier's rare musick, and maid's recreation ("As I walkt forth one sunshining-day ...&quot
To the tune of: No, no, not I.


Scroll about half way down this page

My dad used to sing a Texas version of this. I found out later he got it from an Alan Lomax record. My dad sang it better. There are no nightingales in Texas, so the girl in the song should have known better than to listen to that cowboy.

4th Time Around wrote:

QUOTE:

Copies: Douce Ballads 2(166b)

Ballads:
1. The nightingale's song: or The soldier's rare musick, and maid's recreation ("As I walkt forth one sunshining-day ...")
To the tune of: No, no, not I.

Thanks! This song "No, No, Not I" must have been a great hit at that time. I wonder if it's the same melody as the one used today.

One of the earliest 20th century American prints was in this collection (1917):
http://sdrcdata.lib.uiowa.edu/libsdrc/details.jsp?id=/wymanb/2&page=1






They also went on tour with these songs:

That song has quite a history!

Here are two more related versions (partly the same lyrics, but different tunes):

Bjorn Cardenas - One Morning in May http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-BTLgOhVXQ


Luke Kelly - The Nightingale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldDgN2j5NWM

Great thread folks..I really enjoy reading about Bob's roots..Fasinating..Thanks and Peace to you all..

I thought Bob heard "The Patriot Game" from The Dubliners on his first trip to London in '62/'63. Behan also accused Bob of plagarism (which, as noted in this thread, is pretty ironic). And I also thought the original song was called "The Merry Month Of May"....

4th Time Around wrote:

QUOTE:

'The Nightingale' was included on Jo Stafford's excellent 1950 LP, 'American Folk Songs'.

Jo Stafford died on July 16, aged 90.
A great innings for a great artist.




r.i.p.

Top of the morning to you 4th, thanks for giving us a picture of Jo, she was very beautiful. Would it be possible to re-post her "You belong to me"? Rest in peace, and sing a song to remember.

For Bee:

You Belong to Me



... and Bob's version