BEDOBOY SINGS HIGH GERMANY

A SONG FOR LATE SUNDAY EVENING, ANOTHER WAR SONG THIS TIME SET IN ENGLAND THE WOMAN IS WITH CHILD AND HUSBAND/BOYFRIEND IS OFF TO THE WARS IN HIGH GERMANY.
Some facts
Susannes Folksong-Notizen * [1965:] There are two distinct songs bearing the title High Germany. The one sung here was on a broadside by Such and also in 'A Collection of Choice Garlands' printed in the 1780s. The wars referred to are probably those at the beginning of the 18th century. Some lines are taken from the other version which is also called The Two Lovers. (Notes 'Martin Carthy') * [1973:] In some versions of this ballad she goes with him, in others she merely goes to Plymouth to have her baby and wait for him. The funny thing is, until the two world wars, British soldiers were rarely seen in High (or Southern) Germany. [...] When Shirley [Collins] did it, she added the 'cursed be those cruel wars' verse which is associated with Carthy's version, one of the few outwardly protesting sentiments in folksong which tends to accept the excesses wished upon the folk community by the state as something that must be accepted and borne, like acts of God, which of course they're not. A similar verse does duty at the end of The Banks of the Nile. (Dallas, Wars 80) * [1977:] Some regiments encouraged the singing of traditional songs. The Somerset Light Infantry published a little book with local versions of twelve folk songs, including High Germany, with its unequivocal last verse. (Palmer, Soldier 5) * http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=22617

Category:

Music

Tags:

• BEDOBOY
• HIGH
• GERMANY

[woodswgb]

The original version of the song is English, not Irish. Amusingly, the relatively new 'Irished-up' version ofthe song is now better known- probably because it appeals to Americans. The original version has the name 'Polly' instead of the numerous Irish ones that different versions off, and verse four laments the leaving of 'merry England'.

[bedoboy]

Thank you for the info taken on board, I love hearing originals and history and diff versions of songs.

But the main thing its a great song and Luke Kelly is the man who does best version.

James

[238244]

I think the song refers to the "Seven Years War" in the 18th century, which was fought in Westphaly and Hannover, not Bavaria. Many British soldiers were Irish (remember the movie "Barry Lindon").

[bedoboy]

Yes I think your right I always get confused about this song and the origins abut a great one.

James

[machree01]

A great song, i think i have 3 different irishfolk groups singing it. well done James.

[bedoboy]

Thanks mate Luke Kelly has the best version.

[bedoboy]

Your right there I think, thanks for stopping by, please read description box anyway.

[bedoboy]

Not sure either but lets say its a cracking song and do have Lukes version right here.

Its about some war Bavarian which I think you could be right.

I shall look it up again, main thing I sung the song.

James

[MissGlossop08]

nice song and nice sung, I really heart the luke kelly version of it :-)

but is it really world war 1 ?

because I read it's about some war in 1600 something.

As a german I think it's quite peculiar that bavaria is called "high germany" - because bavarians don't speak "high german" at all ;-)

("High german" might be the german version of oxbridge english )

[NorthumbrianJim]

This song is from the 17th Century, not WWI. Good effort though.