You be the judge.
Here’s a rendition of it via youtube.
And if you really want to do a spit-take, try this sample of the song recorded in 2009.
Now that really isn’t the end of it.
There’s a much older song – “Barbara Allen” – which has been documented from its first printing in 1750 and is mentioned in Samuel Pepys’ diary from 1666. There are a great many variations on both the lyrics and tune for this song but some of the more common tunes sound suspiciously familiar to Kelland’s work and to the Wyoming song.
Same song?
-srbp-
6 comments:
I too heard this on the Fisheries Broadcast and raised an eyebrow.
But after thinking about it for a moment I could really care less. Let Me Fish of Cape St. Mary's is a wonderful song and a fixture to our folklore. The origin of the melody will not lessen the beauty of the song
For what it's worth the "borrowing" of melodies is certainly not new. It can be argued in this case whether it post dated copyright, however that's another issue.
On the same vein, the Star Spangled Banner was based on the melody of a British drinking song.
A quick google or a visit to this site will shed some light...
http://www.colonialmusic.org/Resource/Anacreon.htm
Wm. Murphy
Borrowing melodies is nothing new.
in this case, though, it might entail a payment of some royalties.
Other than that it is a curiosity, if nothing else. And it certainly falls into the same category as those who decry the end of the line for Old Stock, the trsaditional Newfoundland beer. Well traditional that is since the 1960s when it was first brought to newfoundland from the mainland.
I can't really picture a bunch of hairy arsed men guzzling Old Stock while belting out "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's".
I wonder if Sue Kelland Dyer drinks Extra Old Stock?
Wm. Murphy
The Wyoming tune has key points of identical phrasing. It's much closer than the Barbara Allen tune -- which has been brought up many times before. But there are also many departures in the song line. As well, St. Mary's ends each verse on the dominant, while Wyoming resolves each time.
More striking than the melody, however, is the sentiment of the lyrics -- particularly the please to "let me" do this and that.
I'd be willing to believe Kelland might have heard Wyoming at some point and it stuck in his ear. But in the limited vocabulary of folk music, St. Mary'sis still unique enough for my comfort.
No question, Peter that the Barbara Allen thing has been around for years.
Wyoming is new and it may well fall into a different category than merely borrowing a tune or operating within the "limited vocabulary of folk music."
I also tend to agree with you that it is likely a tune he heard at some point and had it stuck in his mind without recalling it clearly. It happens and it happens a lot more often than people admit.
But after thinking about it for a moment I could really care less.
In other words, you care?
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