“Waltzing Matilda”, various versions – Aussies are as tough as nails, but can weep as well as anybody.
“Bang the Drum Slowly”, probably due to the eponymous movie (“From here on, I rag nobody” is a good mantra to live by, albeit confidentially.)
“Yesterday” by the Beatles (really by Paul McCartney, who believes he was thinking about his mother’s death from cancer when he was 14 [“Why she had to go, I don’t know, she didn’t say”.])
“Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorne, many versions, although my favorite is the original 1929 instrumental by Ellington’s orchestra.
Dreaming of You (I think that’s the title), by Selena Quintanilla Perez
In the movie Selena, this song plays while the camera pans over an empty AlamoDome stadium. Selena was scheduled to appear in San Antonio at the Latin Grammys. She was murdered shortly before her appearance. This song was supposed to be her big crossover hit (and, posthumously, it was).
I’m not a huge Selena fan, but the song and the scene in the movie speak of unfullfilled promises and potential. She was already huge in Mexico and South Texas. She was about to charm the English-speaking world when she was suddenly extinguished. I’ve been in that stadium many times. The scene with it empty and waiting for a show that never was brings a lump to my throat every time.
I shamefully admit to shedding a tear when I hears Randy Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses” on the radio. Yeah, go ahead, laugh at me.
F.U . Shakespeare said:
That song is actually entitled “Streets Of Laredo”, a great tune to be sure.
The chorus seems to be directly lifted from The Green Fields of France, a Scottish song by Eric Bogle about WWI. Of course, he might have lifted it from the Laredo song, but the reference to “fifes” makes me think not.
I wonder if they have the same tune? There’s a link to streaming audio of the original version, if you’re interested in letting me know.
jjim , while I appreciate your forwarding of the song “Pvt. William McBride”(aka Green Fields of France), it is not the same tune as “Streets Of Laredo”. Assuredly, the lyricist was paying hommage to the song “Pvt. William McBride”, I assume. I have known the song “Streets of Laredo” since I was a child, and have only heard of PWM since you gave the link. It is a lovely song, and I do thank you for it.
I am far too lazy to research this, but if anyone wants to refute me/us well, have at it.
Okay, too late for me to edit, but I want to rectify my mistake. In my previous post I said “assuredly” and equated it with “I assume”. I was wishy washy and I apologize. What I should have said was "I assumed the song was an hommage to the afore mentioned “Private William McBride”. Mea culpa and all that.
Abby_Emma_Sasha, I think you misunderstand my post. There’s been cross-pollination of British Isles folk songs and American folk songs since America was first populated. Quite often, they’re taken and adapted. It’s not an inherent criticism.
What I was hoping to find out is if the tunes are the same.
OK, done a bit of Googling, and have found something that cites “Streets of Laredo” is based on an Irish drovers’ song called The Unfortunate Rake. Which implies that both it and Bogle lifted the line about the drums and fifes from the original.
jjimm I am not misunserstanding at all. I do agree that there is a cross pollinization of folk songs that crossed the pond. And I do agree that “Streets Of Laredo” was one of these pollinated songs. I do not dispute this as many American songs are “borrowed” from other shores.
I don’t think we have any arguments here, since I am conceding your point that many American tunes owe their heritage to the United Kingdom. Okay? Good. See you in another life, brutha.
Hmm I just started an iTunes playlist called “misty” for just this purpose - songs guaranteed to bring at least a lump to my throat.
This is what is has so far:
Wheat Kings - The Tragically Hip
Jacques Et Gilles - Kate & Anna McGarrigle (I’m an expat, so the lines “we’re going home to Canada/to La Beauce our beautiful country” are a sure bet for mistiness)
No Time To Cry - Iris DeMent (every time I hear this song I want to call my parents)
He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones (simply the saddest song ever written)
Do You Realize?? - The Flaming Lips
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - The Pogues (I know Eric Bogle wrote it, but the Pogues’ version is streets better).
