January 5, 2013

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - 5/5 : Cover Song Uncovered




GEORGIA TURNER - 1937
她是鑛工的女兒, 當年衹有16歲, 遇上 Alan Lomax, 一位民歌考究學者, 父親亦是美國民謠檔案收藏家, 他從父親的檔案中找到一首民歌, 將歌詞與曲譜資料整理, 交給年輕 Georgia 在一次表演中唱和錄音, 該録音歌曲定名為 "THE RISIN' SUN BLUES"。



Georgia Turner - The House Of The Rising Sun (Rising Sun Blues) 

Alan Lomax 原是一位民歌手, 後來對美國鄉謠民歌硏究和資料搜羅, 成為很有權威和聲譽的資料收藏家, 尤其是對在囚的黑人所唱的怨曲有很多記録, 而當年的怨曲大部份都是由黑人勞工, 黑人監犯所出而承傳下來。香港 [赤柱監獄] 亦有不少 [佳作], 不過只流傳於他們的圈子, 而未為人知 !

THE RISING SUN BLUES - Lyrics
There is a house in New Orleans
You call the Rising Sun
It's been the ruin of many a poor soul
And me, oh God, I'm one

If I'd listened to what mama said
I'd be at home today
Being so young and foolish, poor girl
I let a gambler lead me astray

My mother she's a tailor
Sews those new blue jeans
My sweetheart, he's a drunkard, Lord God
He drinks down in New Orleans

He fills his glasses to the brim
Passes them around
The only pleasure that he gets out of life
Is a hoboin' from town to town

The only thing a drunkard needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
The only time that he's half satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk

Go and tell my baby sister
Never do like I have done
Shun that house down in New Orleans
That they call that Rising Sun.

It's one foot on the platform,
One foot on the train.
I'm going back down to New Orleans
To wear my ball and my chain

My life is almost over
My race is almost run
Going back down to New Orleans
To that house of the Rising Sun


Gwen Foster & Clarence Ashley - 1933
Clarence Ashley 稱此曲是出自他爺爺 Enoch Ashley 的原作品, 他爺爺又名 Alger "Texas" Alexander"


"THE RISING SUN" - Alger"Texas"Alexander 1928
此曲完全與 "House Of The Rising Sun" 無相似的地方, 祇可以說是由此歌曲所啟發, 以及 Clarence Ashley 個人背景與 Enoch Ashley 的關係較有可能。


THE BEATLES ?
THE VERY RARE BOOTLEG ! 玩 band 練歌, 沉悶的時侯, 隨便 Jam 啦!