Song ID

[pipersgrip]

There is a great song I know, but the only thing I have heard it been called is The Spanish Lady. It is where the singer counts down all of the even numbers from 20, and then counts down all of the odd numbers from 19. I know what The Spanish Lady is, and it is not the song that I am talking about here. Does anybody know this song's name? Thanks. I think it goes:

There were 20, 18, 16 14; 12 10 8 6 4 2 none. There 19, 17, 15, 13; 11 9 7 5 3 and 1.

[MTGuru]

To the tune of The Spanish Lady:

As I was walking thru Dublin City
About the hour of twelve at night
'Twas there I saw a fair pretty maid
Washing her feet by candle-light

First she'd wash and then she'd raise them
'Round her shoulders she pegged a towel
And in all me life I ne'er did see
Such a fine young lass upon my soul

There were twenty, eighteen, sixteen, fourteen,
Twelve, ten, eight, six, four, two, none;
Nineteen, seventeen, fifteen, thirteen,
Eleven, nine, seven, five, three and one.

Round and round the wheel of fortune
Where it stops wearies me
Fair maids they are so deceiving,
Sad experience teaches me.

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=11190

[pipersgrip]

Thanks MTGuru

[dubhlinn]

Both versions of the song are called The Spanish Lady. The tune and verses are much the same the difference is in the chorus.
Maighread and Triona Ni Domhnaill have a lovely version of the counting back version.
Many people have recorded the other version with its Wack fal de tooral orraly chorus.

It is originally from Dublin as indicated by the places mentioned in the verses.

BTW...HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Slan,
D.

[pipersgrip]

Thanks for the info and wishes dubhlinn!

[Ceili_whistle_man]

You have a hybrid of two songs going there mr whistle collector sir,
One is The Spanish ladyand the other is The wheels of fortune.

Here is what I can remember of the lyrics to 'Wheels', a Scots lady I know sings this song really well, she remembered her Grandmother singing it to her.
The song is similar to many songs with the theme, beautiful peasant girl spied by rich country gent, he offers up all his wares, she sizes it up but declines his offer as she prefers to stay with her poorer but much loved man. (Step it out Mary being another example)

The wheels of fortune.
verse
O’er the hills there lives a lassie,
and her name I do not know.
Some fine day I’m going to see her,
whether she be rich or no.
chorus
19, 17, 15, 13
11, 9, 7 and a 3-2-1.
20, 18, 16, 14,
12, 10 8, 6, 4-2-none.
Round and round go the wheels of fortune,
Round and round ‘til they weary me.
Young women’s hearts are so uncertain,
sad experience teaches me.

two other verses
Lassie I’ve got gold and silver,
Lassie I’ve got houses and land.
Lassie I’ve got ships on the ocean,
all to have at your command.

I don’t want your gold and silver,
I don’t want your houses and land.
I don’t want your ships on the ocean,
all I want is a true young man.

And here is The Spanish lady

As I walked down through Dublin city,
at the hour of twelve at night.
Who should I spy but the Spanish lady,
washing her feet by candle light.
First she washed them, the she dried them,
by a fire of flaming coals.
in all my life I never did see,
a maid so fair about the sole.

Wack-forla-toora-loora-laddie,
Wack-forla-toora-loora-ay.

As I went down through Dublin city,
at the hour of half past five.
who should I see but the Spanish lady
brushing her hair by the pale moon light.
First she brushed it, then she tossed it,
on her knee was silver comb.
In all my life I never did see,
a maid so fair as I did roam.

As I walked back through Dublin city,
as the sun began to set.
Who should I see but the Spanish lady
catching a moth in a golden net.
First she spied me, then she fled me,
lifting her petticoat over her knees.
In all my life I never did see,
a maid so sweet as the Spanish lady.

I've wandered north, I've wandered south,
through Stoneyblatter and Patrick's close.
And and around by the Gloucester Diamond,
and back through Napper Tandy's house.
Old age has put it's hand on me,
cold as a fire of ashy coals.
in all my life I never shall see,
a maid so pure as the Spanish lady.

You can see how the two songs combine to make the version you are familiar with.

[MTGuru]

Very nice, CWM. In your experience, are the two usually sung to the same tune?

[BigDavy]

Hi MTGuru

CWM's version of the wheels of fortune contains verses from a song that gets sung around here, none of the counting bit in it though.

And yes it is sung to the tune of Spanish Lady/Chester City/Ripest Apples.


David

[Ceili_whistle_man]

Very nice, CWM. In your experience, are the two usually sung to the same tune?

No MT, 'Wheels' has a completely different tune to it than Spanish lady, although the two do seem to fit easily enough into Spanish lady.
I am just off to work now, (night shift) tomorrow I shall see if I can dig out the tune I know and post it up if you would like.

[pipersgrip]

Thanks for that CWM. That is some interesting info.