She Moved Through the Fair - advice

Subject: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 05:51 AM

"She Moved Through the Fair" is, to me, a very special song - both lyrically and melodically. It's a song not to mess with. I've known it forever, but, recently, I started working out a version on the whistle, and now I fancy singing it, too. Now, I need some inspiration on how to approach it. I guess there must be some "definitive" classic recordings of this song - both sung and played. Any suggestions appreciated.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:11 AM

Ello Tunesmith, I always liked the version by Mick Groves of the Spinners who recorded it many years ago. Mick, if i remember, sang it un-accompanied. Some do say, though, that their are better interpretations. Bert Jansch also does a version. Agreed, Tis a great song tho don't know about a definitive version. i'd be as interested as you to know

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,minklet
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:38 AM

I think you should approach the song in your own way rather than looking for a definitive version. You clearly love the song, and so if you play with singing it for a while then you will evolve your own interpretation.

I'm working on it at the moment as well - hence I was interested in this thread. I am messing around slightly with the words, with the phrasing/timing and with the pitches - its a song you can really fly with! I'm interpreting it as a woman singing about a man who wants to "anticipate the vows" - is warned off of him by other people & who loses him, then sees him many years later when he is dead & his ghost again tries to persuade her to sleep with him.

Its one of several slightly ambiguous songs that you can really get into & feel a story of. That is why I think a definitive version is a bit of a red herring. I'm waiting for a mellow night to sing it, because my version goes up really high & I need to be relaxed or I'll squeak & spoil it!

I know mine won't be the best interpretation in the world - but it will be my own, - and I'll still love listening to all the other versions.

Best of luck with interpreting it your way Tunesmith.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:48 AM

Hey Tunesmith, to add to the above, Frank Sinatra (or somesuch) sang a song "I Did it MY Way" - THAT is the 'definative' version. Just belt it out the way you like it!

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:11 AM

Have a listen to Margaret Barry. You can find her version on this album:

Click Here

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Morticia
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:40 AM

I like Loreena McKennit's version....very ethereal

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Trevor
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:32 AM

I like Mrs Ackroyd's version. Very.........something!

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:38 AM

I thought it was bit wet, actually, Trev

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Fiolar
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:54 AM

Try the great John McCormack's version as well as one done by The Chieftains.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:55 AM

When ever anyone starts this song I take it as a chance to go to the loo.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Den
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 09:02 AM

A beautiful song. I think it helps to think about the story in the song. If you approach it in that way you should do okay. Hope that made sense. Mary Black does a fine version, IMO. Den

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 09:25 AM

This song must be a contender (along with My Way and Yesterday) for the most frequently recorded song- a listing of all those who have recorded it would be as long as your arm.
And in case no-one else does, I'll give Art Garfunkel's version an honourable mention here...

It is indeed one of the most beautiful songs.

But really, (and no offence intended to anyone) does the world need another version of SMTTF?

When there are so many other beautiful songs which are rarely heard?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 09:59 AM

Noreen, the world doesn't NEED any version of anything - but those of us who love to sing the song may NEED to sing it our way. I prefer to hear alternative versions of a song than to hear everyone meticulously singing it in the same way. Vive la difference!
But you are right - there are tons of beautiful songs that don't get heard enough - so we'd best all sing those as well.......

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:15 AM

Fair enough, GUEST. The more singing the better!

And I certainly wasn't suggesting that new people coming to the song should sing it in the same way- just because Mary Black or Mick Groves or even Margaret Barry sings it a certain way. It doesn't mean anything unless you have taken a song and made it your own before singing it.

Now, I would love to make a compilation of different people singing this song... Keep your versions coming, folks! So far:

Mrs Ackroyd
Margaret Barry
Mary Black
The Chieftains
Art Garfunkel
Mick Groves
Bert Jansch
John McCormack
Loreena McKennit

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:36 AM

Noreen did say , GUEST, 'and no offence intended to anyone'. Hi-ever, with all the versions, it would appear, there are of this song it might be a bit hard to produce another really different version - but then i'm certainly no expert - perhaps its always, as they say in classical music circles, a variation on a theme?

Do you sing it Noreen and if so why are'nt you on that list?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:48 AM

I sing it for my own pleasure Vince, but never have done in public- and that list is of recorded versions.

I must include the lovely version on Cara's Asleep Behind the Settee- lovely singing, uillean pipes and Oakley's fiddle.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: zanderfish3 (inactive)
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:49 AM

Listen to all the singers Noreen reccomends plus Anne Briggs

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,same one
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:52 AM

Oi - Vince, who said I was offended? I was disagreeing, not arguing.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 10:58 AM

I didn't see any offence being taken!

I'm not necessarily recommending all the versions I listed there, zanderfish, just compiled them from previous postings. Such a compilation CD would make for very interesting discussion though.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Trevor
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:04 AM

Has anybody heard Whitesnake's version of this? Or Rolf Harris?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:06 AM

What are you on, Trevor??

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:06 AM

Hey Stewie--
Why direct folks to higher-priced sourced? CAMSCO carries the same CD for $12.98

And buying from CAMSCO gives the Mudcat a boost.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:08 AM

Point taken, GUEST. Reckon that CD could be a double Noreen

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Trevor
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:19 AM

Sorry No! Having a boring afternoon!

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:28 AM

Tell me it's not so, Trevor? About Whitesnake and Rolf??
(RH is believable at any rate- after Stairway to Heaven...)

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:35 AM

It's about time he did record it. Now that would be worth a listen. I put this song into the same catagory as 'Wild Rover' and 'Streets of London'.

I sat with a whole load of Southern Irish people the other night around a bonfire and heard someone sing 'The fields of Athenry'. I have always put this song into that catagory, when sung in a session by an English person. When I heard an Irish man sing it I nearly cried. It was beautiful.

Sal

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: zanderfish3 (inactive)
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:39 AM

I think people should listen to many different versions before making
up one's mind. my own favourite versions are Maggie Barrie and Anne Briggs.
Dave.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Dick
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:42 AM

Dick, speaking for myself, and not necessarily for Stewie, it is not directing people to other sources to BUY, but to HEAR. Many do it frequently.

And I cast my vote for John McCormack, the only version I really listen to.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:45 AM

Westlife did quite a good version believe it or not!

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Hawker
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:54 AM

I personally like the way Josef Locke sings it - especially when he sings like a swan in the evening moves over the lake - just like a swan would move - but then, that's just me!
.......and then of course there is the goldfish & teddy bear parody version! Hmmmm!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Willa
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:54 AM

Add my vote for the John McCormack version.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 11:57 AM

Sal, you need to hear SMttF done well...

Main reason I don't sing it is that it reminds me of a long-dead friend whose only song it was. He played beautiful fiddle, and most people never knew he sang, but in the right environment he would sing this song.

It still makes me feel like crying just thinking of it.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Watson
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 12:05 PM

It was the first song I ever sang in public - well, since the time I was a choirboy anyway.
The only version I'd heard at the time was All About Eve.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 12:21 PM

HEY! The one that says GUEST,Dick was ME.   I certainly wasn't thinking when I posted "my" name.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 01:10 PM

My favourite version is the Anne Briggs and it is the one I sing - I'll give you fair warning when, Sally! I like it because of its simplicity.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 01:34 PM

Geez, Tunesmith, if you know the song that well and have enjoyed it so much for so many years, you really shouldn't worry about how you should sing it. By this time, you have undoubtedly developed your own approach, if only unconsciously -- just open your throat and let it out! Then do it again and see if it's any different, lather, rinse, repeat, etc.

Sooner or later, we'll have *your* definitive version, something unique, at least a little bit different than anything we've heard before.

Aside: This must be a record for number of posts in a single day, or nearly so -- hmm? '^)

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 01:35 PM

Just been listening to Richard Thompson doing it - don't think he pulls it off!

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 05:20 PM

Missed the Spinners off your list - twas from thier version I learned it and it was the first folk song I ever performed in public.

LTS

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 05:44 PM

Love this song.. one hell of a good ghost story...

I have to admit I find it very heard to keep a straight face during the last verse though...

I dreamt it last night that
My dead love came in
So softly she entered
Her feet made no din
She laid her hand on me
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!! Scary ZOMBIE WOMAN!!!!!!!!!! Get her off me!!!!!

... is what I have to work VERY hard to keep from singing!

LOL

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 05:55 PM

You might want to give a listen to Paul Young's version of "I was in chains" which is (IMHO) an excellent interpretation of SMTTF. Has a digeridoo which might seem a bit naff but works well.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:17 PM

There have been a number of people who mention Maggie Barry and Anne Briggs - two of my favourite singers BTW.

I reckon there is a good chance that Anne Briggs got it off Maggie and then re-interpreted it.

Dave

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:34 PM

I haven't sung it in public for years and years, but I used to sing it for Mick Henry about 30 years ago in the Gardeners Arms on Friday nights in Plantation Road, Oxford. (After Peta Webb had left Oxford, because apparently she used to sing it for Mick Henry at the Gardeners Arms). And Rupert Ray (who is coming to Sidmouth for the Monday folk clubs reunited session), has reminded me that I used to sing it on Mondays at Heritage too.

K

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 06:55 PM

Nobody's mentioned the Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention version! It's the first one I heard, remained the only one for quite a time, and to me it's the definitive one.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:27 PM

I quite liked the All About Eve version

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:31 PM

I don't think the Pogues ever recorded it did they?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Eric the Fish
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 07:37 PM

1: Annie Briggs
2: Sandy Denny
3: Trees
4: Margaret Barry
5: The bloke who used to sing it in "The Dun Cow" Salthouse, North Norfolk.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:06 PM

If it's a folk song, there cannot BE a definitive version. And really, no-one should look for one.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:12 PM

Whether it's a folk song or not, I think what Dave said is just as true. All good songs deserve to be sung in different ways by different people, and they benefit from it. Even if the upshot is just to make you appreciate some particular rendering even more.

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 08:23 PM

Eric, are you related to Eric the half a bee?

Subject: RE: She Moved Through the Fair - advice
From: GUEST,Vince
Date: 18 Jul 03 - 03:46 AM

Right, that's it! this script is getting far too silly.........