Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes

Subject: words to song
From: GUEST,Moon
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 02:54 PM

My grandmother sang a song that went roughly like this

"It's those dark eyes I long to see
It's those dark eyes I love so well
Oh how I long for those dark eyes
A stranger they have come to be"

If anyone can help me with this I will appreciate it. She grew up in the Ozark mountain area of Missouri
Leon Moon

Subject: RE: words to song
From: Megan L
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 02:56 PM

Sorry moon dont know that one have you tried the DT.

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 03:36 PM

Hi, Leon - I see that Jeanie West recorded a song called "Those Dark eyes," and that it's on her reissue CD called Country Bluegrass. I have the CD, but I can't find it. If nobody posts the lyrics, remind me in a week or so, and I'll keep looking.
-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Amos
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 03:46 PM

Found a modern song by that name, but not wiht those lyrics...sorry.

A

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 03:57 PM

Who's it by, Amos - not the Jeanie West one I'm looking for, is it?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 04:02 PM

Found one too, about poison and death- skipped that one quick!

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 05:25 PM

Dixon Brothers

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Amos
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 05:30 PM

No -- the one I found with the phrase was an obscure recent piece -- not close, sorry -- I'm in a different machine now or I would backtrack it for you...

A

Subject: RE: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Amos
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 05:33 PM

"Ultraviolence"

Who saw those dark eyes
Who saw those dark eyes
These years gone by
Deep within
Burn my skin
All those years gone by
In the heat of the night
All those years gone by
...

Not germane to the search.


A

Subject: Lyr Add: THOSE DARK EYES (from Jeanie West)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jun 04 - 10:16 PM

Well, I found "Those Dark Eyes" by Jeanie West, and I think it's the right one. It's hard to make out the lyrics. this is about as close as I can get.

THOSE DARK EYES
(traditional?)

The evening sun was sinking low
When dark eyes murmured I must go
Not one moment would he wait
He kissed my cheek and left the gate

Now, it's those dark eyes I love so well
Now it's those dark eyes I long to see
And now I cry for those Dark Eyes
A stranger they have grown to be

The last we met was on the street
I bowed my head and said godspeed
There was another by my side
Who's begging me to be her (???) bride
CHORUS

There beneath the churchyard grave
They laid my own Dark Eyes away.
Ran from everything I need
And let those Dark Eyes wait for me
CHORUS

Transcribed by ear from the Jeanie West CD, Country Bluegrass (LP was Roaming the Blue Ridge with Jeanie West)
-Joe Offer-

---

As noted above, The Dixon Brothers also recorded a song called "Dark Eyes."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 10:51 AM

The Folk Music Index lists Jeanie West's song as BROWN EYES (THOSE DARK EYES), evidently because the editor considers THOSE DARK EYES to be a version of A. P. Carter's BROWN EYES (not to be confused with BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYES).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jul 04 - 02:40 PM

Can anybody post Carters' "Brown Eyes," and maybe the Dixon Brothers song?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: THOSE BROWN EYES (from Kingston Trio)
From: Once Famous
Date: 02 Jul 04 - 12:46 PM

The Kingston Trio recorded a version called: Those Brown Eyes

THOSE BROWN EYES

One evening when the sun was low my brown eyes whispered, "I must go."
Not one second would she wait. She kissed my cheek and left my gate.

Chorus:
Those brown eyes I loved so well. Those brown eyes I long to see.
How I long for those brown eyes. Strangers they have grown to be.

One night I met her on the street. I tipped my hat but I could not speak.
Another man was by her side. Soon I thought she'd be his bride.

Chorus

'Twas just a year ago today, they laid my own brown eyes away.
Six long years for me she cried. It was her brother by her side.

Chorus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 02:55 AM

I have a 1957 recording of "Those Brown Eyes" by the Tarriers (Alan Arkin, Bob Carey, and Erik Darling). It's the same as the Kingston Trio version Martin posted, except that the last verse goes like this:

Six long years for me she cried. It was her brother by her side.
Now up in heaven for all to see, my brown-eyed angel waits for me.

The Tarriers and the Kingston Trio attribute the song to "Guthrie/Arkin/Carey/Darling. the Kingston Trio version was on their 1963 album, Sunny Side!. The Kingston Trio habe the same last verse as the Tarriers, with the line about the brown-eyed angel.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: Áine
Date: 03 Jul 04 - 01:12 PM

Ramblin' Jack Elliot did this song, too. His version has a crackerjack harmonica break in it - it'll break yer heart.

All the best, Áine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: RangerSteve
Date: 04 Jul 04 - 05:42 AM

The Dixon Brothers also recorded a version, so it's probably available on one of the Document CD's.

If you can stand another version of the last verse, they sang:
Just a year ago today, they laid my own Dark Eyes away.
Up in Heaven I long to be, where a dark-eyed angel waits for me.

Subject: Lyr Add: BROWN EYES (from Wolf Collection)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 01:37 AM

This is probably close to what was being asked for in the first post. From The Wolf Folklore Collection at Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas:

BROWN EYES
Sung by: Mrs. Alice Isringhouse
Recorded in Holly Grove, AR 6/15/59 by John Quincy Wolf, Jr.
Click here to listen to the original recording

One evening when the sun was low,
Brown eyes whispered, "I must go."
Not one moment could he wait;
He kissed my cheek and left the gate.

CHORUS:
Those brown eyes I loved so well,
Those brown eyes I long to see.
How I sigh for those brown eyes,
Since strangers they have grown to be.

One evening I met him on the street.
I bowed my head; I could not speak.
Another girl was by his side,
And soon I thought she'd be his bride.
CHORUS

Just one year ago today,
They laid my brown-eyed boy away.
Up in heaven, where I long to be,
A brown-eyed angel waits for me.
CHORUS

[Versions of this song titled BROWN EYES have been recorded by Bud & Travis, Woody Guthrie, The Maddox Brothers and Rose, and Fred Painter (on the collection "Ozark Folksongs"). Versions titled THOSE BROWN EYES have been recorded by Ramblin' Jack Elliott, George Hamilton IV, Jim & Jesse, The Kingston Trio, and The Tarriers. See THOSE BROWN EYES in DT.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: GUEST,Mountain Tyme
Date: 07 Jul 04 - 05:04 PM

re..
Joe Offer
03-Jul 04

These lyrics you post here were sung by Molly O'Day in a "Dark Eyes" song written by Hank Williams Sr.

MT

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: GUEST,John Salmon
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 04:55 PM

A little late with this response, but check out the song "Dark Eyes" recorded by the Morris Family and released on "The Rose Grew Round The Briar, Vol. 1":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000000G96/thebesselofboocd

It's a really WONDERFUL version of this tune. Dave Alvin also recorded it on his "Public Domain" album.

Best wishes,

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: words to song (those dark eyes)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 07:24 PM

This song was recorded by Johnny McEvoy about 25 yrs ago, his lyrics are more or less the same as above.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: GUEST,JParker
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 08:36 PM

My Mother also used to sing this song, and some of the lyrics I recall go this way.

Just one year ago today,
they laid my own brown eyes away.
And Up in Heaven where I long to be
a brown eyed angel waits for me.

Those brown eyes I love so well,
those brown eyes I long to see.

I may be able to remember more later.

My Mother, when she was almost 80, still had a powerful voice, and fortunately for me, she recorded almost 100 very old songs her father sang. She had a blotter memory even at that age and older. I had her with me until she was over 100.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: GUEST,RunrigFan
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 11:30 PM

I'm not signed in, but thought I share my thoughts on this song

George Hamilton IV

One evening when the sun was low my brown eyes whispered I must go
Not one second would she wait she kissed my cheek but left my gate
Those brown eyes I love so well those brown eyes I long to see
How I long for those brown eyes but strangers they have grown to be

One night I met her on the street I tipped my hat but did not speak
Another man walked by her side and soon I thought she'd be his bride
Those brown eyes I love so well...

Six long years for me she cried it was her brother by her side
Now up in heaven for all to see my brown eyed angel waits for me
Those brown eyes I love so well...
But strangers they have grown to be


Kingston Trio


http://www.metrolyrics.com/those-brown-eyes-lyrics-kingston-trio.html

On metrolyrics, you cant copy the words :)

Woody Guthrie

www.sing365.com/.../Brown-Eyes.../D5799751013194924825708B0007F0C1

DT

http://dev.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?songid=8230

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: Artful Codger
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 11:51 PM

Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz (of the New Lost City Ramblers) did a wonderful rendition on their CD Draw Closer. Although the back lists the title as "Those Brown Eyes", the liner notes give it the title "Those Blue Eyes" (typo?) and they credit Julia Mainer. They add:

Julia Mainer stole our hearts with this song when she sang it at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia. I keep her beautiful face and the pure sound of her voice in my mind every time I sing it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: Artful Codger
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 12:08 AM

The Carter collection In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain, which is pretty complete compendium of their original records, doesn't list a "Brown Eyes", closest being "Bonny Blue Eyes" or "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes". (Of course, during their years on Mexican radio, they surely sang a slew of songs which they hadn't recorded and I doubt there are many surviving recordings of those shows.)

The Mainer title "Those Blue Eyes" may hint at a link to "Bonnie Blue Eyes", but if there's some derivation, I don't hear it either in the lyrics or in the tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 08:43 AM

It was recorded in Ireland by Johnny McEvoy as Those Brown Eyes, you can find full words and chord on the Martin Dardis site www.unitedirelandtripod.ie Johnny McEvoy has a section to himself on the menu just click on that

Subject: Lyr Add: THOSE DARK EYES (Armand)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 11:17 AM

Sorry for the misinformation back on 01 Jul 04. There doesn't seem to be any Carter Family song called BROWN EYES. The relevant song that they did record was called by them I NEVER LOVED BUT ONE, which The Folk Music Index says is a version of DARK EYES. The FMI attributes DARK EYES to "Armand."

Lyrics to I NEVER LOVED BUT ONE are given in the thread Origins: The authors of the 'Carter Family songs' and the attribution to Armand is repeated there.

However, the lyrics found there are quite different from the sheet music, which you can see at the Duke University web site:

THOSE DARK EYES
Armand
New York: J. L. Peters, 1865.

1. When dawn awakes the eastern skies,
And wooing zephyrs skim the sea,
I crave a glance from those dark eyes,
That should have ope'd with love for me,
But chilling clouds obscure the rays,
No smiling dawn awakes for me,
To cheer me on life's devious ways
And light my pathway o'er the sea,
To cheer me on life's devious ways,
And light my pathway o'er the sea

2. When sunset gilds the western skies,
And shadows deepen on the lea,
In dreams I sigh for those dark eyes,
That should have sunk to rest with me,
But they are veiled, my light is gone,
And somber nightshades gather fast,
While o'er the vale I'm borne along
An autumn leaf upon the blast,
While o'er the vale I'm borne along,
An autumn leaf upon the blast.

3. When stars from out the midnight skies
Illume with love the slumb'ring sea,
I sigh in vain for those dark eyes
That should have lit the night for me;
But they have shone on me their last,
Life's troubled wave to gild no more,
Which now in darkness rushes fast
To break upon an unknown shore,
While o'er the vale I'm borne along,
An autumn leaf upon the blast.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: GUEST,H. Mathis Boyles
Date: 20 Dec 11 - 03:59 PM

In 1929 my father recorded "Those Dark Eyes" and "Your Love and Mine" , on Victor Records, number V 40262.
I do not have the record, but I have seen it on line at an auction.
My father had a life time recording contract with Victor but he had recorded on other Labels such as Bluebird, which I think was owned by Victor. All his recordings were between 1928 and 1931, I think.
He also wrote and recorded in 1929 "Silver Haired Daddy" and
"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" on the other side, recorded on Victor Records. He had partial vision but still went to the school for the Blind in Austin, Texas. His name was Jack Copeland Mathis. He recorded under the name Blind Jack, Jack Mathis and Cowboy Jack.
He was born in Kentucky but his parents moved to Texas when he was very young, so he could attend the school for the Blind in Austin, Texas. In 1929, while visitng a blind couple that he had gone to Blind School with, he met my mother who was only 9 years old, and was with her father who was also blind. He told her he was going to marry her when she got older. A few months later my dad went to a Doctor in Dallas that he had heard of to get his eye sight back. The operation left him totaly blind.
In 1933 mother turned 18 and she and my dad eloped and were married in Texarkana, Ark. Three years later I was born.
I never heard Dad speak bad about anyone. He told me, If you can't say something good about a person, then don't say anything. He wrote"Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" about my mother,in 1929, before he lost his sight completely.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Dec 11 - 04:18 PM

H. Mathis Boyles: I found these recordings listed at The Online 78-rpm Discography Project:

Jack Mathis - WHEN THE ROSES COME AGAIN - Columbia 15344D - 12/3/28
Jack Mathis - YOUR MOTHER STILL PRAYS FOR YOU - Columbia 15344D - 12/3/28
Jack Mathis - ANNIE DEAR I'M CALLED AWAY - Columbia 15450D - 12/9/28
Jack Mathis - CHARMING BESSIE LEE - Columbia 15450D - 12/9/28
Blind Jack Mathis - THOSE DARK EYES - Victor 40262 - 10/18/1929
Blind Jack Mathis - YOUR LOVE AND MINE - Victor 40262 - 10/18/1929
Blind Jack Mathis - ARE YOU TIRED OF ME DARLING? - Victor 23593 - 10/18/1929
Blind Jack Mathis - ARE YOU TIRED OF ME, DARLING? - Aurora 417 - -

Subject: Lyr Add: THOSE BROWN EYES (from Rooftop Singers)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Dec 11 - 04:27 PM

THOSE BROWN EYES
As sung by The Rooftop Singers on "The Best of the Vanguard Years" (2006)

CHORUS:
Those brown eyes I love so well.
Those brown eyes I long to see.
How I long for those brown eyes!
Strangers they have grown to be.

1. One evening when the sun was low,
My brown eyes whispered, "I must go."
Not one second could she wait.
She kissed my cheek and left my gate.
CHORUS

2. I walked the streets all through the night
I could not keep her from my sight
Love reaches deep and takes its hold.
My heart was lonely; I was cold.
CHORUS

3. Many years have passed in time.
Many eyes have met with mine.
But when I see the evening skies,
I remember only those brown eyes.
CHORUS

[Verse 1 and the chorus are exactly like the version in the DT, but verses 2 and 3 are quite different.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: buskerjoe
Date: 09 May 12 - 03:52 AM

so.... can anyone help me trace the copyright holder of this? my son and i have recorded a version of it much like wooody and cisco's, and i'd like to release it, but am having scant success locating definite copyright info.
buskerjoe
               [e-mail]

       tres piedrtas, n.m.,, (thx!)

Subject: RE: Blind Jack Mathis
From: GUEST,doctorhugo
Date: 02 Mar 16 - 07:57 AM

Howdy Neighbor. You can add this one to that discography listing as it's a-settin' on the table here in front of me and in VG condition:

Blind Jack Mathis - ARE YOU TIRED OF ME, DARLING? - Bluebird - B-4956-A
(Note: Victor in Canada produced many Bluebird label records)
Later mudcats>>>>>>>>>>>

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brown Eyes / Those Dark Eyes
From: Artful Codger
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 12:26 AM

Per Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942, "Those Dark Eyes I Loved So Well," as recorded by Fay & the Jaywalkers, was released in April, 1928, a year and a half before Blind Jack Mathis's recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF0FwTCBM2Q

Subject: Lyr Add: LET THOSE BROWN EYES SMILE AT ME
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 05 Mar 16 - 07:13 PM

LET THOSE BROWN EYES SMILE AT ME
As recorded by Rose Maddox, 1957, Columbia 41047.

CHORUS: Let those brown eyes smile at me, dear.
That's what I wish with all my soul.
Let those brown eyes smile at me, dear,
And turn my blue moon back to gold.

1. Today I feel so sad and weary.
I want a love that cannot be.
All I need to make me happy
Is let those brown eyes smile at me. CHORUS

2. We've been sweethearts so long, darling.
Now you're growing tired of me.
The last time that we were together,
Those brown eyes didn't smile at me. CHORUS


[Flatt and Scruggs also recorded this the same year.]