Lakes of Pontchartrain? [Archive]

MandoNoob

Apr-01-2005, 11:40am

Hi,

The band I'm in has a slot at a music night coming up... we're going to try Lakes of Pontchartrain.

Being relatively new to mandolin, I am having trouble concocting a break. Can anyone help out?

Here's what I've got so far :

<span style='font-family:Courier'>Lakes of Pontchartrain (Mandolin)
======================

Key: C
Time: 3/4

Notes: No chorus, no bridge. Leave out the verse
about crocodiles.

## C # # Em # #Am # #G # # F # # F # # C
-------5-3---5-0---0------------------------------
---3-----2-----3-----5---320---3-3---5-3----------
-5-2-----2-----5-----5-----7-----7-----2----------
---5-----------------7-----5-----5-----5----------

## |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_|

# #C # # Em # #Am # #G # # C # # C # # F
-0-3---0-3-5-7-8---8-7---3-0---0-0-1-3-5---------5
---3-----2-----7-----5-----3-----3-----0----------
---2-----2-----7-----5-----2-----2-----3----------
---------------------------5-----5-----5----------

# #|_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_|

# #C # # Em # #Am # #G # # C # # C # # F
-5-3---0-3-5-7-8---8-7---3-0---0-0-1-3-5----------
---3-----2-----7-----5-----3-----3-----0---------0
---2-----2-----7-----5-----2-----2-----3----------
---------------------------5-----5-----5----------

# #|_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_|

# #C # # Em # #Am # #G # # F # # F # # C
-------5-3---5-8---7-7---30------------------------
-0-3-----2-----7-----5---------3-3---5-3----------
---2-----2-----7-----5-----7-----7-----2----------
---5-----------------------5-----5-----5----------

# #|_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| |_|_|</span>

It's just kind of boring as it is and I'm hoping to spice it up a bit... I just haven't got the foggiest idea how!

GBG

Apr-01-2005, 12:14pm

Only one lake, no crocodiles, just alligators.

Arto

Apr-01-2005, 1:32pm

Sorry, I can´t help in composing a break, but it is a GREAT song. Does anybody know about it´s history or background? The location is pretty wierd for a Celtic song...

Moose

Apr-01-2005, 2:30pm

There was a song..., composed & sung by the late-great Hank Williams; he was a native of Louisiana ; the lake in question/song is near New Orleans - or thereabouts. Corrections are encouraged..., if not.., I'm correct. A beautiful tune no less. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Salty Dog

Apr-01-2005, 3:08pm

Moose

Apr-01-2005, 4:27pm

Thank you.., Salty. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Peter Hackman

Apr-02-2005, 12:55am

There was a song..., composed & sung by the late-great Hank Williams; he was a native of Louisiana ; the lake in question/song is near New Orleans - or thereabouts. Corrections are encouraged..., if not.., I'm correct. A beautiful tune no less. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Yes, it's a lake in Louisiana. The bridge, or causeway,
across the lake is one of the longest in the world.

Hank Williams was a native of Alabama.

mandolooter

Apr-02-2005, 2:52am

can't help ya but the "be good tanya's" do a great version on one of their cd's

MandoNoob

Apr-02-2005, 4:59am

Is it really Celtic?? That's the forum I usually post in, but I thought it was more an American country song.

Thanks for the info so far!

Arto

Apr-02-2005, 7:02am

Well, I suppose it´s not Celtic at all. My misunderstanding - I have heard the piece sung and played by Irish bands.

Moose

Apr-04-2005, 9:53am

Peter H. : you are correct - Alabama. Thanks! My apologies to all - 'specially to Hank. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

mikeyes

Apr-04-2005, 2:32pm

The song is a real favorite in Ireland and may have an Irish tune. I was playing it in a session last month in Ireland and never realized that I was playing it in jig time inbetween verses. The singer thought that it was a great way to add drive to the tune and I have done it that way ever since. (The singer reverts to 4/4 time when singing, however.)

Mike Keyes

Garrett

Apr-05-2005, 2:04pm

Paul Brady has a famous version of it.

Moose

Apr-05-2005, 2:14pm

A "celtic" tune/delivery...eh!? - Wonder what 'ol Hank would've thought of that. Do ya' think Hank would've done it that-a-way....!!?? - Just musing - a good tune!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

CountyFarm

Apr-05-2005, 4:41pm

Best info I could find dates "Lakes Of Pontchartrain" to around 1922, though the melody seems to be older. There is a cowboy version as well dating to the 30's called "Lakes of the Poncho Plains" Doesnt seem to be much similarity with the Hank version.

General feeling is its a song about a Civil War soldier caught on the wrong side of the lines. Lots of conflicting info over at the Digital Tradition site though.

Moose

Apr-07-2005, 10:27am

Very interesting! - Thanks - Same title..!!?? - different song..!?? - Inquiring minds want to know. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

MandoNoob

Apr-07-2005, 10:40am

The Celtic assumption might arise because Christy Moore sings it a lot... I guess a lot of Celtic musicians have heard Christy sing it, liked the song and nicked it, just like he did.

Just like we did too in fact! :-)

Gig tomorrow night... wow I'm scared... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Moose

Apr-07-2005, 10:53am

Hey mandoNoob: Good luck! - Hardest part is "gettin' ready" - once it gets goin'.... you'll be fine! Gets better each time!! Thanks for the post. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif