View Full Version : Dead Baby Songs
fiddler59
Apr-13-2004, 9:22am
A friend of mine is getting ready to do a cd of dead baby bgrass songs. Help me out and name all of them that you can.
TIA,
David Blackmon
John Flynn
Apr-13-2004, 9:27am
OK, here's a stupid question: Is the term "dead baby songs" a euphamism for something or someone, or are you actually refering to tunes where the lyrics talk about dead babies?
fiddler59
Apr-13-2004, 9:47am
Where the lyrics refer to dead baby's...I think most people in the bgrass world know what I am talking about.
DB
John Flynn
Apr-13-2004, 9:51am
OK, I didn't want to make a fool out myself more than I usually do. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
My addition to the list would be "Shortnin' Bread." The original lyrics have kids droppin' like flies.
AlanN
Apr-13-2004, 10:01am
Well, a closely related one would be "Bringing Mary Home" but...dead babies? Kinda weird, if you ask me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Moose
Apr-13-2004, 10:07am
If I may make a "promotional" suggestion... I think you should use another phrase when describing the "theme" of the aformentioned "project" - 'specially among most(!??) Bluegrass folks. Just my suggestion and IMHO.. (Guess I'm kinda' "conservative..). and.., I would be happy to suggest some good "theme" songs ; as I'm sure others on this CAFE could...and would ...EL MOOSO. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Bluegrasstjej
Apr-13-2004, 2:49pm
I think you mean dead sweethearts, don't you? I know only one dead baby song and that's an Irish ballad called Down by the river Salia. But if you mean dead sweethearts, here's a list:
Pretty Polly
Knoxville girl
Down by the Sally Gardens
Banks of the Ohio
I guess there are more, I just can't think of them right now.
"Mary of the Wild Moor" - has it all - returning daughter with child - knocking at father's door - father doesn't hear - mother freezes to death on doorstep with child-in-arms. It's a VERY old (i.e. "traditional") ballad. AND VERY POIGNANT!!. Several artists have recorded it that I know of : The Louvins.., Charlie Moore.., others - I'm sure. Times used' ta' be tough.., ya know?. For some, maybe they still are. Regards, Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
I can think of plenty of what we refer to as "pitiful youngin" songs, but while I can think of a couple songs about dead babies, i've never heard that referred to as a genre in Bluegrass Music.
If you mean songs about people's kids who were sick/died ie:
I Hear a Sweet Voice Callin
The Aweful Dreadful Snake
Little Joe
etc...
I'm sure people could come up with plenty, but I think I'd change the name of the theme...if ya actually mean dead baby songs...well...ewwww
fiddler59
Apr-13-2004, 3:51pm
Now we are getting somewhere !!!
John Ely
Apr-13-2004, 4:30pm
Drunken Driver
oh danny boy
Apr-13-2004, 4:52pm
I hope that doesn't mean "dead babies" - that would be beyond reproach. Many of us have had that experienc!
Scotti Adams
Apr-13-2004, 5:18pm
..man..lose the "Dead Baby" title....thats sooo bad...
Walter Newton
Apr-13-2004, 5:40pm
Not exactly traditional BG, but - "Annabelle" by Gillian Welch.
John S
Apr-14-2004, 10:24am
After our recent miscarriage I thought one way to deal with the grief is to write a song about it, but I couldn't write something that I thought would pass muster as both a bluegrass song and a heartfelt personal expression. I couldn't think of any other bluegrass songs either that dealt with the issue, so I passed on the song idea.
Bluegrasstjej
Apr-14-2004, 12:07pm
Little Bessie