The Turkish Revelee- Barker (VA) pre1932 Davis
[Horton Barkers version has been well documented, by Kyle Davis (More Ballads, from a recording), Richard Chase (who uses his tune but changes the text); Virginia Traditions, Ballads from British Tradition- 1939; The Abrams Collection (gives a MS version with an additional verse- plus a 1942 recording you can hear online) and Folkways (1961 recording by Sandy Patton). Barker's version is spelled "The Turkish Revelee," "Turkish Rebelee" and Abrams MS has Golden Willow Tree" and spells the other ship, "Turkish Rebeli." It's also unique because the cabin boy (in this case "little sailor") is on the Turkish boat instead of the Golden Willow Tree. Also "lowlands low" or "low" are never mentioned. The missing 2nd verse is found in Abrams and in Patton.
William Wilkinson, who worked with Kyle Davis Jr., first collected titles from Barker around 1930. This led to the recording by Davis in 1932. Since Barker learned this particular ballad in Nashville from fellow student Beecher Webster, the date of this is probably c. 1900 when he was around 11. Barker, born in 1889, moved to Staunton, Va. when he was still in school. Recently Barker's version has become popular through Loudon Wainwright III's recording which goes back to Barker through Paul Clayton who transcribed Barker's version for Davis.
Bob Coltman:
The recently popularized version of the "Turkish Revelry" ( = "Golden Vanity/Willow Tree") sung on the double CD of pirate songs issued in connection with Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean -- sung by Loudon Wainwright III-- stems from Paul Clayton's version, "The Turkish Revelee," recorded in 1957 on his most popular album, Whaling and Sailing Songs from the Days of Moby Dick, Tradition 1005. The record has been reissued on CD at least twice and last time I looked was still available.
Clayton's notes on the song say "The ballad probably originated about the middle of the 17th century when the Barbary pirates (known as Turks) raided shipping in the English Channel and even looted coastal towns." He transcribed and learned his version from a 1932 aluminum recording of one of the best American traditional singers, Horton Barker of Chilhowie / St. Clair's Bottom, Virginia, in the collection of the Virginia Folklore Society. Barker's repertoire contained many of the finest American versions of the Child Ballads. The song was included in a book Clayton made primary contributions to as a graduate student, Arthur Kyle Davis' More Traditional Ballads of Virginia, UNC Press, Chapel Hill, 1960.
Below is a bio from Patton followed by the various versions (starting with Davis 1932) collected from Barker of this ballad. Beside Davis, Williamson and Paul Clayton, Barker was in the the region where Hobart Smith lived. In an interview posted on the Old Time Music homepage, Smith says, "Me and my sister, Texas [Gladden], went on Whitetop for the festivals. I met Horton Barker and Richard Chase at Whitetop. We played for Mrs. Roosevelt there in '36. Then, after she went back, she sent a telegram to Roanoke, to my sister, wantin' to know if we'd come up to the White House and sing some of those old songs. She wanted her husband to hear 'em. And so we did go. We went up there and spent a couple of nights with them and we had a program."
R. Matteson 2014]
Excerpts from "Horton Barker" by Sandy Patton:
Years ago, a narrow-gauge railway ran through the small town of Laurel Bloomery in the mountainous northeast corner of Tennessee. The town is named, not for the blossoms of the Rhododendron (called "laurel" by the mountain people), as one might suppose, but for the circular masses of wrought iron produced by the foundry located there. Nicknamed the "Pea Vine" railroad by the local residents, because of its twisting, winding, twenty mile route, it served the foundry, the farms, and the logging industry which thrived on the heavily timbered surrounding hills. One of the engines, a small, black, pot-bellied smoke-belcher, was known affectionately as "Old Huldy".
Horton Barker was born in Laurel Bloomery in 1889, and he recalls hearing "Old Huldy" wheezing and puffing by on its daily run - recalls it so clearly that he has appropriated its name for his favorite pipe. Now, Horton has "about a bushel" of pipes and his favorite would seem to be the one currently in operation. "Hope you don't mind if I light up 'Old Huldy', " he will say, digging into his pocket for the Prince Albert tobacco. "I've been smoking for fifty-five years, but I plan to quit before it gets a real hold on me. " But Horton will never give up "Old Huldy". "I was going to quit smoking today, but I'm afraid to risk it. You see, a fellow once told me that, if a man was to quit smoking on a particular day of the week, he'd take pneumonia for sure. Trouble is, I can't remember just which day he said it was." Later, while knocking the ashes out against the heel of his hand: "There! I told you I was going to quit smoking today and that's the tenth time I've done it. "
Horton was first visited by a ballad hunter in about 1930. Not sure of the date, Horton does remember that his name was Winston Wilkinson and that he didn 't record anything, but simply listed the songs Horton knew. Within the next few years, however, Horton was recorded by Annabel Buchanan at White Top and by Sarah Gertrude Knott in Washington, D.C. In 1937, Alan Lomax recorded him for the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress. Things died down a bit after that. The country went to war and the work of the Archive was severely curtailed. Anyway, Horton went home to St. Clair's Creek to sit quietly on the porch and smoke "Old Huldy." Once in a while, his good friend, Richard Chase, a young folklorist he had met at White Top, would come by and visit. Occasionally, they would pile into the car and go off to a Folk Festival at Boone, North Carolina, or Abingdon, Virginia. But mostly he just sat and smoked and teased the boys walking by the house.
Horton never knew his father, a lumberman who "worked cutting timber up in West Virginia quite a bit." While the family lived in Tennessee, Horton went to school in Nashville. Later, when his mother remarried and moved across the state line into Washington County, Virginia, he was transferred to the School for the Blind in Staunton.
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Davis: More Ballads-
The present Virginia text differs in important particulars from all three of the child texts. It obviously belongs with the more usual American texts, especially the Southern and Midwestern ones, represented by Coffin's Story Type A, in which the boy dies of drowning after making his gesture of abnegation. He is not brought aboard to die on deck and have his body put in a sack and thrown overboard, as in Child C and Barry A. Since the refrain lines are considerably varied, it is necessary to repeat the printed; them after every stanza. The varied and beautifully sung pentatonic tune has been much admired.
AA. "The Turkish Revelee." phonograph record. (aluminum) made by A. K.Davis, Jr. Sung by Horton Barker, of near Chilhowie, Va. Washington County. August 15, 1932. Text transcribed by P. C. Worthington (Paul Clayton). Tune noted by E. C. Mead, who comments upon its "very fine sinuous line" and "figured style."
1. There was a little ship, and she sailed on the sea,
And the name of the ship was the Turkish Revelee.
Oh, she sailed on the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, she sailed on the lonesome sea.
2. Up stepped a little sailor saying, "What'll you give to me
To sink that ship in the bottom of the sea,
If I'll sink her in the lonely, lonesome water,
If I'll sink her in the lonesome sea?"
3. "I have a house and I have land,
And I have a daughter that shall be at your command,
If you'll sink her in the lonely, lonesome water,
If you'll sink her in the lonesome sea."
4. He bowed on his breast and away swum he,
He swum till he came to the Turkish Revelee,
And he sunk her in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, he sunk her in the lonesome sea.
5. He had a little auger, all fit for to bore,
He bored nine holes in the bottom of the floor,
Oh, he sunk her in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, he sunk her in the lonesome sea.
6 He bowed on his breast and away swum he,
He swum till he came to the Golden Willow Tree,
As she sunk in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, she sunk in the lonesome sea.
7 "Captain, will you be as good as your word,
Or either will you take me in on board?
For I've sunk her in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, I've sunk her in the lonesome sea."
8 "No, I won't be as good as my word,
And neither will I take you in on board,
Oh, you've sunk her in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, you've sunk her in the lonesome sea."
9. "If it were not for the love I have for your men,
I'd do unto you just as I've done unto them,
I'd sink you in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, I'd sink you in the lonesome sea."
10. He bowed on his breast and down sunk he,
A-bidding farewell to the Golden Willow Tree,
Oh, he sunk in the lonely, lonesome water,
Oh, he sunk in the lonesome sea.
---------------
Horton Barker Version Abrams collection- having an additional verse--verse 2.
Recorded on April 25, 1942 during a school program, at what was then Appalachian State Teacher's College, Horton Barker performs "Golden Willow Tree." [also dated 1941]
Listen:
http://contentdm.library.appstate.edu/docapp/abrams/field_recordings/golden_willow.html
THE GOLDEN WILLOW TREE
1. There was a little ship and she sailed on the sea
And the name of the ship was the Turkish Rebeli; [1]
She sailed on the lonely, lonesome water,
She sailed on the lonesome sea.
2. There was another ship that sailed on the sea,
And the name of this ship was the Golden Willow Tree;
She sailed on the lonely lonesome water
She sailed on the lonesome sea.
3. Up stepped a little sailor saying "What will you give to me,
If I will sink that ship to the bottom of the sea?"
If I'll sink her in the lonely lonesome water,
If I sink her in the lonesome sea.
4. I have a house and I have land
And I have a daughter that shall be at your command,
If you'll sink her in the lonely, lonesome water,
If you'll sink her in the lonesome sea.
5. He bowed on his breast and away swam he,
He swam till he came to the Turkish Rebeli;
He sunk her in the lonely lonesome water,
He sunk her in the lonesome sea.
6. He had a little augur all set for to bore
He bored nine holes in the bottom of the floor;
Yes, he sunk her in the lonely, lonesome water,
Yes, he sunk her in the lonesome sea.
7. Some had hats and some had caps
And trying to stop the salt water gaps;
But she sunk in the lonely, lonesome water,
She sunk in the lonesome sea.
8. Some were playing cards, and some were shooting dice
While others stood around a-giving good advice;
And she sunk in the lonely, lonesome water,
And she sunk in the lonesome sea.
9. I'll not be as good as my word
And neither will I take you in on board,
Though you've sunk her in the lowly, lonesome water
Though you've sunk her in the lonesome sea.
10. If it were not for the love I have for your men,
I'd do unto you just as I've done unto them;
I'd sink you in the lonely, lonesome water
I'd sink you in the lonesome sea.
11. He bowed down on his breast and down sunk he
A-bidding farewell to the Golden Willow Tree,
And he sunk in the lonely, lonesome water,
And he sunk in the lonesome sea.
----------------
The Turkish Rebelee
Horton Barker, on Virginia Traditions, Ballads from British Tradition, Global Village CD 1002, ballad recorded in 1939. missing 2nd verse- compare to Davis
There was a little ship and she sailed on the sea
And the name of the ship was The Turkish Rebelee
She sailed on the lonely lonesome water
She sailed on the lonesome sea
Up stepped a little sailor, saying – What'll you give to me
To sink that ship to the bottom of the sea
If I'll sink her in the lonely lonesome water
If I'll sink her in the lonesome sea?
I have a house ad I have lands
And I have a daughter that shall be at your command
If you'll sink her in the lonely lonesome water
If you'll sink her in the lonesome sea
He bowed on his breast and away swam he
He swam till he came to the Turkish Rebelee
He sank her in the lonely lonesome water
He sank her in the lonesome sea
Some had hats and some had caps
A-trying to stop the salt water gaps
For she sank in the lonely lonesome water
She sank in the lonesome sea
Some a-playing cards and some a shooting dice
And every stood around a-giving good advice
As she sank in the lonely lonesome water
As she sank in the lonesome sea
He bowed on his breast and away swam he
He swam till he came to the Golden Willow Tree:
I've sunk her in the lonely lonesome water
I've sunk her in the lonesome sea!
Now captain, will you be as good as your word
Or either will you take me in on board?
I've sunk her in the lonely lonesome water
I've sunk her in the lonesome sea
No I won't be as good as my word
And neither will I take you in on board
'Though you've sunk her in the lonely lonesome water
'Though you've sunk her in the lonesome sea
If it were not for the love I have for your men
I'd do unto you just as I've done unto them
I'd sink in the lonely lonesome water
I'd sink you in the lonesome sea
He bowed on his breast and down sank he
A-bidding farewell to the Golden Willow
He sank in the lonely lonesome water
He sank in the lonesome sea
---------------
The Turkish Revelee
Paul Clayton (Worthington), transcribed Barkers version for Davis. Clayton's version appears on Whaling & Sailing Songs, Tradition TCD 1064, recorded in 1956, original lp release: Whaling and Sailing Songs from the days of Moby Dick TLP 1005.
There was a little ship and she sailed on the sea
And the name of our ship was The Turkish Revelee
O she sailed out in that lonely lonesome water
O she sailed on the lonesome sea
Up stepped a little sailor, saying – What'll you give to me
To sink that ship in the bottom of the sea
If I'll sink her in that lonely lonesome water
If I'll sink her in the lonesome sea?
I have a house ad I have land
And I have a daughter that shall be at your command
If you'll sink her in that lonely lonesome water
If you'll sink her in the lonesome sea
He bowed on his breast and away swam he
And he swam till he came to the Turkish Revelee
As she sailed out in that lonely lonesome water
As she sailed on the lonesome sea
He had a little auger all made for the bore
And he bored nine holes in the bottom of the floor
O he sank her in that lonely lonesome water
O he sank her in the lonesome sea
He bowed on his breast and away swam he
And he swam till he came to the Golden Willow Tree
As she sailed in that lonely lonesome water
As she sailed in the lonesome sea
Captain, O captain, will you be as good as your word
Or either take me up on board
For I've sunk her in that lonely lonesome water
O I've sunk her in the lonesome sea
No I won't be as good as my word
Nor neither will I take you up on board
'Though you've sunk her in the lonely lonesome water
'Though you've sunk her in the lonesome sea
If it weren't for the love that I bear unto your men
I'd sink you the same just as I sank them
O I'd sink in that lonely lonesome water
O I'd sink you in the lonesome sea
He bowed on his breast and down sank he
A-bidding farewell to the Golden Willow
O he sank in that lonely lonesome water
O he sank in the lonesome sea
----------------
From: Horton Barker- Traditional Singer; 1961 Sandy Patton; Folkways; has the missing second verse.
THE TURKISH REBILEE:
Horton learned this version of Child 286 from a schoolmate named Beecher Webster at the school they attended in Nashville, Tennessee. About the ballad, Horton says, "Some people sing it with the boy on the Golden Willow Tree, but I have it just the other way."
There was a little ship that sailed on the sea
And the name of this ship was the Turkish Rebilee;
She sailed on the lonely, lonesome water,
She sailed on the lonesome sea.
There was another ship that sailed on the sea
And the name of this ship was the Golden Willow Tree;
She sailed on the -- etc.
Up stepped a little sailor, saying what'll you give to me
If I will that ship to the bottom of the sea?
If I'll sink her in -- etc.
I have a house and I have land
And I have a daughter that shall be at your command,
If you'll sink her in -- etc.
He bowed on his breast and away swam he;
He swam till he came to the Golden Willow Tree;
He sunk her in -- etc.
He had a little auger all fit for the bore;
He bored nine holes in the bottom of the floor.
He sunk her in the -- etc.
Some had hats and some had caps
A-trying to stop the salt water gaps
As she sunk in -- etc.
Some were playing cards and some were shooting dice
While others stood around a-giving good advice
As she sunk in the -- etc.
He bowed on his breast and away swam he;
He swam till he came to the Turkish Rebilee.
"I've sunk her in the -- etc."
"Now Captain, will you be as good as your word,
Or either will you take me in on board?
I've sunk her in the -- etc."
"No, I won't be as good as my word
And neither will I take you in on board,
Though you've sunk her in the -- etc."
"If it were not for the love I have for your men,
I'd do unto you as I've done unto them;
I'd sink you in the -- etc."
He bowed on his breast and down sunk he,
A-bidding farewell to the Turkish Rebilee;
He sunk in the -- etc.