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Post by Joe on Mar 17, 2007 21:20:50 GMT -5
Hi all,
The first song in "The Two Brothers Medley" is sung a capella by Ciaran.
What is the significance of the colours in the song, and what does each colour symbolize?
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Post by Ginny on Mar 17, 2007 21:28:35 GMT -5
I'm going to have a go at this.
I'm assuming that the two brothers are going to war. The two colours could symbolize the fact that even thought they were brothers, or allies before, they have two fight on opposing sides. Also, because it mentions the two girls who are waiting for their lovers to come back, thats another hint that they are going far away to do something, most likely fight.
But that's just my opinion.
Cheers,
Ginny
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Post by Joe on Mar 17, 2007 21:38:14 GMT -5
What is the significance of the colours in the song, and what does each colour symbolize? When I hear this song, I think of the American Civil War. The North had blue uniforms and the South had gray uniforms. As tragic as it was, one brother may have been fighting for the North and his brother fighting for the South. As for the two girls, these are either fiancées or wives of a second set of brothers. One girl wore blue, knowing that her beau was coming home by train. The other girl wore black. She is mourning the death of her lover, who died in the war and whose coffin may be on the train. What do y'all reckon ? |
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Post by faerie on Mar 18, 2007 9:09:52 GMT -5
I agree Joe, actually I hadn't really thought of it much before but your idea makes sense.
Tia
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Post by mott on Mar 18, 2007 13:35:17 GMT -5
I agree pretty much with what Joe said. The song seems like a kind of simple anti-war song, nothing really elaborate about it. The "brothers" could actually be a metaphor of men in general; after all aren't we all brothers?
I've heard the song sung before but I can't remember who. There is a middle verse which is not sung in the Cottars version.
Also it's an interesting arrangement in that the Cottars change it from a forlorn tune into a joyous one halfway through the tune with the traditional jigs.
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Post by jason22 on Mar 18, 2007 17:58:25 GMT -5
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Post by Joe on Mar 18, 2007 20:53:35 GMT -5
Hi all, Wow...I had no idea that there was more to the song. Now that we know this middle verse, it tends to tell the story better. Two brothers on their way
Two brothers on their way
Two brothers on their way
One wore blue
And one wore grey
One wore blue and one wore grey
As they marched along the way
A fife and drum began to play
All on a beautiful morning
One was gentle, one was kind
One was gentle, one was kind
One came home, one stayed behind
A cannonball don't pay no mind
A cannonball don't pay no mind
Though you're gentle or you're kind
It don't think of the folks behind
All on a beautiful morning
Two girls waiting by the railroad track
Two girls waiting by the railroad track
For their darlings to come back
One wore blue, and one wore black
One wore blue, and one wore black
Waiting by the railroad track
For their darlings to come back
All on a beautiful morning
One wore blue, and one wore black
Waiting by the railroad track
For their darlings to come back
All on a beautiful morning |
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Post by afanoffiona on Mar 19, 2007 11:10:38 GMT -5
Hey Everyone!
I actually had someone tell me once that this was a civil war song. So, it sounds like you guys are on the right track.
God Bless,
afanoffiona
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Post by elizarose on Mar 19, 2007 15:39:19 GMT -5
But I am pretty sure that the song is Civil War related, just by the term blue and gray. I have always thought it was a reference to Civil War.
From what I gather this is where the song originates from
Name: Gordon, Irving
Born: Feb 14, 1915 (Brooklyn, NY)
Died: Dec 1, 1996 (Los Angles, CA)
Songs written or composed
Title: Two Brothers
Author: Gordon, Irving
Composer: Gordon, Irving
Genre: American Civil War
Subject: Brothers/War/Death/Blue/Gray
Publisher: Digital Tradition Mirror
I have also found it Rise Up Singing
It looks as if these people did a version or at least sang a song by this composer.
Kay Starr - 1951
Harry Belafonte - 1956
Bud & Travis - 1960
The Wayfarers - 1961
The Springfields - 1962
Shelby Flint - 1966
Tom Jones - 1967
Also recorded by:
Rod McKuen; The Weavers; White Mountain Singers.
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Post by Joe on Mar 19, 2007 20:42:52 GMT -5
Wow...look at how much we have learned about this song!
You are all amazing!
Thanks so much!
Joe
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