KATE & ANNA McGARRIGLE LYRICS Compiled by Robin Dunn & Chrissie van Varik. The complete poetic lyrics of Kate & Anna McGarrigle songs as performed in principal recordings (or demos) by them, or in the case of McGarrigle compositions, performed by others alone and/or with Kate & Anna. Kate (6th February 1946 - 18th January 2010) and Anna (born 4th December 1944) McGarrigle, Canadian singer-song-writing sisters from Quebec, performed as a duo until Kate's death. Another sister, Jane (aka Janie) McGarrigle, a film and television composer, sometimes wrote and performed with Kate & Anna, but was not a regular collaborator. Anna and Kate were born in Montreal of mixed Irish and French-Canadian background, but spent their childhood in the Laurentian Mountains village of Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, northwest of Montreal, where they learned piano from village nuns. In the 1960s, whilst Kate was studying engineering at McGill University and Anna art at the École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, they began performing in public and writing their own songs. From 1963 to 1967 they teamed up with Jack Nissenson and Peter Weldon to form the Mountain City Four, a folk group. Kate and Anna continued to write, record and perform music into the twenty-first century with assorted accompanying musicians including Gerry Conway, Pat Donaldson (see also the Heads Hands & Feet Lyric List on http://robindunnmusic.wordpress.com/) - also for a time Kate’s partner, Ken Pearson, Michel Pépin, Chaim Tannenbaum and Joel Zifkin. They made ten albums from 1975 to 2008. Their songs have been covered by a wide variety of artists including Maria Muldaur, Nana Mouskouri, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Billy Bragg, Chloé Sainte-Marie, Judy Collins, Anne Sofie von Otter and others. Although associated with Quebec's Anglophone community, the McGarrigles also recorded and performed many songs in French. Two of their albums, ENTRE LA JEUNESSE ET LA SAGESSE (aka French Record) and LA VACHE QUI PLEURE, are entirely in French (with one exception), but many of their other albums include one or two French language tracks. Many of their French songs were co-written by Philippe Tatartcheff, with occasional input from Kate’s son, Rufus Wainwright. Rufus and his sister, singer Martha Wainwright, are the children of Kate and her former husband, singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III. Anna’s daughter Lily Lanken and son Sylvan Lanken also contribute to numerous recordings, as does Anna’s husband Dane Lanken. The McGarrigles have performed or recorded with the Irish group The Chieftains, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on their 2001 No More Shall We Part album, Emmylou Harris on her albums Bluebird, Wrecking Ball, Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions, Light of the Stable, Stumble into Grace, and All I Intended to Be, Lou Reed on his concept album The Raven, Joan Baez on her live recording Ring Them Bells, Gilles Vigneault on ‘Charlie-Jos’ on his album C’est Ainsi Que J’arrive à Toi, and Robin Holcomb on her 2002 album The Big Time. All are here including their version of Wade Hemsworth’s ‘The Log Driver’s Waltz’, famous as the soundtrack for a 1979 animated film by the Canadian National Film Board and a 1970 Chris Rawlings version with Anna backing. The sisters appeared on the children’s TV show Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show in Season 4, episode 50 entitled Sibling Rivalry. Kate & Anna were appointed Members of the Order of Canada in 1993 and received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 2004. Kate died from sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. See: http://katemcgarriglefoundation.org/ ALBUMS: KATE & ANNA McGARRIGLE (1975) DANCER WITH BRUISED KNEES (1977) PRONTO MONTO (1978) FRENCH RECORD (ENTRE LA JEUNESSE AT LA SAGESSE) (1981) LOVE OVER AND OVER (1982) HEARBEATS ACCELERATING (1990) MATAPÉDIA (1996) THE McGARRIGLE HOUR [also released as a DVD] (1998) LA VACHE QUI PLEURE (2003) THE McGARRIGLE CHRISTMAS HOUR [also released as a DVD] (2005) (includes family & friends) ODDITIES (2010) (demos & outtakes etc.) TELL MY SISTER (2011) (3-CD set of first two albums plus demos & unreleased tracks) TORONTO, MAY’82 (2016) (CD of CBC radio broadcast from 29th May 1982) BOOKS: Mountain City Girls: The McGarrigle Family Album - by Ann McGarrigle (2015) Kae and Anna MCGarrigle: Songs and Stories - Dane Lanken (2007) WEBSITE: http://www.mcgarrigles.com/ The list is in strict alphabetical order starting with the initial letter of the title including words ‘A’, ‘La’, ‘Les’ etc. and if within brackets e.g.: ‘(‘Til)’ or ‘(I’d)’. However the second word leads in the cases where ‘The’ starts the title. Generally, standard English (without too much punctuation), is used except of course for the French lyrics. Bracketed lines generally allude to ‘backing’ or ‘echo’ singing. The bracketed date (with a ‘?’ if uncertain or unknown) following the title denotes the year of first recording or release. Italics within the lyrics generally denotes speech. Queries/gaps are also indicated in blue and/or indicated by ??. Omitted verses (where known) have been included for interest and are shown in dark blue as are the notes. The lyrics are reproduced from the standard or definitive recording with other versions/recordings noted. Please forward typos and other corrections/additions/suggestions to: [email protected] NB: The lyrics below are, as far as possible, ‘as performed’ and are reproduced for amusement only and not for commercial gain. Ownership and copyright remains with the original composer(s) and/or publishers. These lyrics are for your personal use only. We will not, and you must not, gain commercially from this listing. 2 3 A_____________________________________________________ A BOIRE (1981) (Anna McGarrigle/Philippe Tatartcheff) From the 1981 album FRENCH RECORD (ENTRE LA JEUNESSE AT LA SAGESSE). Kate McGarrigle: vocal & B3 Hammond organ; Anna McGarrigle: vocal & piano; Andrew Cowan: mandolin. Je me regardai dans le glace si folle Souriant, promenai mes souliers désaccordés A boire, à boire Je lui demandai Pour l'amour du Seigneur Je lui suppliai Se jeune, si jeune, chaque gorgée m'emporte Par des mers si gelées, le printemps cherchant l'automne Froidement fidèle, vision toujour changeante Dive campagne, à mes lèvres si accordante ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER (1975) (Loudon Wainwright lll) Kate & Anna McGarrigle contribute backing vocals on this track from Loudon Wainwright’s (Kate’s then husband) 1975 album UNREQUITED. Absence makes the heart grow fonder And the mind begins to wander back to happier days I guess you could say you were taken for granted I went on and on and I raved and I ranted Oh my tyrannical ways But now things are different cause now you are gone And I'm not so sure that I can carry on I always knew you were important to me But now I know you are a necessity, otherwise I'd start to go insane Things weren't easy when we were together We had plenty of days of lousy weather But now I'm in a hurricane And I'm gonna grieve, and I'm gonna moan Cause you're not here and I'm all alone The joke's on me you get the last laugh I've found out the hard way who is my better half And now I'm the worse for the wear When I see you again expect some champagne wine And on Valentine's Day expect a valentine Cause now I know how much I care, how much I care AH, MAY THE RED ROSE LIVE ALWAYS (1987) (Stephen C. Foster) From the 2010 album ODDITIES. Stephen Collins Foster: 4th July 1826 – 13th January 1864. * Omitted lines/verses. Ah, may the red rose live always To smile upon earth and sky Why should the beautiful ever weep Why should the beautiful die Lending a charm to ev’ry ray That falls on her cheeks of light Giving the zephyr kiss for kiss And nursing the dewdrop bright Ah - may the red rose live always To smile upon earth and sky! Why should the beautiful ever weep Why should the beautiful die Long may the daisies dance the field * 4 Frolicking far and near Why should the innocent hide their heads Why should the innocent fear Spreading their petals in mute delight When mornin' its radiance breaks Keeping a floral festival ‘Til the night-loving primrose wakes Long may the daisies dance the field Frolicking far and near Why should the innocent hide their heads Why should the innocent fear AH TOURNESOL (2003) (Philippe Tatartcheff/Kate & Anna McGarrigle) From the 2003 album LA VACHE QUI PLEURE. Kate McGarrigle: vocals, acoustic guitar & synthetic flute; Anna McGarrigle: vocals, banjo & synthetic flute; Martha Wainwright: vocals; Butch: drums & percussion; Jeff Hill: contrabass; Joel Zifkin: violin. Kate & Anna McGarrigle also sing and play on this track from the 2003 various artists album Redub Chroniques. Kate McGarrigle: vocal & acoustic guitar; Anna McGarrigle: vocal & banjo; Vander: bass; Butch: drums; Lily Lanken: backing vocal; Martha Wainwright: backing vocal; Borza Ghomeshi: electric guitar; Jean-Sébastien Cyr: synthesizer; Jeff Hill: double bass; Guy Thouin: tablas (type of Hindu drums/tom toms). This song is a setting of William Blake’s poem ‘Ah Sun-flower’ - a straight translation of the original. The same song is also performed with English lyrics (‘Sunflower’ - see below.) Ah tournesol, proie à l’ennui Toi qui comptes les pas du soleil En quête de ce haut, doux pays Où le voyageur trouve le sommeil Où jeunesse languit de désir Et pâle vierge sous son froid - linceul É mergeant de leurs tombes, soupirent Après les rêves de mon tournesol Ah tournesol, proie à l’ennui Toi qui comptes les pas du soleil En quête de ce haut, doux pays Où le voyageur trouve le sommeil Où jeunesse languit de désir Et pâle vierge sous son froid - linceul É mergeant de leurs tombes, soupirent Après les rêves de mon tournesol Après les rêves de mon tournesol A LA CLAIRE FONTAINE (1976) (Kate & Anna McGarrigle) From the 2010 album ODDITIES, comprising outtakes and demos. Kate McGarrigle: vocals; Anna McGarrigle: vocals; Chaim Tannenbaum: harmonica. Other personnel not certain. This is a French folk song made famous by Madame Emma Albani, an internationally known star of the Opera, who was from Québec. A la claire fontaine M'en allant promener J’ai trouvé l’eau si belle Que je m'y suis baigné Il y a longtemps que je t’aime Jamais je ne t'oublierai J'ai trouve l'eau si belle Que je m’y suis baigné Sur la plus haute branche Le rossignol chantait Il y a longtemps que je t'aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai 5 J’ai trouve l’eau si belle Que je m'y suis baigné Sur la plus haute branche Le rossignol chantait Il y a longtemps que je l’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai Sur la plus haute branche Le rossignol chantait Chante, rossignol, chante Toi qui as le cœur gai Il y a longtemps que je t’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai Chante, rossignol, chante Toi qui as le cœur gai Tu as le cœur à rire Moi je l’ai à pleurer Il y a longtemps que je t’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai Tu as le cœur à rire Moi je l'ai à pleurer J’ai perdu ma maîtresse Sans l’avoir mérité Il y a longtemps que je t’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai J’ai perdu ma maîtresse Sans l’avoir mérité Pour un bouquet de roses Que je lui refusai Il y a longtemps que je t’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai Pour un bouquet de roses Que je lui refusais Je voudrais que ces rose Soit encore au rosier Il y a longtemps que je l’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai Je voudrais que ces rose Soit encore au rosier Et moi et ma maîtresse Soit en bonne amitiés Il y a longtemps que je l’aime Jamais je ne t’oublierai 6 ALICE BLUE GOWN (1998) (Harry Tierney/Joseph McCarthy) From the 1998 album THE McGARRIGLE HOUR; it includes members of the sisters’ family and friends. Lily Lanken: vocals; Anna McGarrigle: vocals; Rufus Wainwright: vocals; Jane McGarrigle: piano; Joel Zifkin: violin. In my sweet little Alice blue gown When I first wandered down into town I was both, proud and shy As I felt every eye And in every shop window I'd primp passing by At all manner of fashion I'd frown And the world seemed to smile all around 'Til it wilted I wore it I'll always adore it My sweet little Alice blue gown At all manner of fashion I'd frown And the world seemed to smile all around 'Til it wilted I wore it I'll always adore it My sweet little Alice blue gown 'Til it wilted I wore it I'll always adore it My sweet little Alice blue gown ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL see: WHAT GOD HATH WROUGHT ALLEZ-VOUS-EN (1998) (Cole Porter) From the 1998 album THE McGARRIGLE HOUR; it includes members of the sisters’ family and friends. Martha Wainwright: vocal; Kate McGarrigle: accordion; Tom Mennier: piano. Since the moment when first like a rocket you burst In my hitherto tranquil skies I am startled to find I am not colour blind When I view the blue of your eyes Therefore please do not take me to task If the following favour I ask Allez-vous-en, allez-vous-en, monsieur Allez-vous-en, go away Allez-vous-en, allez-vous-en, monsieur I have no time for you today Do be a dear, just disappear, monsieur Bid me farewell, do, do, do Allez-vous-en, please go away, monsieur Or I may go away with you Therefore please do not take me to task If the following favour I ask Allez-vous-en, allez-vous-en, monsieur Allez-vous-en, go away Allez-vous-en, allez-vous-en, monsieur I have no time for you today Do be a dear, just disappear, monsieur Bid me farewell, do, do, do Allez-vous-en, please go away, monsieur Or I may go away with you 7 ALL I LEFT BEHIND (1999) (Emmylou Harris/Kate & Anna McGarrigle) Kate & Anna McGarrigle join in with vocals on this track from Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris’s 1999 album Western Wall - The Tucson Sessions. All I left behind should come as no surprise To me since I fell through the black hole of your eyes Only little things inconsequential I could say Of all I left behind with you along the lost highway Silver earrings in Wichita Beaded moccasins in Tonapah But I had you so I just let them go The flannel shirt I wore to keep me from the cold When we drove from Boston all the way to Buffalo The leather boots I bought so many miles ago I took them off to follow you into the Ohio Never did my armour feel so thin Silk was all I had between me and your skin Like waterloo I lost that too And the gold bracelet with my father’s name inscribed On the back by the one who loved him all her life The way I too Could have loved you The Spanish shawl I put across the broken shade Of the lamp that lit the room That last night near Cour d'Alene Only little things inconsequential I could say Of all I left behind with you along the lost highway Of all I left behind ALL THE WAY TO SAN FRANCISCO (2012) (Kate McGarrigle) Martha Wainwright performs this song (with backing from the Ensemble) on the 2013 tribute album Sing Me The Songs - Celebrating the Works of Kate McGarrigle. This track was performed and recorded at Luminato, Massey Hall, Toronto, 13th June 2012. Concert musicians - Brad Albetta: bass; Thomas Bartlett: piano; Michelle Josef: drums; Calum MacColl: guitar; Jane McGarrigle: piano; Michel Pépin: guitar; Chaim Tannenbaum: banjo & mandolin; Joel Zifkin: violin. A wide range of artists perform McGarrigle songs on the album taken from recordings at three tribute concerts 2010-2012 in aid of the Kate McGarrigle Foundation which is dedicated to sarcoma research plus preserving, continuing and building Kate’s artistic and philanthropic legacy. See: http://katemcgarriglefoundation.org/ We are not aware of a recording by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. I wore my lumberjack shirt And a pair of blue jeans I wore my lumberjack boots And my navy blue pea coat From the merchant marines All the way to San Francisco All the way to San Francisco And from my greyhound living room I could see children crying And stars were fallin’ And derelicts were dying in darkened doorways All the way to San Francisco All the way to San Francisco The mountains were high And so was I (All the way to San Francisco) And the gods were shining through on high (All the way to San Francisco) There were chicks in convertibles passing me by (All the way to San Francisco) 8 And I wanted to laugh And I wanted to cry (All the way to San Francisco) (All the way to San Francisco) I could reap the highway Clear as words on a page And to the music of that highway I could hear the songs of love The songs of rage The voices were loud Sounded like screams From plain folk, just ordinary people With extraordinary dreams All the way to San Francisco All the way to San Francisco The mountains were high And so was I (All the way to San Francisco) And the gods were shining through on high (All the way to San Francisco) There were chicks in convertibles passing me by All the way to San Francisco And I wanted to laugh And I wanted to cry All the way to San Francisco All the way to San Francisco I wore my lumberjack shirt And a pair of blue jeans I wore my lumberjack boots And my navy blue pea coat From the merchant marines AMPLEFORTH/LAY ME LOW (see also LAY ME LOW) (1978) (Trad. Arranged by Pete Bullock/Trad. Arranged by John Tams) Kate McGarrigle contributes vocals on this track from the Albion Band’s 1978 album Rise Up Like The Sun. John Tams: lead vocals & melodeon; Kate McGarrigle, Julie Covington, Pat Donaldson, Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson: chorus; Pete Bullock: synthesiser, piano, clarinet, baritone saxophone, organ; Michael Gregory: drums, nakers, tambourine; Ashley Hutchings: electric bass; Dave Mattacks: drums, tambourine; Simon Nicol: vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitar; Phil Pickett: shawms, bagpipes, curtals, trumpet; Ric Sanders, violin, violectra; Graeme Taylor, electric guitar, acoustic guitar. Ampleforth Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in North Yorkshire, UK. Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Where no-one can see me Where no-one can find me Where no-one can hurt me Show me the way Help me to say All that I need to All that I needed you gave me All that I wanted you made me When I stumbled you saved me Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Where no-one can see me Where no-one can find me Where no-one can hurt me Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low 9 Where no-one can see me Where no-one can find me Where no-one can hurt me Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low Lay me low..... AND NO MORE SHALL WE PART (2000) (Nick Cave) Kate & Anna McGarrigle contribute backing vocals on this track from Nick Cave’s 2000 album No More Shall We Part. And no more shall we part It will no longer be necessary And no more will I say, dear heart I am alone and she has left me And no more shall we part The contracts are drawn up; the ring is locked upon the finger And never again will my letters start Sadly, or in the depths of winter And no more shall we part All the hatchets have been buried now And all of the birds will sing to your beautiful heart Upon the bough And no more shall we part Your chain of command has been silenced now And all of those birds would've sung to your beautiful heart Anyhow Lord, stay - by me Don't go down I will never be free If I'm not free now Lord, stay by me Don't go down I never was free What are you talkin’ about For no more shall we part And no more shall we part 10