Thursday, July 1, 2010

Roll Your Leg Over ~ by Oscar Brand

If you want to add this song to your repertoire you need to start with sheet music, or at least this recording of Oscar Brand singing "Roll Your Leg Over" from his album Bawdy Songs and Backroom Ballads Vol 1 1955.




Thank you to rumandoldspice at YouTube.

This is the album that inspired our version of the song.
When Laura and I started The Bawdy Balladeers in the '80s, we changed the song to a woman's point of view changing laddies to lassies. I thought "the man in the moon" wasn't funny. I came up with "it's better that way" and we gave it "the clap".

Countless Renaissance Faire groups and Pub Sings have sung our chorus ever since.

Please give credit to the originators of any music and lyrics or
the recording you used to the best of your ability. If you are researching songs for yourself or a group, be creative. Or at least change the arrangement and how the song is introduced.

Perhaps one day, another budding musician will honor you in the same way.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing this! I miss you!
*hugs* -Paula P.

Elizabeth the Librarian said...

I first came into contact with The Bawdy Balladeers back when I was 15 or so. I loved the music so much and it influenced me to get involved with the NY Ren Faire. I met some great people and my life changed for the better. Thank you so much for the music! If possible, do you know where/how I can get ahold of your recordings? It mean so much to me :) Thanks!

Bonnie said...

Hi Elizabeth, Bliss Goodbody here ;-)

Thanks for your interest, but the CD's are no longer available. I wish I had some to share with folks who want them. The last one I heard about was on ebay. It went for over $30 :-}

I'm so glad we introduced you to Faire and faire music. I've been to two Faires in NY and both were lovely. Maybe we met!