TRACK TALK #596 The Cuckoo

THE CUCKOO
ALBUM : Live at the Gaslight 1962 (2005)
Recorded : 15 Octobre 1962
Released : 30 Août 2005

Un traditionnel britannique également connu sous le nom "The Cuckoo Is a Pretty Bird".
Il a été publié pour la première fois à la fin du 18ème siècle.
Il fut enregistré par le joueur de banjo Clarence Ashley en 1929 et redécouvert par les travaux d'Alan Lomax.
Après l'avoir joué en 1962, Bob Dylan réutilisera la phrase d'intro pour sa chanson "High Water" en 2001.

Unique performance live : New York (15 Octobre 1962)



Lyrics
Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July.

It is often that I wonder
Why women love men
And I look back and I wonder
Why men are men.

Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July.

Gonna build me a castle
On a mountain so high
So then I can see my true love
As she passes by.

Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July.

--- Instrumental ---

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds
I know you of old
You have robbed my poor pockets
Of silver and the gold.

Oh, the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
She warbles as she flies
But I never give her water
Till the forth day of July...

La version de Clarence Ashley :



Celle des Everly Brothers :



Celle de Townes Van Zandt :



Et celle de Laura Veirs :