Songcatcher
(woman singing)
(music) All in the merry month of May (music)
(music) When green leaves
were a-springing (music)
(music) This young man
on his deathbed lay (music)
(music) For the love of Barbara Allen (music)
(music) He sent his man
unto her then (music)
(music) To the town
where she was dwelling (music)
(music) "You must come
to my master, dear (music)
(music) If your name
be Barbara Allen" (music)
(music) So slowly, slowly
she got up (music)
(music) And slowly
she came to him (music)
(music) And all she said
when she came there (music)
(music) "Young man,
I think you're dying" (music)
(music) He turned his face
unto the wall (music)
(music) And death came
creeping to him (music)
(music) Adieu, adieu,
and adieu to all (music)
(music) And adieu
(music) When he was dead
and laid in his grave (music)
(music) Then death came
creeping to her (music)
(music) O mother, mother,
make my bed (music)
(music) For his death
(music) And so this maid
she then did die (music)
(music) And desired
to be buried by him (music)
(music) And repented she
before she died (music)
(music) That e'er she did
deny him. (music)
Now...
there you have a fine example
of an old English ballad,
a folk song, defined
as that which is created
by the common people,
the unskilled.
The melodies
are quaint and primitive,
but you must learn
to appreciate
not only
the sociological value,
but the simple purity
of emotion in the song.
(humming)
Oh.
Good afternoon,
Dean Pembroke.
Dr. Penleric.
I wanted to tell you
that the appointment committee
has reviewed your application
for full professor.
And we've concluded
unanimously
that we can not
offer you the position.
However, we hope
you will continue on
as an associate professor
of course.
Dr. Penleric:
Why, may I ask,It is not customary
to be asked
to defend our position,
Dr. Penleric.
It appears we have
an opportunity
the eminent English musicologist
and ballad collector,
Cyrus Whittle,
who as you know, has almost
single-handedly created
a revival
of the English folk song.
Oh, Dean Pembroke.
Excuse me.
What is it, Professor Aldrich?
Nothing, sir, I just stopped by
for a few words with Dr. Penleric.
Well, I was just leaving.
Good day, Dr. Penleric.
(door closes)
I argued for you, Lily,
as emphatically as I dared.
I have waited longer
and published more
than anyone else
in this department.
Frankly,
I was the only man for you.
Dr. Penleric:
Really?Dean Pembroke said
the vote was unanimous.
I was afraid someone
would suspect something.
Dr. Whittle is
a brilliant man.
Of course he is,
that's not the point!
Lily,
I've arranged
the family's whole summer
so I can come into town
to see you every week.
I won't be here, Wallace.
Where are you going?
As far away as possible.
Please don't go away.
I know how disappointed
you must be, my darling, but...
Lily, wait.
Why don't I meet you
at your apartment?
My wife won't be home
until quite late.
Are you mad, Lily?
You coward!
Backing my appointment
was the only thing
I ever asked you for.
But...
(rooster crowing)
You Miss Elna's sister?
Yes, yes, yes, I am.
I'm here to take you
to Clover.
I'm Fate Honeycutt.
What's your name?
Oh, hello,
I'm Dr. Lily Penleric.
A doctor, huh?
That's just fine.
We could sure use
another healer.
Oh, I'm not a medical doctor.
Well, what kind are you?
I'm a doctor of music,
sort of an expert.
I see.
Thank you.
Well, hop on up, Doc.
Here, just put your foot
on the wheel there.
I'll help you up.
Fate:
Giddup.Fate:
Giddup.What if we meet
another wagon
coming down the mountain?
That would be something.
Oh!
Someone's playing music?
- Oh, Lily!
- Eleanor.
It's been so long.
Yes.
I thought you said it was
only five miles to Clover.
Woman:
She meant"mountain miles."
Used to take three days
to get up here.
This is my sister, Lily.
Lily, this is my colleague
and friend, Harriet Tolliver.
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
This is Deladis Slocumb.
Deladis has no family,
so we get to keep her here
full time.
How do you do, ma'am?
How do you do?
Elna's told me
so much about you.
"Elna"?
Oh, that's what
everyone here calls me.
It's caught on with me, too.
I suppose it's a lot better
than "Little Elf,"
which is what
I used to call her.
(chuckling)
You must be exhausted.
I am.
Excuse me.
Would you like to rest
before supper?
Uh...
- Could you help me, dearest?
- Yes, I'm sorry.
Thank you so much.
It's very hot.
I know.
Along with
the basic curriculum,
we also teach hygiene
and nutrition to the girls.
And music, of course.
Deladis, why don't you
serve the tea?
Deladis,
what a beautiful name.
That's a real pretty fan.
Thank you, dear.
It's from Spain.
(crow cawing)
Thank you, dear.
Aren't you frightened here?
What of?
Oh, savage mountaineers.
Reports of violence
are horrible.
(laughing)
Horribly exaggerated,
that is.
Deladis,
why don't you sing
one of your pretty songs
for my sister?
Oh, please, please do.
I would like that.
(music) 'Twas in the merry
month of May (music)
(music) When all gay flowers
were a-bloomin' (music)
(music) Sweet William
on his deathbed lay (music)
(music) For the love
(music) He sent his servant
to the town (music)
(music) He sent him
to her dwelling (music)
(music) Sayin', "Master's sick (music)
(music) and very sick (music)
(music) And for your sake
he's a-dyin'." (music)
Deladis, where did you
learn that song?
My granny gave it to me.
Was your grandmother
from England?
You mean, across the ocean?
No, no.
Granny lived and died
right here in the mountains.
Lily:
Then wheredid she learn it?
Granny said she got
all those love songs
from her mama.
Do you know
any more ballads?
love songs.
Oh. I know lots of them.
I know "Lord Randall,"
uh... uh...
"Jacqueline Is Sailing,"
"Two Sisters."
I know "Young Emily."
Would you sing
"Two Sisters," please?
Harriet:
It's all right, dear.(music) O sister, o sister
come go with me... (music)
Lily... I told you
never to call me here.
I'm calling
as a colleague, Wallace.
- Where are you?
- The southern mountains.
What on earth are you doing
in such a dreadful place?
Lily:
Never mind that.I'm telephoning because I made
a great discovery.
Old English ballads.
What are you talking about?
Lily:
The mountain peoplebrought the ballads here
over 200 years ago.
The same songs
that Cyrus Whittle
has been collecting
in England,
songs which haven't been known
there for at least 100 years!
- What of it, Lily?
- Woman:
Wally?I want you to come home.
Don't you understand?
These may be the purest
versions in existence.
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"Songcatcher" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/songcatcher_18517>.
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