2497. So Early in the Morning (Traditional Irish and American)

There are many versions of this traditional Irish children's song, including a sea shanty, an American blackface song and even a Malay version in the 1966 P. Ramlee film, "Nasib Do Re Mi", which I uploaded a few days ago: • 2495. Sua Sue Kemuning...
This video presents two of the other versions of the song, firstly the Irish version, which was popularised by The Clancy Brothers, though it is rarely heard these days, and secondly a song that appears to come from the American blackface tradition, though the earliest known publication was in "The Scottish Students Song Book" (6th edition 1897). It has some lines in common with "The Blue-Tail Fly", also known as "Jimmy Crack Corn", but whether it is a forerunner of that song or just borrowed from it is a matter for speculation.
Like many of the blackface songs of that time, it would be seen as politically incorrect today, especially in the portrayal of the happy slave who loves his master and mourns his death. There may have been an element of truth in this as the slave would be aware of far worse masters that he could now be passed onto. The use of the n-word was not considered derogatory at the time and I have left it in for historical accuracy.
This song was requested by Wings IV.
Lyrics and chords:
D .............................. A7
When I was young, I had no sense,
............................... D
I bought a fiddle for eighteen pence.
............................ A7
The only tune that I could play
........................................ D
Was "Over the Hills and Far Away."
.......................... A7
So early in the morning,
.......................... D
So early in the morning,
............. G
So early in the morning,
.... A7 ...................... D
Before the break of day.
As I grew up I got more sense,
I bought hard shoes for twenty pence
And for to tap with all the rest,
But I had no music for to dance.
So now I'm big I've lots of sense,
I'll keep my money and all my pence
I'll find someone to play for me,
I'll dance for my dinner and for my tea.
I'll dance when I rise in the morning light,
I'll dance all day and in the night
In the summer sun, on a winter's day,
I'll dance forever if you will play.
American lyrics:
C …......................... G7
South Carolina's a sultry clime,
…............................................... C
Where we used to work in de summer time,
…............................. G7
Massa 'neath de shade would lay,
….................................... C
While we poor niggers toil'd all day.
…...................... G7
So early in de morning,
…....................... C
So early in de morning,
…....................... F
So early in de morning,
…. G7 ….................... C
Before de break of day.
When I was young I used to wait,
On massa's table lay de plate,
Pass de bottle when him dry,
Brush away de blue-tail'd fly.
Now massa's dead and gone to rest,
Of all de massas he war best;
I nebber see de like since I was born,
Miss him now he's dead and gone.
You can see a playlist of my Irish songs here:
www.youtube.com...
Lyrics and chords of many of my songs are no longer available, as my website has expired. I am currently posting lyrics to the information panels on all my videos and those that are too long to post in full will be found here: raymondsfolkpa...

[@mokhtarisman7283]

God bless you sir! From malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@salahuddinal-ayubi6926]

sua sue kumuning version malaysia

[@sunarnonorzhuhaira2235]

@@salahuddinal-ayubi6926 btoiiiiii good

[@muhammadnazim4598]

hadir sebab tengok kat tiktok tajuk lagu ni

[@masyb0]

do re mi

[@izzatirfan9043]

Sua sue kemuning bring me here, good to know the origin of the song, amazing.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@aori987]

yaaa same la

[@aliffarkef7423]

I'm glad because you know our legend P. RAMLEE

[@raymondcrooke]

He was a great Malaysian.

[@09samuel_owo39]

Thank you sir.. I found ur chanel as i'm looking the meaning of p ramlee's song "sua sue kemuning". Almost all his movies i can remember the dialouge..

[@raymondcrooke]

He was certainly a great Malaysian.

[@aerynazri9727]

Thank You Sir...

[@azmeelothman2976]

Such a catchy melody.. Love it... From Malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@gustymalek9655]

Tahniah tuan Nyanyian anda amat mengasyikkan halwa telinga saya

[@bryanadams1395]

Now i know already, sua sue kemuning= so early in the morning. Great share and song from you sir.. 5 star i give you from malaysia.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@les_chats]

I'm crying tears of joy! I searched for this song for years and finally gave up. At bedtime in the early 1950s my father sang little ditties about me until I fell asleep. As an adult I suspected they were real songs with the lyrics changed to be about me. This is the only song I can remember every verse and chorus. I decided to record it (with my father's lyrics) for his great- and great-great-grandchildren. They never knew him but will have something of his to keep. So I decided to search again, finding you today. Listening to you has made me SO happy to discover my memory of the tempo and melody is spot on. I imagine my dad smiling down from a cloud somewhere. Thank you SO much for uploading this.

[@raymondcrooke]

You're most welcome. I'm glad you found it here.

[@jamiltukangjahit]

I just got to know about this having heard Sua Sue Kemuning since I was a child😊 thank you for these 2 versions.

[@raymondcrooke]

You're welcome. Thanks for listening.

[@faridarchitect1152]

Finally, I know where the P ramlee's Sua Sue Kemoning comes from....Thanx

[@raymondcrooke]

You are most welcome.

[@natfailsyoutube8163]

Another version of this tune is has lyrics like: Pigs can't swim, Pigs can't fly, Pigs can see the wind go by, Pigs make loverly household friends, when winter comes and summer ends. It seems this version was performed by The Irish Rovers, but I think it has been preformed by others as well.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for the information. That's a new one for me!

[@kakigame9521]

Wow. Video is 3 years ago and you still reply new comment. Legend.

[@raymondcrooke]

I like to reply to any new comments, even for videos I did 13 years ago.

[@sharkdon_2925]

English version 'so early in the morning' and Malay version 'sua sue gemuning' 👍 ... Malaysia 🇲🇾 ♥️ British 🇬🇧🤝👍✌️

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@sharkdon_2925]

@@raymondcrooke Welcome sir 👍

[@mohamadamirul9370]

sua sue kemuning bring me here.. love it.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@ritaggn]

Really nice picking on that guitar. Really nice voice, Raymond. The first two lines remind me of a French folk tune but I can't recall the title. It may come to me. Nice comparison between the two. Pacing and key...and of course, the lyrics. Really fine! R

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for your kind words, Rita.

[@willardlosingersmusicchann569]

Beautifully sung! That second one has a lot of similarities to a song called either "The Blue Tail Fly" or "Jimmy Crack Corn."

[@raymondcrooke]

You can see my video of "Blue Tail Fly" here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r36kgpSGmJpkbLc Ten years ago!

[@haziqyusree3235]

Wow such a good voice you have sir greetings from Malaysia 😊😊😊

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you. Greetings from Australia.

[@haziqyusree3235]

@@raymondcrooke tq Sir😊😊

[@mohdrostammuhammad8333]

Tiktok bring me here...a nice song...n really nice voice...from malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Welcome to my channel.

[@Allexarris]

So classic..i came here for DOREMI film from malaysia.

[@raymondcrooke]

It's a great film.

[@syafrina79]

I try to find child song selamat pagi anak negeri...and i find you in here...thank you very much

[@raymondcrooke]

You are most welcome.

[@rasikareddy9290]

Thanks for that.learnt that song in a convent school at an age when I dint know a thing about slavery. Sang it ever so often.when I realized what it ment.it was heart breaking.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening and commenting.

[@CrawfishParish]

Again a wonderful one..

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you, Michael.

[@khairulmohd8920]

Thank you Sir for introducing us the song.....

[@raymondcrooke]

You're welcome, Khairul.

[@lollollol1574]

Thank you sir for such a joyful song😀👍

[@raymondcrooke]

You're most welcome.

[@ilhamzikri4994]

not gonna lie, im impressed that u could reproduce the song

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@butambul]

Nice rendition. There was an old Malay movie with a aong which was inspired by this aong. The aong was called Sua Sue Kemuning Nice to know the origin

[@raymondcrooke]

Yes. It's this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWTcln6bicieq7c

[@abgzz4284]

Firstly thanks knowing our Malaysia greatest artis P Ramlee..this song Sua Sue Kemoning ..So Early in the Morning

[@raymondcrooke]

You're welcome. I've always been a fan of P. Ramlee.

[@mdh8623]

This song was improvised by P. Ramlee in “ Nasib DoReMi” film

[@raymondcrooke]

Yes. There is a link to it in the information panel.

[@mohdfaiz6532]

P.RAMLE VERSION TQ SIR FROM MALAYSIA Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Istimewa raja Limau purut lebat di dahan Batang selasih condong uratnya Lapar perut dapat ku tahan Hati sakit apakah ubatnya Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Istimewa raja Anaklah beruk di atas kajang Di tepi paya pokok selasih Jalanlah buruk belanga pecah Itulah tanda nasi dah habis Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Istimewa raja Ular lidi asyik ketawa Melihat kambing mencuci kaki Siapa kata do re mi tak lapar Cuba jemput makan kenduri Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Sua sue kemuning Istimewa raja

[@raymondcrooke]

You are welcome.

[@redzfido5397]

may you always be healthy and protected by god sir..from malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for your kind wishes.

[@garudagangsa]

love sua sue kemoning..from malaysia with love.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@JennyDaniels]

Sounds great, Raymond ˜”°•ڰۣڿ♥ڰۣڿ•°”˜ Thumbs up 👍 Have a wonderful new week......Best wishes....Jenny ♫

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you, Jenny.

[@gamingwithgarrett1140]

I love this aong

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@ezamgps1]

In Malaysia we call this song "Sua Suey Kemuning"🤗

[@raymondcrooke]

Yes, I have also uploaded that version to KZbin.

[@ezamgps1]

@@raymondcrooke ohh..noted thank you sir

[@frankie6764]

Nice one sir. This song sounds like one of P ramlee's song.. Suasue kemoning is it

[@raymondcrooke]

Yes. You can hear my cover here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWTcln6bicieq7c

[@zakimanzainol8312]

Thanks for the info, greeting from malaysia 🙏🏻

[@raymondcrooke]

You're welcome. Greetings from Australia.

[@matdoja6386]

With ❤️ from Malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@matdoja6386]

@@raymondcrooke when u know late PRamlee, u so awesome. Even PRamlee has passed away, all Malaysian loves his song, his movie, and his comedy film. Btw, both version very cool. 🌹❤️

[@raymondcrooke]

@@matdoja6386 He was a great Malaysian.

[@marcoacca1882]

Great!

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you, Marco.

[@ruthbarron625]

What about Slow Train by Flanders & Swann.

[@muhammadfaizudin]

Good voice

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you.

[@PipoAirsoft]

good song! From Brazil

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@zalixkarim6329]

Good knowledge. TQ

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for watching.

[@РжанойПряник-щ6о]

Клево, спасибо большое!

[@raymondcrooke]

Добро пожаловать.

[@roslihashim7364]

Love it!

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@Raggy60]

We sung this at school

[@raymondcrooke]

I think that's where a lot of us first heard it.

[@abieysado7640]

Nice song 😁🇲🇾

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listening.

[@asrulhadiamir]

Hi from malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Hi from Kuala Lumpur.

[@sunarnonorzhuhaira2235]

Nice song sir💖👍👍👍👍👍

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@mohdsophiankamal174]

Good info. 😘

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening.

[@perindubuluh2607]

yay!

[@perindubuluh2607]

Thank you :)

[@raymondcrooke]

You're most welcome. Thank you for the request.

[@azlanahmad176]

Nice song... Fm Malaysia

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you.

[@nafriz2010]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you.

[@rezo5768]

Baru tahu

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listenng.

[@taotesi5370]

Greetings from Turkey 🇹🇷

[@raymondcrooke]

Greetings from Australia.

[@johnsontank3024]

dari tiktok ke KZbin hadir 2023/12/04 23:53

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listening.

[@AnnaMok15]

Lagu kenangan ketika masa kecil tiap hari bljr bahasa Inggris dr RADIO AUTRALIA seksi Indonesia Suasana tenang sekeluarga penggemar RADIO Autrali n BBC LONDON KENANGAN SANGAT INDAH

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening. I'm glad it brought back memories for you.

[@stefani.324]

WAIT AT MY SCHOOL WE SING THIS SONG OMG

[@raymondcrooke]

It's a good one to sing.

[@stefani.324]

@@raymondcrooke yes ofc! I really enjoying singing it ^^

[@mokoygaming3705]

I come here because p.ramlee movie song sur arh sur weh kemong 😂

[@raymondcrooke]

It's a great song.

[@aciksola6138]

Near 2024😂

[@raymondcrooke]

Coming soon.

[@mohammadsholihin5713]

Malay version= sua sue kemuning~~~

[@raymondcrooke]

Yes. There's a link to it in the information panel.

[@hannibalexter]

🇲🇾🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listening.

[@razmalaya]

From Malaya

[@raymondcrooke]

That's right.

[@izzatulnaim3158]

June 2024, i came here frm tiktok...

[@raymondcrooke]

Welcome to my channel.

[@suzytoha3788]

😂 omg!

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listening.

[@affathy00]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXykaIyneKykjZI Nasib Do Re Mi

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks. A very useful link.

[@affathy00]

Watch at 09:56

[@izzatulnaim3158]

Wow... Did he just sang the n word

[@raymondcrooke]

The use of the n-word was not considered derogatory at the time this song was written and I have left it in for historical accuracy.

[@parelzz]

suar suir kemuning istimewa raja

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listening.