Starring Paul McGann, PM is a cracking little film, first broadcast on Channel Four, courtesy of George Harrison's film company. But there's one thing that's been bugging me for years.......In the film, young McGann was fond of whipping out his banjo and knocking out a few tunes. The first one was a fine little rendition of The Great Pretender, but I don't know the other song he played. I think it sounded a little C&W, and something about a bird called Susannah: 'It rained all night, the day I left, the weather was bone dry, Susannah don't you cry'. Er, well, something like that anyway.
Please help, and I'll be your friend forever.
It's "Oh, Susannah" and there are some details of the history of the song here.
Oh Susannah:Traditional Lyrics and the California Gold Rush Adaptation Sound Clips
The Be Good Tanyas did a nice version, with a banjo, on the Blue Horse album, although they called it "Oh Susanna".
Nick
Nick: You're a legend.
Great film, great song. The latter was written by Stephen Foster, in the mid 19th century, and was performed in 'blackface' minstrel shows all over the States. Foster himself later removed a verse, as his opposition to racism began to grow.
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I come from Alabama with my Banjo on my knee
I'se gwine to Lou'siana my true lub for to see.
It rain'd all night de day I left, de wedder it was dry;
The sun so hot I froze to def -- Susanna, don't you cry.
Oh! Susanna, do not cry for me;
I come from Alabama,
Wid my Banjo on my knee.
I jump'd aboard the telegraph and trabbled down de ribber,
De lectrick fluid magnified, and kill'd five hundred Nigga.
De bulgine bust and de hoss ran off, I really thought I'd die;
I shut my eyes to hold my bref--Susanna don't you cry.
Eventually, we got the version McGann strums along to in Paper Mask:
Well I come from Alabama with my banjo on my knee
And I'm bound for Louisiana, my own true love for to see
It did rain all night the day I left; the weather was bone dry
The sun was so hot I froze myself
Susanne don't you go on and cry
I said, Oh, Susannah
Now, don't you cry for me
As I come from Alabama
With this banjo on my knee
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As to the film, I'm always checking to see if there's a DVD release imminent. I have a relatively small number of films I can watch when I'm feeling indecisive in the face of my creaking, CD and DVD-heavy shelves. This is one of them. I love McGann's manic, nervous energy.
Would you believe it? There's a jigsaw of Amanda Donohoe as Paper Mask's nurse Christine Taylor available at Amazon. The things I stumble upon. I might buy it and take it to the ward I'm working on.
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