[ 17 October 2005: Message edited by: Sarah ]

storyfool, thanks for those links. I had actually found a couple of those before! They're an incredible resource, aren't they?

[ 17 October 2005: Message edited by: Michelle ]

Well, it's the morning and even though the announcement hasn't been made officially yet on the rabble home page (I don't think), I think it's okay to give the URL to the RPN:

http://www.rabble.ca/rpn/

There are a bunch of good shows on there. Also, take a good listen to the Podcast DIY show that Wayne does. Anyone can do a podcast - ANYONE.

If you're reading this or listening to one of the podcasts right now, then you already have a computer that's capable of doing podcasts. Get a cheap little Radio Shack computer mike (they're really cheap - well under $20), download Audacity, which is a free recording program that allows you to mix tracks, and find something to say, and you're off to the races. You don't have to have "a voice for radio" (a couple of my favorite podcasters do not have "typical radio voices" and neither do I).

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Originally posted by Michelle:
You don't have to have "a voice for radio" (a couple of my favorite podcasters do not have "typical radio voices" and neither do I).

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I enjoyed listening to your story and thought you were quite clear. So far, I like the rabble podcasters' voices a bit better than "typical radio voices", which are usually a bit too fast and overdone, IMHO.

I listened to the nodcast during the commute yesterday and it was fab. Are you going to have all of these great off the beaten track tales that we've all forgotten?

Thanks

My girlfriend is herself just getting into English storytelling (as a native born English teacher here in Taiwan) and she loves your voice; very clear and easy to understand, but not partonizingly slow.

PJ, I definitely take requests, although it might take a little while since I plan a few episodes at a time. (By the way, I am planning to do them once a week, on Tuesdays.) Also, copyright is an issue, so if it's public domain then that's great, but if I come up with an idea that requires permission from the publisher or the author, it will definitely take longer (if I get permission at all).

I'm particularly glad to hear that you think I don't sound slow and patronizing. I'm trying to speak clearly, but trying very hard not to Barney-fy.

London Bells

And here's what my friend google told me about the chopping off your head line:

London Bridges

I've never heard THAT part before. Guess my childhood was more sanitized than yours was!

[ 12 November 2005: Message edited by: Michelle ]

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Originally posted by MondoBondo:
When I was little my mother used to read something called "Oranges and Lemons ring the bells of St Clements" or some such thing. Do you know it? I'm trying to remember the rest of it. For some reason I recall "Here is a candle to light you to bed and here comes a chopper to chop off your head."

But that can't be right. Ring any bells?

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(from memory)

Orange and lemons, say the bells of St. Clemens
You owe me three farthings, say the bells of St. Martin's
When will you pay me, say the bells of Old Bailey
When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch
When will that be, say the bells of (da-dee-dee? forget)
I do not know, say the great bells of Bow.

And the rest definitely can be right:

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"Here comes a Candle to light you to Bed
Here comes a Chopper to Chop off your Head
Chip chop chip chop - the Last Man's Dead."

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[ 12 November 2005: Message edited by: Contrarian ]

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...another is that it is about sex, particularly, the wedding night. To explain the third meaning, the fullest version of the rhyme1 is repeated at the end of the entry. It could be seen as a Wedding List; and was the five farthings the cost of a Marriage License?

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Old shoes and slippers - These were commonly thrown after brides on their wedding day.
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Old Father Baldgate - possibly a description of a phallus.
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Here comes a candle to light you to bed - the bride is tempting her new bridegroom to bed.
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Here comes a chopper to chop off your head - the 'head' referred to is the 'maidenhead' (virginity)...

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