[Bg-dance] Fwd: If All the World Were Paper

[Thomas]

Poetically I find the two songs (both popular 
in the same decade of the 17th century) similar 
because they both use contrasting imagery. Both 
also reference the World in their titles.   

I agree with Daniel that IF ALL THE WORLD WERE 
PAPER sounds much sillier, whereas the entire 
WORLD TURN'D UPSIDE DOWN song (not quoted below) 
seems more ironic in its cynicism of recent laws 
and the lack of charity in those times.       
  
That being said, the stanza to tabacco that 
Daniel has cited seems to suggest that its use
is ordained because clay exists for pipes! 
The reference to "Spanish apes" is curious, 
while other lyrics seem to defend sack, wenches 
and oysters . . . silly?  
  
Perhaps, unless Oliver Cromwell is anywhere 
around!  Both of these songs are popular during 
the English civil war (just before the execution 
of Charles I).  Both testify to the indomitable 
spirit of English folksongs.  And both are just 
plain fun to sing!
  
Thomas        



-----Original Message-----
>From: Susan Scott <gwenneth40 at gmail.com>
>Sent: Apr 30, 2012 12:02 PM
>To: Barony of Bryn Gwlad European Dance list <bg-dance at lists.ansteorra.org>
>Subject: Re: [Bg-dance] Fwd: If All the World Were Paper
>
>Why that verse in particular?  It seems to make as much sense as any other, and more than some.
>
>Gwenneth
>
>Tim McDaniel <tmcd at panix.com> wrote:
>
>On Mon, 30 Apr 2012, Thomas <gemartt at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Strangely enough these lyrics remind me
>> of a song that was first published in 1643:
>> THE WORLD TURN'D UPSIDE DOWN.  There are
>> variations; yet both songs seem to question
>> the current order of the world:
>
>Thank you for adducing another song, and a comparison at that.
>
>I see a difference.  Interrogativa Cantilena / "If all the world were
>paper" just seems like silliness, so far as I can tell.  For example,
>I can't think of a meaning for
>
>> If all the world were sand-o,
>> Oh, then what should we lack-o?
>> If, as they say, there were no clay,
>> How should we take tobacco?
>
>In contrast, 1643 is near the start of the English civil war.
>"The world turn'd upside down" looks to me like a
>Cavalier-sympathizing conservative satire/protest song:
>
>> They count it a sin, when poor people come in.
>> Hospitality it selfe is drown'd.
>...
>> The serving men doe sit and whine,
>> and thinke it long ere dinner time:
>> The Butler's still out of the way,
>> or else my Lady keeps the key,
>> The poor old cook, in the larder doth look,
>> Where is no goodnesse to be found,
>
>That's decrying the loss of old generosity and charity, but also
>decrying the lower classes (serving men) getting above themselves,
>which was classic old-style conservatism.  It's also condemning
>economic disorders.
>
>Dannet de Lincoln
>-- 
>Tim McDaniel, tmcd at panix.com
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