Gentle Annie (song)
Encyclopedia
"Gentle Annie" is a popular American song
composed by Stephen Foster
in 1856. The song has original lyrics but is said to be based on a traditional Irish melody. According to his niece, Evelyn Foster Morneweck, there is a tradition that it was written in honor of Annie Jenkins, the daughter of a grocer in Federal Street, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, named Morgan Jenkins. She disputes this, and states that it is probably written in honor of his cousin, Annie Evans, who died shortly before it was composed. Some sources say it is Foster's farewell to his maternal grandmother, Annie Pratt McGinnis Hart. His paternal grandmother was Ann Barclay.
. Sources state that its subject is Annie Waits.
The song "Gentle Annie" sung by Tommy Makem
is a different song from both the Foster and the Australian version.
, Phil Harris, who died from complications of a stroke on February 9, 2010.
American popular music
American popular music had a profound effect on music across the world. The country has seen the rise of popular styles that have had a significant influence on global culture, including ragtime, blues, jazz, swing, rock, R&B, doo wop, gospel, soul, funk, heavy metal, punk, disco, house, techno,...
composed by Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster
Stephen Collins Foster , known as the "father of American music", was the pre-eminent songwriter in the United States of the 19th century...
in 1856. The song has original lyrics but is said to be based on a traditional Irish melody. According to his niece, Evelyn Foster Morneweck, there is a tradition that it was written in honor of Annie Jenkins, the daughter of a grocer in Federal Street, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, named Morgan Jenkins. She disputes this, and states that it is probably written in honor of his cousin, Annie Evans, who died shortly before it was composed. Some sources say it is Foster's farewell to his maternal grandmother, Annie Pratt McGinnis Hart. His paternal grandmother was Ann Barclay.
Australian version
An alternative version from Australia is also known as Gentle Annie. This was published in Australian Tradition, Vol. 1, no. e, in 1964. It was recorded by Martyn Wyndham-Read. The tune is the same as the Stephen Foster version, but the lyrics are different. The Australian lyrics were written by Lame Jack Cousens of Springhurst, VictoriaSpringhurst, Victoria
Springhurst is a town in north-eastern Victoria, Australia. The town is in the Rural City of Wangaratta local government area, north east of the state capital. At the 2006 census, Springhurst and the surrounding area had a population of 474....
. Sources state that its subject is Annie Waits.
The song "Gentle Annie" sung by Tommy Makem
Tommy Makem
Thomas "Tommy" Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone...
is a different song from both the Foster and the Australian version.
Adaptations
Alaska songwriter Britt Arnesen adapted the melody of "Gentle Annie" as a eulogy for the former captain of the F/V Cornelia MarieFV Cornelia Marie
The F/V Cornelia Marie is one of the commercial crab fishing boats featured on the Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch.The boat is owned by Cornelia Marie Devlin and prior to his death, Phil Harris . Two of Phil's sons, Jake and Josh Harris, work on the boat as well...
, Phil Harris, who died from complications of a stroke on February 9, 2010.