This won't work, because Unicode never works as well as it ought, but here goes. My IPA's a bit rusty, but I think it's something like [t???.ð?s.bæ?l.????.d?.?].
There's some nasalisation on the final vowel of the elongated diphthong in 'down' but no actual /n/ that I could hear. The /s/ of 'house' is barely audible, while the /h/ is pharyngealised.
The hypothesis that it should be interpreted as 'tear this barrelhouse down' seems credible.
But you know, Anthony, the "barely audible" "s" was the clue I needed: she does say "barrelhouse." I'm glad we got ten comment out of it, because a definitive answer in the first comment might as well be prefaced by, "Ogged, you idiot...."
Apparently there's a longstanding tradition among folk-type artists whereby alcohol-related production facilities are targetted for demolition.
But it's not as longstanding as the tradition of crooning about what a bummer it is that you murdered your girlfriend or lover. Strange folk, them mountain people.
Tear this barrelhouse down.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 9:58 AM
Wait a second...I know that's what the lyric is supposed to be, but is that really what she says?
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 9:59 AM
What's a barrelhouse?
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 10:20 AM
Sigh...when I was young, people did their own internet searches.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 10:22 AM
When I was young, wholesome singers like Ethel Merman clearly enunciated when they sang. And Jerry Mathers as the Beaver.
Posted by peter snees | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 10:39 AM
Bathtub! I'm pretty sure she says bathtub.
Could just be the ludes.
Posted by girl27 | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 10:54 AM
Thanks. My searchin' finger is broke.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 11:01 AM
This won't work, because Unicode never works as well as it ought, but here goes. My IPA's a bit rusty, but I think it's something like [t???.ð?s.bæ?l.????.d?.?].
There's some nasalisation on the final vowel of the elongated diphthong in 'down' but no actual /n/ that I could hear. The /s/ of 'house' is barely audible, while the /h/ is pharyngealised.
The hypothesis that it should be interpreted as 'tear this barrelhouse down' seems credible.
Posted by Anthony | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 11:03 AM
[t???.ð?s.bæ?l.????.d?.?].
Yeah, that's pretty much what it sounds like to me.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 11:05 AM
Wow, that sure didn't work. I declare fatwa on the Unicode consortium, and/or anyone else whose fault it is.
Posted by Anthony | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 11:05 AM
But you know, Anthony, the "barely audible" "s" was the clue I needed: she does say "barrelhouse." I'm glad we got ten comment out of it, because a definitive answer in the first comment might as well be prefaced by, "Ogged, you idiot...."
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 11:08 AM
who's the singer, then?
Posted by David Weman | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 1:57 PM
Gillian Welch, another "rootsy" type of singer, has a song about tearing a stillhouse down.
Apparently there's a longstanding tradition among folk-type artists whereby alcohol-related production facilities are targetted for demolition.
Posted by Adam Kotsko | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 10:17 PM
The tradition needs updating.
Gonna tear that brewpub down, or at least take away its license to serve spiritous beverages.
Posted by Anthony | Link to this comment | 03- 2-05 11:40 PM
Apparently there's a longstanding tradition among folk-type artists whereby alcohol-related production facilities are targetted for demolition.
But it's not as longstanding as the tradition of crooning about what a bummer it is that you murdered your girlfriend or lover. Strange folk, them mountain people.
Posted by Mitch Mills | Link to this comment | 03- 3-05 5:35 AM
The Old '97s have a great song in that tradition, too.
This old nightclub stole my youth
This old nightclub stole my true love
Follows me around from town to town
But I just might get drunk tonight
And burn the nightclub down
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 03- 3-05 6:19 AM