Songcatcher

Now...

there you have a fine example of an old English ballad,

a folk song, defined as that which is created

by the common people, the unskilled.

The melodies are quaint and primitive,

but you must learn to appreciate

not only the sociological value,

but the simple purity of emotion in the song.

Oh.

Good afternoon, Dean Pembroke.

I wanted to catch you today, Dr. Penleric.

I wanted to tell you that the appointment committee

has reviewed your application for full professor.

And we've concluded unanimously

that we can not offer you the position.

However, we hope you will continue on

as an associate professor

at your current salary level, of course.

Why, may I ask, am I being passed over again?

It is not customary to be asked

to defend our position, Dr. Penleric.

It appears we have an opportunity

to offer the position to the eminent English musicologist

and ballad collector, Cyrus Whittle,

who as you know, has almost single-handedly created

a revival of the English folk song.

Oh, Dean Pembroke. Excuse me.

What is it, Professor Aldrich?

Nothing, sir, I just stopped by for a few words with Dr. Penleric.

Well, I was just leaving. Good day, Dr. Penleric.

I argued for you, Lily,

as emphatically as I dared.

I have waited longer and published more

than anyone else in this department.

Frankly, I was the only man for you.

Really?

Dean Pembroke said the vote was unanimous.

I was afraid someone would suspect something.

Dr. Whittle is a brilliant man.

Of course he is, that's not the point!

Lily,

I've arranged the family's whole summer

so I can come into town to see you every week.

I won't be here, Wallace.

Where are you going?

As far away as possible.

Please don't go away.

I know how disappointed you must be, my darling, but...

Lily, wait.

Why don't I meet you at your apartment?

My wife won't be home until quite late.

Are you mad, Lily? What if someone walked in?

You coward!

Backing my appointment was the only thing

I ever asked you for.

But...

You Miss Elna's sister?

Yes, yes, yes, I am.

I'm here to take you to Clover.

I'm Fate Honeycutt. What's your name?

Oh, hello, I'm Dr. Lily Penleric.

A doctor?

That's just fine.

We could sure use another healer.

Oh, I'm not a medical doctor.

Well, what kind are you?

I'm a doctor of music,

sort of an expert.

I see.

Thank you.

Well, hop on up, Doc.

Here, just put your foot on the wheel there.

I'll help you up.

Giddup.

Giddup.

What if we meet another wagon

coming down the mountain?

That would be something.

Oh!

Someone's playing music?

- Oh, Lily! - Eleanor.

It's been so long.

Yes.

I thought you said it was only five miles to Clover.

She meant "mountain miles."

Used to take three days to get up here.

This is my sister, Lily.

Lily, this is my colleague and friend, Harriet Tolliver.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

This is Deladis Slocumb. Deladis has no family,

so we get to keep her here full time.

How do you do, ma'am?

How do you do?

Elna's told me so much about you.

"Elna"?

Oh, that's what everyone here calls me.

It's caught on with me, too.

I suppose it's a lot better than "Little Elf,"

which is what I used to call her.

You must be exhausted.

I am. Excuse me.

Would you like to rest before supper?

- Could you help me, dearest? - Yes, I'm sorry.

Thank you so much.

It's very hot.

I know.

Along with the basic curriculum,

we also teach hygiene and nutrition to the girls.

And music, of course.

Deladis, why don't you serve the tea?

Deladis, what a beautiful name.

That's a real pretty fan.

Thank you, dear. It's from Spain.

Thank you, dear.

Aren't you frightened here?

What of?

Oh, savage mountaineers.

Reports of violence are horrible.

Horribly exaggerated, that is.

Deladis, why don't you sing

one of your pretty songs for my sister?

Oh, please, please do. I would like that.

Deladis, where did you learn that song?

My granny gave it to me.

Was your grandmother from England?

You mean, across the ocean?

No, no.

Granny lived and died right here in the mountains.

Then where did she learn it?

Granny said she got all those love songs

from her mama.

Do you know any more ballads?

love songs.

Oh. I know lots of them.

I know "Lord Randall,"...

"Jacqueline Is Sailing," "Two Sisters."

I know "Young Emily."

Would you sing "Two Sisters," please?

It's all right, dear.

Lily... I told you never to call me here.

I'm calling as a colleague, Wallace.

- Where are you? - The southern mountains.

What on earth are you doing in such a dreadful place?

Never mind that. I'm telephoning because I made

a great discovery. Old English ballads.

What are you talking about?

The mountain people brought the ballads here

over 200 years ago.

The same songs that Cyrus Whittle

has been collecting in England,

songs which haven't been known there for at least 100 years!

- What of it, Lily? - Wally?

I want you to come home.

Don't you understand?

These may be the purest versions in existence.

- That's ridiculous. - It's true!

And I am going to be the first to collect them

and to publish them.

Nothing I could have said or done

would have secured that appointment for you.

Nothing you do now will, either.

Will you help me, or not?

I have always believed in you, Lily.

Good. I need supplies.

The collecting must be done scientifically.

Now, nice and loud.