Not common for any artist to take his own song, written by himself, and to mine the tune and add new lyrics. It is especially uncommon to record BOTH. We hear bands like the Beatles' demos when a song is in its infancy to change lyrics radically, but this is a unique case, I think.
I have no idea which was recorded first...anyone? I first heard "Jabberwocky" when I finally found a rare vinyl gatefold of HMS Donovan (a UK ONLY release--recorded with Children in mind, but I love it too). The HMS Donovan gatefold album cover even reveals a small emblem that is also on the "Open Road" jacket
JABBERWOCKY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnqK-1CPxLk
It surprised me to hear the tune, because I had always loved what I assumed was the original song...but now I'm not sure which came first..."Celtic Rock" (which ROCKS) or the more traditional sounding "JABBERWOCKY"...
In a bit of research i have found that "Open Road" was released in 1970 and "HMS Donovan in 1971". But which had been composed & written first, or actually recorded first? HMS Donovan was a long project and could have been recorded during the "Open Road" Sessions...or before.
CELTIC ROCK
http://en.musicplayon.com/play?v=487046
Note: the icon in the lower right corner
And here in the book Donovan's holding...the same art...this gatefold has to be in my top 2 or 3 favorite album jackets
