'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem

Subject: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: GUEST,nomajj
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 07:55 AM

Ah! listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1mSBp4vE_M

Why hasn't this song become a classic? Why isn't it done to death in tourist bars? Why do we never hear it on radio play lists, even on programmes devoted to obscure folk songs.

A beautiful wedding of a haunting melody to the most lyrical of lyrics? A most imaginative addition of the father of the male lover in a lament of a pregnant maiden left without a supporting husband.

Lovely lines:

"When love hung ripe on the rowan tree"

"But time and other dreams took hold - the land grew ill and the sky turned cold
And all the things that make young men old
Must send the wild geese flying"

I just came across this gem accidently yesterday on Muisire's youtube collection. The LP had been given to him by somebody who found it thrown out in a skip.

I know Bonnie sometimes contributes to this forum.

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=46593#692267

Where are you Bonnie? Hiding away in East Cork. Get into a studio straight away and start recording - you must have material for a number of albums. Or at least re-issue your old vinyl catologue in an up to date medium. Why do you not appear in the Cork Folk Festival any more or why don't you perform sometimes in the city?

p.s. I've no hidden agenda in promoting this most talented harpist and singer. I don't think I've seen Bonnie for 20 years.

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 08:25 AM

Thank you so much! There is a mention of this song in another thread - I'll see if I can dig a link out.

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 08:34 AM

Here's a clickie for the clip above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1mSBp4vE_M

I'll go dig out the old thread (which has the words) when Mudcat isn't SO SLOOOOOOOOWW. It keeps timing out so I'll just post this for now.


In a skip!!! Man, man, thy time is sand ...

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 08:51 AM

OK, this is the other thread

Lyr Add: Billy Riley (chantey)
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=46593#692267

Words:

BILLY REILLEY

Copyright 1979 Bonnie Shaljean
(Blue Crescent Music Ltd.)


Billy Reilley at thy rest
Your father calls you from the past
His voice is loud but you are blessed
With sleep and cannot hear him
He doesn't talk much anymore, Billy Reilley

Long time ago you courted me
In the summer days when the world ran free
And love hung ripe on the rowan tree
You played your father's pipes
And all my joys abounded, Billy Reilley

But time and other dreams took hold
The land grew ill and the sky turned cold
And all the things that make young men old
Must send the wild geese flying
You left me with your child, Billy Reilley

Your father raged and made me swear
I'd never tell you but I couldn't bear
Unspoken names and whispering stares
And worst of all the nights
O curse the hour that I wrote you, Billy Reilley

You sailed for home with the next tide in
But the ship was lost and all men within
And now all Ireland's grace can't win you
From the sullen ocean
My heart lies dead at my feet, Billy Reilley

Your father curses the rolling sea
The stormy winds, fair France, and me
And I curse love and my own baby
And life is not the short thing
That they would have you believe, Billy Reilley

The pipes will sing you fast asleep
Where'er you lie in the ocean's keep
Forgive me if I no longer weep
As year by year I stay here
Imprisoned by my sins, Billy Reilley
You'd never recognise me, Billy Reilley

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 08:54 AM

Waaahhhh... just checked your other link [wipes egg off face with sleeve...]

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: GUEST,cardboard cutout
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 01:17 PM

It is indeed a very fine song, Bonnie.

You were kind enough to let Jackie Oates record it on her cd "The Violet Hour" too.

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 02:02 PM

Here in Whitby Valmai & Jules do an absolutely stunning version of this when they are together!

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 03:48 PM

Thanks for the youtube link. A great song.

Also downloaded Shenandoah. Well played and sung.

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: GUEST,flyingcat(moira)
Date: 30 Sep 13 - 04:27 PM

This song has never been completely neglected, I have it in my repetoire and I've always loved it. I first heard it sung many years ago by jane Plomer at maidenhead folk club.

xx

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Jan 25 - 06:18 PM

Joe - do cleanup

Subject: RE: 'Billy Reill(e)y' - a neglected gem
From: GUEST,bradfordian
Date: 14 Jan 25 - 11:33 AM

By coincidence, I sang this lovely Bonnie Shaljean song last night(13/01/25) on the Mudcat Zoom. I have known and loved it for many years.

bradfordian