A Shanty for Barry Finn

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Genie
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 01:29 PM

C'mon, Terry, you can add more than just a number here!
(How 'bout a musical number?) *g*

Ernie, I've been toying around with your lyrics - remember the discussion of the "Sing it again" phrase - and Mary G's suggestion, and come up with this.   The one think I really kind of like about    this tune/arrangement is the way I did the "Sing it again (ba ba ba bum) for Mister Finn (ba ba ba bum)" part. Then it occurred to me that maybe that should be a chorus, sort of comme ça:

Haul Away For Barry

Well the sails are raised and the anchor stowed -
No more shall we tarry.
And it's roll and go on the West Sea Road
And we'll haul away for Barry!

Sing it again (sing it again)*
For Mister Finn (for Mr. Finn),*
A true heart strong and merry!**
Yes, it's roll and go on the West Sea Road
And we'll haul away for Barry!

May our loved ones back in port be blessed
No more shall we tarry
And our course be set for the West Nor'west
And we'll haul away for Barry!

Sing it again (sing it again)
For Mister Finn (for Mr. Finn),
A true heart strong and merry!
Let our course be set for the West Nor'west
And we'll haul away for Barry!

Well our ship is old but she's sound and dry
No more shall we tarry
So its raise the flag and watch her fly
And we'll haul away for Barry!

Sing it again (sing it again)
For Mister Finn (for Mr. Finn),
A true heart strong and merry!
It's raise the flag and watch her fly
And we'll haul away for Barry!

We're bound for harbor on the Eastern Shore,
No more shall we tarry,
A thousand miles away or more
We'll haul away for Barry!

Sing it again (sing it again)
For Mister Finn (for Mr. Finn),
A true heart strong and merry!
A thousand miles away or more
We'll haul away for Barry!

If never we return again,
No more shall we tarry.
We'll leave a song on the Western Wind
And haul away for Barry!

Sing it again (sing it again)
For Mister Finn (for Mr. Finn),
A true heart strong and merry!
We will leave a song on the Western Wind
And haul away for Barry!


*This could be an echo part and/or a drum beat that echoes the meter of the "sing it again" line.


*This lyric line could be about anything that rhymes with "Barry." E.g., "more fond of rum than sherry," "And our song his soul shall ferry," "and his soul our song will carry," or even "rumble-dee dumble-dee derry."   
I'm sure someone will come up with the perfect line.



This kind of arrangement seems very suitable for a group sing and very catchy. What do you think?

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 01:58 PM

Don't know what the trouble was..it worked this time. Beautiful job, David!!! LeeJ...this is so fitting...so Mudcat...so wonderful...my heart is really happy despite the sad loss. I love Mudcat.

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 02:28 PM

Genie, I love the idea of the rhythmic arrangement and can imagine Barry himself beating the bodhran on it. You do it in any way you want. Bend it, change it, add, subtract. If you feel moved, take the basic idea and write an entirely new song even.
Most of you know a hell of a lot more about shanties than I do. I think Barry would dig hearing this in all it's iterations. And somehow, I get a sense that he'll be there when any of us do it, as long as we pour heart and soul into it, just like he did in every song I ever heard him do. I give this song to him and to anyone else who sings it. If somebody makes a fortune with it, we can talk ;>).

One thing I would love to hear though. I'd love to hear Ken Schatz do some form of this next Getaway, God willing we all meet there again. I think Ken's energy comes from the same blazing fire where Barry got his.

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: MMario
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 03:23 PM

I second that!

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Genie
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 03:47 PM

I third it!

G

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 05:06 PM

I've been working on this little tribute to Barry. Dunno how soon I'll get a chance to record a sample of it, so I'll just put up lyrics here. I echo Lonesome's sentiment in hoping no one is offended by this gesture. Barry was one of the main singers to have inspired me in the last few years since I first heard him. This reflects his impressions on me.

If the meter seems slightly irregular, that's because it fits a particular tune. It's a slow, capstan chantey (the old fashioned kind, without a grand chorus).

SO LONG TO BOSTON BAY

Mister Finn we'll miss ye dearly
    Way-ay ay-ay!
Your voice still rings out clearly
   As we say so long to Boston Bay

Heard he'd sailed the wide world over
Being a salt sea rover

Chanteyman and ballad-crafter
Every song shook the rafters

Slight of height, but what a sound, sir!
Raised up in Boston Town, sir

Warm an' round, but tough as iron
Called him the Singing Lion

Filled each room with a roaring voice, boys
Join in and make some noise, boys

Moved his feet in joyful dance, sir
Eyes closed in mystic trance, sir

"Come back down," you'd hear them say, sir
"Else you might fly away, sir!"

Without him we are ten men down, boys
Caps'n won't heave around, boys

Roller-bowler, rock 'n' shake her
Why don't you bend an' break her

Wipe your tears 'way with your flipper
Stand and salute the skipper

Gibb

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 05:48 PM

Filled each room with a roaring voice, boys
Join in and make some noise, boys

Moved his feet in joyful dance, sir
Eyes closed in mystic trance, sir

"Come back down," you'd hear them say, sir
"Else you might fly away, sir!"


Absolutely true to life Gibb! Well done!

Watching the videos of Barry gives some impression of the performance, but you really had to be there to feel the vibrations bouncing 'round the room when Mr Finn was in full sail!

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 05:31 PM

Here's a link to me singing my chantey tribute to Barry. Info about the tune and whatnot is in the description.

So Long To Boston Bay (for Barry Finn)

(You'll need to turn up the volume a bit. The sound recording aspect of my computer has problems, also resulting in some weird, unfortunate crackling noises.)

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 05:38 PM

Gibb-

That one is almost scary.

You've done a great job of composing and singing that one.

I've just recording my own tribute to Barry on the "Press Room's Extra Voice" thread. Give it a listen.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 09:21 PM

Gibb:

Are you doing all the voices? That's amazing good!


A

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 10:08 AM

Amos-

I think he's channeling at least one "extra voice."

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Tinker
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 05:36 PM

Okay guys, this is a very rough field recording.... but somehow as I worked out the talk I was giving this weekend to 59 assorted kids aged 11 to 18 on how and why do the work I do, Barry seemed to leave me with a song.   

Hopefully all the stuff I found myself telling them isn't dreadfully wrong, but if it is I'm sure you'll correct me and I'll tell 'em all the truth next time....   When I work these overnight events I tend to get pulled in many directions and as a result I've been known to misplace things on a regular basis...

I think Barry would have enjoyed this crowd. The Chorus is all his.

Tinker and the Diocese of Newark Youth

Where?

Where are me keys
Me noggin' noggin keys
I gave them to someone for something
They'll turn up again, it'll work out in the end
And we'll all sing together in the chorus

Chorus:

Sing for the friends, the fun that never ends
Sing through the tears and the laughter
Close your eyes and move your feet
Don't you loose the blippin' beat
And we'll all search together til the morning

Where are me shoes.... I left them somewhere for something

Where is me head ...... I had it last night --or this morning

The kids have all ready folked in a new verse

Where is me wallet...... In a bag, in the trash, in the dumpster... We'll dumpster dive again, It'll work out in the end....


The carpeted floor "ate" all the foot stomping, but you can see the movement...

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 08:33 PM

Thanks, Amos. Yeah, the virtual voices are me, but I'd much prefer to sing with a real chorus!

Gibb

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Amos
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 10:22 PM

Tink:

What a kick to see you in full battle gear!! Way to go!!!


A

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 10:38 PM

What fun, Tink! Phew, that's a lot for one weekend. Barry would have loved it!

Gibb...I love that tune and your words really capture what I have seen and know of Barry just through videos and on Mudcat. Thanks for posting and sharing and you did a great job on those other voices!

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Janie
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 10:40 PM

Channeling Barry for sure and for certain, Tink! Thanks for posting this.

And as Amos says, great to see you in action. Wonderful job getting those kids involved. They clearly loved it!

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: KT
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 11:15 PM

Well done, Tink! I loved seeing you there! You did a great job getting the kids involved, too!
KT

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Tinker
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 12:10 AM

That was 43 hours into a 68 hour "weekend" ... The kids actually expect me to throw them at least one "old folkie song" at these events. They really did enjoy this one. And I just kept picturing Barry at Getaway making Ms. Mary blush..

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Genie
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 03:30 AM

Just seconding what the last few posters said, Tink.   Way to go! I love it!

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 12:09 PM

Gibb, great singing and describes Barry to a T.
Tink, hearing those kids sing a shanty would be a huge thrill to Barry Finn. Keep it up! Who knows, there might be another bench-walker in the bunch! I hear some strong voices in the mix.

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: SaltyWalt
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 09:48 AM

Gibb!
Thanks for throwing a hat in!
I'm glad to hear more than one set of words as Barry would always have a lot of songs to choose from!
Love it!

Genie, Just saw what you asked.
Don't be worried about the quality, I think we all rushed to record something (I think mine is awful quality, and I didn't post the other version that was more rowdy.)
I hope you don't feel "attacked" or criticized. Not the intention.

For clarification:
I was talking about the first version (I thought I said that, but I don't have time to comb the thread) which although very British Folk - y or Folk revivaly, and a very nice fit to the style of stanza, is nothing like a rough strong work song. A diferentiation I make because I can't help myself. It's like the difference between "Dan Dan" and "Three Score and Ten".
I had also wanted to point out the versatility of the words, because I really feel that Mr. Clayton's comment was a testament to them. By editing the last line, it worked as a stronger call and response than anything anyone else has done, and the writer (Lonesome EJ) said the intention was rowdy & chantey like.

It's possible I've been unclear;Ive been away from home for a family emergency, going online only in the middle of the night, fatigued, but unable to sleep. A sub-optimal time for communication.
(This can be evidenced by my typo's).

Be well.
Walt

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: SaltyWalt
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 11:17 AM

I had a little time to go back, and It seems I missed some other really cool itterations, like the Lej version with the refrains (I can hear it in the meter) or Amos' Bokian version.

All are really great.
I wish I was back in SF for the memorial there.

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 04:30 PM

Many will remember this thread that took place right after our friend Barry's death. I have put some images together with David Coffin's tune and singing, and the song is now on Youtube. This song will also be on the upcoming Mudcat CD Collection.

Shanty for Barry Finn

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: bbc
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 09:59 PM

Great song for a great soul. I'm so glad it will be in the new CD set!

Barbara

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 10:14 PM

Glad that this tribute to Barry made the cut.

Good work!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: stallion
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 04:50 AM

Thanks for the link, Barry and I's last conversation was all too brief and nothing much, we had a lot of plans which we never did get to talk about. A great song for Barry's memory and I too am pleased it is on the cd's
Peter

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 25 May 11 - 09:22 PM

Lonesome EJ thank you for your U Tube work.
well done I think.

Barry and Justine were so welcoming to My Guru and myself on our visit from our side of the pond. Barry felt like a life long friend
to me on our short visit ,and he left us all before we returned home.

I do have videos that I have held until the time is right. Portsmouth and The Getaway, Barrys last two then!

Must be via Justine I guess, or other sugestions welcome please ?

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 May 11 - 10:26 PM

Richard-

I've sent you a PM with Justine's e-mail address.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: A Shanty for Barry Finn
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 26 May 11 - 07:50 AM

Thanks for the PM's I will deal later.