Lyr Add: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)

Subject: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Hans Mol
Date: 21 May 99 - 06:08 AM

Hi I'm looking for the lyrics to Almost Any Circumstance, a ballad recorded by Mick Moloney, Jimmy Keane and Robbie O'Connel on There Were Roses (1985, Green Linnet). Has anybody got these and would you mind posting them to me on [e-mail]? Cheers Hans

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Wolfgang
Date: 21 May 99 - 06:55 AM

Hans,
I think it's 'Almost every circumstance' and I'll have a look, but can't come back before next thursday.

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: ALMOST EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE (Colum Sands)
From: harpgirl
Date: 21 May 99 - 09:07 AM

Hi Hans,
Here are the words...

ALMOST EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
Written by Colum Sands
As recorded by Mick Moloney, James Keane, & Robbie O'Connell on "There Were Roses" (1986)

CHORUS: Seven days are in the week in almost every circumstance,
And there's four seasons in the year; that's what we learned at school.
Ah, but never count your chickens when you're dealin' with the women,
For many's a wise man fell asleep and wakened up a fool.

The first time I met my love was on a Monday morning,
And the second time I saw her was a Tuesday afternoon.
When she kissed me on a Wednesday, I couldn't wait for Thursday,
But I can tell you now, me boys, that Thursday never came. CHORUS

My love she took the wintertime and turned it into springtime.
I never thought that love could change the world so much before.
I gave my heart and in return, she promised me the summertime,
But I can tell you now, me boys, that summer never came. CHORUS TWICE

harpgirl

Will you be performing it? If so, Where? PS Mick Moloney came to Tallahassee two years ago to perform...my son played pool with him (BS) (but true)

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Songbird
Date: 21 May 99 - 12:28 PM

the "(lost line)" is

"and turned it into Springtime"

the last few words escape me too.

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From:
Date: 21 May 99 - 03:46 PM

oh up she took the wintertime and turned it into springtime
i never thought that love could change the world so much before
i gave my heart and in return she promised me the summertime
but i can tell ya now me boys that summer never came

heh heh heh. the pouting song.

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: harpgirl
Date: 21 May 99 - 11:56 PM

...also it is in the lyrics site that Mudcat links to for Maddy Prior but I couldn't open it up...poutee

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Hans
Date: 27 May 99 - 11:28 AM

Hi harpgirl and songbird and others - thanks! Great, this was the first time I used this Mudcat service. Works like a doddle. Cheerio.

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Hans
Date: 27 May 99 - 11:33 AM

Oh yes, harpgirl (lovely alias) - you asked me whether I'll be performing it. Hm, I think I might. It's a lovely songlet - grows on you, doesn't it? If we do, I'll let you know - mind you I'm based in the Netherlands (so probably not close to where you are) and we've ('we' is our band, Under Milk Wood) just published our first CD, Making Tracks), so it might take while.

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: John
Date: 27 May 99 - 07:59 PM

In the credit where credit's due category, this is another fine Colm Sands song.

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From:
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 11:58 AM

Do you know of any compilation record that contains songs by Colm Sands?

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 05:44 PM

'Songs for Peace' (FolkFreak, Germany, 1983) contains 'The Long Road To Perfection'. Colum had long hair back then ... - Susanne

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Philippa
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 05:45 PM

doesn't he still - or when did he cut it?

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 06:26 PM

When I saw him last November or so over here in Germany he definitely had fairly short hair. I think it suits him better (and doesn't impair his singing and songwriting). Doesn't he go over to the States fairly regularly? Hope you'll see him again soon. Have you heard his latest album, 'All My Winding Journeys'? - Susanne

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Wolfgang
Date: 02 Jun 99 - 09:43 AM

I have seen his name as Colum or as Colm. What's correct?

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 02 Jun 99 - 06:43 PM

The CD sleeve says Colum. Could it be that 'Colm' is a misprint originating from Nottuln ...? (Sorry, all non-Germans - an unforgivable in-joke!) - Susanne

Subject: RE: wanted: lyrics to 'almost any circumstance'
From: Wolfgang
Date: 03 Jun 99 - 05:23 AM

don't know, Susanne, but if it was, it's not their most serious misprint.

Wolfgang

Subject: Almost every circumstance
From: Neil Comer
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 03:43 PM

Lyrics required for song by Colum Sands. also performed by June Tabor and Maddy Prior Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost every circumstance
From: fulurum
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 04:44 PM

almost every circumstance (colum sands)

chorus
seven days are in the week in almost every circumstance
and there's four seasons in the year; that's what we learned at school.
ah but never count your chickens when your dealing with the women
for many a wise man fell asleep and wakened up the fool.

the first time i met my love was on a monday morning
and the second time i saw her was a tuesday afternoon
when she kissed me on the wednesday i couldn't wait for thursday
but i can tell you now me boys that thursday never came.

chorus; seven days a week

my love she took the wintertime and turned it into springtime
i never thought that love could change the world so much before
i gave my heart and in return, she promised me the summertime,
i can tell you now me boys that summer never came.

chorus; seven

got this from moloney, occonnell, keane & carroll "there were roses" green linnet csif 1057. the chorus at the end they sing twice to end the song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost every circumstance
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 04:58 PM

I have heard that sung with a different timing so "morning" becomes "morn" and "springtime" becomes "spring"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost every circumstance
From: Neil Comer
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 05:49 PM

Thanks for your help Neil

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost every circumstance
From: lamarca
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 06:06 PM

I first heard this done by Mick Hanly, a fine Irish singer and guitarist who has since strayed from Trad to Rock over the years...It's too short for such a nice song, so I usually start with the chorus.

Subject: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Margaret V
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 07:42 PM

Can anyone tell me the origin of the song "Almost Every Circumstance?" I know versions by Mick Hanly and by June Tabor; is it Irish or English? Or something else? Vintage? Does it have an author other than anon? Thanks! Margaret

Subject: RE: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 08:06 PM

Is it not by Colm Sands (Northern Ireland)? I know the song well but have forgotten its history in the mists of time. I'm sure Alison will know the answer.

Best regards,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 08:07 PM

Margaret, this wonderful song was written bu Colum Sands, of the Sands Family from Northern Ireland. It is not that old, I don't know when he wrote it probably less than ten years ago. I frequently open my sets with this song.

Subject: RE: Almost Every Circumstance
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 08:17 PM

The earliest recording of it that I have - and I suspect the first time the Sands family recorded it - is on their 'After the Morning' LP of 1976 on EMI Ireland.

Subject: RE: Almost Every Circumstance
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 08:20 PM

He was talking about it at Fylde last year - he said it was a song he wrote, and then for quite a bit he couldn't feel right singing it, for some reason. I think he said he felt silly singing it, and that noone would understand it. I think it's a bit more than ten years old, but it's a modern song all right. Colum Sands is still what I'd call a young man.

The odd thing is, that because of June Tabor, a lot of people think of this as being more particularly a woman's song. Which it never is. It's a song capable of being particular to whoever is singing it.

Subject: RE: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Margaret V
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 09:09 PM

Thanks so much! I'm heading off to a session just this very moment and will sing it and introduce it properly. Margaret

Subject: RE: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Wavestar
Date: 23 Mar 00 - 10:03 PM

Anne Dodson does a great version of it... on her album "In Its Own Sweet Time," I think.

Subject: RE: SINGER/SONGWRITER? THE FIRST TIME..
From: DonD
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 01:53 PM

Not the McColl classic, but a song I learned off a borrowed tape years ago, and I can't remember who did it:

The first time I saw my love
Twas on the Monday morning
The next time I saw her
Was the Tuesday afternoon
And when she kissed me on the Wednesday
I could not wait till Thursday
But I can tell you now, my boys,
That Thursday never came!

chorus:

Seven days are in the week
In almost every circumstance
And there are four seasons in the year
Or so we learned at school
But never count your chickens
When you're dealing with the women
For many a wise man fell asleep,
And wakened up a fool.

My love she took the winter time
And turned it into spring time;
I never knew that love could change
My life this way before.
I gave my heart and in return
She promised me the summertime,
But I can tell you now, my boys,
That summer never came.

chorus

Can anyone help with the name of the singer and/or writer?

Subject: RE: SINGER/SONGWRITER? THE FIRST TIME..
From: MMario
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 02:08 PM

Almost any circumstance

the above link is under no circumstances intended to curtail or stifle discussion

Subject: RE: SINGER/SONGWRITER? THE FIRST TIME..
From: SharonA
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 02:28 PM

LOL, MMario!

Subject: RE: SINGER/SONGWRITER? THE FIRST TIME..
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 03:01 PM

That non-stifling page says Colum Sands wrote it. I have it on a Silly Sisters tape.

Subject: RE: SINGER/SONGWRITER? THE FIRST TIME..
From: DonD
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 05:09 PM

Thanks, MMario and Jeri.

I'm not familiar with Colum Sands or the Sisters. My recollection is of a seemingly older male singer with an Irish(?) accent and more personality than voice; could that have been him?

Subject: RE: SINGER/SONGWRITER? THE FIRST TIME..
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 07:25 PM

Mick Maloney does it too, and very well. KT

Subject: Chord Req: Almost Every Circumstance
From: eechlay
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 09:08 AM

Colm Sands. I've heard it sung by June Tabor and Maddy Prior...

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 01:25 PM

chorus=
[D]seven [A]days are [D]in the week in almost every circum[G]stance
and there's [D]four seasons [G]in the [D]year that's what we learned at [A]school.
ah but [D]never [A]count your [D]chickens when your dealing with the[G] women
for [D]many's a wise man [G]fell a[D]sleep and [A]wakened up a [D]fool.

the [D]first [A]time i [D]met my love was on a monday mor[G]ning
the [D]second time i saw her was a tuesday after[A]noon
when she [D]kissed me on the wednesday i couldn't wait for thurs[G]day
but [D]i can tell you [G]now me [D]boys that [A]thursday never [D]came.

chorus

my love she took the wintertime and turned it into springtime
i never thought that love could change the world so much before
i gave my heart and in return, she promised me the summertime,
but i can tell you now me boys that summer never came.

chorus


The G at the end of the first and third lines could equally well be Bm, and you could experiment with the occasional Bm instead of the D as well. I prefer the major chords as it keeps the song more upbeat, but that's just my opinion ...

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Almost Every Circumstance
From: Ron Davies
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 01:41 PM

It's true--June Tabor and Maddy Prior do a delightful sprightly rendition of this.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Almost Every Circumstance
From: eechlay
Date: 26 Aug 06 - 10:18 PM

Thanks very much. I prefer the major chords at the end too..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 12:28 AM

DonD,

If you're still there after all this time, the singer you're referring to is Mick Hanly who recorded Every Circumstance on either 'Blackwater Side' or 'Kiss in the Morning Early many moons ago. Certainly written by Colum Sands

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 06:27 AM

I learned this song from the singing of Anne Dodson of Maine.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: billybob
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 06:54 AM

Written by the lovely Colum Sands and you can hear him sing it on his CD "Unapproved Road" his first of many CDs.Recorded in 1982.On Spring Records rerecorded in 2001.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: CupOfTea
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 05:14 PM

Interesting to see this was written by Column Sands. I'd mixed up his authorship with Tommy Sands on another song awhile back, much to my dismay. I've been singing it for years as "mightbetraditionaldon'treallyknow."

If yer thinking of a male, Irish voice with more personality than voice (a lovely way of putting it) as the source for this song in yer head, could it perhaps have been that song-spreading Frank Harte?

In my mind it comes from the singing of the wonderful Robbie O'Connell, (personality and voice both abundantly splendid) back about the time he and Mick Maloney & Jimmy Keane did their "There Were Roses" album.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Nov 12 - 09:28 PM

I believe it's Colm Sands, and Mick Moloney.

Lovely song! I first heard it from the Mick Hanly LP.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 04:57 AM

Well Colum spells it Colum himself so I guess he should know!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 05:16 AM

He does - both forms occur though Colm is more common. Northern use of Colum may reflect Scottish Calum?

Regards

p.s. And , yes - Mick Moloney.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 09:14 AM

I learned it from the Silly Sisters' tape and have been singing it since sometime in the '90s. Tom really enjoys playing the concertina accompaniment on it and, because it's such a short song, I give him every opportunity for an instrumental break.

Vocally, I find it's fun to sing as well.

Linn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: CupOfTea
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 09:37 AM

sigh. and "yer" is actually "your"

so... where do I sign up for a proofreader before I submit messages here and how much will it cost? I can't take the shame much longer.
Apologies for inaccuracies in typing to the two men involved.
Do I at least get a passing grade for enthusiasm?

Joanne in Cleveland (which we spell Cleveland, even though it was founded by Moses Cleaveland)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 02:32 AM

If it's any consolation Joanne I hadn't even noticed your spelling and wouldn't have commented if I had as it is particularly bad "form" to do so as it is most likely often a typo or other sort of simple mistake.

Pedantry on the internet is a pain and frequently forgets about accuracy!

My mention of Colum calling himself such was in response to the claim that he was Colm which was clearly not a typo by that poster so worth "clarifying".

I wouldn't dream of correcting possible typos as I make enough myself, and life's too short.

All the best.

Kevin

Subject: RE: ADD: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jul 16 - 04:37 PM

I transcribed the song from the Silly Sisters recording, and that's the version we used in the Rise Again songbook. I could not find a Colum Sands or Sands Family recording.

Here's my transcription from No More to the Dance by the Silly Sisters (June Tabor and Maddy Prior)

ALMOST EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
(Colum Sands)

CHORUS
Seven days are in the week in almost every circumstance,
And there's four seasons in the year, or so we learned at school;
Ah, but never count your chickens when you're dealing with the women,
For many's the wise man fell asleep and wakened up a fool.

The first time I met my love was on a Monday morning,
And the second time I saw her was a Tuesday afternoon;
When she kissed me on a Wednesday I couldn't wait for Thursday,
But I can tell you now, my boys, that Thursday never came.

My love, she took the wintertime and turned it into springtime,
I never thought that love could change the world so much before;
I gave my heart and in return she promised me the summertime,
But I can tell you now, my boys, that summer never came.

Colum Sands ©1976 (renewed) Elm Grove Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoXNL8hSUwg

Subject: RE: ADD: Almost Every Circumstance (Colum Sands)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Jul 16 - 05:11 PM

Here's a recording from the There Were Roses album, by Mick Moloney, Jimmy Keane, and Robbie O'Connell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXkZ_CTKe-g

My transcription (underlined parts different from Silly Sisters):

ALMOST EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
(Colum Sands)

CHORUS
Seven days are in the week in almost every circumstance,
And there's four seasons in the year, that's what we learned at school;
Ah, but never count your chickens when you're dealing with the women,
For many's the wise man fell asleep and wakened up a fool.

The first time I met my love was on a Monday morning,
And the second time I saw her was a Tuesday afternoon;
When she kissed me on a Wednesday I couldn't wait for Thursday,
But I can tell you now, my boys, that Thursday never came.

My love, she took the wintertime and turned it into springtime,
I never thought that love could change the world so much before;
I gave my heart and in return she promised me the summertime,
But I can tell you now, my boys, that summer never came.

Colum Sands ©1976 (renewed) Elm Grove Music

---

On her In Its Own Sweet Time album, Anne Dodson sang a woman's version:

ALMOST EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE
(Colum Sands)

CHORUS
Seven days are in the week in almost every circumstance,
And there's four seasons in the year, or so we learned in school;
Ah, but never count your chickens when you're dealing with the young men,
For many's the wise one fell asleep and wakened up a fool.

The first time I met my love was on a Monday morning,
And the second time I saw him was a Tuesday afternoon;
When he kissed me on a Wednesday I couldn't wait for Thursday,
Ah, but I can tell you now, my boys, that Thursday never came.

My love, he took the wintertime and turned it into springtime,
I never thought that love could change the world so much before;
I gave my heart and in return he promised me the summertime,
Ah, but I can tell you now, my boys, that summer never came.

Colum Sands ©1976 (renewed) Elm Grove Music

---

Also note Susanne's (SKW) transcription in her mysongbook.de. It appears she may have made her transcription from a Colum Sands recording.