Lyr Req: Away from the Roll of the Sea (MacGillivr

Subject: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From: GUEST,Sally
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 02:14 AM

Does anyone know the meaning of MacGillivray's 'Away from the Roll of the Sea'? I understand it to paint a picture of life in Cape Breton - is there more to it??

Thankyou!

Subject: RE: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From:
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 07:22 AM

That's pretty well it, Sally. Should try to get him to visit here.

Subject: RE: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From:
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 08:11 PM

Allister asked that I pass this info on for him. "Away From The Roll Of The Sea" was written in response to a photo of Glace Bay Harbour (Cape Breton), as taken by noted photographer Warren Gordon. I wanted to write a song with no people in it, only boats at rest. Of course, there's a ghost in one of the verses but he/she doesn't qualify as a human.

The song was written as a folk tune at first, but then seemed to work as a choral piece as well. It's been recorded worldwide around 40 times. --AMG

Subject: RE: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 03:33 AM

Utterly wonderful to hear from the composer of the song. Thanks for passing that on, George.

It's a song I'm trying to learn (at a friend's request). Assuming I'm correct the verses are basically:

(D)Small craft in the (A)harbour that's (D)still and (G)serene
Give (D)no indi-(A)cation what (D)their ways have (G)been.
They (D)rock at their (A)moorings all (D)nestled in (G)dreams,
A-(D)way from the (G)Roll of the (D)Sea.

Their stern lines are groaning a lullaby air
A ghost in the cuddy, a gull on the spar.
But never they whisper of journeys afar,
Away from the roll of the Sea

I'm having considerable trouble sussing out the chord progression for the refrain. Oops - news flash - I just tried it again, and I think I've got it (I seem to have been looking for something far more exotic than a 7th chord in the second line). Would appreciate any input and/or confirmation from more knowledgable 'catters than I.

Refrain seems to be:

Oh, (D)had they the (G)tongues for to (D)speak
What (D7)tales of ad-(A)venture they'd (G)weave
But (A)now they are anchored to (D)sleep and to slumber a-(A)lee

and the last verse:
Come fair winds to wake them tomorrow we pray
Come harvest aplenty to them everyday
Til guided by harbour lights they're home to stay
Away from the Roll of the Sea

Subject: RE: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From:
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 07:23 AM

Sorry, can't help with the chords at present. I can't find my copy of the Cape Breton Songbook which Allister publishes. It's in there. I don't play.

Subject: Lyr Add: AWAY FROM THE ROLL OF THE SEA (MacGillivr
From:
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 07:33 AM

However, I DO have the words.

AWAY FROM THE ROLL OF THE SEA
Allister MacGillivray © Sea-Cape Music

Small craft in the harbour that's still and serene
Give no indication what their ways have been
They'll rock at their moorings all nestled in dreams
Away from the roll of the sea
 
Their stern lines are groaning, a lullaby airs
A ghost in the cuddy, a gull on the spar
But never they whisper of journeys afar
Away from the roll of the sea
 
Oh had they the tongues for to speak
What tales of adventure they'd weave
But now they are anchored to sleep
And slumber alee
Come fair winds to wake them,
Tomorrow we play
Come harvest aplenty to them every day
Till guided by harbour lights they're home to stay
Away from the roll of the sea
 
Oh had they the tongues for to speak
What tales of adventure they'd weave
But now they are anchored to sleep
And slumber alee
Come fair winds to wake them,
Tomorrow we play
Come harvest aplenty to them every day
Till guided by harbour lights they're home to stay
Away from the roll of the sea

Subject: RE: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From:
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 07:47 AM

As I remember it there isn't a defined chorus, but the last verse is repeated. Essentially, the Away from the Roll of the Sea is a group effort and the rest is soloed. When the Barra MacNeils do it, it seems like they all sing but, I'm not quite sure as I've never seen them do it live.

Subject: RE: Away from the Roll of the Sea McGillivra
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 10:54 AM

Thanks, George, for the words and clarification.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble