Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy

Subject: Brenda Wootton and Humphry Davy
From: Dennis Cuddles
Date: 15 Mar 09 - 09:17 PM

Hearing a Radio 4 play last week about the Cornish scientist Humphry Davy and his research into nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") reminded me of the moment, many years ago, when I turned on the radio and caught the tail end of a song about Humphry Davy being sung with great exuberance by a singer I took to be another great Cornish celebrity, Brenda Wootton. This was so long ago and so fleetingly brief that I can remember nothing about it except that it had a very lively tune and the refrain mentioned laughing gas (I think!). It's become one of those mental maggots that not even Google can resolve so can anyone tell me if Brenda Wootton really did sing a song about HD, did she record it, and does anyone have the words and melody?

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Gweltas
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 01:12 AM

Yes Brenda DID sing a song about H.D. and it was also on one of her Vinyl LP's. Unfortunately I don't have that LP now and all I can remember was that the last line of each verse was "I'm Humphrey Davey". Sorry I can't be of more help.
Anne XX

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 03:33 AM

Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick and Bone?

Some of Brenda's recordings here

Kitty

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Gweltas
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 02:13 PM

Dennis,
I went for a bit of a furtle in my attic this afternoon and discovered that I actually HAVE got the Brenda Wooton LP with the "Humphrey Davy" track on it !! However, I have to rush out the door, right now, to 2 back to back meetings, followed by a music session (to celebrate St. Patrick !) but I will be back in about 7 or 8 hours time and I promise to post all relevant LP info, including the lyrics and the composer, then .......... if someone hasn't already beaten me to it !!
Good guess, Herga Kitty, but unfortunately your title is a different song, from a different LP, one which isn't listed on the Sentinel website. Full marks for trying though, bless you.
Anne XX

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: breezy
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 05:19 PM

was that a thumbed nose at kitty !!!!!

I booked Brenda in Bude back in 71, packed out the Summerleaze beach Hotel

entry was 4/6p, locals were unhappy as it had been 4/- the week before

Still packed it out.

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Gweltas
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 08:30 PM

Certainly NOT a thumbed nose at Kitty, Breezy, no way !!. I was merely expressing my genuine appreciation of her efforts to assist with Dennis' search. It is lovely special people like Kitty who willingly put time and energy in helping out, if at all possible, that makes the Mudcat the great place that it is, and I'll thank you, Breezy, not be mischievious, please.
Kitty, I really was in a mad rush when typing my previous post and I can see that I may have unintentionally sounded condescending when what I actually meant to express was admiration. Please accept my apologies.
Anne XX
PS : details of the song to follow.................

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 08:44 PM

I hope we find this one because nitrous oxide is one intoxicant with a serious shortage of songs.

Subject: RE: Brenda Wootton and Humphry Davy
From: Gweltas
Date: 17 Mar 09 - 10:16 PM

The song is on Brenda Wootton's LP "Boy Jan...Cornishman", which was released in 1980. (Note : Brenda spelled her name with three "o's" and two "t's")

"Humphrey Davy" (Lyrics and music by Richard Gendall, copyright Sentinel Music)
Chorus : (sung after each verse)

There's lots of things that I can do..I'm Humphrey Davy
And oh, I am a clever boy..I'm Humphrey Davy
1
Monday I discover things like sodium and chlorine,
Mixing up my chemicals - the stink it is appalling !
This is potassium - found by Davy !
2
Tuesday is the day I make the safety lamp for miners,
Let them have it as a gift - they'll never get a finer !
This is magnesium - found by Davy !
3
Wednesday I go lecturing at the Royal Institution.
All the ladies love to watch me making up solutions !
This here is Faraday - found by Davy !
4
Thursday I make laughing gas and sniff it up my hooter,
Take a little overdose and nearly end my future !
This stuff is strontium - found by Davy !
5
Friday I go fishing in the river and the ocean.
Takes a mighty clever fish to 'scape our Davy's notion !
This stuff is barium - found by Davy !
6
Saturday's for travelling in Europe for pleasure,
Studying phenomena and fishing at my leisure.
This is a medal I got from Boney !
7
Sunday I write poetry and books - you should read them !
Science and philosophy and fishing - you should heed them !
I'm very clever you know - I'm Davy !


I hope that this is the song you remember hearing, Dennis. If you need any further information regarding this LP, please get back to me.

On the sleeve notes Brenda mentioned that one of her grandchildren was named after Davy and a rhyme of unknown origin about Davy's statue is also mentioned, as follows :

" Sir Humphrey Davy's kindly face,
Is turned away from Market Place
Towards St.Michael's Mount
So, if he do want to tell the time
He've got to wait till the clock do chime
Then he's forced to count"
LOL,
Anne XX

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Gweltas
Date: 18 Mar 09 - 10:44 PM

Was the above posted song the right, Dennis Cuddles ??

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: breezy
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 05:07 AM

come on Anne , chill out with a gentle breeze

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 06:18 PM

I was just keeping the thread going.... glad to see that Gweltas has found the song and the words!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: GUEST,XV
Date: 20 Mar 09 - 05:07 PM

When I was at primary school (a very long time ago)I remember singing with Brenda Wootton on the "Children Singing" album.

I have been singing the "Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick & Bone" song to my children this week but, alas, cannot remember all the lyrics.

Can anyone help me out?

I am going to order a copy of the cd via the link someone gave earlier but I would be very grateful to have the lyrics in the meantime, as my kids really want to learn it and it is driving them mad that I can't remember it.

Hope someone can help.

Best wishes

XV

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: Gweltas
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 02:24 AM

Dear Guest XV,
I've searched my 10 Brenda Wootton LP's, but I don't have the "Children Singing" LP and she didn't record the song you are seeking on any of her albums that I have, sorry.
Richard Gendall (singer/songwriter/Bard/Cornish language teacher/publisher) who composed very many of the songs that Brenda sang, appeared on that album with her and it's possible that he may have composed the song you seek and could supply the lyrics. I found his address in several places on the internet, so I'm sure he wouldn't mind my publishing it here. He lives at Tregrill Vean, Menheniot, LISKEARD, Cornwall PL14 3PL. Tel: [phone].
Good luck with your search.
XX

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: GUEST,XV
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 04:46 PM

Dear Gweltas
Thank you so much for your help on this and for taking the trouble to look through all your LPs. I very much appreciate your help and will get in touch with Mr Gendall.
Best wishes. XV

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: GUEST,Dave Knowles
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 06:49 AM

I also have been teaching my class this wonderful song. I recorded it from the radio and have attempted to write down the lyrics. They fit but I can't guarantee this is exactly what Brenda Wootton actually wrote. Hope this helps

Who was it put the engine on the line?
Who was it made a portrait by the Nile?
Who was it made the bell too loud sir?
Who was it made the safety lamp?
Who was it filled the world with thunder?
Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick and Bone


Smoke from the lofty chimneys fills the sky
Pumps In the mine are pumping night and day
Smelted tin and copper gleaming
Clanger hammer rings on steel
Who was it turned the earth to plunder.
Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick and Bone

Who was it traced the writing I espy
Who was it sailed 'The Mystery' round the world
Who was it spread the gospel story
Who was it saved the sailors' lives
Who was it set the world asunder?
Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick and Bone

Bravely stands the lighthouse in the gale
Boldly archers stride across the vale
White the sandy mountains pointing
Boom of blasting quarry side
Who was it made our country grander?
Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick and Bone

Call their names across the western air
Marvel on their deeds and words so rare
Proudly now we sing their praises
While we profit from their flair
Speak their names and stand in wonder
Opie, Davy, Foote, Trevithick and Bone

And it's a lov-er-ly song
Trevithick and Bone
Trevithick and Bone
Trevithick and Bone

And Bone and Bone and Bone

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: G-Force
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 07:53 AM

I remember this from schooldays:

Sir Humphrey Davy
Detested gravy
He lived in the odium
Of having discovered sodium

(I believe this is an example of a clerihew, a 4-line poem which has to rhyme AABB but mustn't scan.)

Subject: RE: Brenda Wooton and Humphry Davy
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 09 - 04:52 PM

Dear Dave

That took me right back to school days!

Thank you so much.

There are some great songs on the Children Singing CD/LP. I can really recommend it for KS1.

Best wishes
XV