What are they singing in English Pubs?

Subject: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:38 AM

I have been asked to do an English pub night, but it has been many years since I have been in England.

So what are they singing nowadays?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:42 AM

Try this for starters!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:43 AM

And this for seconds

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:50 AM

Depends on the nature of the audience. "Pub Night" could mean anything from traditional drinking songs to covers of modern pop songs.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 11:51 AM

Gosh that's a puzzler. Who's the audience? What would THEY imagine people sing in English pubs?

I'm guessing a bit of Chas and Dave might not go amiss.. No I'm not joking! Then there's Beatles songs of course. Some of the early ones are quite lovely on a guitar (I take it you're doing acoustic guitar?). Probably anything by Ewan MaCcoll - I'm learning 'The Moving On Song' right now. Otherwise take your pick of any of the old traditional English songs out there.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:02 PM

It's very rare to find any singing in English pubs, but Beatles, Oasis and Jarvis Cocker covers seem popular when you do get people's tonsils oiled, and the odd wartime favourite might be heard from the older folk. Tom Jones numbers go down well. Otherwise any of the standards you'd find on a Karaoke machine. One genre you'd be wise to steer clear of is traditional folk - it's not very popular in English pubs. ;-)
Seriously though, I imagine the people asking probably want a pastiche of what they imagine a trad English pub night to be, so just sing whatever you like!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:10 PM

All he said was 'An English Pub Night'.

The location is Colorado Springs so the audience would mostly be American.

Most of my "Pub" songs are what my parents used to sing, Mum used to play piano in a pub. But I was thinking some of those might be a little dated.

Good point CS "What would THEY imagine people sing in English pubs?"

I will be playing acoustic guitar. I've not met the other prospective performer yet so what he does is unknown for now.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:12 PM

As to what us lot are singing in pubs today, well it's a right mixed bag. But as I said, I'm guessing your audience might want something identifiably English. As you're there just to entertain, I'd probably go down that route. There is quite a lot of traditional English songs at one of the pub sessions I go to though.

Otherwise you could try songs by English folk artists *about* England. Billy Bragg comes to mind as a high profile singer songwriter whose material might work for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jphA05ka6E

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:14 PM

I was thinking of including

Beer, glorious beer
Ain't it grand to be blooming well dead
British Workman's Grave
Dahn the plug 'ole
Kathleen
Pub with no beer (not English but fun)

Any more hints would be welcomed

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:16 PM

An evening in an English Pub could be ANYTHING Bert ! From a Traditional Folk Club to a Pub R&B Band via Jazz Skiffle and blues !
Sorry , but we would need a it more information if you want us to be a bit more helpful !

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:19 PM

Ah! skiffle, oh course I'd forgotten that. Gives me a lot more choices, thanks, that is very helpful.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:23 PM

"I was thinking some of those might be a little dated."

Nothing wrong with old but good Bert. I'd just mix a few modern ones in too for good measure. Gervase mentions Oasis. well I think that's quite a good idea too as your audience are likely to recognise their successful songs. Check this acoustic 'Wonderwall' by the lone talent in the band: Wonderwall

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:37 PM

Fiddler's Green, Wild Rover, Dirty Old Town, Black Velvet Band, Raggle Taggle gypsies - all English songs that the Irish think aren't! Farmer's Boy, Sweet Nightingale, Fathom the Bowl, Farmer's Toast, Joans' Ale, Barley Mow. Failing that, some Beatles stuff - Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, Yellow Submarine, Hey Jude, Let it be, etc. Or you could try some of the real old pub stuff - Tipperary, Pack up your Troubles, My Old Man said follow the van, Knees up mother Brown, I'll be your sweetheart, etc. As others have said, it depends on your audience and what they are expecting and upon your knowledge, ability and taste. Whatever you do, have a great time, look and sound confident all everyone will go home happy!

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 12:52 PM

Beatles' songs? Early ones:

If I Fell

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

And I Love Her (my absolute favourite....)

Crowsister

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:13 PM

Oops, I wanna swap hold your hand for You Gotta Hide Your Love Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz7IjXu0DfQ&feature=related

Then there's Blur's self-aware play on England and its cliches: Park Life

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bernard
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:21 PM

Perhaps...
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Mamas & Papas - California Dreamin'
Beach Boys - Sloop John 'B'
Rolling Stones - The Last Time
Monkees - Daydream Believer
Hollies - He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother)
Gerry & The Pacemakers - Ferry 'Cross the Mersey
Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Somethin' Good
I find those tend to have quite a wide appeal - folkies and non-folkies alike.

As has already been posted, wartime songs - such as the perennial 'Pack Up Your Troubles' and 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary', which you can organise to have one half of the room singing one and the other half singing the other, all at the same time!

Daft things like 'My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean' where people have to stand up on the first word starting with 'B', sit down on the second, and so-on - at the end of the verse, those sitting down got it right! Then you throw in another (fake) verse:

My Bonny is back from the ocean
My Bonny is back from the sea
She brought me a bunch of bananas
For me and my Bonny for tea
(Chorus)

Those still standing at the end got it right this time...

Subject: Lyr Add: LONDON GIRLS (from Chas & Dave)
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:23 PM

Sorry Bert, I'm on a role. This is such a laugh!

Chas & Dave: LONDON GIRLS

Lyrics:

Some people sing about Deutchy girls and girls from California.
They might be all right for a night all right, but don't trust them, I warn ya.
I've been to the east and I've been out west and I been all the world around,
But I ain't seen none come anywhere near the girls from London town.

CHORUS: Give me a London girl every time.
I've gotta find one. I've made up my mind.
Give me a London girl every time.
I want a London girl.

Marry a girl from London town, and you know you can trust 'em.
They'll darn your socks and wash and mend your trousers if you bust 'em.
They're all good cooks and they got good looks and they won't leave you a dance.
I'm gonna find a London girl, if I get half a chance. CHORUS

London girls are the best in the world; there ain't no doubt about it.
If you can't find a girl from London town, you're better off doing without it.
They don't create when you come home late and you're crawling up the passage floor,
And they won't muck about when you've gone out with the geezer from the house next door. CHORUS

If you ever go down to London town, your legs will turn to jelly
'Cos the girls down there I swear are just like models off the telly,
But they don't need no makeup, they look good as they are,
And they've always got a pound to buy a round when it's their turn at the bar. CHORUS

You know it's not wrong...

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Ian Fyvie
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:32 PM

The classic English pub music session was probably almost extinct by 1980.

When we started the Brighton Singers' Folk Club in a pub bar in 1980, already visitors were calling in and saying "just like it USED to be in London...".

Rather than trying to replicate what's going on in a typical English pub now* (nothing much except for a load of eyeballs staing at TV Sport", I'm all for music fans of folk/musichall/old 'popular' types of music trying to recreate that typical old English pub music singalong - to show the brainwash resistant punters what good fun pubs could be again. [Theory: TV sport has far more to do with the death of so many English pubs than any smoking ban!]   

*Talking about the typical pub were nothing special goes on of course - apart from the 'ON' switch. There are still lots of folk type sessions and similar, hapenning every week/ month in public bars - including NEW ones in our part of Engalnd.

PS Brighton Singers' Folk Club bar singarounds are now at The Pond, Gloucester Road, near Brighton (main) raolway station. - every wednesday.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Stower
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 01:53 PM

Anything on a karaoke machine? Football songs? Rugby songs? Folk songs? Country songs? Blues? Rock and roll? The songs that go with any given tribute band?

It depends which pub, which audience, which night of the week.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 02:29 PM

This is the kind of stuff that goes on in one particular pub in Kent UK.

http://www.youtube.com/wordweaver58

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Micca
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:15 PM

Bert, you could try This One there is a set of words in the DT also but I dont know if there is a tune, it has a "feel" of a good pub song, and in case no one has mentioned it " landlord fill the flowing bowl"( ok , I know not an easy accompaniment on a guitar)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 03:26 PM

Mostly American songs or English songs with an American accent!
Jim Reeves
Dolly Parton
Old minstrel songs
Country and Western
There are plenty of Irish pubs in England where you would expect the whole Dubliners/Clancy Brothers repertoire.

If you've seen some of the other threads you'd know there isn't a lot of singing going on in English pubs because of recent legislation making it difficult.

Show me the way to go home...........

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:17 PM

swing low sweet chariot is often popular

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 04 Apr 10 - 08:26 PM

With gestures!

I remember when I left my Norwegian employer in 1992. It was winter and we had 4 seismic boats in Stavanger waiting for the weather. They gave me a great "send-off" in one of the bars on the front....loads of songs, culminating in 60 people singing "Swing Low" with full gestures, to the *total* bemusement of the Norwegian clientele of the bar...best send off I've had from anywhere I've worked: spontaneous, and from the guys and girls at the "sharp end" of the operation to an office "Coffee-Drinker" (disparaging name the crews gave to the office staff). I must have been doing something right.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bugsy
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 08:05 PM

Bert, I'd put money on it that they would be happy with the songs your parents used to do.

Maybe stuff like

Follow the Van,
Long Way to Tipperary
Barefoot Days
Who's Sorry Now
Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner
Roll out the Barrel

I'm sure you know loads of that type of stuff.

Over here in Australia, that seems to be the sort of thing they like.

Good luck with the gig

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:36 AM

If folkies gather in a pub, playing or singing and we 'play to the gallery' with
Whiskey in the jar
Wild Rover
Irish Rover
In my Liverpool Home
etc.
we get a response from the bar, sometimes a request for one of them.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:12 AM

We ( " The Bottom Line" ) are playing in a typical English Pub tonight (April 6th). Here is our set list :

   I'll Fly Away
    Across the Great Divide
    Speed of the Sound of Loneliness
       Lowlands
       Looking in the Eyes of Love
          Tequila Sunrise
            Waltzing's for Dreamers
Bless The Broken Road
Down In The River To Pray
    I Ain't Ever Satisfied
    Galway Girl
       Keep On The Sunny Side
         Country Roads
          The Circle Game
            If I Had A Boat
The Grass Is Blue
   Here In California
    Willing
      Cash On The Barrelhead
       This Old Town
          Waited As Long As I can
            Desperado
             Sunny Afternoon / Hit The Road Jack

    How does that grab you ?? !!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 08:17 AM

Oh Yes !! And there's free food ( Pasta dishes mainly),as the owners/landlords have there for one year exactly ! So if you live anywhere within travelling distance of Buckinghamshire,try the Dog & Badger at Medmenham (between Henley & Marlow ) tonight !

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 10:36 AM

Rare to hear singing in an English pub? you're joking!!!

What were we singing/playing last night? Well ...

Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
King George's Hunt
Black Velvet Band (nice Norfolk number)
Kites (Simon Dupree and The Big Sound)
Bobbie Shaftoe/The Keel Row
If I Had A Ship I'd Sail Away
Jenny Lind Polka
Dirty Old Town
Royal Liverpool Hornpipe
Streets Of London
Mingulay Boat Song
Castleford Ladies Magical Circle
Norfolk Polkas (Old Joe/Dan Leno)
Sloop John B

Can't remember all that many, the Old Trip took over at some time.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 01:48 PM

And what was going on in the nearest 20 pubs to where you were I wonder Ian?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Gervase
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:06 PM

Sssh! You'll break the spell...

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Weasel
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 06:51 PM

Last time I heard singing in an English pub that wasn't on an organised singing night must have been about thirty years ago. (That's not to say that impromptu sessions don't happen, but they seem to avoid them when I'm around.)

Cheers,

Weasel

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bugsy
Date: 06 Apr 10 - 07:41 PM

Bert,

I've noticed a lot of posts with folkie and pop/rock songs of the 60's etc as suggetions for your evening.

THe selection of songs on my earlier post were in refernece to your first post. What a "US" audience would consider as an English pub music night.
Living in the US you would be well aquainted with the popular stereotype of the "Brit" "Pom" OR "Limey" and I think that most probably the same would go for the "Pub Music", if you get my meaning.

That said, I'm sure you could slip in the odd Streets of London, and Black Velvet band.

Oh and don't forget "I'm Getting Married in the Morning"

Once again, Good luck with the gig!

CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 03:36 AM

So ... 1 in 20 would be "rare" would it?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: alanww
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:18 AM

Hello Bert
The songs I have sung in pubs over the last month are:-

My Grandfather's Clock; Leaving of Liverpool; Country Life (I Like to Rise); Lamorna; Rio Grande; Lark in the Clear Air; April Morning; Row On; Sweet Thyme; Rosabelle; John Kanaka; Roll Alabama Roll; Water is Wide; Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire; Shawnee Town; Limehouse Reach; Saucy Sailor; Bright Fine Gold; Banana Boat Song; Shallow Brown; Fathom the Bowl; Grey Funnel Line; British Grenadiers; You Are My Sunshine; Over the Hills and Far Away; Johnson Girls; and, Paddy Lay Back.

Is that enough variety to convince you that anythings goes? (But not too many wrist slashers!)
"... give an ear to my song!"
Alan

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:28 AM

Perhaps more importantly, if you want to get a feel for what's going on "in the round" you might ask what's going on in the 3 pubs in my village. Here's my answer.

1. The Rose & Crown
This is the "village pub". There's a regular monthly acoustic session ... songs and tunes (mostly what could be described as "folk") ... it's the venue for quite a few events (darts/dominoes/cribbage competitions, conkers contests, sloe gin competitions etc.) as well as hosting local rock bands occasionally despite the bar areas being quite small. The mummers practise here in season and usually sing a few songs and there are occasional "impromptu" (i.e. completely unplanned) sessions where people either just sing or maybe go back home and get their instruments.

2. The Bushel & Strike
Till recently, the Bushel was the main venue for live music, having a large room out back which is ideal for a small concert hall. There were monthly concerts till last November (these may start up again this year) and there was a weekly "open mike" (very eclectic) until a year or so ago. The pub's a bit in decline at the moment, but the summer will probably see more activity.

3. The Three Tuns
Since the new landlord arrived in October, there have been weekly concerts on a Friday night. A mixed bunch of musicians ... bands, singer-songwriters playing guitar or keyboard, duos. Not much else musically, but they have other events like quiz nights. It's not entirely unheard of to have spontaneous singing occur in this (or either of the other) pubs but it's difficult to predict when this will happen as it's spontaneous.

Obviously, in a village, there are other things which run across these boundaries ... the local morris teams visit the pubs once or twice a year and perform at local events (e.g. Ashwell At Home, Ashwell Show). The local sword dancers visit occasionally and the village mummers perform in the pubs at Christmas (and sometimes Easter). There are also 4 or 5 bands in the village ... mainly 60s/70s/80s rock, but a couple do acoustic sessions and there is an acoustic "folk" band and, if it's still going, a ceilidh band.

For reference, the next village has only one pub but it also has a monthly session and other related activity.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:26 AM

BTW - If you want to do it properly make sure you have filled in all forms, in triplicate, and sent them to the local counceil for approval by the live performance comittee who meet on the third Wednesday of every month with an 'X' in it. Get the HSE to check out the premises to make sure no-one can sprain a larynx or break a fingernail. Pay the ransom to the PRS mafia for playing songs that no-one ever gets any money for and, finaly, have a drunk standing in front of the stage demanding something by the Stranglers until he either gets thrown out or throws up all over your shoes.

We need authenticity in these things after all!

:D (eG)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: IanC
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:06 AM

Though I wouldn't say it's by any means how it should be, the legal situation is hardly how it's represented by the cynics among us (and I don't think people do us too many favours by over-egging the pudding in this respect).

All our local pubs are licensed for music & dancing and the village pubs are licensed for the mummers play (though God help us if we try it outside the village but I expect the LA would turn a blind eye as they did before the new licensing laws).

The pubs also all pay a PRS license anyway.

As for drunks, we don't have stages - ours are mainly participatory things - and the drunks are generally respectful. They might give you a bit of a heckle, but they too are part of the community.

:-)

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:13 AM

Cynic? Me? Never! :-)

You are quite right of course, Ian. Bit of over exaguration. Apart from the PRS bit - Most pubs do have a PRS licence but that is for the jukebox and/or radio. Wait until they find out you have live music!

...and I need to come and show you how a proper drunk should behave. I'll soon change your mind about part of the community :-D

"Gi'us Boheemiouth rapshoddy..."

DeG

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:22 AM

Give us a night down The Beech, Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester. First and third Wednesdays - Sog my butnet - ( Songs mostly bt not exclusively traditional). Beginners Tunes last Tuesday

chher
L in C

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:28 AM

At the last session I went to we had (among others):

- Merry Little Hop
- Golden Vanity
- Spanish Ladies
- Band Played Waltzing Matilda
- Brighton Camp
- Curly Headed Ploughboy
- Brighton (Parody of Art G's "Bright Eyes")
- Doctor Syn
- Those Were The Days (as a fiddle/ guitar duet)
- The Yorkshire Couple (AKA Dog and Gun)
- And a couple of shantys (chanteys?) in 5/4 time that I can't remember the names of

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,Jon a guest
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 11:52 AM

They don't sing in English pubs, and haven't done for quite a while...unless they're folkies and have either a) a dedicated room or b) a dedicated night in the bar. Or that Chas and/or Dave live around the corner. Unless YOU know different... I suspect any 'Irish' pubs might burst spontaneously into song though.

It's difficult to sing in an English pub against the piped music (ironic that it's not the music they don't like...just the non-electronic commercial kind) let alone finding a place to sit amongst the Brake Brothers dinners and the shouting of "Number four - who ordered the pancetta-wrapped Lord Ballad".

Sad to say but singarounds don't really do it for me any more. There was something rather special when (years ago, of course) someone stood up and sang something amidst the noise and smoke which actually captured peoples imagination, and without any 'shushhing', quiet descended on the room and a round of applause followed the song. Mind you, the singer and the song had to be bloody special.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Paul Reade
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 12:24 PM

The rate English pubs are closing down, we'll soon be lucky to find one to drink in, never mind sing.

Still, we can always go to Colorado Springs!

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Tradsinger
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:51 PM

Lots of suggestions in the above, but if it is an English pub evening, I would suggest trying to stick to English songs. There are plenty of songs to pick from, but to be 'authentic', stick to English. I think that a Colorado audience will not be impressed with hearing American songs at an English evening (however good those songs might be). If I was doing an all English evening, I would have to leave out songs like Daisy Daisy and Grandfather's Clock, beloved of English pubgoers but written by Americans. By the same token, if I was asked to do an Irish evening, I wouldn't sing Fathom the Bowl or Lassie from Lancashire.

Feel free to disagree.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 07:28 PM

Well the end bit of Lassie from Lancashire seems to be used at the end of the Irish National Anthem!

Most 'general' audiences are not sufficiently musically aware of what songs are available in any particular genre. I would concentrate on what people would find entertaining, amusing songs, songs with easy choruses to join in on.

Last week in Donegal the American visitors were asked what songs/tunes they would like. So it was The Wild Rover and the Irish Washerwoman, either of which the guys running the session would have happily paid not to play, at least judging by the looks we got from them. So are there any songs that Americans would automatically expect in an English context? Think Hollywood! Roll out the barrel? Down at the Old Bull and Bush? You might have to do them.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:16 PM

Thanks, loads of good suggestions and comments. Just what I needed to prepare a song list.

When the date is finalized I'll let you know.

Bert.

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:22 PM

Bert, I've enjoyed this thread hugely so far, and will enjoy hearing what you fix on for your gig. And it'll be interesting to hear about your audiences responses to your choices!

Otherwise, I'd say don't sweat it. Sounds like you've got enough old classic British pub numbers under your belt to give your punters exactly what they'll be wanting! :-)

Mind you, you refreshing this thread has made me think on a few more....

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Bert
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:51 PM

Rob,

Do you have words and music for Doctor Syn?

Subject: RE: What are they singing in English Pubs?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 04:54 PM

I can get them!

Watch this space.

Subject: Lyr Add: DR SYN (Bob Kenward)
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 05:43 PM

Bert, I have the lyrics here:

Dr Syn, by Bob Kenward


As I walked out on Romney Marsh one evening in July
I heard the Hawthorn crack; I swear and quiet footsteps stealing by
I hurried by without a glance as wiser men will do
And then did meet a customs man who rapidly his pistol drew

And where are you going to?
And where is it that you have been?
You cannot pass this way tonight
We're looking out for Doctor Syn

I did not lie, but told to him that nothing had I seen
And down the road he strode alone by open dykes and rushes green
Near Dymchurch did I turn to watch the sun set o'er the town
Beyond the sea wall waves did lap and oars cut water without sound

CHORUS

The night was still and moonless as down I lay to sleep
No sound was there but seagull cries or sudden silence mongst the sheep
Then slow the moon rose on the land fresher blew sea wind
At once a single shot I heard and distant cries of desperate men

CHORUS

Along the road there quickly sped a stumbling man in haste
And faster on those footsteps pressed the smuggling men in deadly chase
The rind moon gleamed with sharpest edge sea wind died to calm
Then only dyke reeds whisp-er-ed and dark waters washed away alarm

CHORUS

Cold dew of dawn lay on the grass before I did dare rise
Expecting then that I should see a silenced man before my eyes
No one walks the marsh at night bound unto Hythe from Rye
Without the dyke reeds whispering while quite waters make reply

_____________________________

I'll get the tune for you asap...it's a good one for everyone to sing along to the chorus. Bob's written loads of good songs about Kent...but this it my favourite, I think. Very atmospheric, as the tune suits the subject very well.