Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames

Subject: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 12:44 PM

Looking for teh words for MacColl's 'Sweet Thames Flow Softly' led me here.

Probably the nicest version I have heard. Apologies if it has been seen before. Enjoy if not.

DtG

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 01:43 PM

Not Bad !! It IS a cracking song though , despite trhe TERRIBLE Wapping rhyme !!

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 02:18 PM

Pretty good, though I still prefer Ewan singing it.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: gnu
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 02:24 PM

Made the hair on me nape stand up... thanks.

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 02:25 PM

@displaysong.cfm?SongID=5633

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 02:31 PM

Yep - That's the one I found the link through, Keith. Although the words also appear in the Christy/Sinead link - Albeit ocasionaly in a different order - There's the folk process :-)

I know what you mean about Ewan's version, Dave. I always liked Ewan and Peggy doing 'Dirty old Town' - But I think Sinead has the edge when it comes to looks - Sorry to be sexist but I can't help it:-(

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 02:39 PM

Sorry, did not read op fully and rushed to oblige!
I like the Wapping rhyme, and always put in a pause so evryone can guess and sing it.
Also "it was a ring" and some others.

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: michaelr
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 05:31 PM

Sinead is the Winona of music...

There's also a video of Christy singing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" -- pretty cool.

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Arkie
Date: 03 Dec 11 - 07:45 PM

Really like the song and this is a nice version. But I am partial to the Jon Wilcox version but that is the first version of the song I heard. James Keelaghan also does a nice version.

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 06:46 PM

I am absolutely certain I had it by Richard Digance on a sampler on an LP (Remember those?)That's where I heard it first.(Maybe 40 or more years ago)

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 11:56 PM

My fave is by Dave Burland and segues out of the first time ever I saw your face on the tribute album he did with Dick Gaughan and Tony Capstick. I think this is my favourite version of TFTEISYF

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 05 Dec 11 - 12:05 AM

Sorry, that was me not logged in.

Subject: RE: Christy and Sinead - Sweet Thames
From: Baz Bowdidge
Date: 05 Dec 11 - 01:06 PM

Good tempo but I found this closed eyes veision a bit over intense and half hearted.
The London Yard verse is missing and swapping Hampton Court with Limehouse misses the songs geographic symbolism doesn't it?
The Youtube uploader 'blueroseeyedboy' recognised this and almost got MacColl's lyrics intact apart from repeating Hampton Court twice!
What's she doing there? (she certainly doesn't look happy).

Lyrics as I have them:
Sweet Thames Flow Softly by Ewan McColl
1. I met my girl at Woolwich Pier, beneath the tall crane standing
And all the love I felt for her, it passed all understanding.
I took her sailing on the river, flow sweet river flow,
London town was mine to give her, sweet Thames flows softly.
Made the Thames into a crown, flow sweet river flow,
Made a brooch of Silver town, sweet Thames flows softly.

2. London Yard I held her hand, Blackwall Point I faced her
The Isle of Dogs I kissed her mouth and tenderly embraced her
I heard the bells of Greenwich ringing, flow sweet river flow,
All the time my heart was singing, sweet Thames flow softly
Limehouse Reach I gave her there, flow sweet river flow,
Here's a ribbon for her hair, sweet Thames flows softly

3. From Shadwell Dock to Nine-Elms Reach we cheek to cheek were dancing
A necklace made of London Bridge, her beauty was entrancing.
I kissed her once again at Wapping, flow sweet river flow,
After that there was no stopping, sweet Thames flows softly
Richmond Park it was a ring, flow sweet river flow,
I'd agiven her anything, sweet Thames flows softly

4. From Rotherhithe to Putney Bridge love I was declaring
And she from Kew to Isleworth, love for me was swearing
Love that set my heart aburning, flow sweet river flow
I never saw the tide was turning, sweet Thames flows softly
Gave her Hampton Court to twist, flow sweet river flow,
Here's a bracelet for her wrist, sweet Thames flows softly.

5. But now, alas, the tide has changed, me love she has gone from me,
And the winter's frost has touched me heart and put a blight upon me
Creeping fog is on the river, flow sweet river flow,
Sun and moon and stars gone with her, sweet Thames flows softly.
Swift the Thames flows to the sea, flow sweet river flow,
Bearing ships and part of me, sweet Thames flows softly.

Good Luck

Baz