Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs

Subject: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 12:57 PM

In the latest edition of The Newsletter of The International Brigades Memorial Trust Jim Jump reviews a new CD of songs which commemorates the contribution of Scottish volunteers to the defence of the Spanish Republic against fascism 75 years ago. He has given me permission to reproduce his review here and it includes details of how to obtain the CD which is only £5 including p&p.

I have not yet heard the CD but have ordered one the strength of Jim's review. As he points out, this CD contains a recording of the words written by Scotsman Alec McDade when he created the original version of Jarama Valley . These words are almost never sung now and even more rarely has this version been recorded - most versions sung and recorded are of the commemorative version such as is sung by Pete Seeger.

Review of FROM BLANTYRE TO BARCELONA written by Jim Jump

With help from Unison Scotland, musicians in the Lanarkshire Songwriters Group have produced this superb collection of songs inspired by the Scottish volunteers in the Spanish Civil War.

Most songs are new compositions, but included on the 13-track CD are some re-workings of traditional Spanish songs and tunes.

A highlight of the album is "Jarama Valley", using the original words penned by Inter­national Brigader Alex McDade, killed at the Battle of Brunete in July 1937. Sung to the tune of the cowboy song "Red River Valley", the Glaswegian's sardonic lyrics were later rewritten to become the anthem of the British Battalion – which is still sung at IBMT events. Performed here by Billy Stewart, with guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle backing, this is the first time that McDade's song has been properly recorded.

The idea for this compilation arose from the project led by Unison South Lanarkshire Branch's Stephen Smellie to raise the memorial to three Blantyre volunteers killed in Spain that was unveiled in 2009. The CD was launched at a concert at the Blantyre Miners Welfare Social Club on 24 November last year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the International Brigades.

There are songs on the CD from John Young and Gordon Neil dedicated to Blantyre Brigaders Thomas Brannan (killed at Jarama) and George Douglas and songs telling the stories of Scottish anarchist volunteer Ethel McDonald (by Chris Rogers) and the Spanish poet and dramatist Frederico García Lorca (by Robert Armour), murdered by the fascists early in the civil war.

Other stand-out tracks are two songs written and performed by Heather Young and Claire McGhee, exploring the feelings of women and mothers fearing for their loved ones in Spain, and a rousing closing song, "Fighting Against Franco" by John Malcolm.

Written by Jim Jump and reproduced with permission from the Newsletter of the International Brigades Memorial Trust, Issue 31, Jan 2012


HOW TO ORDER: The CD "From Blantyre to Barcelona" is available from the IBMT for only £5, including p&p. Send cheque (made out the IBMT) with your name and address to: IBMT, 6 Stonells Road, London SW11 6HQ.

WITH THIS LINK YOU CAN READ THE WHOLE NEWSLETTER IN FULL COLOUR

When I have received my copy of the CD I shall add the new songtitles to the Perma Thread reached by this link Mudcat Thread: Songs in English about the Spanish Civil War

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 05:37 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 05:44 PM

Sorry about the link to the Newsletter at the bottom of my initial post- it takes you to the previous Newsletter and not the latest one.

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 05:09 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 07:05 AM

My copy of the CD has just been delivered. It has got a track by Robin Laing on it which the review didn't mention. He is singing a Spanish song coupled with Ewan MacColl's Jaimie Foyers.

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 01:55 PM

Thank you for posting this. I enjoyed reading the newsletter. The CD sounds like a real treat!

Subject: Lyr Add: BLOOD AND RAIN (John Young)
From: GUEST,John Young
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 02:16 AM

Blood and Rain by John Young

Welcome all..... to blood and rain
Welcome all..... who seek no gain
Welcome all..... like John Maclean
Welcome all..... who fight for Spain

Come miner, come farmer, men of trade
Come join the Inter-nation-al Brigade
Fight for your comrades, fight for Spain
Fight for the freedom, of all men
        Aye, where were you when the fascists came
        As Franco marched, twas Britain's shame
        When Madrid fell, five hundred lay slain
        Where were you in the blood and rain

My name is Thomas Brannan, Blantyre born and bred
A working man and socialist, though some may call me red
I fought for King and country, but they did not follow me
But I'll fight for their conscience, and Spanish liberty
        Across the Pyrenees, with my comrades I came
        I dug in at Madrid, but what a price we paid
        And as the shells rained down, was it all in vain
        The rivers ran red, with the blood of Spain

On Jarama field, we held our ground
Shell on shell, our hell we found
Three hundred marched that day to pa-ra-dise
Today I would make the final sacrifice
        When my comrade fell, I ran to his aid
        But the snippers bullet, I could not evade
        As I lay there dying in the blood and rain
        I breathed no more for home and Spain

Tell them Cathie, I stood the test
Forgive me Cathie, for here I rest
When the bugle resounds to the call of the cannon
Forget me not, my name is Thomas Brannan
        Farewell to the people, alas I am free
        Farewell to my loved ones, forever I wae thee
        Farewell to my comrades, in the blood and the rain
        Viva la Republic, Viva la Spain (repeat line)

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 10:37 AM

Thank you for posting the words to your song from the CD John.

I have asked Stephen Smellie, the Unison Union organiser who was involved in getting the CD From Blantyre To Barcelona produced, to pass on an email to all the writers of new songs on the CD requesting that they post the lyrics to their songs here. I shall then re-post the lyrics over on the Songs in English About the Spanish Civil War thread to which I gave a link in my initial post.

The complete tracklist for the CD is:

1    The Fight For Spain          Billy Stewart       3.49
2    Jamie Foyers                   Robin Laing         6.52
3    White Flag                      Heather Young       3.35
4    Viva La Quince Brigada   John Malcolm       3.25
5    Hasta Luego                   Frank Rae          4.41
6    Viva Espanya                  Graham Carter       3.42
7    Jarama Valley                  Billy Stewart       3.11
8    Fountain Of Tears            Rab Armour          4.47
9    A Mother's Wish             Claire Mc Ghee      3.01
10 Bellshill To Barcelona       Chris Rogers       4.59
11 Blood And Rain                John Young          3.53
12 Ghosts of Spain                Gorden Neil         4.04
13 Fighting Against Franco    John Malcolm       3.25

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 10:53 AM

Arthur Johnstone, with The Star Band, has also just brought out a new live recording CD entitled "Doon Through the Years", on which he has re-recorded Jarama Valley abd Bandiera Rossa.

But there's another song called "These Hands" which was new to me. Sorry the lyrics are not in the sleeve notes, but it says "...this song by Andy Craig,....written by one of the Glasgow band The Wakes in memory of James Maley, one of the last International Brigadiers."
A really good song, and a cracking CD (brought out to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders' work-in).

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: THE FIGHT FOR SPAIN (Billy Stewart
From: GUEST,Billy Stewart
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 12:44 PM

THE FIGHT FOR SPAIN
                                    G D7                                     G    D7 G
Chorus The fight for Spain has just begun my boys
                                          D7                                    G
The fight for Spain has just begun
                                     C                               G
They're marching to war fae all the country oer
                                             D7                                  G
And the fight for Spain has just begun
             G                                                                   C                         G
1.        They are marching from the factories from farmlands and the mines
                                                                                           D7
They're marching fae the shipyards on the Clyde
                        G                                     C                            G
To Madrid and Barcelona to right the wrongs of Spain
                                                                D7                   G
And to fight with her people side by side

2.        From the city streets of Glasgow, Aberdeen and fae Dundee
From the villages of Blantyre and Newmains
They will fight to hold to their beliefs with comrades by their sides
And some will lie upon the fields of Spain

3.        They left their homes and families and marched away to war
A choice was made by every man and boy
Politicians did not call on them while they stayed safe at home
And each one of them was quite prepared to die

4.        From the valley of Jarama to the mountains high and cold
To battle scarred Belchites ruined walls
The Scottish Brigaders fought bravely for their cause
Salute Camerada was their call

Words and Music Billy Stewart ( Garriongill Music )

Subject: Lyr Add: FROM BELLSHILL TO BARCELONA (Chris Rogers
From: GUEST,Chris Rogers
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 12:59 PM

FROM BELLSHILL TO BARCELONA
(Chris Rogers)

From Bellshill to Barcelona, she rode on the wings of her dreams
From Coatbridge to Catalunya, she followed her faith as it seemed
And all those, who travelled with her, had done so with never a pause
All wide-eyed and full of fervour, determined to fight for the cause
Miners, mechanics and medical men, poets, professors and all
From Bellshill to Barcelona, they rallied to answer the call

A young girl with wild ideas, who knew that her reasons were right
Had left home with her companions, to follow a path to the light
A long road of many dangers, through Scotland and England and France
Held no fears, or premonitions, for those who would now take their chance
To join las Brigadas, en bien amistad, and follow the three-pointed star
From Bellshill to Barcelona, they knew why they'd travelled so far

But to Bellshill, from Barcelona, she came back in sadness and pain
Her dreams full of hell and horror and friends she would not see again
Jarama and Guadalajara were wounds that could never be borne
And when bombs fell upon Guernica, it felt like her soul had been torn
Monuments stand, to the fallen and brave, in London and Paris and Rome
But to Bellshill, from Barcelona, l'anagalida came home

The original recording is available to download from www.soundclick.com/chrisrogers - there are also 3 CDs of original material, as well as a new album (Sunday Clothes) available. Please contact [e-mail] for details - thanks.

Chris.

Subject: Lyr Add: VIVA ESPAÑA! (FIGHTING AGAINST FASCISM)
From: GUEST,Graham Carter
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 02:08 PM

VIVA ESPAÑA! (FIGHTING AGAINST FASCISM) - (Graham Carter)

All across the Spanish plains, the guns are ringing out,
Olé! Viva España!
In the streets of Madrid, people scream and shout,
Olé! Viva España!

And we've been fighting against Fascism for liberty,
Olé! Viva España!
Waging bloody war for Democracy.
Olé! Viva España!

Adolf Hitler dropped his bombs down on Guernica,
Olé! Viva España!
And the Nationalists have taken Malaga,
Olé! Viva España!

And we've been fighting against Fascism for Liberty,
Olé! Viva España!
Waging Bloody war for Democracy,
Olé! Viva España!

There's a Nationalist advance in Catalonia,
Olé! Viva España!
And they say Negrin has fled to Gerona now,
Olé! Viva España!

And we've been fighting against Fascism for Liberty,
Olé! Viva España!
Waging bloody war for Democracy,
Olé! Viva España!

The Civil war is lost and the Republic's through,
Olé! Viva España!
Franco was proclaimed Generalísimo,
Olé! Viva España!

And we've been fighting against Fascism for liberty,
Olé! Viva España!
Waring Bloody war for Democracy,
Olé! Viva España!


This song was based on an arrangement of the traditional sea-shanty "Santy Anno". You can find out a bit more about me on www.reverbnation.com/growlingrahamcarter

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 03:45 PM

I do not see the CD listed on the website MERCHANDISE pages.
Is it available outside the UK? Can it be ordered using paypal?
Hard for NON-UK to send a cheque.
Thanks, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 07:18 PM

Thank you to all who have posted lyrics and as soon as I can, I will re-post them on the Songs In English About The Spanish Civil War thread ( It now strikes me that some would say the songs on this CD are in Scots - but no cultural imperialism is intended)

Thank you for your post Tattie Bogle. These Hands is on the other thread with a YouTube link to performance by The Wakes thread.cfm?threadid=128093#hands

Thomas Stern: I have emailed Jim Jump of the IBMT and asked if the CD is available outside the UK. As you can see on the merchandise section of the IBMT website, using the link above, the IBMT is set up with Paypal so I imagine something might be arranged.

Regards, Geoff

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 01:24 PM

I have had a message from the IBMT merchandising officer which says of the CD's
These are available through Jim Jump there are none currently available in which you can pay via Paypal.

Sorry about that Thomas- I think Jim must be selling them for the trade Union which made them but outside the usual IBMT merchandising system.

Regards, Geoff

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GUEST,Rab Armour 'Fountain of Tears' lyrics and no
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 05:20 PM

Goodbye Joe, I heard your name on the radio; another broken heart goes down.
Don't they know? Folks like us we just come and go, brothers, sisters, lovers, friends and foes.
And when it all comes down; to a traitors kiss, on the edge of town.
When it all comes down to this.....
Before I go, will I sing you a song or a poem of love, of peace and freedom, hope and harmony?
Or will the rains, hammer on these dusty plains, and wash away this town's forgotten shame?
And when it all comes down; to a traitors kiss, on the edge of town.
When it all comes down to this.....
Will it rain, will it rain, will it rain on you?
Will it rain, will it rain, will it rain on me?
Will it rain, will it rain, will it rain on us?

'Fountain of Tears' tells the story of Federico García Lorca, the Spanish Poet, who was shot during the Spanish Civil War by anti-communist death squads. Lorca believed he was immune from the reality of the war, but as in all civil wars, there is no room for complacence, and bitterness and vengeance lead people to act in ways that no~one could ever imagine. Lorca was allegedly identified for execution by a 'friend's' kiss at the place known by locals as the 'Fountain of Tears'.

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 04:59 PM

I gave a link to the wrong issue of the IBMT newsletter in my initial
post and anyone wishing to see the CD review as it appears in the correct issue of the magazine can do so using the following link

http://www.albavolunteer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/IBMT-1-12LoRes.pdf

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Jan 13 - 08:29 PM

This was done as a live concert on Sunday night at Glasgow's Celtic Connections Festival; a great night, completely sold out long in advance. Iain Anderson has ben playing some of teh tracks on his programme on Radio Scotland this week (10.30 pm onwards)

Subject: RE: Review: New CD of Scots Spanish Civil War Songs
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 05 Aug 15 - 08:10 PM

You should be able to here all the songs on this CD using this link

From Blantyre to Barcelona -Listen Here