Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray

Subject: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: alanww
Date: 16 Dec 14 - 03:44 PM

Does anyone know where The Black Swan in the Jake Thackray song was? York?
Keep singing.
Alan

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 06:49 AM

But then the Swan in York is still around and the songs suggests that the Black Swan in mind has closed...
Alan

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 07:33 AM

http://www.blackswanyork.com/

Sorry Alan, can't be arsed to do the blue clicky, copy and paste into your browser.

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 07:35 AM

or try their folk club

http://www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: Jamie McC
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 07:51 AM

I don't know where the Black Swan in the song was, or even if he just picked a pub name out of the air, but I've always had some idea that it was in Helmsley. I think Jake had some connection with the place - was it there that his dad was the local policeman? Or I may be completely befuddled. I'm sure if you put the question up on the forum at jakethackray.com someone with more knowledge than me might come forward.

Oh, and where does the song suggest the pub has closed?

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 07:52 AM

Alan, Looking back through the folk club archive Jake Thrackray played there in Oct 1989 ......... there may be other bookings

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 09:42 AM

Alan - might be worth contacting Fake Thackray (John Watterson), his knowledge of all things Jake is legendary, and he's working on a biog of the man too.

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 08:53 PM

Thanks for all your helpful thoughts.
Yes, Jamie, you are right that it doesn't imply that the Black Swan has closed. I suppose I was assuming so, given all the pub closures we have nowadays!
Anyway, I've followed up by emailing John Watterson. So we'll see if he has some firm info. Will it be in York or Helmsley or imagination - maybe we'll find out!
Keep drinking.
Alan

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 07:33 PM

Any more thoughts any body?
Wassail!
Alan

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 05:00 AM

Alan, why do you think the pub has closed in the song. The line "now she's" gone surely refers to a girl who had been at home, he says the house is empty and "there's nobody there, now she's gone" and he's on a bender.

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: Jamie McC
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 06:46 AM

Wherever the pub is/was, and whether real or imagined, it's one cracking song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 05:47 AM

You are right Raggy. I just assumed so, as I said on 18 Dec.
I'd still be interested in knowing which pub it was though.
Perhaps John Watterson will come up with more info.
"The holly bears a berry ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 06:57 AM

I would think the Black Swan on the links I put on would be a pretty safe bet as Jake played there. Check the club archive.