Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead

Subject: Trip to Holyhead
From: rob
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 05:06 PM

its on an album "port of call"by Kieran Halpin (no c.d.!)

Subject: Lyr Add: TRIP THROUGH HOLYHEAD (Kieran Halpin)^^
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 07:01 PM

As I couldn't find it searching for 'Holyhead' in the DT, here are the words:

TRIP THROUGH HOLYHEAD
(Kieran Halpin)

Fifty-three and the factory's closing, there's not enough work to go round
My brother he stuck to the farming and I headed out for London town
So Camden and I'm in my lodgings, the room is both dirty and small
But the landlady's simple and friendly, makes up for the damp on the wall

Seven-thirty a.m. in the morning, myself and the lads on the road
The noise of the dozers is deafening and the work is a sight to behold
And there's some days (?) a gift sent from Heaven, it'll bide me until I get paid
It'll pay for the rent and the drinking and leave me a bit for to save

Now I've worked for Laing and for Wimpey, I've been sent from Billy to Jack
I've worked till there's nothing left in me and I've worked till I've broken my back
Come payday I'm out on the bunter, there's not a lot else for to do
I send a few bob to my parents and the rest is for me and for you

Come Christmas I'm standing in Euston, my brown leather suitcase in hand
And the nine-thirty waiting to take me back over to sweet Ynys M^on
And it's out beyond Watford and Rugby, by Chester I've had my eighth beer
Past Bangor and the cold Straits of Menai and finally Holyhead Pier

You'd think the whole country of Erin was waiting to get on the boat
There's accents from Antrim to Kerry, from Westport to the high hills of Howth
And in no time we're into Dun Laoghaire, and the dawn rising clear in the sky
I'm on the last leg of my journey, it's hello to the fair Aran Isles

There's much jubilation and laughter, it's true that there's no place like home
Well all of my friends and relations for too soon I have to be gone
There's not enough work in this country, there's not enough land to go round
So thousands of others just like me, we're heading out for London town

Ynys Môn - Isle of Anglesey

It's sung by Tom McConville on the album.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: emily rain
Date: 04 Jan 00 - 08:19 PM

wow. so neat to read of someone's pleasant journey through holyhead. makes me want to try again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 07:58 AM

Susanne, I don't know the song, so I'm not sure, but shouldn't that be 'Inishmaan' - which is one of the Aran Isles?

Brian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 Jan 00 - 06:16 PM

Brian, I just copied what I found on that name, but I think you're probably right. - Susanne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From:
Date: 18 Sep 00 - 10:38 PM

Third line...second verse

'The sub is a gift sent...'

Early part payment of wages coming due

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: paddymac
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 12:45 AM

I can't think of a better way to "slide" into Ireland than the ferry from Holyheadm - a glorious opportunity for attitude adjustment. I was making the return trip once with a friend who dearly loved tomato beer (maybe it's a southern thing, tomato juice and beer). The barmand could barely disguise his idnignation at pouring a can of tomato juice into a perfectly good pint of Guiness. After the first one, we hit a bout of nasty weather, with glasses jumping out of the racks and land-lubbers making messes all over the place. The barman gamely stood his ground, serving my friend an I several more pints and cans of tomato juice. I think we were the only ones in the lounge who did not succomb to mal de Mer. Ah, well, just another paragraph in my book of memories.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Noreen
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 04:49 AM

Interesting thread. I don't know the song either, but Ynys Mon makes sense in the context because Holyhead is on Anglesey.
'And the nine-thirty waiting to take me back over to sweet Ynys Mon'
would mean the boat-train from London to Holyhead: the 9.30 wouldn't take him direct to Inishmaan?

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Sep 00 - 08:41 AM

I am not sure that the crossing is the same as it was now. Things seemed to be changing and I believe the new fast crossings have things like McDonald's style fast food stores etc and little in the way of the old craic.

I used to enjoy the old 3 1/2 hour crossing and have played/ sung on the trip on several occasions and remeber one trip where all the Guinness was supplied to our little gang by other passengers in exchange for "entertainment"...

Then catch the Dart and off to Tara St Station, then Reagans (which I believe has gone posh), breakfast in Bewleys, a couple of pints and some playing in O'Donahughes, a wander down Grafton Street and elsewhere then on to Hughes and finally the horrible realisation the night was still young, the session was just getting going and we had to get back in time to catch the ferry home.

I can't count the number of times I wished someone would just "kidnap" me...

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 07:45 PM

Jacko - thanks! Another mystery solved!
Noreen - thanks for your encouragement, but I've thought about it and have come to the conclusion it is more likely that an Irishman on this journey would think of his destination and not of Anglesey, let alone under its ancient name. Very poetic, I admit, but not very likely. I just didn't remember that 'Inishmaan' sounds much the same. - Susanne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 08:03 PM

I am guessing but I would think it quite likely for an Irishman (or anyone doing the trip) to consider Holyhead a major landmark on the journey and would be glad to get there as that just leaves the ferry before reaching Ireland.

The railway jorney described is (at least Welsh side) correct and Bangor is the last stop before you cross onto Anglesey so I guess it could be. As for the use of Ynys Mon, it is the proper Welsh name for Anglesey and is in current usage rather than being ancient. A lot would depend on whether the traveller had any knowledge of Welsh or Welsh place names.

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 08:13 PM

This is getting more and more interesting! Of course, an Irish-speaking Irishman could feel an affinity with the Welsh and use Anglesey's proper name. I still don't think it very likely, though, with all respect to Jon's feelings.
Kieran Halpin has a gig in my neck of the woods next month. Maybe I'll get a chance to ask him. I'll let you know. - Susanne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: GUEST,George Henderson NSC
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 11:08 AM

The clue is in the second last verse where the author mentions clearly the Aran Islands.

Inismaan is the middle island and probably had an influence on the author.

I heard Eddie Doyle form Dblin singing this at a session in Bangor, North Wales a few years ago but the roaring when he mentioned Bangor stopped the song short. A nice memory.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: GUEST,George Henderson NSC
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 11:12 AM

Incidentally in the Irish language Inis (pronounced Inish)means island.

Ennis in county Clare is the anglicised verion of Inis and is a town built on what was virtually an island of the Fergus river.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 11:16 AM

George, are you the Geordie George who did in fact get 'kidnapped' in Ireland?

If so, I hope you are coming to the "Festival" in Bangor next month - I look forward to meeting you again.

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 21 Sep 00 - 11:22 AM

...less enjoyable now they're rebuilding most of the A5 across the island!
RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: GUEST,rob
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 07:18 AM

Thank you all for your contributions!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Fergie
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 06:37 PM

I have been looking for the music to this song for a long time. I have searched in every music shop in Ireland for a recording of Trip through Holyhead, I've contacted Kieran Halpin but I cannot get a copy for love nor money. Has anybody got a recording that they could send me, a copy of the tape would be fine, somebody please help. Fergie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Fergie
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 01:25 PM

I'm refreshing this read cos I realy need to know the air to this song can somebody please help, Fergie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 07:43 PM

Fergie, Kieran Halpin's album 'Port of Call', where the song is sung by Tom McConville, should still be available. Try his website.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Fergie
Date: 29 Sep 01 - 08:49 PM

No Susanne its not available I have exhausted every avenue on the net somebody will have to tape it from their own copy and send it to me. Can you help? I'm desperate.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: GUEST,NSC George Henderson
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 07:42 PM

Fergie = E=mail your address and send you a cassette.

[e-mail]

george henderson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: GUEST,NSC George Henderson
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 07:43 PM

That should read "I will Send you a cassette.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 30 Sep 01 - 07:53 PM

George, just re-reading this thread... do any of the Bangor crowd still do the trip to Dublin after the festival? And when is the festival - Oct what? I've lost track since moving to Norfolk (and pretty well lost touch over the last 4 years of living in Wales) but I am feeling very tempted to try and make it. It and the April ones were the highlight of my year for several years - never did make Balyvaughan trip though...

Jon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 06:56 AM

There's a song with a similar sentiment to this one, in which there's a chorus containing;

'First we drank some whisky
and then we drank some gin
******
*****
On the boat train'

Anyone have the rest?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Gedi
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 08:50 AM

"And in no time we're into Dun Laoghaire, and the dawn rising clear in the sky
I'm on the last leg of my journey, it's hello to the fair Aran Isles"

Surely that should be fair Erins' Isle?   After all Dun Laoghaire is definately in Ireland, not the Isle of Arran.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Trip to Holyhead
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 09:01 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aran_Islands