Lyr Req: The Old Brigades' Song (Rory McLeod)

Subject: Rory McLeod song title
From: Phillip
Date: 28 Apr 20 - 10:47 AM

I used to have an early album by Rory McLeod with a song on it about an anti-Fascist in Spain, and it contained the words "I can't pick up my guns and shoot 'em anymore, but I ain't gonna love them, that's for certain and for sure."

Now I can't remember the song title. Can anyone help, please?

Phillip

Subject: RE: Rory McLeod song title
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 28 Apr 20 - 03:39 PM

I'm trying. If there's no answer from anyone else, I'll post what I find out soon as.

Subject: RE: Rory McLeod song title
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 07:45 AM

The name of the album is 'Kicking the Sawdust'. The name of the song is Old Brigades' Song. It was a double album.

https://www.discogs.com/Rory-McLeod-Kicking-The-Sawdust/release/3589652

Subject: RE: Rory McLeod song title
From: Phillip
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 11:19 AM

Thank you. That's great.

Phillip

Subject: RE: Rory McLeod song title
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 02 May 20 - 07:25 PM



https://rorymcleod.bandcamp.com/track/old-brigades-song
you can hear the beginning of the song here and buy it all for £1

Thanks for pointing out this song Joe Offer ( I only noticed your PM today , sorry ) I will try to harvest more about it when I get time

Subject: RE: Rory McLeod song title
From: cnd
Date: 11 May 20 - 12:57 AM

Geoff, I saw your comment in the big thread and decided to respond here.

I tried to transcribe it from the link above, but this Yank's frankly a bit lost on the last line or two of the first stanza. I've shared what I could hear of it below.

Old Brigades' Song

Well, I'm glad I fought fascism
I only wish we'd won
???I'll never asked to reward them?????
Now for anything I've done

I can't take up my guns
And fight them anymore
But I ain't gonna love them
That's for certain and for sure

Well, bless all the kids
I love to see 'em grow
May they live a thousand years
And troubles never know

Well, I can't take up my guns
And fight them anymore
But I'm not gonna love them
There's for certain and for sure

Well bless all the kids
I love to see 'em grow
May they live a thousand years
And troubles never know

Regarding the origins of the song, I would recommend you contact Rory. His email and social media can be found at http://www.rorymcleod.com/ and the link you shared above. The name of the tune it's based on is escaping me, but I'm almost certain it's a fairly common tune someone should be able to name, just with a different theme applied.

If you hear back from Mr. McLeod, be sure to share what you find here (if he's ok with it, of course).

Subject: RE: Rory McLeod song title
From: Phillip
Date: 11 May 20 - 03:22 PM

I think the 3rd and 4th lines are

I never asked a reward
Not for anything I’ve done.