Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie)

Subject: "Finest you ever saw" - canal boat song
From: GUEST,Glen in Gloucestershire
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 01:59 PM

can anybody give me the words to this fine song?

I have heard it sung by the musician of Redbornstoke Morris Men its brilliant. They hail from Bedfordshire and are fine group of lads!

It's all about going up the Union, Birmingham and Manchester canals in 47 days.

I'd love to sing it myself as I live on the banks of the Severn/Thames canal (disused).So thers water in my blood

Subject: Lyr Add: THE FINEST OF THEM ALL (Dave Ritchie)^^
From: GUEST,radriano
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 03:05 PM

Your timing is immaculate, Glen. I just found this song in an old book I forgot I had.

THE FINEST OF THEM ALL
(Written by Dave Ritchie)

Oh the morn was cold and raw
As we loaded at Park Royal
With a cargo of barrels that was fifty tons or more
'Twere the finest you ever saw

Chorus:
Finest you ever saw
Finest you ever saw
On the Union Staffordshire or Birmingham Canal
We're the finest you ever saw

In winter's icy claw
No road nor rail at all
It were left to the narrow boats to get the cargo through
To the finest you ever saw

Away from the wharf we draw
With the butty close behind
We'll be back down from Birmingham in under seven days
On the finest you ever saw

At last by the 'Lame Jackdaw'
We are moored and the casks are away
But word is up from Acton that they need us once again
Need the finest you ever saw

To the tunnel's dark wet maw
And on through flights we steer
Past pub bridge and winding hole we battle through each mile
On the finest you ever saw

Now a strong pint we'll draw
At the brewers wharf we lie
We're a pair down from Birmingham in thirty seven hours
We're the finest of them all

Finest of them all
Finest of them all
We're a pair down from Birmingham in thirty seven hours
We're the finest of them all


The wining song in a National Song Contest organized by the magazine English Dance and Song in 1971. The words are based on a situation that developed between 1941 and 1948 when, because of a shortage of other transport, Guiness was transported by canal between Park Royal and Birmingham. On the occasion a pair of boats did the jouney south in 37 hours, and this is thought to be an all time record for working narrow boats.
Regards,
radriano

Subject: Tune Add: THE FINEST OF THEM ALL (Dave Ritchie)
From: GUEST,radriano
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 03:16 PM

Glen, I forgot to ask whether you need the music for this song. Here it is in ABC if you do.

X:1
T:THE FINEST OF THEM ALL
M:4/4
L:1/8
C:Dave Ritchie
R:Song
O:England
K:C
GG | c2cc (Bc) (dB) | c6 ef | g2cc (cd) (ec) | d6 ef | g2cc cd ec |
dc BA G2 ef | g2cd e2 (dB) | c6 z2 || e2ef g2 (ce) | "h" d8 |
g2gg f2 (ec) | "h" d6 ef | g2cc cd ec | dc BA G2ef | g2cd e2(dB) | c6 |

I can get a GIF made for you if you prefer that. For some reason I was under the impression that posting GIF's is not recommended. Anyhow, if you want a GIF, you can contact me at: [e-mail]

Regards
radriano

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest you ever saw - canal boat son
From: GUEST,radriano
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 03:20 PM

Sorry, folks, I seem to be forgetting things left and right these days.

In the ABC notation I just posted you will notice an "h". This is my way of showing a held note. The version of ABC that I have has no symbol for a held note.


radriano

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest you ever saw - canal boat son
From: GUEST,Glen in Gloucestershire
Date: 15 Apr 00 - 06:18 PM

Cheers Radriano - Great work - all I need to do now is learn it!

See your Cyril Tawney Thread for a bit more from me.

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie)
From: GUEST,Barry Goodman
Date: 16 Feb 21 - 07:20 AM

I sang this song for Redbornstoke to perform their dance of the same name. I also recorded it (with Graeme Meek as Life and Times) on the CD "Where the Working Boats Went" (still a few copies left!!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie)
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 16 Feb 21 - 10:20 AM

I have been trying to buy this CD but the email address given does not seem to exist; can you post a contact that is live please
m

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie)
From: cnd
Date: 16 Feb 21 - 04:01 PM

Have you tried the following site: http://www.lifeandtimes.me.uk/Contact.htm

(assuming you are referring to the CD, Where the Working Boats Went which has this song as track 12?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 21 - 07:26 AM

You can contact me via my website www.barrygoodmanfolk.co.uk - I have copies of Where the Working Boats Went for sale!