Scottish music-hall songs

Subject: RE: Scottish music-hall songs
From: Megan L
Date: 06 Feb 16 - 07:35 AM

Guest Buckinghamshire that sounds like the song done by Dave Willis "In ma wee gas mask" Words can be found here

Subject: RE: Scottish music-hall songs
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 06 Feb 16 - 05:42 AM

I was lucky enough to pick up an old copy of the Joe Gordon Album (songbook) in a second-hand bookshop, so here's a list of the songs and attributions, some of which have been mentioned above. (Note spelling as in the book too!)
The whole book is copyright James S Kerr, Glasgow 1959
I realise they don't all fit the musichall remit.

The Wee Toon Clerk - Old Scots Ballad, arranged Joe Gordon
Bonnie Wee Jeannie McColl - traditional melody, words by Joe Gordon
Coulter's Candy - traditional melody, arranged Joe Gordon
Fitba' Crazy - traditional melody, words by Joe Gordon
The Brewer Laddie - traditional melody, arranged Joe Gordon
The Govan Billiard Hall - words and music by Roddy McMillan
The Whisky Song - traditional Gaelic air, words by Marietta McLeod
Twa Heids are Better than Yin - traditional melody, WORDS by Joe Gordon (see Malcolm Douglas post of 2004)
Gypsy Laddie - traditional, arranged Joe Gordon
The Hielan' Chorus - traditional melody, words by Joe Gordon
Dance Tae Yir Daddy - traditional Scottish song, arranged Joe Gordon. (Northumbrian too?!)
Johnnie Lad - traditional melody, arranged Joe Gordon
Three Men Went A-Hunting - traditional melody, words by Joe Gordon
Fair Annie of Lochroyan - traditional, arranged Joe Gordon

Subject: RE: Scottish music-hall songs
From: GUEST,Buckinghamshire
Date: 05 Feb 16 - 03:48 PM

Having had a conversation with a very musical 80year old lady recently. She recalled a Scottish comedy song about an air raid shelter and gas masks. No more information-can anyone help?

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Colin Dussault/Cleveland, Ohio
Date: 21 Dec 08 - 09:52 PM

I am a musician from Cleveland (www.colindussault.com) and my Grandfather's Uncle (I think that is right) might possibly have been the Phil Barker referred to in this post. I have many pieces of his sheet music and several of his Decca label 78's that came into my possession upon my Grandfathers' passing.

I am very interested in learning more about your knowledge of Phil Barker and I will gladly share with you what I have here in my personal collection.

Thank you in advance for your reply (should you get this).

Colin Dussault

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: goatfell
Date: 15 Nov 08 - 08:50 AM

you cna come and see the baby was writen by Will Fyffe

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Morag
Date: 14 Nov 08 - 09:47 AM

Does anyone have the words of "Kitty of Argyll"?

It starts something like this:

'Twas in the year of '75
on March the somethinkth day
Our gallant ship her anchor weighed
And to sea she bore away.

With a turrum adoo a turrum adoo, a turrum adoo a day.
The Kitty of Argyll, me lads, to sea she bore away.

There was Dougal Mor 'n' Donal' Mor,
the captain and the mate
And the captain gave us hullaballoo
for breaking a sgadan plate.

And going round the Brothers' Point
it blowed a terrible blast.
It blowed with such a hurricane
it blowed away the mast.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 08:32 AM

KEEP RIGHT ON TO THE END OF THE ROAD has been posted at least 3 times at Mudcat:

one

two

three

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Culcalling
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 12:47 PM

Hi folks,
I'm trying to locate the score for "Keep Right on to the End of the Road" by Sir Harry Lauder.
The website www.sirharrylauder.com seems to have disappeared, so any information would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 03:13 PM

Eileen,
You will have better luck if you start a new thread, choose Lyric Req and your song title.

Anyone have the lyrics and tune for "Lusitania"? It is listed on the Lauder site but not included.
SINS

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Alba
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 02:18 PM

It is a great thread Eddie.
I mind the Jimmy Stewart recording of 'For these are my Mountains' being played in our House and then the Kenneth MacKellar recording of that Song too.

Good Luck with your search Eileen:)

Best to all
Jude

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: eddie1
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 02:08 PM

Several references to Jimmy Copeland. Among his many songs was "These Are My Mountains" recorded by Andy Stewart.
I remember hearing a story (perhaps apocryphal) that Jimmy tried to sue Vangelis for using the tune as theme music for "Chariots of Fire" but Jimmy gave up the idea because of cost. If you know both tunes, it's an interesting theory.

Great Thread – brings back memories of songs my mother & granny sang.

Eddie

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Eileen
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 01:07 PM

Thanks so much,now I have the correct spelling,am sure I will have more luck!

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 12:59 PM

There is a pipe tune called Loch Maree Islands, but I can't find words for it. Try looking under Loch Maree, and you may have more luck than me.
Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Eileen
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 12:53 PM

I realize this is an old thread,but I have been trying to find the Gaelic lyrics for "Loch Marie," googled,and found this forum.
Can anyone help with that,please?

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 02 Feb 04 - 07:03 AM

Any chance of finding out what else Jimmy Copeland wrote ?

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Rara Avis
Date: 01 Feb 04 - 08:09 AM

Jim, Thanks for correcting me. I was sitting next to my loud-mouthed co-worker when I posted originally. Now I'm home in the quiet and I'm going to have a listen to it as done by Alastair McDonald.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 08:05 AM

Sorry, the last posting was from me ... I forgot to log in.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 04:05 AM

Boab, yes you're correct. I used to write stuff for him and Andy Stewart for their TV show. It was Joe who asked me to write a song about the Barras. He went on his own after a while and sang kind of pop but where he is now, I have no idea.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 31 Jan 04 - 03:48 AM

Jim---I can recall Joe [Gordon] latching on to this one when his wife gave birth to twins 'way back in the mid-fifties. Joe was a regular at the Ayr accordion club for some years---I wonder if he could be reached in that airt?

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 11:25 AM

I don't know how one would classify Jimmy Copeland except to say that he wrote some good songs. Didn't he also write 'Loch Marie'?

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 08:41 AM

Sorry got the name wrong it was writ by Jimmy Copeland (who's son is James Cosmo)

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 30 Jan 04 - 08:32 AM

Jim ,was Jimmy Murray classed as Music hall. I've been singing his 'Aunty Bella' for years now it's a belter.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 05:40 PM

Malcolm, I know MacGregor and Hall got the song from the singing of Joe Gordon who had a group in the late fifties, but I don't know where Joe got it from.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 12:10 PM

See also Lyr Req: Twa heids are better than yin. I don't recall if Hall & MacGregor said where they got the song; perhaps from Belle or Cathie Stewart, though if that's the case the words have been changed around a bit. There was another song with the same title and basic story, Twa Heids are Better than Ane, which was written by G S Morris (see MacColl and Seeger, Till Doomsday in the Afternoon, 1986, 271-273), but it's not clear which of the two came first.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Flash Company
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 10:29 AM

Oh weel dae i mind in the days o lang syne
When ah was a laddie sae wee
If ever I gang tae dae anything wrang
Ma mither would lecture tae me
She'd say tae me laddie, stay away frae the wimmin
Ye'll rue it the day ye begun
And ah never thought twice aboot takkin advice
For two heeds are better than one

But me bein young all ah wanted was fun,
So the first thing ah looked for's a wife
Ah looked for a tart wi' a wee warm heart
Tae sew on ma buttons for life
Ah called her ma plum, and ma wee currant bun
And Ah tickled her under her chin
She said tae me Pat, get your hond oot o' that
Man you'll rue it the day ye begin

Las Saturday night. Ah got such a fright
Ah nearly jumped oot o' ma skin
For as sure as I'm here ma wee wife ah declare
She gave me a present o' twins
Said I tae her Jean, tell me what dae ye mean
I'ts a hell of a thing that ye've done!
But she shouted aloud Man ye ought tae be proud'
Cos two heeds are better than one.

Heard from Robin Hall & Jim McGregor, Glasgow Street Songs

Subject: Lyr Add: WE PARTED ON THE SHORE (Harry Lauder)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 01:39 AM

One that I do with some regularity is "We parted on the shore"

It's been years and years and years and years, and years and years and years and years,
Since I left ma bonnie lassie on the shore.
I never will forget the way she cried, I'd never seen so many tears before.
She asked me if I'd think of her,
I said perhaps I would, but I often broken promises before
And then she sat and stood and then began to weep
And when I saw that, we parted on the shore!

Cho: Oh, we parted on the shore,
We parted on the shore;
I said goodbye my love, I'm bound for Baltimore.
I kissed her on the cheek and the crew began to roar,
Ilio, ilio, we parted on the shore.

Now, for years and years and years and years, and years and years and years
I sailed away across the raging main;
And often I'd lie in my bunk and hope and hope and hope and hope some more;
To never see that Lassie's face again.
Now the more that I'd lie in my bunk,
I'd lie in my bunk and hope
And then the tears would come and stand and rollll and rollll and rollll and rollll,
Just like the waves that roll upon the shore.

Chorus

Now, for years and years and years and years, and years and years and years,
I never lived on anything but hope;
And then one day I went to wash my face upon the upper deck
And the Captain swore I tried to eat the soap!
He took me to his cabin and he gave me a drink of drink--
T'was a drink of drink I'd never drunk before;
And when I'd drunk that drink of drink of drink the captain had me drink,
I thought of her I'd left upon the shore.

Chorus

Do it slow and somewhat painfully. It works well.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 10:25 PM

There was a not-so-well known Scottish musichall performer by the name of Phil Barker whose work I heard on an old 45 "windie-up" gramophone when I was a young "shaver" during WW11. He had a number which stuck with me. Anybody heard of it?
"The Load has been Lifted"

"For many years I've been away
Ive sailed across the sea,
To distant lands sae far beyond the foam;
But tho' I prospered well enough, it never seemed tae me
That I could ever feel myself at home
I missed the hearty handshakes o' the friends I used to know
I longed to see the heather on the hill;
I ne'er forgot I was a Scot, wherever I did roam--
My heart was here---my heart is with you still!

"Now the load has been lifted, the birds sing their song
My heart is brimmin over with joy-
For I'm back again--hame again where I belong,
Wi' my ain folk I loved as a boy.

There's another verse, which I won't set down unless somebody requests it.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST,James
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 07:17 AM

Thank you Malcolm. Did Kenneth MacKellar not sing this song..My Mum, from Perth sang it all the time and said she had learned it from her father, so I assumed, incorrectly, that it was a Scottish song. Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 07:04 AM

Inflation, Megan!

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 03:18 PM

ah Jim ye fair led me oan, ah never managed tae buy that first clas seat fur 5 bob.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 03:15 PM

The Lass of Richmond Hill was written by Leonard MacNally, and set to music by James Hook; it was first published in 1789, and initially popularised by the famous singer Charles Incledon, who gave it its first public performance at Vauxhall Gardens. MacNally was an Irish barrister and playwright, and evidently wrote his verses in praise of Frances I'Anson, who he married in 1787. It was the Richmond in Yorkshire, incidentally, not the one in London: the I'Ansons lived there, at Hill House. Hook, a very prolific composer of popular songs and music for the stage, was originally from Norwich.

It was an extremely well-known song for a very long time, but rather earlier than the Music Hall, and not Scottish either, so this thread is a rather odd place to ask about it. Never mind. There's a brief discussion of it from a few years back at LYR REQ:Lass of Richmond Hill. You can see a number of broadside editions at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads:

The Lass of Richmond hill

It was also sometimes printed as Sweet Lass of Richmond hill, but that is not the usual title. You can see an American edition arranged for voice and piano, with words and music strangely credited to Ada Burnett (a popular stage performer of the late 19th century) at  Music for the Nation: American Sheet Music:

Sweet lass of Richmond Hill.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 02:14 PM

Great thread. Mu Mum used to sing a song called Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill. Can anyone tell me anything about that ? Thanks in advance. I know someone will have info, someone always does .

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 04:36 PM

Ye can buy wan at the Barras for a bob (a shilling) yes, that's my song.
Jim

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Rara Avis
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 04:03 PM

Jim McLean,

Is your "Barras" the one where St Peter loses the keys to the Pearly Gates and an angel tells him he can buy another one at the Barras for a song?

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: fogie
Date: 26 Jan 04 - 01:04 PM

My mum used to sing songs like these but I'm not sure whether they were music-hall
A gordon for me
I'm no awa tae bide awa
just a wee doch 'n doris
I belang tae glasgae
Will ye stop yer tickling Jock
Gosh now I think about it there were lots!!!
She was brought up in Glasgow in a Tennement in maryhill by her grandparents when her mum died young -they were Irish/Scottish.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Megan L
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 05:32 PM

aye fiona when my brither went in the army ma granny telt him "keep that hard (Pointing to his head) an thon saft."

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Fiona
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 04:07 PM

Or as my mother would have said, 'keep yer haun oan yer ha'penny'

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 07:55 AM

Thank Fiona, It's not my song. The last verse is actually from The Dundee Weaver ... So come all Dundee Weavers and take this advice frae me, never let a fella an inch above yer knee, Never staun at the back o' the close or up agin the wa', for if ye dae ye can safely say, yer thingymajig's awa!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE GLASGOW BARROWLANDS
From: Fiona
Date: 25 Jan 04 - 06:49 AM

Thank you Malcolm, I should have looked properly myself!

Jim, I have Eddi Reader singing 'The Glasgow Barrowlands' on a compilation LP of Glasgow artists. It's credited Trad arr Eddi Reader/Ricky Ross.


THE GLASGOW BARROWLANDS

Oh, it was at the Glasgow Barrowlands, he asked me for a dance.
I knew he was a fly man but I had to take a chance.
The mirror ball was sparkling. The band played 'The Last Waltz'.
And after the dance was over, he asked to take me home.

CHORUS: Dup dar di di de rah loolah, etc

Oh, it was at the Glasgow Barrowlands, into his arms I fell.
He promised me silks and satins, and a diamond ring as well.
I got no silks and satins. I got no diamond ring.
All I got was a cradle for to rock the baby in! CHORUS

Now listen, all you good girls, and take a tip from me:
Never let a chancer, an inch above yer knee!


Fiona

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Jim McLean
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 12:31 PM

I produced an LP by Roddy McNeil and he sang Jeannie McColl. At the time (1970 or thereabouts) I tried to find what I could about the song (there was no Interent then!) and eventually it was listed as Trad.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 10:02 AM

Sorry too all...The tune for "Bonnie wee lassie" is of course "My ain HOOSE", not "My ain folks"

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: akenaton
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 09:59 AM

I used to have a recording of Jeannie McColl,it was by the Joe Gordon folk four , but I cant remember who wrote it.
Joe was quite popular in the late fifties in Scotland, with a string of singles ...Fitbaw Crazy,    By the bright shinin light o' the moon, Mormon braes ect.
Joe had a female singer in the group ,I think called Sally Logan....Ake

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 08:26 AM

That one has come up a couple of times in the past. See these two threads:

Lyr Add: Jeannie McColl

Lyr Req: Bonnie Wee Jenny MacCall

Although we have sets of words for it, and a tune, there's no information about the background; it would be nice to know a little more.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Fiona
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 06:59 AM

Does anyone know the rest of the words to this one? My granny used to sing it but I can only remember the chorus.

A bonny wee lass,
A bonny wee lass,
Is bonny wee Jeanie McColl,
Ah gied her ma mithers engagememt ring ,
An'a bonny wee tartan shawl.
Ah met her at a wedding in the Coperative Hall,
Where Ah wis the best man an' she wis the belle o' the ball

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Jan 04 - 01:32 AM

Many Thanx, as usual, to all. I've been humming it for years, and I never could remember who recorded it. Queen Amang the Heather is a fine recording, and Belle was a marvelous singer.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 09:33 PM

Belle Stewart used to sing that one. You'll find it in MacColl and Seeger's Till Doomsday in the Afternoon, and on Belle's Queen Among the Heather, as The Bonnie Wee Lassie F(r)ae Gourock.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: akenaton
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 07:17 PM

Another two verses!!!   I v got a bit of feeling back between my ears!!

"Itook ma wee lassie to dine at the"Cry",
when who should come in but ma auld freen McKay;
He smiled at ma lass wi a twink in his eye ,
Tae the bonnie wee lassie frae Gourock.

"He tickled her playfully under the chin.
when jist then his wife Mrs Mac should come in;
she lifted his whiskers an half o' es chin,
From the bonnie wee lassie frae Gourock.

Theres about another three verses I'll work on them ....Ake

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: akenaton
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 06:42 PM

Dick please excuse me,but the old memory isn't what it used to be.
I'll give you another verse of Piper McFarlane,But i'll need to put on my thinking cap for the others.On reflection, the song title may have been "The bonnie wee lassie frae Gourock".
Gourock is a small town on the Clyde coast, not far from where I live,but my Uncle who was a singer always referred to it as "Piper Mcfarlane".

2nd verse   "I treated her handsomely,just like a swell,
             Took her roond tae the back o' a first class hotel;
             Stuck her nose in a windae tae smell the nice smell,
             She ne'er smelt a smell like it in Gourock.

Chor       Oh shes a bonnie wee beautiful thing ect ect.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 06:01 PM

Akenton-
Please post. I'm very interested.

Subject: RE: Scottish musichall songs
From: akenaton
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 03:01 PM

Another song I remember was "Piper Mcfarlane"

"Im Piper Mcfarlane ,and Im on the beer,
But still Im in love wi a bonny wee dear
yi'ed like her yersell if ye only could see'r
and her faithers a grocer in Gourock.

ch..Oh shes a bonny wee beautiful thing
    Iv poped her the question,and bought her the ring;
    We're goin to get married some time in the spring,
    but I dinae like askin her faither.
    To the tune of "My ane folks"

Theres another couple of verses if anybodys interested ,I think it was a Will Fyffe song....Ake