Lyr ADD: The Barras (Jim McLean)

Subject: the barras
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 10:55 PM

I try not to make these requests, however I can't make out all of the words due to the Scots dialect or maybe just the accents. I just heard this song, "The Barras," on a Robin Hall and Jimmie McGregor record (We Belong To Glasgow)and would love to be able to understand it. Also, if anyone has the words to "Govan Bliiard Hall Song".

Thanks, Nick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the barras
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 06:24 AM

I can't remember the verses...

But the chorus is

"Oh, the Barras, oh the Barras, They're no' in Rome or Paris, Ye just go down tae Glasgow's Gallowgate, They sell tickets tae the moon, A return fur hauf-a-croon, ANd five bob guarantees a first-class seat"

Anyon know any more?

Cheers

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BARROWS
From: Nynia
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 05:54 PM

OK this is gonna kill my fingers but...this is the version that I used to sing...good luck.

THE BARROWS.

There's a spot in Glasgow city that is ken't the whole world o'er.
It's more famous than the Mona Lisa's face.
It is visited by royalty and rascals by the score.
Everybody knows the Barrows is the place.

Oh, the Barrows, oh, the Barrows, there's none in Rome or Paris.
You've just got to go to Glasgow's Gallowgate.
They sell tickets to the moon, in return for half-a-crown.
Five bob guarantees a first class seat.

When St. Peter lost the keys to yon bright pearly gates,
He was fear't that he'd get flung right from his job.
But a fly wee Glasgow angel said, "Now, Peter, dinnae greet.
You can buy one at the Barrows for a bob."

One day a Frenchman noticed that the Eiffel Tower was gone.
When notified, the president grew pale.
He quick called up his gendarmes and they searched the whole world o'er,
And they found it at the Barrows up for sale.

When the Romans came to Scotland, many donkeys' years ago,
They got nae further than the Gallowgate.
For the people up in Glasgow sel't them souvenirs for swords,
And the fly wee Glasgow keelies had their way.

Do you ken how Samson lost his strength? Delilah cut his hair.
He was left as weak and baldie as a bairn.
So he travelled o'er to Scotland, to the Barrows for a cure,
And now he's strong and hairy once again.

So before I close my story, let me give you some advice:
If you're after something cheap or second-hand,
Take a trip up to the Barrows, for there's none that can compare
With the trash they sell in Glasgow's Barrowland.

HTML line breaks added, and changed from all caps. --JoeClone, 9-May-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the barras
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 28 Jun 00 - 12:16 AM

Many Hundred Thanks. Nick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the barras
From: GUEST,Jack
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 04:34 AM

Maybe it's stupid to reawake this again, but I found it better to use the old thread. At the net if found another version. Here: http://www.theballadeers.com/Lyrics_B2.htm (Scroll down a bit)

Even though, the version I've heard with Alastair McDonald, is a mix of them both. Like this:

There's a spot in Glasgae city that's well ken't the whole world o'er.
It's mair famous than the Mona Lisa's face.
It is visited by royalties and rascals by the score.
Everybody knows the Barras is the place.
Did you knaw St. Peter lost the keys to yon big pearly gates
And he feart that he'd get flung oot o' his job
Then a fly wee Glasgae angel said, ach Peter dinnae greet
You can buy one at the barras for a bob

Oh the barras, oh the barras, there's no in Rome or Paris
Ye juist hae tae gae tae Glasgow's Gallowgate
They sell tickets tae the moon, and a return for half-a-croon
And five bob guarantees a first class seat

You knaw how Samson lost his strength, Delilah cut his hair
He was left as weak and baldy as a wean
So he flitterd (?) oot tae Glasgae, tae the barras for a cure
And he soon was strong and hairy once again
When the Romans came tae Scotland, many donkeys years ago
They got nae further than the Gallowgate
For the lads who ran the Barras swapped them souvenirs for swords
Then the fly wee Glasgow keelies had them bate

Oh the barras, oh the barras, there's no in Rome or Paris
Ye juist hae tae gae tae Glasgow's Gallowgate
They sell tickets tae the moon, and a return for half-a-croon
And five bob guarantees a first class seat

Nou one day a Frenchman noticed that the Eiffel touer (it sounds like Toon, though) was gone
The president when notified grew pale
So he called oot all his gendarmes and they searched the hail world oer
And they foond it at the barras oot for sale
Noo before I close my story i will gi'e you some advice
If you're efter something cheap or second-hand
Take a trip up to the barras for there's none that can compare
Tae the stuff they sell in Glasgow's barraland!


Now, what is the real version? On the link I found, there is 2 verses more, are these original, or fake? Anyone knows what was the first original recording?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the barras
From: Jim McLean
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 04:58 AM

Hi there,
I wrote the song and I'll post the correct verses later as I have to go out now. The last posting is pretty accurate (the word is 'flitted' by the way and it's the Eiffel Tower). I wrote it for the Jo Gordon Folk Four in 1959.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: the barras
From: goatfell
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 05:50 AM

And Lena Martel also wrote a song about the barras as well and it is sung by Alistair McDonald

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BARRAS (Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 08:18 AM

THE BARRAS
(Words and music Jim McLean Published by Duart Music UK)

This is what I can remember, it was a long time ago. It was first recorded by Nigel Denver on Decca in 1968. Previously it had only been sung on Scottish Television. Alastair McDonald also recorded it in 1972.

There's a spot in Glasgae city that's well kent the whole world o'er.
It's mair famous than the Mona Lisa's face.
It is visited by royalties and rascals by the score.
Everybody knows the Barras is the place.
Did you know St. Peter lost the keys to yon big pearly gates
And he thought that he'd get flung oot o' his job?
Then a fly wee Glasgae angel said, "Ach! Peter, dinnae greet.
You can buy one at the Barras for a bob".

Oh the Barras, oh the Barras, they're nor in Rome or Paris.
Ye have tae go tae Glasgow's Gallowgate.
They sell tickets tae the moon, a return for half-a-croon,
And five bob guarantees a first-class seat.

You've heard how Samson lost his strength. Delilah cut his hair.
He was left as weak and baldy as a wean.
So he travelled ower tae Glasgae, tae the Barras for a cure,
And he soon was strong and hairy once again.
One day, a Frenchman noticed that the Eiffel Tower was gone.
The president when notified grew pale;
So he called oot all his soldiers and they hunted high and low
Till they found it at the barras up for sale.

Oh the Barras, oh the Barras, they're no in Rome nor Paris.
Ye have to tae go tae Glasgow's Gallowgate.
They sell tickets tae the moon, a return for half-a-croon,
And five bob guarantees a first-class seat.

When the Romans came tae Scotland, many donkeys’ years ago,
They got nae further than the Gallowgate;
For the lads who ran the Barras swapped them souvenirs for swords,
Then the fly wee Glasgow keelies had them bate.
In a school no far frae Partick Cross, a teacher spiered the class:
"Tell me, wha kens ocht aboot the Missing Link?"
Then a wee boy in the front row shot his haun up in the air.
"Ye'll find one at the Barras, Sir, Ah think!"

Oh the Barras, oh the Barras, they're no in Rome nor Paris.
Ye have to tae go tae Glasgow's Gallowgate.
They sell tickets tae the moon, a return for half-a-croon,
And five bob guarantees a first-class seat.

When oor Prince Chairlie had tae flee awa' frae Scotia's shores,
And seek refuge far across the friendly main,
How the tears ran streamin' frae his een as these words he did speak:
"Och! I'd love tae see the Barras once again!"
Noo, before I close my story, I will gie you some advice.
If you're efter something cheap or second-hand,
Take a trip up to the Barras, for there's nothing can compare
Tae the stuff they sell in Glasgow's Barraland!

Oh the Barras, oh the Barras, they're no in Rome nor Paris.
Ye have to tae go tae Glasgow's Gallowgate.
They sell tickets tae the moon, a return for half-a-croon,
And five bob guarantees a first-class seat.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barras (Jim McLean)
From: maeve
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 10:51 AM

Thanks for posting the full lyrics, Jim. It's a good song. Do I remember correctly that the tune is Road to the Isles, or has my brain simply made a meter/metre fit?

maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barras (Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 11:52 AM

It's a mixture of Maggie, Maggie may and Keep your feet still Geordie Hinny.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barras (Jim McLean)
From: maeve
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 08:03 PM

Jim- Sorry for the delay in responding. I just remembered this thread and saw your answer. I saw mention of a couple of earlier recordings, but might there be a more accessible source for the tune? Perhaps even wee black dots?

Thanks again,

maeve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barras (Jim McLean)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 22 - 08:11 AM

The Barras is a Scottish song written in 1963 by a Scottish folk singer called Jim Mclean. The tune is the same tune as the US folk song Darling Nelly Gray. Jim wrote this song to Andy Stewart who first sung the song in his sing out in 1963. One of the songs that my friend Martin did a great recording of this. Other songs set to this tune are Maggie Maggie May the English folk song and the Bob Wills Taxes Playboys 1950 song Faded Love.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Barras (Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 26 Nov 22 - 04:38 AM

I wrote the song at the request of Joe Gordon, not Andy Stewart. As I posted before, the melody is a mixture of tunes but probably closer to the Govan Billiard Hall. I was friendly with Roddy McMillan at the time and that was one of his songs. I was also a friend of Calum Sinclair who was in the Joe Gordon Folk Four group

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: The Barras (Jim McLean)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 23 - 12:02 PM

For all you folks who know the Barras this is the same tune as Darling Nelly Grey. In 1914 Henry Burr sang this song there has been others that have the same tune as this song. It was in the 1950s and that's when you heard the Barras for the first time. I sung this song at school and when my band sang this song the singer sang it great, thanks from Joe