Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'

Subject: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Catrin
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 03:49 PM

Hello fellow Mudcatters,

Following are the lyrics to a wonderful song that Ickle Dorrit wrote. She sang it at the Yorkshire gathering a couple of weeks ago. I have also included extracts from the correspondence that she and I had about the background (after getting her permission to do it!)

SPAREHAND – LINDA KELLY DEC. 2000

I dream of distant waters though my fishing days are gone
And for thirty years I've worked the factory floor.
At night when I lay sleeping I can still hear howling gales
As we hauled our nets and brought our fish aboard.
Though owners called me casual I'd twenty years at sea
And I swear I worked as hard as any can.
And although they cut the quotas and they took my job away
In my heart I know I'm still a fisherman.

It's a dim and distant memory now and fading with the past
Like a photograph that's not seen light of day.
But you can't forget the hunger and you don't forget the pain
Or the misery that doesn't go away.
'Cause when the fishing ended and the men in suits demand
"You'd better find another job and this time on dry land.
But don't expect redundancy or to have a helping hand."
Don't they know that I was born a fisherman?

The cold of the Atlantic chilled the hearts of angry men
Who struggled on to earn their daily bread.
Who like their fathers long before had ploughed the ocean deep
Who never thought their living would be dead
Now they're waiting by the factory gates and queuing in the line
But "Try again tomorrow lads, you've had no luck this time."
So they wander home and tell the wife and kids it will be fine
And I wish that I was still a fisherman

And the TV and the tabloids got bored and went away
And they told us that they'd bigger fish to fry
And the men in suits informed us it's a fight you cannot win
So give up lads and let the fishing die.
But they're sure to pay the owners, was their influence that great?
That they wouldn't have them suffer at their hand?
It's a trickle down economy, they will give you what they can
So you'd best forget you were a fisherman.

And the children sit and listen to the tales their fathers tell
And it doesn't seem a world they'll ever know.
Of the catches and the conflicts, of the misery and the hell
And the battle grounds off Iceland long ago
For their father is a carpenter, or a driver of a van
Or a lagger or a miner, or he does the best he can
But when he goes to sleep at nights he'll be bringing in the cran
'Cause you'll always live and die a fisherman

Yes when he goes to sleep at nights he'll be bringing in the cran
Yes you'll always live and die a fisherman
_________________________________________________

I am interested in the fishing industry, particularly in Hull.

Last year after years of struggle, the trawlermen were paid compensation in lieu of not having received redundancy after the cod wars killed the fishing trade in Hull and Grimsby particularly, but also in other UK ports. This was due to the nature of their working status. Although in many cases they worked for one fishing line for maybe twenty years or so, they would sign on and off trawlers and were paid settling for each catch and then rehired for the next sail.

Because of this their status was determined to be 'casual labour' and the trawler owners did not have to pay redundancy. Subsequently, the owners were paid huge compensation for decommissioning their boats, only for them to sell the trawlers abroad. The casual fisherman, the 'sparehand', was tossed aside and for years the problem remained a bitter local issue but it was buried by the national press.

Only when Labour returned to office was it looked at again and the Government finally admit responsibility for the problem. My husband left trawling long before the Cod Wars ended and was not involved in compensation, but some of my clients are. Just before Christmas, an old customer of mine came in with a cheque for £20,000 from the Paymaster General. He wasn't a rich man. Living off his pension and a bit of savings - but he told me to put it away because he would never spend it as it would stick in his throat.

I sat down and wrote the song a couple of weeks later so it was only in Dec 2000 that it was done. It's staggering to think they have been denied their rights for 25 years and the compensation is still slow in coming through because tracing records after this time has been a nightmare.

It frightens me that things like this get forgotten about, or like the miner's strike gets romanticised in films like Billy Elliot -because its a stark reminder of what the Tories did to this country over those years. Hope you like the song please sing it often.

_

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Micca
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 04:11 PM

Thank you Dorritt and Catrin for posting this, I was so impressed with this song when she sang it in the singaround, and it has the genuine feel of the North Atlantic in winter about it, well done Dorritt, It was a privelage and a pleasure to hear you sing it..

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 04:52 PM

Your song will resonate here in the Gulf of Maine, Nova Scotia, and struggling fishing harbors all over the world. Any clues on the tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Catrin
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 05:22 PM

Ickle Dorrit has sent me a tape Charley, unfortunately I don't write music, I don't know whether she does or not....

Catrin

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Jun 01 - 05:24 PM

I'd like the tune too, if it's at all possible. Very well-written! It's UK-based, but I think the fishing is dying out in so many places with the fishermen and their families being forgotton, that it strikes a chord with many of us.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Micca
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 02:10 PM

Jeri, I thought when I heard it of how much you would like it!!!!! it is great.. and a good tune too!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: John Routledge
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 02:29 PM

I too heard Ickle sing this song. It is absolutely outstanding nd deserves a wide audience. Well done Ickle.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: GUEST,treaties1
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 02:57 PM

The lyrics are excellent and the song deserves to be sung. I hope that the tune can be provided as I would like to learn and sing it, so I will watch this thread with interest.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 03:25 PM

I have a tape too, (thank you so much, Ickle) so can do the dots, given time, if Ickle has't already got them.

The song is very moving, and should be heard.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 04:47 PM

ooh Noreen please do the dot's for me. It would probably take me about 15 years! Thanks for your kind commets .

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: 8_Pints
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 07:47 PM

Ickle, I was moved to tears when you sang this at the YG. We've been having trouble sending Personal Messages, so would it be poss for you to PM us so we can give you a ring or something to get the tape you said I could have? I've been working a bit on Blood and Gold, then Greece got in the way! PS Can I have my song book back please, I promise I'll send you yours! I don't know how we managed to swap them before we'd even met! Love Sue vG xxx

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 08:16 PM

I'll do that then, as soon as poss... :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Jun 01 - 09:39 PM

Wonderfully poignant song, Dorritt. Beautiful. I look forward to eharing one of you sing it in PalTalk.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Gervase
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 04:54 AM

A cracking song, LD. As someone who lived for some time in Lowestoft, I know what the industry's been through, and your lyrics ring true.
Any chance of the abc or midi for us non-dot readers?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 05:47 PM

Sorry for the delay, it's not been quite 15 years... :0)

I have just now sent the dots by e-mail to MMario, who I hope will kindly wave his magic wand over them and turn them into abcs and music.

Ickle, I have transcribed the tune of your first verse. The other verses are slightly different from each other, and I can't work out what to do about that apart from writing the tune for each verse out separately...

Best thing is for you to send a copy to Max, and we'll then have you archived on Mudcat radio, and everyone can hear the original. :0)

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 05:49 PM

(If anyone wants a copy of the dots, PM me your e-mail address.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 05:57 PM

Thanks so much for the tape from the Roll & Go gang!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: MMario
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:22 PM

Jeri sang this Saturday night at Old Songs. it Was an ENORMOUS hit.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 05:02 AM

Just a brief note to thank each and everyone who has shown interest in this song, especially those who have PM'd me with such kind messages - I am frankly overwhelmed. I don't think I'll give up the day job just yet, but it gives me tremendous encouragement to continue to find these stories and put them into songs and poetry. thankyou once again everyone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 07:38 AM

Go, Jeri!

Ickle, just remember us now you're famous... a singer/songwriter of international repute.

:0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 09:00 AM

oops@ sorry - my mistake - it was a different one Jeri sang.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: MMario
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 09:28 AM

MIDI file: Spare Hand.mid

Timebase: 192

Name: SPARE HNAD
Text: By Lind Kelly (Ickle Dorritt)
Copyright: Dec. 2000
Key: D
TimeSig: 4/4 24 8
Start
0576 1 67 110 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 74 110 0256 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 67 110 0528 0 67 000 0048 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0256 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 67 110 0256 0 67 000 0032 1 67 110 1296 0 67 000 0048 1 67 110 0096 0 67 000 0000 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 76 110 0256 0 76 000 0032 1 74 110 0094 0 74 000 0002 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 67 110 0528 0 67 000 0048 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0032 1 67 110 1296 0 67 000 0048 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 66 110 0160 0 66 000 0032 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 69 110 0048 0 69 000 0000 1 71 110 0142 0 71 000 0002 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0336 0 71 000 0048 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0256 0 73 000 0032 1 73 110 0094 0 73 000 0002 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0256 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 71 110 0094 0 71 000 0002 1 73 110 0256 0 73 000 0032 1 69 110 1104 0 69 000 0048 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 69 110 0160 0 69 000 0032 1 67 110 0160 0 67 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 74 110 0160 0 74 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 67 110 0528 0 67 000 0048 1 67 110 0094 0 67 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 71 110 0160 0 71 000 0032 1 73 110 0160 0 73 000 0032 1 69 110 0256 0 69 000 0032 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 69 110 0094 0 69 000 0002 1 66 110 0256 0 66 000 0032 1 67 110 0720 0 67 000
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:SPARE HNAD
M:4/4
Q:1/4=120
K:D
G7A|B2d2d2B2|c2B2A2G2|Bd3d2B2|G6GA|B2B2B2c2|
B3BBG3|G8|-G6GA|B2d2d2d2|e3dc2B2|d2d2d2B2|
G6GA|B2B2B2c2|A2A2AF3|G8|-G6G2|F2F2F2G2|A2BA3A/2B3/2|
G2G2G2A2|B4A2B2|c3cc2c2|B3BBc3|A8|-A4G2A2|
B2d2d2B2|c2B2A2G2|B2d2d2B2|G6GA|B2B2B2c2|
A3AAF3|G15/2||

NWC file sent to Joe.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 10:28 AM

BOTH of the songs Ickle Dorritt sent me are fantastic! Not only are the words full of images and emotions, but the tunes are wonderful. This one has a sort of haunting quality. Something you wake up realising you've been singing in your dreams.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Jul 01 - 05:37 PM

MMario, there's a problem with this midi. It's written in D, but is actually in G, so all those C-sharps should be naturals. (May just be the way my MIDIText converted it.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Jul 01 - 09:02 PM

You're right, Jeri, it says above it's in D but I wrote it out in G...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Jul 01 - 10:10 PM

You know, I've finally set out to learn the song. I haven't managed to get out the entire last verse, though. I get to "But when he goes to sleep at nights, he'll be bringing in the cran, 'cause you'll always live and die a fisherman," and lose it.

The tune is fairly simple, but there's awesome power in that simplicity. I can hear waves in the first 4 lines of the verses...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 09:55 AM

I'm sorry - I'll probably get into trouble, but I couldn't resist.

There's a MIDI in 3-part harmony here. (The link should open your MIDI player, or you can right-click the mouse on the link, "copy shortcut" and paste it into your MIDI player.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 03:41 PM

Lovely,Jeri; I think Ickle will like that!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Jul 01 - 05:49 PM

Guest, thanks for listening to it, and for liking it. I hope Ickle likes it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 05:28 AM

Hell , I don't just like it - I LOVE IT! Thank you for your fabulous efforts!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Naemanson
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 05:49 AM

It sounds good to me too Jeri. If you want to split those out into separate midis and find someone to take one of the harmonies I am available for either the other harmony or the melody. I am working on learning the song now so I can present it to Roll & Go to add into our repertoire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 09:09 PM

Ickle - I'm very happy. I'm aware that I can mess with someone else's music, and they won't be happy with it. I'm always a bit afraid of that happening. If you'd like to use that midi for anything, please do.

Brett, I can break it down easily. I don't think I want to try the bass part. I can sing those notes, but I don't sound very good!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:07 AM

Jeri, check to see if either of your harmonies will stand alone with the melody. If it does you can take the melody and I'll learn the bass line if you'll break out the bass line for me.

Also, there are lines in the song that should be solo voice. Probably a start would be harmony on just the chorus but we should look at other areas that could use a harmony line for reinforcement. Maybe we should make our plans using email and then spring this on everybody at FSGW. Sound good?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Les from Hull
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 07:35 AM

Naemanson - I've sung harmonies with Ickle Dorritt on her song at her request. I also felt that there are solo lines in there, so I sung harmonies on the last four or six lines in each verse, leaving Ickle the first two or four lines on her own. Given more time to work it all out, it might've been different.

I certainly like the idea of a three part unaccompanied harmony version with the voices coming in and out at appropriate times and the timing and volume carefully arranged to the words. Perhaps there could be times when the harmony would alter with the mood of the song? All that would sound really special. I'm much more of an intuitive singer/player myself, but I would certainly love to hear such a version. If you do get it sounding how you want it, it would be nice if you could get a recording back to Ickle (I'm sure you'd do that anyway) as she would be chuffed to bits.

Les

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 08:32 AM

Chuffed is good?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 08:42 AM

Chuffed is good, dead chuffed is better, chuffed to bits is best!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: MMario
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 09:21 AM

*mad enthusiastic applause*

for ickle, for jeri, wow!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 03:06 PM

Brett, I have never performed on as stage with a mic before, and I was seriously considering singing this song. I like the thought of harmony, and would like to try it, but the way I've been singing it, there's too much variance in the tempo and volume to be very easy to do harmony on. We have plenty of time to see what works.

I agree with Les. I just did the tune one time through. If I had done it the whole way - one time per verse - it would sound very different. There would be bits with no harmony, bits with just one, and bits with all three. If I have time, I may try doing that and see what folks think.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 04:32 PM

Les does wonderful harmonies to most songs -he's useful like that. I sing Come All Ye Maids who love at a distance and Les sings the most wonderful harmonies on it. Chuffed is most definitely good and I would love to hear some of this stuff.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Noreen
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:30 PM

I'll second that- most impressed with Les's harmonies in the Singarounds in the Jug, not to mention his nifty bass playing (not in the singarounds! *grin*)

Noreen

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Les from Hull
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 06:59 PM

Aw shucks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Jul 01 - 11:54 PM

So how many of you will be coming to the giant mudcat gathering at the FSGW getaway?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 08:19 AM

alas, the FSGW getaway is the same weekend as the NY Pinewoods getaway, so I will unfortunately have to miss FSGW. Perhaps someday they will not conflict!

Looking forward to meeting Les and Ickle at Warwick! It won't be long now!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: John Routledge
Date: 11 Jul 01 - 08:19 PM

ICKLE - Sue vG gave her first public performance of Sparehand earlier tonight. I am delighted to report she did your wonderful song full justice. See you over in Beverley as soon as we can make it. John

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: treaties1
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 05:36 PM

Thankyou for the midi it is the first time I have heard the tune and it sounds great. As I love the words I'm going to try and learn them quickly. If anyone I know learns it first I hope they'll let me join in and hopefully add a harmony when they sing it. Theresa of 4 part harmony group Firm Friends

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: 8_Pints
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 05:46 PM

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful song Ickle! I love it. It went down well at the singaround last night and I hope my rendition will improve as I gain confidence with it. Love Sue vG xxx

Ps My mum thought it was a great song (I suppose she had my first true performance!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jul 01 - 11:52 PM

Wonderful song. Need to learn it. Sure wish there was a chorus. Maybe I'll use the last two lines as a refrain.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 06:03 AM

Ickle uses some words I don't know. What does a lagger do? In my experience a lagger installs pipe insulation. Also the songs last lines include "when he goes to sleep at night he'll be bringing in the cran." What is a cran?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 06:33 AM

I heard Ickle Dorrit sing this song last night in The Kingston, as Les knows one of my favourite songs is Fiddlers Green.I think Ickle Dorrits song is like a modern day version of FG, it really is that good. It definetley ought to be recorded.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 08:00 AM

Sparehand may have made its North American debut last night at the Press Room. I may have made some minor word fumbles (my mouth wasn't working) but I didn't forget any words or mess up the tune. People listened. People applauded. People said "Wow - great song!"

I found people singing along on the last lines - Bat Goddess, in particular, hit the "fisherman" with some great fifths. Bruce, who later said I sounded better than he'd ever heard me, and he'd tell me about mistakes, came in with a strong harmony on the repeat of the last two lines at the end.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 14 Jul 01 - 05:56 PM

Naemonson, you are spot on- a lagger is someone who insulates pipes. In Hull there is a large BP refinery and some ex fishermen found themselves jobs there -doing exactly that. A cran is a weight of fish usually herring- but there is a great debate as to how many and I choose not to participate since it would reveal an appalling lack of knowledge.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: GUEST,Willa
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 04:03 PM

Hi, Ickle. Got to differ here! A cran is a measure of capacity for herrings just landed in port, equal to 37 1/2 gallons (so if they're ickle ones, you'll get lots in a cran!). Probably from the Gaelic 'crann' a measure. Hope to see (and hear) you on Wed.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 15 Jul 01 - 04:15 PM

Annie -when are you going to join up !!! - We don't differ dear one- I said it had something to do with herrings !-are you going to Nellies tomorrow!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 27 Oct 01 - 01:29 AM

(I am copying this from the local paper)
Hundreds of former fishermen are to receive compensation payouts they feared they would never see, the Mail can reveal today.In a major government rethink,about 1,300 trawlermen who lost their jobs as a result of the cod wars of the 1970's and were previously denied compensation have been told they will be able to claim compensation after all.
The men who fished the Atlantic waters near Iceland, had been refused any payoutsbecause they went on fishing trips after a cut-off point of 1979.But in a government u turn they have been told they are entitled to the money.
When Dennis Smart heard he would finally be entitled to compensation tears trickled down his face.Nine months ago he recieved a letter telling him his application had been rejected because he went on mackerel trips after the 1979 cut off.After nearly 40 years of service in dangerous icy waters, a few trips to earn a bit of extra cash seemed to have cost him thousands.But now Mr Smart (68) should be able to live out his final years with a smile on his face thanks to Patricia Hewitts decision to give him the right to a payout after all."It's brought a tear to my eye" said Mr Smart who lives with his wife Brenda in sheltered accomodation in the centre of Hull.Mr Smart is one of 1,300 men affected by todays news of the governments decision to revoke the 1979 rule.He worked on the trawlers for almost 40 years spending up to 16 weeks at a time in the treacherous, icy enviroment of the Arctic.

Copyright Hull & Grimsby Newspapers Ltd 2001
During the 1970's Hull was one of the busiest fishing ports in Europe, at that time saftey & conditions were not as good as they are today, many fishermen from Hull were lost at sea when their ships sank.My uncle was made disabled in an accident at sea.Almost everybody in Hull knows somebody who has been to sea, it is good to hear that the fishermen have finally got there compensation.The ship owners were paid 30 Million UK pounds at the time.Up until today many fishermen becsuse they were classed as casual labour had recieved nothing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 27 Oct 01 - 01:35 AM

I dont know wether I am alowed to copy things from the paper without asking them but I dont think they will mind. They have got a website it is www.thisishull.co.uk

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 27 Oct 01 - 04:32 AM

Thank you for that John -as a bleak reminder of what fishing really is about- today in Whitby there are flowers on the fish dock fence, following the death at the weekend of a young fisherman Mike Parkin, who was swept away to sea.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Ickle Dorrit's song 'Sparehand'
From: Fortunato
Date: 28 Oct 01 - 12:05 AM

Micca on tour
Ickle, Jeri did "Sparehand" from the stage at the Getaway in the Saturday night concert last w/e and it took my breath away!! she did your song justice,and no one can say fairer than that!! you would have LOVED it!!!