Lyr Req: Channels (Graham Penny)

Subject: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Sooz
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 10:46 AM

Does anyone have the lyrics to Channels by Graham Penny?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: GUEST,Guest - Helen
Date: 24 Jun 02 - 02:35 PM

Dear Sooz.

"Channels" has been recorded by Mick Ryan & Pete Harris on a CD entitled The Widow's Promise, catalogue TERR CD0011. I have a copy (and it's very good!) - but has no lyrics printed. If you don't manage to track down either the CD or Graham himself let me know and I'll try and be more helpful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 05 Jul 02 - 02:47 AM

refresh

Subject: Lyr Add: CHANNELS (Graham Penny)
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 05 Jul 02 - 02:05 PM

Ok - here are the lyrics as I hear them, but I would feel happier if someone could check them with Graham himself before quoting them.

Well its nearly six months to the day lads,
When the anchor was straight up and down.
And we waved our farewells at the quayside,
As we sailed out from Southampton Town.
Now I can't say that it's been a good trip this time,
The old man has given us Hell.
Watchkeepers slaved while the day workers skived.
I think next time I'll sign
W ith the P & O Line.

Chorus:
But now we're on the downhill run,
Southampton, here we come.
Twenty four hours and then,
There'll be tears, there'll be kisses,
For the kids and the Missus,
I'm getting the channels again.

Now the life in the engine department,
Is much tougher than most people think.
At the end of your watch you are shattered,
You just crash out when you've had a drink.
Now if I had a nice cushy number,
Same as the Lekky, or even the mate.
Or the purser .. now pursers, well, they're all the same,
They've got cash on the brain,
Sell their grannies for gain.

In the morning we'll be at the Island,
And the junior watch we'll arouse.
And we'll slow to take on the sea pilot,
For the run from the Needles to Cowes.
Now the rummagers with him are really bad news,
A scruffier lot I've not seen.
The rummagers rummage wherever they choose,
And your job you can lose
If they find all your booze,

Now me gear has all been to the cleaners,
I've filled in my customs form too.
So we might as well start on the pour out,
Till tomorrow there's no more to do.
Now we'll slow down at Fawley, it won't be long then
Till we're passing the Old School of Nav.
We'll be signing off articles round about ten,
Down the gangway and then,
We'll be shore side again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Sooz
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 12:13 PM

I'm having another go at these lyrics. I agree with the above (Thanks Helen) but I'm not sure about these two lines in the last verse.
Now we'll slow down at Fawley, it won't be long then
Till we're passing the Old School of Nav.
Can anybody help?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: GUEST,Sooz(at work)
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 05:19 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 13 Aug 04 - 02:09 PM

My ex-husband did the recording of that song on Forest Tracks i have just contacted him to send me the words for you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Sooz
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 05:22 AM

My breath is baited!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 07:37 AM

if you pm me your e-mail address SOOZ I CAN SEND YOU A COPY OF THE WORDS
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 08:44 AM

Why not post the lyrics here?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 09:11 AM

The above lyrics are the same as given to me by Ken Stevens of Southampton. I know this doesn't make them right but however he does know Graham.

Don't know if that's any help at all

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 18 Aug 04 - 10:52 AM

I know Ken Stevens and Graham Penny personnally.The lyrics have been sorted and given the to the person who requested them.
Thanks for refreshing the thread

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 10:40 PM

Scooby Doo: I'll repeat my question, elaborating a bit to make my reason more clear:

Are the lyrics you have different from the ones already posted? If so, why not post them here?

When I post lyrics here, I figure I'm not only doing it for the person who requested them; I'm also doing it for posterity, that is, for the benefit of people who might search for them in the future.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 03:10 AM

Sooz, I think it's the old scholl at Hythe (on the west bank of So'ton water, opposite So'ton). That area's me old stamping ground.
JB :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 03:11 AM

And it's a SCHOOL, not a sandal! Dyslexic fingers again.
JB :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 04:29 AM

The old school of nav= at present a country park on the right side of solent water,before that it was the old school of navigation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 22 Aug 04 - 04:47 AM

Yep, Netley. Been there many-a-time. My ex-out-laws lived close to it and I've sailed the Solent a great deal. But I've always heard it as Hythe when someone's sung the song at our club. Might be my cloth-ears getting it wrong - help us out someone, before we descend from debate into acrimony!! LOL

SJ :0)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From:
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 04:16 AM

I'm afraid it is 'The Old School of Nav.'

Graham Penny

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: Sooz
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 04:52 AM

At last!!! Thanks Graham (it is a lovely song)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: RTim
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 02:57 PM

I know this song pretty well and I was born in Totton and some of my family currently live in Hythe, and like Graham, I was a resident singer at The Fo'cs'le in Southampton years gone by - BUT!!
I have always wanted to know what "THE POUR OUT" meant in the final verse of this song?

Tim Radford

Subject: Lyr Add: CHANNELS (Graham Penny)
From: GRex
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 02:06 PM

Here is the arrangement that I sing:

1. Well it's nearly three months to the day now
When the anchor was straight up and down
And we waved our farewells to the quayside
As we sailed out from Southampton Town
I can't say that it's been a good trip this time
The OLD Man has given us hell
Well the watchkeepers slaved while the day workers skived
I think next time I'll sign with the P & O Line

CHORUS: Now we're on the downhill run
Southampton here we come
Twenty-four hours and then
There'll be tears; there'll be kisses
The kids and the missus
I'm getting the channels again

2. Now life in the engine department
Is as tough as the oil is black
When you've finished yer trip you are shattered
And you swear that you'll never go back
If I had a nice cushy number
Same as the lekky or even the mate
Or the purser; pursers, well they're all the same
Got cash on the brain; sell their grannies for gain

3. By morning we'll be at the Island
And the junior watch we'll arouse
Then we'll slow to take on the sea pilots
For the run from the Needles to Cowes
The rummagers with us, well they're bad news
A scruffier lot I've not seen
Yes, the rummagers rummage wherever they choose
And your job you can lose if they find all your booze

4. Well me gear is all back from the cleaners
And I've filled out Customs Forms too
Though we might as well start on the fourhouse
Till tomorrow there's no more to do
We'll slow down at Fawley, it won't be long then
Till we're passing the old School of Nav'
We'll be signing off articles 'round about ten
Down the gangway, then we'll be shoreside again


I took the words from Graham's singing with his folk group 'Contraband' on a cassette tape "Both Sides of the Coin"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels by Graham Penny
From: GRex
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 02:09 PM

Whoops, I've pressed the wrong keyand and didn't sign off.

I hope that I got the correct words as I'm a bit lacking in the hearing department

       Keep singing

             GRex

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels (Graham Penny)
From: GUEST,Captain Steve Gammage
Date: 08 Jun 12 - 11:22 AM

The "Pour out" is the cracking of the "Docking bottle" a bit earlier than it should have been opened: the bottle of duty-free spirits a seaman had purchased under bond (tax-free) to take ashore, but had decided to drink with his shipmates the night before the crew paid off in the home port. I remember many fond farewells to shipmates after a pour-out, but not so fondly the next day hangovers, while travelling home.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels (Graham Penny)
From: RTim
Date: 24 Mar 20 - 06:13 PM

I just got the sad news today - That Graham died on Sunday

A man of great talent.....

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels (Graham Penny)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 07:26 PM

Sorry to learn of Graham Penny's passing.

The "Contraband" cassette mentioned above (GRex,10 Mar 10) which includes the "Channels" song appears to be available from Forest Tracks as a CD-R.

http://www.forest-tracks.co.uk/folk_music_pages/folk_music_contraband.html

Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels (Graham Penny)
From: RTim
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 07:30 PM

Unfortunately.....Forest Tracks has been Wound Up following Paul Marsh's death in April 2010.... so there is NO point in contacting them...there is no one there...

Tim Radford (whose own CD's on the label are only available from me, and I only have a few left!!!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Channels (Graham Penny)
From: RTim
Date: 27 Mar 20 - 07:31 PM

That should be - Since April 2018...

Tim