Lyr Req: The North Wall (Dave Evardson)

Subject: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: rambling rose
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 05:04 PM

Can anyone help with this?

Its a wonderful song about Grimsby fishing industry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Crane Driver
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 05:13 PM

Great song:

And I ask the rain that rattles
All along the bleak North Wall
Could they not have left a little
Did they have to take it all?

Excellent version on John Conolly & Pete Sumner's "Trawlertown" CD. Contact the Chantey Cabin.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: nutty
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 05:16 PM

Can only manage the chorus ....... but you are right - it is a wonderful song
CHORUS
And I know with each new generation everything must change
Of the good things that we took for granted not much now remains
But I ask the rain that rattles all along the bleak north wall
Could they not have left a little
Did they have to take it all

This is from memory so I apologise if it's wrong

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 05:23 PM

Nothing with Google.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: rambling rose
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 05:47 PM

I've tried doing a search on Google and others.......I have the Trawlertown CD so will have a go at transcribing it myself if no-one can come up with them for me

Subject: Lyr Add: THE NORTH WALL (Dave Evardson)
From: Willa
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 06:13 PM

Hi, RR
Just played "Trawlertown", and this is the version John Connolly sings,

I went down dock this morning where I used to earn me pay,
And I walked by empty berths where deep-sea trawlers used to lay,
Where we fitted out their engines, the diesel and the steam,
But their mighty power is gone and now they're just an old man's dream.

And I ask the rain that rattles all along the bleak North Wall
Could they not have left a little? Did they have to take it all?

Now we hadn't long to turn 'em round; the fishing mustn't stop.
Aye, and when new parts were needed, well, we'd make 'em in the shop.
They were glorious, grand old ladies; maybe someone could explain
Why they're scrapped, or halfway round the world, and won't sail home again.

And I ask the rain that rattles all along the bleak North Wall
Could they not have left a little? Did they have to take it all?

I've drunk my fill with trawlermen with hands as hard as nails,
Who risked their lives for small reward and perished in the gales.
They were only casual labour, signing on from ship to ship,
So there was no compensation when they made the final trip.

And I ask the rain that rattles all along the bleak North Wall
Could they not have left a little? Did they have to take it all?

Now in its prime, the Dogger Bank was plundered night and day,
Not a thought for conservation; there were shareholders to pay.
They were not content with plenty, and their greed it knew no bounds.
Private enterprise prevailed, and finished off our fishing grounds.

And I ask the rain that rattles all along the bleak North Wall
Could they not have left a little? Did they have to take it all?
And I ask the rain that rattles all along the bleak North Wall
Could they not have left a little? Did they have to take it all?

but I heard it sung at Cleethorpes FF, and have heard it elsewhere, with the couple of lines Nutty gives (And I know with each new generation everything must change
Of the good things that we took for granted not much now remains)
included in the chorus before "And I ask the rain..."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: rambling rose
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 06:29 PM

Brilliant - thanks for that

I have heard it with those lines in it too - are they Dave Evardsons that he added later or that John Conolly forgot to put in do you think?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 07:42 PM

Johnny Collins does the version with the longer chorus (And I know with each new generation...), the verses substantially the same as those quoted above (but more than just slight textual differences - but I don't propose to quote them all unless anyone's desperate). He also has an extra verse at the end:

    Now all I'm left are memories of the diesel, oil and grime
    And the mucky, damp conditions that left me old before me time
    But the memories aren't all bitter, there were good times after all
    Still I think I'll not return again to this empty, bleak North Wall

Johnny's version is recorded on Now And Then ONTCD2002 and in the notes he adds: "I am very grateful to the lads in "Roaring Forties" and in particular to Geoff Miller for bringing this great song to my atttention"

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: gnomad
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 05:32 AM

Haven't heard him do it for a few years, but Dave Evardson himself certainly used to perform the longer version of the chorus.

The first person I heard do the shorter one was John Conolly, and I suspect the variation is his own, especially as he dropped the final verse given by MCP above.

Either way it's a fine and evocative song for anyone who saw the fishing industry in its death throes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: rambling rose
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 12:03 PM

Thanks to everyone who has helped - I'm sorted now unless anyone has any more verses to add???

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 07:18 AM

Dave & Julie played at Beverley last weekend and I have contact details if you want to contact me for them

R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 09:13 AM

Just to say that Dave and Julie Evardson will be appearing on Friday, 5th July, 2002 at Corringham Village Hall (near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire) in a concert as part of 'Lincolnshire Live 2002'. Also on the bill are Miranda Sykes (excellent singer/double bassist, member of the band 'Firebrand') and my good-self. Come along and get the words from the horse's mouth (sorry Dave, no offence!). Only costs a fiver.

JB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 09:14 AM

Oops! Should have also said 'Bring yer own booze'. JB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Sooz
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 03:19 PM

And its only £4!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 29 Jun 02 - 05:27 AM

Sorry Sooz, I always was cheap! JB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Sooz
Date: 29 Jun 02 - 07:03 AM

The ticket price reflects the level of subsidy not the quality of the artists! This concert is part of Gainsborough Folk Club's "Lincolnshire Live" project, funded by Awards For All and all of the ticket money goes to a local charity (Gainsborough Outreach Worldwide)Click here BTW Mr Stollin' I thought you were working today!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 29 Jun 02 - 07:19 AM

Sooz,

I am!! I'm here!! Still need an occasional break and a bit of R&R after that great night at Gainsborough Folk Club last night.

JB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Dave & Julie
Date: 05 Aug 02 - 05:46 PM

Dear friends, I'm not very good at self-advertising, but dipped into Mudcat only recently & was touched to see so much interest in The North Wall. It's based on a short poem by my Dad John (1921-1993), who was a trawler fitter on Grimsby docks. When retired I took him down dock & he was devastated by the desolation & inactivity there, compared to the hustle & bustle of the 50s & 60s. It was one of the last songs I made for Dad when he was alive, & I know it meant a lot to him. I'm extremely grateful to "Geoffs" Miller & Turner for helping proliferate the song, & to John Conolly & Pete Sumner, Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher, & Johnny Collins for recording it. (John & Pete's shorter chorus was used with my permission). If anyone's interested, we have CDs & a songbook with NW in it. E-mail us on [e-mail] if you'd like to know more. Thanks again. Dave.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Alio
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 04:25 AM

We've got a few of Dave and Julie's CD's, and they're all worth getting. He's written loads of excellent songs quite apart from North Wall. I have to say tho' that North Wall is the song which Geoff gets most asked to sing - it's everybody's favourite. Mine is Jimmy Lowe - it's really emotive. Keep on writing Dave! Ali

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: rambling rose
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 07:29 PM

Hello Dave and Julie

I managed to see you at Saddleworth FF - loved the songs and bought one of your CDs which I have listened to lots since I got home. I am a Grimsby girl and many of the lyrics remind me of how much the place has changed over the years. Thankyou

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 May 07 - 12:37 PM

Last night I was asked in the FILO Whitby, who had written this song and where the words could be gained from. So here you go Keith I suggested you look on Mudcat !!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall - Dave Evardson
From: Raggytash
Date: 09 May 07 - 03:27 PM

www.evardsong.com

Keith

please find website address above

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall (Dave Evardson)
From: GUEST,Caedmon Choir, The Sage, Gateshead
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 05:23 PM

We are fortunate that our Musical Director (Eleanor Mooney) is a lass from Grimsby and has introduced us to The North Wall with a beautiful folk-inspired arrangement.
It is a song we have not heard up here, but I am determined to add it to my repertoire as a solo singer around the North East clubs as it has great resonance to the plight shipbuilding on the Tyne and Wear.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The North Wall (Dave Evardson)
From: nutty
Date: 28 Mar 13 - 06:07 PM

Guest - I think you will find that Dave's song is sung extensively at Folk Clubs in general and Maritime sessions in particular, In fact, I can't believe that there are any regular folkies who haven't heard it.