Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where

Subject: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: weerover
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 12:55 PM

I posted this request on another thread but realise it may not reach target. I have the words of this poem but recently found it has had a tune put to it. Anyone have it (preferably .abc)?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: Midchuck
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 01:19 PM

Are you talking about the old one (about Thomas Russell) or the new one (by Thomas Russell)?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: weerover
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 01:33 PM

Old one (by Florence Wilson, I think). Don't have it to hand, but some of the words went something like "...nobody deemed him friend, nor damned him foe..."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 02:34 PM

Weerover, the lyrics you speak about were posted in this thread and identified as a recitation. I'd guess it has also been put to mucic.
It gets very confusing when we're dealing with two entities with the same title, especially since the Florence Wilson poem and the Tom Russell song have some interrelation. I'd say it's generally best to post a tune request in a thread where the lyrics have already been posted - but that's my personal opinion, not official policy.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: belfast
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 03:27 PM

I gather from an earlier thread that Tom Hickland (formerly of Five Hand Reel) put a tune to this poem. I don't think it was ever posted.

I did the same myself once but I haven't written it as abc. I'll put a trace on this thread and, with any luck, I'll have something done by the weekend. Bear in mind though that a lot of people would regard it as bordering on sacrilege to perform this piece as other than a spoken recitation. Preferably in the accents of County Down. The north of that county. The bit around Comber. They (we) can be very picky.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: Big Tim
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 03:35 PM

It was on the FHR album "Bunch of Fives", Topic, 1979, now deleted. Sadly my copy recently got damaged, however I know where to access a another copy. If all else fails weerover, I can sing it for you! It's a great tune, and great words, and deserves to be better known.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: weerover
Date: 12 Nov 02 - 04:17 PM

Belfast,

When in County Kerry for the first time (over 20 years ago) a couple of local guys heard my (Scottish) accent and asked what part of Ulster I came from, so I might just get away with the ould County Down bit. Big Tim, might take you up on your offer some time if I can't get something I can write down.

Subject: Tune Add: THE MAN FROM GOD KNOWS WHERE
From: belfast
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 11:09 AM

When I lived in London, before the accent from the north of Ireland became well known, I was occasionally taken for Scottish. I nearly said "accused of being Scottish". My remarks about the "correct" accent were not serious.

I really will have to find a copy of that "Bunch of Fives" album. I notice that on this line-up of Five Hand Reel Dick Gaughan is not present but Sam Bracken (afine singer and excellent guitartist) is there.

I've heard "The Man From God Knows Where" sung to variations of traditional airs and found myself cobbling together a tune for my own uses. And I still have reservations about putting any tune to this poem.   

I make no great claims for this melody. It is somewhat predictable and derivative but it has a couple of good points, one being that the range is one octave -convenient for a song of this length

X:1
T: The Man From God Knows Where
M: 2/4
Q:1/4=40
K:Dm
A/c/|"Dm"dd|"C"cc/c/|"Dm"dd|"Am"AA/c/|"Dm"dd|"C"e/d/c|"Dm"d2|zA/c/|
"Dm"dd|"C"cc|"Dm"dd|"Am"AA/c/|"Dm"dd|"C"ee|"F"f/g/f|"A"ef/e/|
"Dm"d/d/d|"C"ec|"Dm"d2|zf/g/|
"F"a>a|af|"C"g/a/g|gf/g/|"Dm"ad|dc/=B/|"Am"cd|AA/c/|
"Dm"dd/d/|"C"e/d/c|"Dm"d3

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: Big Tim
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 12:50 PM

I'm not a musician so I can't comment on the tech merits of he FHR melody: all I know is that I like it a lot, mind you it was my first contact with the lyrics: I didn't know it previously as a poem.

I now know that the poem is very popular as a recitation (it is included in The Irish Reciter along side poems by Yeats and other major poets) but I think accompanying music makes it more accessible. As far as I can make out, the FHR version was largely overlooked, pity. I think it will surface again and eventually become established as a classic ballad as well as a classic poem and recitation, it certainly will if I have any say in the matter.                                          

Tommy Makem recorded a god-awful, in my opinion - better add that!, spoken version of it a couple of years ago.
There is also a parody of the poem, not the song, about Gusty Spence.

According to Bobby Eaglesham, the melody was written mainly by Tom Hickland, but is credited officially to all the guys in the band as it was also a bit of a joint effort. Dick Gaughan left the band the previous year and had nothing to do with this album or song. Both Sam B. and Tom H. are alive and well and both living in England.

Belfast, I hope to have a replacement copy of the FHR album in my greedy little hands soon: I'd be happy to share it with you, no problem. I'd love to hear your melody too.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: belfast
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 02:54 PM

I share your admiration of this poem. It's a remarkable piece of work and I especially like the fact that this essential Republican text was written by a Protestant woman about Protestants. And it is strange to imagine that the places mentioned in the poem, Saintfield, Kilkeel etc. were once hotbeds of revolution and sedition. Ican't think of a narrative poem that I admire more.

I have no great opinion of the later work of Tommy Makem and I'll say no more than that.

Glad to hear that Tom Hickland and Sam Bracken are both alive and well.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: weerover
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 01:45 AM

Thanks, Belfast.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: GUEST,oliphant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 08:05 AM

'Belfast' is undervaluing his contribution here. I have been listening to and working at the tune he has submitted, which he has described as 'derivative and predictable'. Certainly it feels familiar but I for one can't place its origins. This is, as they say, a Good Thing. And it's written for a seven line stanza. I don't see how it could be called predictable. Finally, it can be sung a capella (or even with a quiet bodhran ) and it works well. For me this is a useful way to judge the quality of a melody.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: Big Tim
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 10:05 AM

Well: no one likes to blow their own trumphet too much, plus, most people are uncertain of the quality of anything they create, except possibly for geniuses, until is has gained critical acclaim or public approval. Hopefully we can, between us, also get the FHR tune in abc format soon.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: GUEST,oliphant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 01:04 PM

Sorry, misread belfast's posting. Hadn't realised it was his own work. And naturally he's entitled to his opinion but I stick with my comments...Well done!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Man from God Knows Where
From: GUEST,oliphant
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 01:05 PM

And I'll look forward to hearing the frh version