Lyr Req: Anthony Riley (Fryman/Fisher)

Subject: Lyr Req: Anthony Riley (Fryman/Fisher)
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 11:31 AM

This song isn't in the DT, and Google can't find the lyrics. The Forum Search is still not working, so I can't check whether it's been requested before. If it has, my apologies. The words are by ex-miner Ivan Fryman, set to music by Archie Fisher.

A friend has asked for help with the fourth verse (he's managed to decipher the rest). My friend has been listening to an old Iain MacGillivray recording, but it has also been recorded by Hamish Imlach. Can anyone fill in the blanks please?:

Now it's in the newspapers splashed over the headlines
A capital story upon the front page
But there's blood on the girders................................
And weeping dependants go with the cortege

Subject: Lyr Add: ANTHONY RILEY (Fisher/Fryman)
From: weerover
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 11:45 AM

Here it is as I remember from the singing of John Watt:
^^
ANTHONY RILEY

As I made my way down the street to the colliery
As I to my work was a-making my way
I heard the sad news, and I heard the men talking
Young Anthony Reilly has worked his last day

And old Emlyn Williams lies dead in the fan-house
The roof has caved in and the sides they gave way
It'll be in the papers, splashed over the headlines
What a big coup the newshounds will pocket today

Willing hands to the rescue of poor stricken comrades
To move the big rocks and discover their fate
Upon the next payday there'll be a collection
Not a newspaper owner will be there to donate

It's in the newspapers, splashed over the headlines
A capital story upon the front page
But there's blood on the girders in the old Parker fan-house
And weeping dependents go with the cortege

When the coal merchant calls and you pay your good money
Count well the bags as he lays them aside
You'll be counting the cuts and the knocks and the bruises
You'll be counting the lives of the men who have died

wr

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Anthony Riley (Fryman/Fisher)
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 08:30 AM

Many thanks, weerover!

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Anthony Riley (Fryman/Fisher)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Feb 10 - 01:09 PM

According to Allmusic.com, Hamish Imlach sang ANTHONY RILEY on his album "The Definitive Transatlantic Collection" (1998). There, the song is attributed to "Fisher/Frieman."

There is precious little information on the Internet about this song, and there are inconsistencies. The song title might be spelled RILEY or REILLY and the poet's name might be Frieman or Fryman.

I can't find any evidence that Archie Fisher ever recorded the song himself.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Anthony Riley (Fryman/Fisher)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Aug 10 - 03:08 PM

Joe Cohen here.
email s

[e-mail]

Ivan Fryman was a friend of mine when I was still living in the UK,I am in the USA now,.HE KNEW LOTS OF OLD FOLK SONGS NOT JUST ABOUT MINERS BUT FROM HIS, AT THE TIME AGING MOTHER,.HE KNEW OLD FOLK JEWISH STUFF IN ENGLISH.GREW UP IN CHEETHAM HILL. LAST KNOWN TO ME IN HEBDON BRIDGE,.HE WILL BE MY AGE IN HIS 70 TIES LOVE TO HERE FROM HIM IF HE IS ALIVE