Origins: Songs sung by Tom Topping Band

Subject: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Peterr
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 10:28 AM

I'm trying to find who wrote certain songs Ive heard on an old Tom Topping Band recording. Among them are 'Cold on the road tonight', 'Lift those sails', and 'Emma don't you cry'.
I've called the songs by those names as the words are included in the chorus of each one, but the real titles I have no idea of.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:02 AM

The 'Emma' could be Rolling Down to Old Juliana in the DT.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:03 AM

Oops, sorry. File says shanty, so I'm assuming it's Trad.......

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:07 AM

Could you give lyric snippets for the other 2?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Peterr
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:43 AM

Snippets for Sorcha

Jack Frost is painting cobbled streets
His brush is touching all it meets
His canvas is as far as you can see.
His palette is a little bare
You'll only find one colour there
A whitewashed world hangs in the gallery
Chorus
It's cold on the road tonight
So far from the fireside and the warmth of a welcome light
It's cold on the road tonight.

and

On the first day of May our ship set sail on a voyage to last the year round
To plunder the gold that the crew had been told east of the Indies abounds.
The crew were handpicked and invited to sail by the gentlemen of the press gang
While drinking their ale, then the cat of nine tails said
Aboard or by God you'll hang.
It was anchor aweigh at the break of the day
And the cold sun filled the sky
The captain stood on the deck of the ship
With a glass to his one good eye.
Chorus
So lift those sails, lads, or you'll never see England again.
Heave lads, bale, lads
Til your last breath blows and your'e dead to your toes
Or you'll never see England again.
(OK so it's a bit corny, but great to sing)
and
Chorus
Emma don't you cry now, don't you shed one single tear
For all you believed it was true.
Trust me when I dry your eyes and whisper in your ear
'He was never good enough for you'

All 3 very different songs - wish you could hear the tunes - so does anyone recognise them?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 11:59 AM

Well crud. Even the lyrics were no help. Sorry. George? Masato?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: harvey andrews
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:23 PM

The songs are by Colin, the bass player with Tom. When I'm off line I'll check with Tom and give a fuller reply.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: harvey andrews
Date: 24 Jul 03 - 02:34 PM

Checked with Mrs Topping. "Cold on the road" is by Colin Henderson, bass player and fine songwriter with the Tom Topping band.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cold on the road tonight
From: Peterr
Date: 25 Jul 03 - 04:39 AM

Harvey
Many thanks for the information. I was so impressed by Tom Topping when I heard the tape many years ago that I've been trying on + off to find out more about them. Well known up north, no doubt, but in the remote SW we don't get that many visiting artists.
We did get Sid Kipper earlier in the year......

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs sung by Tom Topping Band
From: GUEST,barrys
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 03:16 AM

Hi The three Tom Topping songs you asked about,
1 Emma don't you cry now, is titled---------- EMMA
2 Cold on the road tonight, is titled-------- COLD ON THE ROAD
3 Lift those sails lads or you'll never see
   England again, is titled---------------------SPANISH GOLD
I first heard them about 33/34 years ago watching TTB supporting Arlo Guthrie at the Glenda Jackson theatre in Liverpool along with Dennis Littler, bass player with the Houghton Weavers. Watching the band playing in Billinge, Dennis asked Colin for permission for Hard Times to perform those songs and did so on many occasions always finishing a gig with Cold On The Road. Funnily enough not having done them for many years my son and l were running through those three particular songs last night Hope this has been of use to you... Mind you, down in the South West you have got Johnny Cowling Although a different genre a brilliant entertainer

Subject: RE: Origins: Songs sung by Tom Topping Band
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 24 Apr 14 - 04:56 AM

I have a brilliant EP which I have just put on to my iPod which has 'Roll Alabama Roll!' - brilliant