Gordon Bok's Ways of Man

Subject: Gordon Bok's Ways of Man
From:
Date: 03 Sep 98 - 09:44 PM

I am trying to find a CD or tape of Gordon Bok's Ways of Man. I understand it contains his rendition of Eric Bogle's song No Mans Land.

If anyone can help me verify this and locate a tape or CD, I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Hugh McGuire [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Gordon Bok's Ways of Man
From:
Date: 03 Sep 98 - 09:59 PM

I may have a tape of it in my collection. I'm not at home to check it right now. Email me if you're interested. My brother might have the LP from which I made the tape if he hasn't yet tossed it.

Subject: RE: Gordon Bok's Ways of Man
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Sep 98 - 10:23 PM

THE CD AND CASSETTE ARE DEFINITELY AVAILABLE AT THE FOLK LEGACY WEBSITE.

[e-mail],
It's sad that your first thought was to dub it. Do you "rob alot" ???

Art

Subject: RE: Gordon Bok's Ways of Man
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 98 - 05:40 AM

Click here to get to Folk-Legacy Records. I don't know if they have that particular album still available. The song "The Ways of Man" is available on a CD from Bok, Muir, and Trickett - I think it's on the 'first 15 Years" collection. Hope you find what you're looking for.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WAYS OF MAN (Gordon Bok)
From: Stewie
Date: 14 May 07 - 02:31 AM

^^^
THE WAYS OF MAN
(Gordon Bok)

The ways of man are passing strange
He buys his freedom and he counts his change
Then he lets the wind his days arrange
And he calls the tide his master

First chorus:
Ah, the days, ah, the days
Ah, the fine long summer days
The fish come rolling in the bays
And he swore he'd never leave me

But the days grow short and the year gets old
And the fish won't stay where the water's cold
And if they're going to fill the hold
They've got to go offshore to find them

First chorus

So they go outside on the raving deep
And they pray the Lord their soul to keep
But the waves will roll them all to sleep
And the tide will be their keeper

First chorus

Second chorus:
Ah, the tide, oh, the tide
Ah, you dark and you bitter tide
If I can't have him by my side
I guess I'll have to leave him

First chorus

I gave you one, I gave you two
The best that rotten old boat could do
You won't be happy till I give you three
But I'll be damned if you'll get me

First chorus

Third chorus:
Oh, the tide, ah, the tide
Oh, you dark and you bitter tide
If I can't have him by my side
The water's welcome to him


Ah, Lord, I know that the day will come
When one less boat comes slogging home
I don't mind knowing that he'll be the one
But I can't spend my whole life praying

First chorus

I gave you one, I gave you two
The best that poor old boat could do
You'd have it all before you're through
Well, I've got no more to give you

First chorus

Repeat stanza 1.

Source: Bok, Muir and Trickett 'The First Fifteen Years Vol I' Folk Legacy CD-1003

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Ways of Man
From: Susan of DT
Date: 14 May 07 - 06:57 AM

This one is already in the DT, Stewie.
You are keeping me busy harvesting this morning.

Subject: RE: Gordon Bok's Ways of Man
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Apr 17 - 04:23 AM

Although we have the lyrics in the Digital Tradition, here is the transcription from the Gordon Bok Website, http://www.timberheadmusic.com/disc/waysofman.htm

The Ways of Man

© 1977 Gordon Bok, BMI

 

I wrote this song while doing the music for a public television documentary on the maritime history of Maine called "Home to the Sea." It became the theme song, with Ann Mayo Muir singing the full version of the song at the end of the film. If it sounds bitter, remember that the day is late and not the fate of the small fisherman on the Northeast coast looks even darker than it did before. There's no subsidy here for the "little fellow" – only more paperwork.

 

The ways of man are 'passing strange
He buys his freedom and he counts his change
Then he lets the wind his days arrange
And he calls the tide his master.

Oh, the days, oh the days,
Oh, the fine long summer days.
The fish come rolling in the bays
And he swore he'd never leave me.

But the days grow short and the year gets old
And the fish won't stay where the water's cold,
And if they're going to fill the hold
They've got to go offshore to find them.

So they go outside on the raving deep
And they pray the Lord their soul to keep
But the waves will roll them all to sleep
And the tide will be their keeper.

Oh, the tide, oh, the tide,
Oh, you dark and you bitter tide.
If I can't have him by my side,
I guess I have to leave him.

I gave you one, I gave you two:
The best that rotten old boat could do.
You won't be happy till I give you three,
But I'll be damned if you'll get me.

Oh, the tide, oh, the tide,
Oh, you dark and you bitter tide.
If I can't have him by my side,
The water's welcome to him.

Ah, Lord, I know that the day will come
When one less boat comes slogging home.
I don't mind knowing that he'll be the one,
But I can't spend my whole life praying.

I gave you one, I have you two:
The best that poor old boat could do;
You'll have it all before you're through –
Well, I've got no more to give you.

(repeat first first)


The Ways of Man is recorded on the Bok, Muir, & Trickett albums First Fifteen Years Vol I and Ways of Man, and is also in the songbook One to Sing, One to Haul

Subject: RE: Gordon Bok's Ways of Man
From: bbc
Date: 22 Apr 17 - 07:30 AM

Great song!

bbc