Tune Req: The Old Threshing Mill

Subject: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing MIll'
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 08:47 AM

Hiya,

A chum of mine has been requested to sing something called "The Old Threshing Mill"; he has the lyrics, but lacks a tune and/or sheet music for it.

Anyone???

Thanks in advance for any assistance this eminent assemblage might be able to offer!

D

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing MIll'
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 09:26 AM

It was recorded by the Irish folk group Brier and is on their Sicknote CD

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing MIll'
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 12:04 PM

The tune is known as Vilikins and Dinah or possibly Vilikins and his Dinah.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing MIll'
From: MMario
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 12:05 PM

or in the states - Sweet Betsy from Pike

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing MIll'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 12:06 PM

Anybody have lyrics to this one? It may also be called "The Old Thrashing Mill," and the songwriter name may be Duggan. Foster & Allen recorded it.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Add: THE OLD THRESHING MILL
From: MartinRyan
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 03:28 PM

Joe

Here's a set from the Web:

The Old Threshing Mill

As I walked down the road on this fine autumn morn'
I can see the great combine collecting the corn
And my mind wanders back in a moment of joy
To the day of the thresher when I was a boy

All over the valley you could hear the strange sound
Of that mighty machine on its annual round
All the men in the town land would follow at will
And they'd all lend a hand with the old threshin' mill

So boil up the bacon and the cabbage that's green
Have plenty of spuds laced with butter between
For eight empty bellies will soon need a fill
For it makes a man hungry, the old threshing mill

There were two on the thresher and two on the stack
And the man with the fork kept the straw flyin' back
There were bottles of porter and plenty of fags
And old Larry Andy looked after the bags

Then a few of the boys built the straw in the reek
While the young ones were found playing hide-and-go-seek
And myself and my brother with the dogs and the cats
Had the time of our lives chasing after the rats

So boil up the bacon and the cabbage that's green
Have plenty of spuds laced with butter between
For eight empty bellies will soon need a fill
For it makes a man hungry, the old threshin' mill

But the times keep on changing and nothing stands still
Larry Emdy is gone like his old threshin' mill
And the most of the workers I knew as a child
Have reaped the great harvest for which they have toiled

No more in the valley we'll hear that machine
For just like the corn crate they're gone from the scene
But it makes me feel sad as I dream of it still
For I long for the dear sound of the old threshin' mill

So boil up the bacon and the cabbage that's green
Have plenty of spuds laced with butter between
For eight empty bellies will soon need a fill
For it makes a man hungry, the old threshin' mill
For it makes a man hungry, the old threshin' mill

I see a few fairly obvious minor errors/typos there - but it will do for a start

Regards

p.s. Found it HERE

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing Mill'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 07:55 PM

Thanks, Martin. I looked, but didn't have any luck.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing Mill'
From: Snuffy
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 05:16 AM

The tune recorded by Brier is NOT Master McGrath (a.k.a. Villikins, a.k.a. Sweet Betsy), but I suppose it would fit.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing Mill'
From: GUEST,Tonydoh
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 12:54 PM

Hi Martin

I don't know how to work this site, so I've replied to you instead of elsewhere,

Here are what I think are more correct words to the Old Threshing Mill by Brier in verse order of your printout..:
1st verse - ..walk.. not walked
I see.. not I can see
2nd v. - you'd hear the great sound...
OH the men in the valley...
..a hand AT the old threshing mill.
5th v. - a reek
..lives AS WE MURDERED the rats
7th V. - Larry ANDY.. NOT EMDY
8th V. - Just like the corncrake (bird)
OH it makes me feel sad..
For I LOVED the dear sound..
Then in the chorus they seem to sing For "ale-empty bellies.." (Larry Andy had bottles of porter..) if that makes sense.
Regards, Tony Doherty

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing Mill'
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Apr 07 - 02:49 PM

Thanks, Andy - I never got round to fixing the errors in that version, which I nicked from the Web somewhere long-forgotten.

I'd go along with all your suggestions, with the sole exception of the bellies! I've always heard it as "eight" - the word "ale" is unlikely to be used in that way in Ireland, in my expereince.

Regards
p.s. I used to count corncrakes many years ago - never had occasion to count crates....

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tune for 'The Old Threshing Mill'
From: Barry Finn
Date: 15 Jul 08 - 11:54 AM

I know this by a tune different from Master McGrath (a.k.a. Villikins, a.k.a. Sweet Betsy).
So I can tell you what it ain't but ot what it is. Sorry

But it is a great tune & a great song

Barry

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Old Threshing Mill
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 08:02 AM

Bardis Music, an Irish music publisher, says John Duggan wrote THE OLD THRESHING MILL. It's on his album "The Greatest of the Gael." It's also on Foster & Allen's "The Greatest Hits."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Old Threshing Mill
From: GUEST,John Lynch
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 08:36 AM

For versions recorded by Irish artists, the melody to the verses would be similar to those of the Scottish song, The River Clyde, though the chorus melodies (of both) are somewhat different.

To me, the best recording of this song was made by West Clare singer, PJ Murpihy and can be found on his album, Bygone Days and for which he had a stellar line-up of Cork musicians; Matt Cranitch, Dave Hennessy and Matt's sister Brid.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: The Old Threshing Mill
From: GUEST,John Lynch
Date: 27 Jul 18 - 07:10 PM

Correcting a typo, PJ Murrihy is the singer's name I referred to.

Also, the chorus of the song usess the same melody as the second half of each verse, unlike that of Song of the Clyde.