Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)

Subject: Lyrics reqd: 'Leaning'
From: GUEST,Lakeman
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 10:47 PM

There is a song I heard years ago on "My Music" (sung by the baritone I think)called, I am , "Leaning" or "Leanin'". It sounds as if it is from an old musical or perhaps a drawing room ballad.
There are sections I don't understand on the cassette copy I have. The chorus went:

"I'm Leaning on the gate beside the pond
That lies beside the hedge
Where my old dog would play...etc.

Does anyone have a complete knowledge of the verse and chorus. Nothing comes up on any search I've made. And while I'm here, who wrote it, when, etc. As much info as possible please.
Thankyou,
Lakeman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 11:53 AM

The BMI Repertoire lists a song called LEANING ON THE GATE by Anthony Pringle.

The Black Eagle Jazz Band recorded LEANING ON THE GATE on their album "Jersey Lightning," Stomp Off CD #1224, originally issued 1990, where it is credited to Tony Pringle, the leader of the band. I transcribed this from a sound sample at allmusic:

Sometimes I watch ... from yonder steeple
And sometimes I ...
Then it seems that before too very long
That nightingale has started his sweet song.
Although I lean, it's never too late....

The band has been in existence since 1971.

Does this sound like the song you're looking for?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: Snuffy
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 12:00 PM

I have vague memories of someone like Ian Wallace singing it many years ago on the telly or radio. Or maybe Owen Brannigan (sp?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: GUEST,Lakeman
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 06:25 PM

Thanks Jim, but that is not the song. Snuffy has it though. Yes, it was Ian Wallace on "My Music". As I mentioned, I have it on cassette but the words here and there are not understandable.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: Snuffy
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 08:18 AM

Lakeman,

If you post what you've got here, we may be able to remember (or find)the rest for you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 10:08 AM

Click here to download a 53-page pdf file that contains a detailed description of the BBC programme My Music. Here's a description of the episode that apparently contains the song you want: (Unfortunately, it doesn't identify the singer or songwriter, etc.)

Series Episode: S9E12
Broadcast Date: 1974.03.19
Program Details:
• Ballet Music: Pineapple Poll, Sandpaper Ballet/Leroy Anderson, Firebird/Stravinsky, Wobbly Walk (10-Nov-1927)
• Miscellaneous Questions: PSM/Passed School of Music, 16/33 1/3, 45/ 78 / 80 RPM on Gramophone Records, Bernstein 2nd Symphony/Age of Anxiety, Wagner's Ring
• Fiddler on the Roof, If I Were a Rich Man, Isaac Stern, Jerry Bock
• Recorded Music to be avoided in a Maternity Hospital
• Operatic Questions: La Donna Mobile, Verdi's Othello, Jussi Bjorling, Rigoletto
• Final Songs: In Old New York, Tom Bowling, On the Road to Mandelay, Leaning
Repeat Broadcast: KALW-FM, 2002-Dec-13, 27:02, 19,011KB, Stereo

allmusic lists several songs called LEANING. They are classified as New Age, Country, Gospel, Jazz, Rap, and Rock. Maybe you could listen to a few sound samples there and figure out which one you want (if any).

Subject: Lyr Add: LEANIN' (Wright/Bennett)
From: GUEST,Darryl Blackshaw
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 05:53 PM

The composer was Sterndale Bennett, a late 19th early 20th century singer/songwriter. When I was a child we had at home a 78rpm record of a once-famous baritone, Harold Williams singing this song. I also once had a copy of Ian Wallace's recording. I am a baritone myself and have sung this song on many occasions. The words are:

Hoein's pretty good, reapin' ain't so bad.
Scarin' off the crows suits a farmer's lad,
But if you akses I, the thing that suits a fellow
Is a little bit of straw to suck, to keep yer fancies mellow,
When yer leanin' on the gate beside the pond that lies beside the side a farmer's stack of new mown hay.
It's just betwixt the ricks
Beside the barn where farmer sticks
Inside the chicks he only hatched today.
Leanin' leanin'. I champion down our way
They say at leanin' on the gate that beside the pond that lies beside the side a farmer's stack of new mown hay,
That he's been gleanin', while I've been leanin'. All day.

Had a lurcher once, better than a gal.
Poacher? Well a bit, but he was a pal.
Now there's just a mound underneath the elum,
Reckon folks would laugh at I, if I was to tell 'em
Why I'm leanin' on the gate that beside the pond that lies beside the side a farmer's stack of new mown hay.
It's just because from there I see
The sunlight glintin' through the tree
Upon the grave where he do lie.
Sleepin', sleepin'. Goodbye is hard to say,
that's why I'm leanin' on the gate that beside the pond that lies beside the side a farmer's stack of new mown hay,
And at the gleanin' He'll find me leanin'. All day

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:12 AM

Harold Williams' 1927 recording of LEANIN' by T[homas] C[ase] Sterndale Bennett is on "Love's Old Sweet Song - 25 Great Singers in Popular Ballads," Asv Living Era CD #5130, 1994.

Sheet music (1926) is reprinted in "Boosey Ballad Album 2" London : Boosey & Hawkes, c1991.

T. C. Sterndale Bennett was the grandson of composer Sir William Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: GUEST,Darryl Blackshaw
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 04:36 PM

I have to admit to a couple mistakes (caused by excessive use of copy and paste) in the lyrics. There is a superfluous "that" after gate, and also the second verse should have the lines
"Now there's just a mound underneath the elum, reckon folks would laugh at I, if I was to tell 'em why I'm leanin' on the gate beside the pond that lies beside the side the hedge where my old dog would play."
Thanks to Jim Dixon for the info. re the Harold Williams recording. I don't think I can resist that one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: GUEST,Julian Hirst
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 04:43 PM

Go to Spotify and search for Owen Brannigan - Leanin' comes up top of the list. Its on an LP called Alan Titchmarsh/Radio2 Melodies for you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'Leaning'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Aug 09 - 01:33 PM

The catalogue of the National Library of Australia lists:

LEANIN'
Words by Hugh E. Wright; music by T. C. Sterndale Bennett.
London; Sydney: Boosey & Hawkes, c1926.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Lindsay
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 12:00 PM

Hi, I'm only 19 but I really love this song. I'm a carer and I go to a gentlemen that sings this song but I cant seem to find it anywhere to listen to it I mean x

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,John Gaunt 16/12/09
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 09:30 AM

Thank you to all contributers to this site. As a very young boy, I used to listen to this song(Leanin)on the 'wireless.' It always moved me greatly, having lost my dear old dog at the time. now in my 84th year, trying to find details of the song always proved fruitless until finally accessing this site.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Bernie Watts
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:01 PM

Can't put my finger on the album right now, but I do have the song Leanin' mentioned above. It's by that old music hall entertainer. Stanley Holloway.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Bernie Watts
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:09 PM

...and this is the bit we probably all can recall....

.........Had a lurcher once better 'an a gal
Poacher? well, a bit but 'e was just a pal
Now there's just a mound, underneath the ell-um
Folks 'ud surely laugh at I, if I was to tell 'em why...

...I'm leanin' on the gate beside the pond that lies beside
The side the hedge where my old dog would play
It's just a'cos from there I see the sunlight glintin' through the tree
Upon the grave where 'ee do lie
Sleepin', sleepin'
Goodbye is hard to say
That's why
I'm leanin' on the gate beside the pond that lies beside
The side of farmer's stacks of new-mown hay
And at the gleanin'
He'll find me leanin' ..... all day

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Frank Ravlen
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 03:32 AM

I too have been trying to obtain this on CD, I have an EMI long player vinyl which has this by Owen Brannigan. It's called The Golden Age of Ballads and Parlour Songs, Ref GX 2554 In this recording Brannigan refers to the dog as SHE and hearing it always brings a tear to my eyes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 07:51 AM

Have been looking for this one too, having heard it many years ago when it was sung by a BBC singer at a dinner I attended.
A version of it is on the music web site Spotify.   Leanin' is on the Album - "Alan Titchmarch/Radio 2 Melodies" for you, Alternatively search for Ernest Lush singing Leanin'
A wonderful song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Terry
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 08:26 AM

Whoops sorry did not read all the posts to see my info was duplication of previous info. Just glad to find the words though.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Mar 11 - 05:14 PM

There is another thread about this song: Req/Add: Leaning / Leanin'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,fpartington1'eircom.net
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 11:22 AM

The very beat version fo Leanin' is by the late Ian Wallace, an axtemely fine baritone singer if you would like to get in touch at the above email address i will tell you more
frnk

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Nick Pierpoint
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 10:07 AM

O wow I can't believe I have found this song.
My late father was a pianist and used to practise this with me. Alan Keith used to play it an odd time as the final piece on 100 best tunes on a Sunday night. Always brought a happy tear to my eye just like Ernest Luff singing O for the wings of a dove.
Anyhow I digress. Thank you all so much for the info

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Frankgos
Date: 09 Aug 13 - 01:11 PM

The Yetties made a recording of Leaning. They are retired now but many CDs are still available from the yetties.co.uk
I had thougt that Peter Dawson sang it but yes, Ian Wallace and Owen Brannigan ring bells.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,GTB
Date: 23 Feb 14 - 06:59 AM

this song suddenly popped into my head (as songs do) & its many years since I have heard it. Decided to google it & after about 5000 mentions of George formby (no problem with him but its not what I was after at this time) finally found it. Thanks to all for the words. I sing in folk clubs & I'll be performing it soon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST,Alan M Fildes.
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 10:17 AM

Amazing thanks for your help i remember my Granddad playing me a record of this beautiful and sad song in the mid 1950's never heard it since. Mentioned it to my youngest son and he said try google and here i am fantastic thanks to you all,just need to get a copy now.I am sure it will bring back great memories of my childhood.

Alan M Fildes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Leaning? / Leanin' (Wright, Bennett)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 May 15 - 06:28 AM

A dog Lover, who's best friend has just lost his companion dog.

I'm leaning on the gate beside the pond
which lies beside the hedge
were once my old dog did play. (next line eludes me)
Had a Lurcher once, better than a Gal, though he wasn't much,
he was my best pal.
Now he's just a mound underneath the El'm, reckon folks would laugh at I if I were to tell 'em why,
I'm leaning on the fence beside the pond which lies behind the hedge,
where farmer stacks his new mown hay.

This is as much as I can remember, hope it jogs another's memory.