Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)

Subject: WHALE SONG
From:
Date: 13 Feb 99 - 11:53 PM

I'M LOOKING FOR THE WORDS TO A SONG THAT HAS A CHORUS THAT GOES SOMETHING LIKE:

'BEND YA BACKS AND ROW ME LADS AND TAKE ME TO ME WHALE'

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WHALE
From: Ted from Australia
Date: 14 Feb 99 - 07:54 AM

Here ya go cobber:

THE WHALE

 (Am)		(G)		(Am)
  Di Di Di Di Da Di De Di Di
  (Am)						(G)		(Am)
  They sailed from port one morning. The weather it was fair.
  					     (G) 	      (Am)
  A gentle breeze it pushed them and no one gave a care.
  				(Am7) 			D 		(E)
  They sang and danced and laughed that night and opened up a keg.
  	(Am) 					      (G)
  They're out to catch the monster whale that took the captain's...
  (Am)	 	 (G) 	      (Am)
  Di Di Di Di Da Di DE Di Di

The Captain said, "A piece of gold for him who sees me whale."
So bend your backs and row, me boys. I know that we won't fail

CHORUS (CHORDS AS VERSE 1):
So bend your backs and row, me lads, and take me to me whale.
Tonight we'll sing and dance and tomorrow night we'll sail.
We'll sail into the harbour. No prouder man there'll be.
We'll show them all we captured the monster from the...
Di Di Di Di Da Di DE Di Di

They saw the whale one morning. The weather it was fair.
The men were white as ghosts. The Captain didn't care.
"I'll take this whale meself," he cried. "The weak can stay behind.
The strong can share my glory and tonight they'll share my...
Di Di Di Di Da Di DE Di Di

The whale it came so close, it was bigger than the sky.
They lowered down the longboat and they heard the captain cry:
CHORUS

The whale it came so close, it almost tipped the boat.
The captain took his spear and he rammed it down its throat.
The whale it gave a mournful cry and tifted its great tail
And brought it down a-crushing their small boat like a gale.

(SPOKEN) Now 100 years have passed since the captain and his men
Went down to spend their days in Davy Jones's den.
The whale it goes on living but inside it bears a scar,
And if you're ever near that place a voice calls from afar:

CHORUS TWICE, LAST LINE:
We'll show them all we captured the monster from the sea.

Subject: RE: WHALE SONG
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 14 Feb 99 - 07:38 PM

I have only ever heard this sung by an Australian group from the 70's called The Ants (who wore brightly coloured boiler suits). I was always under the impression that they wrote it. A group that I was in played it a couple of times - I suspect our lyrics were learned from radio air play.

Regards
John

Subject: RE: WHALE SONG
From:
Date: 04 Mar 99 - 04:33 AM

Cheers, big ears

Subject: RE: WHALE SONG
From: GUEST,Nev
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 06:42 AM

Thanks from me too. I'm hoping to play this at a dance soon.
Nev

Subject: RE: WHALE SONG
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 09:36 AM

It does seem to have a more contemporary ring to it.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: WHALE SONG
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 11:33 AM

It sounds to me like the basic premise was lifted from Moby-Dick. The gold piece, the leg, the captain's vendetta....

Subject: RE: WHALE SONG
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 12:17 AM

G'day Rapaire, Charley (... Ted ... John ... Uncle Tom Cobbley & all ...),

The song was written late '60s / early '70s by two blokes from down the Illawarra region, south of Sydney. I don't have the text and details handy, but it was recorded by a few Australian (and the odd American ... ?) groups in the '70s.

Rapaire is right about it being a straight lift of the story line of Moby Dick ... but those good old stories can make for good songs (Right, eh, Charley?).

I'll try to find more details of the authors (I heard one of them at the Australian Folk Festival at Kiama ... about 5 years back) so we can get it right - after I get home tonight.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: THE WHALE (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:21 AM

G'day again,

Here's full reply to a local query (about 1½ years back) for words and background on The Whale:

The Whale
(Terry Fielding and Fred Dyer)

(Am) Di Di Di Di Da (G) Di DE Di (Am)Di

(Am) They sailed from port one morning; the (G) weather it was (Am) fair.
A gentle breeze it pushed them and (G) no one gave a (Am) care.
They sang and danced and (Am7) laughed that night and (D) opened up a (E) keg.
They're (Am) out to catch the monster whale that (G) took the captain's ...
(Am) Di Di Di Di Da (G) Di DE Di (Am)Di

(Am) The Captain said "a piece of gold for (G) him who sees me (Am) whale.
So bend your backs and row me boys I (G) know that we won't (Am) fail".
Chorus (chords as Verse 1)
So bend your backs and row me lads and take me to me whale.
Tonight we'll sing and dance and tomorrow night we'll sail.
We'll sail into the harbour; no prouder man there'll be;
We'll show them all we captured the monster from the ...
Di Di Di Di Di Da Di Di

They saw the whale one morning - the weather it was fair.
The men were white as ghosts, the Captain didn't care.
"I'll take this whale meself", he cried, "the weak can stay behind
The strong can share my glory and tonight they'll share my ..."
Di Di Di Di Di Da Di Di

The whale it came so close it was bigger than the sky -
They lowered down the longboat and they heard the captain cry:
Chorus
Bend your backs and row me lads and take me to me whale.
Tonight we'll sing and dance and tomorrow night we'll sail.
We'll sail into the harbour no prouder man there'll be;
We'll show them all we captured the monster from the ...
Di Di Di Di Di Da Di Di

Chorus
The whale it came so close it almost tipped the boat -
The captain took his spear and he rammed it down its throat.
The whale it gave a mournful cry and lifted its great tail -
And brought it down a'crushing their small boat like a gale!

(spoken)
Now 100 years have passed since the Captain and his men
Went down to spend their days in Davy Jones's den.
The whale it goes on living - but inside it bears a scar
And if your ever near that place, a voice calls from afar ...

Chorus twice, last line:
We'll show them all we captured the monster from the sea.

I got the definitive reply on this song from Russ Hannah - universal organiser /stage manager /folk club doer from the Illawarra Region (south of Sydney):

"The Whale was written by Terry Fielding and Fred Dyer and produced as a single in 1972 when it reached the top five in the national charts (It could have been on top in some charts). It was followed by another single called The Ghost. Terry Fielding in fact did live in the Illawarra (I think at Corrimal).

... In 1992 EMI produced their first album (on Axis) called Fielding and Dyer #7243 8 14786 2 2. Terry appeared at Jamberoo [the Illawarra Folk Festival] a few years ago and I have not seen him since. Fred's whereabouts I do not know ... "

My other enquiries with friends in working folk groups indicates that the song remains a (local, at least) standard with groups ranging from Folk to Rock - almost as much of a hardy perennial as Running Bear!

I hope some of this is useful,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,David from Sydney
Date: 14 Apr 06 - 11:56 PM

Hi guys, Thanks to all for supplying the words to this classic, but would anybody know where to find the song. I have been searching for quite some time but have not been able to find this tune anywhere.

Regards,
David

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,MEEEEE
Date: 04 Jul 06 - 07:11 AM

heyyy guys i used to listen to this song on a vynal back when i wa sliek 7 and i heard it the other day and i just cant stop singing it but i cant seem to find anywhere where i can download it so do u know of any site or anyways i can get ahold of this song ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 04 Jul 06 - 09:09 AM

G'day David from Sydney,

I just had a music session at my place (inner Sydney Leichhardt) and one of my friends attending was in a group which recorded The Whale on an LP ... way back then ... I'll ring him and ask if he has the dots ... somewhere close enough to the surface to excavate!

If he has the music - or can write it out - I'll post it (as an ABC - since the MIDItext program is "no longer supported by Mudcat". (If you give me an email addres, I can send you a MIDI - or an image of a transcription of the dots.)

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: GUEST,Fred Dyer
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 06:25 AM

Bob , email me please [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 06:26 AM

Hi all, here we go again! I just can't seem to get my post up,so If the other posts appear suddenly, I'm sorry for the repetition...I forgot to 'copy" them...ha ha...so here goes...
What a nice surprise to find this site...thank you for remembering our song The Whale....Info: Terry has been living in Geelong Vic for many years now and I have been at Lake Macquarie, NSW for over 20 years. We are both retired from our "day jobs". we still get together regularly ..have a bash, write some songs and down a few ales :-) We won the Bandstand Songwriters Awards (C&W section )with a song called Big White Horse back in 1971(!)It was Brian Henderson's last show as its compere..sent out live.. Yes, The Whale is based on Moby Dick ,one of our favourite yarns..We did the album in 1995, our first! We had fun...no pressure. If anyone is interest, i can supply a copy of the album, which contains the original versions of The Whale'72,the Ghost '73, Big White Horse '71..The A & B sides, remember when they used to be called that? ha ha...Plus a copy of the original sheet music ,complete with "typo " error.."A gentle breeze it RUSHED them."! Also it can be personally autographed...please email me for costs (shipping and expenses...quite reasonable...:-)
thank you all again for "remembering....
Fred

P.S. Bob...the chords are a little out ..:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 06:39 AM

G'day Fred,

It looks like almost 24 hours since you posted ... I missed the posts initially because I was off to a 40th birthday party for a musician /singer friend ... and only got home a couple of hours back. Interestingly, I was playing along (on button accordion) with your song about 3 hours ago!

I turned out that my other friend (who had played fiddle and concertina in a Sydney Group Pinchgut that recorded The Wahale on their LP Dewy, dewy Grass in 1982 (check your royalties sheet ... but I'm pretty sure they paid up!) did not have the "dots" - however he gave me a CD-R copy of their LP, saving me frpm doing all the copy to computer / edit / trim / balance / &c work. I was going to get around to transcribing the tune for "David from Sydney - but the real sheet music would be more appropriate! I'll email you as soon as I get of the Mudcat.

"... P.S. Bob...the chords are a little out ..:-) " I wouldn't be surprised ... chords are very variable player to player / arranger to arranger - and I didn't annotate those posted above. I may not have made it clear enough, but the information and the lyrics / chords were all supplied to me by Russ Hannah, from the Illawarra Folk Club. Russ is not a singer / musician, so he probably had to take what he was given on trust ... and I had not yet transcribed the tune, so I hadn't checked the chords against my theoretical choices.

Thanks for your posting and your kind offer.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: GUEST,Fred Dyer
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 08:50 PM

Well, Bob...nice to hear from you....It would take you 24 hours to get over a musician's 40th wouldn't it?! On with thew motley. I was in communicado with the lead singer from Pinchgut many years ago...(for the life of me ,I can't remember his name....)re, the Whale, and yes , they would have paid...unlike some fly -by-nights...Nice chap....Terry and I lived in the Illawarra for many years...I played in a few bands...We were "Gong" boys...About the "dots"....Guitar chords and melody mate, since there's only two of us on the record...two guitars and us....When you email me, I will scan and send a copy of the sheet music for your use...You help a lot of people here so I'm only too happy to supply you with any info on the music and words as a fellow "muzo" Bob...ah well, Sunday morning shopping, out with the walking frame.....(overnight success in '71,after 15 years in the business!
Take care Bob
Fred

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 10 Sep 06 - 11:53 PM

G'day again Fred,

My email is probably being dealt with at your end as I write ... it was sent from home, so I'll look it up when I get back there (before ... or after ... tonight's Music Session, which I run at the Bush Music Club.

I'll appreciate whatever you can easily lay your hands on. I'm sure I can get the "dots" down - as I can play the tune and that just means telling my left-brain to pay attention to what the right-brain is happily doing! Your chords will help my mate Chris (the birthday boy) - he's a natural ear musician and picks up every nuance faster than anyone dependent on music - but he will have heard any number of secondhand versions of The Whale ... but probably not your original!

I have another get-together with his family at the Monday Night Bush Music Club session - his Dad (who was in a "bush Band" with me in the '70s) is a stalwart of the sessions (resonator mandolin! / guitar / fiddle) although he played button accordion and concertina back then. The kids who were always around when Rouseabouts pratciced over at John's place are all regulars at my session - Chris (guitar / banjo / vocals), his brother Mark (drums), sister Stephanie (piano / mouth organ / whistle / 'bluesy' vocals) ... and Chris's wife Margaret (vast range of rattly / shakey percussion / whistles / &c). We have anything up to 20 sessioners ... many of them 'beginners' (even if well into later years!) and the solid support of Chris and his tribe really ties it all together.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 11:10 PM

Hi Bob....My PC went to heaven last week,taking your email and Sandra's..(Dixon) could you please send email so that I can add you once again? regards
Fred Dyer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 08:39 AM

G'day Fred,

I've forwarded a copy of my last email. Thanks for the chords and the MP3 of the track. My mate Chris will find both very helpful.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Terry Fielding, Fred Dyer)
From: GUEST,graham butler
Date: 21 Oct 06 - 10:49 PM

Hi can you send me that song or the lp will pay let me know regards G Butler [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Katty
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 02:16 AM

Hi!
I have been searching for "the whale" ever since i was a little girl!
i was wondering if someone would so kind as to send an mp3 of it to me
[e-mail]

i would be ever so appreciative.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 Nov 06 - 10:49 AM

OK, when is it going to be posted so we can access it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 29 Nov 06 - 05:49 AM

I am so excited to discover this thread on The Whale! This evocative song has haunted me for decades and i would dearly love to hear it again. Would some kind person pleeeease email me an .mp3 copy at [e-mail]. Very much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,GUEST, Sandra
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 08:17 AM

I am so happy to have found this thread, have had my brother staying with me and he has been looking for The Whale for a couple of years now would love if someone could Please send me an MP3 copy at [e-mail] to send to him would be soooo grateful.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Fred Dyer
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 02:24 AM

New email   
[e-mail]
Cheers
Fred Dyer (Fielding & Dyer)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Dave
Date: 26 Jan 07 - 11:40 PM

If you want to hear this song done extremely well then look out for a band called "Simply Bushed". Caught them last night at Joe Magires Pub in Tamworth - in a word.....BRILLIANT!
The song is also on their first album (which i bought last night, also brilliant)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Ralf Dudat (Melbourne Australia)
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:50 AM

I want to buy a few copies of that Fielding & Dyer album and then bury one in a treasure chest and when someone finds it in 200 years time they'll exclaim, "shiver me timbers, it's that marvelous Whale song I've been searching for all me bloody life !".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,JIM IN BRISBANE
Date: 27 May 07 - 01:44 AM

Wow! i never expected to find anything about this song, the old vinyl copy i had as a kid has long since turned to dust! I've got a fair collection of unusual tracks, maybe i could trade with someone if they would be so kind as to send an mp3 of this my way?
thanks in advance
[e-mail] or [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,darren .... england
Date: 30 May 07 - 08:52 AM

well it just happens that the whale . is populer around the pubs and clubs in a english place called barnsley . the reason for this is my best friend is kenny orell . he used to live in austraila . he knows s you very well . he will have told you about me . kenny introduced me to that song .and i fell in love with it . he told me he used to sing with you . you can email me or kenny at [e-mail]   i would love to hear from you . from darren. barnsley england

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Ralf Dudat
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 07:58 AM

"The Whale" lives !
Send an email to Fred Dyer and buy the CD direct from the original artist. I did.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Jul 07 - 09:38 AM

it's a great album, isn't it?

keep spreading the word so Fred & Terry can get rich.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,terry fielding
Date: 11 Jul 07 - 07:27 PM

If you would like to hear THE WHALE performed live by one of the orginal artists, contact me direct.   [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Neil Wass
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 08:57 AM

I am anxious to acquire the original soundtrack. Can you assist; in either mp3 or .wma file.

Obviously this track is long out out print and impossible to locate. I doubt I will be infringing any copyright in asking.

Regards

Neil Wass
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 10:16 AM

soundtrack?

Neil, see above, you can get a CD of The Whale & their other hits directly from Fred.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Aug 07 - 09:28 PM

Can anyone help with

The Ghost
Fielding & Dyer

the clamp upon the boards of the hooves of the horse
made a weird and eerie sound
and the travellers knew as one
that the ghost was on the run
searching for the man who gunned him down.

Same beat as the whale song. Rod

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 01:43 AM

Rod, it's on the same CD referred to above, the one Fred is selling.

sandra

why am I listening to boring stuff on the radio? Radio off, Fielding & Dyer CD in the machine, bliss!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale
From: GUEST,Tillo From QLD
Date: 18 Aug 07 - 07:02 AM

Hey this thread has been quite helpful and i was wondering if anyone would be so kind as to email me an MP3 or WMA of this song. I just love it and have not been able to find it anywhere. Terry Fielding and Fred Dyer are just geneious. please email to [e-mail]   ..Cheers Luke

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,Shane, NSW
Date: 25 Aug 07 - 07:55 PM

If anyone knows how we can get a MP3 of the song "The Whale" by Terry & Fred, please send details to email [e-mail] Does anyone know if this was the version used in Alby Mangles films??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,Fred
Date: 26 Aug 07 - 03:25 PM

Yes, Shane, it was used in World Safari 1...at the end...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 10:02 AM

I read this thread a couple months back and ordered a CD from Fred. What a great recording. Thank you folks, this community is fantastic.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,Barb Bee
Date: 01 Sep 07 - 07:54 AM

Hi Guys, I've been searching for the reelers cd or at the very least "The Whale" song (or whatever format is available) for several months now. Sent an email to Terry and Fred too but to no avail - it was likely an old addy. My beloved asks for so little from me and it would give him enormous pleasure to have this wonderful song.    Does anyone have contact details for Fred or Terry. I will be extremely grateful. My email is [e-mail]
Cheers!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 01 Sep 07 - 11:34 PM

Fred's latest address Fred Dyer & it was working last week.

sandra (Fielding & Dyer No. 1 fan)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Sep 07 - 07:49 AM

where did Fred's address go?

maybe putting the address in pointy things was the problem, here 'tis again, slightly disguised.

derf at aapt.net.au

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 04:55 AM

G'day Sandra ...

I think "pointy things" (angle brackets...?) are signals for an html command on this type of site. If there is no intelligible command ... what's inside the angle brackets gets ignored (i.e. - omitted).

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 03 Sep 07 - 09:38 AM

Here is the address at which I was able to communicate. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,guest Rod
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 08:51 PM

Can't thank you enough Sandra from Sydney contacted Fred and Cd is on it's way the whale and the ghost are great. This was a very big help in locating some fantastic songs this site rules again thanks, Rod.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,Barb Bee
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 12:11 AM

Thank you Sandra - Have just sent an email to Fred. You are my Heroine!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Sep 07 - 11:01 AM

thankyou, Rod & Barb Bee - for buying that wonderful CD. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,Fred Dyer
Date: 26 Sep 07 - 03:47 AM

Thank you all for enjoying ,especially our number one fan Sandra..! :-)

my new and only email..
[e-mail]

Please keep in touch everyone...
Fred
Fielding & Dyer
"The Whale Wins!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Whale (Fielding & Dyer)
From: GUEST,Johnno
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 06:53 PM

I can't beleive I have finally found info on where I can purchase a cd containing the whale song. I remember in 1976 with a few mates in Glebe mucking around with our guitars drunk as skunks playing the whale song.(showing my age now)Good one Fred. Will be ordering right now!