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Info & Songs: Tom Lewis

DigiTrad:
A SAILOR AIN'T A SAILOR
MARCHING INLAND
SAILOR'S PRAYER
WATCHES


Related threads:
Lyr ADD: The Last Shanty (Tom Lewis) (14)
ADD: New from Tom Lewis-Shanty for Singing (17)
Origins: A Sailor Ain't a Sailor (Tom Lewis) (8)
Tom Lewis in UK - Modern Folk Artist (4)
Lyr Req: Bunts, the Nautical Dog (Tom Lewis) (5)
Sailor's Prayer (Tom Lewis)-Send Down a Dove Songs (26)
Tune Req: The Last Shanty (Tom Lewis) (24)
Lyr Req: Additional verse to Marching Inland (10)
Tom Lewis Dates (4)
Tom Lewis in Norfolk, VA. (7)
New Album - Tom Lewis 'Poles Apart' (20)
Tom Lewis - Poles Apart (4)
Lyr Req: Illy Ally-O - East Indiaman (Tom Lewis) (11)
Tom Lewis Playing Tonight - Fredonia, NY (10)
Req: A sailor ain't a sailor? /Last Shanty(closed) (5) (closed)
Tune Req: Tom Lewis The African Trade (5)
Tom Lewis from Coast to Coast (4)
Lyr Req: I'm walking inland / Marching Inland (22)
Tom Lewis in Portland Or (8)
Tom Lewis Concert In Windsor Ontario (20)
Lyr Req: Bunts the Nautical Dog (Tom Lewis) (2) (closed)


GUEST,Duke 09 Aug 06 - 10:54 AM
Clinton Hammond 09 Aug 06 - 11:05 AM
Desert Dancer 09 Aug 06 - 11:29 AM
GUEST,Gary Keep 09 Aug 06 - 11:39 AM
Clinton Hammond 09 Aug 06 - 11:39 AM
skipy 09 Aug 06 - 11:42 AM
JenEllen 09 Aug 06 - 12:10 PM
Clinton Hammond 09 Aug 06 - 12:11 PM
sciencegeek 09 Aug 06 - 12:48 PM
GUEST,mg 09 Aug 06 - 02:39 PM
JenEllen 09 Aug 06 - 03:23 PM
Dave the Gnome 09 Aug 06 - 03:42 PM
Stewart 09 Aug 06 - 03:53 PM
Duke 09 Aug 06 - 04:10 PM
Cats 09 Aug 06 - 04:31 PM
Emma B 09 Aug 06 - 04:35 PM
Ref 09 Aug 06 - 07:23 PM
GUEST,JimM 09 Aug 06 - 07:58 PM
open mike 10 Aug 06 - 01:56 AM
jojofolkagogo 10 Aug 06 - 10:32 AM
Big Jim from Jackson 10 Aug 06 - 10:43 AM
GUEST 10 Aug 06 - 05:19 PM
skipy 10 Aug 06 - 05:46 PM
Dave Masterson 11 Aug 06 - 03:26 AM
Rasener 11 Aug 06 - 03:32 AM
LesB 11 Aug 06 - 08:36 AM
skipy 11 Aug 06 - 04:26 PM
Dave the Gnome 11 Aug 06 - 05:12 PM
LesB 11 Aug 06 - 05:23 PM
skipy 11 Aug 06 - 06:26 PM
skipy 11 Aug 06 - 06:31 PM
Mr Happy 11 Aug 06 - 09:15 PM
C. Ham 14 Aug 06 - 04:07 PM
Scotus 15 Aug 06 - 01:46 PM
JohnB 15 Aug 06 - 11:54 PM
Joe Offer 20 May 21 - 02:35 PM
Joe Offer 20 May 21 - 02:44 PM
Joe Offer 20 May 21 - 03:35 PM
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Subject: Tom Lewis
From: GUEST,Duke
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 10:54 AM

I saw Tom Lewis for the first time this past weekend at a folk festival in Galt Ontario, Canada. I was astounded by his music! Ilove songs of the sea and this was the first time I heard someone sing so many sea songs. Most of the performers I have heard sing a few of them, buts thats it.

I would like to find out a little more about this man besides the usual on his web page. Any ideas how I can do that?

thanks

duke


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 11:05 AM

Stalk him?


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 11:29 AM

Duke,

(ClintonHammond is often best ignored!)

Tom's site, http://www.tomlewis.net/, is quite informative. Buy some cds from him, go hear him when you can. Others on this site may be more informative than CH and are certain to offer their opinions. ;-)

Plus, if you have specific questions, don't be shy about contacting the man himself. Folkies are (mostly) friendly; the worst that can happen is that he won't have time to answer.

~ Becky in Tucson
where there is a dearth of sea music, for some reason


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: GUEST,Gary Keep
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 11:39 AM

Hi,
I've has a chance to hang out with him a nhumber of times in the last 10 years or so and a nicer guy you couldn't find. He's just a friendly person with a real gift for writing songs and music. I had know some of his songs since the late 80s or so but only met him within the last 10 years. A number of Bay Area folks here that are into sea music know him well, Peter,aka ChantyRanger, Riggy Rackin, Claire Norman, Dave & Pam Swan and I'm sure many more.

He's one of those rare talent who has lived the life he writes about and his songs are just as fun to sing yourself as they are to hear him sing them in person or recorded. (You know how some groups are best heard live and some recorded.;))

Gary


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 11:39 AM

I have a good chum who stalked Tom Lewis for quite a while.... They are chums to this day...

So Desert Dancer, sit on it and spin


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: skipy
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 11:42 AM

Wonderful couple, they have stayed with us many times, e him, he will reply when bust busy schedule allow.
skipy


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: JenEllen
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 12:10 PM

Tom's a great guy. He's been to our concert series a number of times. Pleasant and polite, but with a wicked sense of humor to balance it out. I second the above (the e-mailing, not the stalking) just send him a note.
~JE


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 12:11 PM

First time I met him, he was MUCH shorter than I had pictured him in my mind


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: sciencegeek
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 12:48 PM

Tom is a great fellow who we met at Mystic Seaport shortly after he left the submariner service. Being short is a big plus there, Clinton. Such a huge voice for such a stature.... :)

He has led a number of canal boat tours - where they charter a boat and travel the canals in the English midlands.

Haven't seen him in person since Easter of '03... my loss.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 02:39 PM

I have him singing right now on a C.D. An awesome talent and great huge voice. mg


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: JenEllen
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 03:23 PM

Yeah, he is a lil'guy with a huge voice all right. The thing I thought was funniest was talking skiing with him 'in costume'. Nothing says ski-bunny like a pair of red-top boots..LOL


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 03:42 PM

I saw him at Fylde many years ago with Pint and Dale. Heard after they had had a fall out but don't know what it was.

He was very good anyway.

Cheers

DtG


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Stewart
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 03:53 PM

We hear him fairly often in Seattle. Last time, a few months ago, he was in top form. I took my daughter to see him last year in San Francisco at the Maritime Festival. She was impressed - said he came across as really authentic, that he'd actually experienced what he was singing about. Afterwards we had a nice chat with him. Very down-to-earth, no pretentions, just a nice guy.

Cheers, S. in Seattle


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Duke
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 04:10 PM

Thanks for the information, folks. I had a nice chat with Tom just after his performance and also bought one of his cd's. I intend to buy more as he is a fantastic performer. Any idea as to how old he is? I thought he said that he has been out of the service just as long as he was in it. 24 years! That makes him at least my age and if so, I am amazed at the energy he puts out on stage.

thanks again.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Cats
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 04:31 PM

Like Skipy, we have known him for years and years even while he was still at sea! His songs come from his own experiences so he rewlly does know what he's singing about and feels it to the heart. He is one of the most generous guys around and has a wicked sense of humour. I can't say more than to agree with Skipy, e mail him and he'll reply.. and while you are at it, get him to tell you about Able Sea Dog Binns .......It's one of the funniest things I have ever heard.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Emma B
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 04:35 PM

A great singer and a great guest too - does the washing up :)

My cats adored him too !


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Ref
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 07:23 PM

Only saw him once, years ago at Old Songs. What a wonderful, engaging man, great storyteller. Incredible to hear that huge voice coming from so small a source but proof that his measure is so much more than mere inches.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: GUEST,JimM
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 07:58 PM

I heard (and met) Tom Lewis for the first time last weekend at the Millrace Festival in Cambridge (Galt). I had just caught his last set and then headed up to a sing around led by Johnny Collins and Graeme Knights (my first exposure to them too!!!). There were only about 10 or 15 of us there, and Tom Lewis sat towards the back with the rest of the folk next to me. The sound we made as a group was something else -- "transcendent" is the best way to describe the experience.
Best part was having Misters Collins, Knight and Lewis up at the front for a few songs. What a thrill that was -- I want to learn more of the song cannon and participate more in this sort of singing. Another group to look for that sings like this (if you haven't already) is a trio known as Coope, Boyes & Simpson - I've got a recording of one of their songs, "Jerusalem Revisited" and it too is out of this world.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: open mike
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 01:56 AM

one of our own mudcats, Reggie Miles (Nobro) can be found on Tom's c.d. 360 degrees--i think it is called points of the compass...Reggie plays the musical saw

Pint and Dale have a parrot named Ranzo..a great pirate name...

there are some links to Tom's boat trips on Dave Swan's thread about
going to England...


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 10:32 AM

Loved Clinton Hammonds reply   !!!
Anything will make me smile !!

YES, Tom Lewis is GREAT : great voice, great songs, great man !

He is gonna be at OFF (that's Orpington Friday Folk at Liberal Club, in Orpington, kent, England) in a couple of months time


Needless to say, I WILL BE THERE !!

See their web site - orpingtonfridayfolk etc

Jo-Jo


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 10:43 AM

Isn't he the one who tells the wonderful story of Bunts, the ship's dog? If he is, I should send him my medical bills from a few years back. I laughed so hard I hurt myself.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 05:19 PM

Met him many times. Keeps giving me a hug every time.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: skipy
Date: 10 Aug 06 - 05:46 PM

Hi Emma, he washed up for you, at Stanford in the Vale he & lynne folded & stapled the programmes, thats the kind of wonderful people they are, say no more.
Skipy


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Dave Masterson
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 03:26 AM

Tom will be at Tenterden this year

http://www.folkspots.btinternet.co.uk/trust/fest06/index06.htm


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Rasener
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 03:32 AM

He also used to stay at my best mates, Mike and Barb.
Mike was very ill last year and Tom would keep on visiting him in hospital and supporting Barb through it.
Anyway Tom sang a song to Mike as he died, and then on getting back home, recorded it and sent it to Barb, to be played at the funeral. It was really heart wrenching.

I think that says a lot about the man.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: LesB
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 08:36 AM

Tom can be seen in the U.K. this autumn at Bothy Folk Club, Southport, Lancashire on Sunday 22nd October. It seems to be part of a mini North American invasion as 2 weeks before (8th Oct) Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen are our guests & 2 weeks after (5th November) Dana & Sue Robinson are the guests. To be followed 2weeks after that by Dave Arthurs's 'Rattle on the Stovepipe', who do a lot of American music.
Cheers
Les


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: skipy
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 04:26 PM

Southport was my home town, many moons ago as a child, wonder if any of my old mates go there?
Skipy


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 05:12 PM

Do you know Ged and Sue Robinson Todd skipy? Sue was formaly Sue Fox? They now co-run Swinton club with me and Spot the Dog. We had Pete Rimmer on a couple of times - I found his CD the other day. I can send it you if you know him as well.

Cheers

DtG


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: LesB
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 05:23 PM

Skipy have a look at the http://www.bothyfolkclub.co.uk web site. There are some photo's of the Bothy 40th anniversay. You may see a few familiar faces. Sign the Guest Book & tell us who you are. I still see a few old timers around at festivals or when they visit Southport.
Cheers
Les Brown


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: skipy
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 06:26 PM

DtG, Pete Rimmer (the name) ring a bell, but with 25 years RAF service I met a lot of people.
Skipy


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: skipy
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 06:31 PM

Trying hard to remember my friend of so long ago!
Alan Warnick
Derick Drummond
Micheal & Roy Small
Micheal Larkin,
ever heard of any of them?
Skipy
It was a long time ago, left there in 1966, Joined RAF in 1968.


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Mr Happy
Date: 11 Aug 06 - 09:15 PM

Ordinarily, I'm not fond of storytellers, BUT!


I recall being well imprest by Tom's most entertaining performance of prose + a CHORUS!!- FAB!!

A fine singer & all round spiffin' entertainer too!


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: C. Ham
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 04:07 PM

Just noticed that Tom Lewis is scheduled to guest on the Folk Roots/Folk Branches radio show this Thursday.

Folk Roots/Folk Branches


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: Scotus
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 01:46 PM

When I was getting into traditional music in the early 60s, Tom was a 'tiffy' (artificer) in the Royal Navy stationed at nearby Rosyth Dockyard. He hung around with my younger sister's crowd and had absolutely no interest whatever in folk music. The ironic thing is that our local folk club (in Dunfermline) had Cyril Tawney (his great hero) as a guest a couple of times in the early 60s and I'm almost certain that Tom wasn't there - he just had no interest! I was astonished, many years later, to come across a flyer for a local folk club when I was in Maine that had him advertised. Then I listened to one of his albums and re-established contact with him - and, yes, a nice guy.

Jack


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Subject: RE: Tom Lewis
From: JohnB
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 11:54 PM

I can, I guess understand people only just finding out about Tom Lewis, who I first met at Mariposa in about 1987 and is a nice guy, although I did not get a chance to talk to him at Millrace.
I do hope that you have not only just found out about the Millrace Folk Festival, it is probably THE best trditional music festival in Ontario. I have many of their volunteer tee shirts in my closet.
Johnny Collins had a Folk Club in Hong Kong, where Tom Lewis sang, when they were both still in the service, way back.
Tom, like his hero Cyril Tawney, spent (I think) 25 years in the Navy, with 17 of that in Submarines.
JohnB


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Subject: ADD: Radio Times (Tom Lewis)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 May 21 - 02:35 PM

RADIO TIMES
Words & Music by Tom Lewis
(Recorded by Tom Lewis on 360° All Points of the Compass)

We listened to the radio when we were girls and boys,
Our Mums and Dads said modern tunes were "Now't but dreadful noise."
Still we kept the wireless on to hear our favourite songs,
We learned the words as best we could and then we sang along,
With Bill Haley and The Comets, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee,
Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and the Brothers Everley,
They showed us new horizons, opened up a brand world,
And The Beach Boys introduced us all to California Girls.

Chorus:
So - Join us in the song, raise your voice and sing along,
Like our ancestors before us, when it comes round to the chorus:
Find the key or harmony and join us in the song.

Then John, Paul, George and Ringo gave us back our native voice,
The Hollies and The Rolling Stones offered us a choice,
The "folk scare" of the sixties said that everyone should sing,
And if you had a hammer you should make that hammer ring.
Peter, Paul and Mary proved new songs could still be found,
The Mommas and The Poppas hit us with "The West Coast Sound",
Then drums and Stratocasters put folk music in the news,
The times were changing, freedom just meant nothing left to lose - so:

Ewan sang the fishing and the travelling people's life,
Bert gave us old ballads full of sorrow, love and strife,
Young Tradition and The Coppers sang us glories of our past,
Old Stan recalled the shanties and his time before the mast.
Cyril sang the other side of life upon the seas,
Keith brought us a barrel filled with rousing harmonies,
Martin told us of "The Famous Flower of Serving Men",
Stan found "The Northwest Passage" was the road back home again - so:

The songs that stand the test of time will ring down through the years,
Some of them will bring you joy, while others bring you tears,
Some speak of new tomorrows or of good times past and gone,
And them that's worth the singing are the ones worth passing on,
But never tell your kids you think their music's "now't but noise",
Or you'll seem like a dinosaur to modern girls and boys.
Mind you teach your children well - and teach your grandkids too,
Then someday they'll be standing here and singing just like you.


http://www.tomlewis.net/lyrics/radio.htm


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Subject: RE: ADD: New from Tom Lewis-Shanty for Singing
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 May 21 - 02:44 PM

This seems to be a complete collection of Tom's lyrics

http://www.tomlewis.net/lyrics.htm


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Subject: RE: Info: Tom Lewis
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 May 21 - 03:35 PM

There was an online Tom Lewis concert today (Thursday, May 20)

Still available here for a while: Falcon House Concerts Presents
Tom Lewis
Thursday, May 20
7:30 pm UK
2:30 pm USA east
11:30 am USA west

http://www.youtube.com/user/Tulip0852/live
Tom Lewis loves to sing. And he loves it when people sing along. His powerful voice easily reaches to the rafters and just seems to pull other voices up aloft with it. Known throughout the maritime music world for penning classics like A Sailor Ain’t a Sailor (The Last Shanty), Marching Inland, Sailor’s Prayer (the one where the dove has wings as sharp as razors), Tom is just as likely to belt out a traditional sea chantey pulled straight from Davy Jones locker. He’ll even tell you a story, and it might even be true!

Tom got hooked on sea music when he heard the likes of Louis Killen, Archie Fisher and Ewan McColl in his early folk club days. During his 23 years as a submariner in Her Majesty’s Navy, Tom never missed the chance to visit folk clubs, concerts and festivals, building a reputation that has spread across three continents. Add to his credit ten albums and a hefty songbook.

Like other Falcon events, we're suggesting a donation (£10–$15) to support the artist. https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tulip0852

Next up: John Conolly Thursday, June 17
John Ward Trio, Thursday, July 15
Mark your calendars and stay tuned, Janie Meneely

The concert will be available on YouTube for at least a few days.

Here's what he sang:


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