Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)

Subject: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: GUEST,Mike Purtell
Date: 22 Dec 06 - 12:49 AM

does anybody know of this song -put out in mid 1970s in Australia -
Cockie Bell -its the tragic story of a cockie in West Australia who was using his tractor to pull over trees when it tipped and pinned him to the ground -he eventually dies-apparently a common accident on farms in aussie in the past -thus the song
fantastic ballad but cant remember all the words and does anybody have the chords or know where I could purchase the song
here it is ..........took ages to surface in my brain

Cockie Bell

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie through and through
But it was the death of you, Cockie Bell

You ploughed the land and you fenced it in
The seasons treat you well
Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were a cockie through and through
But it was the death of you, Cockie Bell


Tractor pins him to the ground ……..

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie through and through
But it was the death of you, Cockie Bell

For 3 long days and weary nights you lay out on the ground
But you faithful team of horses never moved on made a sound
And when they finally found you, you couldn't even care
For the blasted ants had eaten you they'd eaten out your eyes

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie through and through
But it was the death of you
Cockie Bell, Cockie Bell

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Bugsy
Date: 22 Dec 06 - 01:07 AM

Absolutely!

My good Mate Syd De Burg used to sing this song. It was given to him by the late (& sadly missed) Val Hastings.

If you PM me, I'll look up his Phone number and pass it on to you,

CHeers


Bugsy

ps. Bloody good song!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Bugsy
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 05:39 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: GUEST,Mike Purtell
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 06:48 PM

Hi Bugsy
really appreciate the reply -yes it was a very striking number
if you could email his ph no it would be most appreciated
please email to
[e-mail]

you dont have the words I gather
regards
Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Peace
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 06:50 PM

LOL

I just sent Bugsy that e-mail addy via message about two minutes before you posted. Glad you guys will 'hook up'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: GUEST,Mike Purtell
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 06:55 PM

many thanks -much appreciated

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Bugsy
Date: 24 Dec 06 - 07:46 PM

I'll look up the number and email you in the next couple of days,

Seasonal Cheers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Bugsy
Date: 27 Dec 06 - 07:32 PM

I'm not having much luck finding Syd's number so I phoned Val Hastings partner to see if he had any ideas. He confirmed that Val did indeed write "Cockie Bell". Apparently it was the only song she ever wrote and he said that Val would have been thrilled to think that someone want to learn her song.

He's going to look through her music and see if he can find words/Chords, or alternatively see if he can find Syd's phone number in her phone books.

I'm glad you brought this song to my attention again. I think I'll learn it too.

For those Aussies who didn't know Val, she was a stalwart of the West Aussie folk scene. Who was, until her passing, the Caller and front woman for the Mucky Duck Bush Band.


She is SADLY missed.


Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: GUEST,Mike Purtell
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 09:34 PM

Bugsy
these forums are a right Folk Hertiage of information.
I ve just read that Val was the lead singer in Mucky Duck Bushband -crickey in 1976 I used to duck down to Clancys at Freemantle (well before Freos development)and enjoy a beer and watch their gigs -they were a great band -I still have a mucky duck cassette somewhere
-really liked the bodhran sound and they used to sing a great beatle song - I think it was "Ive just seen a face" from the Help album
once saw Eric Bogle for $2.00 admission in the hall next to Clancys   
also remember the underground Bogle tape doing the rounds -unpublished songs

went to the Theatre near there also saw a most controversial movie
sacco and vincetti -amazing film-sorry I shouldnt drift

In relation to Cockie Bell
If we can get the words -I belong to a group - we can work out the chords

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Bugsy
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 09:45 PM

Mike, if you were around the Perth scene then, you would most probably remember "Rakes Progress" bush band. Also the Stables/Hayloft Folk Club in Perth. That was run by Val's Mum & Dad, Stan & Dot Hastings. Stan & Val's brother Greg were Founder Members of the Duck.

Where are you based now?

CHeers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: GUEST,Mike Purtell
Date: 01 Jan 07 - 10:08 PM

Bugsy
I am now in Springwood Blue Mountains
very different life to Perth(besides Im now an old bastard )
but I do remember the Stables but unfortunately was only a fringe folky back then but also remember Mucky Duck doing gigs in the centre of Perth
-a City Tavern downunder somewhere
also remember a Janice Ians copy in a basement back then also -now she was really brilliant -dont remember her name but she was a solo and boy could she perform
also remember a couple of guys who played beatles copy numbers at Dennis Lillies pub in Subiaco -they were very good also (but not folk)

Subject: Lyr Add: COCKIE BELL (Val Hastings)
From: GUEST,Cockie Bell by Val Hastings
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 12:25 AM

Well this is what I have come up with -a bit of tampering on some of the verses but seems to work ok
will now work out chords and send thru when ready
I know the tune clearly just need to learn how to put it to abc


This song was sung in memory of those farmers out on the WA wheatfields who in days gone by, used their tractor with a rope slung over to fell trees but often the tractor would flip and they would be trapped underneath -often stuck out in the isolated paddock maybe for days and if they were lucky somebody found them.........


Cockie Bell
by Val Hastings Perth WA
(the Caller and front woman for the Mucky Duck Bush Band.) '1976 ish'
originally sung by Syd De Burg WA

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie thru and thru
But it was the death of you
Cockie Bell

You ploughed the land and you fenced it in
The seasons treat you well
You set about clearing the trees off the land
And all was going well


Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie thru and thru
But it was the death of you
Cockie Bell

You set your tractor to fell a tree
but something went real wrong
in an instant you were pinned underneath
you couldn't move at all

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie thru and thru
But it was the death of you
Cockie Bell

For 3 long days and weary nights you lay out on the ground
But you faithful team of horses never moved on made a sound

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie thru and thru
But it was the death of you
Cockie Bell

And when they finally found you –you couldn't even cry
'cause the blasted ants had eaten you theyd eaten out your eyes

Cockie Bell you were a tough man one of our pioneers
You were a wheat belt cocky for only 40 years
You were A cockie thru and thru
But it was the death of you
Cockie Bell, Cockie Bell

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell
From: Bugsy
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 03:35 AM

GUEST,Cockie Bell by Val Hastings - Have we met? Do we know each other??

CHeers


Bugsy

Subject: Lyr Add: COCKY BELL (Val Hastings)
From: Bugsy
Date: 06 May 07 - 01:00 AM

Sorry it's taken so long to get the full lyrics but it's taken me all this time to track down my mate Syd who sings the song.

I'll get onto him again and try to get the chords.

COCKY BELL
By Val Hastings

You took up your selection west of Karlowin Well.
You ploughed the land and fenced it in. The seasons did you well.
In '29 you were sowing wheat with a horse team of the best
When a combine point came springing down and stabbed you through the chest.

CHORUS: Cocky Bell, you were a tough man, one of our pioneers.
You were a wheatbelt cocky for only fourteen years.
You were a cocky through and through
Though it was the death of you, Cocky Bell.

For two long days and freezing nights you lay out on the ground.
Your faithful team of horses never moved nor made a sound;
But you were getting weaker as in the dirt you lay.
You prayed to God to give you strength to see another day.

Well, when your neighbour found you, you couldn't even cry,
For the blasted ants of our fair land had eaten out your eyes;
And as he held you in his arms, he marvelled at your pluck.
Then it's eighty miles to a hospital bed on the back of a Chevrolet truck.

You held hard, hard to the hand of a mate and you swore for evermore,
You swore an oath that if you lived you'd kill every ant you saw;
But your beaten body couldn't take any more. It'd had just about enough.
Cocky Bell, it got the best of you, but by Jesus, you were tough!


Cheers


Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell
From: GUEST,Mike Purtell Springwood Blue Mts
Date: 28 Apr 10 - 06:50 PM

Hi there
was lying in bed the other night going thru the words to Cock Bell
so checked this morning to see you had placed the latest update -3 years ago in 2007 -much appreciated
will work out the chords & post them soon -well Cocky Bell & Val Hastings composition didnt get forgotten after all -how exciting
many thanks for your searching Bugsy
Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 14 - 07:06 AM

Bloody hell!
I played regularly at The Stables in late 1979 to early 80.
Oliver Troutweaver was the name I used. I had some great times.
What I seem to remember was the noose hanging at the end of the beam out through the loft doors.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: GUEST,Clarissa Hunter
Date: 05 May 15 - 01:22 PM

When I was about 10 yrs old I watched Val sing this at the stables 1980 ? My mother wrote an ethnography of folkies in Wa so I remember all the Hastings well. Over the years I have often wondered what the complete lyrics were

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: rich-joy
Date: 28 Sep 20 - 07:50 AM

Bugsy, are you still around??!!

Do you know of any recording of Val's song currently online (by anyone)??!!

Cheers, R-J
(ex WA/NT)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: Bugsy
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 09:02 AM

I don't think that she ever recorded the sing.
It was written by Sid de Burg.

I'll message him and ask him to visit the forum
He may be of more help.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: Bugsy
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 11:07 AM

My mind is Boggling.
Call Hastings wrote the song.
Sid De Burg performed it.

Age is a terrible thing.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 07:42 PM

Yes,I used to perform this song and the words are correct.I play only by ear and can remember the melody.I have moved away from folk music these days to ballads but can still play it.Cheers Sid de Burgh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Cockie Bell / Cocky Bell (Val Hastings)
From: rich-joy
Date: 30 Sep 20 - 07:53 PM

Thanks both, for the confirmation - no chance of putting it up online somewhere, I s'pose??!

Cheers, R-J