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Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray

16 Dec 14 - 03:44 PM (#3686334)
Subject: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: alanww

Does anyone know where The Black Swan in the Jake Thackray song was? York?
Keep singing.
Alan


18 Dec 14 - 06:49 AM (#3686757)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww

But then the Swan in York is still around and the songs suggests that the Black Swan in mind has closed...
Alan


18 Dec 14 - 07:33 AM (#3686766)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash

http://www.blackswanyork.com/

Sorry Alan, can't be arsed to do the blue clicky, copy and paste into your browser.


18 Dec 14 - 07:35 AM (#3686767)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash

or try their folk club

http://www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk/


18 Dec 14 - 07:51 AM (#3686769)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: Jamie McC

I don't know where the Black Swan in the song was, or even if he just picked a pub name out of the air, but I've always had some idea that it was in Helmsley. I think Jake had some connection with the place - was it there that his dad was the local policeman? Or I may be completely befuddled. I'm sure if you put the question up on the forum at jakethackray.com someone with more knowledge than me might come forward.

Oh, and where does the song suggest the pub has closed?


18 Dec 14 - 07:52 AM (#3686770)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash

Alan, Looking back through the folk club archive Jake Thrackray played there in Oct 1989 ......... there may be other bookings


18 Dec 14 - 09:42 AM (#3686792)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: MoorleyMan

Alan - might be worth contacting Fake Thackray (John Watterson), his knowledge of all things Jake is legendary, and he's working on a biog of the man too.


18 Dec 14 - 08:53 PM (#3686976)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww

Thanks for all your helpful thoughts.
Yes, Jamie, you are right that it doesn't imply that the Black Swan has closed. I suppose I was assuming so, given all the pub closures we have nowadays!
Anyway, I've followed up by emailing John Watterson. So we'll see if he has some firm info. Will it be in York or Helmsley or imagination - maybe we'll find out!
Keep drinking.
Alan


19 Dec 14 - 07:33 PM (#3687249)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww

Any more thoughts any body?
Wassail!
Alan


20 Dec 14 - 05:00 AM (#3687320)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash

Alan, why do you think the pub has closed in the song. The line "now she's" gone surely refers to a girl who had been at home, he says the house is empty and "there's nobody there, now she's gone" and he's on a bender.


20 Dec 14 - 06:46 AM (#3687335)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: Jamie McC

Wherever the pub is/was, and whether real or imagined, it's one cracking song.


24 Dec 14 - 05:47 AM (#3688317)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,alanww

You are right Raggy. I just assumed so, as I said on 18 Dec.
I'd still be interested in knowing which pub it was though.
Perhaps John Watterson will come up with more info.
"The holly bears a berry ...!"
Alan


24 Dec 14 - 06:57 AM (#3688335)
Subject: RE: Origins: Black Swan by Jake Thackray
From: GUEST,Raggytash

I would think the Black Swan on the links I put on would be a pretty safe bet as Jake played there. Check the club archive.