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13 Jun 19 - 04:18 AM (#3996183) Subject: Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: GUEST,John Robinson Hello all - I'm not a relative, and I only have sketchy details at this point, but yesterday I learned that very sadly, Don Bilston passed away on 19th November this year. As I don't know much about Don's life I wouldn't call this an obituary, but I didn't know where else to post it. There's a back story: I became aware of Don's music accidentally, after hearing Pete Coe sing 'Fireman's Song' on YouTube . I regularly attend sing-around folk sessions at my local pub in central Birmingham, and we've been going for four years. We're not really a folk club, and our sessions are informal to say the least. Although we don't publicise ourselves too heavily, we find that people drift in and out of our gatherings as they move around the country, and we seem to have developed a local reputation for providing a safe space to 'have a go', based on goodwill and encouragement. It's always great to hear people phone up the pub and ask after us: usually with a view to performing. Often, for the first time. Last night two women turned up, curious about our sessions. One of them is related to Don, and she told me the news. They promised to attend our next session, and we'll have a crack at singing the 'Fireman's Song', and maybe learn a few more as we go along. While I hate being the barer of bad news, this is also an opportunity to learn more about Don's life and times. |
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13 Jun 19 - 05:23 AM (#3996191) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: GUEST,John Robinson I meant Nov, last year, of course. It's been a long morning, and a long night before! |
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16 Jun 19 - 05:49 AM (#3996623) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: Waddon Pete Yes, Don did pass away last November of cancer. A sad loss. His "The Fireman's Song" is in the database and a good friend of mine often sings it. I would have thought he would have been mentioned before now? However, condolences are sent to his family, friends and all who know him and love him. RIP, Peter |
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12 Jan 22 - 08:26 AM (#4132077) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: GUEST,Douglas Hill Do not know if this will get to you - social media is not my thing. Last night I spoke to Dave Goulding in Scotland trying to find out if he was the guy who had sessions on John Curl's-John Peel's BBC programs "Night Ride - Around Midnight" in the late 1960s early 1970s about steam engines. Dave did not remember doing so, but suggested it might be Don Bilston - tried to find a telephone number for Don, but found this "notice" that he recently died. Dave didn't mention that he might be deceased. Checked out YouTube videos of Don's songs - I'm sure that they are the ones that I heard. Anyone with a long memory, can you confirm that my recollections are correct - will be mighty happy. Many thanks in anticipation. Cheers, Douglas coppinsuk@gmail.com |
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12 Jan 22 - 09:04 AM (#4132082) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: maeve https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Don+Bilston |
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12 Jan 22 - 09:05 AM (#4132083) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: maeve "Dave Goulding in Scotland" Perhaps you mean amazing Dave Goulder? |
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12 Jan 22 - 09:33 AM (#4132084) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: GUEST,Douglas Absolutely correct. Thanks for correcting me. Cheers. |
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20 Sep 22 - 12:30 PM (#4153151) Subject: ADD: Night Freight (Don Bilston) From: Brock Hi all. I'm learning this song, Night Freight, by Don Bilston I wonder if anyone could a) see if they seem right , and b) enlighten us to some of the slang or idiomatic parts? NIGHT FREIGHT (Don Bilston) When people lie asleep in bed It’s then I book on at the shed Prepare me engine take on coal To journey on the iron road It’s off the shed to shunting yard Exchange a few words with the guard Forty wagons make the train The green light glows we’re right away The signal gleaming through the dark The steam gauge needle’s on the mark The tea-can warms upon the hob And the engine’s gaffer of the job The fireman in the firebox glows Swings the shovel to and fro Checks injector crack of coal I’ll give her more steam lad watch her roll We hop the twig through town and shire The chimney belching smoke and fire Our destination comes in view And the night is almost half-way through Now relieved by another crew It’s in to the cabin and make a brew A yarn and a smoke and you bet your snap That leaves half hour for to take a little nap The train we work backs at the peg It’s time to wake and show a leg Come stir yourself mate rise and shine Or I’ll get papers for losing time We get back home and it’s off to bed Farewell a while you loco shed When the daylight’s gone and the night has come I'll be back again for another night's run. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNn_3rFsOA |
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20 Sep 22 - 11:23 PM (#4153197) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: Joe Offer Hi, Brock - your transcription looks quite good. I added breaks between the verses and a YouTube link. -Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor- Here's a link to the entire Farewell to Steam album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuaHgC2_fVg |
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21 Sep 22 - 02:21 PM (#4153243) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: Brock Thank you, Joe ! |
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21 Sep 22 - 04:15 PM (#4153250) Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston From: Brock Actually I now think the line in verse 3 might be: And the engine gaffer's on the job. (makes some sense anyway!) |