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14 Apr 00 - 01:59 PM (#211765) Subject: "Finest you ever saw" - canal boat song From: GUEST,Glen in Gloucestershire can anybody give me the words to this fine song? I have heard it sung by the musician of Redbornstoke Morris Men its brilliant. They hail from Bedfordshire and are fine group of lads! It's all about going up the Union, Birmingham and Manchester canals in 47 days. I'd love to sing it myself as I live on the banks of the Severn/Thames canal (disused).So thers water in my blood |
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14 Apr 00 - 03:05 PM (#211804) Subject: Lyr Add: THE FINEST OF THEM ALL (Dave Ritchie)^^ From: GUEST,radriano Your timing is immaculate, Glen. I just found this song in an old book I forgot I had. THE FINEST OF THEM ALL (Written by Dave Ritchie) Oh the morn was cold and raw As we loaded at Park Royal With a cargo of barrels that was fifty tons or more 'Twere the finest you ever saw Chorus: Finest you ever saw Finest you ever saw On the Union Staffordshire or Birmingham Canal We're the finest you ever saw In winter's icy claw No road nor rail at all It were left to the narrow boats to get the cargo through To the finest you ever saw Away from the wharf we draw With the butty close behind We'll be back down from Birmingham in under seven days On the finest you ever saw At last by the 'Lame Jackdaw' We are moored and the casks are away But word is up from Acton that they need us once again Need the finest you ever saw To the tunnel's dark wet maw And on through flights we steer Past pub bridge and winding hole we battle through each mile On the finest you ever saw Now a strong pint we'll draw At the brewers wharf we lie We're a pair down from Birmingham in thirty seven hours We're the finest of them all Finest of them all Finest of them all We're a pair down from Birmingham in thirty seven hours We're the finest of them all The wining song in a National Song Contest organized by the magazine English Dance and Song in 1971. The words are based on a situation that developed between 1941 and 1948 when, because of a shortage of other transport, Guiness was transported by canal between Park Royal and Birmingham. On the occasion a pair of boats did the jouney south in 37 hours, and this is thought to be an all time record for working narrow boats. Regards, radriano |
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14 Apr 00 - 03:16 PM (#211811) Subject: Tune Add: THE FINEST OF THEM ALL (Dave Ritchie) From: GUEST,radriano Glen, I forgot to ask whether you need the music for this song. Here it is in ABC if you do. X:1 T:THE FINEST OF THEM ALL M:4/4 L:1/8 C:Dave Ritchie R:Song O:England K:C GG | c2cc (Bc) (dB) | c6 ef | g2cc (cd) (ec) | d6 ef | g2cc cd ec | dc BA G2 ef | g2cd e2 (dB) | c6 z2 || e2ef g2 (ce) | "h" d8 | g2gg f2 (ec) | "h" d6 ef | g2cc cd ec | dc BA G2ef | g2cd e2(dB) | c6 | I can get a GIF made for you if you prefer that. For some reason I was under the impression that posting GIF's is not recommended. Anyhow, if you want a GIF, you can contact me at: radriano@consrv.ca.gov Regards radriano |
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14 Apr 00 - 03:20 PM (#211815) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest you ever saw - canal boat son From: GUEST,radriano Sorry, folks, I seem to be forgetting things left and right these days. In the ABC notation I just posted you will notice an "h". This is my way of showing a held note. The version of ABC that I have has no symbol for a held note. radriano |
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15 Apr 00 - 06:18 PM (#212393) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest you ever saw - canal boat son From: GUEST,Glen in Gloucestershire Cheers Radriano - Great work - all I need to do now is learn it! See your Cyril Tawney Thread for a bit more from me. Thanks.
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16 Feb 21 - 07:20 AM (#4093369) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie) From: GUEST,Barry Goodman I sang this song for Redbornstoke to perform their dance of the same name. I also recorded it (with Graeme Meek as Life and Times) on the CD "Where the Working Boats Went" (still a few copies left!!) |
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16 Feb 21 - 10:20 AM (#4093388) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie) From: GUEST,jugmws I have been trying to buy this CD but the email address given does not seem to exist; can you post a contact that is live please m |
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16 Feb 21 - 04:01 PM (#4093437) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie) From: cnd Have you tried the following site: http://www.lifeandtimes.me.uk/Contact.htm (assuming you are referring to the CD, Where the Working Boats Went which has this song as track 12?) |
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17 Feb 21 - 07:26 AM (#4093547) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Finest of Them All (Dave Ritchie) From: GUEST You can contact me via my website www.barrygoodmanfolk.co.uk - I have copies of Where the Working Boats Went for sale! |