Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?

To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café ^TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=34301
24 messages

Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?

13 May 01 - 10:26 PM (#461689)
Subject: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST,Tom

A band mate of mine keeps talking about a tune called Nancy Whiskey, but he doesn't have a recording of it and can't remember how it goes. Great huh? So, is anyone familiar with this tune and if so, where might I find a recording of it and /or lyrics, chords. Thanks to all... Tom

13 May 01 - 10:52 PM (#461699)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST,mgarvey@pacifier.com

it's like Loch Lomand speeded up.

13 May 01 - 11:09 PM (#461709)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Bob Bolton

G'day,

Doesn't sound much like Loch Lomond to me.

The one I am thinking of is a (?) Scottish or northern English song about a weaver blowing all his cash on whiskey ... and going back to work to get more money for more whisky ...

Someone should find it - but I have it on record ... and possibly in books (Clancy Bros ???).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

13 May 01 - 11:18 PM (#461718)
Subject: Lyr Add: NANCY WHISKEY
From: Gary T

Ian and Sylvia recorded it, although their version is faster and with a heavier beat than the versions I've heard by various Irish bands. The tune has similarities to Loch Lomond, but it's really the same.

I went to my favorite online search engine at www.google.com and typed in "nancy whiskey whisky." The first ten listings had several variations, some of which had midi files. Since I don't know a midi file from a nail file, I don't know if they have the same tune I've heard. Below are the lyrics I'm familiar with and the chords I use.

  C     Am        Dm      G7  
  I'm a weaver, a Calton weaver,  
  C     Am       F      G   
  I'm a rash and roving blade,  
  Am       Em     Dm    G   
  I've got silver in my pockets,  
  C     Am         Dm     G7 
  And I follow the roving trade.  
   
  CHORUS:  
  C        Am       Dm    G7   
  Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey,  
  Am       Em       G7    C   
  Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy-O.  
   
  I went down to Glasgow City,  
  Nancy Whiskey I chanced to smell,  
  I went in, sat down beside her,  
  Seven long years I loved her well.  
   
  CHORUS  
   
  The more I kissed her, the more I loved her,  
  The more I loved her, the more she smiled.  
  Soon I forgot my mothers' teaching,  
  Nancy soon had me beguiled.  
   
  CHORUS  
   
  I arose early in the morning  
  To slake my thirst, it was my need.  
  I tried to rise but I was not able,  
  Nancy had me by the knees.  
   
  CHORUS  
   
  I'm going back to the Calton weaving,  
  I'll surely make them shuttles fly,  
  For I've made more at Carlton Weaving  
  Then ever I did in a roving way.  
   
  CHORUS  
   
  Come all you weavers, you Calton weavers,  
  Come all you weavers where e'er you be,  
  Beware of whiskey, Nancy Whiskey,  
  She'll ruin you like she ruined me. 
    
  CHORUS

13 May 01 - 11:21 PM (#461720)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Gary T

AHHRRG! That line about the tune was meant to read "but it's really not the same.

13 May 01 - 11:25 PM (#461723)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Malcolm Douglas

This one gets asked for from time to time by people who don't realise that we have some very good search facilities on this site. It's more usually known as The Calton Weaver

A Scottish song, if I remember correctly, though later recorded by a good few Irish performers, so the "whiskey" spelling would not return all the references available here (there are several, and several sets of lyrics already posted).

Malcolm

13 May 01 - 11:28 PM (#461727)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: dick greenhaus

Well, if you get really desperate, you could look it up in DigiTrad. It's there, with the tune. Just try a search for [Nancy Whisk*]

The square brackets show that it's a phrase, and the asterisk takes care of differences between whiskey and whisky.

14 May 01 - 06:22 AM (#461836)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: mkebenn

I've always thought the song was "Nancy Whiskey" as Ian and Sylvia recorded it, and "Carlton Weaver" as the Clancys recorded it, difference being an extra verse and a refrain altered to
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy Whiskey.
Whiskey, Whiskey, Nancy-o
So many men been courtin' Nancy
But I will follow where 'ere she goes. Mike

14 May 01 - 10:10 AM (#461935)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: dick greenhaus

Titles are a snare and a delusion.

14 May 01 - 10:25 AM (#461942)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST,C.Hough@wlv.ac.uk

An MP3 version of Nancy Whiskey can be found at the following address:

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/57/king_laoghaire.html

CLICK HERE FOR MP3

best of luck with it

Colin

14 May 01 - 01:01 PM (#462038)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST,Tom

Thanks to all in helping me with this tune. Just for the record though, I did search the DigiTrad before I posted this thread and didn't find it. I did not know it is sometimes known as the Calton Weaver. I also was unaware about using the brackets and the * for other spellings. I am sorry if I irritated anyone in asking. Tom

14 May 01 - 06:42 PM (#462354)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: dick greenhaus

Tom- You certainly didn't irritate me. My post was strictly an attempt to be helpful. If I was chiding anyone, it was the regulars who seem to forget that we have a rather extensive and versatile database right here.

14 May 01 - 07:21 PM (#462380)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Gary T

I appreciated the pointers, Dick. I had looked under "N" for Nancy Whisk(e)y, and didn't see anything. Under "C" I looked for Carlton Weaver, which I see from some of the other posts isn't just me. I didn't realize it was Calton Weaver, and didn't think about entering a phrase from the song.

15 May 01 - 12:09 PM (#462810)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Big Tim

Calton is an area in the east end of Glasgow where weaving was once a major industry.

15 May 01 - 04:34 PM (#463041)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar

Having always believed it to be a Glasgow / Scottish song, I was gobsmacked to find that in volume three of the Greig Duncan collection of North East songs are versions which seem to demonstrate a clear Irish origion, and acclimatisation to Glasgow. Mind you, I write from memory, if I actually consult Vol III next time I get my hands on it I may find I'm up the lum on this.

15 May 01 - 05:30 PM (#463083)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Tyke

I do not remember it played with a Dm as far as I can remember from guitar tutor 20 odd years ago it's. C AM F G7 two beats each cord repeated untill (you do not need the Full Bar F cord for reasons of speed as when you get to the) Whiskey O you fit in the F G7 C with a single beat to each chord. Its the same chord sequence as If I Had A Hammer. Its a good one to put your guitar out of tune. Anyway that will work with out having to tie your fingers into too much of a not!

15 May 01 - 06:43 PM (#463163)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Gary T

Tyke, the Dm is probably just me, it seemed to sound better to my ears when I was going through it for my post above.

15 May 01 - 08:58 PM (#463263)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Tyke

Gary T no problem Its probably the only rift that I can remember from those Guitar Lesions. I have never performed the song but for some reason it had stuck in my head. Its is to my Guitar Tutors credit a good rift for anyone learning to play the Guitar. It teaches you to move your fingers as one (I'm not sure I'm explaining it correctly but you will understand what I mean I'm sure). I did not try to play it with the DM cord I have to admit.

One of the things about learning to play the Guitar is I have noticed the fingers used to play the D shape, for example, I was told to use my little finger! Now there are some runs I cannot achieve on the minus side (or John Denver type sounds having a spare little finger). On the Plus side I can change from D to D7 very quickly using my little finger for D!

So I think what I'm trying to say is you could be right! It all depends on the skill of the Guitarist and or what chord shapes/fingering he or she is using. It also depends on the speed that you play the song my perception is that its quite a fast and lively song.

Oh and to my Guitar Tutor Ruth I do remember lots of other things that you taught me! So Ruth in if you are a Mudcater reading this I hope that you are feeling much better! I'm looking forward to seeing you out and about soon!

21 Aug 07 - 04:08 AM (#2130226)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST

Artist: Ian and Sylvia
Album: Early Morning Rain
Track number 3 on side one

Vanguard

21 Aug 07 - 05:37 AM (#2130252)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Dave the Gnome

It shifts into an instrumental of 'Blue Moon' very nicely if anyone fancies a play:-)

21 Aug 07 - 05:54 AM (#2130257)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Tootler

This one gets asked for from time to time by people who don't realise that we have some very good search facilities on this site.

Fine if you know what you are looking for, but if you are a bit vague, then it is sometimes difficult to find the right search terms. I have had that trouble in the past. Also I didn't know the square brackets bit that Dick Greenhaus posted. I think a "Help" link in the search box would be useful.

21 Aug 07 - 05:30 PM (#2130638)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST,Sheila

This is where I've heard the melody:

http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/nwhisky1.html

CLICK FOR LYRICS AND MIDI

21 Aug 07 - 06:53 PM (#2130696)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: Steve Shaw

How can we get to this many posts without mentioning the great version by Luke Kelly with the Dubliners!

21 Aug 07 - 07:13 PM (#2130710)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Song; 'Nancy Whiskey'?
From: GUEST

I'm sure the Dubliners recorded it (Luke Kelly era?) Shane MacGowan definitly did it though his lyrics bear little relation to anything trad...

Please remember to use a consistent name when you post. Messages with the "from" space blank, risk being deleted.
-Joe Offer-