30 Aug 04 - 02:36 PM (#1260013) Subject: Origins: Looking for a song From: GUEST,bvleugels@hotmail.com I am looking for a song that I heard in 1991 or 1992. It is about a village that lights a fake light to get ships to come into it's harbor. But the ships crash in the rocks and any survivors are killed so that the villagers can take all of the travellers belongings. I know a group that played in Aberdeen, WA and the Olympia area recorded it, but that's all I know. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. |
30 Aug 04 - 03:41 PM (#1260061) Subject: ADD: Wreckers (Sarah Davis) From: nutty This is a great song .... I hope it is the one you are looking for WRECKERS © Sarah Davis Respectable people take to your beds For the night it is dark and it's stormy Turn your head to the wall and hear nothing at all For the cart is starting its journey Out of the town up to the downs Along the cliff path it is going Twelve men and a cart out in the dark Best not to ask where they're going Chorus: On a stormy night with a false light The wreckers are down mid rock and mid foam Pity the sailor who's on the salt sea Thinking he's not far from home Laden low in the sea swell Beckoned on by the light she knows well Unaware of the rocks until it's too late And another ship moves to her fate Then it's time to work fast busy at last Gathering all that reaches the shore If bodies arrive making sure none survive The silenced tongue can tell no tales The wreckers work hard all through the dark night Long ago they extinguished that treacherous light When dawn comes around more people are found Gathering flotsam and jetsam Then it's back down the path, homeward at last There to divide the spoils of the night Of one thing be sure naught will be said Of twelve tired men and twelve empty beds The squire's wife wears a new dress of red With no trace of salt or those who are dead The innkeeper's serving the finest of rum And the squire is drinking strong brandy Life will go on there's nothing to fear Nothing to see and nothing to hear Respectable people who turn to the wall Need have no shame, no guilt at all E-Mail sent. -Joe Offer- |
30 Aug 04 - 03:51 PM (#1260067) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: SINSULL This story or a variation appeared in a movie or book I came across recently about a fishing village that makes extra money by boiling seawater for salt. The fires serve another purpose - to lure ships onto the rocks so that the villagers can claim salvage rights. One night they find a wreck with all its occupants dead. All are dressed in red. The villagers distribute the goods and clothing share for share then all fall ill. Seems the dead passengers had been plague carriers put to sea to get them out of their native towns. Anyone recognize the tale? I will drive myself crazy trying to find the source. |
30 Aug 04 - 03:53 PM (#1260069) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: GUEST,MMario sounds like a twilight zone episode! |
30 Aug 04 - 04:01 PM (#1260075) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: GUEST,.gargoyle Similar ploy used in a short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell.
Its a fun, quick, read.
Sincerely, |
30 Aug 04 - 04:23 PM (#1260088) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Fran Tall Ships by Steve Knightley of Show of Hands here is an extract: "The fishermen rise with the sun and they work til the days nearly done hauling empty nets while the cold sun sets and the winter has barely begun Theres a lighthouse a mile from the shore that the storm weary sailors search for when the win and raine bring their gales again it won't shine for them anymore We have families with sons on the sea, who work the tall ships of the sea but our choice is made by the winter days, and the children who sit on the quay That wild evening the word flew around, a tall merchant mans tempted aground how we shout and sing glad to greet the spring though we weep for the sailors we've drowned" |
30 Aug 04 - 05:54 PM (#1260146) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: curmudgeon This song is way too familiar, especially the line, "Turn your head to the wall and hear nothing at all For the cart is starting its journey ..." All reminiscent of the film(s) "Jamaica Inn." Are there recordings? Is the tune available? Thanks -- Tom |
30 Aug 04 - 06:10 PM (#1260156) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Malcolm Douglas A noticeable debt to Kipling, indeed; but without his skill, I fear. |
30 Aug 04 - 06:27 PM (#1260167) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: belter William Pint & Felicia Dale recorded Wreckers on their album "Hearts of Gold. No dought it's been recorded by others. http://members.aol.com/Pintndale/ |
30 Aug 04 - 06:58 PM (#1260180) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: GUEST,Obie Wreck of the Athens Queen (Stan Rogers) |
30 Aug 04 - 08:16 PM (#1260230) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Bill Hahn//\\ Interesting anecdote on that subject that happened last week. I was travelling to NYC from NJ by Pt. Imperial Ferry. A 5 minute ride. Returning I was up on the high deck and noticed no lights whatsoever lighting the pier---I spoke with the Pilot and asked if that does not give him a problem---he said---"hey, when you do this 90 times a day it becomes rote". I asked (damned interviewing techniques always seem to come out) does it ever becoming boring---this job? He replied---Damned right---everyday---but you cannot beat the pay for this. Anyway safe landing on a great service provided. Though I still wonder why the trip costs less (round trip) than parking in their lot. The next water episode---if you want---is riding and interviewing the crew of a NYC Fireboat---it will air on WFDU on Sunday 9/12. On the web you can hear it http://www.wfdu.fm Anchors Aweigh Bill Hahn |
30 Aug 04 - 09:40 PM (#1260264) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Charley Noble I've posted at least two other wrecker songs in the threads, the one titled "Wreckers" is actually a song composed by salvagers around Key West back in 1830. The other titled "Salvagers" is more contemporary fantasy focused on what might have happened along the coast of New Hampshire back in the early 19th century, a tradition carried on in another fashion by some in the town of Seabrook by running a nuclear power plant. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
31 Aug 04 - 06:05 PM (#1261117) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Joe_F While I lived on Long Island, I heard a story (not countenanced by George R. Stewart in _American Place-Names_) that Fire Island, the barrier beach, was named after fires built there for that wicked purpose. I once read (I'm sorry to say I can't remember where) about a monastery located on a dangerous coast, where the monks, if they spied a ship, would not build a fire, but *pray* for it to be wrecked. Si non e vero.... |
31 Aug 04 - 09:10 PM (#1261219) Subject: ADD: Tall Ships (Steve Knightley) From: Joe Offer I sent a personal message to Fran asking for complete lyrics to "Tall Ships." In the meantime, I found it here (click) and here (click). You can download the 22-minute recording here (click) (and there's a shorter version there, too. -Joe Offer- Tall Ships by Steve Knightley incorporating Winter's Welcome and Well-Bred Clowns and the traditional Spanish Ladies (On the coast: a fisherman - spoken) Give us a wreck or two, good Lord For winter along this coast is hard: The grey frost creeps like mortal sin There's no food in the larder, no bread in the bin. One rich wreck is all we pray, Busted abroad at break of day, Broken and splintered upon the reef With food and stores to calm our grief! Lord of rock and tide and sky, Heed our call, hark to our cry! Bread by the bag, beef by the cask - Food for poor hearts - is all we ask. (chorus) On the skyline the tall ships sail by, Bound for London, their decks piled high Fruits of warmer lands, passing through our hands So we wait for a storm in the sky. 1. Farewell and adieu to you Spanish ladies Farewell, adieu, you ladies of Spain. We've received orders to sail back to England, We hope in a short time to see you again. We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt sea, Till we strike soundings in the channel of old England From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues. 2. We hove our ship to with the wind from sou'west, boys We hove our ship to, deep soundings to take; 'Twas forty-five fathoms, with a white sandy bottom, We squared our main yard and up channel did make. We will rant and we'll roar like true British sailors, We'll rant and we'll roar all on the salt sea, Until we strike soundings in the channel of old England; From Ushant to Scilly is thirty-five leagues. 3. Oh the fishermen rise with the sun, And they work till the day's nearly done, Hauling empty nets, while the cold sun sets And the winter has barely begun. 4. There's a lighthouse a mile from the shore That the storm-weary sailors search for, When the wind and rain bring their gales again, It won't shine for them any more! On the skyline the tall ships sail by, Bound for London, their decks piled high Fruits of warmer lands, passing through our hands So we look for a storm in the sky. 5. Sweet thoughts of home came to me today Far too long now I've been away I'll stay away no longer Come you homeward winds blow stronger, Blow stronger, I'm homeward bound. I'm homeward bound. 6. With the first sight of the West Country shore We swear we won't go to sea any more Sweethearts and wives seem dearer As the English coast draws nearer. 7. Now soon, their welcome will warm a winter's heart We'll vow nothing will pull us apart There'll be a short time of plenty We'll think agian when our pockets are empty. 8. Now a grey cloud blackens the clear western skies. Fear and welcome join both in our eyes. Full sail and a straining main-mast, Run with the wind, we'll fly while the storm lasts. While the storm lasts. I'm homeward bound. I'm homeward bound. 9. As the rain blackened clouds gather round, And the roaring gales drown every sound All eyes search the night for the ray of light That warns where the black rocks are found. (On the ship: sailor - spoken) I know this place...I know this shoreline Something's wrong...something's wrong! Five fathoms! Four fathoms! Three fathoms! WE'RE RUNNING AGROUND! WE'RE RUNNING AGROUND! Look out! We're running a... (On the shore: Fisherman - spoken) One rich wreck! Or maybe two, Food and stores to see us through Till spring leaps up like break of day And fish return to the empty bay. One rich wreck! For thy hand is strong. A brig or a merchantman from Apalong. Caught on your twisted tides, good Lord, And drawn by our false lights to the shore. 10. I rose with the morning on a rain-washed day Early, and I walked along the shore; Watching the broken, splintered driftwood coming in, I listened to the ocean roar; The town slowly waking, and I walked from the sea Parents break in to their children's dreams; Mothers start to call, Fathers reach the stirring streets, And wonder what another morning brings. 11. All they have to sell is the strength of two strong arms All they own, standing in their shoes. And the price of your labour in deep winter, it falls and falls, The point came, there was nothing left to lose: We paid the price of winter and we buy another year It's time to search the heart and count the cost. Take the guilty conscience and the widow's bitter tear And what we gain is someone else's loss. 12. Yesterday the gales that shook the roof-top slates, Today, the breeze gently turns your hair. And the tide that closed its fist and snapped a broad ship's back Now softly takes the white gulls from the air. Oh, the banker's purse is like a deep black well, For every other well-bred clown; And the mercahnt has a fleet full of young men's lives. He can risk one in twenty going down. 13. I rose with the morning on a rain-washed day, It was early and I walked along the shore. I knelt down by the water where my brother lay, I listened to the ocean roar... 14. We have families with sons on the sea Oh they work the tall ships of the sea; But our choice is made by the winter days, And the children who watch from the quay. 15. That wild evening the word flew around, A tall merchantman's tempted aground How we shout and sing! glad to greet the spring, Though we weep for the sailors we've drowned! On the skyline the tall ships sail by, Bound for London, their decks piled high Fruits of warmer lands, passing through our hands, So we look for a storm in the sky. 16. November wind chills to the bone, And December rain lashes the stones. Sea that brings us life! take your sacrifice And bring back the hope to our homes. On the skyline the tall ships sail by, Bound for London, their decks piled high Fruits of warmer lands, passing through our hands So we look for a storm in the sky. 17. Oh the fishermen rise with the sun, And they work till the day's nearly done; Hauling empty nets while the cold sun sets And the winter has barely begun. On the skyline the tall ships sail by, Bound for London, their decks piled high Fruits of warmer lands, passing through our hands So we look for a storm in the sky. Ah we look for a storm in the sky. |
31 Aug 04 - 09:57 PM (#1261238) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Charley Noble Joe Offer- Wow! What a saga. Charley Noble |
31 Aug 04 - 10:17 PM (#1261248) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Joybell The idea of "wrecking" passing travelers, using fake lights, was used in the Australian film "The Cars that Ate Paris". The town survives by wrecking cars and salvaging everything including the human occupants. The title was changed in America to - "The Cars That Ate the World" It's an early Peter Weir film. Great fun and weird! Has a sequence showing an Aussie Bush Dance that's blacker than black in it's humour. Joy |
31 Aug 04 - 11:19 PM (#1261277) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Amos I encountered a boat of wreckers on the coast of Sicily, hiding in a narrow passage with a false set of spars with lights rigged out on them, designed to look like a distressed boat and lure passing yachts into a shoal. When they saw we had foiund them they folded up shop and ran off into the night. Scary to think that was in the the late-20th century... A |
01 Sep 04 - 01:33 PM (#1261753) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: mike the knife That's a variation of the Siren legends- goes way back. Here's Die Lorelei from Heine (learned it for extra credit in college ;-) ) 1. Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten, Daß ich so traurig bin, Ein Märchen aus uralten Zeiten, Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn. Die Luft ist kühl und es dunkelt, Und ruhig fließt der Rhein; Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt, Im Abendsonnenschein. 2. Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet Dort oben wunderbar, Ihr gold'nes Geschmeide blitzet, Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar, Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme, Und singt ein Lied dabei; Das hat eine wundersame, Gewalt'ge Melodei. 3. Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe, Ergreift es mit wildem Weh; Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe, Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'. Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen Am Ende Schiffer und Kahn, Und das hat mit ihrem Singen, Die Loreley getan. Translation (a little jerky): 1. I cannot determine the meaning Of sorrow that fills my breast: A fable of old, through it streaming, Allows my mind no rest. The air is cool in the gloaming And gently flows the Rhine. The crest of the mountain is gleaming In fading rays of sunshine. 2. The loveliest maiden is sitting Up there, so wondrously fair; Her golden jewelry is glist'ning; She combs her golden hair. She combs with a gilded comb, preening, And sings a song, passing time. It has a most wondrous, appealing And pow'rful melodic rhyme. 3. The boatman aboard his small skiff, - Enraptured with a wild ache, Has no eye for the jagged cliff, - His thoughts on the heights fear forsake. I think that the waves will devour Both boat and man, by and by, And that, with her dulcet-voiced power Was done by the Loreley. |
01 Sep 04 - 02:16 PM (#1261786) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: belter In the movie "Snake Eyes" from a few years ago, the main character told the story of wreckers at Atlantic City in the old days. The moral of the story being that thats all changed now. Now the lights are brighter. |
01 Sep 04 - 03:26 PM (#1261847) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Charley Noble ------------------C----------------Dm--------------Am Take no pride when men have died, by hearts so cold and cruel, -----Dm--------C---------------------F--------C---Dm If the salvage man be your friend, then the Devil go with you! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
02 Sep 04 - 01:52 PM (#1262746) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Cats I recorded 'Wreckers' by Sarah Davis many years ago on the album, 'Like a Lighthouse Shining' with Jon Heslop, and have it on Cd. Or if you happen to be at Wareham Wail this weekend, I'll put it down for you. |
02 Sep 04 - 02:42 PM (#1262791) Subject: RE: Looking for a song - fake light to lure ships From: Charley Noble Here's a link to the Mudcat discussion of the traditional Key West ballad of wreckers from the 1820's:Click here! And here's a Mudcat link to the Seabrook, NH, more contemporary composed ballad:Click here! Cheerily, Charley Noble |