Lyr Req: Astoria Bar / Astoria's Bar (Mary Garvey)

Subject: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: iancarterb
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 12:21 PM

I can't pick up the first line of the second verse - the one that ends "..very, very rough" from Bok's "Herrings in the Sea" album. Any help out there?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: MMario
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 12:27 PM

see Lyrics Added:Astoria Bar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 01:24 PM

Here is how I do it...but it is different than how he does it...

When the tide is rough so very very rough
So rough that you can not stand
It drives the little fish right into the nets
And the boats right into the sand

Too bad you weren't at the Fisher Poets in Astoria this weekend..awesome collection of people...one of the most outstanding a young teen who lost a father before she was born... mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: iancarterb
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 11:16 PM

Well, you can't do better than the author for help! Thanks- I've heard it with your lyric from Matt Moeller, but haven' seen him since he moved off of B.I. to get a memory reboot. I hope the Fisher Poets gathering is annual- I'll try to make it next year, '08 for sure (retirement soon).   
And thanks to MMario too!
Carter Bannerman

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:00 AM

Mary Garvey is also responsible for "Bringing the Salmon Home," "Oystershell Road," "Cranberry,""Meg of the Cowlitz," and "The Big Red Saloon." All of these can be heard on the newly released SONGS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CD by contacting Stewart Hendrickson of the Seattle Song Circle.

Mary has of course composed dozens if not hundreds of other fine songs!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble
Maine

Subject: Lyr Add: ASTORIA BAR (Mary Garvey)
From: Stewart
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:51 PM

These are the words that Mary gave me last Summer. It's a different order of verses and a few words slightly different from Gordon Bok's recording "Herrings in the Bay."

ASTORIA BAR - Mary Garvey

It's not very far to Astoria's Bar
But a very long journey it can be
You can start at the mouth of the mighty blue river
And end at the bottom of the sea

When the tide is rough so very very rough
So rough that you can not stand
It drives the little fish right into the nets
And the boats right into the sand

In the mist and the rain the labor and the pain
We know what the fishing here is worth
It is worth more than gold as they suck them from the hold
It is worth all the treasures of the earth

And the river still shines and shimmers in the light
As it did in our grandfather's day
When they rowed all night and fished in the morning
And lived in Willapa Bay

And the river still shines and shimmers in the light
As it did in our grandfather's day
When they rowed all night and fished in the morning
And lived in Willapa Bay


Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: Stewart
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:57 PM

Oops, I missed Mary's post above. But now you have the whole song as she sings it.

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: iancarterb
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 11:29 PM

Thanks Charley, thanks Stewart, thanks Mary for all the wonderful songs.   carter b

Subject: Lyr Add: SEAVIEW BELLS (Mary Garvey)
From: mg
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 01:24 AM

Well, here is another one based on an article in the Chinook. True story. They used to have to call the men home from sea in the storms with bells and lanterns before there were lighthouses...and the storms here are wicked. I really wanted it to have a chorus but gave in to my total lack of being able to write a chorus song. My keyboard is bad, so no caps. Her name really was Eliza Jane.

SEAVIEW BELLS

Back and forth the cowbells ring. onward swings the light,
Hoping that our signals bring our husbands home tonight.
The Seaview bells are ringing as they do in storm and gale,
Ringing for the safe return of every lonesome sail.

I recollect my marriage day, the day I was a bride,
The vows I made that wed me to the turn of every tide.
The wind can blow him east or west, likewise north and south,
And what a time he has to find the river's angry mouth! (Columbia)

I leave the children in their cribs, hungry and unfed,
The cows loose in the pasture, the chickens on the shed.
The wind is roaring, breaking off the branches of the trees.
I struggle up the hill and face the thunder of the seas.

I ring until my hand is numb and every muscle aches.
I'll ring until his time has come, whatever form it takes.
I'll ring to send him courage to face the ocean's swell.
I'll ring until I know I hear the answer of his bell.

It's true I live in Seaview and I'm called Eliza Jane.
When the wind ... (does something?), my duty is so plain.
I'll hitch up my woolen petticoats and climb that hill again
And join the other womenfolk in calling home their men.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:33 AM

mary, thanks so much for sharing that. It is stunning and so poignant. All these years on Mudcat and I didn't know you'd written so much! Wonderful!

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: MMario
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:40 AM

Mary - are you willing to share the tune? Can anyone post it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mary Garvey's 'Astoria Bar'
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 01:57 PM

I am always willing to share anything but probably would have to send a tape or something...but first let me find my little recorder. mg