The Manchester Canal (SS Irwell) - O the S.S. Irwell left this port the stormy seas to cross They heaved the lead and went ahead on a voyage to Barton Moss No fair ship e'er left the slip from this port to Natal Than the boats that plough the waters of the Manchester Canal "This is apparently a version of 'The Cruise of the Calabar' from a broadside unearthed by Paul Graney of Manchester. It comes from 'Folks Songs and Ballads of Lancashire' compiled and edited by Harry and Lesley Boardman. Harry apparently sang the song to the tune of 'The Girl I Left Behind Me'. The geographical references in the song indicate that it is about the Rochdale Canal which enters the city via Ancoats." http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/manchester_canal.htm mudcat thread.cfm?threadid=11090#80978
The Manchester Ship Canal - I sing a theme deserving praise, a theme of great renown, sir, The Ship Canal in Manchester, that rich and trading town, sir I mean to say, it once was rich, ere these bad times came on, sir, But good times will come back, you know - when these bad times are gone sir. Chorus : Tow, row, row Tol de riddy, rol de riddy Tow, row, row "This song was performed by Mr. Hammond at the Theatre Royal, Manchester in 1827. The lyrics are from Canal Songs compiled by Jon Raven. Originally from Notes and Queries, March 12 1881, Manchester Reference Library. Gary and Vera Aspey recorded this on 'Bold Navigators'. They omitted verses 5 and 6 and appear to have added the chorus." http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/manchester.htm mudcat(post above in this thread) thread.cfm?threadid=46790#3900683
The Manchester Ship Canal (2) - When I was young and handsome, lads, as handsome as could be I said good-bye to me mother-in-law, away I went to sea I went aboard the schooner boys, the schooner Mary Anne And we set sail for Walton jail at the Manchester Ship Canal Chorus : Oh, the smoke, the smell on this old canal, the flapping of the sail As we set sail for Walton jail, at the Manchester ship canal "The sleeve notes of the 'Pumpkin Pie' lp [Down The Cut] don't give a source for this song." http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/manchester_ship_canal_2.html
The Manchester Ship Canal - John Gill From Ireland imported the navvies were brought Seven years of hard labour to stand For a ditch 26 feet by 35 miles Dug with shovels, picks and bare hands. Chorus : Manchester Ship Canal’s coming – prosperity! Manchester Ship Canal’s coming – at last! "This song was written by John Gill of the folk group Hindle Wakes. The song was included on the lp 'Hindle Walkes - Live at the Cross Keys' which was recorded on 21st August 1978 at the Cross Keys in Uppermill. ... released in CD format (available from Ian Smith (email: smiffy47@yahoo.com). " http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/manchester_ship_canal_gill.htm mudcat thread.cfm?threadid=163458#3952122
The Manchester Ship Canal Navvy - I’m a Navvy, I work on the Ship Canal; I’m a tipper, and live in a hut with my Sal; ... "Words from the History of the Manchester Ship Canal Vol 2 by Sir Bosdin Leach (1907). Recorded originally on the 1984 LP ‘Hooks & Nets’ by Ian Woods & Charley Yarwood (Traditional Sound Recordings). ...sleeve notes : ... This poem, by a workman known only as ‘The Ship Canal Navvy Poet’, gives an insight into their lives as any, despite a touch or two of romanticism." http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/msc_navvy.htm
~~~~~~ ~~~~~~
Roving Navvy - Ian Woods is the My name is Geordie Thompson, .... song. It does mention Manchester but not specifically the MSC. Me name is Geordie Thompson, I'm a man of high renown Known all along the cut and in the nearby town A gallon of ale, two pounds of beef, I have every day So when me work is finished, it's a half crown for me pay Chorus : So it's .. Dig boys, load boys, ... then haul away Digging up the cut, me lads, up Manchester way http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/roving_navvy.htm mudcat thread.cfm?threadid=57566#2052698