ADD: The Last Leviathan (Andy Barnes)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan (Andy Barnes)
From: GUEST,Mike Blackburn
Date: 20 May 11 - 08:07 AM

Hi - the band Wolfstone is neither defunct, nor Irish. They are very much together, touring, and still as Scottish as they ever were.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan (Andy Barnes)
From: GUEST,Chris Lussier
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 01:13 AM

This is a great song! I learned this beautiful melody about twenty years ago from a recording of The Ancient Mariners Chantymen on their album, "Turning the Tide." Over the years following, I have performed it at different events, always giving credit to Mr Barnes for his inspiring music and lyrics. People in my neck of the woods would always ask me to sing, "That whale song" whenever I was onstage.

Some of the lyrics I use are a bit different than the original words, and I think this is because of the melodic structure that the Mariners used on their recording. The verse that begins, "And e'er since time began..." was not included on the Mariners album, so I never learned that one. But I have enjoyed singing, and playing the flute as if to suggest "whale-song" between the other verses.

I have never financially profited from Andy's tune in all the years that I have known it! But Leviathan and songs like it have helped to define me as a singer and musician here in my little corner of the USA. I most recently performed it at a family concert this past October, and my cousin posted a video to YouTube. Please take a listen if you have a chance! My interpretation also gives people "the chills", but I would love to think that I am staying as true to the original theme as possible. Any and all feedback is graciously welcomed.

If any of you know Andy personally, it would mean the world to me if you would pass along my thanks for his amazing talent and haunting tribute to the Great Whales.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: JHW
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 03:45 PM

JohnB thanks for that link to Jon Boden

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: goatfell
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 09:07 AM

i thought that Wolfstone were and are Scottish

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 03:56 AM

Excellent version.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: JohnB
Date: 21 Jan 11 - 12:11 AM

Jon Boden Folk Song A Day version is here (at least for a while)
Last-Leviathan
JohnB

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: BB
Date: 07 Jul 09 - 06:02 PM

It was lovely to have you there, Cats - and yes, it always is. (That's *Combe* Martin, by the way.)

Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: Cats
Date: 06 Jul 09 - 05:23 PM

hearing Andy sing it at Coombe Martin this year was special.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Jul 09 - 07:41 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-HvcT7BH1s

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: Sean Mc
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 04:34 PM

Did a version of it myself with Dad about 20 ago...

http://www.myspace.com/larryandsean

Go to ReverbNation player ...Track 7

I have no idea who's version I knicked.....I probably owe them 50p.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,kuec
Date: 07 Apr 09 - 01:34 PM

There is also a recording by German folk rock band Connemara Stone Company on their CD Birds & Beasts which dates from 2004.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: BB
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 04:41 PM

This e-mail address for Andy Barnes is no longer current - I will pass on your request to him.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: Willa
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 03:53 PM

Guest. here is Andy Barnes' email address [e-mail]. If you scan the posts above you'll see several from him. He posted the full lyrics of his song and may even be willing to answer your request.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 01:22 PM

If you ever found the chords to The Last Leviathan, sometimes called The Last of the Great Whales, could you please send them to [e-mail]
thanks very much

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Terry Connolly
Date: 21 Jul 03 - 05:53 PM

In response to Dave Clinch (18 Feb 02): Thanks for the testimonial. I think I'm probably the Yank whom you heard sing the Last of the Great Whales in McGanns.
In response to Andy barnes (10 Sep 02): Thanks for the song--a real classic. I learned it from the Dubliners record. The first time I sang it (a capella, but very much bel canto) in a noisy Irish pub, I got drunk with power--the whole place got completely quiet. This has happened in a number of other pubs in various parts of Ireland & North America, most recently Friday night in East Durham NY during a rowdy Irish Arts Week. Since I couldn't answer inquiries about the authorship, I took to the net today, belatedly, so I can give you my compliments and give you the credit

Subject: RE: The Last of the Great Whales
From:
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 06:33 PM

The female folk group "Bryony" released an album in 1986 entitled "Last Of The Great Whales" with The Andy Barnes composition as the vocal only title track. I can't play it any more as it breaks my heart every time I hear this version.

Bryony are/were:-

Alisa Mackenzie
Cathy Yarwood
Alison Younger

I'm not sure if the Album is still available or if Dragon Records still exist, but their address was:-

5, Church Street,
Aylesbury,
Bucks.

Album code is:- DRGN 862

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: Noreen
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 02:21 PM

Why not join, Ian? It's free, and easy!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,IAN RIPPEY
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 08:54 AM

Dear All,

Regarding my last E-mail (5.11.2002) in this Thread, I have now found how to get the E-mail addresses of individual Mudcat members.

IAN RIPPEY 5.11.2002

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,IAN RIPPEY
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 08:51 AM

Dear All,


Thanks to Suzanne for putting me right about "The Green Fields of France" being called "No Man's Land". I still think somehow that this is a more memorable title than "No Man's Land" and ditto for "The Last Leviathan" vis a vis "The Last of the Great Whales", though one must respect the original author's intention.

Of course I was only joking about number 51 to sing "The Last Leviathan"- obviously with such as good song, many people will choose to sing it.

Does anyone know if the song called "The Bold Librarian" by Joy Rutherford has been recorded on album anywhere?

Finally, as a "Guest", is there any way of sending an e-mail direct to any person who has posted an E-mail to this group (such that it can only be read by them?) or does one have to "join"?

IAN RIPPEY 5.11.2002

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 07:50 PM

Ian, welcome to the Mudcat! I'm sure you'll come back again - and again - and again ... like most of us.
Sorry to disappoint you, but you're not (yet) no 51 - that number is about recordings. The song must have been sung by thousands in concerts and sessions!
Also, if you like Eric Bogle's song, better get used to calling it 'No Man's Land' - which is what Eric calls it. From what I hear he doesn't take kindly to the title the Fureys invented :-)!
See ya!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,IAN RIPPEY
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 08:45 PM

Dear All,

When searching the Internet for something about Andy Barnes, who wrote the song "The Last Leviathan" (or it seems, more properly called "The Last of the Great Whales")I came across this thread; the posting by Charlie A on 18.9.2001 (sorry this is the first time I have visited this newsgroup)at least gives some info. on him.

I have heard the song only on the CD by Golden Bough called "Best of Golden Bough" (which I bought about 2-3 years ago 2nd hand) on which it is called "The Last Leviathan" and on which the lyrics differ slightly, or I may be suffering from "Mondegreens" (see below, as I thought "When we were thousands" was "When we were cousins" (on reflection I suppose the former makes sense). They also omit the extra verse added by Andy Barnes later. I originally bought the CD because Eric Bogle's "Green Fields of France" was on it, which I had only heard sung once or twice many years ago at private parties, etc; I had never heard LOTGW/TLL until then, but found it very impressive.

I was surprised to hear that so many people (c. 50) have recorded the song though someone playing at a local folk night had told me that they heard it on a Dubliners album; someone also had the lyrics under the title "Last of the Great Whales". I don't know whether me singing it a few times at folk nights in local pubs (including last Friday night) counts as 51! (I am a pretty mediocre and non-professional singer (living in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, I nearly forgot to add), but it must be a tribute to the song that it seems to go down well, though I think it would be best sung by a woman with a higher voice.

I presume most of you know what a Mondegreen is, but in case you don't, it is a misheard song lyric, such as "Kiss this guy" instead of "Kiss the sky" on a Jimi Hendrix song, or "The ants are my friends" instead of "The answer, my friends" in Bob Dylan's "Blowing in the Wind". The term was invented by one Sylvia Wright (I think about the 1950s or 1960s), who on hearing a Scottish song called "The Bonnie Earl of Moray" with the lines: "They have slain the Earl of Moray, and laid him on the Green" thought it was "They have slain the Earl of Moray and Lady Mondegreen". Useful to know in table quizzes, etc. There are at least 1 or 2 websites devoted to this subject though most of the Mondegreens I have looked at are not very amusing.

That reminds me of another derivation of a word. Although not directly concerned with Folk Music, did anyone see Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees on the Frank Skinner show on TV on Saturday night (2nd November)? He has apparently been in show biz for 40 years, but managed to look far younger than in the clip where the Bee Gees sang 2Massachussetts", where of course he had long hair and a beard. In fact he could have passed for 21! Anyway, it came up that when about 8 in Liverpool RG had a reputation as an arsenist (There was a lot of "arsen about" in Liverpool then - I suppose everyone should have their 15 minutes of flame, as Andy Warhol almost said) and the family moved to Australia (prompting Frank Skinner to ask "Do they still send criminals to Australia?" Anyway, Robin Gibb then said that "Pommie" (Aussie slang for a Briton or at least an English person) derives from "Prisoner of Mother England". Can anyone confirm this (or otherwise)?

One last request - does anyone know whether the song "The Bold Librarian" is available on any album, etc? It was apparently written by one Joy Rutherford about 1976 (Joy I think runs a folk club in Cambridge). The lyrics appear on the Digital Tradition Mirror website (I think the address is something like sniff.numachi.com, ie without the www. in front)and it is apparently sung to the well-known folk tune "Sullivan('s) John)which I can remember vaguely from a Dubliners album years ago. As monthly folk evenings are held in my local library in Portadown I thought it would be good to get someone to sing it, though failing that it could be recited like a poem.

IAN RIPPEY, COUNTY ARMAGH, UK, 4.11.2002

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 09:11 PM

G'day all,

This thread has become too long for some older machines, lousy ISPs and dodgy connections (and for my friend Sandra in Sydney, so I have started a "follow-on" thread (and almost spelled the name correctly ...!)at:

The Last Leviathon - struggles on

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: BB
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 05:17 PM

Get it together, Andy! God, I hope you're going to be in a better state in a fortnight's time!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Andy Barnes
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 11:59 AM

Thanks - usual situation hit submit re-read mail - to late was the cry!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Noreen
Date: 11 Sep 02 - 07:02 AM

...or 1983...

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST OF THE GREAT WHALES (Andy Barnes
From: GUEST,Andy Barnes
Date: 10 Sep 02 - 08:40 PM

Whoops, sorry folks hit the wrong key

What I was going to say was here is the complete original version. The fact it's being sent on the 11th September is purely coincidental and was prompted by BC's request, but it feels entirely appropriate...

I don't look at the Mudcat list as often as I'd like but as there are a number of requests re contact my e-mail is

[e-mail]

Please feel free to get in touch.

Andy

THE LAST OF THE GREAT WHALES
(Andy Barnes)

CHORUS: My soul has been torn from me and I am bleeding
My heart it has been rent and I am crying
For the beauty around me pales and I am screaming
I am the last of the Great Whales and I am dying.

Last night I heard the cry of my last companion
The roar of the harpoon gun, then I was alone
I reflected on days gone by when we were thousands
For I know I soon must die the last leviathan.

This morning the sun did rise crimson in the north sky
The ice was the colour of blood and the wind did sigh
I rose to take a breath it was my last one
From the gun came the roar of death and now I am gone

And e'er since time began we have been haunted
Through the oceans that were our home we have been hunted
From Eskimos in canoes to mighty whalers
Still you ignored our plea none came to save us

Now that we're no more, there's no more hunting
The big feller is now gone there's no use lamenting
What race is next in line all for the slaughter?
The elephant or the seal or your sons and daughters?

WORDS AND MUSIC - Andy Barnes AUGUST 1883

COPYRIGHT 1986 - FRIENDLY OVERTURES

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 6-Oct-02.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Willa
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 07:17 PM

Refreshing the thread for BC, who has posted a request for info.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 08:04 AM

Surely the "authority on the song" is Andy Barnes.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: BB
Date: 08 Sep 02 - 04:58 PM

Tried your website, Cadence, to give you a contact for Andy, but it wasn't available for some reason.

Why not register with Mudcat, so that I can send you a personal message?

All the best

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Chris Harvey,Cock Robin Music
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 07:52 PM

Followers of this thread may have noticed that the authority on the song 'Last of the Great Whales',Mike Batory cites that the Bryony version is the definitive and complete version, Andy Barnes having given Bryony the extra verse just prior to their recording on 23rd November 1985. I am pleased to tell you that we will be reissuing this track along with the rest of the album,and some extra tracks,in the near future on CD. If you would like further details of this unique and definitive version please email me on [e-mail] titling the email 'Bryony recording' so I don't mix it up with spam. Chris Harvey,Cock Robin Music ,Lancashire.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Cadence Carroll
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 12:37 PM

Dear Charlie, I just posted a message to you but I'm going to try from here too. I'm not to familiar with message boards so I am so sorry if you get my message twice! I have recorded the Last Leviathan on my new release "Evolve". It is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and I would like nothing more than to be able to write to Andy and tell him as much. If there is anyway you can put me in touch with him I'd appreciate it. I can be reached through my website, CadenceCarroll.com

Thanks! Sincerely, Cadence Carroll USA

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 28 May 02 - 02:18 PM

The McCalmans do a version of this song on their new cd it's sung by Stephen Quigg.

It's also done by the dubliners and gaberlunzie.

Tom

Subject: RE: The Last of the Great Whales
From: Hrothgar
Date: 28 May 02 - 06:52 AM

Don't miss Danny. Lovely man, lovely singer.

Subject: RE: The Last of the Great Whales
From: Stewie
Date: 27 May 02 - 07:13 PM

Danny Spooner does a cracker version of this on his beaut recent CD of songs of the sea: 'Launch Out on the Deep' DS 005. He uses the original title, 'The Last of the Great Whales', and notes that his source was from Martin Carthy.

Danny Spooner

Danny is probably the best and most knowledgeable singer in Australia of traditional and folk idiom songs. Check him out if you do not know his work - you won't regret it. He is appearing at various UK and European folk festivals and events over the next few months. UK and European 'catters can check out his schedule in the above link.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: The Last of the Great Whales
From: Celtic.Relics.com
Date: 27 May 02 - 03:04 PM

Newfoundland based band, The Irish Descendants, recorded the song on their second album "Look To The Sea". It's one of the best version I've heard. Check out their website at http://www.irishdescendants.com/

Subject: The Last of the Great Whales
From:
Date: 27 May 02 - 02:23 PM

Have lyrics to this song, can anyone help out with sheet music (preferably for guitar with chords)

Thanks

Drumbanger

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From:
Date: 27 May 02 - 02:18 PM

Have the lyrics to 'The Last Leviathan' can anyone help out with the sheet music (ideally for guitar with chords) Thanks Drumbanger

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,MICHAEL BATORY
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 08:56 AM

Great to hear from Sheena Wellington and, personally speaking at least, to have a few of those " Who heard it from Whom " gaps filled.

I now understand the Sheena , Melanie Harrold and Anne Marie Middleton (Disney Moon) link, but can anybody explain how Rory Block also sings "burn" on her album Tornado?

Sheena, I seem to recall reading, possibly in the liner notes on your Kerelaw album, that you heard the song from Jim Donahue. Was that at Girvan?

The discography is "daily growing", (now that sounds familiar),67 releases so far, including reissues etc.

If anybody wants a copy of the definitive (I hope) list, please email me and I'll happily oblige.

Regards to all,

Michael Batory [e-mail].

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 12:02 PM

Just noticed this one. I learned it three or four years ago from the Newfoundland band "The Irish Descendants" although they call it "The last of the great whales." It's on one of their early CDs and it's a great version.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 12:08 AM

G'day Watson,

Yes ... the ^^ means they have been harvested ... but the last version of the DT to bre made available seems to be 1999 vintage. It takes a lot of work for Dick (or, whoever he can get to do the job) to get this out and we are waithng with bated breath for the next update (in real world computers, that is ... it has come out in MacSpeak).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 05:40 PM

And I thought he'd joined the McCalmans ... :-)

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 12:12 PM

A Scottish group called Gaberlunzie do it as well as a man called Stephen Quigg, who is now a member of The MacCalums

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 08:50 AM

Danny Spooner (English-born Australian) has just released a great CD of sea songs "Launch out of the Deep" which contains The Last of the Great Whales, with 6 verses (verse 1 repeated at end as chorus) - learnt from Martin Carthy.

www.dannyspooner.com

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Watson
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 08:37 AM

Thanks, I'm relatively new here, and I'm still finding out how it all works. I thought if lyrics have been marked as harvested that meant they had been put in the database, or at least they had been marked and would be included fairly soon.
The lyrics at the top of this thread were entered in September '98, so I'm just drawing on the knowledge of more experienced members to see if anything is wrong that needs to be put right.

And a reciprocal WassaiL! from me!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Snuffy
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 08:07 AM

The database is normally updated twice a year in April and October, but there have been problems in converting it to work with the latest operating systems, I think.

The current version at Mudcat is as of October '99, so anything posted in the last two-and-a-half years has not yet made it here. ButI believe several of the later updates have been done and are available in takeaway form.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Watson
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:31 AM

Thanks Noreen,
Yes, it was the fact that it had been marked as harvested that made me wonder if there was something amiss. After all, this thread has quite a long history, I would have thought the song should be in the database by now.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Noreen
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:24 AM

It's not in there yet, Watson, (though it's been marked as harvested) but it's available just as easily in this thread throught the Digitrad and Forum Search.

Noreen

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Watson
Date: 05 Apr 02 - 07:06 AM

As a matter of interest, where is this song in DigiTrad?
I've tried every way I can think of to search for it, but I've drawn a blank so far.

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 06:25 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Sheena!

Subject: RE: The Last Leviathan
From: GUEST,Sheena Wellington
Date: 04 Apr 02 - 03:22 PM

Just caught up with this thread -Melanie heard me sing it at St Andrews Folk Club. She and Ollie stayed with us and we swapped CDs (or it might have been vinyl in them there days!) . I sing "gun" but she heard it as "burn" and Anne Marie Middleton learned the song from her. I'm working on my diction.

I first heard it at Girvan Folk Fesival in the earl 1980s and recorded it in 1985. Sitll reduces audiences to tears!