Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 30 May 26 - 04:03 PM

Sorry, Victoria was 1837.

It's been a complicated day and I think the brain is fading!

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 30 May 26 - 03:51 PM

I should add that we have Tom Walsh's book on order to get more information.

The Horden Rakes LP notes mention the reform act of 1842. The Reform act was 1832, The Mines and collieries act was 1842. In both cases Victoria was on the throne by then so the song predates both acts.

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 30 May 26 - 03:35 PM

I am looking at this song and I have realised that I do not understand the second part of the first verse.

You Britons all, where'er you be
I pray you listen unto me
And then with me you will agree
What makes us all contented.
The king is good, I mean to say
Because he cannot have his way
His brave men would not go astray
So we must be contented.

I have found another version being sung that changes it to "Because that he must have his way", which reverses the meaning in my opinion.

In either case I do not know enough of the politics of the time to understand exactly what is meant by this line, it could be quite complex or just obvious if you know the intended meaning.

Help with this would be appreciated.

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 09:57 AM

Preston Guild Events

Monday 4 September, 8pm - 9pm Sika Speigel Tent, Miller Park, Preston
The Guild Choir perform the Sing the Docks Suite 2012

Thursday 6 September, Harris Museum, Preston. Join us for a day packed full of Guild-themed activities and talks.
12 noon - 1pm Guild Ballads from the Harkness Collection performed in the café by Gregg Butler and Tom Walsh

Subject: Add: Peace, Be Still
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 01:20 PM

I'm working on a workshop-usable song that is well known in Gospel circles. In my version, though, it's a moment to pause when safety is actually present, even if just for a moment, to create peace by BEING it.

PEACE BE STILL
As sung by Susan Oldberg Hinton
For Gene Manning with thanks

Children, peace.... peace be still.
Lift your hearts.... peace be still.
Like a child, cherish the moment....
When we say.... peace be still.

Succeeding verses begin:
We say
There is
Making
Why not
We are
Now is
Loving
etc.....

There is a rhythm part for participants that simulates breath and pulse.

SH

Sound sample (gospel): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dX2bz29XN0


====

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 31 Mar 11 - 12:16 PM

The Bodleian library lists a song called GLORIOUS KING OF ENGLAND, which begins "You Britons all, wherever you be...." It is said to be to the tune of THE KING OF THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS, and the subject is "William, IV, King of Great Britain, 1765-1837."

That's the right time frame, if it concerns the Reform Act of 1832.

Unfortunately, the link to the broadside in question is broken: Harding B 36(11).

Anyway, it looks as if the song posted above might fit to the tune of THE KING OF THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS.

The lyrics to THE KING OF THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS have been posted at several places in Mudcat (for instance, here), but it's not in the DT, and I don't know if the tune has been posted anywhere.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 30 Mar 11 - 03:23 AM

Ah, so it's a written tune. I wondered about that. Looking at the metre, 'The Mill, the Mill-O' would fit it (also used for The Sodger's Return, Just As The Tide Was Flowing, Blue-Eyed Strangler, and many others).

Thank you very much for all the information; it's fascinating.

Valmai

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 05:20 PM

I meant to add that Ron Flanagan set the tune to "Forced to be Contented". Here's a clicky for RunrigFan's link:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IXMIJQaCBo

Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 05:15 PM

In the link supplied by RunrigFan above, the singer quotes Horden Raikes as his source for the song.

Horden Raikes (Brian Dewhurst and Ron Flanagan) were a popular and busy duo when I came down to this part of the world (Lancashire) in the seventies. They made two LPs, "Horden Raikes" in 1971 and "King Cotton" (from which this song is taken) in 1972.

On turning professional, Brian Dewhurst changed his name to Brian Preston. At Fylde 2011 there will be a concert celebrating Brian's forty years of entertaining people with his songs and humour - "The Entertainer", 11.00am in the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Saturday 3rd September 2011. Website here:- http://www.brianpreston.co.uk/, some video clips here:- http://wn.com/Brian_Preston (the ones from Gregson Lane Folk Club are the "right" Brian Preston!) One of the clips is of "Peggy and the Soldier" (recent thread refers) which Brian found in the Harkness Collection of Broadside Ballads in the Harris Library in Preston.

Ron Flanagan some years ago revived the Longridge Folk Club which was one of the duo's regular venues.
LONGRIDGE FOLK CLUB -   1st and 3rd Tuesday every month
Longridge Royal British Legion, Townley Road, Longridge, Tel: 01772 - 783645
1st Tuesday of the month - Singers Night - 8-30pm prompt.
3rd Tuesday of the month - Guest Night -   8-30pm prompt.
Resident & Organizer - Ron Flanagan Tel: 01772 - 784214

As henryp noted, the song featured in "The Old Lamb and Flag" production by the "Jolly Fine Company Company" for Preston Guild 1992. A well-researched book, copiously illustrated (WALSH, Tom. The Old Lamb and Flag: the songs and story of Preston and its Guild. Carnegie Publishing Ltd., 1992) and CD of the same title were also available, the work of Greg Butler, Tom Walsh and colleagues.

The same Greg and Tom are working towards a show for Preston Guild next year, hopefully featuring some of the gems from their earlier production, and no doubt with some fresh material from their delvings in the archives.

Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 11:31 AM

Thank you very much indeed, RunrigFan and henryp. The older version of the song is the one I'm especially after, but the more recent one is extremely interesting.

The next Preston Guild could be pretty lively.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 08:25 AM

Taken from The Old Lamb and Flag;
The Songs and Stories of Preston and its Guild

You Britons all, where'er you be
I pray you listen unto me
And then with me you will agree
What makes us all contented.
The king is good, I mean to say
Because he cannot have his way
His brave men would not go astray
So we must be contented.

The rates and taxes are so high
All trades are ruined now or nigh
And the working class so fast do die
So we must be contented
This is the truth I mean to say
That England once looked fresh and gay
But now it's mouldering to decay
But we must be contented

The poor man he holds down his head
His children they are wanting bread
There's thousands starving still with dread
And are forced to be contented.
It is no use to talk at all
The weakest will go to the wall
And every day we lower fall
But we must be contented.

They said Reform would do us good
It has not yet, I wish it would
For thousands that are wanting food
Must starve and be contented.
The children to their fathers cry
AS they for work are passing by
My belly's neither full nor high
So wander on contented.

The farmer cannot sell his wheat
The poor cannot get aught to eat
The world is ruined now complete
And forced to be contented.
The work is all now standing still
The next to stand will be the mill
All trades are fast gone down the hill
All hands must be contented.

From the Harkness Ballad Collection, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston
Printed by J Pannell, 24 Byrom Street, Liverpool

Reform; The Representation of the People Act 1832, commonly known as the Reform Act

Preston Guild is held every twenty years; the next will be 2012.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: RunrigFan
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 08:23 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IXMIJQaCBo

come people all wherever you be
I hope you listen well to me
and then with me you will agree
what makes us all contented

the president's good I have to say
because he cannot have his way
his merry men all have gone astray
so he must be contented

oh dear oh dear what times are these
the rich can do just as they please
while the poor are starving by degrees
and we can be contented

the fees and taxes are so high
and the unions have all said goodbye
the working class so fast to die
so we must be contented

this is the truth I mean to say
that once we saw a brighter day
but now we're mouldering in the grave
and we lie there contented

oh dear etc

they said reform would do us good
it has not yet but I wish it would
the thousands that are needing food
must starve and be contented

the children to their parents cry
as they for work are passing by
and they go to school but wonder why
and wander on contented

oh dear etc

the farmers cannot sell their wheat
and the stores they sell us poisoned meat
the earth's ruin is nearly complete
but they tell us to be contented

the workers are all standing still
if they stand up they might get killed
and the scabs are coming up over the hill
all hands must be contented

oh dear etc

so tell me now which side you're on
will you fight or will you run
or will you laugh and have your fun
and stay at home contented

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 07:58 AM

Henryp and tiuanatime: yes, that's the one. Many thanks. I've tried searching on some of these lines, but still can't find it in the Digitrad.

It seems certain to become painfully apt yet again.

Valmai

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 07:30 AM

From the Lancashire cotton workers, after the Factory Act of 1842;

We are forced to be contented

Oh dear oh dear What times are these
The rich will do just what they please
The poor are starving by degrees
And forced to be contented

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: RunrigFan
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 07:13 AM

Bing Crosby - Soon

Soon, maybe not tomorrow
But soon there'll just be two of us
Soon you and I will borrow
The moon for just the two of us
Sweetly and so discreetly
We'll be completely alone
No other world, only our own

Now we must be contented
With schemes about the two of us
Yet we can have our sweet-scented dreams
That will come true of us
For presently and pleasantly
Our hearts will be in tune
So soon, maybe not tomorrow, but soon

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmania.com/soon_lyrics_bing_crosby.html
All about Bing Crosby: http://www.musictory.com/music/Bing+Crosby

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: tijuanatime
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 06:15 AM

I think the title is "We Are Forced To Be Contented": I'm at work at the moment, I may be able to supply some lyrics later

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 06:02 AM

Dave: thanks, but it's not 'Ten and Nine'. It's certainly English and sounds like a broadside. I struggle to imagine Bing Crosby singing it, but you never know.

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: RunrigFan
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 04:13 AM

Is it Bing Crosby - Soon?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 03:26 AM

Could be Mary Brooksbank's Jute Mill Song [ Oh Dear Me '

The last line reads,

We mun bide contented dark days or fine,
There's nae much pleasure living af'n ten and nine.

Dave H

Subject: Lyr Req: We Must Be Contented
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 02:15 AM

This is a powerful song about social unrest, possibly from the mid-1800s. Unfortunately this line, which is the chorus and may be the title, is the only thing I can precisely remember about it; it doesn't seem to be in the Digitrad.

If it rings any bells with anyone, I'd be grateful to know.

Many thanks,

Valmai (Lewes)