Blacksmith's lovesong-As long as the smoke goes up

Subject: RE: Blacksmith's lovesong-As long as the smoke goes up
From: cnd
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 05:52 PM

Your transcription sounds right to me. I might change "Let's be game" to "Let's be gay", which is a more logical phrase but a worse rhyme. Otherwise, looks perfect.

Subject: ADD: As Long as the Smoke Goes Upward (J.T. Bill)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 04:52 PM

I think the song is at the link I posted above: https://marlgray.angelfire.com/cradleylinks/page188.html.
That page has a link to a YouTube Video, and the ten-minute video has the song almost at the end: https://youtu.be/T1_O0vPFgN4?t=477
The chorus is what we have in the first message. I'll transcribe what I hear of the rest, but I can use some help on it. I think I've got it down pretty well.

AS LONG AS THE SMOKE GOES UPWARD: THE CHAINMAKER'S SONG
(Words and music by J.T. Bill)

Charlie lived in the Midlands (?)
Where the skies are grey;
Worked in a cable factory,
Just across the way.
Charlie loved a maiden fair,
Worshipped her, I do declare.
While his hammer he was swinging,
This refrain he would be singing:

CHORUS
As long as the smoke goes upward
So long will I love you dear
All day long mid the factory's din
I'm longing to have you near
I can see your face in the firelight
As I look at the glowing heat
And the sound of each blow on the anvil
Seems to ring out your name so sweet.

Years passed by and the sweethearts
One fine day were wed.
Life seemed to them all sunshine,
Not a cloud overhead.
If by chance some trouble came,
Charlie whispered, "Let's be game. (?)
Love will make our burdens lighter,
And the skies will soon be brighter!"
CHORUS

Subject: RE: Blacksmith's lovesong-As long as the smoke goes up
From: cnd
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 01:35 PM

I found one other song by Mr. J T Bill titled "Dudley Tank Bank" (link) but not the song you mention. The Tank Bank song is a patriotic number meant to drum up war bonds in World War I, so that at least gives us an idea of his age. Seems as if the song of that title is political in nature. But, like you said, it's a start.

I don't suppose this poetic tribute to Aries is what you're after, either. link

A similarly-themed song with the opposite resolution is Foster & Allen's The Blacksmith (B side to Bunch Of Thyme). A closer song is the Steeleye Span song of the same name: link

I still don't think this is it, but yet another blacksmith love song: The Blacksmith and the Toffee Maker

Otherwise, no luck on my end either.

Do you know anything about the year, area (US, UK, elsewhere?), genre, etc?

Subject: RE: Blacksmith's love song ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 12:47 PM

Hmmm. Not finding much but this page - https://marlgray.angelfire.com/cradleylinks/page188.html - says Mr. J. T. Bill of Netherton wrote the song titled "As long as the smoke goes upward."

So it's a start....

Subject: Blacksmith's love song ?
From: GUEST,Len Kennington
Date: 01 Sep 22 - 12:32 PM

Here's some lyrics, but I can't find a title (or composer) anywhere. Does is ring any bells?   

As long as the smoke goes upward
So long will I love you dear
All day long mid the factory's din
I'm longing to have you near
I can see your face in the Twilight
as I look at the glowing heat
and the sound of each blow on the anvil
Seems to ring out your name so sweet