Lyr Req: Longford Weaver (Andy Irvine)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Longford Weaver (Andy Irvine)
From: GUEST,Dermot
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 11:55 AM

Subject: Lyr Add: LOUGH FOYLE (Robin Williamson)
From: GUEST,Nikolaus
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 06:05 AM

Could be of interest: Robin Williamson (ex-Incredible String Band) did use the melody for his "Lough Foyle" (recorded with the Merry Band on "a Glint at the Kindlings", Criminal Records, STEAL 6) ballad with the following text. It works good to that melody if you hold the tune in some words and alert or skip some syllables at the end of lines.

At age 14 they gave us training
To number off by three and give salutes
To clean & fire the Lee & Enfield
To answer smartly sir & shine the boots
Me & all the other poor bastards
Glengarry bonnets on a bugle call
I never thought I looked good in khaki
It hurt the pride as well as it scratched the balls
I volunteered for the signal section
To work the radios was a skivers joy
& on manoeuvres I'd twist the orders
& put confusion on the soldier boys

To Northern Ireland for summer training
Near to Lough foyle not far from Derry town
To get the feel of the regular army
& generally act the bloody clown
To eat melodious beans & gravy
To sleep on old grey blankets stiff with stains
& on the carsy in the morning
To squat in rows like cows with labor pains

Me & some lads broke out one evening
Climbed through the wire & down the lough beside
We spied some fishers in their long boats
Casting nets out on the silvery tide
They soon pulled shorewards & we got to talking
To row us over the water they'd agree
They hoist us dry shod in the boat beside them
And way across the watery waves went we

Cross to Greencastle in Southern Ireland
A street of cottages set end to end
A couple of churches & several boozers
Where we fell to drinking with our Irish friends
The best black porter, strong beer & whiskey
We had a bevy there as drunk as lords
& all the skylarking & cutting capers
Till that old church clock it chimed for four

The fishers rowed us back over the water
& went to fish upon the morning rise
But we were drunk & our of caution
& we were halted climbing back through the wire
& me & the lads were all defaulted
& straight away upon fatiques were led
To double at our every duty
With our rifles held above our heads

But my good luck was not all departed
I was infected in both the ears
Some kind of a hole in the two of my ear drums
Till not a single order could I hear
I sadle smiled & looked downhearted
While they could curse & shout & rage
& that's the way I would end a story
When I was 14 years of age

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: Barry Finn
Date: 02 Dec 99 - 08:13 PM

Thanks Wolfgang, I can now go ahead & try to learn it & hopefully do it some of the justice it richly deserves for such an undersung gem. Thank you all. Barry

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LONGFORD WEAVER (Andy Irvine)
From: Wolfgang
Date: 02 Dec 99 - 03:14 AM

Close, but far from perfect. Perhaps it helps nonetheless, Barry. Here is the version from Andy Irvine's songbook 'Aiming for the heart'. It says "Words & Music trad., arr. Andy Irvine.

Wolfgang

THE LONGFORD WEAVER

These five long quarters I have been weaving
and for my weaving I was paid down.
I bought a shirt in the foremost fashion,
all for to walk up thro' Longford town.
I walked up and thro' Longford city,
where Nancy's Whiskey I chanced to smell.
I thought it fun for to go and taste it,
these five long quarters I've liked it well.

I entered into a little alehouse
begged Nancy's pardon for making free
and Nancy met me at every corner,
You're hearty welcome, young man, says she.
We both sat down at a little table,
we looked at each other a little while,
we both sat down at a little table
and Nancy's whiskey did me beguile.

I found meself then in a little parlour,
I found meself then in a little bed,
I tried to rise, but I was not able
for Nancy's whiskey it held down me head.
When I arose, aye, the following morning,
I asked the reckoning I had to pay.
It's fifteen shillings for ale and porter,
come pay it quickly now and get away.

I put the moneys out on the table
saying I'll leave this money down with the rest
and I'll drink a health to every young man
and the wee lassie that I love best.
And I'll go home, I'll begin me weaving,
I'll steer me shuttle another while,
and if I live for another season,
it's Nancy's whiskey will not me beguile.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: Wolfgang
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 01:02 PM

I'll have a look if it's in Andy Irvine's songbook. I fit is in there, you'll get it.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: Barry Finn
Date: 28 Nov 99 - 01:34 PM

Hi John & thanks, I should be seeing Sam Herny's book via Lani anyday now so I'll be looking this up there. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: John Moulden
Date: 27 Nov 99 - 10:55 AM

As "The Longford Weaver" this song is owed to Andy Irvine, who adapted it from the version "Long Cookstown" in Sam Henry's "Songs of the People" which he consulted in the scrapboooks in Dublin before the collection appeared in book form - published 1990 by University of Georgia Press - edited by Gale Huntington and Lani Herrmann. Available from libraries or on sale in USA from Lani and in Europe from me.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: Barry Finn
Date: 27 Nov 99 - 10:15 AM

Still looking, anyone?

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 12:03 AM

John, I'll take your memory over mine, I think you're right, though I can't remember if I'm just confusing it because it's so long ago. The version I have is of Johnny Beggin on mandolin,Shay Walker on guitar, Johnny Mullins on the box & Greg Cotter on banjo & singing, Brian never had that kind of backup or combination. Thanks for the jog. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: J. Nolan
Date: 19 Aug 97 - 10:32 PM

That wiz me, Barry.

Subject: RE: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From:
Date: 19 Aug 97 - 10:30 PM

Barry - didn't (my name's) Brian O'Donovan used to do that in the Village Coachhouse in Brookline? Maybe you could call him up at WGBH or where ever he is these days. By the way, The Press Room in Portsmouth was pretty good last Friday night - going to go back to the session this week - might even sing The Plooboy Laddy...c'mon down!

Subject: Lyr: Longford Weaver
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Aug 97 - 08:33 PM

I have an old tape & can't get alot of the words off of it. It's a version of Nancy Whiskey & The Carlton Weaver. The tune isn't that close to either. The little bit I have starts as follows:

For five long quarters I've been weaving, For five long quarters without a spell, Till I went up to Longford City, Nancy Whiskey I chanced to smell I sat her down upon the table there we sat for quite awhile I sat her down upon the table & Nancy Whiskey did me beguile. no refrain Thanks, Barry