ADD: Tell Ireland I Still Miss Her (D Behan)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tell Ireland I Still Miss Her (D Behan)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 24 - 08:43 PM

I was thrilled to find this exchange on the song Tell Ireland I Still Miss Her as when I lived in London in 1965/1966 my flatmate Natalie Hill from Perth WA met the Tinkers and was one of the backing singers on that track ! Yes, it has remained in my memory bank that long too.
Thanks everyone
Dallas Baxter
Sydney

Subject: RE: Old jackhammer in my hand..lyrics please
From: GUEST,Redhorse at work
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 08:23 AM

No problem Maurice. It wasn't much work: most of the song was lurking in a corner of my memory unused for the last 30-odd years!

Subject: RE: Old jackhammer in my hand..lyrics please
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 29 Jan 04 - 06:25 AM

Redhorse, your a winner! thanks a lot, I didn't think anyone would even remember that song...you mudcat people are really a mine of information...and I know that transcribing from a record is a pain, so all the more appreciated!...and Joe, thanks for your help also.

Subject: Lyr Add: Tell Ireland I Still Miss Her
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 06:30 PM

Just an Add for redhorse post of 28 Jan 04 - 05:57 PM This thread.

Subject: Lyr Add: TELL IRELAND I STILL MISS HER (D Behan)
From: redhorse
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 05:57 PM

I went to their club in Hampstead a couple of times in '67 or '68.
Anyway, transcribed from their 1967 LP:

Tell Ireland I Still Miss Her
(Behan)

Old jackhammer in my hand,
What is that you're saying?
We cut tracks across this land,
Further still we're straying.
I hear you old jackhammer speak
The same words that I whisper:
Words I endlessly repeat,
Tell Ireland I still miss her

Swallowtail, swallowtail,
Can't you hear me sighing?
Where to now,where to now,
Is it home you're flying?
Fly for me across the sea.
As she wakens, kiss her.
Whisper low as down you go,
Tell Ireland I still miss her

Eating here, sleeping there,
Money I keep spending.
Wages gone, hope lives on,
Toil seems never-ending.
West wind above, blow to my love,
Say my heart is with her.
Till I'm home, no more to roam
Tell Ireland I still miss her

Subject: RE: Old jackhammer in my hand..lyrics please
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jan 04 - 12:48 AM

Well, if you're really interested, the 1966 Tinkers LP is for sale here (click). I looked in Behan's Ireland Sings songbook, and didn't find it.
Good luck.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Old jackhammer in my hand..lyrics please
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 03:04 PM

Anyone got the words of a song called "tell Ireland I still miss her" ? I think it was
written by Dominic Behan and recorded by a London-based group called The Tinkers.
(Not the Oldham Tinkers)... start was "old jackhammer in my hand, what is that your
saying..........(chorus) I hear you old jackhammer speak the same words that I whisper,
'til I'm home no more to roam tell Ireland I still miss her"...or something like
that....THANKS!