Versions:Whatever you say, say nothing(ColumSands)

Subject: RE: Versions:Whatever you say, say nothing(ColumSands)
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Jul 24 - 03:19 PM

There is an excellent book by Patrick Radden Keefe: "Say Nothing".

And the practise of substituting one story with poetic/ lyrical pretensions for another with political/ historical commentary is as old as literature. Viz: The Bible. And for those who understand the principle in our times, the television show MASH.

I haven't heard this song yet, but it reads like a fine example of generalizing the principle.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Jul 24 - 04:41 PM

Joe- combine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: r.padgett
Date: 10 Mar 07 - 03:05 PM

and me!

I heard this from Dohmnail McGillicot at Redcar Folk festival years ago

Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:59 PM

Thanks from me too!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:46 PM

Thanks again...

Subject: Tune Add: WHATEVER YOU SAY, SAY NOTHING (C Sands)
From: Stewart
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:41 PM

Tunes take a little longer, but here it is:

X:1
T:Whatever you say, say nothing
C:Colum Sands
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=130
K:D
A,|DD D2D2E2|FF- F2z2FF|EE E2D C3|D6FF|
F2F F3G2|A2D2-D2z2|EE- E2^G2GA-|A2z2z2A2|
B2AA A2zF|ED- D2D2DD|DD D2-D2E2|F2z2z2FE|
D2DD- D2E2|F2FF- FE D2|E2E2ED C2|D4z2z|]

Copy and paste into Concertina.net
and click "submit" and you'll get the score and a midi file.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:18 PM

Thanks guys - is there easily available a tune around anywhere?

I'll have to track down his VDs sooner or later anyway, I suppose...


ah! that's CDs I hope...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: Stewart
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:07 PM

Actually, it's on his CD "Talking to the wall with Sharon Aviv"
But I heard him sing this in Derry.

S.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: GUEST,michaelr
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:05 PM

Great song. When singing it over the last couple of years, I've been dedicating it to Alberto Gonzalez (US Secretary of "Justice") and the National Security Agency.

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: Lyr Add: WHATEVER YOU SAY SAY NOTHING (Colum Sands
From: Stewart
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 10:02 PM

WHATEVER YOU SAY, SAY NOTHING
Colum Sands

CHORUS: Whatever you say, say nothing, when you speak about you-know-what,
For if you know who should hear you, you know what you'll get,
They'll take you off to you-know-where, for you wouldn't know how long,
So for you-know-who's sake, don't let anyone hear you singing this song.

Now you all know what I'm speaking of, when I mention you-know-what,
And I fear it's very dangerous, to even mention that,
For the other it is always near, although you may not see,
But if anyone asks who told you that, please don't mention me. CHORUS

And you all know who I'm speaking of, when I mention you-know-who,
And if you-know-who could hear me now, you know what he'd do,
So if you don't see me again, you'll know why I'm away,
But if anyone asks you where I've gone, here's what you must say. CHORUS

Well that's enough about so-and-so, not to mention such-and-such,
I'd better end my song now. I've already said too much,
For the less you say and the less you hear, the less you'll go astray,
And the less you think and the less you do, the more you'll hear them say: CHORUS


Colum is a great songwriter and storyteller. Saw him in Derry and bought his book "Between the Earth and the Sky" from where I got the words to this song. It's also on one of his CDs, "All My Winding Roads" I think.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: Lyr Req: Whatever you say, say nothing
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Mar 07 - 08:51 PM

While listening to The ABC Radio National broadcasting from the Port Fairy Festival a funny clever Irishman called Colin Sands sang a brillant song

Whatever you say, say nothing, when you speak about you know what
....
Don't let anyone hear you singing this song

This is a brillant political protest song - anyone know all the words?

Robin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: What ever you say, say nothing
From: GUEST,Marc
Date: 02 Mar 02 - 08:11 AM

Thank Paul, I had a feeling it had to be in here somewhere. My forum search came up empty though. Thanks again

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: What ever you say, say nothing
From: Pene Azul
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 11:21 PM

The lyrics are here (click) in the Forum.

Jeff

Subject: What ever you say, say nothing
From: GUEST,Marc
Date: 01 Mar 02 - 11:15 PM

I heard this song in a pub in Galway years ago. Does any body recognize it? Know any verses?

What ever you say, say nothing
When you talk about you know what
For if you know who should hear you
You know what you'll get
They'll take you off to who knows wear
And who knows for how long...

Thats all I remember.

Marc Bernier
I was a member once, I must have to reup my membership

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: fulurum
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 03:22 PM

tom sweeney is working solo the last i knew. jimmy sweeney is working on an album with evans and doherty. no clue to what pv odonnell is doing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: SDShad
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 03:15 PM

Barley Bree--now there's a name I haven't heard in a while. Saw them on a "Tommy Makem and Friends" TV special a few years back--fun, lively group. Are they still touring/recording?

Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: fulurum
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 03:09 PM

close on the author, it was colum sands. makem and clancy recorded it on thier "LIVE" album. shanachie 52006. barley bree also recorded it on their "HERES TO SONG" album, rego 4300.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: SDShad
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 03:06 PM

Thanks, Philippa! I had searched the Digital Tradition, but had completely spaced searching the message boards.

Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 01:31 PM

Frank Howe gave the verses at an earlier thread.
hint - you can access forum search via the quick links box at the top of the window.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: MMario
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 10:58 AM

Interesting you should bring this up. Was just discussing this song with a friend, he says the CD he has it on is from Folk Legacy.....Sandy? Any information?

MMario

Subject: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing
From: SDShad
Date: 20 Mar 00 - 10:46 AM

I don't know whether that's the song's proper title or not. I heard it years ago by the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem. Starts out something along the lines of:

Whatever you say, say nothing
When you talk about you know what
For if you know who should hear you
You know what you'll get
They'll take you off to you know where
For you wouldn't know how long
So for you know who's sake
Don't let anyone hear you singin' this song

Written by Tommy Sands, perhaps?

SDShad (Chris)