Lyr Req: Shellback Song (Ewan MacColl)

Subject: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 09:58 AM

Hi everyone,
I wonder if anyone can help with this obscure request.
I'd like to get hold of the words to a song (or number of songs) which I believe was written for a documentary (I presume Radio) in the 1960's. The song I have in mind, which I remember someone singing at a Maritime festival, was quite long and covered many areas of the life at sea.
I think one of the verses says something like
Well iv'e ........
and i've lodged at Paddy West's.

That's about all i've got to go on, i'm afraid. Having the gift of youth, I can't give any other details about the documentary either.
Hope someone knows it.
Kipling

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: Schantieman
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 10:04 AM

Probably from the radio ballad 'Singing the Fishing'.....

Steve

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 10:32 AM

Check out Peggy Seeger's website - www.peggyseeger.com

She has a number of pages about Ewan and their work together. You might find the song there, and you can always e-mail Peggy.

Ron

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: Wotcha
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 10:59 AM

I believe the song is "The Shellback Song" which Dick Holdstock and Allan McCloud recently released as a cover on their 2001 CD "Deepwater Songs." Ewan McCall's lyrics refer to many chanteys and songs of the sea ... see how many you can pick out!


Cheers,

Brian

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: Abby Sale
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 11:00 AM

In the date base. Search on "Paddy West"

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 11:08 AM

Or click here

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Dec 02 - 09:34 PM

Definitely "The Shellback Song" and not the traditional "Paddy West."

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Dec 02 - 05:10 AM

I'm the JNGB who submitted the song to DT and the changes I made were very small but I thought I should note the fact. For Ewan's original words, PM me.
Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: GUEST,Chris Roche
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 01:54 PM

The Shellback Song was written not to be sung in its entirely in the 1970 BBC film `Before the mast, the film opened with a picture of the new Concord taking off and cut back to the packet ship Dreadnought. It is a shame it has never been put on either DVD or Video. It was published in its complete form in th New City Songster during the 1970`s

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 02:09 PM

Does Before The Mast still exist? Given the propensity of the BBC for wiping stuff, I wouldn't be surprised if the tape it was on didn't end up being re-used for a home improvement programme. Come to think of it, I wonder if that magnificent Philip Donnelan tv adaptation of Singing The Fishing managed to escape the net.

Subject: RE: Ewan McColl song for documentary?
From: GUEST,dave of machen
Date: 29 Jan 08 - 07:10 PM

Extracts from he Radio Ballads