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Songs about blacksmiths
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Subject: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,Ingrid Frances Stark Date: 05 Apr 04 - 11:49 PM I have been issued a challenge to find as many songs as I can about blacksmiths. I am hoping to find lyrics and tunes before July 2004. Anybody know where I can look? IFS |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: DonMeixner Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:06 AM The song "Joshua Johnson" by Jim Craig of Chicago is the best I've ever heard. Never heard a recording of it except off the radio 20 years ago. Art Thieme may have knowlege of where to go for it. Don "The Blacksmith of Brandywine" isn't awful either |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Neighmond Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:44 AM "Blacksmith Blues"... I think Ella Mae Morse (Moore?) did it. Loosely follows the old poem (Beneath the spreading chestnut tree...) |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Long Firm Freddie Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:51 AM This one, an adaptation by Jake Thackray of a story in Laurie Lee's Cider with Rosie, doesn't seem to be in the Digitrad: The Blacksmith and the Toffee Maker (Jake Thackray) He was a blacksmith by trade, he used to live on his own; She was a little old maid, she was all gristle and bone, Just a crone that you might not have fancied yourself; She was not born to attract; she was lined up for the shelf If it were not for the fact the blacksmith loved her well He loved her like hell he used to grunt and sigh, fit to die, But from afar, for he was shy, as blacksmiths often are. She made a meagre livelihood from home-made toffee that she'd sell Up and down the neighbourhood to a butterscotch and caramel clientele. Optimistically, she used to think that she would get a husband yet. She was far too modest to wink, to proud to be coquette You bet 'cos she'd got a squint, she was skinny, she was skint It never seemed that she, so palpably bizarre and banal could ever be a femme fatale. Time has no time to spare. And the years passed by, as they must The spinster shivered with despair and the blacksmith sweated with lust Fit to bust, until one day she went into the church Her simple heart to unclose "Lord, don't leave me in the lurch. Don't turn up your nose God knows I'm not much cop but my legs go up to the top. Oh tell me why you've passed me by. And, if you can, Dear Lord on high, get me a man!" Then, she was in for a shock for high in the tower like a bird The smith was mending the clock and he had overheard every word. He nearly fell off his perch with delight but, stout fellow, he kept his head; He didn't snigger as a lot of men might but in the tones of Jehovah instead He said: "You're not bereft there's a good lad left He's nothing flash, but still, reliable, staunch and true. Dear daughter will, will a blacksmith do?" The spinster's eyes opened wide when she heard the Almighty One. In a trembling voice she replied "Lord, any man is better than none" Thereupon the joyous blacksmith went home in a trot Dressed up to kill in a tick, went and asked her if she'd have him or not. And she said yes damn quick because she knew her state, it's daft to wait When love is overdue, to miss your cue, delay or demur An answer to a little cri de coeur. This is as much of a romance as all of the others that you get And not so much a song and a dance as your Romeo & Juliet, nor as wet Because their love didn't go to their head. No call to go berserk. The spinster went up to bed and the blacksmith went to work. Don't smirk, such loves are few, they were happy, they were true They knew their hearts' desires as love requires with few deceits. He used his fires to boil up her sweets. Link to illustrative cartoon: toffee LFF |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Kaleea Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:53 AM I know there are lots of Irish tunes about blacksmiths & "tinkers" but I don't know if any of them have lyrics. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: pavane Date: 06 Apr 04 - 02:28 AM The Blacksmith (!) Two Magicians Twankydillo A search ofr BALCKSMITH turned up a large number of other references in the DT and threads. The Trooper & the Tailor Joneses Ale Sally Munro |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: The Borchester Echo Date: 06 Apr 04 - 02:50 AM Child #98 Brown Adam (in Digitrad) |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,Tracey Dragonsfriend (no cookie here) Date: 06 Apr 04 - 04:01 AM The DT also lists "A blacksmith courted me", which I always liked... |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: breezy Date: 06 Apr 04 - 04:43 AM Ramskyte sang one last night at the Herga , Wealdstone, every Monday at the Royal oak , Peel Road. They are are a 4 piece accapella, men, from Portsmouth hants Eng I had never heard it before. Worth tracking down. Jones ale has verse about b'smith then there's'The Lusty Smith' as sung Ed Mcurdy 'red hot grew his hammer with vigorous beating' but pray wont you use it once more ere you go' |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: DG&D Dave Date: 06 Apr 04 - 05:29 AM Johnny Collins recorded a track called 'My Father was a Blacksmith' on 'Pedlar of Songs'; which I can't find in DT. Anyone know the lyrics? Dave |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: greg stephens Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:08 AM "The Merry Blacksmith" is very well-known Irish reel. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: greg stephens Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:10 AM "THe Two Magicians"(in the DT) is a classic song about a blacksmith, loaded with mythological stuff. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Nigel Parsons Date: 06 Apr 04 - 06:37 AM Another source to follow is the tale of Wayland, the smith. Wayland's smithy near Uffington is named in his honour. Wayland was the smith who created Beowulf's corselet. For more details follow The Song of Wayland CHEERS Nigel |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: pavane Date: 06 Apr 04 - 07:58 AM Note: "A blacksmith courted me" is an alternative title to "The Blacksmith" (what a surprise) PS Breezy & greg see previous posting! |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: greg stephens Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:02 AM Pavane: you are qute right, you got in first with Two Magicians. Its difficult reading threads through and remembering what everyone has said. Especially when youve got a memory like mine. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: pavane Date: 06 Apr 04 - 08:10 AM A search of the Bodleian Ballad library also finds the following texts, though without tunes From a blacksmith ("Since I'm in love with you, I find ...") The contented blacksmith ("The blacksmith sings from morn till night ...") The blacksmith's son ("A stalwart lad is the blacksmith's son, with broad bare chest and strong ...") The blackest of blacksmiths. ("Come all you young rakish fellows and listen unto me ...") The cast iron man ("A blacksmith once, noted for having great skill ...") The trooper ("In Dublin fair city a blacksmith did dwell ...") The bonny black-smith's delight. Or, A noble song in praise of the black smiths ("Of all the trades that ever I see ...") The four jolly smiths ("Four jolly smiths with their hammers great ...") Bold farriers, a new song ("Here's a health to all farriers ...") (version of Twankydillo) |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Sandy Mc Lean Date: 06 Apr 04 - 09:36 AM I descend from a long line of blacksmiths, ending with my grandfather, Big Murdo. He was also a soldier in the first world war. This verse about him comes from Helen Creighton's collection : "Gaelic Songs in Nova Scotia." FAILL IL ElLEADH, FAILL IL 0 Moderately fast, rhythmic FONN: Faill il éileadh, faill il o First the heel and then the toe. Pack you kits, and off you go. Hurrah for our commanders. Murchadh Mór, an gobhainn ruadh, Ged nach biodh aig' ach an tuagh, Gheibh an "Kaiser" sud mu'n ghruaidh When we go over to Flanders (Translation) FAILL IL EILEADH, FAILL IL 0 CHORUS: Fàill ii éileadh, fOul ii o. First the heel and then the toe. Pack your kits, and off we go. Hurrah for our commanders. Big Murdo, the red-haired smith, Although he would only have an axe Would strike it against the Kaiser's cheek When we go over to Flanders. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,MMario Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:02 AM There are a number at Levy Sheet music site as well - search for Blacksmith |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: HiHo_Silver Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:36 AM THE BLACKSMITH (GM)Twenty years ago last (D7) Christmas, Came a tempter to my (GM) wife Stole the only flower I (D7) cherished, (A7) And I vowed I'd have his (DM)life In the street one day I (D7) met him, In my eyes that villain (GM) grinned Then the curse of Cain came (D7) o'er me, (A7) 'Twas on that very day I (DM) sinned (Chorus;) (GM) Sure I dream as the hammer (G7) strikes (C) the anvil, (D7) And I dream as the sparks light on the (GM) floor Of my blue eyed turtle (D7) dove , (CM) She's the only girl I (GM) loved (DM) As she stood outside that (D7) good old smithy (GM) door (GM) Twelve months passed then came my (D7) trial, In the court I saw my (GM) wife And as I heard her beg for (D7) mercy, (A7) As they sentenced me to (DM) life (GM) Twelve long years I read her (D7) letters, Only comfort I can (GM) tell When I heard that she was (D7) dying, (A7) 'Twas then my lonely spirits (DM) fell (Chorus;) (GM) Late one night I dodged the (D7) warder, O'er the prison wall I (GM) sprang I got home footsore and (D7) weary, (A7) At the breaking of the (DM) dawn, (GM) She was glad so glad to (D7) see me, In my arms that night she (GM) died When the warders rushed the (D7) doorway, (A7) They found me kneeling there (DM) inside (GM) When they saw her lifeless (D7) body, And I kneeling on the (GM) floor They said Jack my lad we (D7) trust you, (A7) Come back when you've laid her (DM) low (Chorus;) Last two lines to finish I have midi but do not know how to post it here. Could send it via email if desired. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,MMario Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:43 AM Hiho - you can e-mail it to me (or to Joe Offer) and it can be posted to the mudcat midi page with a link back to this thread - or we can convert to ABC and post it IN the thread. lpola@edutech.org |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Malcolm Douglas Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:58 AM That song was posted here a year ago: Tune Req: The Blacksmith. A midi was mentioned then, too. We never did find out where the song was from, but I'd think it relatively modern. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,MMario Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:03 AM well - all I can do is ask them to send the midi's - if they don't... |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: JohnB Date: 06 Apr 04 - 01:12 PM Me Father was a Blacksmith, I'm a Blacksmiths son, He taught me everything I know until the time had come That I had learned me trade so well, that then I could say true Me father was a Blacksmith and now I'm a Blacksmith too. That's the chorus to the Johnny Collins one. He sang it for me in a friends kitchen the first time I met him, over in Canada. I do some Blacksmithing, although not for a full time living. I don't have time to do the rest right now, I'm leaving in an hour for a six week vacation in England. SO you will have to wait, repost it at t he end of May. JohnB |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,Ingrid Frances Stark Date: 08 Apr 04 - 02:24 PM Wow! That was way more response than I expected. I only knew about three or four of them. Thanks Heaps! I'll let you know how the challenge goes. IFS |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: The Unicorn Man Date: 09 Apr 04 - 11:50 AM Hello Ingrid, my mate Dave Auld has " My father is a Blacksmith" on his new CD, I also have a spare tape I could send to you of him singing in his sitting room, so you will have all the words and the tune. PM me up with your address and I will send it to you. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,Saulgoldie Date: 09 Apr 04 - 01:18 PM Don't remember much about this song. But it had lines something like: You never shall get me maidenhead which I ha' kept so long. You musty, rusty, fusty, crusty cold blacksmith. A maiden I shall die. A maiden I shall die. I heard it from a friend back in the late 60s. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,Saulgoldie Date: 09 Apr 04 - 01:21 PM Just looked up "The Two Magicians" and sho nuff, it is a variant on that song. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Herga Kitty Date: 09 Apr 04 - 01:54 PM Dave Auld got "my father is a blacksmith" from Johnny Collins, so it'll be more or less the same version. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Herga Kitty Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:02 PM Kat Graebe sings "A blacksmith courted me" with the extra verse included in Roy Palmer's "Bushes and Briars" anthology of songs collected by Cecil Sharp, that totally changes the conclusion of the song:
Come all you pretty maids, don't you be daunted |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Dave Sutherland Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:42 PM Try "The Blind Fiddler" and "Brown Adam" |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: pavane Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:58 PM saulgoldie, that's the Two magicians. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: pavane Date: 09 Apr 04 - 02:59 PM oops, I didn't see your later posting! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: FARRIER'S TRADE (John Warner) From: Charley Noble Date: 09 Apr 04 - 03:15 PM One of the best new songs in a traditional style has to be one composed by Australia's John Warner, a former blacksmith and current shantyman aboard the tall ship James Craig: FARRIER'S TRADE (Words by John Warner, © 1991, as recorded on John Warner: The Sea and the Soil, Feathers & Wedge, P.O.Box 615, Glebe NSW 2037, AU) Chorus: Here's to the farrier's trade, May their anvils ever ring true, May the Pritchel and Butier (?) still find employ, And proud, strong horses to shoe, brave boys, Proud, strong horses to shoe. The anvil rang like an old church bell, And the forge it roared like a gale, And down the wind came a pungent smell, That told an immortal tale; A tale well known to the black and the bay, To coachman, carter and carrier, For the smell was the hoof and the burning shoe, And the trade was the craft of the farrier. (CHO) A blue flame lept from the crackling coals, At its heart was a flare of gold, And out of its heart came a red-hot steel, In the farrier's tongs firm hold; Onto the anvil's face it swept, And a hammer bit into its edge, It curved to the farrier's swift hard blows, And it squared to the striker's sledge. (CHO) And many a draft horse, hack or cob, Stood fast at the hitching rails, While the farrier bent to the fetlock's hair With a mouth full of squarehead nails; And offered up the shoe to the waiting hoof, With a sizzle, a smoke, and a smell, Pritchel and quench, hammer, clip and clench, And file down the clenches well. (CHO) Though the motor roars out across the world, Its message of haste and greed, Though the horse has gone from the highway side, With its danger, noise and speed; Yet down at the fence waits an ancient friend, That progress will never unseat, And while there's a horse, there's a need for shoes, And farriers to tend its feet. CHO) John occasionally posts on Mudcat. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Gorgeous Gary Date: 09 Apr 04 - 10:22 PM Chalk up another fan of "Blacksmith of Brandywine" here! Found the lyrics in another Mudcat thread: Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=55308 I have Clam Chowder's recording on their AT HIGH TIDE CD which can be ordered here. -- Gary |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Charley Noble Date: 11 Apr 04 - 09:24 PM Refresh for Ingrid! |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: dick greenhaus Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:02 PM A search of DigiTrad for "Blacksmith" yields: 1.0000 - THE TWO MAGICIANS 1.0000 - TWANKY DILLO 1.0000 - THE TROOPER AND THE TAILOR 1.0000 - WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY 1.0000 - WHY DON'T THEY DO SO NOW? 1.0000 - WHEN JONES'S ALE WAS NEW (3) 1.0000 - THE PUB WITH NO BEER 1.0000 - THE PLOUGHMAN (4) 1.0000 - SWEET ROSIE LEVINSKY 1.0000 - A SOLDIER JUST FROM THE MARINE 1.0000 - MY LITTLE CARPENTER 1.0000 - SALLY MUNRO 1.0000 - OLD TIME RELIGION (2) 1.0000 - OLD JUDGE DUFFY 1.0000 - OLD ADAM 1.0000 - JESSIE MUNROE 1.0000 - JACK HAGGERTY 1.0000 - JACK HAGGERTY (2) 1.0000 - ISLAND OF BOTHIES 1.0000 - HARD TIMES (CHEATING) 1.0000 - KNIGHT AND SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER 2 1.0000 - THE DEACON'S DAUGHTER 1.0000 - GILLIE MOR 1.0000 - GATHERING OF THE CLANS (continued) 1.0000 - THE FOX (2) 1.0000 - BRAW NEWS IS COME TAE TOON 1.0000 - BOLD DICKIE 1.0000 - BOLD ARCHIE 1.0000 - BLIND FIDDLER 1.0000 - BLACKSMITH COURTED ME 1.0000 - THE BLACKSMITH (2) 1.0000 - THE BLACKSMITH 1.0000 - BILE DEM CABBAGE DOWN |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,blacksmith Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:16 PM A video link of part of the Blacksmith tune being played, though I think it is the instrumental tune Blacksmith does a Blacksmith tune help or did it need words?? |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 12 Apr 04 - 12:03 AM Read Great Expectations.
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: s&r Date: 12 Apr 04 - 04:14 AM Mabel, by Brian Bedford (Artisan) Quite hysterically funny. Can't remember the words - perhaps someone can help Stu |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: pavane Date: 12 Apr 04 - 04:50 AM I looked at the list from the search earlier, but many of them just mention blacksmith in passing, rather than being ABOUT blacksmiths. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Charley Noble Date: 12 Apr 04 - 08:43 AM I agree with Pavane, that songs which incidently mention "blacksmith" are of marginal utility to the original poster of this thread. John Warner's blacksmith song, however, is a wonderful tribute to the blacksmith's craft and to the horses. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Eve Goldberg Date: 12 Apr 04 - 08:12 PM Ian Bell is a fantastic songwriter who lives in Paris Ontario. He's got a song on one of his albums about one of the last blacksmiths in the area -- I think it might be called "The Last of The Blacksmiths," or "Who'll Shed a Tear for The Last of the Blacksmiths," or something like that. You can contact him at |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: katriana Date: 12 Apr 04 - 11:31 PM Well, if you can ignore the "stack overflow error" that seems to be part of Angelfire nowadays, http://www.angelfire.com/ks/tomes2/CalontirSongs/blacksmith.htm has the Blacksmith of Brandywine (words and MIDI as sung by Michael Longcor), as well as the story upon which Mr. Garvey based the song. katriana |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,eddi reader Date: 13 Apr 04 - 08:15 PM hi ... I did a song called THE BLACKSMITH on my album MIRMAMA...(compass records) ... I think it has been mentioned previously... I must point out that I learned my version from an unaccompanied singer in KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND.. circa '77... and one line goes... ' with his big black billy cock on' (his hat) ... BUT I misheard and sung.. 'with his big black billy goat gun'.. which I thought was a reference to the blokes ...err gun...... well... a mudcatter pointed out this flaw in my version.. but, as a 16 year old novice, my introduction to folk music opened my ears to MANY,MANY bawdy lyrics.. so I reckoned this line in THE BLACKSMITH made sense to me...AND... I improvised on the melody with the percussionist so if you ever hear my version, dont be mislead by it... there is a definate draw from us singing girls to those burly blacksmith loves... God bless you with the project. xx |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: LadyJean Date: 14 Apr 04 - 12:19 AM In "Great Expectations", Mr. Dickens has Jo Gargery singing "Old Clem, and we'll hammer boys round. Old Clem, with a thump and a sound. Old Clem, beat it out beat it out. Old Clem with a clink for the stout." Remarking that St. Clement was the patron saint of blacksmiths. (He was martyred by having an anvil tied around his neck and being thrown in the sea.) My great uncle, John Caldwell, was going to Cornell in the 1890s, planning on becoming an engineer. He and several of his fellow students decided they'd like to learn something of blacksmithing, and found a smith who would train them. He asked one of the young men for his watch, and worked it so he got the best watch of the lot. Then he put it on his anvil, swung back his hammer, and brought it down a quarter of an inch over the watch. Then he told the boys when they were done training that they would be able to do that too. Uncle John wound up as an orthopedic surgeon. He made prosthesises and medical instruments, so the training stood him in good stead. Anyway, I thought I'd pass on the story. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Charley Noble Date: 14 Apr 04 - 12:42 PM Ingrid! Are you still there? |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,Jacqued Date: 14 Apr 04 - 02:40 PM Ingrid, try this: THE BLACKSMITH'S SON (Johnny Collins - Pedlar of Songs) Jack Henderson Chorus Me father is a blacksmith, I'm a blacksmith's son, He taught me everything I know until the time had come. That I had learnt me trade so well and then I could say true, Me father is a blacksmith and now I'm a blacksmith too. Now when I was a little lad I watched me father work, He bid me fetch and carry and from that I'd never shirk. I stood beside the forge all day waiting to lend a hand, And watching all the different jobs so I could understand. Chorus And in my youth I learned more skills working by his side, Made ploughshares and implements and learned to take a pride - In helping him to shoe a horse, help him to mend a wheel, And help him with the other jobs until I got the feel. Chorus In course of time I was his match, we worked as man to man, We gained a reputation as the best fits in the land. But now me father's old and frail and doesn't work so free, He stands beside me little lad who stands there watching me. Chorus So now the circle's gone full turn another little lad, Stands beside the blacksmith's forge waiting for his dad. I bid him fetch and carry and look forward to the day, When he has learned all that I know and he'll turn round and say - Me father is a blacksmith, I'm a blacksmith's son, He taught me everything I know until the time had come. That I had learnt me trade so well and then I could say true, Me father is a blacksmith and now I'm a blacksmith too |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: Wolfgang Date: 14 Apr 04 - 03:19 PM Do the songs have to be in English? Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,MMario Date: 14 Apr 04 - 03:33 PM if it's a challenge and she brings in songs in multiple languages I would think it would be an additional coup. |
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Subject: RE: Songs about blacksmiths From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 15 Apr 04 - 01:54 AM Thank you LadyJean .... it is too easy to throw pearls before these fellows....and so I frequently refrain.... unless a kindred soul should step forward.
Congradulations...you....picked up one of the allusions from Great Expectations another would be when Herbert Pocket and Pip begin lodging together....Herbert begins to refer to Pip as HANDEL....out of tribute to Variations on Handel's 'The Harmonious Blacksmith ' ......
Sincerely, |
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