Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)

Subject: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: GUEST,Norestump
Date: 21 Aug 19 - 09:25 PM

This is a longshot, but if anyone can figure this out it's you guys.

I heard this song on XM The Village sometime around 2012. The title was "The Pride of Ashwogan" but I'm not certain on that last word, it could be anything from Oswego to Askogan (I'm fairly certain it's not Ashokan), but I remember it sounded sort of like a town in Wisconsin

I think the lyrics described the repair of an old steamer. Phrases I remember, I think they must have been part of the refrain, include the beginning of the refrain "With her boiler stoked" and the end of the refrain "she's the pride of Ashwogan (parade/today/hooray?)". There was also a phrase like "(after the turn of the century)" that was repeated fairly often.

The performance I heard was male harmony with no or minimal backing. It was fairly slow, about 80 bpm and I think they kept within an octave or so.

I know it's not much to go on, but any leads would be more than I have now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: CupOfTea
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 08:39 AM

Does the program have any web page or method to contact them? Getting the information from their playlist would be the fastest. Is it a show that posts to the Folk DJ list? Playlists are splendid sources of information, and Folk DJs are particularly interested in spreading the word on things they like enough to play on air.

Joanne in Cleveland

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 10:58 AM

Did it sound like a newer or older song recording?
Accomplished singers?
Was it a field recording or somewhat polished as one might expect from studio work?
What sparked the memory after seven or so years?
The song would likely refer to Great Lakers, but was it a happy or sad song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: leeneia
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 11:26 AM

Does this shed any light?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3XOg_mEL1Q

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: GUEST,Norestump
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 07:00 PM

It's not Pride of Africa, though points for the first "Pride of A-".

What's the Folk DJ list? Unfortunately I do not know which show/DJ it was since I had only tuned into the channel on a lark, though I think I will send an email to the address associated with the channel to see if they can give me any leads. I remember trying to hunt it down in the playlist the day after I heard it, but it escaped my grasp even then.

The recording itself sounded pretty recent and by younger voices. Definitely studio. Melodically it sounded like a morose shanty, almost a dirge, while the lyrics themselves were more hopeful and successful. It gave the whole thing a sense of nostalgia and rekindled ambition.

The song's been rattling around in the back of my head ever since I heard it and I occasionally get inspired to hunt it down. These hunts typically end after a few hour's fevered googling, but this time I finally decided to ask for help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 07:17 PM

You aren't by any chance thinking of David Francey's Ashtabula?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ZeebJQCBQ

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: GUEST,Norestump
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 07:22 PM

Ashtabula's the closest I've heard yet, but it's not it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Pride of Ashwogan (sp?)
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 07:27 PM

It's in Ohio anyway :-)