Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Hawker
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:52 AM

My favourites are 'Sweet forget me not' and 'She's like a swallow', though I admit I dont know too many.
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: oldhippie
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 07:35 AM

Phyllis Morrissey's "Woman Of The Island".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Beer
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 08:17 AM

Is Sweet Forget Me Not a Newfoundland song? One of my favorites as well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: beetle cat
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 12:20 PM

Hey all, this is a little off topic, but for anyone who is in the St. John's area on the last Thursday of any month, you should stop by the Crow's Nest for the ballad session. It is a great place to learn some lesser known NL songs, and share some of your own. It starts at 8:00.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 01:34 PM

I've got a question about "The Ryans & the Pittmans (We'll Rant & We'll Roar)", resulting from a disagreement on another thread about one phrase - I'd be particularly interested to hear from any Newfoundlanders (Terry McDonald, are you out there?) ... but any of you feel welcome to "throw in a boot", so to speak.

Here's the line in question: "I can dance, I can sing, I can reef the main boom."

That's the way I've always sung it, always heard it sung, and always seen it printed.

Kendall says that the phrase should be "walk the main boom" - because "reef the main boom" does not make sense.

So I'm curious as to whether anyone - again, Newfoundlanders in particular - are familiar with the lyric as "walk the main boom" rather than "reef the main boom".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Murray on Salt Spring
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 02:15 PM

Re "The Ryans & the Pittmans" - I asked a long time since about the title, where do the Ryans come in? They don't figure in the song at all. But answer came there none. Any ideas???

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 02:18 PM

Nope - it must be "wrong". Also, since there is really only one "Pittman", it should be called "The Pittman".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:19 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MpGZd6sYUCQ

Here is a youtube of a young Newfoundland woman (I presume) singing West COuntry Lady by D. O'Reilly. I hope someone discovers her and puts her ina festival or something..I really like the way she sings although teh sound quality is not good here. mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:24 PM

meself - yes, I'm here, but a bit wary of you since you got ratty with me re Glencoe........ I'll have a ponder about your question and get back to you. I'm only half Newfoundland(ic?)but know the province (ex-Dominion)pretty well and have published a couple of articles on its music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:38 PM

Re: "reef the main boom", JtS (Mudcatter Jack the Sailor, from Bay Roberts) says "reef the main boom" is how he's always known it. He also says The Ryans and the Pittmans is his favorite of the ones fully in the public domain. He says Cape St. Mary's is his favorite of those that are considered trad but not fully in the public domain.

My favorite is Ode to Newfoundland.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:51 PM

meself - my immediate thought was to think of the Robin and Barry Dransfield song (from A.L.Lloyd) 'Talcahuano Girls' which has the same tune and similar lyrics, and where it's 'I can dance, I can sing, I can walk the jib boom' - I always assumed that it referred to the tricky business of walking along a spar in (probably) dangerous conditions.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: kendall
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 03:51 PM

Not sure if it is a Newfoundland song or some other Maritime song, but my favorite is titled The Wheelhouse Door.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:02 PM

I just looked for 'reef' in the Dictionary of Newfoundland English (no mention of it there). It's possible that reef is a variation of 'reeve' [v1 naut 1 'to pass (a rope) through a hole', b 'to thrust or pass (a rod, etc) through any aperture'], and if that's the case, reef the main boom can make sense. Or it could be one of the many lines in Newfoundland songs that are not intended to make any sense (being intended as nonsense lines).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:05 PM

I just asked JtS, and he said he thinks it means to put the sheet on the main boom (or to prepair the sail somehow on the main boom).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: MMario
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:07 PM

Reef v.
1: lower and bring partially inboard, as of a mast on a
          sailboat
2: roll up (a portion of a sail) in order to reduce its area
3: reduce (a sail) by taking in a reef

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:11 PM

LOL

Looks like 'reef' is a perfectly applicable nautical term...


http://www.sailingusa.info/weather_and_reefing.htm#Reefing%20the%20sails


Reefing the sails   (   Go To Top ) ( Go Back ) When to reef, is a difficult question to answer, since it depends upon the size and stability of your boat. You should consider reefing if your boat is heeling excessively, your crew in uneasy or if you are expecting high winds. If you think about reefing it is best to reef. It should be remembered that it is much easier to reef in the sails at the dock and then if unneeded to un-reef the sails, than it is to reef the sails under high-wind conditions.

    Steps in Reefing:

    1) Loosen the boom vang. You may also need to loosen the mainsail's sheets, if the mainsail is tethered securely in the midline.
    2) Loosen the halyard and carefully lower the mainsail just enough to allow the reefing cringle (grommet) at the sail's luff to be secured to the boom.
    3) Secure the reefing cringle (grommet), forming a new tack. If you are in a high wind situation and need to secure the reefing cringle to a reefing hock or horn, placing a long piece of hard foam in the cringle will help hold it on the hook or horn while you are tightening the mainsail's halyard.
    4) Tighten the jiffy reefing line, securing the reefing cringle (grommet) at the sail's leach, forming a new clew.
    5) Tighten the boom vang.
    6) If possible, secure the reefing lines below the below the foot of the sail and above the boom--see picture below:


-etc.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:11 PM

Crossposted with you, MMario.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:17 PM

Terry - Good to hear from you - Wait! That's not a belaying pin you've got there, is it?

Okay, so we've got "walk" in a variant song. Kendall - I didn't think to ask where you got "walk" - was it from a version of Ryans & Pittmans that you learned, was it from a variant such as 'Talcahuano Girls', or was it your own emendation?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 04:27 PM

Thanks, Carol (we cross-posted too).

"he thinks it means to put the sheet on the main boom (or to prepair the sail somehow on the main boom)" -

I was thinking along those lines; it seems plausible if I understand the other stuff correctly.

"Or it could be one of the many lines in Newfoundland songs that are not intended to make any sense (being intended as nonsense lines)."

I don't think so, since everything else in the verse makes sense - unless it was a sly hint that Bob Pittman isn't quite the seaman he claims to be (see Jamie Snider's post on the "When I First Came to Caledonia" thread), but that seems inconsistent with the rest of the song.

(Jim: Sorry for the thread hijack - I just thought this would be a good place to find some Nfldrs and nautical types).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: kendall
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 10:40 PM

meself, I learned that from one of the best sailors I know. Gordon Bok.
It looks to me like it just might be a nonsense verse. If it was written by a sailor, that is probably the answer. However, I still couldn't sing "reef the main boom".
It would require a very sure footing to walk the main boom, and I sure as hell wouldn't try it cold sober, let alone if I was "three sheets to the wind."

Carol C, that video was very interesting but I'm afraid it also contains a glaring mistake. You do not FLAKE the sail. You FAKE it, as you do with a hawser.
A flake is a small platform that is lowered over the side for seamen to stand or sit on to paint or calk the seams.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 12:04 AM

This article has links to lyrics and notes for pretty well all of the older songs that have been mentioned in this thread: wiki article..

Apparently "The Night That Paddy Murphy Died" was among the many written by Johnny Burke ... Now there's a great old song, Jim - if a little grisly ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 12:08 AM

And this one has a few that aren't on wiki.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:00 AM

Guest,meself, the context doesn't have to be consistently nonsense in order for there to be a nonsense line. Newfoundlanders like to keep people on their toes. (I know... I'm married to one.)

;-)

JtS thinks it's also possible that the term 'reef' was used as a bit of poetic license because it sounded good in that line, even if it's not the most accurate word to use in that context. Newfoundlanders love to play and have fun with the sounds of words. And that song is definitely sung for the fun of it, rather than something that is intended to be taken seriously.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: kendall
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 07:21 AM

And, few land lubbers would know or care that "reef the main boom" is pure nonsense.

There was a story titled "Wake of the Red Witch". The Captain used to show off by walking the taff rail. I wonder if there is a connection?

Come to think of it, I've heard someone sing, " a howler o'er the TOP rail, which is incorrect. It is TAFF rail.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 07:45 AM

"Newfoundlanders like to keep people on their toes. (I know... I'm married to one.)" "Newfoundlanders love to ... "

Yes, I have known one or two in my day ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Jim Lad
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 12:14 PM

Just dropped in to check this particular thread. It is going exactly as I'd hoped. The songs, most mentioned, are the ones most likely to be truly representative of Newfoundland & Labrador.
I would absolutely love to do "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's" but will not touch it if it involves
Copyrights". If anyone knows for sure, please pass it on.
I'll be using my own "Highway of Tears" which I have discovered, fits nicely into the "Rocks of Bawn" with one extra line that comes out as a slow mournful chant. This will set the mood for the whole album. Basically, a number of A-Capella songs, interspersed with some good ould "Newfie" numbers.
"Tickle Cove Pond" & "Star of Logy Bay" still sit high on the list but I have not finished going through all of your suggestions.

TERRY: Meself is okay. He has a sense of humour (Like my own) and can be easily misinterpreted. Put him on probation.
As for "Reef the main boom"? If they'll kiss the cod, they'll smoke anything.
Keep it going if you will. I'll be signing out for the day.
Thanks.
Jim.

p.s. I've lined up an accordionist.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Jim Lad
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 12:16 PM

And "Cape Breton Lullaby" for my second home!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 12:37 PM

Oh alright, Jim, I'll take your word for it! Has anyone mentioned 'The Islander'? I have it from a St John's duo called Shanty, (Joe Tompkins and Blackie O'Leary)and they only use a bodhran to accompany it. Its chorus starts 'Im a Newfoundlander born and bred, and I'll be one 'til I die, I'm proud to be an islander, and here's the reason why..........'

Also, there's a Joe Tompkins song that I think would suit you called 'The Banks of the River Grand' which he wrote about his family's emigration from Margaree, Cape Breton to the Cordroy Valley, Newfoundland in the late 19th century. I think it's beautiful and fondly imagine that I'm the only person this side of the Atlantic to sing it. Both songs are on their 'Crest of a Wave' album.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: mg
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:04 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7owIVgPves0&mode=related&search=

a nice band...to me this is almost perfect music...m

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Jim Lad
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 02:31 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7owIVgPves0&mode=related&search=

Excellent. The footwork looks to be Acadian. I've watched the Acadians around Margaree & Cheticamp accompany their songs with this foot tapping style. Much the same as the Celts do with a Bodhran, only a little more polished.
Now I'm really gone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: mg
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:01 PM

imagine what they would be like with a couple of beers in them...mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: mg
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:09 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hva9vnqkyYs&mode=related&search=

click

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MpGZd6sYUCQ

singer
this is the young lady mentioned above

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:21 PM

One of my very favourite acts in the world is Christina Smith and Jean Hewson from St Johns. Stunning vocals, top guitar playing and fiddle/cello to beak your heart.

Jean and Christina's website

I've covered their version of Lady In the East, which came from Kenneth Peacock's Songs of the Newfoundland Outports (National Museum of Canada 1965), and they do a magnificent version of Pride of the Season (which Mary and Anahata also do). Oh and their version of I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry is simply stunning.

Both albums Like Ducks and August Gale are brilliant.

Tom

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: kendall
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 03:22 PM

I couldn't hear her well at all. The guitar was way too loud.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Vinland
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 07:31 PM

Jean and Christina are wonderful teachers, besides being fine musicians. They teach every year at our music camp in Gros Morne (http://vinlandmusic.ca/html/music_camp.html). This years's is August 19-25. It's great way to learn some Nfld songs and tunes. Carol C, we even have a few piano accordion players every year now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:16 PM

Jim If you are not the least bit interested in Great Big Sea you ARE AN IDIOT!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:39 PM

Ok perhaps that was not quite what I should have said.
If you are interested in Traditional Newfoundland music and are not the least bit interested in Great Big Sea you are an ignorant bone head. There thats better! If I could edit my previous post I would.
As for public domain, a large part of GBS's repitoir is just that, and I can't think of who else has recorded versions of all of these... Old Brown's Daughter, Excursion Around The Bay, Tickle Cove Pond, Jack Hinks, The Jolly Butcher, Feller from Fortune, Regarding Charlie Horse, Great Big Sea (Hove In Long Beach) Recruiting Seargent, General Taylor, Donkey Riding, River Driver, Graceful & Charming, Ferryland Sealer, The Night Pat Murphy Died, Rant & Roar, Lukey's Boat.
Not intersted in GBS , you should be! DUH!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 08:55 PM

Oh, dear ... a Great Big Sea fan ... and if what he says is true, they've left nary a traditional song untouched ... You may have to modify your criteria, Jim ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 09:08 PM

Ok I'm the ignorant bone head, sorry. I admit to being a rabid fan. I know GBS is a wonderful band (esp live) and bring NF music to people who had never heard it before, like...ME!

But how much can you change a trad tune when you sing it Acapella?
OLd Brown's Daughter
Donkey Riding
Excursion around the Bay
How did the change Feller from Fortune?

Can you please point me to the "Way it should be played" versions of some of the songs I listed? I realy would be interested, and wait to be educated.
And who plays a tune just exactly like the last guy who played it?


Whack Fall The Day
Nick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,NIck
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 09:22 PM

Oh boy I should just go to bed! I deeply regret Mudcat does not allow us to edit our posts, I have a few things I would LOVE to retract, never to be read again...

I's The By
John Barbour
Hanging Johhny
Trois Naviers De Ble
Captain Wedderburn
I'm A rover
The Old Polina
Jolly Roving Tar

...all public domain
All part of the NF musical tradition, if not all originaly from there

Whack Fall The Day

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: kendall
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 09:25 PM

Personal attacks and name calling are not welcome here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 09:37 PM

Yep, as I said I wish I could edit my post. I do apologise, If admin would take them off the board I would understand, esp the first one.
As for the second they would edit out bonehead and put Traditonal Newfoundland Music Fan in it's place, but please leave ignorant, as that is just a comment on the information one has been exposed to.
I do come in enough so I hope it is known I am beter behaved most of the time. Sorry threadmates, sorry Jim.

Nick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 09:41 PM

It's okay, Nick - you're a fan (remember: from "fanatic"). You've been moved and delighted by Great Big Sea, and you'll repay the favour by defending them against all comers. It speaks well of you - you're the kind of man I want beside me in a barroom brawl.

However - please try to understand: GBS introduced you to Nfld music - while some of us were singing and playing this stuff before those lively lads were born - and we have our notions, honed over many years, of what sounds good and what doesn't, in that vein of music. Doesn't mean we're right - but we think we are!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 10:01 PM

Meself..ty
And as I said, I would love to be steered to versions of the songs I mentioned that you feel are either better or the way it should be played, and who the people were that played them. Did they record them?. I would also be interested in what you find (off - wrong- not quite the way it should be) about the way GBS plays them, too much this, not enough that, got the beat wrong etc.
My only real access to this music other than GBS is to listen to CJYQ over my computer. Do you know of any other good sorces on the internet? (Other than ordering from Fred's Records?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 10:14 PM

Next I wonder if in your mind Did GBS get anything right? Any of their versions of Trad songs get a passing grade? Any of the stuff they wrote appeal to you at all?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Beer
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 11:04 PM

While your discussing GBS and their arrangements of traditional music. How about "The Fables" and a few of their arranging of Feller From Fortune and Jolly Rovin Tar two name a few. Pretty damn good stuff to me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 12:05 AM

I'm hesitant to actually criticize GBS, because they have a number of firm fans here, and I don't want to end up in a big knock'm-down, drag'm-out donnybrook ... Nor do I want to have to give elaborate explanations and defences of every unfavourable comment I might make. But just to give you an idea: I find them 'way "over the top". The songs get lost in all the frenzy. The songs don't need all the hollering and jumping around and loud guitar - in fact, it diminishes them. But for anyone who enjoys all that, go ahead - some people like Baby Duck wine; some prefer Chateau Mouton Rothschild. (Okay, I had to google for that).

As for who else you might listen to ... well, first off, there's a guy who I don't think has actually recorded any Newfoundland songs yet, but I understand he's about to record four of his favourites. One Jim Brannigan by name. A bit of a quare one, but ... here he is!

Others:

A Crowd of Bold Shareman
Irish Descendants
Figgy Duff
Ryan's Fancy (Irishmen, but very popular in Nfld)
Jim Payne
Kelly Russell
Harry Hibbs
Buddy Whassisname & the Other Fellas (largely comedy now, but their trad. recordings are top-notch)
Omar Blondahl
Anita Best
Pamela Morgan

That's a starter list; there are lots more. I'll add them as I think of them. I'm not saying that I like everything that each recorded, but they've all got some good stuff. I'll see if I can find some links ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 12:50 AM

Thanks for the heads up, Vinland. Sounds like a wonderful music camp.


I second the vote for Buddy Wasisname. Here's a YouTube of some of their stuff (there's some good trad music about three pieces in, and a fine performance by Kevin Blackmore on the baghran)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Lo4T8V6G0&mode=related&search=

I'd also put Minnie White in the list.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:54 AM

Sorry but I can no longer resist - Newfoundlands and Labradors - Should this be in the Sporting Dogs thread ??

OK - I'll get my coat !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Songs of Newfoundland & Labrador
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 09:32 AM

I seem to be having trouble with the blue clickies, so I just put one link on ... these kids are on the right track all right - give this a listen and then follow some of the links and do some exploring; you'll find some other good stuff: General Taylor

All I know of them is what I've seen on Youtube, but they seem to have a great little scene going on.