|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Newport Boy Date: 04 Sep 14 - 11:18 AM Good to see this thread again. Reading it through, there's one (non-music) comment that shouldn't be allowed to become folklore. In Oct 2004, Reiver2 posted: Mufflers and especially flat or "Dai" caps were and still are the most common dress for working men in S Wales, but yes it is cold!" (I'd asked if it was so cold in the mines that miners typically wore mufflers and caps while working.) Scarves (usually white!) and flat caps were worn for walking to the pit, and may have been worn working on the surface, but you couldn't possibly wear them below. I took a group of (mostly English) engineers down North Celynen pit after the 1974 strike. It wasn't a warm day, but I stripped to my underpants before I put on a light boiler suit. After 2 hours below, touring not working, I was a little warm (and very dirty). Those who had left shirts and trousers on were sweating hard. Most pits are pretty warm at the coalface. Phil |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Snuffy Date: 04 Sep 14 - 09:54 AM Thanks for the compliment, Joe. Here's the GPS co-ordinates for the various places, working your way up the valley of the Rhondda Fawr. Tonypandy 51.624, -3.458 Ystrad Rhondda 51.645, -3.466 Ton Pentre 51.647, -3.488 Treorchy 51.660, -3.506 Treherbert 51.675, -3.537 Tynewydd 51.679, -3.546 Google maps tell me that the 7.1 miles of the journey should take about 22 minutes (or 35 on a bus - the 120 and 130 run every 10 minutes between 06:30 and 20:30). You could even walk it all in 2 hours 22 minutes. |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: GUEST Date: 15 Aug 14 - 02:27 PM Well, the singing's still there, if only at funerals and in Swansea. But at least it's old age, not down the mine. |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Joe Offer Date: 14 Aug 14 - 04:18 PM Mr. Happy, I moved your messages into our longest thread on the song, which has various transcriptions of the lyrics and an ABC transcription of the melody, and a link up top to a MIDI. If you open more than one thread on a song, it gets confusing. The Digital Tradition version of the lyrics is flawed, and there have been a lot of bad transcriptions posted here. Let's see if we can get a really good transcription put together, once and for all. Here's the version that's currently in the DT: FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA cho: Farewell ye colliery workers, the muffler and the cap Farewell ye Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back The mines they are a-closin', the valleys they're all doomed `There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon My father was a miner, and his father was before him, He always had been proud to work the coal Since they fell 'neath Roben's axe, All the lads have had the sack So away to work in England we must go! No more the chapel singin', that long ago has left us And the public house no more the miner's songs For the boot wheels they are stoppin', And the populations' droppin' And I can't afford to stay here very long Treherbert and Treorchy, Tonypandy and Tynewydd Ystrad Rhondda and Ton Pentre, all adieu For I can no longer wait While Parliament debates So a fond farewell I bid to all of you! chorus (2x) @mining @work filename[ FRWHLRHND WH Apr98 Here's my working copy of a "definitive" transcription, based on the corrections posted above and the Mick Moloney recording, to be altered as corrections are posted below. Is Mick's a definitive interpretation, or did he make mistakes, too? FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA (Frank Hennessey) CHORUS: Farewell the colliery worker, the muffler and the cap, Farewell you Rhondda Valley girls, we never will come back; The mines they are a-closing, the valleys are all doomed, There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon. My father was a miner, and his father was before him, And they always have been proud to work below; Since they fell 'neath Robens' axe, All the lads have got the sack, And away to work in England we must go! No more the chapel singing, for that long ago has left us; In the public house no more the miner's song; For the population's dropping, As the pit wheels are a-stopping, And I can't afford to stay here very long. Treherbert and Treorchy, Tonypandy and Tynewydd, Ystrad Rhondda and Ton Pentre, all adieu For we can no longer wait While Parliament debates, So a fond farewell I bid to all of you! CHORUS (2x) @mining @work filename[ FRWHLRHND WH Apr98 [I got the place names in the last verse from Snuffy's post above, so they must be right. I have never known Snuffy to post incorrect lyrics, unless he characterized them as questionable. It looks like there was a correction to the DT version that also relied on Snuffy's post. There may be a mistake or two in my transcription, but I think it's pretty good.] |
|
Subject: RE: Gobbledegook From: GUEST Date: 14 Aug 14 - 02:59 PM Trehearve = Treherbert? Teralvye = Treorchy? Talleyfinley = Ton Pentre? Tenobbit = Trastrenondda = Trastre 'n Rhondda? Semfentra = Well, there's some possibilities anyway. |
|
Subject: RE: Gobbledegook From: Splott Man Date: 14 Aug 14 - 07:42 AM It would have been "Robens' axe" Baron Robens was chairman of the NCB in the 60s. "As Chairman of the NCB, Robens oversaw substantial cuts in the mining industry, ...: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Robens,_Baron_Robens_of_Woldingham Cheers Splott Man |
|
Subject: RE: Gobbledegook From: Mr Happy Date: 14 Aug 14 - 07:11 AM More gobbledygook here: Farewell ye colliery workers, the muffler and the cap Farewell ye Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back The mines they are a-closin', the valley they're all doom There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon My father was a miner, and his father was before him He always had been proud to work the coal Since they fell 'neath Provin's axe, All the ladies have had the sack So away to work in England we must go. No more the chapel singin', that long ago has left us And the public house no more the miner's songs For the boot wheels they are stoppin', And the population's droppin' And I can't afford to stay here very long. Trehearve and Teralvye, Talleyfinley and Tenobbit Trastrenondda and Semfentra, all adieu For I can no longer wait While Parliament debates So a fond farewell I bid to all of you! http://bardbook.flame.org/songs/232 ****** I've never heard anything like it! Other than mondegreens! |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Farewell to the Rhondda From: Mr Happy Date: 14 Aug 14 - 06:54 AM Anyone know how/where to get the dots music? |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rho From: MARINER Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:21 AM Some years ago Reiver2 asked what is known of Noel McLoughlin ? in reference to "Farewell to the Rhondda? .Appparently he was credited somewhere as co-composer of the song.Only last week when i was in Austria I came across some cds by McLoughlin.On one he sings Farewell to the Rhonnda and in a note on an insert asks for the correct pronounciation of the mining villages mentioned in the song.So, I think it is safe to say that he had nothing to do with the writing of the song, (if he had he would surely have known how to pronounce the names )it is solo Hennessy composition. How McLoughlin's name got on the recording heard by Reiver is anyone's guess. According to the liner notess on the cds Noel McLoughlin is from Limerick and has sung for years .To my ears he is a fine singer and instrumentalist playing a variety of instruments.All the cds I heard were of the "Best songs of Bonnie Scotland/ Ireland " type.All well sung and a good introduction to the music . Hope this helps to clear up any misconceptions . |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Nigel Parsons Date: 13 Aug 06 - 12:05 PM Dave Burns has a new CD out with this song on it. for full details see Last Pit in the Rhondda CHEERS Nigel |
|
Subject: RE: lyrics & chords req Farewell to Rhonda (Rhondda) From: Snuffy Date: 06 May 05 - 09:13 AM Joe, I learned the song from an old Mick Moloney recording where the writer is credited as Frank Henessey. I sang this in the Mining Songs workshop at Upton FF last weekend, and Splott Man confirmed that Frank wrote it. He's still in Cardiff where he runs a folk club and also has a folk programme on local radio. PM Splott Man if you don't believe me **BG** |
|
Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 09:03 PM http://www.geocities.com/songs2play/farewell.htm?20055 Lyrics AND chords there. Farewell To The Rhondda
I copy-pasted the lyrics/chords from the site Bruce linked to. I think we've established with pretty good certainty that the song was written by Frank Hennessey. At least, that's what Snuffy says. -Joe Offer- |
|
Subject: Chord Req: Farewell To The Rhondda From: GUEST,Muttley Date: 05 May 05 - 08:33 PM Thanks in a HUGE fashion to Nutty for the words to this beautiful song. However - does anyone out there have the chords to it as well? Most appreciated if you do |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ??Farewell to the Rhondda From: GUEST Date: 05 May 05 - 08:31 PM BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!!! Now - has any one got the chords??? Thanks HUGE Nutty! Mutt |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ??Farewell to the Rhondda From: Snuffy Date: 04 May 05 - 04:05 PM Written by Frank Hennessey |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ??Farewell to the Rhondda From: nutty Date: 04 May 05 - 06:37 AM HERE |
|
Subject: Lyr Req: ??Farewell to the Rhondda From: GUEST,Muttley Date: 04 May 05 - 05:53 AM I am searching for the Lyrics, Chords and some help with the tune to a beautiful song sung by Jim Haines. I think it was called Farewell to the Rhondda and lamented the closing of many traditional coal mines in the Rhondda Valley and the exodus of young men forced to seek work in the pits of England. Is there anyone out there who can help me on this one? Mutt |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: GUEST,T.Mooney Date: 14 Oct 04 - 03:28 PM Yes thanks Suzanne, from what I know of Frank Hennessy he speaks (and probably writes) most grammatically but, as I previously mentioned, with such great observational power too, would you agree. BTW I too have a copy of Daves LP that you mentioned. Dosn't his voice have a great "quality" about it. I tuned in to BBC Wales last Sun ( Med Wave,If memory serves) after reading this thread and by sheer coincidence he was just being introduced by this chap whose programme it was. Frank and Dave and Iolo (I remember him from a group called "Ar Log" also with Dave and other great musicians ) Jones played and sang three Immigrant songs and spoke of their families' Irish antecedents. It was terrific ! Tommy |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Chris in Wheaton Date: 13 Oct 04 - 10:21 AM R2 - you might send the review to the Welsh Arizona group - it could be put up on their site or on their yahoo group posting. I'd like to know more what you think about it. Chris |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Reiver 2 Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:00 PM I had an email back from John yesterday, as follows: "Hi Bryce, you are correct about the pronounciation, (dd pronounced as th - BB) but typically, the South Walians use both ways of saying the town. Mufflers and especially flat or "Dai" caps were and still are the most common dress for working men in S Wales, but yes it is cold!" (I'd asked if it was so cold in the mines that miners typically wore mufflers and caps while working.) Thanks for the tips on Welsh music sites, Chris! I can give you more information on the Ocean's Apart CD if you tell me what info. you want. I thought about posting the whole review of it that I mentioned above, but it's pretty long. The thread on The Man From Tralee also deals with a song from that CD. Reiver 2 |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Chris in Wheaton Date: 11 Oct 04 - 01:30 PM R2 -- I hope that John responds and gives some information on the song and his cd - good choice of music. Of course, you can always ask Frank - his e-mail address is on the Radio Wales site. I was listening to his radio show on the internet today - really recommend it. Ever listen to it? Check out the playlists for the great variety of songs he plays. Lastly, I also recommend Tudur Morgan's recent cd, if you live Welsh music. John might be interested in it too. Oh - and I think that the Welsh "RH" is most correctly pronounced as "HR" with a bit of the rolling R - but I'm no expert. Chris in Wheaton |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Reiver 2 Date: 11 Oct 04 - 12:55 PM That's what I tought also, Susanne, - regarding the "and", but I agree that "in" might work better. I've asked (by email) John Good to check out this thread and, perhaps, comment. I hope he will. Reiver 2 |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Susanne (skw) Date: 09 Oct 04 - 09:02 PM Surely the line in verse two should read "In the pubs" rather than "And the pubs" ??? Mooney, I thought the 'And' was meant to link up to the chapel singing, but it wasn't grammatically correct, whereas 'In' would be. Looks like you're right. Thanks! |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: GUEST,T.Mooney Date: 09 Oct 04 - 12:24 PM Great to hear of renewed interest in the "Hennesseys". Surely the line in verse two should read "In the pubs" rather ther than "And the pubs" ??? Personally I always equated the muffler and the cap with British working men in general and used to see quite a lot of men wearing same even to football matches on Saturday afternoons in winter. I'm proud too to count myself a friend of both Frank and Dave and I remember well when they came here to Co.Waterford (Home of Frank's ancestors) in Ireland with the third member of their original group Paul Powell (He had arms like a blacksmith, that lad) Their professionalism and musicianship soon earned them commercial acknowledgement. Frank's songwriting (for one so young when those songs referred to were written) was quite amazing. The song "Farewell to the Rhondda" will always be a favourite of mine, it has a terrific melody and the lyric is so totally evocative of the subject's lives. Tommy Mooney |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Reiver 2 Date: 09 Oct 04 - 11:22 AM Here are the songs from the Oceans Apart CD (The Maiden Voyage of Oceans Apart). Lots of Sea songs as you can see. 1) The Man From Tralee (Martyn Travis) 2) Bonnie Heilen' Laddie (Traditional) 3) Take Her in Your Arms (Andy M. Stewart) 4) Hornpipe Set - Liverpool/Good Natured Man/Rights of Man/Coolies (Traditional) 5) Take Me Home (Edwards-Hand) 6) Bluenose (Dave Martins) 7) Mawl a Marwnad Afan [In Praise and Lamentation for Afan](John Good) 8) Maui Medley - Rolling Down to Old Maui/Mingulay Boat Song/Coolies Reel (Traditional) 9) Farewell to the Rhondda (F. Hennessy/Noel McLaughlin) 10) Ton Alarch [Swan Song] (Traditional) 11) The Mary Ellen Carter (Stan Rodgers) 12) Baban Newydd [New Baby in the Tribe](John Good)/Queen of All Argyle (Andy M. Stewart) 13) Safe in the Harbor (Eric Bogle) Afan was a "pan Celtic" band that John started in Phoenix. It's defunct now as the bagpiper moved away. Hence the song. I'm going to start a new thread regarding The Man From Tralee which is my favorite song from this album (along with Mary Ellen Carter and Farewell to the Rhondda). I don't find The Man From Tralee in the DT, and I think it should be if I can get all the words. Oceans Apart website is at: http://www.oceansapartmusic.com but is seems to be down right now for some reason. Susanne: Thanks for the note about Dave Burns pronouncing Rhondda correctly. I'll have to give John a bit of teasing about that next time I see him. And Chris in Wheaton, talking about no modesty, I finally got a photo posted at Jeff's Mudcat Rogues' Gallery. Reiver 2 |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: John in Brisbane Date: 09 Oct 04 - 09:28 AM Joe Offer posed the question in Sept 02 whether the MIDI version is correct. I can't answer that objectively except that the version I have on vinyl is somewhat different in places. It's from the Irish? group that got a lot of airplay with the light-hearted vocal version of Lanigan's Ball. How close this is to the original tune I can't say. Regards, John |
|
Subject: RE: Lyr: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Susanne (skw) Date: 09 Oct 04 - 03:48 AM Reiver2, Dave Burns certainly pronounces the valley 'Rhon-tha' (soft th), which is the pronounciation I was taught by my colleagues when living in Wales 20 years ago. Chris, did you find out whether Dave's recording is still available? If not, I could send you a tape if that's enough for you. |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Chris in Wheaton Date: 08 Oct 04 - 05:22 PM R2 -- As long as you're on the subject, what are the other songs on John's CD? I thought info would be posted on the Welsh AZ site, but it appears that modesty prevails. Diolch yn fawr, Chris yn Wheaton, IL (and winner of Frank H's drawing 2 weeks ago - no modesty here!) |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: DonMeixner Date: 08 Oct 04 - 03:59 PM I recorded a really crumby version of this great tune on an otherwise right fine CD not too olng ago. Advice: Don't do it too fast, avoid using drums if you can, a nd the chorus is a bit of a reach. Don |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Reiver 2 Date: 08 Oct 04 - 03:32 PM Forgot to say that the words sung by Oceans Apart are as Joe Offer and Susanne have posted as far as I can tell. Some questions: Posts on this thread provide information on Frank Hennessy. What is known about Noel McLoughlin? To what does the "muffler and the cap" in the line "Farewell you colliery workers, the muffler and the cap" refer? Were temperatures in the mines so cold that all miners wore mufflers and caps while working? I'm no linguist, but my understanding is that the double d (dd) in Welsh is prounounced as "th". The unidentified poster above who gives the pronunciation guide for Ystrad Rhondda as "Ushh-trad Ron-the" which is the way John Good pronounces it on the CD. Why then is the name of the valley prounounced "Rhon-da" in the chorus and the song title? (Duh! I guess I should just ask John the next time I see him. He speaks fluent Welsh.) Reiver 2 |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Reiver 2 Date: 08 Oct 04 - 02:58 PM I was happy to find Farewell to the Rhondda in the DT. I'd never heard it until a few weeks ago. A newly formed group in Phoenix sang it and it's on their new CD "Maiden Voyage." The group is Steve Colby (formerly with Seanachie) and John Good (formerly with Afan) and they're called Oceans Apart. (And they are absolutely marvelous!) John is a native of Wales and both are excellent musicians, play multiple instruments and have great voices and their harmonies are superb. Unfortunately, the CD didn't include the words to any of the songs on it. This was one of my favorites, so I'm glad to find the words here in the DT. The credit for the song on the CD is "F. Hennessy/Noel McLoughlin". Reiver 2 |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: MARINER Date: 22 Jun 04 - 01:32 PM Susanne & Chris, the last Hennessy's recording I have is a c.d recorded in 2000. It's called "Homecoming" on HFG Records.The group are Frank Hennessy, Dave Burns and Iolo Jones.As usual it's an excellent album. If you're interested in obtaining it try emailing daveburns@vicpark.freeserve.co.uk Jack. |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Chris in Wheaton Date: 22 Jun 04 - 10:06 AM Frank had an interview on his show a few weeks ago with Dave regarding the strike and the songs. I am sure that he would replay it sometme if asked, or perhaps make it available. I have only heard the songs on Frank's show. If any of you know if they are available for purchase or on p2p, please let me know. Diolch yn fawr, Chris |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: MARINER Date: 21 Jun 04 - 06:35 PM Yeah, that's it. A solo album recorded to support the miners strike.Sorry I wasn't clearer about that.It was on Wobblie Records, Dave's own label The last pit in the Rhondda referred to was the Mardy (sp?) colliery.I repeat, a great album, not a bad track on it. |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Susanne (skw) Date: 21 Jun 04 - 04:33 PM Mariner, thanks for the info that Dave Burns is a member of The Hennessys. However, the tape that Farewell to the Rhondda (and Roll On The Day) comes from, was definitely a solo effort under his own name. I bought it in Cardiff way back in the Eighties. |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: MARINER Date: 21 Jun 04 - 04:12 PM Chris, I agree with you wholeheartedly, Davy's version of Roll on the Day is the best I've ever heard. The family choir singing with him are amazing.I assume you're talking about the version on "Last Pit in The Rhondda" ? For me one of the best folk albums of it's time. |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Chris in Wheaton Date: 21 Jun 04 - 03:11 PM Frank's wonderful show is Celtic Heartbeat - 3 hours every Sat and archived, but for only a week. He played the song a few weeks ago. The name of the show is somewhat misleading, since he plays great acoustic music from everywhere. Just not enough in Welsh for me. Celtic Heartbeat Dave Burns also does a nice version of Roll On the Day. Chris, Chicago |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Splott Man Date: 21 Jun 04 - 11:27 AM Frank Hennessy has an excellent folk music programme (Celtic Connections) every Saturday on BBC Radio Wales. You should be able to contact him personally via links on the BBC website. I'm sure he'd be delighted to hear of the current interest in this song. He also runs a folk night, 2nd Tuesdays at the BBC club in Cardiff. regards |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: MARINER Date: 20 Jun 04 - 07:49 AM In reference to Dave Burns mentioned above, Dave was at the time of the recording and still is a member of The Hennessys. |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Dug Date: 19 Jun 04 - 01:29 PM yes- but where are the guitar chords! |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Bev and Jerry Date: 26 Sep 02 - 02:19 PM We learned it from a recording of the Hennesey's and it sounded to us like "He always had been proud to work below". That makes a better rhyme with "..England we must go" as well. Bev and Jerryk |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: songs2play Date: 26 Sep 02 - 04:08 AM Just one other correction, in the second verse it is
The PIT wheels are all stoppin'
It is one of those "accent things" as we Welsh, especially from the Rhondda Valley, have a tendency to leave out the "g" in words ending in "ing".
When I was growing up in Treorchy, the Pit Wheels where in abundance, and I was always amazed at how quickly they spun round when the miners were being carried down the pit.
Frank Hennessey of The Hennesseys is the writer of this song, and can be contacted on the BBC Radio Wales, where he has a couple of shows.
Max Boyce has a couple of mp3's on
|
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Snuffy Date: 25 Sep 02 - 07:38 PM On my '90s reissue of the Mick Moloney CD (original date unknown, but probably between 65 & 75) the writers credit is to Frank Hennessey WassaiL! V |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Susanne (skw) Date: 25 Sep 02 - 05:43 PM My version comes from the singing of Dave Burns, from South Wales. For verse 1, line 2 he sings And they always have been proud to work below In line 3, Roben's should be Robens'. Verse 2, line 3 should have pit-wheels instead of boot wheels. Tne names are all ok now. Last line: Burns sings 'sad farewell', but that could be the folk process. Great song, despite the subject! Dave Burns' version can be found at My Songbook |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: HuwG Date: 25 Sep 02 - 02:17 PM If you can still get it, this song was on a Max Boyce album, "We all had Doctor's papers". I had it on vinyl, now long since gone; I don't recall who sang it on that album (although it may have been Max's backing vocalists, Neil Luce and John ??? brainfade kicks in, oh dear). |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:09 PM OK, this is the version I find in the 2002 Digital Tradition. It's still lacking songwriter attribution (Frank Hennessey from the Hennesseys Folk Group wrote this at the time of the miner's strike in 1972), but are there other corrections we need to make? -Joe Offer FAREWELL TO THE RHONDDA cho: Farewell ye colliery workers, the muffler and the cap Farewell ye Rhondda valley girls, we never will come back The mines they are a-closin', the valleys they're all doomed `There's no work in the Rhondda boys, we'll be in London soon My father was a miner, and his father was before him, He always had been proud to work the coal Since they fell 'neath Roben's axe, All the lads have had the sack So away to work in England we must go! No more the chapel singin', that long ago has left us And the public house no more the miner's songs For the boot wheels they are stoppin', And the populations' droppin' And I can't afford to stay here very long Treherbert and Treorchy, Tonypandy and Tynewydd Ystrad Rhondda and Ton Pentre, all adieu For I can no longer wait While Parliament debates So a fond farewell I bid to all of you! chorus (2x) @mining @work filename[ FRWHLRHND WH Apr98 I think this MIDI link will work: (click) - I'm not sure it's the right tune... |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha / Farewell to the Rhondda From: Joe Offer Date: 25 Sep 02 - 12:59 PM It appears that we have the incorrect lyrics and are lacking attribution of this song in the digital tradition. I'm going to copy comments from a personal message and other threads and paste them here, and maybe we can come up with an agreed-upon version of the song. Thanks. -Joe Offer- Joe, Sorry for sending a personal message but I'm not too sure as to the best way to correct lyrics i the database. The last verse is Treherbert and Treorchy, Tonypandy and Tynewydd thanks, [name deleted] I actually heard The Hennesseys singing this song in Treorchy (South Wales) in 1966. Thread #23366 Message #261863 Posted By: Snuffy 20-Jul-00 - 07:55 PM Thread Name: Tune Req: Tunes for songs Subject: RE: Tune Req: Tunes for songs
May I correct some of the names in the version of "Farewell to the Rhondda" in the DT, which may pose difficulties for those not familiar with Wales? The mining villages mentioned in the last verse should be: Thread #30931 Message #399805 Posted By: MARINER 16-Feb-01 - 08:23 PM Thread Name: Gobbledegook Subject: Gobbledegook lyrics in database^^
I've just looked up "Farewell to the Rhondda" in the lyrics database and the lyrics given are gobbledegook, particularly the second version. "Farewll" was written by Frank Hennessy, a friend of mine, sometime in the 1960's and is one of my favourite songs and it annoys me to find such a load of nonsense posing as the lyrics.Has anyone else discovered the same with any of their favourites??. The tune in the Midi section is a bit "iffy" as well, almost but not quite, right. ^^
|
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha From: Date: 08 Apr 99 - 01:51 PM We learned this song about twenty years ago when a friend living in Cardiff sent it too us on a tape. We tried to transcribe it but couldn't get the first two lines of the last verse. So, he sent it to us in writing. They're exactly as Susanne has posted them except it's "all adieu" instead of "all are due". Makes more sense, doesn't it?
He also sent us a pronunciation guide: |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha From: skw@worldmusic.de Date: 08 Apr 99 - 01:32 PM I haven't looked at the old thread, I'll just post what I meant to post anyway. Maybe the two complement each other: Thanks for posting the lyrics, Helen. Hope you don't mind a few improvements: Verse 1: Verse 2: Verse 3: |
|
Subject: RE: Farewell to Rhondha From: Wolfgang Date: 08 Apr 99 - 09:38 AM here is an old thread on Farewell to the Rhondda (not so easy to find with the spelling Rhnda). I now think that the second set of lyrics I posted is more reliable than the one that actually found its way into the database (look at the names in the last verse). And the name of the songwriter ("Frank Hennessey from the Hennesseys Folk Group wrote this at the time of the miner's strike in 1972"; from my old post) should also be in the database. Wolfgang |
| Share Thread: |
