ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)

Subject: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From:
Date: 18 Apr 99 - 03:33 PM

I'm looking for the lyrics to this Irish song by Colm Sands

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: Philippa
Date: 18 Apr 99 - 05:57 PM

just to start you off; it may take mye a while to get the rest of the lyrics and problably someone else will fill you in further before I do.

Whatever you say, say nothing
When you talk about you know what
For if you know who should hear you, you know what you'll get!
They'll take you away to you know where
For you wouldn't know how long
So for You Know Who's sake, don't let anyone
hear you singing this song.

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: Philippa
Date: 21 Apr 99 - 02:10 PM

I didn't mean it, say something, add a verse or two or three

Subject: Lyr Add: WHATEVER YOU SAY, SAY NOTHING
From: Frank Howe
Date: 21 Apr 99 - 02:20 PM

Here ya go

WHATEVER YOU SAY, SAY NOTHING
(Colum Sands)

CHORUS:
Whatever you say, say nothing when you talk about you-know-what.
For if you-know-who should hear ya, you know what you’d get
They take you all to you-know-where for you-wouldn’t-know-how-long,
So for you-know-whose sake don’t let anyone hear you singing this song.

You all know what I’m speaking of when I mention you-know-what,
And I fear it’s very dangerous to even mention that.
For the other ones are always near, although you may not see,
And if anyone asks who told you that, please don’t mention me. CHORUS.

You all know who I’m speaking of, when I mention you-know-who,
For if you-know-who should hear you, you know what he’d do.
So if you don’t see me again, you’ll know why I’m away,
And if anyone asks you where I’ve gone, here’s what you must say: CHORUS.

Well that’s enough about so-and-so, not to mention such-and-such,
And I better end my song now. I’ve already said too much.
Well, the less you say, the less you hear, and the less you’ll go astray,
And the less you think, the less you do, and the more you’ll hear them say: CHORUS

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: Philippa
Date: 21 Apr 99 - 02:27 PM

hey, Frank. that was quick! Thanks. Refreshing the thread was worthwhile. I suppose I have to e-mail Jenskoch as I don't know if Jens knows about returning to look up old threads.

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 02:55 AM

I didn't say anything. Really. Yoo've gotta believe me...I wouldn't. How could I? I don't know anything, and I wasn't even there (wherever "there" is--I live very near Oakland, and everyone knows there's no there there). --seed

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From:
Date: 22 Apr 99 - 10:55 PM

Thanks for the completion of the lyrics. The lyrics were to be used at talk in connection with Seamus Heaney's poem of the same name; and it went down very well. I can't say I understand everything that's being said in the thread, but thanks anyway.

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: DonD
Date: 19 May 04 - 08:31 PM

I'm planning to sing this tomorrow night at the Bronxville Sing of the Pinewoods Folk Club and dedicate to John Ashcroft and the Patriot Act. But if you-know who shows up tomorrow night, or is reading this thread, It wasn't me.

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: Cluin
Date: 19 May 04 - 08:46 PM

Colm Sands? I thought it was Tommy Sands wrote that song. Oh well... great song anyway.

Subject: RE: Whatever You Say Say Nothing
From: Big Jim from Jackson
Date: 19 May 04 - 09:50 PM

The Clancy Brothers with Tommy M. sing this song on one of their records---or is it Tommy and Liam only?

Subject: RE: lyr: Whatever You Say Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 May 04 - 10:35 PM

Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy on "Live At The National Concert Hall", Shanachie 52006.

Subject: RE: lyr: Whatever You Say Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Flash Company
Date: 20 May 04 - 05:25 AM

Golly, the things you find on Mudcat! I heard this song on a late night television programme when I was on holiday in Cornwall about ten years ago, I don't know who was singing it, which is, I suppose, appropriate.

FC

Subject: RE: lyr: Whatever You Say Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Amos
Date: 20 May 04 - 02:27 PM

DonD:

Give 'em hell!

A

Subject: RE: lyr: Whatever You Say Say Nothing (Sands)
From:
Date: 20 May 04 - 05:07 PM

I've always thought that the third line of the first verse went:

'For the other foot is always near......'

which is one of the keys as to what the song is all about.

Jack

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: GUEST,Tallpaul
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 01:45 PM

Anybody have the chords to this song. Is the sheet music available for this song? Where?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: MMario
Date: 03 Oct 05 - 03:20 PM

I'd settle for an audio file - anyone have the location for one? enough to let someone get an idea of the tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Oct 05 - 08:34 AM

There's a 37-second sound sample on this Colum Sands fan page. It's a duet by Colum Sands and Sharon Aviv. She sings a verse in (I think) Hebrew; then they both sing a verse in English.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: GUEST,22.10.05
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 04:54 PM

Hey, wie gehts...
Ich weiß noch nicht mal ob dass einer lesen kann...
lol
was auch immer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Barbara
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 05:33 PM

"Hey, what's up... I white not yet times whether that one read can... lol whatever"

Sometimes Babelfish lives up to its name.

Blessings,
Barbara (and I knew 'wie gehts'; babelfish didn't bother to translate it at all)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 05:48 PM

"Ich weiß noch nicht mal ob dass einer lesen kann..."

I known nothing more, other than I can read it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 07:45 PM

It means "I don't know whether anyone can read this".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 07:45 PM

"I don't know whether anyone will be able to read this." I am, actually, (being German), same as at least a few others, it seems. Welcome, Guest, and let us know more about you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: michaelr
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 02:24 AM

Hallo!

Tschuess!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: billybob
Date: 26 Oct 05 - 02:45 PM

Colum Sands Book "Between the earth and the sky" has the music, chords and words to this song and others by Colum. It is beautifully illustrated by Colum McEvoy.ISBN 1 900935 19 8.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: GUEST,Beezer725
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 02:15 PM

For what it's worth, Seamus Heaney wrote the poem. This I know for a fact; one of my professors was a friend of his and they used to go on pub crawls together. I do not know where the melody comes from.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Stewie
Date: 19 Aug 11 - 09:43 PM

Guest, the insert sheets to both Colum's 'Unapproved Road' and 'Talking to the wall' CDs give 'Words and music by Colum Sands copyright Elm Grove Music'. Are you saying this is not correct?

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 05:43 PM

Makem & Clancy - National Concert Hall, 1983

There's the video version of the audio from their 1983 album.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: GUEST,Guest Vivienne
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 08:46 PM

A search on Google reveals that Seamus Heaney did indeed write a poem called "Whatever you say, say nothing", the words are completely different from the song by Colum Sands

Vivienne

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Sands)
From: Stewie
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 09:37 PM

Vienne, thanks for that clarification.

--Stewie.

Subject: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Aug 22 - 09:42 PM

The transcription above is good, but I hear somewhat different words in this live performance by Colum Sands.

WHATEVER YOU SAY, SAY NOTHING
(Colum Sands)

CHORUS:
Whatever you say, say nothing when you speak about you-know-what.
For if you-know-who should hear you, you know what you’ll get
They'll take you off to you-know-where for you-wouldn’t-know-how-long,
So for you-know-whose sake don’t let anyone hear you singing this song.

Now, you all know what I’m speaking of when I mention you-know-what,
And I fear it’s very dangerous to even mention that.
For the other it is always near, although you may not see,
And if anyone asks who told you that, please don’t mention me. CHORUS.

And you all know who I’m speaking of, when I mention you-know-who,
And if you-know-who could hear me now, you know what he’d do.
So if you don’t see me again, you’ll know why I’m away,
But if anyone asks you where I’ve gone, here’s what you must say: CHORUS.

Well that’s enough about so-and-so, not to mention such-and-such,
I'd better end my song now, I’ve already said too much.
For the less you say and the less you hear, the less you’ll go astray,
And the less you think and the less you do, the more you’ll hear them say: CHORUS


Colum Sands live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pns4Aq-RNs

Recording by Anne Feeney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXQrSSF3Nk
Makem & Clancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du1KIfz2bzE

---

I had trouble with the second stanza, and came up with
For the other ones are (other earth is??) always near, although you may not see,
I'm going to change that line to what Stewie posted below.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 06 Aug 22 - 01:19 PM

A song for many situations. About 15 years ago I sang it on a visit to the lovely island of Sark in the Channel Islands. At the time, the islanders were being terrorised by two Glasgow thugs who'd bought the neighbouring iisland of brecou. Owners of the Ritz hotel and the Daily Telegraph (spits) they sought to build a little empire outside the EU. More details can be found easiuly enough online.

   Many islanders had been threatened by the Barclay brothers (one now deceased) and their agents and the Sark people really enjoyed this song. I did tell Colum Sands about it all & he was very pleased at its popularity there!

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 22 - 09:56 PM

Can anyone help on that second verse?

Now, you all know what I’m speaking of when I mention you-know-what,
And I fear it’s very dangerous to even mention that.
For the other ones are (other earth is??) always near, although you may not see,
And if anyone asks who told you that, please don’t mention me. CHORUS.

I know it can't be "the other earth is," but that's what I hear.

Colum Sands live performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Pns4Aq-RNs

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: GerryM
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 03:34 AM

There's also a live performance at http://www.troublesarchive.com/artforms/traditional-music/piece/whatever-you-say-say-nothing and I'm quite sure he sings "For the other, it is always near..."

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Aug 22 - 07:31 PM

I heard Colm sing it years ago, but I can't remember the words. "The other's ears are near", or alway there, might be likely enough.

It's a good maxim to have in mind for a tricky Interview. You can still say an awful lot without saying anything.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: Stewie
Date: 18 Aug 22 - 10:52 PM

Joe, for that third line in the second stanza, the lyric booklets for 'Unapproved Road' and 'Talking to the Wall' both have:

'For the other it is always near, although you may not see'

I must say that the lyric sheet for 'Talking to the Wall' CD is only decipherable with a magnifying glass. It has ludicrously small and faint print on top of coloured squares.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 19 Aug 22 - 12:40 AM

That makes perfect sense.

Colum doesn't want to reveal too much.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Aug 22 - 05:55 PM

Stewie, at our age, ALL lyrics sheets are hard to read....

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: Stewie
Date: 24 Aug 22 - 10:17 PM

Joe, you are not wrong. However, the printing on the lyric sheet would be ridiculous even for those with perfect sight. I have come across similar printing of track listings on CDs. I don't understand why it is deliberately done. Maybe it is considered to be artistic.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 25 Aug 22 - 05:46 AM

MaJoC's €0.02: Possibly an anti-copying measure? it's possible the colours were chosen to confuse photocopiers and scanners. The fact that they confuse people of normal sight is an oversight.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Aug 22 - 11:06 AM

His brother Tommy sang it at the Old Songs Festival in 2019- so timely, with Trump in the White House. Good to have something to make us laugh, when we are dealing with fascism. Such a great song.

Subject: RE: ADD: Whatever You Say, Say Nothing (Colum Sands)
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 29 Aug 22 - 11:46 AM

MaJoC's slightly later €0.02: Mebbe said artwork was resized to fit a CD without checking it properly ("They'll never notice"). I find I require a magnifying glass to make out the CD artwork of Fairport's What We Did In Our Holidays.