Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Jun 14 - 03:23 AM

Somebody named Trevor sent me this e-mail. He points out that in the 2014 70th-anniversary recording, Jim says he wrote this song in about 1960 - indeed, Jim says it is the first song he ever wrote. In his 2007 post in this thread, Jim says he wrote the song for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, which would have been 1994.

Hi
I have just been reading the very moving comments on the thread for the Lyrics of the Jim Radford song "Shores of Normandy" which as many have mentioned is a brilliant review and reflection of that day.
Being unfamiliar with the site I don't know if it is possible to contact the author to point out a small typo. The song was written in about 1960 circa 15 years after D Day not 50 years later. Jim would have been about 31 as opposed to 66, which I think is relevant when understanding the thought process of a young man seeing the beaches again for the first time. Sorry to sound like a nerd but the song is so moving and Jim Radford such an incredible person that I think it would be the right thing to correct this typo, if possible.
You have a very interesting website which I am thoroughly enjoying exploring. Well done.
Best regards
Trevor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsVQMfxIfks

In this clip around 1 minute in Jim states when he wrote the song

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Stewart Atkinson
Date: 27 Jun 14 - 12:46 PM

Your lyrics beat out true and strong, yesterday ,today and will forever be in our heart's. God bless you Jim Radford and all our forefathers for giving us our freedom.


Sincerely

Stewart

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Jun 14 - 12:00 PM

thanks Dave for posting the link, it's a very powerful performance & I'm another one with tears in her eyes from seeing it.

I spent a fair bit of yesterday (Sat) & will spend more time later today listening to Australian radio documentaries on the First World War, another anniversary this month

sandra

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jul 14 - 04:52 AM

Hi All

I got a response from the Normandy Veterans Association and have made a donation. Anyone else who enjoyed the performance and feels the need to assist this worthy cause can do the same. I was given permission to post the details of how to donate but as it involved bank account details I am a little reluctant to make them public. If anyone does want to donate please PM me here or, if you are a Guest, send an email to my gmail.com account, dpolshaw, and I will happily forward the details on.

If anyone knows whether Jim would prefer donations elsewhere please feel free to let us know.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jul 14 - 04:33 AM

No-one interested? :-(

DtG

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 16 Jul 14 - 06:00 PM

The message from "Trevor" posted via Joe Offer (12 July 2014) stating that there is a typo is not correct. In talking to Jeremy Vine at the Albert Hall before he sang Jim said he decided to write the song when he visited Arromanches in about 1960. He does not say that he wrote the song then; merely that he decided to write it. In fact Jim's memory is faulty (it happens; especially over a long and eventful life) and his first return to Arromanches was nearer to 1970 than 1960. Then he wrote the song over several years, trying different lyrics with various tunes (eventually settling on 'Raglan Road') but did not actually perform it until 1994 when he was 65 and he went to France again for the 50th anniversary events. He had also finished full time work shortly before then and thus had more time to devote to the folk music scene and so began to get regular requests to sing it at different clubs and venues.

Since writing this first song Jim has written several more (including 'The Merchant Seaman' - a tribute to the WWII Merchant Navy in which he and his two brothers all served, one brother losing his life with all his shipmates) and 'A Song for Stephen Lawrence' - the lad murdered in 1993 just yards from Jim's own Folk Club venue). All these songs have won awards in Jim's home County of Yorkshire and are regularly performed at folk clubs and festivals.

Jim's web page is here http://www.offbeat.karoo.net/shantyman

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 05:53 PM

Just watched Jim's rendition of "The Shores of Normandy" on the British Legion Festival of Remembrance programme tonight - tears in my eyes, shall never forget.

Allanmac

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Angus Hunter
Date: 08 Nov 14 - 06:23 PM

First time I have heard it   Very moving and I cried. Evening spoilt a little by a dreadful rendition and interpretation of Eric Bogles Green Fields of France. Have it by Eroc and Finbar Furey. Both great poignant renditions. Sorry Joss it was never meant to be a rock song

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 07:13 AM

The comment about last night's dreadful rendition of 'The Green Fields of France' needs to be shouted out loud and Joss Stone and Jeff Beck should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for this travesty. Eric Bogle wrote this song as an anti war anthem and they perform a censored and sentimentalised version that made a mockery of the original meaning. Jim Radford (who sang the best song at last night's festival) sings this in its proper version and I am sure he told Stone and Beck what he thought of their bastardised version of he got a chance to talk to them backstage. I have lost all respect for these two musicians.

If you want to hear a beautiful version of this song in its original form (sung by the talented Anne Collis) then get the CD 'A Tribute to the Normandy Veterans' (which also features Jim Radford singing various songs including 'The Shores of Normandy). The CD is available from the St John's School History Society'. You can Google Jim and find his home page to contact him for information about how to order this CD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,AlanL
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 09:05 AM

Jim Radford's performance was outstanding and other performances by him can be found on the Tube of You. There irreverent, horrendous presentation was an insult to all of the fallen. They could learn much from Jim's thoughtful and touching approach to his song. Listening to him was an absolute delight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 09:11 AM

What I meant to say before I hit the button too soon was:

"Jim Radford's performance was outstanding and other performances by him can be found on the Tube of You. Stone and Beck's horrendous, irreverent, presentation was an insult to all of the fallen. They could learn much from Jim's thoughtful and touching approach to his song. Listening to him was an absolute delight."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 12:27 PM

I missed Jim's spot last night , and in fact haven't seen him since this afternoon at The Cenotaph with the Veterans for Peace , of which Jim is a member ! We sang 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone' after the wreath laying

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 02:15 PM

Jim was fantastic! I went out of the room for the "other" song.

Spent this afternoon singing WW1 songs as part of "The Carrying Stream Festival" in Edinburgh, in a special session with Scott Murray: all sorts of songs from those of Eric Bogle to very irreverent and rude ones which the troops used to sing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 09 Nov 14 - 04:31 PM

I was blown away by John Tams' performance but having just listened on Playback to Jim at the Albert Hall that is something else again. I heard Jim sing this for the first time a couple of months back at the Hull Folk Festival and I was captivated then. The massive regret I now have is that I have somehow missed out on following Jim for the last 40 years?

Unless my maths is incorrect he must be about 85. I want some of what he's been drinking!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 05:35 AM

Compare the ripple of polite applause for JS with the standing ovation for JR.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,daveB
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 02:07 PM

Does any one have the Guitar chords for this one.

IT IS AMAZING!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,ian from London
Date: 10 Nov 14 - 05:16 PM

My second cousin Lance Sergeant George Hollox died on the beaches on D-Day.
Thanks to Jim Radford for such a moving tribute to all who were there on that day.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Ted
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 04:47 AM

Nothing wrong with your maths, Steve Gardham. IIRC the magic ingredient is rum!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Dead Horse
Date: 11 Nov 14 - 12:54 PM

Guest daveB, the tune you are looking for is Raglan Road (Dawning of the Day)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 14 - 08:08 PM

why can't i print the words

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 17 Oct 15 - 08:14 PM

If you can't print the words from the website then try selecting them and copying them - then paste them into a word processor to print off. Alternatively you could e-mail Jim Radford for the lyrics (the telephone number on his website is out of date and waiting to be    updated but the e-mail address is correct).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Nov 15 - 01:04 PM

thread says: tune is 'Fainne Geal an Lae'(the dawning of the day)."

The words are so evocative but the delivery at the BBC 2014 by Jim Radford is so matter of fact, the sub message just hangs there "take it or leave it, I know, I was there"

There are times when you don't analyse you just let the emotion wash over you. That's the power of song. Particularly folk song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 09:03 PM

One of my friends sang Jim's song " The Merchant Seaman" in St Mary's Episcopalian Cathedral in Edinburgh in August this year. This was to go with their Edinburgh Festival Fringe exhibition, commemorating the Arctic Convoys of WW2. She had been in touch with Jim beforehand and he had sanctioned her singing it: a lone voice, unamplified, a cappella, in the magnificent acoustics of Edinburgh's biggest cathedral. You couldn't have a more poignant and relevant song. One of our musicians' fathers had also served in the Arctic Convoys, and only recently been awarded, posthumously, The Arctic Star. Definitely emotional.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: sciencegeek
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 07:14 PM

powerful words that do justice to the sacrifice made by so many young men... thank you

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Dec 15 - 08:28 PM

interactive photos of Normandy beaches 1944 & 2014

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST,Marilyn March. Dorchester.
Date: 16 Dec 15 - 11:59 AM

It is the most moving song I have ever heard. Cant find it on a cd by Jim Radford. I want it and Love it. If anyone can help. Please email me... [e-mail]    Thank you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 May 19 - 03:28 PM

For all those who complained that they couldn't find 'The Shores of Normandy' on a CD by Jim Radford; that's because Jim has never recorded a professional CD of his songs, though he does have a few copies of compilations put together by his Folk Club down in South London (Folk Mob in Eltham). There is also a compilation CD jointly published by the St John's (School) History Society and the Normandy Veterans' Association in 2004 which has a number of tracks by Jim (including Shores of Normandy) but this was never distributed by a music publisher and is hard to find nowadays. However, there is good news for those who wanted to download a copy of the song as it has just been professionally recorded with backing music (as it was sung at the BBC's Albert Hall concert in 2014, although Jim normally sings acapella) in preparation for the D-Day 75th anniversary events. Jim will be performing live at the unveiling of a memorial in Arromanches on 6 June 2019 and the new recording will probably be available for download from a commecrial site (not sure which one) shortly afterwards.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Shores of Normandy (Jim Radford)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 19 - 08:03 AM

Thanks, Guest. I just watched the performance again on YouTube and for the umpteenth time it brought a tear to my eye. Don't forget - You can donate to the Normandy Veteran's Association as well.