Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers

Subject: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Beer
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 02:28 PM

In this particular song there is a line that goes like this. " I was a ( conchie/konchie) in the war". What does the word Conchie/Konchie (spelling?)mean?
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Noah Zacharin
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 02:31 PM

without knowing for sure, I'd guess conscientious objector.
n

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Big Mick
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 02:37 PM

Exactly right.

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 02:47 PM

Absolutely!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 02:49 PM

There was a thread that we bashed this song to bits some months back.


Don

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Beer
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 03:49 PM

Thanks fellows. will try and locate that thread Don.

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 05:42 PM

And it is usually spelt with a C , as in Conschie .

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Anglo
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 09:27 PM

In the lyrics provided with Stan's LP, it's spelled "conshie."

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: maeve
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:10 AM

Here you go, Beer:

Harris & the Mare discussion


maeve

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Beer
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 07:19 AM

Thank you maeve. I just finished reading all of those post's and wondered why I didn't participate. In looking at the dates I realized I was very busy with our folk festival and wouldn't have had the time.
When I heard the the line "I was a conscie in the war". I thought at first it was some sort of rank or a special unit like the "Black Watch". Man was I off.

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: Beer
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 11:38 PM

Ooooh!, I shouldn't be doing this but i have to ask as it was not looked at in the thread that maeve directed me to.

When Stan says "I was a conscie in the war" it means to me that he was in the war does it not? If he was an objector, wouldn't it be more appropriate to say, " I was a conscie against the war".
Just a thought.

Subject: RE: Harris and the Mare by Stan Rogers
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 12:07 AM

I can't speak for Canada but in the US it wasn't unusual for Conscientious Objectors to serve as Medics and ambulance drivers. Not all COs refused to serve. Just to fight. And as medics they were in harms way just as often as front line troops.

Don