Lyr ADD: Devonshire Cream and Cider

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Devonshire Cream and Cider
From: GUEST,H Merriman
Date: 29 Dec 22 - 03:03 AM

Thank you so much. My dad, who was born in 1901 and lived in Devon for some of his life, used to sing a slightly different version of this to us when I was a nipper.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Devonshire Cream and Cider
From: GUEST,J Cruickshank
Date: 11 Nov 13 - 07:38 AM

The second line of Verse 2 should read
But if you see the Dart you'll say it's prettier far in Devon.
Down Brixham way where the brown sails flap when the boats bring in their catches,
Etc

Subject: Lyr Add: DEVONSHIRE CREAM AND CIDER
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Dec 11 - 11:54 PM

I transcribed this from Spotify. You can hear a different recording at YouTube, sung by Malcolm McEachern in 1934, but he omits verse 2.


DEVONSHIRE CREAM AND CIDER
Words by Theodore Curzon, music by Wilfrid Sanderson, 1919.
As sung by Frederick Harvey with the Philharmonia Orchestra, on "The British Composers – Guide to Britain" (2011)

1. At Brixham, which is Devon way, a-nestling to the sea,
You'll see a fisherman old and gnarled who knew Dan Peggotty.*
Old Silas Oak is what he's called, and when the bells are ringing,
When the red boats all draw in their nets, you'll hear old Silas singing,
You'll hear old Silas singing:

CHORUS:
"I be nigh on ninety-seven, born and bred in dear old Devon,
And folks may be as old as I in other parts of England.
The Cornish seas are wide, but in Devonshire they're wider,
So if you'd live as long as I, try Devonshire cream and cider!"

2. Says Silas Oak down Devon way: "You've heard 'em speak of heaven,
But if you see the docks you'll know it's prettier far in Devon.
Down Brixham way ... (?) when the boats bring in their catches,
Such silver shoals on a sunlit morn, no place in heaven matches,
No place in heaven matches. CHORUS

3. He's looking to the westward now; his farewell call he's hearing,
But though a fisherman old and gnarled, the journey he's not fearing,
For the Devon seas around him play and when at last they're calling,
I know I'll hear old Silas say, when the last brown leaf is falling,
When the last brown leaf is falling:

LAST CHORUS:
"I be nigh on ninety-seven, born and bred in dear old Devon
And folks may be as old as I in other parts of England
But when it's time to rest, why, lay me down beside her,
And let me sleep in the dear-loved land of Devonshire cream and cider,
And let me sleep in the dear-loved land of Devonshire cream and cider."


[* A character in Dickens' David Copperfield who lives with his family in a houseboat on the beach at Yarmouth.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: oldhippie
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 06:19 PM

Seems like a song that would go well with "Now I'm Easy". Looking forward to seeing the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: BB
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 03:55 PM

I'm happy to post the words, Joe, but wouldn't have a clue how to do a MIDI! Strictly a dots person, me!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 01:26 PM

refresh

BB, if you get the sheet music, please post the song. If you can send me a MIDI to go with it, that would be dandy.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: BB
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 03:15 PM

Jim, thanks very much for that information. I've now sent for the sheet music, and we'll see if it really is the same one.

Thanks again.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: folk1e
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 09:03 PM

One of Swinton Folk Club's stalwarts, Basil (not quite 97 but getting there) has been known to sing this one!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Mar 08 - 08:14 PM

There is a song DEVONSHIRE CREAM AND CIDER, words by Theodore Curzon, music by Wilfrid Sanderson (1878-1935), published in 1919, that contains the line "born and bred in dear old Devon." The sheet music is still in print and can be purchased from the publisher, Boosey & Hawkes. There are also used copies being sold on the Internet.

The song seems to have entered the folk genre and has turned up in a couple of field recordings.

The British Library Sound Archive lists several recordings, but none seem to be current.

I couldn't find any online lyrics or sound samples.

Subject: Lyr Req: 'I be nearly ninety-seven'
From: BB
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 07:23 AM

Anyone know any more about a song that begins:

'I be nearly ninety-seven,
Born and bred in dear old Devon;
Folks may live as long as I
In other parts of England...'

Can't find any trace of it anywhere on the 'Net, so if anyone's got any ideas, I'd be most grateful to hear them.

Barbara