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PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,sailor ron Date: 14 Oct 13 - 10:12 AM Yes! Fits it perfectly doesn't it!
-Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Lighter Date: 10 Oct 13 - 12:27 PM Phil L's song looks like it goes to "Strike, Strike the Bell," yes? |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,sailor ron Date: 10 Oct 13 - 11:41 AM CH. Her 'old man's ' the lavy man on the Elder Dempster LIne He wears a nice blue uniform with brass buttons o so fine He mops,and cleans, and polishes, his toilet bowls they shine Yes,her'old man's 'the lavatory man on the Elder Dempster Line. When first she saw his uniform she thought he was the Chief, The Captain, or Chief Steward, at the very least But it was on their honeymoon the trouble it began When she found her 'old man' he was the lavatory man 'Cause she'd all her friends he had an impotant role, And of course that was correct, he's in charge of the toilet rolls! But she knew that they would laugh if the truth they'd find That her 'old ma's' the lavatory man on the Elder Dempster Line One day as he was working he opened a toilet door But looked on in horror when a lady there he saw "I'm very sorry madame, didn't mean to cause distress" "That's alright" a bass voice replied, 'twas a steward in a dress! Now all the first class passengers after every trip To the bar staff, and the stewards, they give generous tips. But if they forget him, still he shakes their had 'Cause he knows where his hands have been,'cause he's the lavatory man! Adapted & expanded from song collected from Captain Peter Woodworth of Fleetwood, who 'served his time' with Elder Dempster's The tune, of course, is My Old Man's a dustman. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,Phil L Date: 16 Jul 13 - 07:49 AM Phil L to Guest Ian Wallace dated 08 Dec 08. My father taught me some of this song (my mother freaked)... Now down in the stoke hole there forty foot deep the chief caught the firemen their all fast asleep get up you lazy bastards get on with the job especially (some name) you're a lazy ol sod And there in the galley a god damn disgrace With bottles of beer all over the place The second cook's drunk and the galley boy too Just like the rest of the whole god damn crew I will try and remember some more of this and add in due course... p_lovering@hotmail.com |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 07 Jan 13 - 05:52 AM Here's one of mine, tune by Chris LOck [of Fore & Aft] Title: Tramps or Shanty for steam She's a long haul, black hulled British tramp sir CH. Fire! Fire! Shovel in the coal Owned by Ropners, KIng or Bank Sir-- Or LOndon Greeks. Shovel in the coal. With five hatches, a woodbine funnel CH. Her Plimsole line's above her gun'al. Her ash pit's full. Shovel in the coal. With a fire tube boiler, a condensing, CH Triple expansion compound engine Smash the clinker. Shovel in the coal She's no greyhound, no Cunarder CH Firing her is a damn sight harder. Watch on, watch off. Shovel in the coal. Carries grain or coal or bricks sir CH Would even sail the River Styx sir If the charter's right. Shovel in the coal. Cheap coal foll of shale and slate sir CH It wont fire and clogs the grate sir The strum box's choked. Shovel in the coal. Flies a smoke blacked old Red Duster CH She keeps going 'cause we trust her-- Her 'black gang' who shovel in the coal. notes. Ropners[pronounced Rope ners], King & Bank were 'tramp'outfits. Watch on watch off, many pre war tramps worked on a 2 rather than a 3 watch system. Black gang... firemen & trimmers |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 06 Mar 12 - 10:36 PM Matthew Edwards (Port Sunlight ) posted there too. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Mar 12 - 05:11 PM Ross- I posted the above link with a warning on my Facebook page for friends. That song certainly clears the decks, not to mention the maiden aunts. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 06 Mar 12 - 03:48 PM From the Liverpool Folk Song a Week blog (with many thanks to Richard from Liverpool for the compliment of picking up one of these songs):- MV Statesman Some commentators reckon "Parental Guidance" advisory on this one. Maybe so - sadly nothing you wouldn't hear on the street these days. It's posted above (29th April 2008) as it came to Ron. From my notes at the time:- "Ron submitted songs and notes to Roy Palmer when he was revising the Oxford Book of Sea Songs (republished as Boxing the Compass). Receiving a complimentary copy from Roy with thanks for his contributions, Ron was looking forward to showing off the book with his collected songs in print at last. He was a bit dismayed to find Roy had included the above song unexpurgated, thus severely limiting the range of sisters, cousins and aunts to whom the book could be shown!" Ross |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 01 Mar 12 - 10:34 PM http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLAN-LINE-PHOTOGRAPHS-FIRST-40-YEARS-MERCHANT-NAVY-SHIPS-EXC-/180804191083?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item2a1 That's a good price. I managed to acqire all three books a while ago. Ron is currently working his way through them, making sketches of the vessels he sailed on. These also available:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clan-Line-Photographs-v-2-Peace-Peace-191-/270770119367?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item3f0b2822c7 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clan-Line-Photographs-Tony-Blackler-/270770119365?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item3f0b2822c5 Still looking for a cheaper copy of this one:- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clan-Line-Illustrated-Fleet-History/dp/1901703479/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1330657604&sr=8-2 For a long time this was the only history available:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clan-Line-Gathering-Clans-History-Clan-Line-Steamers-1988-Signed-/190640693304?pt=Antiquarian_Books_UK Several copies of "The Clan Line in the Great War", Archibald Hurd, published by Clan Line Steamers in 1924, listed on Bookfinder.com (£39 and upwards). Ross |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,Clan Line Photos Date: 01 Mar 12 - 05:16 PM Hi again all, I have ordered Tony Blacklers book of photographs of Clan Line ships from '45 to '76 from Amazon UK. No new copies available but some used, I should get it this week. Rod Fountain |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:05 PM Ross- That version of the link certainly is more reliable. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 06 Feb 12 - 08:59 PM Corrected British India link:- http://www.biship.com/song.htm |
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Subject: Lyr Add: TO BOMBAY From: Charley Noble Date: 06 Feb 12 - 04:23 PM There's a number of merchant mariner songs of recent vintage on the British India Ship website (http://www.biship.com/song). Here's a sample: By Douglas Boyd TO BOMBAY Both tugs are in attendance, one astern and one ahead, And the order comes from our Clan's bridge to let go, "She's off the berth now, Sir", and the Master nods his head, And the Third Mate at the engine telegraph rings "Ahead Slow", Pilot leaves at the Bar and "H" flag is pulled down, Log streamed, and we're now full away, Goodbye wintry Britain and cold Birkenhead town, As we voyage, Across the world, To Bombay. Cape Finisterre's light, flashing bright in the night, The coast of Portugal slips swiftly away, Past Rock of Gibraltar, British emblem of might, And heading East, towards dawn of day, The climate becomes warm, with the sky clear and bright, And Master has decided that we change uniforms to white, On balmy days like these, it's a delight to be, On a fine British ship, on a cobalt blue sea. Three lights ahead, on a reciprocal course, "Dig out the Signal Lamp" and let's practice our Morse, "What Ship, Where Bound ?", probably a Dutchman or Greek, but she's Bibby's "Warwickshire", with holds full of teak, Five days through the Med to Egypt's Port Said, Past Algiers, and Malta, Cape Bon, To drop some parcels of cargo, have fresh water supplied, And top up the bunkers before going on. In the Great Bitter Lake, we stop and drop our port hook, And lean on the bridge rail and have a good look, The Northbound convoy is stirring, and, picking up speed, BI's splendid white "Uganda" is taking the lead, With "Floristan, Salsette, City of Brisbane, Elpenor, Helenus , Mahronda, Martaban and Benmhor", A funnel we know, two red bands on black, "Clan MacLaren" from Colombo, full of tea, and heading back, What a magnificent stately procession, The pride of Britain's fleet, Bringing Chalnas' jute for our carpets, And Australian apples for us to eat. We pass out of the Canal at Suez, into searingly hot Red Sea, This is now petroleum country for, as far as you can see, A long long line of tankers, hauling oil to the West, Over there is Shell's three island "Haminella", and a smart blue-painted Maersk, There's BP's pristine "British Kestrel", and "Caltex Mozambique", And another Shell, "Achatina", and an unknown rusty Greek, All very low in the water, Full of products or Arabian crude, They are our European lifeline, Carrying machinery's liquid food. Aden's Navy stores over the side into lighters, For the Aircraft Carrier and her fighters, And some Destroyers and Frigates in the bay, Put the engines on stand-by, slip the buoys, a glorious orangey- pink-red sky, Goodnight Arabia, full speed ahead, and now we're away, Ship steering North East, in a strengthening breeze, Everything well battened down, as we expect heavy seas, Windscoops retracted, and all ports screwed tight, We pitch and roll constantly, to the Indian Ocean's might. There's Strick's colourful "Khuzistan", going very fast, We pass about a mile apart, and she salutes us with a blast, Attractive Gulf-run "Dwarka", far away to port, Hain's "Tremorvah" and Reardon Smith's "Welsh City", And a Liberian war-built Fort, A Scindia Jala-boat crosses, much closer than a cable, And there's no doubt in our minds what's on HER dinner table, She's moving really quite slowly, in no particular hurry, The following wind carries to us, a strong aroma of their curry. Ten days to discharge our heavy cargo, railway lines, industrial parts, Then clean the holds, consult the loading plan, correct the Navigational charts, Evening visits to the B.I. Club, enjoy an ice-cold beer, Talk shop in elegant surroundings, lots of news and gossip to hear, Meet friends from "Karanja" and "Kampala", "Clan MacInnes, Santhia", See "City of Karachi" arrive, and departure of "Sangola", We're loading cloth and carpets, tea and sisal, coir mats, Manganese for industry, fish meal to feed the cats, Our ship is now ready, pilot aboard, and rigged for sea, Until next time, "Al-vee-dah", India, Land of spice and rice, rupee. (Contributed by Douglas Boyd, who wrote it originally for Clan Line, from British India Ship website: http://www.biship.com/song) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DRINK TO THE MEN WHO'VE GONE ASHORE From: Charley Noble Date: 30 Sep 11 - 01:47 PM Here's a newly composed Singapore sailortown song inspired by a poem by marine engineer and writer William McFee, referred to above. There wasn't a lot to the original verses but I liked the chorus and with the help of Stan Hugill's description of Singapore from his book Sailortown I've composed a tale which I hope is infused with the right spirit (copy and paste into WORD/TIMES/12 to line up the chords): By William McFee, 1909 From Songs of the Sea and Sailors' Chanteys, edited by Robert Frothingham, published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Cambridge, US, © 1924, p. 208; first published in The New York Evening Post. Verses by Charles Ipcar, © 2011 Tune: Charles Ipcar, © 2011 DRINK TO THE MEN WHO'VE GONE ASHORE Dm--C--Dm-------C---F-----Dm--C---- Dm Now the Skipper and Chief have gone ashore -----------------F----C-Dm They're off to Sail-or-town, --------Gm--------------------Dm---F-Dm So I'll tell you a tale of Old Sing-a-pore, -------------C---Dm-C-----Dm While we pass the bottle round. ---Gm----------------------Dm-F-Dm I'll tell you a tale of Old Sing-a-pore, ----Gm-------------Dm Of famous Malay Street, ------Gm---------------Dm-F--Dm With its samshu dives by the score, -----------C---Dm-C------Dm And the rick-sha girls so sweet. Chorus: Dm-------C------F----Dm--- C-----Dm So drink to the men who've gone ashore, --------------------F-------C----Dm With a one-two-three – rum-tum! Gm--------------------------Dm--F------Dm Half a dozen men on the mess room floor, C-----------------------------F----C-Dm Drink to the men who've gone a-shore, Gm-------------------------Dm-----F--Dm Six good men with their throats all sore – ----C--Dm-C---------Dm Yo ho for a bottle o' rum! As I was cruising down the Street, After a drop or twa, I spied a girl just like a pearl, Alone in a Jin-rick-sha. So pretty and neat with long black hair, Dressed in silks so fine, She smiled at me and waved her hand, And her jade green eyes did shine. (CHO) So I climbed aboard and off we rolled, Through the shadows of the night; Till we fetched up to her compound gate, Gleaming in the pale moonlight. She pulled the cord and a gong did sound, The dragon gate swung wide; She took my hand and led me on To her chamber deep inside. (CHO) She brought me a glass of samshu wine, And smiled at me again; She knelt beside me on the mat And my head began to spin; Now when I awoke, late next morn, My head was still aflame; I was lying naked on the quay, Bruised and in great pain. (CHO) So heed my warning, one and all, If you cruise Old Singapore, Don't cha spend your nights with the rick-sha girls, They'll rock and roll you sure; Don't cha spend your nights with the rick-sha girls, Don't cruise Old Singapore, But get married, lads, and settle down, And go to sea no more, And go to sea no more! Here's a link to an MP3 sample of how I sing this song: click here for MP3 sample! By William McFee, 1909 From Songs of the Sea and Sailors' Chanteys, edited by Robert Frothingham, published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Cambridge, US, © 1924, p. 208; first published in The New York Evening Post. Drink to the Men Who Have Gone Ashore (original poem) The Skipper and Chief have gone ashore And each is a married man, So I'll tell you a tale of Singapore, Of the ladies of old Japan; The Second Mate's guitar will twang And everyone must sing While Geordie Muir o' Cambuslang Will gi' ye a Hielan fling: – O drink to the men who have Gone Ashore With a one-two-three – rum-tum! Half a dozen men on the Mess Room Floor, Drink to the men who have Gone Ashore – Yo ho for a bottle o' rum! I told the tale of Singapore And they laughed till the tears ran down, So I told another (they asked for more) Of dear old London Town: Then Geordie Muir, who'd been to Japan, He told us a tale or twa Of a little brown woman and a big brown man Alone in a Jin-rick-sha: – O drink to the men who have Gone Ashore (I 'spect they're drinkin' some). Half a dozen men on the Mess Room Floor, Six good men with their throats all sore Drinkin' to the men who have Gone Ashore – (Both of 'em married – O dear, O Lor!) Yo ho for a bottle o' rum! Notes from a contemporary reporter: Karayuki-san The development of the Japanese enclave in Singapore was connected to the establishment of brothels east of the Singapore River, namely along Hylam, Malabar, Malay and Bugis streets during the late 1890s. The Japanese prostitutes or Karayuki-san dubbed Malay Street as Suteretsu, a transliteration of the English word "street". A Japanese reporter in 1910 described the scene for the people of Kyushu in a local newspaper, the Fukuoka Nichinichi: Around nine o'clock, I went to see the infamous Malay Street. The buildings were constructed in a western style with their facades painted blue. Under the verandah hung red gas lanterns with numbers such as one, two or three, and wicker chairs were arranged beneath the lanterns. Hundreds and hundreds of young Japanese girls were sitting on the chairs calling out to passers-by, chatting and laughing... most of them were wearing yukata of striking colours... Most of them were young girls under 20 years of age. I learned from a maid at the hotel that the majority of these girls came from Shimabara and Amakusa in Kyushu. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 03 Sep 11 - 04:21 PM I'm curious if anyone has run across the chorus of this old drinking song about a spree in Singapore: click here! Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,John Parry R/O Date: 30 Aug 11 - 12:13 PM My first trip deep-sea was with Boozy Bozy - he cheered us up by telling us the score two seconds after all the officers had thrown darts at the ship's dartboard simultaneously- but depressed us intensely by reciting Greville's Revenge every time the whisky bottle came out. Then the sneezin' started - lol !! |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 26 May 11 - 08:08 AM The Lambton Worm is indeed in the database (click on the link to go there). No merchant navy parodies as far as I know. The song was popular in folk clubs in the seventies, haven't heard it much since. Ross |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 26 May 11 - 05:20 AM Rod, I agree with you about the Clan Malcolm, I sailed twice on her, firstly as a cadet & then as 3rd Mate. I 'escaped the 'Rusty Bucket' but got landed with the King Charles! As for the Lampton Worm it's probably in the Mudcat data base, unless there's a MN parody of it out there somewhere it would not be included in this thread. Nice to hear from an ex-Clansman. Ron |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,Rod Fountain Date: 25 May 11 - 05:40 PM Hi All, I joined Clan Line in 1965 as a junior engineer, my first boat being the Clan Malcolm, a beautifully fitted out vessel with wood panelling and even a pink bathroom! I carried on with the Clan boats until 1973 and sailed on some fruit boats including the infamous Rustenburg Castle. As regards songs and shanties, I recognise most of those posted, although I see no mention of 'The Lampton Worm' (it grewed an awfee size). I think it is a geordie song but I can't recall the rest of the lyrics. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE BANK LINE SONG (Andrew Weirs) From: Ross Campbell Date: 11 May 11 - 10:11 AM THE BANK LINE SONG (ANDREW WEIRS) (Ron Baxter) Tune:- What a Friend We have in Jesus When this endless voyage is over no more tramp ships will I see I will swear upon the Bible, Bank Line have seen the last of me. No more trips around to Auckland, from Auckland round to Baltimore Then round the world to San Francisco, Fiji, Guam and Singapore. The clerk, down in the "Pool" office said "There's a berth with Andrew Weirs; A nice wee run out there to Kiwi". He didn't say 'twould last two years. Two years since we left the Humber, two years since I saw my wife; My brother wrote "Some bloke keeps calling: rumours 'bout the two are rife". Two years stuck down in the stoke-hold, shov'lling the dross the Chief has bought Half the coal brass he will pocket; I hope one day that he gets caught. Likewise the thieving old Chief Steward, though 4 and 3's our feeding rate He feeds us rice and old dead donkeys, so his profit he can take. Half the crew have gone "doo-lally"; the sparks was like that when we sailed; Two stewards reckon they are married, the cook thinks he's the Prince of Wales. But now we've got the "channel fever" we've got it hot and that's because Tomorrow we pay off in the Mersey, so stick the Bank Line up your arse! When this endless voyage is over no more tramp ships will I see I will swear upon the Bible, Bank Line have seen the last of me. No more trips around to Auckland, from Auckland round to Baltimore Then round the world to San Francisco, Fiji, Guam and Singapore. For now we've got the 'channel fever' we've got it hot and that's because Tomorrow we pay off in the Mersey, so stick the Bank Line up your arse! Andrew Weirs Bank Line were tramp ships, and notorious for long trips, two years was not uncommon. The "pool" was the Shipping Office where seamen went to "get a ship". They only had three chances; if they refused all three ships offered they were suspended. As in many companies the Chief Engineer was given a "coal allowance" to buy best steam coal, so if he could get cheap coal he'd pocket the difference . The "4 and 3" [four shillings and threepence] refers to the daily "rate" per man that the Chief Steward was allowed for feeding purposes. (RB) |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 11 May 11 - 10:06 AM There's a song above, posted by Fidjit (09 Apr 09), "Channels" by Graham Penny, which describes the feelings of a merchant seaman approaching home after a long trip away. Sometime last year Ron brought me a song which also mentions the "channel fever". He had written it to the tune of "What a friend we have in Jesus" aka "When this bloody war is over". I have been looking out for something to sing to that tune, so I thanked him for the song, filed it away and promptly forgot about it! Fortunately I re-discovered it about a month ago, and we used it to round off our presentation of "Farewell to the Clan Line" at the recent Shanty Festival at the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, where it went down very well. It's a version of the complaining or "dripping" songs that Ron found during his time at sea. This one is about Bank Line, owned by the ANDREW WEIR SHIPPING & TRADING CO. LTD. There's a comprehensive history here:- http://www.red-duster.co.uk/AWEIR.htm . More notes follow the song. The Red Duster , the website of the Merchant Navy Association (and no relation of our duo "Red Duster"!) is a great resource for info on ships and shipping. Ross |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 10 May 11 - 07:29 AM ginger beer- Thanks for the engineering explanation of "scavenge's on fire." It's nice to have some sense of what these terms mean. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Max Johnson Date: 10 May 11 - 05:13 AM I'm glag you like the song, Ross. I think I got it from a guy in a folk club somewhere who wrote it out for me when I said how much I liked it. That would probably be in the late '70s. He didn't write down the title so if it has one, I don't know it. No doubt I intended to sing it but sadly I never did. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,ginger beer Date: 09 May 11 - 11:54 PM I first heard the song in Shaw Savill in the early '70s. I can't remember which ship. There was a tune but as far as I know it was it's own tune and not something well known. The Scavenge's on fire...... fire in the scavenge air trunk which happened quite frequently in these old B&W 2 stroke exhaust piston type engines. Particularly the Shaw Savill C class ships eg Cedric, Canopic, Carnatic etc. Happy Days ! |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 09 May 11 - 11:23 AM You wait ages for a bus and then two come along at once - similarly with merchant navy songs, it seems! Thanks for two great contribhutions, "ginger beer" and Max Johnson. Was there a tune to go with the "Bold Engineers" song, gb? Any info on where and when you came across them? Ross |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Max Johnson Date: 09 May 11 - 11:08 AM It took me a while to dig this one out, but I eventually found it. Apologies if somebody has already posted it and I missed it. The tune I heard it sung to was 'Maggie May'. I'm afraid I don't know who wrote it. Oh, you've seen him in the street Walkin' round on groggy feet You've seen him clutch a lamp-post for support Or you've seen him arm in arm with a girl of doubtful charm Who was leadin' Johnny safely into Port You've reeled in disgust When he grovelled in the dust, You're revolted when you see him on the spree But just you take a trip On his lonely merchant ship plowing furrows on a sub-infested sea He fought the raging Hun With a pipsqueak little gun He ruined Adolf Hitler's mighty plan Yes he's a menace he's a nut He's the bloody limit but He's just a merchant service sailorman And when the war is over You'll recall the straits of Dover And all the other seven seas as well? Where simple men like these Brought home your bread and cheese You will remember, wont you? Will you Hell!! |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 09 May 11 - 07:31 AM ginger beer- "when the scavenge 's on fire"? Now there's an interesting phrase. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,ginger beer Date: 09 May 11 - 06:20 AM I finished my time and I thought it was fine to pack up my bags for the sea Signed on as a Junior on the MV Petunia But I soon realized my folee Chorus Hey ho stand by to go Keep the job running and get down below The main engine is waiting The oil's ciculating For we are the bold Engineers The second's a dog and the Chief's on the grog and I'm wishing myself far from here No use saying you're tired when the scavenge 's on fire and the oil is pumped into the sea The Mates plot the stars using Pluto and Mars While we're down below sweating tears It's no use what they're proving Cos we wouldn't be moving If not for the bold Engineers |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 07 Mar 11 - 08:14 AM Dave- Your verse seems to combine some lines from the "Zula Warrior" originally from South Africa with some traditional Appalachian lines (the last two). Gotta love this stuff! Do you remember any more? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 07 Mar 11 - 05:59 AM Dave, many thanks for your contribution. Songs 'made up' by MN men have been, almost, forgotton/ignored by collectors. This thread is an attempt to gather whatever is 'floating about' in folks memories. Ron |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST Date: 07 Mar 11 - 04:53 AM david collier. when I was a small boy - say 1940-45, we welcomed many cpts/chief engineers/first mates from oil tankers into our house in Bristol. Many fell victim to U-Boats but a song survives in my memory- i think it came from Texas: "i clicked with an indian lady, she stood about six foot high. the colour of her hair was sky blue pink and she only had one eye. come and have a zig-zag zula, come and have a zig-zag zu. and when i die dont bury me at all, just pickle my feet in alcohol! " very daring and exciting to a 4-9 year old boy and often sung by men living close to horrific death. just a fragment - i would like it to live on. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 29 Oct 10 - 08:25 AM I was checking up on David Partridge's "Heroes" poem posted by Jake (Anglogeezer) in January (somehow missed this at the time) and found this website:- http://www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/index.htm belonging to the Merchant Navy Association, Barry Branch. There's a Song Board:- http://www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Merchant_Songs.htm and a Poem Board:- http://www.ss-tregenna.co.uk/Poem_Board.htm Lots of interesting material there. Anybody know anything about David Partridge, author of "Heroes"? |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 26 Oct 10 - 10:42 AM Nigel, the line 'When we get home etc' is a line used in one of the many versions of 'M.V. Hardship'.... The Bosun cried "smoko" The lads said "right o" Then down the gangway Shoreside did go. The Mate he stood screaming That we'd all get the sack But we don't give a damn 'Cause we're not coming back |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: GUEST,nigel erricker Date: 12 Oct 10 - 04:58 PM Great to see some of these classics written down for posterity. I can remember an S.S & A boat ( or was it Port Line) slipping out of Napier one morning in the 1970's with the deckies singing as they 'let go for'ard'. There was much huffing and puffing in the local media about the young girls going aboard at all hours and the hi jinks in the 'Cabana Hotel'. The TV turned up in time to film this ship so the deckies gave a rousing version of 'When we get home we'll all get the sack, but we don't give a fuck 'cos we ain't coming back' |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 24 Sep 10 - 07:35 AM Now Clan Line & Blue Funnel and Donaldson's have gone, 'Long with old Tosh & Josh, you know, Harrison's And Palm Line & the Sugar Line and Shaw Saville are no more But worse than that, I have heard 'Danny's Bar' has shut the door. Ch. Yes 'Danny's Bar' in Antwerp known to seamen near and far And o what times we used to have down in 'Danny's Bar'. From the outside it was nothing but the welcome once inside When the girls met with 'sailor Jack' their joy they couldn't hide The beer, the wine, the brandy too like water it would flow But no more, because I've heard 'Danny's Bar' has shut the door. O those 'ladies' sitting in that bar! So beautiful to see And many a first trip 'prentice lad would take one on his knee. He'd think it was his birthday as she'd let him feel some more But he won't be feeling now because 'Danny's Bar' has shut the door. Then there'd be a shriek of horror, and his face turned a deathly pale As he found to his dismay 'she' was not quite female. And as he fled into the night with laughter we'd all roar. But there's no laughter now because 'Danny's Bar' has shut the door. Now 'old seadogs' will tell tales, some tall, but some are true 'Bout when they'd dock in Antwerp and that one place they all knew And the happy times they have there, once they knew the score But tales are all that's left now. 'Danny's Bar'ore! has shut the door. Danny's Bar in Antwerp was one of the best known bars throughout the M.N., even to those who never went there! It was as well known as say Charlie Brown's in London, or 'Ma Gleason's' in New Zealand. The events described above, did happen [many, many, times!]. But Danny's is no more, it fell victim to redevelopment, and the 'ladies'? Well no doubt they are still around somewhere. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 01 Feb 10 - 03:37 AM Jake, thanks for the poem, what a grand one, the MN 's role, and casualties in both WW1 & WW11 has been overlooked, both in history and in "folk music/poetry". And it's nice to hear from an ex Clansman. Ron |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 31 Jan 10 - 11:31 AM Jake- Thanks for contributing this. You should forward "Heroes" to one of the Merchant Navy Songs websites. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Anglogeezer Date: 30 Jan 10 - 05:12 PM This is a thread that I have followed with great interest. That's what happens after a lifetime at sea (Clan Line/Union Castle/LOF/NSF) and an interest in folk music! Here's a poem about the seamen that we lost during the war that I came across a few years ago. I always meant to put a tune to it but never did. Jake *********************** Heroes by David Partridge (Botany Bay, Australia) Don't speak to me of heroes, until you've heard the tale Of Britain's merchant seamen who sailed through storm and gale To keep those lifelines open in our nation's hour of need When a tyrant cast a shadow, across our island breed. Captains, greasers, cabinboys; mates and engineers Heard the call to duty and cast aside their fears. They stoked those hungry boilers and stood behind the wheel While cooks and stewards manned the guns on coffins made of steel. They moved in icy convoys from Scapa to Murmansk And crossed the Western Ocean, never seeking thanks. They sailed the South Atlantic, where raiders lay in wait And kept the food lines open from Malta to the Cape. Tracked by silent U-boats which hunted from below, Shelled by mighty cannons and fighters flying low, They clung to burning lifeboats where the sea had turned to flame And watched their shipmates disappear to everlasting fame I speak, not of a handful but thirty thousand plus, Some whose names we'll never know, in whom we placed our trust. They never knew the honour of medals on their chests Or marching band and victory and glory and the rest. The ocean is their resting place, their tombstone is the wind, The seabird's cry their last goodbye to family and friends. Freighters, troopships, liners and tankers by the score, Fishing boats and coasters, two thousand ships and more Flew the proud red duster as they sank beneath the waves And took those countless heroes to their lonely, ocean graves. Their legacy is freedom to those who hold it dear, To walk with clear horizons and never hide in fear So, when you speak of heroes, remember those at sea From Britain's Merchant Navy, who died to keep us free. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 30 Jan 10 - 03:26 PM Refresh |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 07 Nov 09 - 08:43 PM I've just checked the chords to Make and Break Harbour" in Stan Rogers' songbook and it seems as if I've missed some (copy and paste into WORD/TIME/12 to line up chords): G------------------------------Em------------------C-----------------------D They've tipped and they've shoveled, they've trimmed and they've stored, ------------C----------------------------D And she's down to her load-line as ever; ------G-----------------G7--------------C------------Bm The bridge is swung round as she's leaving this town, -------------D----------------------D7 And she's off to the dark o' the river. ------G-----------Em--------------C-----------D Fare-well to the grime and the dust of the tips, ---C---------------------D--D7 It may be a month or for-ever: -------G-----------------G7------------C---------------Bm She's watched by the ships and the ghosts on the slips ---------D-----------------------D7---------G As she ploughs through the dark o' the river. -------C-----------D----------------G----------Em Fare-well to the grime and the dust of the tips, ---G---------Em--------C It may be a month or forever: -------G-----------------Em------------G--------------C She's watched by the ships and the ghosts on the slips ---------D-----------------------D7---------G As she ploughs through the dark o' the river. I'm still not sure of the Bm's but what the heck! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: LYR:ADD: High Tide at 4 AM From: Charley Noble Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:02 PM Here's another one that I think works well as a song, composer by marine engineer William McFee, well known author of nautical stories in the early 20th century (copy and paste into WORD/TIMES/12 to line up chords): By William McFee, 1909 From Reflections of Marsyas, by William McFee, © 1933, p. 63 Adapted for singing by Charlie Ipcar 11/7/09 Tune: after Make and Break Harbour by Stan Rogers High Tide at 4 AM G-----------------------------------------------------------------------------D They've tipped and they've shoveled, they've trimmed and they've stored, ------------C----------------------------D And she's down to her load-line as ever; ------G-----------------G7--------------C------------Bm The bridge is swung round as she's leaving this town, -------------D----------------------D7 And she's off to the dark o' the river. ------G------------------------------------------D Fare-well to the grime and the dust of the tips, ---C-------------------------D7 It may be a month or for-ever: -------G-----------------G7------------C---------------Bm She's watched by the ships and the ghosts on the slips ---------D-----------------------D7---------G As she ploughs through the dark o' the river. -------C-----------D----------------G----------Em Fare-well to the grime and the dust of the tips, ---G-------------------------C It may be a month or for-ever: -------G-------------------------------------------------C She's watched by the ships and the ghosts on the slips ---------D-----------------------D7---------G As she ploughs through the dark o' the river. She's one with the Mill and the Mine and the Mart; Black coal is her cargo as ever: But sneer as you will, she bears my heart still 'Way down in the dark o' the river; So I pray to the Lord in my bed here ashore A fair weather passage please give her, For there's shipmates aboard I may see no more Till we've passed through the Dark o' the River! So I pray to the Lord in my bed here ashore A fair weather passage please give her, For there's shipmates aboard I may see no more Till we've passed through the Dark o' the River! Here's the original poem from where I first found it: By William McFee, 1909 From Songs of the Sea and Sailors' Chanteys, edited by Robert Frothingham, published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Cambridge, US, © 1924, p. 134; first published in The New York Evening Post. High Tide at 4 AM They've tipped and they've shoveled, they've trimmed and they've stored, And she's down to her load-line as ever; The bridge is swung round and the pilot's aboard And she's off to the dark o' the river. Farewell to the grime and the dust of the tips, It may be a month or for ever: She's watched by the skeleton ghosts on the slips As she ploughs through the dark o' the river. She is one with the Mill and the Mine and the Mart; Black coal is her cargo as ever: You may sneer as you will, but she carries my heart 'Way down in the dark o' the river. So I pray to the Lord in my bed here ashore A fair weather passage to give her, For there's shipmates aboard I may never see more Till we've passed through the Dark o' the River! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 24 Jun 09 - 12:51 PM What I find particularly intriguing about this thread is the evidence it provides that sailors have continued to compose songs well into the 20th century, and beyond! When Cyril Tawney was pulling together Grey Funnel Lines he was discouraged by the lack of broad response to his appeals for contemporary sea songs. However, when he was doing this, back in the 1970's, there was no internet to facilitate such research. Long live Mudcat and associated music websites! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: haddocker Date: 24 Jun 09 - 11:42 AM Thank you all. What is most exciting about all of this is that the invitation to "put your own tune to it" gives one some degree of poetic license. I expect Charley can certainly start us off with something, being the tunesmith that he is. If anyone can direct me to the "recommended" tunes which are mentioned in some of the posts, I would be most appreciative, as I am somewhat in the dark in relation to many of those mentioned.One particular value which these songs share is their rhyme and rythmn which lend themselves to composition. There is a tune that is probably just below the surface,and if one contemplates the spirit of the poem it will readily reveal itself. Neil |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 23 Jun 09 - 11:24 AM A late, but most welcome, 'pier head jump, as Charley & Ross have already said great to 'have you aboard' Ron |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 23 Jun 09 - 09:28 AM Welcome, Neil. All contributions (or variants of anything above) also appreciated. Look forward to more from you. Ross |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 22 Jun 09 - 07:49 PM Neil- Welcome aboard this thread! Neil and his partner Barry form the traditional sea music duo Finn & Haddie, whose recent recording Fathom This! has received rave reviews from the sea music enthusiasts. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: haddocker Date: 22 Jun 09 - 05:03 PM Hello, I haven't a great deal of time right now as I am off to dinner soon. But I didn't want to miss getting to this thread so that I could express my enthusiasm for the subject which it addresses. My friend and singing partner Barry told me of it and my exact words were "We've found a Gold mine!" As soon as I have more time I will be perusing the various offerings and entering into further dialogue. Thank you for bringing this collection forth. I hope it will elicit many more specimens worthy of note. For too long the "steel Navy" and the Merchant fleet have been largely overlooked by the singers of maritime music. I believe this thread indicates a Rennaisance of the highest order. I look forward to returning. Fair winds and following seas, Neil |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: MARINER Date: 17 Jun 09 - 05:58 PM In reference to the query above re strikes. There was an unofficial strike in the 50s led by a group known as "The Reform Movement" if my memory serves me. Then in May of 1966 an official national strike was called by the N.U.S. By then many members of the Reform Movement were N.U.S. officials . I think it lasted about 8 weeks. By the way, fidget ,what in the name of God were you doing on standby on a Castle boat in the middle of a national strike ?. I can understand keeping fire watches to protect the ship, but on standby ? |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Sailor Ron Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:24 AM Charley, "Farewell to the Clan Line" is a CD, which is basically my collected MN songs, plus some of our [Red Duster] compositions along with one or two songs by other writers and a narration between the songs. The songs 'The Old Trail' & 'Farewell to the Clan Line' are on this CD & were 'lifted' on to 'Blood on the Ice'. |
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Subject: RE: PermaThread: Merchant Navy Songs From: Charley Noble Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:03 AM Ron and Ross- I did receive a copy of your CD Blood on the Ice and have been mining it ever since. So Red Duster's "Farewell to the Clan Line" CD would be a different one? Another series of books by a marine engineer that I've been enjoying is by William McFee, published in the early 1900's. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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