 sj |
||
|
||
Narrowboat songs
|
|
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian Date: 28 Nov 21 - 04:18 AM An update of the Songs of the Inland Waterways website earlier this year has meant that many of the links in this thread no longer work. With over 300 songs on the site I haven't so far attempted to redirect all the old addresses. Rest assured that all the material is still there (with an increased number of recordings and videos) and can be accessed through the new menu system. The update was necessary as Google insisted on making the site almost invisible when searched for, because it didn't have a mobile variant (which it does now). Weeks of work were imposed upon me but I hope the new site is better than the old. Here are a few of the new addresses for links mentioned above. Finest of them all https://www.waterwaysongs.info/Songs/F/finest.htm Radio Recording - Cry from the Cut https://www.waterwaysongs.info/AV/cry_from_the_cut.htm The Rosemary https://www.waterwaysongs.info/Songs/R/rosemary.htm Following Olga to Lynn https://www.waterwaysongs.info/Songs/F/following_olga.htm They're Coming Back to the Water by Jeff Dennison and Benny Graham https://www.waterwaysongs.info/CD/coming_back.htm Keep singing the songs, Ian |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 07 Jun 20 - 01:29 PM Hi Ian It wouldn't be The Rosemary that Tony O'Niell sang would it? If it wasn't I'm hopeful you will be able to point me in the direction of another elusive canal song. Ian |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Date: 07 Jun 20 - 01:10 PM The is a song by Tony 'the admiral' O'Niell about a ghost narrow boat. I will have to look out he correct title. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,henryp Date: 06 Jun 20 - 05:40 AM A little broader; Following Olga To Lynn - written by Paul Eady, recorded by Mark Dowding on Brown Photographs Cock Robin Music CRM 063 2002 Lyrics on Songs of the Inland Waterways This song is about two tank barges called Enid and Lizzie that were pulled by a motor boat called Olga on their journey from Cambridge to Kings Lynn taking Gas Water which was a by-product of the coke industry. Gas Water was full of ammonia and was processed to use as a fertiliser. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian Date: 06 Jun 20 - 04:39 AM Thanks rich-joy for pointing me in the direction of "Violet Sarah" - an excellent canal song. Songs of the Inland Waterways by Jeff Dennison and Benny Graham is already on the website, with newly added video. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Erich Date: 06 Jun 20 - 03:58 AM Didn't have the nerve to read all the above entries, but did anyone mention the CD "They're coming back to the Water, Songs of the Waterways" by Jeff Dennison & Benny Graham? |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: rich-joy Date: 05 Jun 20 - 06:48 PM This is a contemporary Narrowboat story from Aussie duo (now trio), CLOUDSTREET, Nicole Murray & John Thompson (who until John's diagnosis, were very regular music tourers of the UK): "VIOLET SARAH" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K2COj27dGc |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Date: 05 Jun 20 - 07:16 AM There have been quite a few recent additions to the Songs of the Inland Waterways website, including some radio broadcasts and videos. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Steve Gardham Date: 27 Mar 15 - 08:27 AM A pity they didn't use some of the great tracks available of the Aire & Calder when they interviewed Chris Sherburn a couple of weeks back! |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 27 Mar 15 - 07:11 AM Thanks for these postings Chris. Those recordings that aren't already on the Songs of the Inland Waterways website will be added asap. 'Tales from the Towpath' - the radio programme featuring the Albion Band and narrated by Mike Harding - has recently been added in the Reference section. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST Date: 26 Mar 15 - 08:12 PM More 'lost' recordings about canals... http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2008/02/05/radio_stoke_on_the_cut_feature.shtml Sadly the audio files have been deleted, but they are here: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/exih4wb9a948x/On_The_Cut CJB |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST Date: 26 Mar 15 - 07:36 PM BTW the BBC LP "Narrowboats" and the Folkweave Canal Trilogy can be found here: http://www.oysterbroadcast.co.uk/click.html CJB |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST Date: 26 Mar 15 - 07:32 PM The 'lost' Radio Ballad "A Cry From The Cut" has been found. Ashas "The Jewellery." Backstory is here: http://www.mustrad.org.uk/enth13.htm Recording is here: http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/cry_from_the_cut.htm Vimeo version with historic slides is here: https://vimeo.com/17437484 Thanks Jim!! CJB |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 28 Aug 10 - 10:11 AM The link to my canal song web-site posted well over a year ago doesn't seem to be working. I wonder how long it's been broke? So here it is again : Songs of the Inland Waterways |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Charley Noble Date: 28 Aug 10 - 09:49 AM Looks and sounds great! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 28 Aug 10 - 08:14 AM Life and Times have posted a number of items on YouTube for us to enjoy. Here's a lovely video about The B & MK. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 28 Aug 10 - 08:04 AM The other link above didn't seem to work. It needed another slash. Here it is : Life and Times and here's Iced In on Youtube. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 28 Aug 10 - 07:57 AM This an excellent CD and if you get a chance to see the show then do so. Here's the link given above : Where The Working Boats Went |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Graeme Meek (Life & Times) Date: 28 Aug 10 - 07:16 AM Songs on our CD and in our show WHERE THE WORKING BOATS WENT: The Duke of Bridgewater (Meek) The Bold Navigators(Broadside arr. Raven arr. Life & Times) The Ivel Navigation (Meek) A Working Boatie Man (Meek) Carrying The Load (Goodman) Lock Keepers Of The Waterways (Meek) Narrow Boats To Tow (Goodman) Push Boys Push (Dudley Tunnel Trust) Roses & Castles (Meek) A Bit Of A Do (Goodman) The Row Between The Boaters (Meek) Finest Of Them All (Ritchie) Banbury White Horse/Four Up (Goodman) Iced In (Goodman) Until The Cut Runs Dry (Meek) A Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Goodman) Where The Working Boats Went (Meek) Hear The Duke Of Bridgwater & Iced In at www.myspace.com/broadsidesrevisited Hear Where The Working Boats Went at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJPiVjZMbqQ www.lifeandtimes.info |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 05 Jun 10 - 04:12 PM Just a reminder that there is an archive of British and Irish canal songs at Songs of the Inland Waterways |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Charley Noble Date: 31 May 10 - 08:27 PM Mike Kennedy and I have been working on "The Jolly Bargeman," a poem by Cicely Fox Smith, adapting it for singing and I thing we've got something of interest. Mike has a nice melody for the chorus and I have a different melody than Mike's for the verse, and I've done some minor revision of this World War 1 era poem. Here's a link to the song and the original poem on my website with a MP3 sample: click here for lyrics and MP3 Sample! Here's the song with chords: Composed by Cicely Fox Smith, © 1919 Adapted for singing by Charles Ipcar, 5/23/10 Tune: Mike Kennedy chorus/Charles Ipcar verse The Jolly Bargeman C--------F-----------C--------------F-------------------G And it's "Gee-hup, Mabel," we'll do the best we're able, ----------C-------------------------------------F----------------G For the Country's took us over an' we're helping her to win, -----C--------------------------------F----------------G An' when this war is over, we'll all lay down in clover, ------------F-----------------------G---C-G--C--G7-C An' we'll drink all together at the Na-vi-ga-tion Inn! C-------------------------F------------------------C-----------------G I've put the old mare's tail in plaits — now ain't she lookin' gay? --------F------------G--C-----------------------F----C-G Bright ribbons in her mane, you'd think it First o' May; C----F--------------------C--------------------------F------------------G-C For why? We're under Government, though it ain't quite plain to me ----------F------------C------------G----------------C If we're in the Civil Service or in the Admiral-ty! Now I brought the news to Missis, an' to her these words did say: "Just chuck your old broom-handle an' some rusty nails this way: We're bound to have a flag-staff for our old red, white an' blue, For now we're under Government we'll have our ensign too." (CHO) Now the Navy is the Navy, an' it sails upon the sea, The Army is the Army, an' on land it has to be; There's the land an' there's the water, an' the Cut comes in between, And I don't know what they'll call me if it ain't the Horse Marine. (CHO) So the Missis sits upon the barge, the same's she used to sit, But they'll have her in the papers now for "doin' her own bit": And I trudge upon the tow-path here as proud as anything, Though I haven't got no uniform, I'm serving of the King. (CHO) Notes: From Small Craft: Sailor Ballads and Chantys, edited by Cicely Fox Smith, published by George H. Doran Co., New York, US, © 1919, pp. 72-73. First published in Punch Magazine, Volume 152, May 16, 1917, p. 320. Captures a moment in World War 1 when the British Government had issued an order mobilizing the canal bargemen into the war effort, replete with great detail. Always interested in comments if you have any. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Cusco Date: 29 May 10 - 11:26 AM I have a really good CD that was put out by Buz Collins - Water & Rain. He lived on the canals and the whole work relates to them. One is a bit of a Route 66 for narrow boats titled London to Birmingham in 4.5 minutes. Sadly Buz had some personal problems he couldn't resolve and is no longer with us. He was the son of Dolly Collins. Great shame. The CD was a Fellside issue FECD139 |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw Date: 29 May 10 - 10:58 AM There's lots more good songs of the waterways on the album recorded by the late Jeff Dennison and Benny Graham, "They're coming back to the water - Songs of the Waterways" (FSCD47) Try the link for details. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Leadfingers Date: 29 May 10 - 09:27 AM 100 |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST Date: 29 May 10 - 09:16 AM There is a whole CD by Barry Goodman and Graeme Meek called "Where the Working Boats Went". It is basically the songs from a show that they present at festivals and other places. Take a look here: http://www.lifeandtimes.me.uk/news.htm |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Shimrod Date: 28 May 10 - 04:55 PM I like canals and canal boats! I think I'll learn some canalist and canaling songs! Drat! There don't appear to be any! OK, I'll write some canalist and canaling songs. ........................ some time later ...................... Hmm! It's quite difficult this song writing, isn't it? I know! I'll dig out some musty old poems about canalists and canaling and put tunes to them! No-one will ever know (perhaps they'll even think they're traditional). |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Brian May Date: 28 May 10 - 04:44 PM Leggin boats - by Giggetty. Black Country songs on this re-released Digitally Remastered album. Got my copy today and it's brilliant. Several tracks about bargees and the waterways in the Industrial Revolution. More details from brian@langtry.fslife.co.uk - he's been really helpful. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Paul Burke Date: 23 May 10 - 05:41 PM Just theb usual BW neglect. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Charley Noble Date: 23 May 10 - 03:31 PM Anything going on in particular in September on or about the canals in the UK? Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: ADD: The Jolly Bargeman (C. Fox Smith) From: Charley Noble Date: 30 Oct 09 - 01:23 PM This seems a good place to post this canal bargeman poem by Cicely Fox Smith: THE JOLLY BARGEMAN (C. Fox Smith) I've put the old mare's tail in plaits — now ain't she lookin' gay, With ribbons in 'er mane likewise, you'd think it First o' May; For why? We're under Government, though it ain't quite plain to me If we're in the Civil Service or the Admiralties! An' it's "Gee hup, Mabel," an' we'll do the best we're able, For the country's took us over an' we're 'elpin' 'er to win, An' when the war is over, oh, we'll all lie down in clover, With a drink all together at the Navigation Inn! I brought the news to Missis, an' to 'er these words did say: "Just chuck yon old broom-'andle an' a two-three nails this way: We're bound to 'ave a flag-staff for our old red, white an' blue, For now we're under Government we'll 'ave our ensign too." The Navy is the Navy, an' it sails upon the sea, The Army is the Army, an' on land it 'as to be; There's the land an' there's the water, an' the Cut comes in between, An' I don't know what they'll call me if it ain't an 'Orse Marine. The Missis sits upon the barge, the same's she used to sit, But they'll 'ave 'er in the papers now for Doin' 'er Bit: An' I walk upon the tow-path 'ere as proud as anything, If I 'aven't got no uniform, I'm serving of the King. An' it's "Gee hup, Mabel," oh, we'll do the best we're able, For the country's been an' called us, an' we've got to 'elp to win; An' when this war is over, then we'll all lie down in clover, With a drink all together at the Navigation Inn! Notes: From Small Craft: Sailor Ballads and Chantys, edited by Cicely Fox Smith, published by George H. Doran Co., New York, US, © 1919, pp. 72-73. First published in Punch Magazine, Volume 152, May 16, 1917, p. 320. Captures a moment in World War 1 when the British Government has issued an order mobilizing the canal bargemen into the war effort, replete with great detail. Some of the best black and white illustrations I've found of narrow boats are by Deny Watkins-Pitchford in Narrow Boat, by Lionel Thomas Caswall Rolt, published by Eyre & Spottiswoode, London, UK, © 1944, revised 1948. For an example, here a link to one I've just posted with this poem at the Oldpoetry website: Click here for website! Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian B Date: 21 Apr 09 - 04:14 PM Songs of the Inland Waterways has moved to www.waterwaysongs.co.uk.
-Joe Offer- |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,GUEST Date: 17 Mar 08 - 04:45 PM Try this website : Songs of the Inland Waterways |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Severn Date: 11 Feb 08 - 02:31 PM Available from Dick Greenhaus at Camsco. It's where I got mine. dick@camsco.com |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Date: 11 Feb 08 - 01:19 PM WILLOW WREN BRIDE I have transcribed the words to this song from the 1975 BBC recording 'Narrowboats' and included then on the web-site : Songs of the Inland Waterways. I also include them here : I met a bloke walking through Bedworth He said I could laugh 'til I cried I've been and got shot of me mate on the cut And he's married a Willow Wren bride Married, married He's married a Willow Wren bride There isn't much of this song here and I am interested in knowing if there is any more. In fact, any information about this song would be welcome. Ian |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Date: 10 Feb 08 - 02:57 PM Thanks for Mary Ann McHugh lyrics and info. It is now the 97th song on the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' website though I may have to change the sub-title to inland waterway songs of the UK and Ireland. I am now trying to track down the easiest way to purchase the Folktrax recording from the UK. Ian |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Severn Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:05 AM "The Mary Ann McHugh" was written by Percy French. The version I learned to sing it from is by Seamus Ennis on the CD collection "Lower the Funnel-Songs Of The Inland Waterways", (Folktrax-418), a Peter Kennedy compilation with some excellent stuff in amongst some ringers and padding. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: MARY ANN MCHUGH (Percy French) From: banjoman Date: 10 Feb 08 - 08:02 AM as requested: MARY ANN MCHUGH (Percy French) Well, come all ye lads who plough the sea and likewise see the plough. The cruise of a canal boat I'll be singing to ye now. It was the Mary Ann McHugh that ploughed the wintry surf As we bore away from George's Quay with a terrible load of turf. Well, the captain's name was Duff and his manners they were rough, But every cape and headland on that treacherous coast he knew, And he issued this command: "Keep her well in sight of land Till we make the port of Dublin in the Mary Ann McHugh." Now this vessel was of one horsepower propelled by a blackthorn stick. With a bag o' corn and the wind astern, the horse went a terrible lick. We came around by Hillardown and then Kilkirk we passed, And when we'd seen Johnny Quinn's shibeen we yelled out "Land at last!" But the captain James E Duff said, "Luff, ye lubbers, luff. Now don't put in to Johnny Quinn's whatever else ye do, 'Cos last time we passed his door, we forgot to pay the score And he has the p-o-li-ce watchin' for the Mary Ann McHugh." Then up spoke a sailor bold who had sailed on the Irish Sea. He said, "Put in to Johnny Quinn's or the crew will mutiny For to go to sea with a boy and me is a cruel thing I think When it's water, water everywhere and divil a drop to drink." Then the captain James E Duff said, "Enough, me lads, enough! No man before the mast will ever teach me what to do; So put on all sail at once for it is our only chance To keep from debt and danger on the Mary Ann McHugh." So with anxious hearts this vessel starts all on her watery course. The wind it lashed the rigging and the pilot lashed the horse; But all in vain beneath the strain the rope began to part, And we ran aground on a lump of coal that wasn't marked on the chart. And the captain James E Duff well he hit me such a cuff! He said, "go heave the lead" while the flag at half mast flew, But meself I'd had enough of that tyrant James E Duff, So I heaved the lead at his head and fled from the Mary Ann McHugh. I got this originally from an LP called "A Pinch of Salt" which featured several artists including Cyril Tawney but I can't recall who sang this one. Still have the LP somewhere so may be able to dig it out. The song was listed on the sleeve as a version of the Good Ship Calibar. I still sing this occasionally and it usually raises a smile. Probably the only Irish canal boat song (unless someone knows different). Best of luck Pete |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 04 Feb 08 - 04:17 PM A posting of the words to 'The Mary Anne McHugh' would be much appreciated as Googling failed to find them. Ian |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: banjoman Date: 04 Feb 08 - 11:14 AM Have a look for a song called "The Mary Anne McHugh" which is about an Irish Canal Boat - very humourous song - I have the words if anyobe wants them |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ian Hendrie Date: 04 Feb 08 - 08:25 AM No. I don't mean Jenny Wren Bride. See Liz's previous comment. Thanks anyway. Ian |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Ross Campbell Date: 28 Dec 07 - 10:50 PM Did you mean "Jenny Wren Bride" by Cyril Tawney? It's in the DigiTrad at Jenny Wren Bride Ross |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Date: 21 Dec 07 - 11:17 AM (Seven years on) - Has anyone found the lyrics to Willow Wren Bride yet? |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Llanfair Date: 28 Feb 02 - 06:12 PM I hadn't heard about that, Beachcomber, was it TV or radio? Sounds interesting. Cheers, Bron. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,beachcomber Date: 28 Feb 02 - 03:41 PM LLanfair, I seem to have a memory of a programme about the Canals of Britain done by BBC some years ago and musically illustrated by the great Ewan McCall. (Or am I beginning to slip , finally?) AndyG The song "Girl on the Cut" is that the one that starts "It's a hard life, for a girl on the cut...." etc.?? As recorded by the Ian Campbell Folk Group? (Lorna singing that song?) beach(*&%$£ in' cookie again) |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Dave Bryant Date: 28 Feb 02 - 12:55 PM Does anyone have the words of the BCN song - "Miles and Miles of Poly 'round the Blades" ? Dave Blagrove won't give me the words because he says that he didn't write it. By the way I heard a few weeks ago that David has had to give up boating on doctor's orders and that he's sold his pair. I was hoping to be seeing him at the Foxton session the other week, but he wasn't well. Still I'm sure that he'll get plenty more chances to see "The Chestnut Bloom in Flower" from a narrowboat. |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Liz Date: 17 May 00 - 10:19 AM AndyG Willow Wren Bride is a version of (you might say is loosely based on) Jenny Wren Bride so not quite the same thing. From my recollection its about marrying the daughter of a Willow Wren stearer. Liz |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 17 May 00 - 06:34 AM Details of the Halliard and Black Country 3 recordings available from Michael Raven (with his contact details)are on the Nic Jones Home Page (right at the botom) on: http://www.sarcon.demon.co.uk/engfolk/nicjones.htm Mudcat's Dr John has also given the address on the thread on Black Country Songs. Correspondence with Mike Raven is always rewarding, he comes across as a mix of Laurie Lee, Rick Fielding and Carla Lane. (If anyone doesn't know, Mike had youthful brushes with the law over his animal rights activities, many of his songs celebrate the fox and his own dogs. As a young man he bummed around Spain learning from gypsy flamenco players and reviewers describe his folkplaying as Celtic Flamenco. He is always generous with his knowledge. Purchases from him often contain extra free songbooks or records.)Mike used to have a web page but it seems to be inactive. RtS
|
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: Steve Parkes Date: 17 May 00 - 03:34 AM Birmingham doesn't smell as bad as Venice though, Roger - nit htses days, any road! |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 16 May 00 - 11:52 AM Birmingham is, of course, the Venice of the West Midlands (with more miles of canals than Venice). Strangely, Venice is never called the Birmingham of Italy.(NOT that old joke,again, Roger?) RtS |
|
Subject: RE: Narrowboat songs From: AndyG Date: 16 May 00 - 11:50 AM Liz,
I don't know if this is the song you mean, (sounds like it could be), but;
It's a Cyril Tawney song.
AndyG |
| Share Thread: |