'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel

Subject: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Ian HP
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 06:58 AM

I have just borrowed from a friend a cassette of an old Nick Dow album - without album title, song title or any credits! On it is a stunner of a song with the repeated refrain, "I sang me song . . .", the gist of it being that in various incarnations the singer sang about a battle he was killed in, sang love songs for a suitor, sang about being a pit worker, loom worker, etc.. It mentions Hastings in the first verse. It's a wonderful capturing of the spirit of traditional music - but what is the song??? Who wrote it??? What is this album??? Help!!!

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Ian HP
Date: 13 Jun 99 - 02:39 PM

I've just been told that this is a Graham Pratt song, called something like The Minstrel or The Troubadour (the person couldn't remember the exact title). Any clues, anyone?

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Ian HP
Date: 15 Jun 99 - 02:13 PM

Please? Pretty please?

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Ballardere
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 03:31 PM

Talking of Nick Dow Does anyone know his present wherabouts please? Cheers

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Bert
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 03:33 PM

Are you thinking about that Highwayman song, sung by Willie Nelson, Johnnie Cash and others?

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Stewie
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 06:23 PM

I have 2 Dow albums - 'A Poor Man's Gift' and 'Burd Margaret' - and it is not on either. However, on 'Poor Man's', he sings a Graham Pratt song - 'The Ballad of Lumley Kettlewell' - and says in his note to it that he had recorded a Graham Pratt song on his previous album. That would probably be it, but I don't know the name of that album. That may at least narrow down your search.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,Phil Cooper
Date: 30 Mar 00 - 08:49 PM

Graham Pratt is indeed the author of the Minstrel. On a long out of print LP he did with his wife Eileen. It has been covered by some other singers as well. I have a copy of the album (somewhere in my disorganized collection) but don't think there was a lyric sheet. It is a good song. Canadian singer, Ken Brown, performs the song sometimes these days as well.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Stewie
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 01:31 AM

I just remembered that I have the Pratt album. The song is sung solo and unaccompanied by Eileen Pratt. The details are: Graham and Eileen Pratt 'To Friend and Foe' Dingle's Records DIN308. Phil is right - there is no lyric sheet.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: IanC
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 07:02 AM

More info about Graham & Eileen on their home page:

Diary

Cheers! IanC

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 05:42 PM

It is the Minstrel,by Graham Pratt. It starts off: "I sang my song at Hastings Battle, to praise the deeds of Charlemagne", and I'm sure I posted the words or at least a request for the words sometime last year, probably around July/August/September. So that should narrow it down!!!

The Nick Dow album might be 'A branch of May' or something like that. It's been a while since I saw my copy anywhere....

LTS

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,CliveN
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 03:23 AM

Looking for the lyrics to a song I used to sing called 'The Minstrel'. It starts 'I sang me song at Hastings battle'. Can anyone help please.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 03:46 AM

How about contacting, Graham Pratt, he wrote the song, he probably has a website

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 04:01 AM

He does indeed appear to have a website
here.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 04:29 AM

Nick is on Mudcat and often posts so I'm sure he will see this before too long and answer the question.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 04:40 AM

There are two recorded versions of The Minstrel performed by Graham Pratt, one accompanied and one unaccompanied. It is on "Friend and Foe" and also "The Magic Pear Tree" (can't remember which one is which).

Robin

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Raggytash
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 04:55 AM

I sang my song at Hastings battle
to praise the deeds of Charlemange
I sang of Arthur and of Roland
that men remember their great fame
I sang to rouse a sinking nation
that King and men might never yield
but when the battle cry was over
they all lay dead on Hastings field

Will add more when I have a little more time

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 11:48 AM

I'm sure Nick will in due course see this thread, but the original question was asked in 1999. That's, gulp, 21 years ago.

I suspect the question might not be quite so urgent for the person who asked it by now.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 12:05 PM

22 years!

Or do we not count 2020 due to Covid? ??

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 05:06 PM

I am a little bemused by all these comments about The Minstrel as sung by Eileen Pratt. My understanding of this is that the song itself was written by someone entirely different called Stewart Hendrickson. Two extra verses were written later by Robert Rodriquez, though the song itself is long enough as it it is in original form.
Eileen does a great job of it & is one of the best versions I have ever heard of it. i have a recording of it by Nick Dow also. A great melody.       Mick Shaw

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 05:30 PM

Here are the Lyrics as I learned them.

THE MINSTREL
(Graham and Eileen Pratt)

I sang my song at Hastings' battle
To praise the deeds of Charlemagne.
I sang of Arthur and of Roland,
That men remember their great fame.
I sang to rouse a sinking nation,
That king and man might never yield.
But when the battle cry was over,
We all lay dead on Hastings' field.

I sang my song to conquer loved ones.
I sold my voice to him who paid,
To sing his lady gentle love songs,
To lend his passion subtler shade.
But when my silver-throated praises
At last did melt her heart of stone,
He paid me and they both departed,
And left me there to sing alone.

I sang my song at fair and market,
A song much bawdier than before.
Amidst the pigs and geese and cattle,
I sought to please the crowd once more.
I sang to win applause and favour,
Songs of the cuckold and the whore.
But though I gladly took their money,
I missed the songs I'd sung before.

I sang my song in time of anger.
And found new purpose in the rhymes.
At kings and queens, did point the finger,
And bid them see the nation's crimes.
How bitterly did I condemn them,
All those who left the poor oppressed,
But the time was not yet ripe for changes,
I hung at Tyburn with the rest.

I sang my song in mill and coal-pit,
My voice all cracked with dust and fumes.
I took my tune from the factory sirens,
I took my rhythm from the looms.
But whether anybody listened,
Or paid attention, I can't say.
I couldn't stand the smoke and chimneys,
So I packed my bags and I moved away.

My voice grows tired. My eyes are weary.
The aging memory nearly gone.
I've sung my song for lord and lady.
I've sung it too for common man.
Until there's no more time for singing,
Until we reach the stories' end,
I'll always find the strength within me
To rise and sing my song again.


Mally has been on at me to sing the song again, but my voice is at least a tone and a half deeper now. I was 29 when I made 'A Branch of May'. It was made on a shoestring budget with only 500 copies, but it has gone a very long way since 1980, supplying Jim Moray with 'Seven Long Years, and 'Jenny of the Moor' to my own tune.
Jim performed Seven Long Years at Shrewsbury festival with the skulk band and a large choir. It brought tears to my eyes.
I used to know Robert Rodriguez, when he came over to the UK. He used to turn up at Dingles folk club. He was a good singer, and he was blind. All the best to Clive.
Nick

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? - Nick Dow - what song???
From: GUEST,jugmws
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 06:38 PM

Nick you really should attempt it again; it is a great song & with your skill you can carry off the tonal change easily. I had not come across Robert Rodriguez, but if I met him I would like to ask why he thought it needed the extra verses ? Graham sent me a package last week & is still very active, though more on choral scene now.
Here's to the next live meet.      m

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel
From: GerryM
Date: 23 Aug 21 - 11:01 PM

There's a nice recording by the late John Thompson on the Pearson-Thompson CD, Never the Twain. The CD came out on their own label, and I can't find any useful links on the web.

Robert Rodriquez is a regular participant in the Mudcat Worldwide Zoom Singarounds. Wendy Grossman sang The Minstrel at the 12 April 21 Singaround, Elizabeth Block sang it at the 19 July 21 Singaround.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel
From: Megan L
Date: 24 Aug 21 - 04:25 AM

dammit that thread title rumbled around in my brain (i know plenty of space in there) and spat out on the page as

I sang a song


I sang a song when i was drunk
they said I sang it well o
alas no matter how i thunk
the words i cannot tell o

They said it was the sweetest song
that ever they did hear o
Ive thought hard and i thought long
but the words will not come near o

so i have made myself a plan
im going to follow through o
Im going to drink till i get drunk
and hope i get a clue o

mhtbl 23/08/2021

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 25 Aug 21 - 06:36 PM

Nick Dow is a Mudcat member so you can send him a pm if you are a member

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel
From: RTim
Date: 25 Aug 21 - 09:53 PM

Nick only ever posts as a Guest, ie. he is not a Member as such..so I am not sure you can write to him here. You can post a remark and hope he will answer...

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 26 Aug 21 - 03:32 AM

Tim - Nick popped up to contribute to this thread a few days ago. If you scroll up you can see he supplied the lyrics to this song.

Subject: RE: 'I SANG A SONG'? -Nick Dow- what song???-Minstrel
From: GUEST,CliveN
Date: 27 Aug 21 - 07:32 AM

Many, many thanks for supplying the lyrics. It is a brilliant song and one I shall sing again.