Lyr Req: Banks/Shores of the Callows

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks/Shores of the Callows
From: MartinRyan
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:35 PM

There's reference to a River Callow (and to a Callow Brook) in THIS REPORT on flood problems near Birmingham!

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks/Shores of the Callows
From: bradfordian
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 06:31 PM

My thanks also to Sandy.

To quote Justine "The youtube video doesn't start at the very beginning, you'll notice, (but it makes up for that in length!)
It's Barry's last recording - strange that the lyrics ring so true."

Having just read the lyrics above, it's uncanny, I can feel the emotions stirring!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks/Shores of the Callows
From: bradfordian
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:08 PM

Joe, my source is as given by Martin above.
I selected one of Barry's YouTube vids as I don't have his CD (shame, I ear you cry!) And it was the easiest way to get a recording of Barry as I didn't want to burden Justine with the technicalities of getting a track to me etc etc. (I initially thought it was an inspired idea--and now we have the lyrics, I hope it still is and that you guys will like it -- when you buy the CDs next fall!!!!!!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks/Shores of the Callows
From: MartinRyan
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 03:10 PM

Joe

Dem's my callows alright!

Sandy

I had a listen with your transcription in front of me. Two minor comments:

(1) I don't hear any 's' at the line-ends. I reckon it's the Callow rather than "the callows"
(2) In verse 4, I reckon it's "sorrowful word of him still", alright.

The tune continues to nag at me - I think its the third line that sounds most familiar.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks/Shores of the Callow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 01:47 PM

Bless you, Sandy. Nice job!

Hey, look what I found - photos of the shores of the Callows!!!

Bradfordian, where did you come across the song - on Barry's recording?

-Joe-

Subject: ADD: The Shores of the Callows
From: GUEST,Sandy LaPrelle
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 01:36 PM

I did my best with the lyrics from listening to Barry's youtube - here they are not perfect, maybe someone can help with what I got wrong:

THE SHORES OF THE CALLOWS
(by Frank McGrath, as best as I can figure from limited research)

The day is well pleased with itself on this fine summer morn
The dew beams with joy, so cheerful for sunlight's bright dawning
The wavelets slow beat, as they lazily wash to the shallows
While my aching heart weeps, by the sad sweet shores of the Callows

In the fields and the meadows, we worked and we sported in play
We swam and we fished, by the forested shores of the bay
As children we schooled, as young adults we worked and we toiled
But my aching heart weeps, by the sad sweet shores of the Callows

I remember his hair, so neat, save the strands that fell o'er his brow
And his strong calloused hands, I long to be holding them now
His warm broad smile, to picture it spurs my grief
As my heart crumbles, as the tread on a dry autumn heath

Why does the grass grow so fine ore the place where he fell
Why do the birds sing without a sorrowful word of (tunes?) too [him still?]
Why does nature (trill?) like the sorrowful swoop of the swallow
While my aching heart weeps by the sad sweet shores of the Callows

To have known you, it was my greatest pleasure
The memory of you it is my greatest treasure
You are now longer gone than all of your youthful years
For your ageless face I shed my aging tears

The day is well pleased with itself on this fine summer morn
The dew beams with joy so cheerful for sunlight's bright dawning
The wavelets slow beat as they lazily wash to the shallows
While my aching heart weeps by the sad sweet shores of the Callows

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: bradfordian
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 08:57 AM

I intend putting this song on the BLUE PLATE SPECIAL 2 CDs, Barry Finn singing, having obtained permission from his partner. I am requesting lyrics for all song submissions, but there may have to be one or two exceptions if lyrics can't be identified. I had of course hoped that they may be found somewhere. I had thought about transcribing from Barry's rendition though I have not yet listened to it closely for that purpose. Perhaps we all might have a go at transcribing and see if we can get there by iteration.

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 06:39 PM

p.p.s

I'm assuming that the Frank McGrath mentioned is not our old friend from Nenagh...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 06:35 PM

Joe,

The word "callow" has a very particular resonance with me - and it's nothing to do with youth. It's the term used for the flood plain of the River Shannon in its mid-section (Athlone to Portumna) where I spent many a night chasing corncrakes. I've never heard it as a river name.

I had a quick listen to Barry's version but will need to do so again to get my thoughts together. My instinctive reaction was that the tune sounded not-quite-Irish.

I'll have another good listen before starting a chase.

Regards

p.s. Might be worth asking Dave Ingerson what he knows about it - does he still hang around here on occasion?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 06:03 PM

refresh.

Martin, any chance you'd have the lyrics?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 02:43 AM

I didn't find a listing in Roud or in the Traditional Ballad Index.

Another thread referring to Barry's YouTube recording said that the song was written by Frank McGrath. That's all I know. I can't make enough out of Barry's recording to do a transcription.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: MartinRyan
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 10:40 AM

Spot the 'catters in this Youtube version!

Regards

Subject: Lyr Req: Banks of the Callow
From: GUEST,bradfordian away from home
Date: 16 Jan 11 - 10:34 AM

One always feels a little apprehensive asking for lyrics even after having a scan in the DT & forum. Some smart er diligent member, seems to unearth the relevant resource from the bowels of Mudcat which one might have found with a little more research.
However,
My initial search in Mudcat did not find the words to this song, hence my request.

bradfordian