We've Been Pals For Fifty Years

Subject: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: GUEST,Mel
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 06:13 AM

I've been trying to find information/origins,recordings etc on a song which I think is titled "We've Been Pals For Fifty Years". It would appear to be pre-1930 and I have the following lyrics, but nothing else. Can anybody help please?

In a quaint little cottage
By the fireside's gentle glow
A couple old and grey sit hand in hand
Many years they've strolled together
As they climbed the stairs of life
Till now they've almost reached the Golden Land

As they sit there in the gloaming
Their thoughts are far away
They're dreaming of their happy wedding day
Said the old man, "Love, I'm thinking
Of the day when we must part
So listen while there's something I would say

We've been pals for fifty years, love
And I've loved you all the while
For there's music in your laughter
And sunshine in your smile
But perhaps we soon will part, love
And it fills my heart with tears
But there's something sweet to know, love
We've been pals for fifty years"


In a slightly different version that I found, the word "love" is replaced by the name "Rose".

In a quaint old little cottage
By the firside's gentle glow
A Couple old and gray sat hand in hand
They have struggled hard together
For to reach the stars of life
And now they've almost reached the Golden Land

As they sat there in the gloaming
There thoughts are far away
They are thinking of their golden wedding day
Said the old man, Rose I'm thinking
Of the day when we must part
O listen Rose, there is something I must say

We've been pals for fifty years, Rose
And I've loved you all the while
There's music in your laughter
And sunshine in your smile
And although we must soon part, Rose
And it fills my heart with tears
There is one thing sweet to know, Rose
We were pals for fifty years


Thanks........Mel

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 09:31 AM

I'm going to bounce this up the list as I'm sure one of us knows where to find more details on this lovely little song!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: GUEST,Ron
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 05:28 AM

Hi There,
I'm afraid I cannot assist in furnishing much help in answering the questions posed by Mel, but I am also seeking similar answers.

My particular quest is on behalf of an older gentleman who has been seeking a recording of the above song(either version)on behalf of his long time partner, friend and wife. She has been in a nursing home for some time now, and she has requested that this song be played at her passing.

Peter,any assistance that you or anybody may be able to provide will be so gratefully received.

Thank you

Ron

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: MartinRyan
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 05:52 AM

Click here for a reference to the song from a 1930 newspaper, which may help the search.

Regards

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: DebC
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 08:59 AM

There was a wonderful musical production in West Yorkshire a couple of years ago called "PALS" written by Nigel Schofield and the late David Williams and featured many of the residents and regulars of the Bacca Pipes Folk Club in Keighley. I seem to recall that the production did include the song. I have alerted Nigel to this thread. He is not a member, so if he posts he may post as a guest. I do hope the elves will let him in, so to speak.

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: maeve
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 09:18 AM

Guests are welcome to post,Deb. Just ask Nigel to use a consistent name. It will be good if he can offer more information!

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 11 - 09:35 AM

Nigel Schofield here (thanks Deb for the heads up). this song was in an early draft of Pals - a placemaker (along with Dear Old Pals Jolly Old Pals) for the theme song yet to be written (Pals still together). This is a Victorian parlour song first published in the 1870s so far as I am aware in a women's magazine. Its proper title is A Fond Farewell or A Golden Memory. There is a recording from 1912 or 13 but I can't recall who by - will try to track it down

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 07:12 AM

This begins to look hopeful that we can find it. Thanks Nigel.

It doesn't seem to be in the Levy Collection.

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: Crowhugger
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 01:08 PM

I'm surprised it's not in Levy, I was hunting up something else in there some weeks back and I'm sure I saw this, else a song awfully similar.

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: GUEST,Barry (Guest)
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 05:03 PM

Ron, I have this on a very old 78rpm record. It's not exactly good condition, but the words are clear. If it's of any use to your friend, you're welcome to it, or I can try to find a way of taping it for you. I'm in Whittlesey, near Peterborough, if that's any help. The version I have is "We've been pals for fifty years, Rose". Let me know what you think. To the others that are looking for the words, as soon as I find it, among 4000 78s, I'll post the words
Barry

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 05:04 PM

Hello Crowhugger,

I could so easily be wrong! Perhaps it is there under a different name?

I'll try again tomorrow.

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: GUEST,Barry
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 04:28 PM

Well, I found the record, which is actually called "We've been CHUMS for fifty years" and, apart from that, has exactly the same words as quoted in the first post.
It's sung by Mr Ernest Pike, and is on the Zonophone label. I would date it as around 1912.
Sadly, though, it would not be suitable to play at a public service, as it has an enormous crack in it. Sorry about that!

Barry

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 05:00 PM

Will Oakland - We've been chums for fifty years.mp3

http://www.archive.org/details/WillOakland

Here are two soundfiles!

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 05:01 PM

I tried the second link myself; it's the right song, and a decent quality recording, and very easy to access.

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 05:19 PM

Maeve, you are a marvel!

Mudcat is a wonderful place!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: maeve
Date: 28 Jan 11 - 05:27 PM

Thanks, Peter...but Mel posted the words he could remember, the rest of you found references, and Barry found the correct title, so after that it was fairly easy.

I love it when we find a song or tune!

Maeve

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: maeve
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 09:34 AM

Refresh... for Guest Mel and Guest Ron.

Subject: RE: We've Been Pals For Fifty Years
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 31 Jan 11 - 01:48 PM

This listing may be of interest also.
        
It may have been recorded by the team of Scotty and Lulu Belle Wiseman.

Or it could have just been listed as a favorite of theirs in a song folio.
        
"We've Been Sweethearts, Mary Dear, for Fifty Years."

G