Barry Finn's ADD song

Subject: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Judy Goddard
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 05:17 PM

Hey everyone. I was remembering Barry Finn today. He wrote a magnificent song about growing up learning disabled. I was fortunate to hear him sing it a couple of times. Does anyone know where i might find a copy of the song, either a video or recording? It's such a powerful song. I woud love to learn it.

Thanx!

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: ClaireBear
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 05:32 PM

And lo, the Digital Tradition Link has magically appeared above. Isn't this place wonderful?

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 05:41 PM

I know there's a recording of that song somewhere, but I can't find it. Genie???

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Judy Goddard
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 07:14 PM

Thank you! This song has always resonated so strongly for me! It's like he held up a mirror and I was looking at myself!

I remember hearing on a radio show once and telling him about it and he had no idea where I'd heard it because he'd never sung it on the radio.

Do do do do
Do do do do...

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Judy Goddard
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 07:15 PM

Next question...

Where can I find the tune?

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 07:35 PM

Tune here, searching using the info in the Digitrad page:

http://folkstream.com/069.html

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: bbc
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 09:52 PM

I remember hearing Barry sing that song. Thanks for the reminder of a good friend & a large-hearted person! It was so sad to lose him.

best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 10:00 PM

First thing I ever heard him sing, at the first gathering those gracious FSGW folks invited the mudcatters to.

How time flies.

Miss you, Barry.

Dani

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 10:09 PM

We'll eventually pull this thread together. It's a fine song but it's not one that we ever recorded. Be patient.

Keep this thread alive.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 10:55 PM

I'm not having any luck finding a recording, but yet I heard Barry sing this so often. Anybody?
Does anybody know Barry's partner in Finn & Haddie? He might be a source.

-Joe-

P.S. I had finn & haddie at a restaurant last month in Barry's memory, and it was delicious.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 02:29 AM

Joe, I know the words are on here somewhere, as Barry put them down, for me to read. I've been trying to check back in various threads from way back, but I can't recall the thread title...It's a wonderful song...

I miss Barry.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: maeve
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 07:57 AM

The words are in two similarly titled threads that I know of:
Songs about disability

Songs about disabilities

Here it is again, copied from the second thread above, as posted by 'Spaw:

YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT TO LOOK AT ME^^^
(Barry Finn)

"You're not listening to me. Are you deaf in both ears?
Don't you see what you've caused? Have you been blind all these years?
Could you just give an answer, so I know you're not dumb?
For Christ's sake, you bird brain, has a cat got your tongue?"

Cho: I'm as cute as any other kid. I can run, jump and shout.
You wouldn't know it to look at me. At times, I can't work things out.
I'm not stupid. I'm not lazy. I try very hard.
With a little compassion, I could go pretty far.

Well, school is a torture. The teasing won't quit.
My thoughts go off track and my aide has a fit.
There are some things I excel in, so much that I'm bored.
You wouldn't know it to look at me. It takes all that I'm worth.

The kids scorn and laugh at me. I don't have a friend.
You can feel my heart break. I wonder when this will end.
The mistreatment and abuse I take, it's really a crime,
But I'm told to ignore it, though it happens all of the time.

I know it's hard on my family. I can't change a thing.
The aunts and uncles blame it on my folks and say it's poor upbringing.
The love and affection others get all the time,
I only hear people yell at me, when I ask, "Where is mine?"

I never feel comfort, no shoulder, no hug.
A system to support me was pulled out like a rug.
If you can't understand this, you may be worse off than me,
But I won't hold it against you, 'cause you're deaf and can't see.

I may be mildly autistic or just plain O. C. D.
I may twitch with Tourette's, or have A. D. D.
If you see me cross my eyes, instead of my T's,
You wouldn't know it to look at me that I have special needs.

Words, (c) Barry Finn, 1998.^^^
Tune, traditional Australian, "One Of The Has Beens."
***********************
Joe is looking for a recording of Barry singing this song. Batgoddess? Jeri? Charley?

Joe- you might ask Justine.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 11:01 AM

Maeve-

Excellent work tracking this one down.

That's the song but Judy and I never had a chance to record it when we were working with Barry on his CD.

Justine may know of a recording somewhere.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Genie
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 12:03 AM

Seems like a wonderful song. I do hope maybe someone somewhere has recorded Barry singing it.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 12:13 AM

I heard him sing it a number of times, but if anyone had a recording, it would likely be Bat Goddess.

If it helps, "Cushie Butterfield" is also sung to the tune of "Pretty Polly Perkins of Paddington Green", the tune used for "Last of the Has Beens", which is the tune Barry used for his song.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Apr 11 - 01:22 AM

I e-mailed Bat Goddess. Let's hope she can help.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Janie
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 02:14 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 03:25 AM

Barry's words paint the saddest pictures of such terrible hurt and distress. It brings tears to me because so many children are still going through exactly that, each and every day.

Thank you for finding it, maeve.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 06:36 AM

Off hand (that's my left hand) I don't know if I caught Barry on tape singing it, but there is the possibility, either at one of Sinsull's gatherings or at a Press Room sea music singaround. (Tom has been encouraging people to sing songs other than strictly sea music at these sessions and Barry agreed and tried to help.)

So...when I have a bit of time, I'll go to the other computer and search the J-cards of those tapes.

If I've got a recording, I'll find it!

Linn

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 11:56 AM

Wasn't Barry's partner on the MudCat as 'Haddocker'?

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: GUEST,NIkki
Date: 05 May 11 - 11:51 AM

I am also searching for my Uncle Barry's song "you wouldn't know it to look at me" I can't even imagine how powerful it would be. Just reading the words brings tears- of understanding, but to hear the voice of an angle sing it would be powerful.

Nikki

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 May 11 - 12:17 PM

Nikki-

Happy that you found it here.

Judy and I certainly miss your Uncle as well.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 03:38 AM

I think it's time to refresh this thread. I heard Barry sing this song many times. You'd think somebody at the Getaway or at Portsmouth would have recorded it, but no cigar so far.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 26 Aug 11 - 02:52 PM

OK, something weird..and a little bit wonderful too...

I 'favourited' Mudcat via a thread the other day, on Firefox, from where I'm tip-tapping right now. It was a thread called 'English Folk - Peasants to Professors' and I was trying to find Barry's ADHD song which I vaguely recalled was in there somewhere...and I simply touched the 'favourite' button on a whim..

Well, now....EVERY time I come into Mudcat via that thread it comes up on Page 6 immediately and before I can touch any other button on the screen it **shoots down** in a second to Barry's post, which I've put below...and it's like he's talking to me all over again, gently trying to tell me that he could see my brain was a little like his...

It makes me smile, from ear to ear, every time I see it, every time I 'hear' him saying it...

I never got to meet Barry, but he sent me a few lovely emails, bless him..

I miss him..

>>>>>Subject: RE: English Folk - Peasants to Professors
From: Barry Finn - PM
Date: 04 Jun 09 - 03:36 AM

As an American (we've been brought up now a number of times in this thread) Lizzie, I encourage you to check out these threads;
ADHD/ADD and http://www.healthyplace.com/adhd/parent-advocate/dyslexia-what-is-it/menu-id-916/
I not trying to insult you by posting these. My brother is dyslexic & I myself am ADHD along with my older brother, my nephew, my mother & my son. These disorders are also often known to be umbrellas that other disorders seek shelter under & sometimes seldom are ever realized. We are also sometimes known to be very "superfocused" when otherwised scattered.

Good luck

Barry <<<<<<

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Dec 11 - 06:25 AM

Refresh - anybody have a recording of this song?

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: stallion
Date: 23 Dec 11 - 08:40 PM

I heard him sing it but never thought of recording it, a few things I heard him sing ............bummer, miss him.

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Dec 11 - 11:08 AM

Barry did leave us some fine songs and fine memories.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Barry Finn's ADD song
From: saulgoldie
Date: 24 Dec 11 - 01:07 PM

Well enough. But whatsit *sound* like? Thx.

Saul