Song - Nancy Spain

Subject: Folklore: Song - Nancy Spain
From: Brian May
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 07:39 AM

I heard the Bard of Cornwall (Jesse) singing this beautiful song on YouTube (he's well worth a watch, has a lovely baritone voice). When I researched the song, I found that it was a regular for Christy Moore and has been for years.

I think it's really beautiful, a wistful ballad that goes well with a gently finger-picked guitar.

I feel that I'm the last to know about it - you know, everyone in the world knows about it but you.

Anyone else 'discover' lovely folk songs the everyman and his dog knew about . . . but you?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Song - Nancy Spain
From: Brian May
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 07:52 AM

Here are the lyrics to save anyone having to look them up.


Of all the stars that ever shone
Not one does twinkle like your pale blue eyes
Like golden corn at harvest time your hair
Sailing in my boat the wind
Gently blows and fills my sail
Your sweet-scented breath is everywhere

Daylight peeping through the curtain
Of the passing night time is your smile
And the sun in the sky is like your laugh
Come back to me my Nancy
Linger for just a little while
Since you left these shores I've known no peace
Nor joy

Chorus:
No matter where I wander I'm still haunted
by your name
The portrait of your beauty stays the same
Standing by the ocean wondering where you've
gone, if you'll return again
Where is the ring I gave to Nancy Spain

On the day in Spring when snow starts to melt
And streams to flow
With the birds I'll sing this song
Then in the while I'll wander
Down by bluebell stream where wild flowers grow
And I'll hope that lovely Nancy will return

Chorus

Subject: RE: Folklore: Song - Nancy Spain
From: Susan Urban
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 08:10 AM

The song was also a staple in the repertoire of Fred Holstein, a fixture on the Chicago folk scene. I think the song suffered from over exposure for awhile. However, you are right, it's a great song. Sometimes when they are not sung regularly for a time, people remember that.

--Phil Cooper on Susan's log in

Subject: RE: Folklore: Song - Nancy Spain
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 08:29 AM

My mate Phil Atkinson makes a wondeful job of it. He does do a very poor pun as an intro though - About meeting a girl, who couldn't swim, on a beach and lending her his rubber life-ring. I'll let you guess the rest:-)

DeG

Subject: RE: Folklore: Song - Nancy Spain
From: buddhuu
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 10:38 AM

Written by Barney Rush who I believe also wrote "Crack Was Ninety in the Isle of Man".

Subject: RE: Song - Nancy Spain
From: kendall
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 12:25 PM

I love this song and Jacqui does it very well.

Subject: RE: Song - Nancy Spain
From: GUEST,cg
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 02:48 PM

I rather wondered what this was going to be about as there was an English journalist called Nancy Spain in the 50's and 60's!

Subject: RE: Song - Nancy Spain
From: Brian May
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 03:16 PM

I'm just so surprised that I heard it for the first time a couple of nights ago.

I've been listening to folk music and playing it since the mid 60s.

I am a man, of course and therefore congenitally blinkered ;o)

Subject: RE: Song - Nancy Spain
From: Amergin
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 03:16 PM

Jim Brannigan does a wonderful version of this song....think that may be on Youtube as well.

Subject: RE: Song - Nancy Spain
From: terrier
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 03:49 PM

From: GUEST,cg - PM
Date: 12 Apr 11 - 02:48 PM

I rather wondered what this was going to be about as there was an English journalist called Nancy Spain in the 50's and 60's!


I often wondered if the song was about Nancy Spain the journalist, who was killed in a helicoptor crash on her way to the Grand National at Aintree in 1964. Strange timing that this thread should come up now as the Grand National meet was this weekend just gone.