Lyr Req: McConville's (James Keelaghan)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConville's (James Keelaghan)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 12:16 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: GUEST,Darlodave
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 09:50 AM

Hi Myrtle
Many thanks for the lyrics, yes did hear the song at Robin Hood's Bay. Sorry for the late reply, just back from a hectic weekend in the Peak District. Thks again.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: Myrtle's cook
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 07:52 AM

Thanks for getting that clarification Raggytash. Opens up a whole new meaning for the verse.

As you say, cracking song, accompanied or unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 19 Jun 11 - 03:33 AM

I contacted James for permission to sing the song and he told me that during the 90's yuppy pubs were refered to as "ferns" It really is a cracking song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: Myrtle's cook
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:52 AM

I think 'ferns' refers to the nasty outbreak of plastic ferns that seemed to appear in the dark corners of many pubs around 10 years ago. Great dust traps and homes for spiders, but were old ale houses ever so damp that such greenery occupied their darker corners in days gone by?

Have just checked the notes within the album 'House of Cards' on which it is recorded and it is definietely 'ferns'. I do however think [mobile] 'phones' is an excellent alternative!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 08:39 AM

phones?

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: Raggytash
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 08:26 AM

I too heard this song last week, it was during the Saturday afternoon session in the Dolphin sung by a chap named Simon, very well sung it was too, cracking song, however there's just one line I'm puzzled about and thats

"he looked around, no ferns, no telly blaring from the bar"

What is the reference to ferns, is it just the plant or does it refer to something deeper?

Raggytash

Subject: Lyr Add: McCONVILLE'S (James Keelaghan)
From: Myrtle's cook
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 08:38 AM

Excellent song by the equally excellent Canadian James Keelaghan. Lyrics below. A lovely song to sing:

(by the way, Darlodave, did you hear this at Robin Hood's Bay weekend?)

McCONVILLE'S – James Keelaghan

I work down at McConville's, it's the pub behind the square
If ever you're in Portadown, anyone can point you there
We have lagers ales and porters, but the thing that brings them in
Is the whiskey that McConville brews that where this all begins

IN all the years I've worked there and for fifty years before
Not a bottle of the sweet stuff ever walked outside the door
Cause McConville laid the rule down, it was honoured till today
Drink your fill while at the bar, but the bottle has to stay

Six or seven years ago when young Jimmy first came by
He was looking for a local, we were the third place that he'd tried
Her looked around, no ferns…, no telly blaring from the bar
And once he tried the whiskey he never strayed too far

He'd come in after dinner for an hour maybe more
Play some cards and talk and joke, 'cause that's what a local's for
Before he'd leave most nights, because the bottles had to stay
He'd ask me for a whiskey just to see him on his way

Three days ago his mate come in, he said Jimmy took a fall
From a roof that he was working on, he had no chance at all
And today after the funeral, after burying young Jim
They came here to his second home, the mourners crowded in

Then I did a thing I never thought I'd do 'til it was done
I took a bottle from the shelf, I held it up for everyone
Rules are made for breaking, tonight the whisky leaves the bar
An auction for the family, who'll give me £50 to start

At £500 the bidding stopped, yes, you couldn't hear a sound
But for the roar as Jimmy's mates stepped up and laid their pay packs down
And I can't believe I did it, never thought I'd see the day
That I'd hand someone the bottle and then watch it walk away

As I was heading home tonight I passed the grave yard by
I sure that I heard singing and silhouetted on the sky
Were Jimmy's friends and they were pouring something on his grave
A little offering for young Jim to help him on his way

Subject: Lyr Req: McConvilles Pub
From: GUEST,Darlodave
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 07:21 AM

Recently heard a song about McConvilles Pub in Portadown where they distilled their own in-house whiskey. Anyone know the song and lyrics please.