Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli

Subject: Green Fields of France (English Folk)
From: David Plummer, Southampton, England
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 07:03 AM

I am urgently seeking a full transcription of this British classic...

First lines are:-

So how do you do now young Willy MacBride
Can I sit here a while down by your graveside
And rest for a while neath the warm summer sun
I've been walkin' all day and I'm nearly done

Well I see from your gravestone you were only 19
When you joined the great fallen of 1916
Well I hope you died well and I hope you died clean
Or Willy Mac Bride was it slow and obscene

Did they beat the drum slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post in chorus
Did they play the flowers of the forest

Other verses required

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 07:44 AM

Hello David,
Welcome to the DT
NO MAN'S LAND The lyrics you urgently seek are in the database. (link above). I found them by searching for mcbride.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: AndyG
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 07:47 AM

Sorry,
I forgot to say that there's a link to the tune from the lyrics but the DT doesn't carry the dots. Some kind person might point you to them though.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Tiger
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 07:49 AM

Use the blue search box and enter [no man's land] and you'll find it. That's the real title, though it's commonly called Green Fields of France (or Willie McBride).

Written by Eric Bogle, a Scot, who moved to Oz perhaps 30 years ago.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: 116PVI
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 08:32 AM

I believe this song is Irish, recorded by the Fury Brothers on their greatest hits.

Did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind,
And although you died back in 1916,
In that faithful heart, are you forever nineteen.
Or are you a stranger behind the glass frame
Of an old photograph torn battered and stained
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame.
...............................................................
Now the sun it shines on the green fields of France
And a warm summer's breeze makes the red poppies dance.
There's no gas, no barbed wire, no gun firing now,
But here in this graveyard, it's still no man's land
The countless white crosses stand mute in the sand
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man
To a whole generation that was butchered and damned.
.......................................................................
HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 11-Nov-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Den
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 08:46 AM

Yes it was recorded by the Fureys but Eric Bogle wrote the song. The Fureys also covered his, "The Leaving of Nancy."

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: David Plummer, Southampton, England
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 10:30 AM

Thanks to everyone for their kind and quick assistance. Guess it would have helped if I'd known the actual title.

I can chord it out by ear but would be keen if someone kinder still could point me to dots or tab on the web

Regards...

David

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From:
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 10:57 AM

Here. Checking out the OLGA sites gave

Green Fields of France/Willie McBride

Subject: Chords Add: NO MAN'S LAND (Eric Bogle)
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 Sep 99 - 11:07 AM

David,

I play it in C. I do it with a 3/4 arpeggio fingerstyle like this. I hope you can understand the shorthand. I have inserted the chord changes at the syllables if they break in the middle of a word.

1. Well, (C)how do you (Am)do, Private (F)William McDmBride,
Do you (G)mind if I (G7)sit down here (F)by your grave(C)side? (G)
And (C)rest for a(Am)while in the (F)warm summer (Dm)sun,
I've been (G)walking all (G7)day, and (F)I'm nearly (C)done.
And I see by your (Am)gravestone you were (F)only 19(Dm)
When you (G)joined the glorious (G7)fallen in (F)1916(C)-(G),
Well, I (C)hope you died (Am)quick and I (F)hope you died (Dm)clean
Or, (G)Willie Mc(G7)Bride, was it (F)slow and ob(C)scene?

cho: Did they (G)Beat the drum (G7)slowly, did they (F)play the pipes (C)lowly?
Did the (G)rifles fire (G7)o'er you as they (F)lowered you (G)down?
Did the (F)bugles sound The Last Post in (C)chorus?(Am)
Did the (F)pipes play the (Am)Flowers of the (G7)For(C)est?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Hyperabid
Date: 29 Sep 99 - 11:01 AM

Thanks to everybody who contributed

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Ferret
Date: 29 Sep 99 - 11:32 AM

there are many various version of this songos take you pick. all the best ferret

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Judy 1
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 04:35 PM

I am seeking the backing track for
No Man's Land/The Green Fields of
France/Private William McBride
Can anyone help

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From:
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 09:24 PM

What do you mean? The music which plays? With whose version of the song? Is it not the same tune as the song itself?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From:
Date: 23 Jul 07 - 09:30 PM

Here's an updated link to the Green Fields of France at OLGA's site...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: GUEST,Pavane
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 05:08 AM

Please sing the correct words though, not the corrupted version (recorded by some Irish sources.)

correct example:

Countless white crosses in mute witness stand
to man's blind indifference to his fellow man..

Best of all, listen to June Tabor's version from the 1970's

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Marje
Date: 24 Jul 07 - 05:39 AM

The other lines that have become corrupted are:

The trenches have gone now, long under the plough,
No gas and no barbed wire, no guns firing now.

- not that pointless line about the sun shining under the clouds.

I'm not usually a fusspot about words, but when it's a relatively recent song by a still-living songwriter, I think it's only fair to try to sing what he wrote unless it's plainly faulty or in some way offensive.

Marje

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 01:52 PM

I've been asked by my American Legion Post here in Maine to give a little presentation and perhaps a musical interlude at our Veteran's day ceremonies on the 10th.

We will be focusing on a WW-I theme, so i will be pulling together a brief talk and firing a salute with my .30-06 cal. US Model 1917 Remington rifle (probably a veteran of the "Great War")as a High School Musician plays "Taps".

As much as I've been researching some of the popular patriotic songs of the period such as "Over There" and "Old Kit Bag", for some reason Bogle's song about poor old Willy keeps popping into my head.

It's hardly a gung-ho pro war song, and my Legion Comrades might be a little piqued should I decide to do it - but I feel that it expresses a side of the institution of war, so tragically illustrated by this "War to End War" that might well be contemplated along with, and hopefully give some depth to, all the patriotic fervor which is traditionally associated with such National observances.

Although I'm hardly an 'anti-war' Veteran, I do see common factors running throughout the history of conflict and hope that humankind might eventually learn to recognize the warning signs of another storm of blood and fire approaching, and find some proactive ways to avoid them before the bloodbath becomes "inevitable"... if, alas, it is within the collective human psyche to actually do that.

Sometimes I wonder.

Anyway; I don't want to violate anyone's intellectual property rights here; I don't have an ASCAP (?) license as I really don't do much public performance, and most of what I do is "public domain" music of antiquity.

Is there some way that I can perform this song at such a ceremony without crossing the legal line or "stealing" Mr. Bogle's material?

If not I'll just pick something else.
I'd probably stir up a lot less controversy if I do, actually.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: oldhippie
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:11 PM

Also in the DT, you'll find:


Willie McBride's Reply
(Lyrics: Stephen L. Suffet (Copyright 1997)
Tune: "No Man's Land" by Eric Bogle

My dear friend Eric, this is Willie McBride,
Today I speak to you across the divide,
Of years and of distance of life and of death,
Please let me speak freely with my silent breath.

You might think me crazy, you might think me daft,
I could have stayed back in Erin, where there wasn't a draft,
But my parents they raised me to tell right from wrong,
So today I shall answer what you asked in your song.

   Yes, they beat the drum slowly, they played the pipes lowly,
   And the rifles fired o'er me as they lowered me down,
   The band played "The Last Post" in chorus,
   And the pipes played "The Flowers of the Forest."

Ask the people of Belgium or Alsace-Lorraine,
If my life was wasted, if I died in vain.
I think they will tell you when all's said and done,
They welcomed this boy with his tin hat and gun.

And call it ironic that I was cut down,
While in Dublin my kinfolk were fighting the Crown.
But in Dublin or Flanders the cause was the same:
To resist the oppressor, whatever his name.

    Yes, they beat the drum slowly... etc.

It wasn't for King or for England I died,
It wasn't for glory or the Empire's pride.
The reason I went was both simple and clear:
To stand up for freedom did I volunteer.

It's easy for you to look back and sigh,
And pity the youth of those days long gone by,
For us who were there, we knew why we died,
And I'd do it again, says Willie McBride.

    Yes, they beat the drum slowly...etc.

Copyright Stephen L Suffett 1997

Has anybody recorded it?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:15 PM

I had a letter from Eric a few years ago in which he told me he's delighted when his songs are performed by others - "That's why I write them, to be sung" were his words.

His songs are sung all over the world by hundreds, perhaps thousands of performers, amateur and professional. Sing without fear, I doubt you'll be faced with a law suit from Eric, trust me! :-)

If you're planning to record it, however, it might be a good idea to seek permission. In that case, try looking at his website and drop him an e-mail for permission.
S:0)

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Sky Sailor
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 03:16 PM

The definitive source for Eric Bogle's lyrics must be his own web site Here

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 09:04 PM

Thanks much for the advisory!

I'll now feel perfectly legitimate in having a crack at it at the foot of our Veteran's monument on the Morning of the 10th.

I could do it on guitar, but the weather up here in Maine can be wickid unpredictable this time of year, and changing, widely variant conditions of temp and humidity (including pouring rain) can raise hob with the instrument.
I know that from experience, having done a few Easter "Sonrise" services outdoors with the Church we used to attend back in Yarmouth (ME, USA).

Instead I think I'll lead off with the "C" Clarke tin whistle and perhaps do the last chorus / refrain on it to end.

A lot of Eric's stuff seems to be almost made for whistle accompaniment, doesn't it?

The Post Commander suggested a reading of "Flanders Fields" - but come to think of it, "No Man's Land" seems to contain many of the same elements of the poem - right down to the red poppies.

Has anyone written music to "Flanders Fields", that you know of?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 10:23 PM

Don't know, but you could also look at the "Freedom Come All Ye" by Hamish Henderson, set to the tune of "The Bloody Fields of Flanders".

Incidentally, there is a one note difference between Eric Bogle's original version and what the Fureys did, in the chorus: it comes on the word "down" as in "lowered you down". Eric drops one semi-tone from "you" to "down", whereas the Fureys drop a minor third -makes for an awful clash if some sing one way and some the other. I would stick with Eric's way.
As stated above, Eric is more than generous in publishing a lot of his song words on his website, with the proviso that you ask permission if intending to record or perform for commercial purposes.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:17 AM

Thanks Tattie.

Gee, that last name sounds sort of familiar for some reason! };^{D~

For a guy who lives (or as far as I know still does) in Maine, we don't get to see much of Gordon BOK, who does a knockout rendition of "No Man's", by the way.

It seems that I've heard Eric's performance of it on public radio's "Thistle & Shamrock" show a few times, and liked it so much that I pretty much memorized it.
It's been on my tin whistle repertoire for several years now, and is always a good late night campfire song.

My main musical focus is in songs of the Civil War (1861 - 65) and I try to achieve a balance of genre; both patriotic "pro-war" I guess you could call it - numbers like "Rally 'Round the Flag" and "Battle Hymn" as well as the more reflective, sentimental songs which might be among some of America's first "anti-war" songs such as "Vacant Chair" and "Tenting Tonight".

That way the audience - sometimes students at our living history "Educational Outreach" programs - get both sides of the story in song and get to develop their own conclusions.
That's what I'm trying to encourage anyway.

At least in music, I try to keep out of ideological cubbyholes as much as I can.
************************

Just searched up "Flanders Fields" and will print it out as soon as Domestic Management wakes up.

It seems to be in a mixed meter of 4s with some irregular thrown in ("Ragtime"?) for good measure.
It might make a good "round".

Already I've got a tune coming to me for it - it's going to be in a minor key with a strong Celtic influence.
Since the Author was Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD, that's all the excuse I need!

If it's already been set to music, I'd be interested to know how close the score comes to what I'm coming up with.

But I guess we'll start a new topic over that one, eh?

Stay tuned!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: GUEST,Uncle Jaque
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 06:57 AM

Just did a search on WW-I, Flanders Fields etc;

Here's a particularly poignant site:

Heritage of the Great War; Belated Salute

It seems that Volunteers over in France and Belgium conduct archaeological digs ahead of planned construction developments in order to preserve whatever remains might still be there.

Apparently there are a lot of them still being turned up.

In a couple of photos on this site, a pair of Buglers from the local Fire Brigade are shown playing the "Last Post" during the internment of one unknown British Soldier whose corpse, still in the remains of his uniform, was discovered by a local Farmer digging in his garden.

They say that "It happens all the time".

And the bugles STILL "Sing the Last Post and Chorus".

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 07:16 AM

I think that must be a mistake.
All British soldiers' remains are given a military send off, with army buglers sounding the last post in chorus.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Green Fields of France (Engli
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 10:30 PM

oldhippie, thanks for posting the "Reply". Very moving lyrics. If I were singing to soldiers I'd want to sing both songs.