Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando

Subject: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 04:11 AM

Can't see this in the DT. I've had the chorus in my head all day :
Last Train to San Fernando (x2)
If you miss this one, you'll never get another one
Beedlee dum dum to San Francisco

As sung by Saint Lonnie Donegan in the 50's the verses were gabbled so fast only a speed shorthand writer could have transcribed them!
I think the first verse began:
Last night I met my sweet Dorothy
something something matrimony

Please help a sad case who can't now remember the verses he once could gabble with the best of them. RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 05:10 AM

Roger,
click here for the lyrics.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 05:13 AM

Thanks, Wolfgang.
Roger

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 05:22 AM

Roger,
I'm compiling a short list for the Guinness book of Mudcat records and you are leading now the entry for the quickest (deserved) "thank you".

W.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 06:51 AM

WoW! First in something at last!
Look at me, Ma,,top of the world! RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 07:37 AM

Oh dear, Roger! Not St Lonnie at all, but Johnnie Duncan and the Bluegrass Boys, a folk-music combo from the former Colonies!

Steve, who was mostly there (the Fifties, not the Colonies!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 08:08 AM

Well, Steve, I was sure Lonnie did it as well, even if he didn't record it, but you know my memory ain't what it used ter be,if it ever was, hence the extended stay at the Neil Young Center! BTW are you going to wear Becky's beaded waistcoat with that fetching shirt in your Mudcat photo, you old dandy, you?
BOSTIN'!
RtS (safe in the knowledge he lacks the wherewhithal to supply photo of own sartorial elegance "Dressed by Man at Millets")

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Bert
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 10:19 AM

Wolfgang, Shouldn't that be 'The vile black stuff book of Mudcat records'?

Roger the Skiff. I'm glad to hear that you're a St. Lonnie fan, but I don't recall him singing that one. 'Twas a long time ago though and my forgettory is working well these days.

Bert.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Wally Macnow
Date: 30 Sep 99 - 03:58 PM

I have it on an old LP by Bud and Travis.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Ewan McVicar
Date: 01 Oct 99 - 06:05 AM

Was this not originally a West Indian song, credited to a calypsonian? The last train ran in Trinidad I think, but I'd need to check a map.

Ewan McVicar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the skiffler
Date: 01 Oct 99 - 06:48 AM

The lyric site Wolfgang pointed to was a Bud & Travis site and, yes, the only extant recording the All-Music Guide lists is on a Caribbean steel band recording. So everyone is correct except me (as usual!). RtS

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAST TRAIN TO SAN FERNANDO^^
From: Wolfgang
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:44 AM

I've been told that the link I gave above is unreliable, so just in case, here's it: (Wolfgang)

SAN FERNANDO

It's the last train to San Fernando
The last train to San Fernando
And if you miss this one
There'll never be another one
So let's bitty-bitty boom-boom
To San Fernando

Last night I met sweet Dorothy
Said, "Tomorrow I am joining in matrimony."
("Do it now, John!")
She said, "If you act right
You can take me out tonight
And we'll wine and dine but be back on time."

It's the last train to San Fernando
It's the last train to San Fernando
And if you miss this one
There'll never be another one
So let's bitty-bitty boom-boom
To San Fernando

Said, "I'm marrying right into society
Be careful of the place you are taking me
Because if you slip, I'll slide
And I'll never get to be a bride."
And we'll bitty-bitty boom-boom to San Fernando
("What is this?")

It's the last train to San Fernando
("Bitty-bitty-bitty!")
Last train to San Fernando
And if you miss this one
There'll never be another one
So let's bitty-bitty boom-boom
To San Fernando

("Sing it, Keely!")
Diplomatically, I asked Dorothy to dance
("How else?")
There was nothing on my mind but romance
I said to myself, "Oooh boy
Better beat this iron while it's hot."
And we'll bitty-bitty boom-boom to San Fernando

It's the last train to San Fernando
("Hush-a-baby!")
Last train to San Fernando
And if you miss this one
There'll never be another one
So let's bitty-bitty boom-boom
To San Fernando

It's the last train to San Fernando
The last train to San Fernando
(quiet)

Let's bitty-bitty boom-boom to San Fernando!
(loud)

[ top ]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:58 AM

The main British version (I'd earlier misattributed it to St Lonnie) was by Wally Whyton and the Vipers skiffle group. An overpriced 3-CD set [but you bought it any way didn't you, Roger?](on the German Bear label)celebrates this rough and ready group. Although it includes some deservedly unreleased tracks and some best-forgotten novelty songs it does recapture those heady days in the 1950s.
(OK, Bert I'll stop now!).
RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 18 May 00 - 07:24 AM

CDs, Roger? All my Vipers discs are 78s!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: pavane
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 06:21 AM

Just listened to the song, (Johnnie Duncan version), which I found on an old tape, couldn't make out all the words, and did a search, but the words here seem a little different?

e.g.

And I may never be a bride

(I do remember the song from the Skiffle days, but I was quite young then.)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 01:50 PM

Whatever happened to the lyric I recall?

Last train to San Fernando
Last train to San Fernando
And if you miss this one
You'll have to wait 'til half past one....



Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 10:03 PM

Whatever happened to Johnnie Duncan and the Bluegrass Boys?
If I remember correctly, he sounded and looked a bit like Lonnie.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 03:51 AM

Roger, The famous version was Johnny Duncans with that incredible solo by Denny!!(Denny Wright.)
Do you have the re-issued c.d of Johnny Duncan's. If not P.M me and I'll send you it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 03:55 AM

Thanks, Pete, my memory has recovered since that 1999 post! I do have a CD version thanks.
PS How's the allotment going?

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 11:28 AM

Alright-ish. More hard work then i expected. I am running a loosing battle with the brambles. I am waiting for my potatoes to be ready. My onions/garlic aren't bulbing that well either. I have carrots,lettuces, tomatoes at home in tubs, pots etc. They are doing exceptionally well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Flash Company
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 11:40 AM

Guest.steve benbows protege: Watch these skifflers, before you know it they'll be diggin' your potatoes (Probably tramplin' on your vine, as well)
Sorry Roger, couldn't resist that one.
Last heard of Johnny Duncan recording Religious songs, My old Mum had an LP called 'Beyond the Sunset',

FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 02:46 PM

Guest Steve Benbow's Protege, I too would love a copy of the re-issued Johnny Duncan CD, if you could tell me where to order it here in the U.S. Or we could do a swop for a few of my CDs if you'd prefer. Please pm me here if you can.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 05:11 PM

I believe Johnny Duncan was last heard of in N.S.W. Australia in the 1990's. His 'Last Train' was the best selling version reaching No.2 in the UK charts in 1957 and Denny Wright's blistering guitar solo is a real classic. I don't recall ever hearing a Vipers recording of it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 05:47 PM

All Johnnie Duncan fans should check out this link Johnnie Duncan

I am particularly fascinated by the news in the above posts that Denny Wright played on Johnnie Duncan's recordings. I am well aware that Denny played for Lonnie Donegan in the sixties, ( I still have total recall of the Lonnie Donegan Show, 10.30pm ITV, Fridays)

I was however unaware that Denny had played for Johnnie Duncan, and if these tracks are commercially available, I would be grateful for any info. If they are not commercially available, and somebody out there has such a recording. then I would be grateful for any info regarding such. Naturally, I would be more than willing to pay any expenses ....

FWIW, Denny Wright was one of the greatest guitar players ever to grace the face of this planet ...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 07:05 PM

There are of course two Johnny Duncans, both born in the States, about the same age and both Country singers. The one who found fame in England in the 50's and recorded 'Last Train' can be found here with photos of EP covers and discography and here with more pictures. As the first link says, he died in Australia in 2000.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 08:43 AM

..also interesting that the late Lennie Hstings played drums on that track: he was with Alex Welsh for years, of course,saw him many times at the 100 Club, he was notorious for his Tauber/Hitler impression on "My Heart and I" and for whirling his wig round on a drumstick when he'd had a few too many!

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 09:09 AM

Like Frankie Howard, Lennie Hastings always thought that nobody knew he wore a syrup. He even had a gradually increasing "bald patch" put in them as he got older. He'd do the trick of throwing it in the air, shouting OO-yah OO-yah and catching it, when he'd had a few jars, but never remembered this the next morning! For the Tauber bit he usually jumped on a table, rolled up one trouser leg, and pushed a penny (old style)into his left eye for a monocule.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 02:49 PM

Murray, and Guest - thanks for the links. They brought back more than a few memories.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 03:16 PM

Johnny Duncan had the misfortune to be always overshadowed by the God Lonnie, but he made some cracking records. Particularly "Last Train to San fernando", which was as fine a record as anything made in England in the 50's. I hate to say it(being a Donegan worshipper) but I think Last Train was probably musically better than anything Donegan did. But then, there's more to music than music, isnt there?
    I'll add my voice to the denny Wright admirers inthis thread. he played some great soloes with Lonnie too, but this Fernando one is just awesome.
    I really like Johnny Duncan's first outing with the Chris Barber Skiffle Group. recorded immediately after Donegan went solo (1956??). Johnny Duncan sang the lead on "Where could I go but to the Lord" and "Doin' my time", both right on the button.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,steve benbows protege
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:26 AM

the legend goes that denny did the royal albert hall with donnegan pissed as a fart and lying on his back. Donnegan fired him and so he hawked his services over to johnny duncan. The funny thing is according to everyone who witnessed it, Denny never hit one wrong note!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 05:42 AM

Record producer, Denis Preston introduced Denny Wright to Donegan. Preston also got Johnny Duncan to go solo. When Donegan dropped Preston as his producer, Preston soon persuaded Denny Wright to leave Donegan for Duncan. The first Donegan group was not a happy one. Bass player Micky Ashman left soon after to form his own jazz band and would make insulting references to Donegan when announcing numbers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: greg stephens
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 07:10 AM

And George Melly insulted Micky Ashman memorably in his memoirs(well not that memorably because I cant remember exactly what he said).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 24 Jun 04 - 08:25 AM

Connolly had a good parody called 'Last Train to Glasgow Central'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,Latigo
Date: 27 May 05 - 05:14 PM

You can listen to the song here in .ram format.
http://www.andmas.co.uk/jukemusic/skiffle_2/skiffle_2.htm
Thought you might enjoy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: James Fryer
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 05:02 AM

This song was originally a calypso, here's a version by Duke of Iron:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMyNcMG7Ryk

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Gda Music
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 11:43 AM

Michael Anthony in his "Glimpses of Trinidad and Tobago - The Railway came and went" includes a quote from the Trinidad Guardian. *Last train to San Fernando* was a popular calypso of the 1940`s composed by Calypsonian "Mighty Spitfire". It was not an allusion to the closing of the San Fernando line, but rather celebrated the end of a late-night stay in Port of Spain".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 10:10 PM

So now we know who wrote it!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Gda Music
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 07:21 AM

The original Trinidad recording, circa 1950 - DICTATOR (Kenneth St. Bernard) with *Last Train to San Fernando* - SAGOMES SG 112 (pressed in the U.K.) unfortunately failed to include the composer details on the label.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 07:39 AM

I remember being told that it was about the closure of a Phillapino line. No authenticationof this.
FloraG.

Subject: Lyr Add: LAST TRAIN TO SAN FERNANDO (from J Duncan
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 06:22 PM

I listened to the recording on Spotify, and saw a copy of the cover of the sheet music on ebay.co.uk.


LAST TRAIN TO SAN FERNANDO
Words by Randolph Padmore, music by Sylvester DeVere and The Mighty Dictator.
As sung by Johnny Duncan and the Blue Grass Boys, on "Hits of '57: All Shook Up" (Nimbus Records, 2009)

CHORUS: Last train to San Fernando,
Last train to San Fernando,
If you miss this one,
You'll never get another one.
Beedee-deedee-bum-bum,
To San Fernando.

Last night I met my sweet Dora Lee.
She said, "Tomorrow I join in sweet matrimony,
But if you act all right,
Oh, you can take me out tonight.
We can wine and dine and get back on time
By the last train to San Fernando."

CHORUS, BREAK, CHORUS

"Well, I married into high society.
Be careful of the place you'll be takin' me,
'Cause if you slip, I'll slide,
And I may never be a bride,
Beedee-deedee-bum-bum,
To San Fernando."

CHORUS

Last train (to San Fernando)
Last train (to San Fernando)
Last train (to San Fernando)
Last train (to San Fernando)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 07:25 PM

One of the first records I even bought - a 78 of course.
A wee Google found this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2000/jul/20/guardianobituaries3

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: James Fryer
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 03:52 AM

I have always seen it credited to Dictator.

One thing that has amused me is the difference in phrasing between the calypso and the country versions. Duke of Iron etc. sing "SAN Fernando" whereas Johnny Duncan sings "San ferNANdo".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Train to San Fernando
From: RunrigFan
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 09:08 AM

As sung Jamaica Johnny & His Milagro Boys

As desribed by me,, let me know if there are any mistakes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ4a7qRwD0w


CHORUS:
Oh the? Last train to San FernandoX2
And If you miss......this one,
You'll never get another one.
OH the last train
To San Fernando.

Last night I met with sweet Dorothy.
She said, "Tomorrow I'm am gonna gettng married,
But if you act right,
Then you can take me out tonight.
We can wine and dine and get back in time
I hear you go....

Oh the? Last train to San Fernadox2
And if you miss (wow wow)this one
AH, You never get another one
Oh the? Last train to San Fernado

Instrumental

She said "I'm a member in high society"
You must be careful of t'place you are taking me?
Cause if you slip, (ow-ow), I slde (ah)
Then I may ne'er be a bride
For Beedee-deedee-bum-bum-be-bum-bray
Come on Bella

Last train to San Fernadox2
And if you miss (wow wow) this one
AH!, You never get another one

For Last train to San Fernado

Come one Pondrigio? (I'm not Spanish)


(Spanish, can ayone translate) I asked Dorothy to dance
For one on my mind, I had nothing else but romance
I said to myself, boy
You Better beat this iron while it's hot."
For Beedee-deedee-bum-bum-be-bum-bray
I hear you go


Last train to San Fernadox2
And if you miss (wow wow) this one
AH!, You never get another one

For the Last train to San Fernado