Northumbrian Fishing Songs

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 30 May 10 - 05:19 PM

Fisher Boy above is
Oh the Bonny Fisher Lad
p. 23
in
Singin Hinnies book 2, rossleigh music, Derek Hobbs

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 16 Jun 00 - 09:18 AM

I've sailed in 'em. I don't live on one. ;-)

When not "rolling down the river", I like to recall my Northumbrian heritage... I have quite a good selection of mining songs and the complete works of Jo Wilson too!

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 11:31 AM

Furling the Main Royal window blinds at Paddy West's were ye Minstrel? Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: Lyr Add: The Fisherman's Farewell to the Coquet^^
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 11:27 AM

Sorry for the delay, It was in the attic....

The Fishermans Farewell to the Coquet

Come bring to me my limber gad I fished with many a year And let me hae my well worn creel an a' my fishin gear The sunbeams glint on Linden Ha The breeze blows frae the west And lovely looks the golden morn on the stream that I love best

Ive thrawn the flee thae sixty year, aye sixty year and mair and many a speckled trout i had with heckle hauk and hair and now I m old and feeble grown my locks are like the snow But i'd gang again to coquetside to take anither throw

Oh Coquet in my youthful days thy river sweetly ran And sweetly in the wooded braes the bonny birdies sang But streams may run and birds may sing sma' joy they bring to me The blithesome strains I dimly hear, the streams i dimly see

But once agin the well-kenned sounds my minutes shall beguile And glistening in the early sun I see thy waters smile And sorrow shall forget his sigh and age forget his pain And once more down by coquetside my heart be young again

Once mair Ill touch with gleesome foot the waters clear and cold And I will cheat the gleg-eyed trout and while him frae his hold Once mair at Weldons friendly door Ill wind my tackle up And drink success to coquetside, though a tear fa in the cup

So now farewell to Coquetside Aye gaily may thou run And lead the waters sparkling on and dash frae linn to linn Blithe be the music of thy streamand banks in after days And so be every fishers heart That treads upon thy braes

Robert Roxby 1825

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Wolfgang
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 07:35 AM

I made a mess of my link, but it still seems to work. It leads you to the thread: Lyr add: The Fisher Laddie.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Wolfgang
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 07:33 AM

re: Fisher Boy, above
Thanks for the lyrics, Ed, but see also the quite close:

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: The Auld Fisher's Last Wish^^
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 12:03 PM

I wonder if this is the Fisherman's Farewell but with different name? at least is sounds the same topic...

The Auld Fisher's Last Wish
tune- My Love is Newly Listed

The morn is grey, and green the brae, the wind is freae the wast;
Before the gale the snow-white clouds are drivin', light and fast;
The airly sun is glintin' forth, owre hill, an' dell, an' plain,
And Coquet's streams are glitt'rn as they rin frae muir to main.

My Sun is set; my eyne are wet; cauld poortith now is mine,
Nae mair I'll range by Coqauetside, and thraw the gleesome line;
Nae mair I'll see her bonnie streams in spring-bright raiment drest,
Save in the dream that stirs the heart, when the weary e'e's at rest.

Oh! were my limbs as ance they were, to jink across the green;
And! were my heart as light again as sometimes it has been;
And could my fortunes blink again, as erst when youth was sweet,
Then Coquet-hap what might beside--we'd no be lang to meet.

Or had I but the Cushat's wing, where'er I list to flee,
And wi' a wish might wend my way owre hill, an' dale, an' lea;
'Tis there I'd fauld that weary wing; there gaze my latest gaze;
Content to see thee once again--then sleep beside thy Braes!

-Thomas Doubleday, From Fisher's Garland, 1841,In: Allan's Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings....,
Thomas and George Allan, NewcastleUpon Tyne, 1891.

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 08:49 AM

I suspect that Boumer Raw is a dialect rendering of Boulmer Row. (probably the main or only street of the village)

I know I have the words of the Fishermans Farewell and I'll try and remember to post them when I can.

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 05:13 PM

The Famous Bamborough Lifeboat is a tale worth reading; and just as a point of interest DSL are my initials and was what I used before I adopted this "Handle" Yours, Aye. Dave (who remembers singing the words posted above some time ago)

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Nicole Leonard
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:11 AM

Thanks Ed. Will this song now go into the database? I take it the song is traditional and not copyrighted? Can anyone tell me what a Raw is?? My English friend reckoned the coastline is all sand and not a rocky shore at all. Aside from all these issues, I think it is a very beautiful song, the melody is strange and haunting.

Subject: Lyr Add: Fisher Boy^^
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 07:58 AM

FISHER BOY

O, the bonny fisher boy
That brings the fishes from the sea
O, the bonny fisher boy
The fisher boy got hold of me

On Bamboroughshire's rocky shore
Just as you enter Boumer Raw
There lives the bonny fisher boy
The fisher boy that beats them all

O, the bonny fisher boy
That brings the fishes from the sea
O, the bonny fisher boy
The fisher boy got hold of me

My mother sent me out one day
To gather cockles from the sea
Before I had been long away
The fisher boy fell in with me

A sailor I will never marry
Nor soldier, for he's got no brass
But I will have a fisher boy
Because I am a fisher's lass

O, the bonny fisher boy
That brings the fishes from the sea
O, the bonny fisher boy
The fisher boy got hold of me

On Bamboroughshire's rocky shore
Just as you enter Boumer Raw
There lives the bonny fisher boy
The fisher boy that beats them all

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Nicole Leonard
Date: 10 Jun 00 - 07:47 AM

I have just joined Mudcat after spending days searching the web for the lyrics to Fisher Boy and ending up here. The song is on a CD by Eliza Carthy and the Kings of Calicutt but no lyrics printed on the album cover. A friend from the north-east of England (I am in New Zealand) brought in his map book and managed to figure out Bamboroughshire, but not Boumer Raw, although I did spot Boulmer on the map. So I would like to say thanks to Ed Pellow and Margaret Watchorn. I was going to post a lyric request. Could this song be added to the lyric database?

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 06:52 AM

searched via google....nothing more... Conrad

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 06:41 AM

Here is a reference to the Herrings Head- Herring's Head 1.Tawney, Cyril. Cyril Tawney Sings Children's Songs from Devon and Cornwall, Argo ZBF 4, LP (196?), cut#A.05 anyone got it? Conrad

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 06:39 AM

Margaret,

"Newbiggin" and ale - decidedly off-topic, from Northumbrian fishin' songs, BUT...

For 5 years "Fox" ran the "Roaring 40s Brewery" here on StewartIs (NZ) - we got the "Maltexo" in buckets from "Newbiggin Brewery" in Auckland - NZ.

Waht can you tell me about the "real" Newbiggin - since it's off-topic - send it to my e-mail

Would like to chat about cobles too..;)

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 06:10 AM

Just czeched discussion search for the above - none turned up....

Conrad

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 10 Apr 00 - 05:56 AM

Thread Summary- Tunes mentioned but not in DT yet....

Can we find the lyrics?

Cullercoats Fish Lass the Bonny Fisher Lad" The Old Fisher's farewell to the Coquet

complete lyrics for The Harrins Heed

References anyone? I will check the threads...as well...

Conrad

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: GUEST,Dominic Cronin
Date: 09 Apr 00 - 08:57 AM

"And WHAT exactly is a cockett?" It's a river in Northumberland - the Coquet

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 07:31 PM

Don't worry Margaret - it was worth reading twice!

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Margaret Watchorn
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 07:19 AM

Whoops! Didn't mean to send the last bit twice - must have got too carried away!

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Margaret Watchorn
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 07:15 AM

My father reminds me that his father's version of Dance to thee daddy contained the verse 'I like a drop of stout I'll drink the Bank Top dry And you ma bonny lad Will like it just as I.' The Bank Top was a working men's club in Newbiggin, and I suspect these are bowdlerised words to suit his taste!

As to Bill's question, yes I certainly know Heather and John Cairns (Heather is now our district councillor!)

Did you konw there are occasional live music sessions in the Ship in the Square? Usually more playing than singing, with smallpipes, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, moothie and melodeon. Next one is this Friday November 5th, just beofre the annual Northumbrian Gathering for traditional music in Alnwick.

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 04:22 AM

Sapper

The notion that there are 'correct' words for @Dance ti thee Daddy' is not really that appropriate. The notated variants have considerable changes reflecting the position that the song hold in the hearts of the people of the north-east. The version that I have been singing for over forty years is different from the one that you give, different from those in both the minstrelsy and Stokoe and reflect the fact that I learnt it from my grandfather. (And my words are probably different now from those he sang!) It's a great thing is the oral tradition!

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: bill\sables
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 07:41 PM

Margaret, About 20 years ago my family used to go to Newton and Craster every year for the summer. I used to keep my catermaran in Newton Bay. We used to camp at either Newton Hall or Proctor Steads, Perhaps you know John Cairns and Heather who lived in the square at Newton Cheers Bill

Subject: Lyr Add: Dance Ti' Thy Daddy^^^
From: Sapper_RE
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 03:06 PM

Slight correction to DSL, the words are;

Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie laddie, Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie lad, Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie laddie, Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie lad, Ye shaal hev a fishie on a little dishie, Ye shaal hev a fishie when the boat cums hyem, Ye shaal hev a fishie on a little dishie, Ye shaal hev a fishie when the boat cums hyem, Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie laddie, Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie lad, Dance to ye' daddy ma bonnie laddie, Dance to ye' daddy, to ye' mammie sing.

Another verse goes: Ye shall hev a coatie and a pair of breekies, Ye shall hev a coatie when the boat cums hyem.

There are other verses.

Bob

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From:
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 12:22 PM

Bill

I'm from the next village down - Embleton (not quite by the sea but only a walk away!) Do you know the place? There aren't any songs for it, but some good smallpipes/dance tunes like Dunstanburgh Castle.

Margaret

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: bill\sables
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 11:55 AM

Margaret are you from around Newton by the Sea then Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 02:52 AM

Yes it's in the Northumbrian Minstrelsy published in 1882

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Margaret Watchorn
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 02:32 AM

Bamboroughshire is just up the coast from me - Bamburgh (as it's now spelled) was a palace of the ancient kings of Northumbria.

Boulmer is a tiny fishing village just a few miles down the coast. I'll have to check with my coble-fisherman friend as to where the Raw is. Am I right in thinking the song's in the Northumbrian Minstrelsy?

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 06:00 PM

Graham,

I thought of submitting the 'Fisher Boy' to this thread having found in in a Northumbrian song book - wasn't sure about the locations of 'Bamboroughshire' or 'Boumer Raw' though.

Can anyone give me locations?

Ed

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 05:49 PM

While I'm thinking - there's "the Bonny Fisher Lad"

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Graham Pirt
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 05:37 PM

I've recorded "Old Fisher's farewell to the Coquet" with Cockersdale on "Wide Open Skies (Fellside FECD123) (Hannah got the song from me. If you'd like the tune and words email me ([e-mail]) and I'll get it to you. Robert Roxby and Thomas Doubleday who wrote the song composed many others about trout and salmon fishing in Northumberland.

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 05:20 PM

Thanks for enlightening me upon the subject! I knew my Mudcat buds would come through! Thanks again,

--Mbo

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From:
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 03:01 PM

"The Old Fisher's farewell to the Coquet" dates from the 1880s at least; I have heard Hannah Hutton sing it some years ago, but don't have the text/melody for it. Needless to say, if anyone can help.....

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Chris Nixon
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 01:00 PM

A "Cockett" is in fact the Coquet - a river that flows down Coquetdale via Rothbury to the North Sea at Amble. Offshore lies Coquet Island. Large inshore fishing grounds just North of Newcastle...

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 11:57 AM

I heard this song on the radio called "The Fisher's Farewell to the (?)Cockett" from Northumberland, performed by singer/guitarist Tom McConville & Northumbrian piper Pauline Cato. Has anyone ever heard of this song? And WHAT exactly is a cockett?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Margaret Watchorn
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 09:10 AM

Thanks Bill and DSL - I grew up with the songs you mentioned (apart from Shoals of Herring which I learned later on!) What seems to be missing is any songs about cobles (our local fishing boats) and there are very few connected with river fishing in the region. Any other offers?

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: bill\sables
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 08:21 AM

You got me thinking again what about Mc Colls "Shoals of herring" It does mention "Canny Shields" which is North Shields on the Tyne although the boat sails from Yarmouth. Cheers Bill

Subject: Lyr Add: The Harrin's Heed^^
From: bill\sables
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 08:16 AM

I just remembered another one "The Harrins Heed" translated it is the Herrings Head
Oh what'll wi dee wi the harrins heed

Oh what'll wi dee wi the harrind heed
We'll mak it inte loaves of breed,
Harrins heed loaves of breed and all manner of things
Of all the fish that's in the sea
The harrin is the one for me
How a ye the day, how a ye the day, how a ye the day
Me hinny oh

It goes on with verses of
Harrins guts a pair of beuits
Harrins fins needles and pins
Harrans tail a boat that sails
Harrins eyes puddins and pies
Harrins scales a barrel of ale
Harrins belly a lass called Nellie

Perhapps Gareth or Graham Pirt could add any verses I have forgotten Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: bill\sables
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 07:59 AM

Hi Margaret, Apart from The song "Dance to your Daddy" or "When The Boat Comes In" as it is sometimes called in the previous thread from DSL the only other one I can think of is "Cullercoats Fish Lass" but I will have a look through some books for any others. Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: DSL
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 03:34 AM

Dance for your Daddy my little laddie, dance for your daddy my little man. Thou shalt have a fishie on a little dishy, thou shalt have a fishie when the boats come in. Sorry I cannot remember the name or anymore of the song...

Subject: NORTHUMBRIAN FISHING SONGS
From: Margaret Watchorn
Date: 30 Oct 99 - 09:26 AM

Does anyone know any fishing songs directly connected to Northumberland, UK (the area beteween rivers Tweed and Tyne)?