Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home

Subject: Miners Dream of Home
From: MikeACox
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 09:01 AM

Can anyone help with the lyrics of a song my grandfather used to sing when I was a child. We think it was called "A Miner's Dream of Home". The only line we can recall gooes "... I listened with joy as I did when a boy to the sound of the old village bell".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: Dale Rose
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 12:11 PM

I can't, but I know of the song, so I am responding to bring it back to the top. It was written about 1899-1900 by Will Godwin and Leo Dryden. I see that there have been several recordings of the song, probably most accessible of which is by Finest Kind of Canada. I am sure that someone who knows their music (and I know there are several here) will be along shortly to tell you all about it.

It is also on a Living Era CD called A NOSTALGIC MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU 24 tracks - original mono recordings 1915-1948 CD AJA 5315 and was sung by Peter Dawson, an Australian baritone. Another recording is called Alf Peachey, Sam Friend and Jimmy Knights The Contented Countryman on cassette Neil Lanham NL02. This last one is by East Suffolk traditional singer Sam Friend.

These are things that I have gathered from the internet, not anything I am personally acquainted with.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 08:29 PM

I learned a song with these lyrics in a unique community that still celebrates New Years Eve around the piano, but it makes no mention of mining. It does however involve miming of the appropriate words.

NEW YEAR SONG

I saw the old faces and places I knew,
I saw the old valleys and hills,
And I listened with joy, as I did when a boy,
To the sound of the old village bell.
The fires were burning brightly,
Twas a scene to banish all tears,
For the bells were ringing the old year out,
And the New Year in.

Learned at the house of Tom Fry, Skenes Creek, Victoria circa 1969.

Regards, John

PS I can notate the tune when I get time.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 01:09 AM

G'day all, When I noticed this thread, I thought that the song was one of those known best in Australia through early recordings - and the Peter Dawson reference tends to confirm this. The story fits well in Australia ... and California ... and the Yukon ... and the Blomfontein ... so it will be bound to surface in Australia, America, Canada, South Africa (and New Zealand ... and anywhere else there was a gold rush).

John's friends at Skenes Ck have probably remembered only the parts that remained relevant long after the roaring days of the gold rush. I will check my Peter Dawson records to see if it is on one of them. Peter Dawson was a favorite of my Grandfather, when a parlour singing mood came on him, so that may be why I associate this song with the parlour and not the folk club.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From:
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 01:30 AM

This song is on Finest Kind's 1996 recording, Lost in a Song. Finest Kind is Ian Robb, Shelley Posen and Ann Downey. This is a great cd. Finest Kind has a website. You can quickly find it using Altavista.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From:
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 04:21 AM

I saw the old homestead and places I loved; I saw England's valleys and dales I listened with joy as I did when a boy To the sound of the old village bell. The log was burning brightly, t'was a night that should banish all sin; For the bells were ringing the old year out and the new year in.

My mother sang this song to me way back in the Old Dart in the 1930's

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MINER'S DREAM OF HOME (Godwin, Dryden
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 08:05 AM

THE MINER'S DREAM OF HOME
Will Godwin and Leo Dryden. 1891

1. It is ten weary years since I left England's shore,
In a far distant country to roam,
How I long to return to my own native land—
To my friends and the old folks at home!
Last night, as I slumbered, I had a strange dream,
One that seemed to bring distant friends near,—
I dreamt of old England, the land of my birth,
To the heart of her sons ever dear!

CHORUS: I saw the old homestead, and faces I love—
I saw England's valleys and dells;
I listened with joy, as I did when a boy,
To the sound of the old village bells.
The log was burning brightly—
'Twas a night that should banish all sin,
For the bells were ringing the old year out
And the new year in.

2. While the joyous bells rang, swift I wended my way
To the cot where I'd lived when a boy;
And I looked in the window— Yes! there, by the fire,
Sat my parents!— my heart filled with joy.
The tears trickled fast down my bronzed, furrowed cheek,
As I gazed on my mother so dear,
I knew in my heart she was raising a pray'r
For the boy whom she dreamt not was near!

3. At the door of the cottage we met face to face—
'Twas the first time for ten weary years;
Soon the past was forgotten— we stood hand-in-hand—
Father, mother, and wand'rer in tears!
Once more in the fire-place the oak log burns bright,
As I promised no more would I roam;
As I sat in the old vacant chair by the hearth,
And I sang the dear song— "Home, Sweet Home!"


And if there's a dry eye in the house after that, it must have a heart of stone!
Steve, in part-exile in Milton Keynes

---

Click to play

(MIDI from Artful Codger)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: GUEST,Sheila New Jersey USA
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:12 AM

My Grandmother in Ireland used to sing this song and the chorus has haunted me for years. I just now tracked the words down in Mudcat--- Thanks Steve for that.
            Happy New Year Y' all.Sheila

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: terrier
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 08:36 AM

Just for the record, the song is attributed to Leo Dryden(died 1939) and Will Godwin(died 1913)and was written around 1891.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: Folkiedave
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 12:27 PM

Kate Rusby's latest record.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 08 - 02:05 PM

There's a pdf version which I found online a while back and put on the back burner till I learnt how to read music

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miners Dream of Home
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jan 09 - 09:14 AM

I have this song on a cassette from Evergreen Melodies [UK], this recording is by boy soprano Master Joe Peterson recorded in 1935.
This was issued in a box set of three, entitled, Search for a song, "a casket of 40 golden gems".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Billy Weeks
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 05:42 AM

Leo Dryden was a music hall star of the 1890s who lived long enough to appear in 'Veterans of Variety' in the 1930s, but before that revival he had had a hard time, ending up singing in the streets. I have one of the handbills he distributed to announce his street performances.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,Chris Lewis
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 05:05 AM

My father used to sing this song to me when I was a kid (I am 60 now). He was born in Wales - my grandfather was a miner in Abertillery. I Googled the first few words of the chorus and struck Gold here! You wonderful wonderful people. God bless you - you know not what you do.

Kindest regards

Chris Lewis

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 07:09 AM

Anybody want to transcribe a MIDI from the sheet music and e-mail it to me for posting?
-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 09 - 07:35 AM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lsLoCNNZggM

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,Valeria Gatti
Date: 26 Jan 09 - 12:19 AM

My grandmother used to sing a song to me, the only line I can remember properly is "I listened with joy as I did when a boy to the sound of the old village bell". I remember other odd words & lines here & there but also only part of the tune. My grandmother was from England, we are Italian through our father but we were born & raised in East Africa. My grandmother lived with us in East Africa for a while & that is where I heard it. She used to sing to us a lot. My aunty in England, the last living daughter of my grandmother will probably know it well so I will ask her. She is over 80.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,sandra
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 07:09 AM

Thank goodness for people like you this was my grandfathers favourite song, I had this played at my dads funeral but it was litterally at the last moment as they couldnt find the music for it and someone rushed in with it just as the service was ending and played it on the piano.I think it was very significant to my grandparents as they lost 1 of their sons in ww1.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,STRINGER keith
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 06:50 PM

I was thinking of this song. Back in the early fifties I learned this song from an old ex Nottinghamshire man who lived next door to my family.
Funny how things can come flooding back with out any reason at all isn't it.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Jan 10 - 11:59 PM

"(recorded in Kenton, Suffolk by John Howson, 1986) The words to this extremely popular song were written by the Music Hall singer Leo Dryden (1863 -1939), with music by Will Godwin. According to Music Hall specialist Tony Barker, "Dryden must immediately have realised the song's immense appeal for, in an Era advert, dated 31st October, 1891, he announced it as a 'song that will be sung in every home where the mother tongue is spoken'. The rousing melody and sentimental lyrics telling of a homesick prospector dreaming of 'England's valleys and dells', certainly made such an impact with the British public that it passed almost at once into the canon of popular song. Dryden claimed that Francis, Day and Hunter paid £20, the most they had paid up to that time, for the publication right. Its fame was so great that it was remembered long after the name of its singer had been forgotten. Such was Dryden's eventual eclipse that, after the First World War, he sang the song in the streets unrecognised." Dryden made a cylinder recording of The Miner's Dream of Home in 1898 (Berliner E2013). Fred Whiting always said that it was his favourite song.

Song transcribed by Dan Quinn

Song notes: Mike Yates"

from

www.veteran.co.uk/vtc6cd_words.htm

or a google of

VTC6CD words

Subject: Tune Add: THE MINER'S DREAM OF HOME (Godwin/Dryden
From: Artful Codger
Date: 28 Jan 10 - 04:11 AM

X:1
T:The Miner's Dream of Home
C:By Will Godwin and Leo Dryden, 1891
S:Transcribed from the original sheet music (melody only)
M:C
L:1/8
Q:"Moderato"
K:F
% Introduction
zfcd BAGc | Ffcd BAGc | F2 z2 A,4 | F,4 G,4 |
zc'ga fedg | cc'ga fedg | c2 z1 B,4 | G,4 A,4 ||
[M:3/4][L:1/8] z2 z2 S a2 | b3 ged | d4 ^cz | b3 ged | d4 ^cz |
C^EEGGB | Addffa | A2 z2 [G2A2e2] [F2A2d2] z2 ^GA |
%
% Verse, starting with the previous pickup notes: w: It is
[M:3/4][L:1/4] d c B | A ^G A | d c B | A2 D/E/ |
w: ten wea-ry years since I left Eng-land's shore, In a
F F ^F | G G ^G | A3- | A z ^G/A/ |
w: fare dis-tant coun-try to roam,_ How I
d c B | A>^G A | d c B | A2 A/A/ |
w: long to re-turn to my own na-tive land\-\- To my
=B G G | G A =B | c3- | c z c |
w: friends and the old folks at home!_ Last
c _d c | c B _A | _A G ^F G2 G/G/ |
w: night, as I slum-ber'd, I had a strange stream, One that
_A G F | _A G F | =E3- | E z c |
w: seemd to bring dis-tant friends near,_ I
c _e c | c B _A | _A G ^F | G2 G/G/ |
w: dreamt of Old Eng-land, the land of my birth, To the
_A A =A | B B =B | c3- | c z c
w: heart of her sons e-ver dear..._ I
%
% Refrain (Legato)
|: F E F | c A F | c A F | E2 B | B B B | B A ^G | A3- | A2 A |
w: saw the old home-stead and fa-ces I love, I saw Eng-land's val-leys and dells,_ I
d c B | A ^G A | d c B | A ^G A | =BA =G | d A =B | c3- | c2 c |
w: lis-ten'd with joy, as I did when a boy, To the sound of the old vil-lage bells._ The
c2 =B | d2 c | c A2- | A G A | B B B | B A ^G | A3- | A G A |
w: log was burn-ing brightly,_ 'Twas a night that should ba-nish all sin,_ For the
B2 A | B e d | c2 A | F G ^G | A3 | G3 |1 F2 z | zz c :|2 F3- | F z "Del segno" A ||
w: bells were ring-ing the old year out, And the new year in. I   in._ *
%
% Last time only
B2 A | G e d | c2 A | F G ^G | A3 | =G3 | F3 | [A,CF] zz ||

---

Click to play

To play or display ABC tunes, try concertina.net

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,Billy Jones
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 03:13 AM

Thanks to all for their contributions concerning this song and it's history. I've just watched (for the first time) the Britcom "Hi de Hi!" on DVD. In Series 6, Episode 4, the campers are by the pool singing and acting out actions to a song, the lyrics of which I couldn't understand. Cut to Su Pollard (as Peggy the Chalet maid)stuck indoors and singing along to the distant campers. In her wonderful voice, full of pathos, she sang only a couple of lines to the song before being interrupted by the phone. These few lines caught my attention so much I searched the Internet and found this thread. I replayed the scene and could follow along at last. It was wonderful. Taken from England as a child and growing up without grandparents (half Welsh) was a wrench to our family. I'm now sixty, but the strength of my "roots" runs deep. This song amazed and moved me in ways I cannot express. Thanks again for your contributions.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 04:34 PM

MIDI from Artful Codger posted. It didn't work at first because I had it posted as "Miner's Dream of Nome." Maybe I had Sarah Palin on the brain, or something...I believe you can see Russia from Nome.

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Artful Codger
Date: 03 Jun 10 - 06:53 PM

Only on acid. You pretty much have to go to the end of the Aleutian chain to see Russia from Alaska. My father used to do survival training in Nome, so I could ask him if he ever saw Russia from his doorstep. He's more credible than Palin.

Interestingly, the Russian/Greek N looks like the Roman H--further cause for confusion.

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,catuathome
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:17 AM

Am so pleased have found the words to this - can remember my dad and my uncle singing this one new year's eve outside my nan's front door - happy days

Subject: RE: req/ADD: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Hesk
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:36 AM

My Grandfather used to sing this, and for several years it has been my New Year's song at the Wherwell singaround, in Hampshire.
Folkiedave mentioned that Kate Rusby has recorded it. It is one of the tracks on Sweet Bells. Unfortunately, she has written a new tune to it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Dec 11 - 04:55 PM

anyone know the guitar chords ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,Dilly
Date: 23 Nov 12 - 06:05 PM

I sang this song as a girl in the forties in Yorkshire, England, a famous coal mining area at the time. We would sing the following words on New Years Eve:
Last night I lay sleeping
I had a strange dream
I saw England's valleys and dells
I listened with joy as I did when a boy to the sound of the old village bells.
The logs were burning brightly
Twas a night that would banish all sin
For the bells were ringing the old year out and the New Year in.
We went from door to door singing this and saying a short poem and knocking on doors to wish people Happy New Year and sometimes to collect pennies.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: maeve
Date: 24 Nov 12 - 04:29 PM

One version of chords may be found here: http://raymondfolk.wetpaint.com/page/The+Miner%27s+Dream+of+Home+%28Will+Godwin%29

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 06:45 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYotfILA3iQ

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 08:25 AM

I hardly have the words to tell of how much joy this thread brings to me. When I was a boy living in Sandiacre on the Notts/Derby border, no New Year at our house was complete without this song. beautifully sung by my mother, and followed by Dad and me. To hear it now instantly transports me to boyhood in the old house with black-leaded grate and coal fire. If my Grandparents had come over for the evening the singing was even better. I sing it every New Year but have gradually forgotten all but the chorus. Now, thanks to Mudcat,I can relearn the whole thing. Many thanks, and a Happy New Year to you all. May I add the fervent hope that none of our Mudcat friends in Australia are caught up in the terrible fires there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,patriot
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 05:18 AM

To anyone who likes this song, suggest you research the version sung by Fred Jordan, the Shropshire farmworker and respected tradition singer- you'll learn a lot more than you will listening to Ms Rusby, whose main contribution to traditional music has been in MINING and plagiarising anything with commercial possibilities.

I must compliment her research team who are adept at choosing excellent songs, whatever she does to them afterwards.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 08:02 AM

patriot,
You obviously don't know Ms Rusby. Her contribution to traditional music, and her family's, is far more than her current elevated status show. She is steeped in the traditional music of her area and has been since birth. And whatever she does to the songs, as with everyone, is entirely upto her.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 30 Jul 15 - 08:04 AM

By the way, Fred, a good friend of the Rusby's when he was with us, learnt a good slice of his songs from people in the revival.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,patriot
Date: 31 Jul 15 - 06:13 AM

I am well aware of that Steve- I just can't stand the schmaltzy, pseudo trad of Ms Rusby- I admire the way she and her family have harnessed the celeb culture to make pots of dosh out of the tradition. I'd apply this admiration to the Unthanks & Liza Carthy as well, both of whom have what you class as ??'traditional' backgrounds.
I just think that all three 'acts' are b... awful & little to do with the tradition, which will survive despite them.

I am also well aware of Fred Jordan's ability to pick up songs from the revival, and met the man many times, and there's nothing wrong with that- he added songs to his repertoire, he didn't INVENT one from scratch.

I will not give my name because I do not want to be pilloried by 'folkies' in this context, as I have learned that such people are blinded by the glamour of this branch of 'pop' music and unable (& maybe unwilling?) to see through the Emperor's New Clothes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: GUEST,robinsonliz Co. Antrim
Date: 27 Jan 17 - 05:02 PM

I would just like to say how wonderful it was to find this slot on the Net. This old song I remember my grandfather singing on their Golden wedding anniversary, I am now 79 years old!   Over the years, when I heard it, I was transported back in time, and saw my beloved granny standing beside him in their very small living room as her husband sang.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req/Add: Miner's Dream of Home
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 27 Jan 17 - 05:20 PM

I'm certainly not blinded by any of the 'glamour' and a lot of what they do is not my cup of tea either, but all worthwhile things evolve
and I understand and respect the new ground they are breaking. All of this crossover between pop music and folk music does no harm to either genre, and if nothing else it draws more people into awareness of folk music. I guess they'll get by without our patronage!