Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 08:36 PM

For a really stunning song about the demise of the fishing industry, try Wendy Arrowsmith's "Sleep Well Till Morning" (not on Youtube, but you can hear it on Spotify).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 07:59 PM

Jack, your remark made me smile!

Here's what I can find:
Johnny Handle, with Chris Hendry, recorded The Mackerel Song on an album called Here Dwells My Heart.
David Kidman wrote an online review at Living Tradition Magazine's website. In it he says,

A Mackerel Song, penned by Aaron Watson, probably in the 1890's and forecasting the eventual demise of the inshore fishing industry.

Clearly Aaron Watson and Johnny Handle are two different people
in two different time periods.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 07:47 PM

Johnny Handle is still very much alive so I doubt he was writing for art magazines under a pseudonym in 1882.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 06:44 PM

We might have this on a Mudcat thread. No mention, however, of Aaron Watson.

There's Mackerel in the Bay

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 06:39 PM

Does it begin with the words:

There's Mackerel In The Bay
?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 06:33 PM

The Mackerel Song tune is said to be by one Johnny Handle. I can't find the words in an online search. This question will have to go to someone who knows the repertoire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 06:13 PM

Aaron Watson the art critic wrote a pair of articles for The Magazine of Art in 1882 entitled After the Herring Pts I&II. In part one he quotes Caller Herrin' :

It is as the song says:--
"Tho' you may ca' them vulgar farin';
Wives an' mithers, maist despairin',
Ca' them lives o' men."

Might be a good place to start.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 05:14 PM

Different fish with different habitats.

The herring loves the merry moonlight
The mackerel loves the wind

Who is Aaron Watson? What country and fishing grounds is this about?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 02:56 PM

And what's this about a painting by Winslow Homer?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: keberoxu
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 02:55 PM

Herring?
Mackerel?
Thought they were two different fishies?
Says this Yankee who grew up far from salt water.
(more like fresh-water perch and pickerel)

Subject: Lyr Req: A Mackerel Song
From: GUEST,Singerdave
Date: 31 Jan 17 - 02:42 PM

Can anyone assist with the lyrics for above song by Aaron Watson re the herring fishing decline in 1899, would be appreciated.