2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston

Subject: Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: GUEST,John Robinson
Date: 13 Jun 19 - 04:18 AM

Hello all - I'm not a relative, and I only have sketchy details at this point, but yesterday I learned that very sadly, Don Bilston passed away on 19th November this year. As I don't know much about Don's life I wouldn't call this an obituary, but I didn't know where else to post it.

There's a back story: I became aware of Don's music accidentally, after hearing Pete Coe sing 'Fireman's Song' on YouTube . I regularly attend sing-around folk sessions at my local pub in central Birmingham, and we've been going for four years. We're not really a folk club, and our sessions are informal to say the least.

Although we don't publicise ourselves too heavily, we find that people drift in and out of our gatherings as they move around the country, and we seem to have developed a local reputation for providing a safe space to 'have a go', based on goodwill and encouragement. It's always great to hear people phone up the pub and ask after us: usually with a view to performing. Often, for the first time.

Last night two women turned up, curious about our sessions. One of them is related to Don, and she told me the news. They promised to attend our next session, and we'll have a crack at singing the 'Fireman's Song', and maybe learn a few more as we go along. While I hate being the barer of bad news, this is also an opportunity to learn more about Don's life and times.

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: GUEST,John Robinson
Date: 13 Jun 19 - 05:23 AM

I meant Nov, last year, of course. It's been a long morning, and a long night before!

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 16 Jun 19 - 05:49 AM

Yes, Don did pass away last November of cancer. A sad loss. His "The Fireman's Song" is in the database and a good friend of mine often sings it. I would have thought he would have been mentioned before now? However, condolences are sent to his family, friends and all who know him and love him.

RIP,

Peter

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: GUEST,Douglas Hill
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 08:26 AM

Do not know if this will get to you - social media is not my thing.

Last night I spoke to Dave Goulding in Scotland trying to find out if he was the guy who had sessions on John Curl's-John Peel's BBC programs "Night Ride - Around Midnight" in the late 1960s early 1970s about steam engines.

Dave did not remember doing so, but suggested it might be Don Bilston - tried to find a telephone number for Don, but found this "notice" that he recently died. Dave didn't mention that he might be deceased.

Checked out YouTube videos of Don's songs - I'm sure that they are the ones that I heard.

Anyone with a long memory, can you confirm that my recollections are correct - will be mighty happy.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Cheers,

Douglas
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 09:04 AM

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Don+Bilston

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 09:05 AM

"Dave Goulding in Scotland" Perhaps you mean amazing Dave Goulder?

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: GUEST,Douglas
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 09:33 AM

Absolutely correct. Thanks for correcting me. Cheers.

Subject: ADD: Night Freight (Don Bilston)
From: Brock
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 12:30 PM

Hi all. I'm learning this song, Night Freight, by Don Bilston

I wonder if anyone could a) see if they seem right , and b) enlighten us to some of the slang or idiomatic parts?


NIGHT FREIGHT
(Don Bilston)

When people lie asleep in bed
It’s then I book on at the shed
Prepare me engine take on coal
To journey on the iron road

It’s off the shed to shunting yard
Exchange a few words with the guard
Forty wagons make the train
The green light glows we’re right away

The signal gleaming through the dark
The steam gauge needle’s on the mark
The tea-can warms upon the hob
And the engine’s gaffer of the job

The fireman in the firebox glows
Swings the shovel to and fro
Checks injector crack of coal
I’ll give her more steam lad watch her roll

We hop the twig through town and shire
The chimney belching smoke and fire
Our destination comes in view
And the night is almost half-way through

Now relieved by another crew
It’s in to the cabin and make a brew
A yarn and a smoke and you bet your snap
That leaves half hour for to take a little nap

The train we work backs at the peg
It’s time to wake and show a leg
Come stir yourself mate rise and shine
Or I’ll get papers for losing time

We get back home and it’s off to bed
Farewell a while you loco shed
When the daylight’s gone and the night has come
I'll be back again for another night's run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNn_3rFsOA

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Sep 22 - 11:23 PM

Hi, Brock - your transcription looks quite good. I added breaks between the verses and a YouTube link.

-Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor-

Here's a link to the entire Farewell to Steam album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuaHgC2_fVg

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: Brock
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 02:21 PM

Thank you, Joe !

Subject: RE: 2018 Obit: RIP Don Bilston
From: Brock
Date: 21 Sep 22 - 04:15 PM

Actually I now think the line in verse 3 might be:
And the engine gaffer's on the job.
(makes some sense anyway!)