Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)

Subject: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song
From: GUEST,Singerdave
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 02:09 PM

Can anyone provide the lyrics please for the song, 'Suffolk Song' by Ian Woods.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song
From: Reinhard
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 03:02 PM

Your can hear it on Youtube, Suffolk Song by Ian Woods.

Try transcribing it yourself, post your result here, and see if we can improve what you could't hear clearly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 06:46 PM

The melody is known to me as "Tramps and Hawkers" or "Lakes of Pontchartrain," or "Peter Amberly," or a dozen other names. I can't find a transcription of the song anywhere. You'd probably do a better job of transcribing that Reinhard or I could do, but we're glad to help once you've given it your best shot.
Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)
From: GUEST,Singerdave
Date: 17 Jan 22 - 06:01 AM

I hear your comments I have tried my best have got so far but then my hearing is not the best. Will persevere. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 17 Jan 22 - 11:02 AM

Here's my transcription.

Mick

---

SUFFOLK SONG
(Ian Woods)

When we were young me mates and I we worked upon the farms,
And there we ploughed and sowed and reaped and brought strength to our arms.
Now the land it's been swallowed up, there's pylons instead of corn;
There's factories and houses springing up, a new one every morn.

I watched the seasons come and go, rain, sun and Winter's snow.
I've brought young beasts into the world, reared them and watched them go.
Now factory farming it's all the rage, there's more beasts in less room;
It's push-button feeding for them now, no need for stockman or groom.

And me mates they all worked on the land to draw their weekly pay,
And Saturday night, now, we all would meet and drink it all away.
Now there's cocktail bars, there's shining chrome - no mild, it's all keg beer;
And when we ask the reason why they say, "Don't need you here."

And I used to take my horses on to the smithy down the road,
And I'd watch George Crispin, his apron black, a-paring them to be shod.
But now the smithy it's disappeared, there's no more spark or din,
And Crispy he lies in the old churchyard, aside of more like him.

And few now sing my county tongue or sing my county round;
And them that know the country ways are seldom to be found -
For the binder turns its flashing blade, the barley scything down,
And many a lad now turns his face unto the nearest town.



Source: Ian Woods, youtube: Suffolk Song, originally on lp: Ian Woods and Charley Yarwood -Hooks and Nets

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)
From: GUEST,Singerdave
Date: 18 Jan 22 - 06:20 AM

Many thanks Mick, much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Jan 22 - 02:55 PM

Definitely the same tune as "Tramps and Hawkers"! Had to look at it, as I was brought up in Suffolk, though had never heard the song before. Recognised most of the locations in the video: lovely stuff!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Suffolk Song (Ian Woods)
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jan 22 - 04:14 PM

Ian told me that he used to play soccer for ipswich.
yes same tune as tramps and hawker lads