Lyr Req: Are Ye Right There Michael (Percy French)

Subject: Are ye right Michael?
From:
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 02:29 AM

(1) There was an Irish Poet who was scheduled to give a reading and who took the train to the location(2). The train was so slow that it caused him to be so late he had to cancel the event. As a result he wrote a song which has its verse starting(3)

Are ye right, Michael
Are ye right
Do you think we'll get her home tonight?

Now the three questions are (1) Who was the poet? (2) Where was he going and on what (now defunct) train line? (3) What is the rest of the song?

This is not a test. I don't know the answers. I once heard the song. We are having a lot of trouble with the train service in Sydney at the moment and the song keeps knocking at my conciousness.

Thanks

Murray

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 02:42 AM

It's a Percy French song called "are ye right there Michael" I'm sure we had a thread on this (ages ago).. I'll check and see if I have it

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 03:02 AM

can't find it and it doesn't seem to be in the database, tried a search of the net.. couldn't find it

from memory

do you know of Columbus' sailing across the Atlanical sea
but he never tried to go railing from ?? across to Kilkee
........

and as you're waiting in the dark
you'll hear the guard make this remark

chorus

are ye right there Michael are ye right?
do you think that we'll be home before it's light?
well it's been so long in startin'
that you couldn't say for certain
but it might now, Michael, so it might

there are a heap of verses.. maybe it'll jog someones memory

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: Brendy
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 03:18 AM

There are some words here And a way, perhaps of getting the rest of them. You may have to follow a few links, or E-Mail somebody. But the words are definately out there.
Take it easy.
B.

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 03:30 AM

copied from the other site

"Are you right there, Michael, are ye right?
Do you think that we'll be there before it's light?"
"Tis all dependin' whether
The ould engine howlds together -"
"And it might now, Michael, so it might!"

Are you right there Michael are you right?
do you think we'll make it home before the night.
Ah, with all the stoppin' and startin'
sure you never can be certain,
so we might now Michael so we might.

At Lahinch the sea shines like a jewel
with joy you are ready to shout,
when the stoker cries out there no fuel
and the fire is ta-totally out.........

ther's another about

and while you're waiting, curse your luck
the ?????? back's out into a truck

the missing word in the first post of mine was "ennis" "from Ennis as far as Kilkee"

slainte

alison

Subject: Lyr Add: ARE YE RIGHT THERE, MICHAEL?^^
From: Brakn
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 05:49 AM

ARE YE RIGHT THERE, MICHAEL?
(Percy French, 1902)

You may talk of Columbus's sailing
Across the Atlantical sea
But he never tried to go railing
From Ennis as far as Kilkee
You may run for the train in the mornin'
The excursion starting at eight
You're there when the clock gives the warnin'
And there for an hour you'll wait

(Spoken)
And as you're waiting in the train
You'll hear the guard sing this refrain

"Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
Do you think that we'll be there before the night?
Ye've been so long in startin'
That you couldn't say for sartin' (certain)
Still ye might now, Michael, so ye might!"

They find out where the engine's been hiding
And it drags you to Sweet Corofin
Says the guard "Back her down on the siding
There's goods from Kilrush coming in"
Perhaps in comes in in two hours
Perhaps it breaks down on the way
"If it does" says the guard "by the powers
We're here for the rest of the day"

(Spoken)
And while you sit and curse your luck
The train backs down into a truck

"Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
Have ye got the parcel there for Mrs. White
Ye haven't, Oh begorra
Say it's comin' down tomorra
And it might now, Michael, so it might!"

At Lahinch the sea shines like a jewel
With joy you are ready to shout,
When the stoker cries out "There no fuel
And the fire's taytotally out.
"But hand up that bit of log there
I'll soon have ye out of the fix
There's a fine clamp of turf in the bog there
And the rest go agatherin' sticks

(Spoken)
And while you're breakin' bits of trees
You'll hear some wise remarks like these

"Are you right there, Michael? Are ye right?
Do ye think that ye can get the fire to light?"
"Oh, an hour you'll require
For the turf it might be drier"
"Well it might now, Michael, so it might!"

Kilkee! Oh you never get near it!
You're in luck if the train brings you back
For the permanent way is so queer
It spends most of it's time off the track
Uphill the old engine is climbin'
While the passengers push with a will
You're in luck when you reach Ennistymon
For all the way home is down hill

(I)That's all I have.....I'm presuming that these come next....(/I)

"Are you right there, Michael, are ye right?
Do you think that we'll be there before it's light?"
"Tis all dependin' whether
The ould engine howlds together -"
"And it might now, Michael, so it might!"

Are you right there Michael are you right?
do you think we'll make it home before the night
Ah, with all the stoppin' and startin'
sure you never can be certain,
so we might now Michael so we might.



The owners of the railway entered an action for libel against Percy French (the writer) who entered a counter claim - for being the cause of making him late for a professional engagement. The railway company backed down and made a payment in his favour. The West Clare Railway is now defunct. The engine was called "Bessborough" still stands at Ennis station. The original "Michael" is said to have been Michael Talty who died aged 99 in 1957.

Regards Mick Bracken

^^

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 07:41 AM

I might have known you'd have it Mick... *grin*

I thinks one of the "extra" verses is just a variation on that first chorus.....

let me know if you need the tune Murray

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: GUEST,Neil Lowe
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 07:55 AM

By the by, Murray, how did things turn out with your loud, percussive neighbor?

regards, Neil

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: paddymac
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 08:17 AM

I recall reading a book about this celebrated case in a shop in Dublin a couple of years ago. Now I wish I had bought it instead of just scanning it. However, if memory serves me right, Percy actually lost the case and was to pay #10 in damages. Ever the wit, he allowed as how he would write another song if the railroad ever tried to collect it. I do have a Percy French songbook and will check lyrics there later today. In any event, this song is a brilliant satire.

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 04 Feb 00 - 07:47 AM

My mother used to say "are you right there Michael, are you right?" around the end of the fifties & start of the sixties (and may still do, I'm not around so much these days). I always thought it was a radio catchphrase, like "right, monkey" or "Whippet-Quick". (Maybe the lack of animal connection should have given it away?) I wonder where she did get it from then?

Steve

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: NSC
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 03:18 AM

Percy French actually won the case and was awarded one penny by the judge. he ahd to pay his own legal costs.

the guard was O'Sullivan from Ennis and one of his descendants has just retired from the railway.

The West Clare Railway closed in 1957. the tracks taken up and the land sold back to farmers. What a pity?

George Henderson

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: GUEST,PJ Curtis(Clare)
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 05:03 AM

I actually rode, as a youngster, on the famous steam-driven single-guage West Clare railway from Corofin to Kilrush and it really was as Percy French's song depicts. When the railway was closed in the 60's , the rolling stock was was sold to the Sisal plantatons in Kenya. I can still hear the sound of that 'Lonesome Whistle' as the train approached the small village of Corofin...ahh! the nostalgia. pjc

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 08:21 AM

I was actually reading this story in a James Healy book last night which is a Percy French collection. I was unaware of this thread until a few minutes ago. I'll copy the extract (much as above) and notate the tune as soon as I can. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From:
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 03:58 AM

Thanks for the answers--especially Alison and Mick. Whether French won or lost the lawsuit, the railroad is defunct and the song lives on ;}

Alison: I can remember the tune; but if your band ever comes to the Blackheath Folk Club I will make you sing it for me!

Neil: I should have followed up that thread to thank people, because I got very good advice. As suggested, I approached the guy as a fellow musician. He told me he is professional and that the band has a workshop where they do their serious practice. He just liked to unwind by banging on the drums for a while when he came home from work. We agreed that I could stand 20 minutes or so of the drums now that I knew that the time was finite. (I put it more diplomatically.) He is a heavy metal player and we parted as friends. I think he is my first heavy metalic friend. I am told one of my nephews in Philadelphia has become a drummer in a band, so next time I visit there I might have two heavy metal friends!

Thanks again,

Murray

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 05:23 AM

Murray.. it's a deal... so long as you have the words handy...

I assume you moved to the mountains then????

Maybe see you at the Katoomba festival next month.. it's always good....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: GUEST,Doug Jenner
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 04:09 PM

Murray- are you the Murray with the long silver hair who used to come to the Claddagh gigs at th Friend in Hand? If so, hi there! If not- oops.

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From:
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 02:41 AM

Yes Alison. I now live in Blackheath, although I come into Sydney every Wednesday and usually stay until Thursday pm.

Doug. I am not the same Murray. There is another Murray who posts here who might even live in Australia too.

Murray

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 03:12 AM

OK.. nice part of the world.. I love Pulpit and Anvil rocks.... maybe see you at Katoomba...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Are ye right there Michael?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 01:21 AM

Here's a quote from a songbook Ossian published called The Songs of Percy French

Again one of the gems of Percy French songwriting, based on a genuine incident. The train carrying him from Ennis to Kilkee broke down and he was late for the concert. This was in 1897; French took an action for 'loss of profits', was rewarded 10 pounds, and the company lost an appeal. The song came out in 1902 and although the company contemplated a libel action, they wisely thought better of it. They had had enough.

I'll make a MIDI of the tune and ask Alan to post it at Mudcat MIDIs.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: alison
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 02:52 AM

I've already posted the tune Joe

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: Alice
Date: 09 Mar 00 - 10:20 AM

I just heard this performed by the three Irish Tenors in their Belfast performance broadcast by US Public Television. Thanks for all the background info.

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 05:25 PM

A search using GOOGLE brought up a whole string of websites which relate to Percy French. They include where he was born, where he is buried, some of the songs and stories and also exhibitions of his paintings. Here is the blicky to the results Search using GOOGLE.
I hope they provide some useful links!
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Are ye right Michael?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 16 Dec 02 - 03:50 AM

Julie B was given the words & music on Thursday; I look forward to hearing her rendition this week!

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: ARE YE RIGHT THERE MICHAEL (French
From: chico
Date: 01 Oct 05 - 01:31 AM

           C                  
  You may talk of Columbus's sailing
     Em                  Dm (G7)
  Across the Atlantical sea
       C                      Em
  But he never tried to go railing
        G7              C
  From Ennis as far as Kilkee
  
          F/A                       C
  You may run for the train in the mornin'
       G7                          C
  The excursion TRAIN starting at eight
                                         Em
  You're there when the clock gives the warnin'
       Dm           G7          C
  And there for an hour you'll wait
  
       Dm                G7                    Dm                  G7
  "And as you're waiting in the train, you'll hear the guard sing this refrain"
  
           C
  "Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
           F/A                 C               Dm   (G7)
  Do you think that we'll be there before the night?
             F            /A
  Ye've been so long in startin'
            C
  That you couldn't say for sartin'
                      G7                C
  Still ye might now, Michael, so ye might!"
  
  They find out where the engine's been hiding
  And it drags you to Sweet Corofin
  Says the guard "Back her down on the siding
  There's the goods from Kilrush coming in"
  Perhaps in comes in in two hours
  Perhaps it breaks down on the way
  "If it does," says the guard, "by the powers
  We're here for the rest of the day"
  
  "And while you sit and curse your luck, the train backs down into a truck"
  
  "Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
  Have ye got the parcel there for Mrs. White?
  Ye haven't, Oh begorra
  Say it's comin' down tomorra
  And it might now, Michael, so it might!"
  
  At Lahinch the sea shines like a jewel
  With joy you are ready to shout,
  When the stoker cries out "There no fuel
  And the fire's taytotally out.
  "But hand up that bit of log there
  I'll soon have ye out of the fix
  There's a fine clamp of turf in the bog there
  And the rest go a-gatherin' sticks
  
  "And while you're breakin' bits of trees, you'll hear some wise remarks like these"
  
  "Are you right there, Michael? Are ye right?
  Do ye think that ye can get the fire to light?"
  "Oh, an hour you'll require
  For the turf it might be drier"
  "Well it might now, Michael, so it might!"
  
  Kilkee! Oh you never get near it!
  You're in luck if the train brings you back
  For the permanent way is so queer
  It spends most of it's time off the track
  Uphill the old engine is climbin'
  While the passengers push with a will
  You're in luck when you reach Ennistymon
  For all the way home is down hill
  
  "And as you're wobbling through the dark, you'll hear someone make this remark:"
  
  Are ye right there, Michael? Are ye right?
  Do you think that we'll be there before it's light?
  Oh, it's all depending whether,
  The oul' engine holds together,
  But it might now, Michael, so it might!
   
  [Percy French, 1902. The owners of the railway entered an action for libel against Percy French (the writer) who entered a counter claim - for being the cause of making him late for a professional engagement (possibly an incident in 1897). The railway company backed down and made a payment in his favour. The West Clare Railway is now defunct. The engine was called "Bessborough" still stands at Ennis station. The original "Michael" is said to have been Michael Talty who died aged 99 in 1957. Percy French actually won the case and was awarded one penny by the judge. He had to pay his own legal costs. The West Clare Railway closed in 1957, the tracks taken up and the land sold back to farmers.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Are Ye Right There Michael (Percy French)
From: GUEST,Ruston Hornsby
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:52 PM

The West Clare was a 53 mile long line built to 3'0" gauge. Closure was first mooted on 1958 but it managed to remain open until 31st January 1961. Two diesel railcars bought in the 1950's were subsequently sold to the Isle on Man Railways where they remain but are not in use. Steam loco No5 "Sleive Callan" built by Dubs of Glasgow in 1882 was for a while plinthed at Ennis but has subsequently been passed to a group who are preserving part of the line based around Moyasta Junction. I believe that the loco is currently in the UK being rebuilt by a railway engineering company on an as-funds-are-available basis. Hopefully at some future point you will be able to sing the song actually on a moving West Clare train!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Are Ye Right There Michael (Percy French)
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 01:05 PM

The fact of the matter is that Percy French showed up late for the trial. When the judge asked him why he answered that he came by way of the West Clare Railway. It was then that the judge decided the case in his favor.

I have a full blown orchestrated midi-karaoke file of this song that was sequenced for me by Ron Tilden. It contains the complete song and is playable with Van Basco which is a FREE download. If anyone wants it just PM me with your e-mail address and I will send it to you free of charge.
                                                   SOL