Origins: The Crack Was Ninety (Barney Rush)

Subject: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From: GUEST,Len Wallace
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 04:27 PM

Hello friends,

I am finishing recording an album with a trio called The Diggers.

Can anyone tell me who wrote "The Crack was 90 in the Isle of Man"?

and who wrote the song Tammy Makem sings, "In the Town of Balley Bay"?

Many thanks

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From: zander (inactive)
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 04:37 PM

Christy Moore says he learned it from Barry Rush but doesn't say who wrote it

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 05:26 PM

Barney Rush - and in his songbook where Christy Moore says he learnt it from him, Barney is also indicated as the writer. (Barney also wrote Nancy Spain)

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From: fulurum
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 05:30 PM

makem wrote ballybay i do believe the crack was ninety is just listed as traditonal

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From:
Date: 19 Feb 00 - 06:51 PM

Again "the crack" was given to the bold Christy by Barney Rush, it is about the time Barney and his pals went on a trip to the Isle of Man back in the fifties and I presume it was written by himself I think "the town of Ballybay" is trad.

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 03:54 AM

Many many thanks everyone!

Subject: RE: Who wrote 'The Crack was Ninety'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Feb 00 - 06:44 AM

What's the crack like in Man these days amyhow?