Origin: The Bluenose

Subject: Bluenose song
From: GUEST,Rana
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:05 PM

This was forwarded by Borealis Records to cdnfolk-l and I thought I'd post it here.

Can someone e-mail the info to the person

Rana

From: sandra chait To: [e-mail] Date: Thursday, March 02, 2000 8:30 AM Subject: bluenose

I"m looking for an old Canadian folk song called Bluenose (NOT THE ONE BY STAN ROGERS). This one had the lyrics, Bluenose the ocean knows your name..... It was written by Doug Skilling and David Martin who used the name Ryan's Fancy. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. I grew up singing this song and really would love to find it again. Thank you. Sandra Chait at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:18 PM

Rana I copies this from an older thread on the Bluenose: Its a start to help your search. You can set your filter to "Bluenose" and check threads in the last 30 days, there were at least two that I remember, But I don't remember many lyrics.

Subject: RE: The Bluenose From: GUEST,David MacMillan, [e-mail] Date: 20-Jan-00 - 12:01 AM

The song "The Bluenose" with lyric Blue..Nose.. the ocean knows her name Sailors know how proud a ship waS she Bluenose leaning in the wind Racing every wave on the sea

The song was originally recorded by the Fernwood Trio on Sparton Records album #221 about 1962. It was written by D Martins(Dave I think), although the melody may have been written someone else. The arrangement was done by the Trio and was a much improved version on the origial chord structure. Later the Irish Rovers recorded essentially the same arrangement as the Fernwood Trio created.

The members of the Trio were David MacMillan,Ted Parrott and Bob Cunningham all of Oshawa Ontario. Album #221 was entitled "The Bluenose and Other Folk Songs". The Trio also recorded an album previous to the above, named "Hootin' Holiday" Sparton #217

Subject: ADD: Bluenose
From: sophocleese
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 12:29 PM

There we go the kids are feeding so I can check this again. The other thread had this. There you go. If you check the threads you'll find other information that could be interesting.

Subject: Info please: Ballad of the Bluenose
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 25-Feb-00 - 10:00 PM
^^
A Friend is seeking information on the source of this song. Anyone know who wrote it and when? Anyone have a tune for it? I'll pass along any information you Maritimers can provide. Thanks.

BLUENOSE
(Doug Skilling and Davit Martin)


In the town of Lunenburg down Nova Scotia way
In nineteen twenty-one on a windy day
A sailing ship was born, "Bluenose" was her name
You'll never see her kind again

{Refrain}
Bluenose, the ocean knows her name
Sailors know how proud a ship was she
Bluenose, leading in the wind
Racing ev'ry way on the sea

Her hull was long and black, her sails were snowy white
She looked just like a young bird in flight
And from the very first, the Bluenose loved to run
She loved the smell of sea and sun
{Refrain}

For twenty-five long years she ruled the Northern sea
Riding like a queen on the tide
In the Caribbean one dark and stormy day
She ran into a reef and died
{Refrain}

Now just the other day, down Nova Scotia way
In Lunenburg they christened a ship
Just like the old Bluenose, down to the very name
The Bluenose lives and sails again
{Refrain}

Sandy

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: GUEST,Rana
Date: 02 Mar 00 - 03:08 PM

Hi Sophocleese

Thanks for the info - I forwarded it onto the person who has already replied to me and is very happy.

Rana

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Biskit
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 02:29 PM

I just love it when a plan comes together

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: GUEST,taylor.gard
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 08:19 PM

I learned this song in my music class and I love it!

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 08:35 PM

Looks a nice song but might not go down well in certain parts of Glasgow!

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: meself
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 08:46 PM

Okay, I'll bite: why not?

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 09:03 PM

Try this for starters:

http://www.bluenosebars.com/

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: meself
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 01:54 AM

Oh - okay. When I got to the links, it became quite clear ... In case there's any doubt, 'bluenose' in the Nova Scotian context has nothing to do with political or religious affiliation ...

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 06:21 AM

I guessed that: as I said it looks a good song.
Maybe I can redeem myself by posting the link below!
Would be great if someone could post midi for the tune.


http://novascotia.com/en/home/whattodo/attractions/bluenose/default.aspx

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 06:24 AM

I remember the chorus TB, speak to me in October if you still haven't found the tune.

JM

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 06:41 AM

Thanks JM: just been reading the stuff on the "other" thread, but keeping well out of that discussion! Head now back below parapet.

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 08:00 AM

Might I be permited a tiny plug here??

I recorded "the Ragged Boys" singing this way back in 1982, for a Cassette release on
Forest Tracks

Raggged Boys were : Ken Stephens, Jim Bailey, Richard Dean, Chris Buet and Lucky Arden.
This is now available again as a Forest Tracks Back Track.
Cheers,

Andy

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: bubblyrat
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 08:55 AM

One of my treasured possessions is my "Bluenose Certificate", awarded for crossing the Arctic Circle ( HMS Eagle, 1968).

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Becca72
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 09:11 AM

I remember singing this song in music class in elementary school back in the mid/late 70's. It was my favorite!

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Dave Earl
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 01:43 PM

Didn't Hughie Jones (former Spinner) sing this too?

I thought he wrote it but I am not with my copy of his book so I can't be sure till I can get to it.

Dave

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 03:18 PM

I'll check out my Spinners double CD then!
Hello Breton Cap!

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Willie-O
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 04:31 PM

Don't know anything about this song, but I saw an absolutely fantastic doc about the old Bluenose the other night. "The Queen and the Skipper" . It had stunning vintage footage--they had film of the old girl being launched in Lunenberg in '21! It was a big day for the town--they knew she was more than special. This was followed by a lot of footage of the great schooner races of the 20's and 30's.

It featured wonderful interviews with a sparkling gent, the late Clem Hiltz, who crewed on her as a young fella, and much discussion (and film) of her legendary skipper and owner Capt. Angus Walters. That's where this song kind of falls down on the job--the fame of the big black schooner has everything to do with auld Angus, who seemed to have practically a psychic connection with her--but the writer didn't seem to know this key fact. (To be fair, Stan Rogers didn't mention Walters either in his song).

I bet anyone who's ever smelled saltwater would be as thrilled with this show as I was...how often do you get to see the Bluenose take on the Gertrude Thebaud again?   

Look it up--you won't be disappointed.

W-O

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Little Robyn
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 06:25 PM

The song was recorded here in NZ by Canadian couple Gary and Everill Muir, who came here shortly after they were married in 1964.
They credit it to D Martins and the blurb on the sleeve says:
The Canadian ten-cent piece bears the likeness of this famous racing ship which swept all before it on the Atlantic Coast of North America until its untimely end on a Caribbean reef.
It's on a Kiwi record LC-24 but isn't dated - I would guess about 1965/66. I believe Gary was injured in a car crash around that time but he still managed to perform in a TV programme called 'Meeting here tonight' on NZBC TV in 1966.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Anglo
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 10:29 PM

Willie-O, I just heard a recording of Dan McKinnon doing a song called "The Captain and the Queen." Rather nice I thought. An English folk radio show via the internet.

His webpage is here.

The song (which he wrote) is on an album called "Between Wind & Water."

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Snuffy
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 10:42 AM

Dave,

Hughie Jones did indeed record this on his 1999 album Seascape, where it is credited to Dave Martins. I don't know of a recording by the Spinners.

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Teribus
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 11:24 AM

"One of my treasured possessions is my "Bluenose Certificate", awarded for crossing the Arctic Circle ( HMS Eagle, 1968)." - bubblyrat

That wouldn't have happened to have been in company with a USN Carrier Group centred on the USS Enterprise during "Silver Tower" would it bubblyrat?

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: meself
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 01:07 PM

It's been eight years since the original post, but anyway - to clarify (somewhat) the mention of Ryan's Fancy (Denis Ryan, Dermot O'Reilly, Fergus O'Byrne): they did record this song, but "Doug Skilling and David Martin who used the name Ryan's Fancy" were not members of that popular trio.

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Reiver 2
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 07:43 PM

Just came across this thread. I know the song, first from an Irish Rovers recording and more recently by oceans Apart. (I'm sure there have been many others, but those are the two I'm familiar with.

In the lyrics posted earlier on this thread, I believe there are two errors -- minor, I suppose -- but I think the words I learned "fit" better. The last two lines of the refrain as posted earlier on this thread are:

Bluenose, leading in the wind
Racing ev'ry way on the sea

I believe the lines should be:

Bluenose, LEANING in the wind
Racing every WAVE on the sea.

Call me "picky" if you want!

Reiver 2

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GEST
Date: 01 Nov 08 - 10:25 AM

Here is the variant with a brand new YouTube video of David Martin's Bluenose, recorded by Ryan's Fancy (A Time With Ryan's Fancy ©1979, Boot Records).

GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Nov 08 - 12:21 AM

There were several songs written about the Bluenose. My favourite was the Michael Stanbury one in the DT. This song was written as a beer commercial for Oland's Brewery's Schooner Beer. The Bluenose II was built for the Olands and they later gave it to the people of Nova Scotia. Stanbury was both a Halifax folksinger and a member of the Oland family.

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Dave Webster
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 11:39 PM

My Mom and aunts recorded that song back in 1964 in Nashville and was released under the Sparton Lable in Canada I have a tribute myspace site where the song has been posted at http://www.myspace.com/howardsisters50

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Bruce Auckland, NZ
Date: 14 May 09 - 07:00 AM

Hi Robyn, I'm an oldie but remember listening to them singing in coffee places in the 60's - do you still have their lp, mine was worn out and I'd love a copy, cd or even a tape! My wife and I really loved them, beautiful hamonies.
Email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: meself
Date: 14 May 09 - 11:27 AM

"they [Olands] later gave it to the people of Nova Scotia"

Or I believe we could say, "the people of Nova Scotia took it off their hands". As I recall, it was getting awfully costly to maintain the Bluenose II by that point ...

(I don't really mean that as a slag against the Oland family; they no doubt take pride both in the Bluenose and in their own attachment to Nova Scotia.)

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Simon G
Date: 14 May 09 - 07:42 PM

Watched the fitting the boom and gaff to the mainmast on Bluenose II this afternoon. It took a crane and a ten or so people. It must be mighty expensive to keep afloat. Lets hope the people of Nova Scotia can continue to keep it sailing for many years to come.

Simon

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Nick E
Date: 14 May 09 - 08:36 PM

On another tack I have to question this "Doug Skilling and David Martin who used the name Ryan's Fancy" This is not the Ryan's Fancy I know of whch consisted of Jim Payne, Fergus Obyrn and Dermot Oreily (SP?)
http://www.ryansfancy.com
What do we know about Skilling & Martin?

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Nick E
Date: 14 May 09 - 08:40 PM

In fact when I search Doug Skilling and David Martin this thread is the first hit.

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Willie-O
Date: 14 May 09 - 09:48 PM

Nick, the confusion of Skilling & Martin with Ryan's Fancy is an error, but so is including Jim Payne in the group. The three members of Ryan's Fancy were: Denis Ryan, Fergus O'Byrne, and the late Dermot O'Reilly.

Payne has had a long and impressive career in Newfoundland music, and according to the link you provide has been lately playing with Fergus O'Byrne, but not as a Fancy.

Glad to hear the Bluenose will be sailing again this year! Is the big refit about done then, Simon?

W-O

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 15 May 09 - 01:15 AM

Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Payne perform together as part of A Crowd Of Bold Sharemen.
The Nova Scotia taxpayer has paid for a lot of maintanance on the Bluenose II but the old girl has given us a lot of great publicity. It was maintained by a trust for several years but now the government and the trust are fighting over the funds.

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Nick E
Date: 15 May 09 - 08:51 PM

Yes Brainlock on my part as for band members. Was anticipating a keelhauling for the infraction!

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Nick E
Date: 15 May 09 - 08:59 PM

And I know this is thread creeep but.... It is because of the honeymoon my wife and I enjoyed in Nova Scotia & PEI that I have come to love maritime music, play the whistle, and last but not least, have found Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 16 May 09 - 01:35 AM

Great Nick! Come back again

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: semi-submersible
Date: 16 May 09 - 04:05 AM

You may still find this song in elementary schools. My son learned it in Grade 4 last year here in BC (the far side of Canada).

Visits by Bluenose II also create lasting memories. My brother toured the ship with his high school class, along with several other school groups. Years later, looking at the group photo taken on deck, my brother noticed that not only was his best friend from high school standing beside him (not surprising) but a boy who would become an equally close friend in university was standing next-but-one on his other side, and behind my brother was another bosom-buddy-to-be. Neither had met my brother, nor known each other, during high school, yet they all stood within touching distance for the photo that day on the deck of Bluenose II.

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Mel
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 06:07 PM

I remember this song from grade 5 or 6. I always remembered it :)

I found this on youtube, it has the same tune and beat that I remembered, however, it is not in English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHdT5SM7ttE

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,retrofanthom
Date: 29 Jan 10 - 03:56 PM

I just stumbled across this thread and wondered if anyone could help me find a song. Many years ago a friend taught me this song about the Blue nose but ever since then I have tried to find the lyrics and or a recording of it and can not find it anywhere or anyone who seems to know what I am talking about...I have forgotten some of the words but they are as follows:

She's sailing out of a Lunenburg harbour
A legand on a windy morn
She won all the races of her day
The Ghostly sea is only time away and its...
Blow boy blow my bully boy blow
hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Captain Angus Walters Master Prince of Wales
He rode the seas and found the gales
He sold his ship to carry freight....
and the Queen sailed off to meet her fate...
And its Blow Boy Blow my bully boy blow...

Soooo am I crazy or does this song really exist?
Thanks for any help
Retro

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: meself
Date: 29 Jan 10 - 10:22 PM

Hmmm ... sounds like it could be a re-working of - well, I don't know what title it's catalogued under, but the version of Blow My Bully Boys Blow that Helen Creighton collected and Diane Oxner recorded (Blow today, blow tomorrow,/Blow, boys, blow;/The more she blows, the better for the Bluenose,/Blow, my bully boys, blow).

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Dave Webster
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:34 PM

Hello , http://www.myspace.com/442497976/music/songs/Bluenose-36809532
Since we are reviving the Bluenose II .. I think its great to revive the song.
My dear Mom & Aunts recorded the Bluenose in Nashville in 1964 with Ray Stevens on the piano and Jerry reed and Jerry Kennedy on guitars.
Harold Moon of BMI gave them Bluenose song and Bitty Baby writen by Pat Bestal.. Yes the sheet music I have does say D Martin wrote Bluenose .. go to this site and hear it 46 years later
I remember my Mom and aunts getting up set with BMI because another group also recorded it .

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:41 PM

I must admit that somewhere I have heard of the Howard Sisters but do not recall anything more. My loss! Dave, would they have perhaps performed on Country Hoedown or Don Messer or maybe both?

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 03:03 PM

This is the only other Bluenose song tha I have heard. Done by McGinty, a staple of the Halifax pub scene.

Bluenose

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Puzzled
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 10:06 AM

I am a member of the Riverport and Area Communty Choir trying to locate the person(s) holding the copyright for "The Ballad of the Bluenose" words and music by David Martins and arrangement by D. Skilling as published in "Canada is...Music 7-8" by Thompson. It indicates that copyright rests with Quality Records, part of Quality Music Publishing, a division of Selkirk Communications. However, that was sold in 1988 and resold twice more since then.
I have searched all the links I can think of. Can anyone help?

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 07:02 PM

The Nov Scotia Song Collection lists the copyright address as Broadband/Quality Music, 467 Church St., Toronto. Ont.
This is probably the same old address that you have. The book makes no mention of any D. Skilling.
It seems that Dave Martins lives in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Allister MacGillivray may be of help to you because he probably still forewards royalties to him from the publication.
Sea Cape Music Limited
PO Box357
Sydney, Nova Scotia,
    B1P6H2

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Satyajay Mandal
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 10:04 PM

In the Blue Nose song there is neither any stanza like "her hull was long and black" and nor any stanza like "now just the other day" so remove it which will be good for you or else music dept. will kill you

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: GUEST,Satyajay Mandal
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 10:53 PM

its notes are-মামামামামাপাদা পামাজ্ঞারাসাদা্ সামামামাপাদাদাদাপাদাণা (ণাণার্সাণাদাপা)২ পা ণাদাণা দাপামা জ্ঞাঋাঋাসা জ্ঞাজ্ঞামা মাজ্ঞামাজ্ঞারাসা রাজ্ঞামাজ্ঞারাসাসারাসাদা্ জ্ঞাজ্ঞামা মাজ্ঞামাজ্ঞারাসা র্সার্ঋার্সা ণাদাপা মাজ্ঞারা সানা্সা ||

Satyajay those symbols don't work on English language screens, but welcome to the conversation. Do you have a version of the song you can post? --mudelf

Subject: RE: Origin: The Bluenose
From: Tootler
Date: 27 Apr 12 - 06:39 PM

Subject: RE: Bluenose song
From: Snuffy - PM
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 10:42 AM

Dave,

Hughie Jones did indeed record this on his 1999 album Seascape, where it is credited to Dave Martins. I don't know of a recording by the Spinners.

The Spinners did indeed record this song. I had it on a 7" single. I may still have it, but I doubt it as I lost a lot of my singles many years ago, though I did manage to hang on to a few.

And to respond to GUEST,Satyajay Mandal, it did have the line "now just the other day" at least. I remember it quite clearly. It's quite possible you are confusing two different songs on the same theme.