Lyr Add: The Eagle Steam Packet

Subject: The Eagle Steam Packet
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 02 May 00 - 12:53 PM


The Eagle Steam Packet

Oh, hae ye heard the wond'rous news?
To hear me sang ye'll not refuse,
Since the new Stam Packet's ta'en a cruise,
An' bore away for Sunderland.

The folks cvam flocking ower the keels,
Betwixt Newcassel Key and Sheels,
Before she ply'd her powerful wheels,
To work their way to Sunderland.

The sky was clear, the day was fine,
Their dress an' leggage all in stile;
An' they thought to cut a woud'rous shine,
When they got safe to Sunderland.

Now when they to the Pier drew nigh,
The guns did fire and streamers fly;
In a moment all was hue and cry,
Amang the folks at Sunderland.

There was male and female lean an' fat,
An' some wi' whiskers like a cat;
But a Barber's "water-proof silk hat"
Was thought he tip at Sunderland.

In pleasures sweet they spent the day,
The shtot-liv'd moments wing'd away;
When they must haste without delay,
To quit the port of Sunderland.

As on the ocean wide they drew,
A strong North wind against them blew,
And the billows dash'd the windows through:
A woeful trip to Sunderland.

Such howlin, screamin rend the sky,
All in confusion they did lie,
With pain and sickness like to die,
They wish'd they'd ne'er seen Sunderland.

A lady lay beside the door,
Said she had been at sea before,
Whee foaming billows loud did roar,
But ne'er had been at Sunderland.

She soon amongst the heap was thrown,
While here and there they sat alone:
Poo Puff had passage up and down,
But none could get from Sunderland.

Some in a corner humm'd their prayers,
While others choak'd the cabin stairs;
And bloody noses, unawares,
Werre got in sight of Sunderland.

In vain they strove now to proceed,
So back again they came with speed;
But the passengers were all nigh deed,
When they got back to Sunderland.

Now their dresses fine look'd worse than rags,
While each a safe conveyance begs,
And many had to use their legs,
To travel home fromSunderland.

By this affair your reason guide,
When on the seas you'd wish to ride,
Choose a good strong ship with wind and tide;
And so good bye to Sunderland.

-Wm. Midford, In: The Newcastle Song Book or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Eagle Steam Packet
From: radriano
Date: 02 May 00 - 05:34 PM

Conrad, can you give us a melody for this song?

radriano

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Eagle Steam Packet
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 May 00 - 06:45 PM

This scans pretty close (if not exactly like) "The Halls Of Cromdale". That tune should work well...?

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Eagle Steam Packet
From: GUEST,Lou Killen
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 10:41 AM

Dan Milner gave me a note about this on the 6th of May but I hadn't really put my mind to it until this morning. The tune that almost immediately came to my mind was "The Anti-Gallican Privateer", the tune of which can be found in Bruce and Stokoe's "Northumbrian Minstrelsy" (I think that's where I got it from - I put that song on the first recording I did for Topic in 1962, a 45rpm called "Northumbrian Garland"). The last line would be used as a chorus, thus:

O, hev ye hord the wundrous news T' heor me sang ye'll not refuse Since the new Steam Packet's ta'en a cruise An' bore away for Sunderland Sunderland Sunderland An' bore away for Sunderland

Sung this way is typical of Tyneside satirical songs - giving the audience a chance to join in.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Eagle Steam Packet
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 09:21 PM

Hi Lou!

I did not realize you ever made a 45. I did buy a few in 1961 but they were mostly Buddy Holly, Billy Fury, The Shadows, etc.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Eagle Steam Packet
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 05 Jul 00 - 01:59 AM

What the heck, Lou! You been lurkin' around here for a while and not a peep out of you till now? Or maybe I've just failed to read all the Tyneside threads to which you may have contributed. Anyway, lad, it's good to see you here, and don't take that Milner guy seriously. I doubt he ever bought a 45rpm of The Shadows.

Sandy