Lyr Add: The Keel Row III

Subject: The Keel Row III ^^
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 12 May 00 - 07:49 AM

Keel Row III

Chorus-

Weel may the keel row,
the keel row, the keel row,
Weel may the keel row, and better may she speed:
Weel may the keel row, the keel row, the keel row,
Weel may the keel row, that gets athe bairns their breed.

We teuk wor keel up to the dyke,
Up to the dyke, up to the dyke,
We teuk wor keel up to the dyke,
And there we gat her load;
Then sail'd away down to Shields,
Down to Shields, down to Shields,
Then sail'd away down to Shields,
And shipp'd wor coals abroad.
 

Then we row'd away up to the fest,
Up to the fest, up to the fest,
We row'd away up to the fest,
Cheerly every man;
Pat by wor gear and moor'd wor keel,
And moor'd wor keel, and Moor'd wor keel,
Pat by wor gear and moor'd wor keel,
Then went and drak wor can,

Our canny wives, our clean fireside,
Our bonny bairns, their parent's pride,
Sweet smiles that make life smoothly glide,
We find when we gan hyem:
They'll work for us when we get au'd,
The'll keep us frae the winter's cau'd;
As lifedeclines they'll us uphaud--
When young we uphaud them.

-T. Thompson (Listed as Keel Row "New" --In: The Newcastle Song Book
or Tyne-Side Songster., W&T Fordyce
Newcastle Upon Tyne. ^^

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: GUEST,George Henderson NSC
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:13 AM

You say listed as Keel Row "New".

What date was the Newcastle song Book issued?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: raredance
Date: 12 May 00 - 09:21 PM

This version of the Keel Row song is also found in the book "the Music of the Waters" by Laura Alexandrine Smith published in 1888. Ms Smith calls it "Weel may the Keel Row, that gets the Bairns their Breed". The more common version of "Weel May the Keel Row" that is found in the DT (search: [keel row])was the basis for a song written by Pete Seeger called "Well May The World Go". The Seeger song does not appear to be in the DT. I will add it in a separate thread.

rich r

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: Conrad Bladey (Peasant- Inactive)
Date: 14 May 00 - 07:42 PM

So far in my collection I have three versions One called "New" the other called new in table of contents but called the Keel Row in the body (this version)

and another simply called "the Keel Row"

the date of the text is unfortunately only known as 18-- but we are narrowing that down a bit and looks post 1840 but more later on that.

Conrad

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 07:29 PM

The verses posted above long ago by Conrad Bladey appear with the title Weel May the Keel Row That Gets the Bairns Their Breed in "Allan's Tyneside Songs," with the note, "Marshall's Collection, 1827; Unknown."

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: GUEST,Conrad
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 07:59 PM

Good to hear

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: GUEST,Jake
Date: 24 Oct 24 - 10:01 AM

Can anyone say what "Weel may the keel row" actually means? I know a "keel" is a type of boat and a "row" is a big oar, but "may"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: David C. Carter
Date: 24 Oct 24 - 01:53 PM

Does it not mean...Better Best?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 24 - 05:16 AM

The keel was a flat bottom cargo boat used on the Tyne. If you're on the main rail line heading north through Newcastle, you'll see a long low mainly brick buliding near the track- the 'Keelans' Hospital'

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Keel Row III
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 25 Oct 24 - 09:14 AM

GUESTJake writes: "Can anyone say what "Weel may the keel row" actually means? I know a "keel" is a type of boat and a "row" is a big oar, but "may"?"

'Row' here is a verb rather than a noun. 'May' is simply the auxiliary verb with which you are doubtless familiar. It's a construction similar to the Scots 'Lang may yer lum reek.' A blessing or a wish of sorts.