Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman

Subject: mellodie request: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: belter
Date: 12 Apr 98 - 01:31 PM

I'm want to play the NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN for a special ocation, but although I can sing it (more or less) I don't know what the notes are supost to be can any one help me?

Subject: RE: mellodie request: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: Catfeet
Date: 12 Apr 98 - 10:11 PM

It may be in the Makem & Clancy songbook. I do know that they did it on at least one album, but not owning the songbook I can't tell you specifically. It is, however, a direction to look in if no one else is able to help. Good hunting.

Catfeet

Subject: RE: mellodie request: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: alison
Date: 15 Apr 98 - 07:57 PM

Hi,

sorry, it's not in either of my Makem & Clancy songbooks.

SLainte

Alison

Subject: RE: mellodie request: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: Murray
Date: 18 Apr 98 - 02:08 AM

Try this: 3/4 d/ sl sf rt,/ dd d-- d/ rr rm fs/ ll s-- s/slt d' sm/ fsl s-- d/ msl sf rt,/ d d d --that should get you close, at any rate. This is the sol-fa system I mentioned lang syne. The words, in my version anyway, fit as follows: In/ Newlyn to-wn I was/ bred and born, On/ Ste-phen's Gre-en I/ die in scorn; Ap-/prenticed I was to the/ sa-dd-lers trade, But I /a-l-ways wa-s a-a / roving blade. [I hope you can follow the way the syllables fir the notes. That "Stephen's Green" might be wrong by the way, since it places the action (of his execution) in Ireland; all the rest took place in England. Anyway, hope this suits. --If you want me to send sheet music, get me your snail address.

Subject: Tune Add: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: alison
Date: 20 Apr 98 - 02:45 AM

Hi,

well here's the translation from Murray's sol fa. See if this sounds about right.

MIDI file: NEWRYHI.MID

Timebase: 480

Name: Newry Highwayman
TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Key: C
Tempo: 100 (600000 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0960 1 60 042 0478 0 60 042 0002 1 67 046 0238 0 67 046 0002 1 69 053 0238 0 69 053 0002 1 67 043 0238 0 67 043 0002 1 65 050 0238 0 65 050 0002 1 62 043 0238 0 62 043 0002 1 59 038 0238 0 59 038 0002 1 60 029 0238 0 60 029 0002 1 60 038 0238 0 60 038 0002 1 60 042 0718 0 60 042 0002 1 60 042 0238 0 60 042 0002 1 62 032 0238 0 62 032 0002 1 62 038 0238 0 62 038 0002 1 62 040 0238 0 62 040 0002 1 64 048 0238 0 64 048 0002 1 65 036 0238 0 65 036 0002 1 67 043 0238 0 67 043 0002 1 69 046 0238 0 69 046 0002 1 69 044 0238 0 69 044 0002 1 67 042 0478 0 67 042 0242 1 67 044 0238 0 67 044 0002 1 67 044 0120 1 69 048 0205 0 67 044 0035 1 71 042 0193 0 69 048 0176 0 71 042 0064 1 72 049 0478 0 72 049 0002 1 67 040 0238 0 67 040 0002 1 64 030 0238 0 64 030 0002 1 65 034 0180 0 65 034 0002 1 67 036 0126 0 67 036 0015 1 69 043 0157 1 67 044 0168 0 69 043 0697 1 60 043 0718 0 67 044 0238 0 60 043 0034 1 64 057 0118 0 64 057 0040 1 67 041 0118 0 67 041 0014 1 69 037 0118 0 69 037 0085 1 67 038 0214 1 69 029 0238 0 67 038 0204 1 62 037 0238 0 69 029 0218 1 59 034 0238 0 62 037 0230 1 60 035 0255 0 59 034 0279 1 60 031 0011 0 60 035 0192 1 60 036 0035 0 60 031 1457 0 60 036
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the January 15 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:Newry Highwayman
M:3/4
Q:1/4=100
K:C
C2|GAGFDB,|CCC3C|DDDEFG|AAG2zG|G3/4A/2B/2z/4c2GE|
F3/4G/2A3/4G3C|E/2G3/4A/2z/2GA3/4DB,|C15/4|
C5/4C||

Slainte

Alison

Subject: Tune Add: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: BAZ
Date: 22 Apr 98 - 06:02 PM

This is the tune that we sing the Newry Highwayman to. We got it from an old Johnstons record from the early 70's. It goes quite quick. It's very similar to a tune already in the database for Sovay, Sovay,
X: 1
T:NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
M:4/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=120
K:Em
"D"GFG|"(Bm)"E2GG|"Em"(EF)GE|zBAG|F2D2|(B,C)DE|zGGA|
M:3/4
B2 EFED|
M:4/4
"Bm"B,4|zB,EF|
M:3/4
"Em"G2Ez/E/EB|
M:4/4
B2(BA-|AE)"D"FD|"Em"E4|z||
Regards Baz

Subject: RE: mellodie request: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN
From: belter
Date: 23 Apr 98 - 03:49 PM

I appreiciate the effort. between all these formats I should be able to put an arangment together. I keep saying I'll figure that midi stuff out one of these days.

Subject: Newry Highwayman
From: InOBU
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:29 PM

Does any one have a cure for the hole in the ballad the Newry Highwayman or Newry Town as sung by Karen Casey? She leaves out a verse about him being a bold and wicked youth...
It is the Newry town which starts

In Newry town I was bred and born
In Stephens Green now I lie in scorn...
Thanks ahead of time, you all always come through...
Larry

---

Click for lyrics in DT

---

Messages from multiple threads combined.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Peg
Date: 18 May 00 - 12:33 PM

um, Larry, I thought that lyric appeared on the CD? or maybe there is just that comment in the notes section..."it's in the cradle I should have died" is a depressing lyric, to be sure...good song, I am glad you are doing it. I will see if I can find out about this stanza...

peg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 18 May 00 - 04:41 PM

Also called "Wild and Wicked Youth", "Rambling Boy", "Irish Robber". Versions set in England and in Ireland, but no very common title. See (Laws) L12 in DT.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:25 PM

Allen Tyne of Harrow is an (older I believe) version. I think it's in the DT. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Barry Fiin
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:27 PM

Should've readan English version. Hi Bruce, you got any more on this one, love to read it, thanks & hope to see ya soon some where. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 18 May 00 - 05:43 PM

Search on 'Newry' on the Bodley ballads website and you come up with several copies of "Wild and Wicked/Wick'd Youth". This seems to be set in London, but the only Stephen's Green (2nd line) that I know of is in Dublin. Is this an English reworking of an Irish ballad?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 18 May 00 - 06:01 PM

The Bodley Ballads website also has "The Jolly Blade" (and in Lib. of Congress) set in Dublin, where Stephen's Green makes senase, and which seems to be earlier than the "Wild and Wicked Youth". The Lib. of Congress also has "The Irish Robber" which is related, but which I didn't make a copy of.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 18 May 00 - 06:31 PM

See also on the Bodley Ballads website "The Flash Lad" (search on 'flash') where the opening is different, and the conclusion seems to the borrowed from "Buck's Elegy/ Unfortunate Rake".

Subject: Lyr Add: NEWRY HIGHWAYMAN^^^
From: Aoife
Date: 18 May 00 - 06:47 PM

Or here it is: (As printed in "More Irish Street Ballads" collected by Colm O Lochlainn)

I am not sure if this is the exact version that Karan Casey does, but it is close enough.

In Newry town I was bred and born
In Stephens Green now I lie in scorn
I served me time to the saddling trade
I always was a roving blade. x2

At seventeen I took a wife
I loved her dearly as I loved my life
And for to keep her both fine and gay
I went out robbing on the kings highway x2

I never robbed a poor man yet
Nor lately caused anyone to fret
But I've robbed lords and ladies bright
And I've carried their gold home to me hearts delight x2

I robbed Lord Golding I do declare
And Lady Mansel in Grosvenor Square
I shut the shudders and bade them good night
And home I went then to my hearts delight x2

My father cried "O, my darling son."
My wife she sighed "O I am undone."
My mother tore her white locks and cried
"Tis in the cradle he should have died" x2

And when I'm dead and in my grave
A flashy funeral pray let me have:
With six bold highwaymen to carry me
Give them good broadswords and sweet liberty x2^^^

I hope this helps you. The version on that Solas album is incredible!

Cheers, Aoife

---

This is very close to the version in the Digital Tradition, but there are some interesting differences.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Aoife
Date: 18 May 00 - 06:51 PM

OOOOOH is this the missing verse?

Six pretty maidens to bear my pall,
Give them white garlands and ribbons all;
And when I'm dead they will speak the truth
HE was a wild and a wicked youth. x2

I also think i left out this verse which should go before the one about everyone crying:

To Covent Garden I took my way
With my dear wife for to see the play;
Lord Fielding's gang they did me pursue
And I was taken by the cursed crew x2

Sorry I failed to read the original thread completely!

-Aoife

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 00 - 08:07 AM

Aoife!
You win! That's the one. As to Tynne of Harrow, different story, but a GREAT song, one of my favorites. Thanks to all.
Larry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 19 May 00 - 09:23 AM

In some of the versions I've heard the name of Feilding, the same Ned Fielding Tyne buys his horse from? the place names a change but I believe that's only to protect the innocent, like Turner Green instead of Stephen's, he holds up Lord Lands(sp?) instead of Lord Golding & then he robs Lord Akinstone(sp?) he robs at Covent Gardens & instead of Lady Mansel he robs the Earl of Warren, & wwhere is Grosvenor Square? I think there's to many connections between the 2 to say they're not connected. Barry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson at work
Date: 19 May 00 - 09:29 AM

great song! I got my version from the Johnstons, who recorded it on vinyl around 1970 and it is very much as posted here. Thanks for reminding me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Aoife
Date: 19 May 00 - 06:14 PM

Glad to help. Actually, the tune printed in Colm O Lochlainns book is quite a variation on the tune that Solas uses, but hey, there's trad music for you.

-Aoife

P.S. Every fan of traditional street songs and ballads should get a hold of this book if they don't already have it!

"Irish Street Ballads" and "More Irish Street Ballads" collected and annotated by Colm O Lochlainn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 19 May 00 - 06:37 PM

Hi Barry, the Fielding in the song refers to Lord Henry Fielding, London magistrate and author of well-known bawdy novel "Tom Jones".
Incidentally IMHO the killer version of this song is by Sean Cannon.

Murray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Lesley N.
Date: 19 May 00 - 06:56 PM

Fielding was a fascinating man (author of Tom Jones too). There's a great page on him at Henry Fielding (http://www.incompetech.com/authors/fielding/)

I have Flash Lad (http://www.contemplator.com/folk6/flashlad.html) at my site - the arrangement is from Barrett's English Folk-Songs (1891).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Just plain Mark again
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 12:48 AM

Does anyone know if "The Newry Highwayman" has an Australian version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 03:06 AM

Pete, the Johnstons version has been reissued on CD. It is from their 'Barley Corn' album which, together with 'The Johnstons' album, may be found on a single CD: The Johnstons 'The Johnstons/Barley Corn' Essential/Castle Communications ESM CD 410 - great stuff, great value.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 09:44 AM

The lyric "Nor lately caused anyone to fret" is "Nor any tradesman did I beset" in the Clancy Brothers version I have...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 10:13 AM

There's also a fine version of this recorded by John Faulkner.

Peace

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: MartinRyan
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 10:57 AM

In Ireland, "Alan Tyne of Harrow" became "Valentine O'Hara"! One of my favourite examples of the folk-process.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:45 PM

No Australian variant then?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Bruce O.
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 11:38 PM

I couldn't find an Australian version in Steve Roud's folk song index. In the index the song is #490, (Laws L12) and he indexes about 87 traditional versions (under a large number of titles), mostly from England and the USA and Canada, several from Scotland, and 1 or 2 from Ireland.

He gives "The Wild and Wicked Youth" broadside the same number, but "The Jolly Blade" and "The Flash Lad" broadsides, although in in his broadside index, do not have numbers, so he didn't associate these two with any versions of the traditional song, even though Barrett's "The Flash Lad" is in the folk song index. I think this is probably a mistake, but comparison of each traditional text with each broadside, keeping tack of sameness and differences, would be a formidable task for this song alone, and clearly can't be done for such a huge index. That would be a good project for a separate study.

The Bodley Ballads website also has a copy of "Valentine O'Hara", but I coundn't find "Allan Tyne of Harrow". This looks like it may be distantly related to "The Newry Highwayman", but it isn't his sweetheart who betrays him, and the ballad opens with quite different adventures than "The Newry Highwaynman"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 01:04 AM

Thanks Bruce. Your help is much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 05:41 AM

Alan Tyne of Harrow and the Newry Highwayman (or sometimes "Newry Town") are related in their content certainly but are two quite separate, and excellent, songs.

Peace

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Jimmy C
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 06:45 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman Also from OLochlainn's"More Irish Street Ballads" see Aoife's responses above - There is another verse ( verse #3) that goes;

'Tis when my money it did grow low
Upon the highway I was forced to go nd brought their gold home to my Heart's Delight

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Jimmy C
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 06:49 PM

Sorry about that - 3rd verse goes

'Tis when my money it did grow low
Upon the highway I was forced to go
I robbed both lords and ladies bright
And brought their jewels (2) to my Hearts Delight

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 07:34 PM

There's a rather good American version,  Reckless Rambling Boy,  sung by Allie Long Parker in Pleasant Valley Community, Eureka Springs, Arkansas on June 3, 1959, at the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection.

Malcolm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: The Lighthouse
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 10:38 PM

Lyrics at www.makem.com

Hit discography and then lyrics

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Paddy
Date: 19 Dec 06 - 02:52 PM

the best version is called Newry Town, sung by John Faulkner.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 03:51 AM

'Tisn't,
The best version is Walter Pardon's 'Rambling Blade' with Harry Cox's 'Newlyn Town as a close second - all a matter of taste I suppose.
Jim Carroll

Subject: Lyr Add: WILD 'PRENTICE BOY (trad. New Brunswick)
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 20 Dec 06 - 10:27 PM

My partner Fred got a version of this from his grandfather who worked in the woods here in Maine.It's called the Wild Prentice Boy. Unfortunately the old man had emphasema so the melody was lost, but Fred made a new one which his grandmother approved and has erecorded it on our album "Looking Home".
Here are words

THE WILD 'PRENTICE BOY (Trad. New Brunswick) collected by Fred Gosbee in 1969 from his grandfather, John West, who worked in the lumber woods

My name is Edward Houlahan
I was born in Erin's sunny isle
My father bound me to a trade
And they called me a flashing blade

At sweet sixteen I took a wife
I loved her as I loved my life
To maintain her both wide and free
I took to robbing on the king's highway

I robbed Lord Darling I do declare
I robbed Lady Welsh of her golden ware
I robbed them both of their gold so bright
And carried it off to my heart's delight

I never robbed a poor man yet
Or caused a tradesman for to quit
But from the rich gave to the poor
That's what brought me to this unhappy hour

For now I am condemned to die
And many a fair maid for me will cry
But all their tears cannot pity me
For yonder stands the gallows tree

Let six bold robbers bury me
Give them broad swords and free liberty
Let six fair maidens bear my pall
Give them white robes and pink ribbons all
And when they speak let them speak the truth
"Here lies a bold and undaunted youth!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: Flash Company
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 05:35 AM

I always thought this was an interesting one! Mainly for how quickly he moved from Newry to London when he took up Highway Robbery,I can't remember who I heard it from, nor, indeed , can I remember all the words as I sang it, but I know I had verse three as....

I never robbed any poor man yet,
Nor any tradesman caused I to fret,
But I robbed Lords and their Ladies bright,
And carried their gold home to my heart's delight.

As it said in 'They don't teach that in School'...

He only robbed the rich 'cos the poor folk got no dough!

FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 06:47 AM

According to a book that I read recently, about crime in Eighteenth Century England, many young men, like the protagonist of this song 'took to the highway' because of the apprenticeship system. Apprentices were bound to their masters for seven years, during which time the master fed, clothed and housed them in return for teaching them a trade. But if during that time the apprentice got a girl pregnant or got married ("at seventeen-o I took a wife and I loved her dearly as I loved me life")he broke the terms of his apprenticeship and could find himself out on the street. Sometimes the only way to survive and to support a family was a life of crime.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: GUEST,Seiri Omaar
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 03:08 PM

Phil Cooper et al. do a version of Newry Highwayman. As does Brian Peters.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Newry Highwayman
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 03:52 PM

I think the 'wild and wicked youth' took to thieving because of his girlfriend's expensive shopping habit. Walter Pardon's Rambling Blade has got to be far and away the best version but I have a very soft spot for Tim Van Eyken doing Newry Town, mainly because there could scarcely be anyone more angelic-looking and less like a wild and wicked youth.