Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Compton
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 09:57 AM

It doesn't look as though anyone has mentioned that (I Think) Albert Whelan, a fairly well known Music Hall turn recorded this!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: GUEST,Bill S from Perth
Date: 07 Feb 08 - 08:07 AM

This takes me back, I borrowed it from Tony Rose in the early 70's and have done that version a few times over the years. One great venue was in the wonderful chapel at Fairbridge festival (WA) where I sang it from the pulpit, the song suited the venue well

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 08:20 PM

The catalogue of the National Library of Australia gives the following description:

Record ID: 1592800
Author: Thorn, Geoffrey.
Title: The parson and clerk [music] / words and music by Geoffrey Thorn ; arranged by Ernest J. Symons.
Publisher: London : Hopwood & Crew, [188-?]
Description: 1 score (5 p.) : ill. ; 35 cm.
Notes: For voice and piano.
Pl. no.: H & C. 2252.
Caption title.
"Sung with immense success by G.H. Macdermott" - Cover.
Cover lithography by Alfred Concanen.

Unfortunately, the sheet music is not viewable online.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 06 Feb 08 - 08:47 AM

"Great! - I never heard of versions of this except the one recorded by Phil Tanner on what I think was the dirst EFDSS LP, way back in prehistory. The thing about Walter - he had a version of practically everything."

No. The first EFDSS Folk Classics LP was the William Kimber. EFDSS LP 1001.

The Phil Tanner was the fifth in the series.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Anglo
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 08:47 PM

Thanks for that, Andrew. I never knew anything about the original. I have the 80 and 83 journals, but I'm missing 82. Another thing to be grateful to Roy Palmer for, but thanks for revealing it.

Hope you both had (are having?) a good trip around the world, see you again at the Getaway I hope.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Crane Driver
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 06:14 PM

The song was published in London in 1882, words and music by Geoffrey Thorn (alias Charles Townley) and 'sung with immense success by G H Macdermott'. Phil Tanner's text is close to the published version. Roy Palmer discovered the original and published it in the Folk Music Journal of 1982 (volume 4, number 3).

I sing Phil's version, influenced by Tony Rose.

Andrew

Subject: Lyr Req: The Parson and the Clerk.
From: folkwaller
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 12:27 PM

Believed to originate from Phil Tanner of South Wales and sung by Tony Rose.

---

Folkwaller - I moved you over here so you can see what we have already.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 03:10 AM

G'day All,

Anglo: I play mostly traditional dances on the Anglos (although my main instrument is button accordion, these days since The Backblocks Musicians have three other concertina players ... my wife, Patricia who plays (my previous favourite) 22 key Anglo, Sue who plays a 38 key Lachenal and Ralph who plays a 56 key Triumph/Crane duet as well as fiddle.

Callie: A powder monkey is the explosives expert on a construction site, (probably inherited from British Navy usage for the lad who loaded gunpowder into the cannon.) They are not always good people to live next to ... Back in 1966, when I was working on Meadowbank Hydro Dam in Tasmania, the powder monkey lived in the diagonal adjacent hut. It was long after I left that site that I found out that he was scrounging all the spare gelignite and keeping it under his hut - until he had 3 or 4 cases to sell on the black market ... !

'Duke' had already been bitten by the gold bug before the depression and, when he worked on 'Sustenance' jobs, like the infamous Sandy Hollow Railway Line, he got the job of "powder monkey" because of his experience with explosives.

I just checked the DigiTrad, and I notice that Duke's song The Sandy Hollow Line is not there ... so, perhaps, I should post that as well.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Callie
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 01:12 AM

What's a "powder monkey" Bob?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:44 AM

Some subtle differences to the version I know of, I'll have to go through the vinyl and see where it is - I suspect it's on one of those dreaded 'Best of British Folk' which usually has at least 4 Americans, 3 good songs and only 1 band anyone has ever heard of.

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Anglo
Date: 28 Jul 00 - 12:33 AM

Bit o' both actually, which is why the handle works for me. (I did play English concertina first though, took up Anglo to play for morris).

And there I thought Australia was a Godless country... If I need a "direct" version of one of those double-entendre songs, I usually look for an Aussie version, Cuckoo's Nest, Dog's Party, or suchlike.

Cheers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 11:36 PM

G'day Patrish and Anglo,

I will set the text into the music program and either screen grab (if res is sufficient) or scan in a printout ... either way, I'll use TIFF as the final since that is fine with Windows and seems to be the only acceptable format to the Mac-inclined.

I'll do that when I get home.

BTW: Patrish, It would have been 23.36 when I posted the second time. I am in Sydney and we are back on God's time, it being mid-winter. I presume your current time is Daylight Saving.

Also BTW: Anglo - Is your handle representing nationality, inclination or concertina preference? I play, inter alia Anglo concertinas (bush traditonal 20 or 22 key, not the 30+ Anglo-chromatic).

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Jim I
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 08:46 PM

There is a pretty good version of the Phil Tanner version on an old Tony Rose album - Young Hunting c. 1970.

Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Anglo
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 11:07 AM

PS. Bob, I'd also appreciate a GIF or TIFF screen grab, to [e-mail]

I use a Mac, and so far I don't have a way to handle MidiText. I use BarFly for ABC, but the ABC version of the tune gives me an errot after the first line, so that's all I get. (Is this just a Mac translation problem I wonder? Usually Barfly seems pretty good).

Many thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Anglo
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 10:53 AM

Great! - I never heard of versions of this except the one recorded by Phil Tanner on what I think was the dirst EFDSS LP, way back in prehistory. The thing about Walter - he had a version of practically everything.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: AndyG
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 10:09 AM

Patrish,

For a transcription of Walter Pardon's recording follow this link.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 09:58 AM

Thanks Bob, have a large slurp of port for me
My e-mail address is [e-mail]
what time is it where you are - its 3.00pm here
Patrish

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 09:36 AM

G'day Patrish,

I don't know any other name for this tune ... it has a 5-line structure to suit the "responses". If you can't play music on your computer, but can read it, I can send you a screen grab of the dots from my music-writing program (to an email address advised by my Personal Mail facility).

Unfortunately (or not) we can't send images to, or via, Mudcat.

Sorry about he glitch in this lyric whereby the 'bolding' does not turn off. I checked the code in the source file, but can't see the error ... maybe I should drink COFFEE while I wait for my computer to do things ... instead of PORT!

Regard(les),

Bob Bolton

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Parson & the Clerk - Australian
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 09:26 AM

Again thanks Bob. I really like this one but I'm stuck without a tune. I don't have the capability for sound on my computer. can you suggest an alternate one?
Patrish

Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: THE PARSON AND THE CLERK (Australia)
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 27 Jul 00 - 09:10 AM

G'day,

I promised Patrish, in another thread, to find these words and here they are: (from Mulga Wire/Singabout #13, pS2 (June 1979). This is an Australian collected version. The sentiments of the clerk would have wider appeal than those of the Parson!

The Parson and the Clerk

A parson preached to his flock one day, on the sins of the human race.
He said the evils of this world were really a shocking disgrace.
The pious clerk who sat by his side would venture a quiet remark.
"All sin is sweet," said the parson.
    "Then it's sin for me, " said the clerk … AMEN.
    "I'm all for sin," said the clerk … AMEN.

"The girls they all are a shameless lot," the parson he said with a groan.
"The boys too, of our Sunday school won't leave the young hussies alone,
I've seen them grinning behind their books, and I've seen those young dogs for a lark
Go kissing the girls," said the parson.
    "Why I've done it myself," said the clerk … AMEN
    "I'm proud of it too." said the clerk … AMEN

"The wealthy man," the parson said "will travel a path that is hard.
And when he reaches Heaven's gate, will find that the way there is barred.
So give all your money up to the church, to my words I bid you hark,
Never store up wealth" said the parson.
    "I'd like a few bob," said the clerk … AMEN
    "I'm damn near broke." said the clerk … AMEN

"And now dear friends my sermon's done, I hope you will mend your ways,
And never do as your parson does, but do as your parson says.
Also beware of the demon grog; 'twill lead you to ways that are dark.
Never drink, my friends." said the parson.
    "I'm dry as a bone," said the clerk … AMEN
    "I'm off for a pot," said the clerk … AMEN

This was remembered by JAMIE CARLIN from the singing of 'DUKE' TRITTON (Shearer, powder monkey, fencing contractor, gold fossicker &c). Little is known of the origins of the song.

MIDI file: parson-c.mid

Timebase: 240

TimeSig: 6/8 36 8
Tempo: 150 (400000 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0600 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 66 080 0048 0 66 064 0012 1 66 080 0048 0 66 064 0012 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0192 0 62 064 0048 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 64 080 0057 0 64 064 0003 1 64 080 0057 0 64 064 0003 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0216 1 62 080 0113 0 62 064 0007 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0192 0 62 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 71 080 0096 0 71 064 0024 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0384 0 62 064 0216 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0168 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 62 080 0192 0 62 064 0048 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 66 080 0057 0 66 064 0003 1 66 080 0057 0 66 064 0003 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0216 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 67 080 0096 0 67 064 0024 1 66 080 0096 0 66 064 0024 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 62 080 0096 0 62 064 0024 1 59 080 0192 0 59 064 0048 1 59 080 0192 0 59 064 0048 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 62 080 0048 0 62 064 0012 1 64 080 0048 0 64 064 0012 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0336 1 66 080 0288 0 66 064 0072 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0108 1 62 080 0057 0 62 064 0003 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 66 080 0192 0 66 064 0048 1 64 080 0048 0 64 064 0012 1 66 080 0048 0 66 064 0012 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0336 1 66 080 0288 0 66 064 0072 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:6/8
Q:1/4=150
K:C
D6|B2AG2^F/2^F/2|G2ED2D/2D/2|E2E/2E/2^F2^F|
G5D|B2AG2^F|G2ED2A|ABAG^FE|D5D|A2AA3|GGGD2D|
^F2^F/2^F/2^FE^F|G5D|G2GG^FE|DB,2B,2D/2D/2|
E2E^F2D/2E/2|G6|^F3G5/2D/2|E2E^F2E/2^F/2|
G6|^F3G13/8||

Regards,

Bob Bolton