Lyr ADD: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)

Subject: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: Mike D
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 12:46 PM

Does anyone know the lyrics to this song. I can remember hearing it about 30 yr ago. I am not sure if that is the title but some of the words I do recall are as follows. When the weather is fine, and you know it's no crime try messin' about on the river. ......so take my advice and try something nice, try messin' about on the river.

regards all

Mike

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: Jon W.
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 01:23 PM

Is this possibly from Disney's version of "The Wind in the Willows?" I remember a song something like this when Mr. Toad got infatuated with boats.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: Mike
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 10:19 PM

Not sure if it is from the Wind in the Willows.... I only know I remember it from 30 yr ago. I believe it is English in origin.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: Alex
Date: 21 Aug 97 - 12:13 AM

You are correct about the song being English - it was one of those awful "pop" recordings that we got on BBC radio before rock 'n' roll and the Beatles came along. The rhythm accompaniment sounded like rowing. I don't have the words, but if you are interested, there was an underground parody "Rugby Song" which had such lyrics as "Watching the stunts of the c**nts in their punts, just f***ing about on the river".

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: John Nolan
Date: 21 Aug 97 - 02:29 AM

"Messing about on the river" was written and recorded by the late Scottish folksinger Josh White, for whom there was a great appreciation night at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow a couple of years ago - this song was a centerpiece. I only know snatches like, "there are long boats and short boats and all kinds of craft, boats with no engines and boats with no draft...a double canoe is perfect for two, when messing about on the river," (presumably the Clyde). Josh's memorial night was hosted by Paisley-based folksinger Danny Kyle, who certainly knew the words that night (check his cuff)...and so, all ya gotta do is...

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: John Nolan
Date: 21 Aug 97 - 03:26 AM

Ooops! Sorry Mike, make that Josh McCrae.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: Mike
Date: 21 Aug 97 - 12:20 PM

Thanks Alex but I do not think my audience (family) would appreciate the 'Rugby' version.

John: Thanks for the songwriter etc. some of the words are now coming back to me. I will search the net. If you can remember or find anything else - please let me know

regards

Mike D

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From:
Date: 21 Aug 97 - 01:27 PM

The _Wind in the Willows_ connection must be because of this quotation:

"There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not."

Subject: Lyr Req: MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER (Josh MacRae)
From: bigj
Date: 09 Sep 97 - 06:31 PM

Seems to be plenty of opinion but no words, so here goes:-

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER
Josh MacRae

1. When the weather is fine, then you know it's a sign
For messing about on the river.
If you take my advice, there's nothing so nice
As messing about on the river.
There are long-boats and short boats and all sorts of craft,
And cruisers and keel boats and some with no draught.
So, take off your coat, go jump in a boat.
Go messing about on the river.

2. There are boats made from kits that greet you in bits
For messing about on the river;
Or you might like to scull in a glass-fibre hull,
Just messing about on the river.
There are tillers and rudders and anchors and cleats
And ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets.
With the wind in your face, there's no finer place
Than messing about on the river

3. There are skippers and mates and rowing-club eights
Just messing about on the river.
There are pontoons and trots, and all sorts of knots
For messing about on the river.
With inboards and outboards and dinghies you sail.
The first thing you learn is the right way to bail.
In a one-seat canoe, you're the skipper and crew
When you're messing about on the river.

4. There are bridges and locks and moorings and docks
When you're messing about on the river.
There are whirlpools and weirs that you mustn't go near
When messing about on the river.
There are backwater places all hidden from view,
And quaint little islands just waiting for you,
So I'll leave you right now to cast off your bow
To go messing about on the river.


WOW, I've just followed Joe Offer's instruction about 'cut and paste' contained in "The Stretching of Larry' and it worked. Thanks Joe. I've amazed myself at being able to follow instructions.

Subject: RE: Lyrics: Messin' about on the river
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Sep 97 - 09:58 PM

Well done, bigj, and now your next lesson is how to insert line feeds so the lines come out even - you put "br" (without quotes), bracketed within those little arrow thingies that are on your comma and period keys. Once you learn that, you will be up to my level of learning. Then you can study the Real Masters, and learn how to do things in color and italics and such. All that gets too darn complicated for me to bother with, but being able to move to the next line is nice. You're off to a great start.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Messing About On The River
From:
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 05:24 AM

I've searched hours for this. It was well known, so someone else must know it

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About On The River
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 05:56 AM

We've had an earlier thread on this that eventully turned up the words, type the title in the Forum and Digitrad Search box above and it's in a reply from Ewen McVicar.
RtS

Subject: Lyr Add: MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER (Anthony)
From: IanC
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:06 AM

From a children's songs page. Sorry, I had to cut & paste.

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER

(Anthony)

(Performed by Josh Macrae)

When the weather is fine
Then you know it's a sign
For messing about on the river

If you take my advice
There's nothing so nice
As messing about on the river

There are longboats and short boats and all sorts of craft
And cruisers and keelboats and some with no draught

So take off your coat
And hop in a boat
Go messing about on the river

There are boats made from kits
That reach you in bits
For messing about on the river

Or you might like to scull
In a glass-fibre hull
Just messing about on the river

There are tillers and rudders and anchors and cleats
And ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets

With the wind in your face
There's no finer place
Than messing about on the river

[Up a tone]

There are skippers and mates
And rowing club eights
Just messing about on the river

There are pontoons and yachts
And all sorts of knots
For messing about on the river

With inboards and outboards and dinghies you sail
The first thing you learn is the right way to bale

In a one-seat canoe
You're the skipper and crew
Just messing about on the river

[Up another tone]

There are bridges and locks
And moorings and docks
When messing about on the river

There's a whirlpool and weir
That you mustn't go near
When messing about on the river

There are backwater places all hidden from view
And quaint little islands just waiting for you

So I'll leave you right now
To cast off your bow
To go messing about on the river

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About On The River
From: GUEST,Lucy Wheeler
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 12:59 PM

Thank you so much for finding the lyrics to this song. Am putting on The Wind in the Willows with a bunch of 6 year olds, and its just the job!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River
From:
Date: 16 May 05 - 03:52 PM

Did any body get hold of the sheet music for "Messing about on the river" my amateur dramtic society need it! Can any one help please?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River
From: GUEST,Big John
Date: 06 Oct 07 - 07:44 AM

MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER
(Tony Hatch / Les Reed)

Josh MacRae - 1962
Danny Kyle - 1998


When the weather is fine you know it's the time
For messin' about on the river
If you take my advice there's nothing so nice
As messin' about on the river
There's big boats and wee boats ands all kinds of craft
Puffers and keel boats and some with no raft
With the wind in your face there's no finer place
Than messin' about on the river

There are boats made from kits that'll reach you in bits
For messin' about on the river
And you might want to skull in a glass fibred hull
Go messin' about on the river
Anchors and tillers and rudders and cleets
Ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets
With the wind in your face there's no finer place
Than messin' about on the river

Skippers and mates and rowing club eights
All messin' about on the river
Capstans and quays where you tie up with ease
All messin' about on the river
Outboards and inboards and dinghies you sail
The first thing you learn is the right way to bale
In a one man canoe you're both skipper and crew
Messin' about on the river

Moorings and docks, tailors and locks
All messin' about on the river
Whirlpools and weirs that you must not go near
Messin' about on the river
Backwater places all hidden from view
Mysterious wee islands just waiting for you
So I'll leave you right now, go cast off your bow
Go messing about on the river

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Terry Hewett
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 08:56 AM

Verse 2:
There are boats made from kits that reach you in bits

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacR
From: cptsnapper
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 09:30 AM

I think that this was written by Tony Hatch. Apparently when Josh recorded it he had hurt his hand so the guitar was played by Rena Swankie who worked with Josh in the Reivers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 09:45 AM

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pOVC0-gIFck

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Jul 08 - 09:47 AM

Somewhere in my pile of lyrics , I have a nice re write about Surgeons - 'Messing About With Your Liver'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:46 PM

When the weather is fine you know it's the time
For messin' about on the river
If you take my advice there's nothing so nice
As messin' about on the river
There's big boats and wee boats ands all kinds of craft
Puffers and keel boats and some with no raft
With the wind in your face there's no finer place
Than messin' about on the river

There are boats made from kits that'll reach you in bits
For messin' about on the river
And you might want to skull in a glass fibred hull
Go messin' about on the river
Anchors and tillers and rudders and cleets
Ropes that are sometimes referred to as sheets
With the wind in your face there's no finer place
Than messin' about on the river

Skippers and mates and rowing club eights
All messin' about on the river
Capstans and quays where you tie up with ease
All messin' about on the river
Outboards and inboards and dinghies you sail
The first thing you learn is the right way to bale
In a one man canoe you're both skipper and crew
Messin' about on the river

Moorings and docks, tailors and locks
All messin' about on the river
Whirlpools and weirs that you must not go near
Messin' about on the river
Backwater places all hidden from view
Mysterious wee islands just waiting for you
So I'll leave you right now, go cast off your bow
Go messing about on the river

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 04:35 AM

..... Another early success was 'Messing About On The River', a turntable hit written and produced by him for Scottish folk singer Josh MacRae. Years later the song would be used in 'Wind In The Willows', the movie version of the book that had inspired Tony to write it.   http://www.spectropop.com/TonyHatch/index.htm

I have a 45, PYE 7N.15319, Josh MacRae singing Messing about on the River, with the writer named as Mark Anthony which was an alias used by Tony Hatch.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 09:33 AM

ced2 has already written a song called ' Messing About With Your Liver '

eric

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Beke
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 03:40 PM

I am a sucker for amusing parodies and am intrigued by

Messing about with your liver

If you can find it - would love to read it. Thanks

---

Click for "liver"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: Micca
Date: 03 Jun 09 - 05:19 PM

Try Blue Clicky at the top of this thread or Here Guest, Beke For "Messing about with your Liver"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Dickie Bow.
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 10:40 AM

It's very interesting looking at all these replies, I thought I was the only person in the world who knew of this song. Now, the big question- is it still available on record/disc/tape, and does anyone know where?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 04:34 AM

Dickie Bow, if you email me at [e-mail] I can let you have a copy of Messing About on the River.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Dann
Date: 10 Oct 12 - 07:29 AM

Does any one know where to find a free download of the music?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: mayomick
Date: 10 Oct 12 - 10:10 AM

It used to be the signature tune to a sixties program about fishing on the BBC . I can't remember what it was called , but the presenter's name was Jack Hargreaves .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 11 Oct 12 - 09:08 AM

This was on the radio and juke boxes all the time when I first came to England, anyone have the guitar chords?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Sandra R
Date: 27 Jan 13 - 10:36 AM

I remember that the words were:

At the end of the day
There's nothing so gay
As messing about on the river

Wonder if they have conveniently changed them now, due to the different meaning of Gay?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,WillQ
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 01:53 PM

Several posters have remembered that this song was used in a Wind In The Willows film (1996). It's worth noting that in the film, only one verse is sung ... and it's not one of the four verses written by Tony Hatch, but a new fifth written for the film.

Tony Hatch is rightly credited in the film credits for music, but the lyrics credit is given to Terry Jones (yes, that one), who penned this new verse:

There's plenty to do and lots of time too
Messing about on the river
Wherever you go, you go with the flow
When you're messing about on the river
Whether you get there, whether you don't
You think it would matter -- I tell you it won't!
Lots to be done, and it's all of it fun
When you're messing about on the river

Wind in the Willows film credits
Eric Idle singing Terry Jones' verse

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 02:12 PM

Are the dots available for this anywhere? Free or paid for?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,threelegsoman
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 07:57 PM

I don't have the sheet music, but my YouTube version includes lyrics and chords:

Messing About On The River (Including lyrics and chords)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,egdl
Date: 08 Aug 17 - 03:27 PM

There's no need for "dots". Its so easy, just chords E,A,D on a guitar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Messing About on the River (Josh MacRae)
From: GUEST,Ukulele freak
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 09:10 AM

There's a version on OzBecos; it was perfromed by Josh McCrea, but written by Tony Hatch and Lou Read.