Lyr ADD: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)

Subject: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Shanty Kees
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 10:41 AM

I am looking for the words of the song: "If I had a son" by Phil Millichip. I recently heard Vin Garbutt sing this song. It's a song about the mines. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 12:19 PM

I can't help, but I don't have a son by Phil Millichip... anyone else?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: nutty
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:07 PM

I think the chorus goes something like.........

If I had a son , he would never go down there
To work all his days in a dark dingy hole
They can close all the pits from Bedworth to China
For they've broken me -- body and soul
In search of that dirty black coal

not totally accurate but the best I can come up with at present
Someone should know the rest--- I t,s a great song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 01:53 PM

LOL, Mrzzy! I thought it might be a wistful recitation.

I don't know the song but it sounds like a good one.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: scouse
Date: 16 Dec 00 - 06:07 AM

It's sung beautifully by Vin Garbutt on his Cd "The By-pass Syndrome." you can purchase it at vin's homepage. www.vingarbutt.com

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Ringer
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 06:00 AM

Words, anyone?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Tig
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 12:32 PM

I'm certain that if you contact Vin or Pat on the website they would send you a copy - they're 'Real People'. I just checked and it's not in the new songbook.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 01:41 PM

In the meantime, I did receive the words from "Scouse". If anyone else is interested let me know and I will add the words in this thread.

Subject: Lyr Add: IF I HAD A SON (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Aug 01 - 03:14 PM

IF I HAD A SON
(Phil Millichip)

When I was a boy, I was ready and willing
To act like a man and to work for my pay.
So I went underground when the hooter would sound
And I worked all my best years away.
And I’ve seen men go down and they’ve never come up
And I’ve seen men who lived and wished they were dead.
When the choice is you eat or go hungry,
You see that your children are fed.

And if I had a son he would never go down there
To work all his days in your damned dingy hole.
You can close every pit from Bedworth to China.
You’ve broken me body and soul
In search of your dirty damned coal.

I remember a man who was trapped in the seam
With two ton of coal on his head.
As I lay in the dark to the beat of me heart,
I remember the words that I said:
If I ever get out of this hellhole I’m in,
I’ll never come down here again.
But what could I do? Tell me, where could I go?
So I put on me pit boots again.

As I walk on the mountains, the memory’s there still,
But they've covered the scars of the land
With the grass that grows over the dirty black slag heaps
And nature has given a hand.
But they can't put new breath in my body,
Nor heal all the scars that they find,
Nor bring back my friends that are dead and gone
And only alive in my mind.

So I take all the tablets the doctors prescribe,
And I rest when I’m climbing the stairs,
And I curse every day of my youth thrown away,
And I wonder if anyone cares.
When I look at the child in the faded old photos
And I think of what’s left of the man,
I remember a dream that was crushed by the seam,
Digging coal from the bowels of the land.

Excuse spelling punctuation etc., did this very quickly. These words my not be the same as Vin's version, don't know which is more correct.
Cheers Raggytash

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Ringer
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 10:28 AM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 12:59 AM

I thought it was 'BEDWAS to China'. Isn't Bedwas a former Welsh mining town?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 12:50 PM

Could well be Bedwas, a town in Caerphilly, and the lad who wrote it is Welsh. Bedworth is in Warwickshire.Strollin' Johnny's probably correct. Thanks S J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 02:30 PM

Vin Garbutt has now got a songbook out. I haven't seen but yet, but it was due out on August 6th. It doesn't have this one, since it's songs Vin's written as well as recorded. But it's got some good 'uns.

Here's an email about it I got from Pat Garbutt:

The long awaited Vin Garbutt Song Book Vol I will be available from August 6th. The book contains a selection of seventeen songs written between 1970 and the year 2000.

The music is quite detailed so that various instruments can be used not just guitar. It is also fairly true to the CD or LP recordings so hopefully this will make the songs easier to follow.

If you are not a musician we think that you would still find the song book of interest, the lyrics alone make inspiring poetry.

We would like to point out that Vin usually travels by train and with the books being quite heavy we cannot guarantee that Vin will have them with him at his concerts, so if you can't wait to get a copy you will be well advised to order by mail from Home Roots Music or through Vin's web site shop at www.vingarbutt.com

Price: £12 plus p&p as follows: U.K. £1.50
Europe. £2.50
The rest of the world. £4.00
Please make your cheque out to "Home Roots Music Ltd"

The Songs Included Are:
The Valley Of Tees * Not For The First Time * The By-Pass Syndrome * Filipino Maid * The Land Of Three Rivers * England My England * Welcome Home Howard Green * When The Tide Turns * Old Cissy Lea * Dormanstown Jimmy * Slaggy Island Farewell * Lynda * Darwin To Dili * The Troubles Of Erin * El Salvador * Danny Danielle * The One Legged Beggar *

Home Roots Music, PO Box 6, Skelton, Cleveland.TS13 4YT England

Vin's web site: vingarbutt.com<

Vin's Agent:Speaking Volumes:Tel[phone] Fax [phone]

http://www.speakingvolumes.co.uk

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Snuffy
Date: 12 Aug 01 - 05:37 PM

Bedworth is also a coal mining area, and I've always heard it sung as Bedworth

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 31 Jan 02 - 08:51 PM

This page and this page say the author's name is Steven Millichip. This page says it's Phil Millichip. This page mentions a folksinger named Phil Millichip. Go figure.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Gervase
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 04:56 AM

It's Phil Millichip. 'Catter Cllr does a cracking version of this song - it may be worth dropping him a PM to check on the exact words, but the version I have is the same as Raggytash's.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: GUEST,Sooz(at work)
Date: 01 Feb 02 - 08:00 AM

I'm sure Vin sings Bedwas - I request this song everytime I see him!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 02 Feb 02 - 02:45 AM

Bedwas Navigation Colliery, Monmouthshire, South Wales

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Bugsy
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 07:25 PM

Great Song. Does anyone have the chords??


Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Bugsy
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 06:27 PM

refresh

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,morrisman
Date: 10 May 09 - 10:06 AM

You can see and hear vin singing this song on Youtube.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: breezy
Date: 10 May 09 - 01:12 PM

It is Bedwas not Bedworth

Marilyn Middleton Pollock recorded it on Dolls House and that's well over 20 years ago now

She is known as Mary Mellor and lives in the Malvern Hills , originally from Chicago, one hell of a singer.

She also helped spread the word about Stan Rogers before Artisan

I found her out after hearing her at the Cornwall Fest then again at Tudor, as she was a 'must have ' guest at my folk club where she appeared twice.

So get it right, Bedwas to China

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Two of a Hind
Date: 11 May 09 - 11:59 AM

It was nice to see Phil on the weekend at the Tredergar House festival in Newport, I'm sure he would have sung it for you if you had asked. he's there every year.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,Here's to reviving dead threads
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 05:56 PM

On Phil's own website, it's Bedworth.
And since he first wrote the song, that's what he.......wrote.

Sing it however you like.
Nationalize it if you will, it's quite common in folk, especially with mining songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 06:14 PM

Thanks guest, htrdt - and here's the song on Phil's site .

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 06:58 AM

On Phil's site now it certainly reads "Bedwas" to China and I asked him yesterday outside Asda whether it was Bedwas or Bedworth, he said "Bedwas"!

Listening to Vin Garbutt as I type it is Bedwas!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,Bill the sound
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 07:17 PM

It has been recorded by
Phil Millichip
Vin Garbutt
Marilyn Middleton Pollock
and Broadside from Giwern
Phil has also got a website
Good hunting
Bill

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Bugsy
Date: 06 Jun 12 - 11:11 PM

Chords anyone???


CHeers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 06:22 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,the troll formally known as concerened
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 02:52 PM

Now listen!! , countless people have asked for the chords for this excellent song..

No one is trying to be clever.. no one is trying to be out of order..no one wants to have a history lesson.. we do know the difference between bed worth and bed was, all we want is CHORDS... do you not get it? you pretentious name dropping clowns, we don't want to hear how many people who have recorded it..... I think even the thickos on this site can work that out.. What we do want,is... CHORDS? CHORDS!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,the troll formally known as concerened
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 02:56 PM

thank you..in hopes?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,giovanni
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 03:21 PM

There's a guy called Raymond Crooke sings it on YouTube. I don't know what it's like but you can at least see clearly which chords he is playing - it may point you in the right direction at least.

But are you absolutely sure you don't want any more of the history/other versions/personal reminiscences for which this site is famous?

g

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: breezy
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 03:39 PM

I know the chords

I play it using the G chord as the tonic

'When I[D7th] was a

now try and work out the melody and see which chords fit

The G family includes C D D7th Em at least

You may need a capo to fit your voice range

Meanwhile I'll watch TV and annoy the spouse while I revise the song

Best source version by Marilyn Middleton Mellor

Subject: Lyr Add: IF I HAD A SON (from Vin Garbutt)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 02:02 PM

I have listened carefully to this song on Spotify, and I find that several words are different from those posted by Raggytash above. (However, I think the words Raggytash posted are closer to those that appear on Phil Millichip's website.)


IF I HAD A SON
As sung by Vin Garbutt on "The By-Pass Syndrome" (1999)

1. When I was a boy, I was ready and willin'
To act like a man and to work for my pay.
So I went underground when the hooter did sound
And I worked all my best years away.
And I've seen men go down there who never returned
And I've seen men who lived but had wished they were dead.
When the choice is you eat or go hungry,
You see that your children are fed.

CHORUS: And if I had a son he would never go down there
To work all his days in a damp dingy hole.
You* can close ev'ry pit from Bedwas to China. [* possibly "they"]
They've broken me body and soul
In search of the dirty black coal.

2. I remember the man who was trapped in the seam
With two ton of coal on his head.
As I lay in the dark to the beat of my heart,
I remember the words [that] I said:
If I ever get out of this hellhole alive,
I'll turn my back on the blackness and pain,
But what else could I do? Tell me, where could I go?
So I put on me pit boots again.

3. As I walk o'er the mountain, the mem'ry's there still,
Though they've covered the scars of the land
The grass that grows over the desolate waste
And nature has given a hand.
They can't put new breath in my body,
Nor heal all the scars they can find,
Nor bring back my friends who are dead and gone on
Nor lay them to rest in my mind.

4. Now I take all the tablets [the] doctors prescribe,
And I rest when I'm climbing the stairs,
And I curse ev'ry day of my youth thrown away,
And I wonder if anyone cares.
When I look at the child in the faded old photos
And I feel what is left of the man,
I remember a dream that was crushed in the seam,
Digging coal in the bowels of the land.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 02:35 PM

I've just checked the lyrics at Phil Millichip's web site against the lyrics that were posted by Raggytash above, and the only difference (apart from formatting) is that the website has Bedwas, not Bedworth.

Which means either that our Guest's remark here, was mistaken, or the website has been changed since 2011. Did Millichip change his mind about what he ought to have written? Beats me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Sooz
Date: 15 Jan 14 - 04:29 AM

They are exactly the words I sing, Jim. Although I have been known to substitute Gedling (the pit where my dad worked for 47 years) for Bedwas. In the 80's Dad used to tell his teenaged Grandsons that when he was their age he grovelled in the bowels of the earth for a living.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: breezy
Date: 15 Jan 14 - 04:15 PM

desecration Sue me dear , its a song from Wales

Diolch

I have the version recorded by the fantastic Mary Mellor aka M Middleton who is available for bookings and puts on one hell of a show.



She lives in Gt Malvern

She kept to Phil's text word for word

She also gives singing lessons

When I ran the club in St Albans I searched her out and boy was she good.

If you aint seen and heard her she is well worth searching out

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,the troll formally known as concerened
Date: 16 Jan 14 - 09:30 AM

still living in hopes for the chords...please..?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Sooz
Date: 16 Jan 14 - 12:53 PM

Hey, Mr Breeze - I can assure you that the song works just as well for the Nottinghamshire coal field!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,concerened
Date: 17 Jan 14 - 07:16 AM

chords...pretty pink please?

Subject: RE: Chords Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: maeve
Date: 17 Jan 14 - 07:35 AM

Regarding chords- breezy has already given a good start that could allow one to work out the chords:
"I play it using the G chord as the tonic
'When I[D7th] was a'
now try and work out the melody and see which chords fit
The G family includes C D D7th Em at least
You may need a capo to fit your voice range"

For those for whom working out chords is a daunting task, you might try the chords listed at the following link: Raymond's Folk Song Page

If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
A
When I was a boy, I was ready and willin'
........................................................... E7
To act like a man and to work for me pay
........................... A
So I went underground when the hooter did sound
........... D ...................................... E7
And I worked all me best years away.
A
I've seen men go down there who never returned
.......................................................................................... E7
And I've seen men who lived but had wished they were dead
........................................ A
When the choice is you eat or go hungry
........ D .................................... E7
You see that your children are fed.

*****************

Does any of the above help?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Bugsy
Date: 18 Jan 14 - 12:54 AM

Thakis for all the help folks.. I sussed the chords out earlier in the week and am now happily playing the song. ( though - Perhaps happily is the wrong word considering the subject matter)
\

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Feb 17 - 06:27 PM

From the horse's mouth:
Phil Millichip - If I Had A Son

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip)
From: GUEST,George Papavgeris, aka El Greco
Date: 24 Jan 20 - 05:56 AM

Thanks, mondegreen #3549 resolved - Bedwas, not Bedworth! I must have sung that chorus wrong a thousand times :-)