Subject: Is this feasible? From: Steve Parkes Date: 20 Dec 00 - 12:14 PM Years ago, I recall HA wrote a song about a British soldier in Ulster, who threw himself on a grenade thrown by a terrorist, in order to save the lives of some nearby children. As far as I know, this wasn't based on any real incident, and I don't know if anyone's ever tried it. What I really want to know -- and I've been wondering for years -- is: would it work, and the guy's body muffle the explosion & stop the shrapnel, or would he simply have been blown to small pieces and they to large ones? Gruesome -- sorry! Steve |
Subject: Lyr Add: SOLDIER (Harvey Andrews)^^ From: Susanne (skw) Date: 20 Dec 00 - 05:06 PM The song doesn't seem to be in the DT so I'll add it here: SOLDIER (Harvey Andrews) In a station in the city a British soldier stood Talking to the people there if the people would Some just stared in hatred, and others turned in pain And the lonely British soldier wished he was back home again Come join the British Army! said the posters in his town See the world and have your fun come serve before the Crown The jobs were hard to come by and he could not face the dole So he took his country's shilling and enlisted on the roll For there was no fear of fighting, the Empire long was lost Just ten years in the army getting paid for being bossed Then leave a man experienced a man who's made the grade A medal and a pension some mem'ries and a trade Then came the call for Ireland as the call had come before Another bloody chapter in an endless civil war The priests they stood on both sides the priests they stood behind Another fight in Jesus's name the blind against the blind The soldier stood between them between the whistling stones And then the broken bottles that led to broken bones The petrol bombs that burnt his hands the nails that pierced his skin And wished that he had stayed at home surrounded by his kin The station filled with people the soldier soon was bored But better in the station than where the people warred The room filled up with mothers with daughters and with sons Who stared with itchy fingers at the soldier and his gun A yell of fear a screech of brakes the shattering of glass The window of the station broke to let the package pass A scream came from the mothers as they ran towards the door Dragging their children crying from the bomb upon the floor The soldier stood and could not move his gun he could not use He knew the bomb had seconds and not minutes on the fuse He could not run and pick it up and throw it in the street There were far too many people there too many running feet Take cover! yelled the soldier, Take cover for your lives And the Irishmen threw down their young and stood before their wives They turned towards the soldier their eyes alive with fear For God's sake save our children or they'll end their short lives here The soldier moved towards the bomb his stomach like a stone Why was this his battle God why was he alone He lay down on the package and he murmured one farewell To those at home in England to those he loved so well He saw the sights of summer felt the wind upon his brow The young girls in the city parks how precious were they now The soaring of the swallow the beauty of the swan The music of the turning world so soon would it be gone A muffled soft explosion and the room began to quake The soldier blown across the floor his blood a crimson lake There was no time to cry or shout there was no time to moan And they turned their children's faces from the blood and from the bones The crowd outside soon gathered and the ambulances came To carry off the body of a pawn lost in the game And the crowd they clapped and cheered and they sang their rebel song One soldier less to interfere where he did not belong And will the children growing up learn at their mothers' knees The story of the soldier who bought their liberty Who used his youthful body as a means towards an end Who gave his life to those who called him murderer not friend [1972:] If you can con an ordinary man into protecting your interests, he gets done when the crisis comes, not you. Many soldiers are not professional killers, they're kids who couldn't get a job, and as unemployment has soared, recruiting for the army has increased by over 60% in three years. The average soldier is unimportant in the final analysis, it's the ones who shelter behind him that count [...] and they always seem to survive! (Notes Harvey Andrews, 'Writer of Songs') [1973:] Written from newspaper clippings. (Forces Folk 11/73, p 10) [1979:] His next major song, however, inadvertently created a controversy which, for a while, clearly damaged Andrews' standing and viability. 'Soldier', in spite of an unambiguous sleevenote, was widely interpreted as a pro-establishment glorification of military heroism and, therefore, by left-wing logical extension, of authoritarian violence; whereas in fact it was a simple (if lyrically somewhat overwritten) story of a young man caught in an impossible situation. The song was neither for the British authorities nor against the Irish rebels; it was about the senselessness of violence, applied on a personal level. [...] Harvey Andrews' Belfast song ('Soldier') was not a lasting success (though it remains popular, for obvious reasons, with army audiences in Ulster and Germany). (Woods, Revival 115f) [1990:] In Northern Ireland, this song written in 1972 by a professional songwriter, Harvey Andrews, has become very widely known among soldiers, and at the same time divorced in classic folk-song style from its author. (Palmer, Lovely War 18) In 1971 in Belfast a soldier called Sergeant Willis cleared a room of civilians because of a bomb. As he went to close the door afterwards, the charge exploded, and he was killed. [...] Harvey Andrews, was so struck by the incident that he wrote the song to make the point that soldiers, too, are human. (The incident of the soldier's embracing the bomb was poetic licence.) Broadcasts of Andrews' record were banned for some time by the BBC lest feelings be exacerbated in the nationalist community of Northern Ireland. The Ministry of Defence advised (and still advises) soldiers not to sing the song in pubs where it might cause trouble. Some have interpreted this as a ban. Nevertheless, they sing it 'all the time', according to one source, on military transport and in messes and canteens. It has been said that some units require newcomers to learn to sing or recite the song before they become fully accepted. Andrews' authorship is not widely known, and many different stories about the song's origin circulate. [...] The text has appeared in the 'Soldier', the 'Methodist' magazine, and the 'Manchester Evening News' (where in 1988 it won a poetry competition for a youth who sent it in over his own name). (Palmer, Lovely War 199) Some years ago I asked Harvey about this song, and he told me: "Someone told me my song was banned in the army, so I thought the ones to know would be the Ministry of Defence, and asked them. They even had it in their files that the song was 'written by Harvey Andrews, who'd been in 2nd Para'. I never was in the army in my life!" Harvey is a nice guy, and always ready to talk to you, and I love many of his songs. But I'd agree with Woods this one is somewhat overwritten. Try 'Hello Hans' instead! ^^ |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 21 Dec 00 - 04:02 AM As a sergeant in the Parachute Regiment , Willis was a professional soldier and not just a kid who could not find a job..RE the original question, Seargeant Garside of the 10th Bn. The Parachute Regiment. was awarded a psthumous George Cross for shielding a recruit from a dropped grenade in the mid seventies..Also I was recently shown the grave in France of a posthumous VC British WW1 soldier who performed a similar act . I will try to get the story if anyone is interested. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Steve Parkes Date: 21 Dec 00 - 05:47 AM Yes please, Keith. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: AndyG Date: 21 Dec 00 - 06:14 AM Keith,
Possibly Billy MacFadzean (sp?) of the 36th (Ulster) Division. Killed just prior to the opening of the Somme offensive when he threw himself on a live (British) grenade to shield his comrades.
Billy was a bomber and his squad were priming their grenades when the accident occured. (From memory, recorded in The First Day on the Somme, Martin Middlebrook)
There are many examples of similar behaviour by soldiers recorded since effective grenades entered service (~1915). They don't all result in death however. A WWI example I remember was a soldier who threw his helmet over a grenade then stood on the helmet. Again probably saving himself and his comrades. Both his legs were broken but he survived.
AndyG |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 21 Dec 00 - 07:34 AM Well remembered Andy. That was the story I heard but didn't want to post without checking. Re the song , I don't know the original tune so I sing it to Tramps And Hawkers. Best wishes, Keith |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 21 Dec 00 - 08:18 AM It is poignant that the name of a British soldier from Ireland has arisen in this thread, and when a number of Irish Republican threads are running. I wish to offend no one and enjoy a good rebel song with the best, but it is often forgotten that thousands more Irishmen were serving with the British in 1916 than were actively involved in ,say, theEaster Rising.Also, it is only in the last few years that the Dublin government has finally honoured them with a single memorial.Peace and joy to all.Keith. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST Date: 15 Jun 01 - 07:08 PM refresh |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Jun 01 - 07:29 PM Susanne, might you be able to post "Hello Hans"? thanks. -Joe Offer- |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Peter T. Date: 16 Jun 01 - 07:20 AM Finally met HA on Rick Fielding's radio show a month or so ago, when he was visiting Canada. I remember hearing his songs when I lived in England in the 70s. What a nice guy. yours, Peter T. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Pooley Date: 03 Sep 01 - 09:45 AM I saw Harvey perform in Wrexham late last year, Great talent, I really enjoyed the evening. He does not perform the Soldiers Song now, I spoke to him during the interval, and came away with the feeling that he was uncomfortable(even talking) about the song |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Brian Date: 03 Sep 01 - 10:49 AM The song 'The Soldier' is on 'Writer of Songs', Harvey Andrews first album. I have had this record since it was first released. I also have an album by (Country) Joe MacDonald called 'War, War, War' . That is an album of Robert W. Service WW1 poems put to music by Joe MacDonald. One of the tracks on that album is called 'The Ballad of Jean Duprez'. It would appear that both musically and in some of the text phasing 'The Soldier' was heavily influenced by 'Jean Duprez'. The Ballad of Jean Duprez can be found in the book 'The Rhymes of a Red Cross Man'. Brian |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Rick Fielding Date: 03 Sep 01 - 03:34 PM Hi Pooley. I'm not surprised that Harvey was a mite uncomfortable talking about "The Soldier". He's a "risk taker" and that can get you a huge amount of flack in this business, not only from critics, but from emotional fans as well. I guess I have all his albums and although he has the same patches of uneveness that every worthwhile artist has, something comes through so strongly in his writing and presentation that I think it deserves mention. Personal Honesty. He writes about individual human beings...how they think, how they act, and more importantly, how they sometimes throw caution to the wind and go against prevailing wisdom. "Prevailing wisdom" is a highly verbal little group with it's own set of expectations, and it can often seem more powerful than it is when it gets on your case. Two examples come to mind. Years ago, Phil Ochs (who's main constituency was the political left) wrote a song called "Links On the Chain", which rightly held American Labour Unions accountable for it's treatment of black workers. I'm told he was advised to leave out the offending verse for "solidarity's sake". Thank goodness he didn't...but he got a lot of criticism from "his side". English singer Vin Garbutt wrote and recorded a song highly critical of abortion...and consequently offended many of his "club going" constituency. Two of my favourite current songwriters are Si Kahn and Leon Rosselson; both have written some pretty highly charged political material, but my guess (and I could be wrong) is that they mostly play for audiences with solid left wing beliefs. Harvey performs for a wide variety of audiences, and in the two concerts that I've attended, appears to have no other agenda than his own personal one, namely: "telling a story" from his point of view, in the most literate way he can. Trust me, he's willing to talk quite a bit about that! "The Soldier" is not his only song that's ruffled a few feathers. His use of irony has at times meant that some missed a song's meaning entirely! C'est la Vie. Nope, the guy puts on a great concert. Folks laugh til' they're falling down, they cry openly, and he makes them think. Good combination. Rick |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Eric the Viking Date: 03 Sep 01 - 03:56 PM Or you could ask the man himself as he drops in on mudcat under his own name I believe. try searching to see if you can pm him- he might or might not mind, I don't know. Cheers Eric But "The gift" is a bloody good album |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Ditchdweller Date: 03 Sep 01 - 04:12 PM Soldier was banned by the BBC but not by The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) in Germany. It was VERY popular there in the '70s. It was based on the incident in the Springfield Road Police Station when the IRA threw a grenade into the waiting room. Sgt. Dave Willets, (a devout catholic btw) of 2 Para dropped onto it to save the people present. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 03 Sep 01 - 06:55 PM May the circle be unbroken. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Susanne (skw) Date: 21 Jan 02 - 06:45 PM In the postings above (not least in my own) there is some hearsay about the history behind this song, it seems. I recently bought the book 'Lost Lives' by David McKittrick, Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney and Chris Thornton, which lists 'the stories of the men, women and children who died as a result of the Northern Ireland troubles' between 1969 and 1999 - all 3530 of them! It's an awesome piece of work, though sometimes burdened with what seems irrelevant info to me. Anyway, this is the entry related to 'Soldier': [1999:] [Death no]74. May 25, 1971 Michael G. Willets, West Belfast, Soldier, Parachute Regiment, 27, married He was killed at Springfield Road RUC station by an IRA blast bomb thrown into the reception area. A car stopped outside the station and a man, described as dark haired and in his mid-20s, emerged with a suitcase which he hurled through the front door. Several civilians were sitting inside when the device was thrown. Among them were Patrick Gray, a 27-year-old electrician, his daughter Colette and their neighbour Mrs Elizabeth Cummings and her four-year-old son, Carl. In his book Bombs Have No Pity, Lieutenant-Colonel George Styles wrote: 'Immediately he saw the suitcase hit the floor, Sergeant Willets realised what was about to happen. He thrust the two children down into a corner and stood above them, shielding them as the 30lbs explosive in the suitcase went off. He was killed instantly but the children he'd protected escaped with their lives. The police inspector in the room was seriously injured and across the road a two-year-old, being pushed in a pram by his mother, was blown through a shop window. He was to regain consciousness only after months in hospital.' In all, seven police officers, two soldiers and 18 civilians were injured. One of the policemen injured, Constable Ian Phoenix, had been chatting to Sergeant Willets just moments before the explosion. Constable Phoenix, who had served with the sergeant in the Parachute Regiment went on, after joining the RUC, to become a detective-superintendent. He was subsequently killed with other prominent anti-terrorist personnel in a Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994. In their book, Phoenix, Policing the Shadows, Dr Susan Phoenix, the policeman's widow, and journalist Jack Holland give an account of the moments following the explosion. They write: 'Phoenix made his way to the entrance area, where he saw Sergeant Willets lying with the back of his head gaping open. A metal chunk from a locker hurled across the room by the force of the explosion had struck him. Local people had gathered outside and began to help clear the debris, offering what assistance they could. Ambulances began ferrying the injured to the nearby Royal Victoria Hospital. Lieutenant-Colonel (Peter) Chiswell was with Sergeant Willets, who was taken out on a door to the ambulance. A crowd of youths were waiting to greet them. They started to jeer and scream obscenities at the badly wounded soldiers. Said Chiswell, "My reaction was one of total disbelief that anyone could be so inhumane."' Alan Judd, later an author, was a soldier writing at a desk in a room over the reception area. 'A jagged jet of flame shot up through the floor in front of me and I felt a hot stinging shock through the soles of my boots, the seat of my chair and my calves and thighs. I don't think I hit the ceiling, but I believe the desk did and the inkwell certainly did; its remains were later found embedded.' The sergeant, who had been due to leave Northern Ireland with his regiment's 3rd battalion in a few days, died after two hours on the operating table. He was the first member of the Parachute Regiment killed in the troubles. In his book, Lieutenant-Colonel Styles added: 'Sadly, the family of the little boy blown into the shop were going to be hurt again through the terrorist war. One night the army broke up barricades set up in their street. The armoured bulldozer picked up the rubble of the barricade and shoved it straight into the front room of that family's house. Such families are the true victims of terrorism.' Patrick Gray later described the dead sergeant as a hero. The paratrooper was posthumously awarded the George Cross. A labourer in his early 20s from the Falls Road was cleared of a charge of murdering Sergeant Willets. Two months before his death the sergeant was present when soldiers shot dead a civilian, William Halligan, in disputed circumstances on the Falls Road. (McKittrick et al., Lost Lives 74) |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Paul from Hull Date: 21 Jan 02 - 09:21 PM Thanks for posting that Suzanne....I didnt know the full background to the story (though I knew a little) having only heard the song a couple of times. The fact that he was Catholic by Faith just goes to show that there is no more significance to Catholic or Protestant in the whole Irish question than a way of labelling someone as an 'excuse' for attacking them verbally, physically, or homicidally....thinking that 'excuse' somehow legitimises the attack, or the attitude. Exactly the same as children try & 'justify' their behaviour when they know deep down its either wrong, or unacceptable. *sigh* |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,breezy Date: 22 Jan 02 - 07:42 AM Harvey will be appearing in St. Albans Herts., on Fri 26th April at the Comfort Hotel in an intimate setting, warts and all.Organised by the Silver cup folk Club that meets on Fridays at the silver cup in Harpenden until the end of Feb., thenceforth in the Comfort.Very friendly folk, very welcoming.Check us out if your visiting this old roman city with its Cathedral. I used to transpose 3 times throughout the course of the song thereby highlghting the "climax" then transposing down to finish.Bit of a gig killer though for anyone following.Rather sing more uplifting songs to finish things off. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,nobby Date: 23 May 02 - 08:10 PM does anyone know where the soldier can be downloaded?? |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Scabby Douglas Date: 24 May 02 - 04:12 AM No, nobby, if you mean "where can I get an MP3 of this and circumvent copyright by downloading a free copy of something that Harvey Andrews is entitled to be paid for?", Sorry I don't have any idea...
Cheers
Steven |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: breezy Date: 24 May 02 - 04:20 AM Harvey regularly contributes here, why not see if you can obtain the album by going to his web page via google, his latest 'The Journey' is well worth the dosh too.He'll be back to St.Albans on Fri 4th April 2003 |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 24 May 02 - 04:20 AM Dear Nobby..the cd with "The Soldier" on is available from me at my website www.harveyandrews.com. If you go there you can buy it by post from me, and my family will be fed for another day. Consider it your good deed. Or you could continue to try to steal my work. I and all my fellow creators of music have no way of stopping you except maybe stopping creating the music in the first place. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Scabby Douglas Date: 24 May 02 - 06:44 AM Harvey, if your family can survive on what you make by selling a CD, they either don't eat much, or your CDs are very very expensive... :) Based on my teenage kids' food consumption, I'd want to be selling a shedload of CDs just to keep them in chocolate biccies. Cheers
Steven |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Teribus Date: 24 May 02 - 08:09 AM Hi Harvey, Thanks very much for the CD "Marguerita Collection" (Sp?) Brilliant!!!! I am enjoying listening to it. Having read through the text to the soldier I will be in touch to order that from you. Cheers, Bill. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 24 May 02 - 10:05 AM Scabby...we eat like sparrows, starving as I am in my garret, desperately waiting for Bill's order so my wife and i can make more gruel and eke out another week. p.s. my cd's are cheaper than the shops! |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Genie Date: 30 Dec 02 - 11:43 PM Well, Harvey, I was looking for the lyrics to your "From The Heart" in the DT and forum and did not find them, so I just may buy one of your CDs just for spite. I don't need to do that to get the lyrics, of course, since your song is on the wonderful Mudcat CD Sampler: Plum. But you have such a wonderfully warm, full, rich voice and your songs that I've heard are so special that I'd like to have a whole CD of them. BTW, do you mind folks singing your songs in non-paid music settings like jams and song circles and open mikes? Genie |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 31 Dec 02 - 05:52 AM Genie, I'm always puzzled that people wonder if we mind our songs being sung.In a way it's like asking an author if he minds his books being read. A song not sung is a dead song, so please help yourself. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Genie Date: 31 Dec 02 - 11:52 AM Thanks, Harvey. Now if can afford to buy only one of your CDs for the moment, which one would you recommend as the first to get? Bear in mind that I already have "From The Heart" and "The Song" on Mudcat Sampler CDs, so, other things being equal (which they often are not), I'd lean toward a CD without those on it. But perhaps one of your "best of" compilations would be the recommendation. Genie |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 31 Dec 02 - 03:15 PM Genie, should we be having this commercial conversation on Mudcat? I'll send you a personal E mail. Let me know if you get it. |
Subject: Harvey Andrews songs From: Genie Date: 01 Jan 03 - 01:56 PM You're probably right, Harvey, that YOU shouldn't be advising me here in the Mudcat forum on which of your own CDs to buy. BUT, there's nothing wrong with other Mudcatters and guests telling me which CDs are their favorites. We do have threads reviewing the work of various artists from time to time, and that seems a legitimate forum activity. But this thread is supposed to be about "The Soldier," so if anyone has other favorite Harvey Andrews songs they'd like to tell me about, a PM would probably be best. Genie |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Fran Date: 01 Jan 03 - 03:34 PM I think good CD of Harvey's to get first is "25 years on the road" It is my favourite because it is just him and the guitar, sometime people add so much to their recordings that the sound is completely different to what attracted you in the first place e.g. the live performance. Harvey Andrews was the first Folk singer I ever saw/heard when my dad dragged me along to our local Folk Club, I then went back time after time and I still love discovering new artists and new songs whether completely new or hearing old songs the first time. I was so impressed that the next time I went I wanted to buy some cd's but they were sometimes disappointing when I got them home and they had an orchestra of instruments and backing vocals on them and what I had fallen in love with was the simplicity of live performances, what you see is what you get. I am afraid my local Folk Club is very stale now but I love going to festivals and finding new artists. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Susanne (skw) Date: 01 Jan 03 - 08:18 PM I'd second Fran's suggestion. Another fairly new studio CD with some strong songs (particularly It's A Wonderful Day, Leaving Home, The Centurion) and fairly restrained musical backing is The Journey. However, I'd also second the feeling that studio recordings just can't convey Harvey's stage presence. If it's available on CD, find 'Brand New Day', a 1980 live recording in front of a home audience. Live recordings tend to pall fairly soon, but I've had this one for 20 years and can still laugh out loud at his patter! Looking forward to his tour of Germany later this year. I've timed my annual holiday so I'll catch him the night before I start. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: breezy Date: 02 Jan 03 - 07:27 PM I recomend the Journey CD,its a compulsory buy for all self respecting songsters. If your considering singing 'The S' you may consider transposing a couple of times during the song to build up to a crescendo. It worked back in the early 70s at the London Irish folk club,where it upstaged a certain 'Jobsworth' composer, and also earned a remark, 'bloody English' Other 'soldier' and 'anti-war' themed songs emerging written by George Papa-g are worth a listen. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Roy Bentley Date: 29 Mar 03 - 04:06 AM Many thanks for the words to SOLDIER, I have been wanting them for years , after I saw Harvey in the early 70's. It seems to be just as relevant now as then. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: breezy Date: 29 Mar 03 - 06:15 PM Pleased to announce that Harvey will be performing in St Albans on Friday 20th June at the Comfort Hotel Pm me for seat reservations |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Skippy Date: 29 Mar 03 - 07:11 PM This song brought me into folk music, for those who know me the rest is history |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: CraigS Date: 30 Mar 03 - 07:24 PM To get back to the original question: My father told me as a child of infantry soldiers being issued with grenades in times of war. These grenades become soiled, and require cleaning from time to time. To clean a grenade properly the pin must be removed, but it will not go off if the handle is properly held. However, if the hand slips during the cleaning process, and the grenade is about to go off, it is polite to fold oneself about the grenade and die without inconveniencing anyone else. My father used this example from his experience to teach me of the virtue in self-sacrifice. Whereas this was the WWII practice, and the modern way of doing the job involves a strong rubber band as a safety device, I understand that the principles are still taught in the same way, so that soldiers react to grenades in order to protect others. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,NH Dave Date: 30 Mar 03 - 09:34 PM The rolls of American awarded the Medal of Honor, similar in ranking to the Victoria Cross, are filled with incidents of US Marines who threw themselves on live grenades to save the lives of their squad mates. Some even survived. Dave |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Les Date: 05 Apr 03 - 06:37 PM Hi Harvey I am 44 years old Ulster "born and bread" , I was brought up on "The Soldier". Would you please email me were I could obtain a copy of this song as it is very close to my heart. Yours ............Les mcCann lesmccann@clara.co.uk |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,W. Brogan Date: 19 Jul 03 - 01:45 PM Where can I get a copy of the record? |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 19 Jul 03 - 06:08 PM From my website www.harvey andrews.com click on catalogue. CD is "Writer of songs" |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 19 Jul 03 - 06:14 PM Should read; www.harveyandrews.com |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Geoff the Duck Date: 20 Jul 03 - 11:03 AM Why don't we put a BLICKY on that http://www.harveyandrews.com/ QUACK! Geoff the Duck. |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: swampy-the-spark Date: 23 Dec 03 - 06:03 PM Yet again the mudcat comes up trumps. I wanted to learn this song as I am "booked" to do a set of war and anti war songs for a local church youth group ( yes my bodyarmour is on order) It is such a powerfull song and reading the full thread brings the history to life. If any one else is reading this this week HAPPY CHRISTMAS |
Subject: RE: Help: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Lady Date: 06 May 04 - 07:23 PM where can i listen to the song "Soldier"? i have searched everywhere i can think of to no avail, all i would like to do is listen to the song to see if i like it Lady |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Stuart Date: 14 May 04 - 08:09 PM Lady Just look at the thread above. You can listen to a MP3 of the start of the song on Harvey's website, and then purchase directly from there. As an ex-squaddie, serving in Germany in the late 80's, I never heard the song on BFBS, nor was it sung in any of our sing songs, but it is the most powerful song I have ever heard, and I believe tells the story from both sides of the fence. All the best. Stuart |
Subject: 'The Soldier' and Hey Sandy From: GUEST,ramadaxl@yahoo.com Date: 20 Jul 04 - 12:17 PM would anybody PLEASE be able to help me? i lost my collection of records and written songs when i broke up with my partner (please note i did not call her a lady) has anybody got the words and music ( chords) to 'hey sandy'? i would be very greatful if anybody could help, also the chords for "soldier". On a personal note i saw Harvey perfom at the 'Tramshed' at Woolwich (like about a century ago) or so it seems, the Guy producing it all was a fella called Joe Stead, anybody know if he's still going and where he is these day's? hope somebody can help me! |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 20 Jul 04 - 02:27 PM Guest...Joe's still going strong. I think he has a website if you look for it. Both "Soldier" and "Hey Sandy" are originally in A. Soldier is the old three chord trick A/E/D and Sandy is the same in the chorus with a Bm in the verse.My website is at www.harveyandrews.com. p.s. it was NOT a century ago! |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,skipy Date: 20 Jul 04 - 05:46 PM Kalafrana banana (in joke) |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 20 Jul 04 - 06:28 PM Hi Skipy....I remember! |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Dave Hanson Date: 21 Jul 04 - 04:42 AM Joe Stead is still going strong, based in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. On his own or with shanty group ' Kimbers Men. ' eric |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST Date: 01 Aug 04 - 07:25 AM Harvey - During the seventies and eighties your inspiring song 'The Soldier' became an ad hoc anthem for those of us engaged in bomb disposal. Whenever we lost one of our operators (about 1 in 17 died in Ulster) your song would get played over and over until the needle scratched a hole in the vinyl, or the beer ran out, or we could no longer think of anything else to say about a fallen comrade. I have lived and witnessed nearly every line of that song - how did you manage to encapsulate so much of the gritty reality of being a soldier in Ulster? Felix. |
Subject: RE: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 01 Aug 04 - 09:25 AM Well Felix, that's a story I'm gathering material to write. Your posting is another example of how a song can become part of people's lives and "Soldier" has certainly done that.May I include you posting in my writing? |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: breezy Date: 01 Aug 04 - 04:29 PM Harveys next appearance in St Albans will be on fri 6th may 2005 at the Duke of Marlborough which re-opens on Fri 26th Sept this years gig was a full house and the best show yet from the guvnor he's only 61 you know till 7th may 2005 |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST Date: 03 Aug 04 - 06:39 PM Just a few lines to add to this board. I served In NI during the early years, the song had just hit the streets so to speak. Not long after Op Motorman we were blasted constantly with 'Men Behind the Wire' and when the soldier came along it gave us a little to answer with. It was and still is a powerful song for many of us. Memories of the days are mostly black and white, but the feelings are still here. So in conclusion thank you Mr Andrews you will never know how much morale boosting you gave many of us. |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST Date: 06 Aug 04 - 04:50 AM Harvey - I would be honoured if you use my posting in your writing. I have written about Belfast myself. As you may know 'Felix' is the code name given to all bomb disposal officers who serve in Ulster, based on the cartoon cat with nine lives. If you have a more private em@il address I will send you my name and contact details. Felix. |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Dvr69@icqmail.com Date: 11 Dec 04 - 05:24 AM I have been trying to get a copy of this song but can't find it anywhere can some one please tell me where to get a copy |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: harvey andrews Date: 11 Dec 04 - 06:48 AM go to my website www.harveyandrews.com click on "shop" order "writer of songs" cd |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST,Lee Date: 19 Jan 05 - 04:21 PM Harvey, The sond "The Soldier" was No is very inspiring for all young soldiers. Having served from 86 as a junior it inspired me to go on. Having trying to get hold of the song since first hearing it in my recruit troop in 86 I have now found you site. The biggest problem was the even though I knew the song I never knew who wrote or sang it. I am hoping now to be able to get to some of your concerts now tha tI have found the person who wrote the song. Again Thank you from me and most of the british army Lee |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: Pistachio Date: 20 Jan 05 - 05:58 PM I saw Harvey in Cottingham, Yorkshire last autumn and spoke to him about the reaction I used to get when singing 'the Soldier' in the NAAFI bar in Berlin Field Force back in 1978.... the 'gathered drinkers' some from 2 Para, divided into three distinct groups - one third left the building, too affected or wary of showing their feelings, the younger men, who hadn't heard the story, ended up silent and the middle third sat with tears in their eyes in rememberance. It got harder and harder for me to continue to the end of the song, seeing the effect it had, but I felt, in my small way, that I was helping them come to terms with some time in their lives. I still sing 'the Soldier' around 'Armistice' and it's quite amazing to 'hear the silence' of the listeners. Last time I sang one of my pals was totally in awe of the story and said: "B..... great song, B..... great tune, B..... well sung. I believe in delivering songs as stories, not simply singing in time. Harvey, you're a master of delivery and illustrate your music with wonderful words. Thanks. Hazel |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST Date: 01 Aug 05 - 02:01 PM what other artists did cover versions of Harvey Andrews "The soldier" cheers John |
Subject: RE: Origins: Harvey Andrews' 'The Soldier' From: GUEST Date: 01 Aug 05 - 03:06 PM Angelic Upstarts |
Subject: RE: Origins: Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,LWM Date: 09 Dec 05 - 06:13 PM Question recently asked by myself on the ww(etc).ARRSE.co.uk website......personally your song ranks right up there with Marillions much later 'Forgotten Sons'. Sadly we remain forgotten......2 days ago I watched the funeral of a Fusilier Sgt killed on the 20 Nov 05. The window on one side of the Hearse was filled with just one word..............DADDY. Perhaps some songs deserve to be played more often than others. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Guest - DM Date: 17 Mar 07 - 04:51 PM I joined up in 80 and served two tours in NI. This song is so inspiring and like Lee I searched for years for it. Thankfully and hopefully peace has now settled and will remain. Thanks Dave |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,mike Date: 12 Apr 07 - 06:28 PM mr Andrews i served fm 87 to 97 and grew up during the troubles in germany and all i want to say is thank you its a song relevant to any of the troubles since NI and becomes an emotional roller-coaster for any body who has been there, in which ever conflict that might be, thanks again |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: Lemming Date: 16 Apr 07 - 09:40 PM I recently went to a gig in a local pub where the performer sang this song. It was the first time I'd heard Soldier. With me at the time were several friends who had all served at one time or another in Northern Ireland. I have never before been in a pub that was so quiet, filled with so many men with tears in their eyes. Your song, written all those years ago, and which meant so much to a generation of British Soldiers, is still so very relevant today. Thank you |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Suffering civilian Date: 17 Apr 07 - 10:52 AM It is nice to know some of our lads have a consicence, I know many people have tears in their eyes and they weren`t in any rejiment. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Keith Date: 18 Apr 07 - 07:30 AM I remember the first time I ever heard someone cover Soldier in a folk club. It remains one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. "Writer of Songs" is really great album. I was SO pleased to be able to track it down on CD about 8 years ago. Up until then all I had was an old tape of a friend covering Hey Sandy. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Keith Date: 19 Apr 07 - 03:57 AM Coincidentally I received an email newsletter from Harvey yesterday evening. His autobiography has now been published. Details on http://www.harveyandrews.com |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,laura Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:45 AM hi i dont no much about this site, but you wrote about william halligan getting shot in 1971, im wondering do you no if there is anything else on the net i can find out about it, he was my uncle. any help you can give me would be great, thanks |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: Bernard Date: 22 Apr 07 - 02:27 PM I'm fortunate that I heard Harvey sing this song at the Heaton Village Folk Club (Bolton, Lancs) soon after he had written it. The folk club, and the building in which it met, are both long gone. A few years ago I heard Isla St. Clair sing the song at the Railway, Heatley. She'd only just learned it, but made a mighty powerful job of it. I hadn't realised how good she was until then. Harvey is coming to the Railway once again on May 3rd... tickets disappearing fast! With any luck, the cold that was festering at Woodford Festival has been and gone!! |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: Wolfgang Date: 25 Apr 07 - 11:03 AM Laura, re William Halligan. Can you get access to a copy of the book "Lost lives" (mentioned in Susanne's post)? Each death in Northern Ireland is described in that book with more or less detail. If not, post again here and I'll copy the text from that book for you. Wolfgang |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser) Date: 26 Apr 07 - 06:02 AM There aren't many writers who can claim to have written songs that have meant so much to so many people from outside this rather cosy, inward-looking community that we like to call the 'Folk Scene'. Ralph McTell, Tom Paxton and Sidney Carter are among the very others I can think of. Harvey struck a chord with this song, and politics aside, I'm glad there's such a powerful, compassionate song out there that tells the story from a perspective that has never been fashionable and which took a lot of guts to write and perform when Harvey first started performing it in the early 70s. Respect. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: Susanne (skw) Date: 27 Apr 07 - 07:26 PM Laura, here you are: [1999:] [Death no] 64. March 5, 1971: William Halligan, West Belfast Civilian, Catholic, 21, single, labourer The army shot him in a clash between soldiers and civilians just before 1 a.m. in Balaclava Street in the lower Falls area. He lived not far away at Plevna Street. Two other civilians were injured in the incident and the circumstances of the death were disputed. The Terence Penny Republican Club said he did not have nail or petrol bombs but had been one of a crowd of men who were taunting soldiers. The army said at the time that he had thrown a nail bomb immediately before he was shot. A lieutenant-colonel from the Parachute Regiment told the inquest that there had been serious trouble on the Falls Road and several of his soldiers had been injured. He said petrol and gelignite bombs were thrown at his troops, adding: 'I felt that if I did not take sterner measures soldiers would get hurt.' He said he warned the crowd with a loudhailer but as he finished speaking a nail bomb landed only a short distance away. He said soldiers were ordered to open fire when they had a target, someone who had been positively identified as being in the act of throwing a missile. He said eight soldiers had been organised into a sniper party and they had fired 15 shots at people who had been identified as targets. The lieutenant-colonel said one soldier present was Sergeant Michael George Willets, who was killed in an explosion at Springfield Road RUC station two months later. A sergeant who was not named told the inquest that he saw a man in Balaclava Street drawing back his arm to throw a bomb. He said he fired one round and saw the man stagger back, adding that other riflemen were firing at the same time. The sergeant said he also fired a shot at a man who made to throw a bottle and saw the man stagger. He said he saw rthe man walk into Balaclava Street and throw a bottle. He aimed at the man's body, he said, but did not see the result as a petrol bomb exploding obscured his view. He saw another man with a lighted bottle and the man fell backwards after being hit. An RUC constable told the inquest that William Halligan's clothes had a strong smell of petrol. In 1979 the Halligan family were awarded undisclosed damages after successfully suing the Ministry of Defence. (McKittrick et al., Lost Lives 69) |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,nick price Date: 07 May 07 - 11:19 AM I saw Harvey Andrews play in Lancaster in 1969 and was, like many people gobsmacked by "Soldier", (and many others he sang that night). I immediately bought Writer of Songs and subsequent releases which gradually disappeared with various moves and partners. I recently "discovered" Harvey's website and bought "Writer of Songs" on CD. I played it to my kids aged 19 and 15, and they were completely knocked out by it. I had no idea that it had so many resonances with those directly involved but I'm not surprised. What is amazing and perhaps in some respects rather depressing is that it is still as relevant today. Brilliant brilliant brilliant. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,chris Date: 07 May 07 - 02:58 PM Have been reading the threads and am not too surprised that ¬soldier` has been hard to track down. I was a soldier in NI in the early 70s. Soldier came out on the black market as it would seem the BBC and SKC had banned it from the air waves. I had my copy and cherished it until i had proper tape and now CD. I still introduce it to any one who enjoys brilliant music and songs. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Chris Bolton Date: 20 May 07 - 03:30 PM When I joined the RAMC, there was a bloke who had been in as a Rock Ape, (with great affection obviously) who joined with me. As soon as he put it on we were (ever so politely) asked to turn it off. So, after some of the proverbial had been taken out of us, I asked our TC about this "ban". I got the usual stuff, but, as far as we were concerned, bloody great song, and we / I will sing it out! |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST Date: 20 May 07 - 04:26 PM Old soldiers will be glad to know that an army presence will no longer be required in Northern Ireland. IHHO, they should never have been there in the first place. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,tiswas68 Date: 09 Sep 07 - 08:05 AM there are a few postings of Soldier on "You tube" |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,No one in particular Date: 30 Sep 07 - 04:44 PM Please at least get his name right - Willetts. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: Keith A of Hertford Date: 15 Oct 07 - 09:06 AM The name of Sgt Willets is among those recorded on the new British Forces memorial. http://www.forcesmemorial.org.uk/roll-of-honour/roll-of-honour-profile.asp?profile=104460 |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Elaine Harris Date: 04 Jan 08 - 12:31 AM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLlDOOVZ1HQ here is a utube of the song by Harvey "The Soldier" |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,ex bill oddy Date: 08 Feb 08 - 05:36 PM Willets is the correct surname. I served at Chepstow Army Apprentices College with his son in the mid 1980's. It was unofficially banned there for obvious reasons. As a sad post script to this story the mans wife had to sell his George Cross for financial reasons in the late 1970's/eafly 1080's......Discuss |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,keith A o' Hertford Date: 31 Jul 08 - 06:38 AM The original post here was a question about whether anyone had ever placed their body on a grenade to save others. Recent story. Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, from Solihull, in the West Midlands triggered a trip wire in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in February. He immediately dropped to the ground and lay across the grenade, being blown into the air as it went off. The George Cross is one of the highest decorations that can be awarded for acts of gallantry. L/Cpl Croucher said: "All I could do in the moment was shout out 'grenade' before diving on top of it." His bag was crammed with equipment which cushioned the explosion. His three comrades suffered just cuts and bruises while L/Cpl Croucher was thrown in the air. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7521221.stm |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Steve Date: 16 Jun 10 - 07:27 PM Heard this sung without accompaniment by a good amateur singer in the early eighties. Moved me then, moves me more now. Finally tracked down the original and the real facts. Back when I first heard it I was in the Territorial Army (so no, I never served in Northern Ireland) and saw everything in black and white, i.e. "Republicans = murdering bastards, British Army = good boys". Have since come to see it more subtly. And that long before this week's Bloody Sunday report release. It's so good to hear that guys like LCPL Croucher are prepared to follow in the footsteps of SGT Willets. Even better to hear that Matthew Croucher got away with it. Plan on learning this so I can sing it. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST Date: 28 Jan 13 - 01:10 AM where can get the words and song from. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: My guru always said Date: 28 Jan 13 - 02:20 AM GUEST, the words are at the beginning of this thread and you can find the song on You Tube under Harvey Andrews. Will try to find a link for you after work. |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: GUEST,Daz74 Date: 13 Sep 22 - 10:15 AM My dad had one of HA albums in the 70s/80s and is convinced that either at the end of the track soldier or as a extra track there is a explosion and the sound of a baby crying. Can anyone help me out with this? If there is could you please let me know the album. Many thanks, Daz 74.daz.74@gmail.com |
Subject: RE: Origins: The Soldier (Harvey Andrews) From: MaJoC the Filk Date: 20 Sep 22 - 04:46 PM > The incident of the soldier's embracing the bomb was poetic licence. For that incident, maybe. Standard practice in the trenches in the Great War, I understand: if a grenade comes over and lands next to you, you're dead anyway, so fall on it to save your mates. |
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