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Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale)
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Brian Farley Date: 15 Jun 22 - 11:00 AM The tune is similar/identical to Cushy Butterfield (but not the chorus), Pretty Polly Perkins of Padding Green (19th century Music Hall), and The Nightingale (not The Sweet Nightingale). Such is the evolution of folk music, with many coming from the Music Hall and vice versa. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Brian Farley Date: 15 Jun 22 - 08:11 AM I was a bandmate of Bob Gale in the 70s-80s, when he and Sue lived in Harlow. He told me he wrote it. His nickname was Cream, because of coming form Dorset. There were many people at his funeral, but sadly I don’t remember any names or children of theirs. We were once on the same bill as Julie Felix at a Bob Dylan Convention in Northampton, after 2000 I guess, as I remember I had my new Warwick bass then. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,henryp Date: 26 Aug 17 - 04:18 PM Sarah walked into the farmyard one day, And saw Neddy standing there, eating his hay. She said, "I'd like a ride," and on his back she did climb - "Steady on," said the horse, "Just one at a time!" |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: MoragF Date: 17 Aug 17 - 07:11 AM At last! I once heard this sung as 'Hampshire is beautiful' and I've never been able to find it since. All is now explained. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Bryanmac Date: 11 Jul 14 - 01:19 PM I think there are at least two verses after "jump up and down " I can remember the last verse but not the penultimate one. The last verse goes like this.. Now the famer was furious when he saw him lying there dead .......??? And he rams a handy bucket over Gwendoline's head. These days Gwnedoline's quite beautiful, the bucket's still there, And she's quite demure excpt when the manure trickles down through her hair. Can anyone remember what goes in between? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: breezy Date: 17 May 12 - 05:43 PM Tiny Foxworthy sang it at Club memphis in Leeds in 1966 as a floor singer |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST Date: 17 May 12 - 09:55 AM Search for chords for "The Nightingale" - it's the same tune. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Joe Gale Bob's son Date: 27 Sep 11 - 10:18 AM As far as I can tell my dad had written this when in The Dumpledores, Who ever wrote it long live the memories of both Trevor and my dad and thank you to all who sing it to this day. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,steadyeddygo Date: 05 Mar 11 - 08:16 AM Heard this song in a pub folk club near Burnham on Sea about 1973/4 and have been singing snatches ever since without knowing the words. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: Herga Kitty Date: 20 Jul 10 - 02:11 PM Gosh, George Henderson - I always associate the Yetties with the song, because they were the first I heard sing it, but you've got me trying to remember whether I also heard Jason Goss (whom I met at Bromyard in 1969) sing it! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Terry McDonald Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:13 PM Bob Gale wrote the version that Herga Kitty cited 18 September 2001 and by Vectis 3 December 2001, above. The tune is the one used for the Grenadier and the Lady with the 'and they kissed so sweet and comforting' chorus. I've no doubt that we're talking about the same song. Of other verse have been added later, by someone eles, so be it. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Nemesis Date: 20 Jul 10 - 01:02 PM What I asked was - is it the same song, is there a variation, are there two different songs ... as you say, where's the proof, say, that Bob wrote a particular version - which might be a different or the same or a variation of all the other possibles - if it was only 'known' that he wrote it; 'known' in the sense of a commonly held 'belief'? What's interesting here is an example of how the 'oral tradition' works? Inasmuch, that we're both encountering different bodies of thought about ownership of something that may, or may not be, the same thing? In an anthropological sense - because I'd only 'looked' for Trev's ownership of material, that was all I'd seen until this thread. Equally, other people's relationship with the song perhaps means that they'd only 'hear' or 'see' Bob's relationship with it? Keeping in mind that we still haven't established if we're talking about exactly the same song.... if the lyrics verge on the scurrilously rude, I'd tend to veer towards believing that, it's more likely a Trevor version I'm referring to ... but, then, I don't know Bob's 'style'of lyrics. Possibly, and dodgy ancient memory kicking in here - Trev did sing a scurrilous version, which was his own take on it... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Terry McDonald Date: 20 Jul 10 - 12:35 PM But where's the proof? All I know is that when the song first appeared (and I'm sure we're all talking about the same song)c1965 it was 'known' by everyone on the Dorset scene that Bob Gale had written it. He, and the group he was part of, would sing it at Dorchester and, as the Yetties say on their 1972 album, was the acknowledged author. I've nothing against Trevor Crozier, but this is the first time I've ever heard it suggested that he wrote it. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 20 Jul 10 - 07:11 AM I collected this song from Jason Goss in 1969 who lived in Tewkesbury but he did not tell me who wrote the song. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Nemesis Date: 20 Jul 10 - 07:04 AM I did read the discussion above - and would like to add a query to it: Trevor's discography includes a song "Dorset is beautiful" (recorded by, among others, the Wurzels, The Yetties" Is that the same song discussed here - a variation of it - or something different that Trevor wrote with the same title? Certainly, rightly or wrongly, Trevor is 'credited'as the writer of a song called 'Dorset is beautiful' on many sources, for example: Scrumpt and Western - archive My memory of what Trevor said about the provenance of the version Trevor sang (and recorded) is imperfect - and sadly, he's not here either to ask... However, his young son is, and goes off to Dorset next week (his first foray into darkest England from Malawi). It would be great if we can give him an explanation of which song is which; if there are different versions; and the significance, or link, to 'Dorset' and his Dad? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Terry McDonald Date: 20 Jul 10 - 04:30 AM No, it was Bob Gale - see discussion above, |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Nemesis Date: 20 Jul 10 - 03:40 AM I was always lead to understand that 'Dorset is Beautiful' - or at least the version(s)recorded by the Yetties and The Wurzels - was written by Trevor Crozier? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: Terry McDonald Date: 10 Mar 10 - 12:07 PM Yes, of course you're right about Paul Simon not playing at Dorchester - I should have read your post properly! We only visited the Half Moon a couple of times because our club in Bournemouth was, like Yeovil, held on a Friday. I do have an abiding memory of going there one night to see Martin Carthy and, with the Yetties, going to a Chinese restaurant after the gig. Martin and Pete Shutler did a mock duet of the Walker Brothers' 'My Ship is Coming In' with a sauce bottle doubling as a microphone.... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: bubblyrat Date: 10 Mar 10 - 11:43 AM Well, I meant Paul Simon appeared at the Half Moon in Yeovil,not in Dorchester. I know,as I was there that night,along with Duo "Terry & Allan" ( Terry was a Lt/Commander ,RN,and a test-pilot,whilst Allan was an RAF Corporal,both stationed,like me,at Yeovilton).They were very good,as I recall.Another "Act" I enjoyed from those days was "The Country Strings", whom I saw in a pub in Taunton. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: Terry McDonald Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:31 PM We,'The Biddles', were regulars at Dorchester every Thursday between 1964 and 1966, indeed it was (along with our own club in Bournemouth) where we learnt our trade. Regulars were Dave Evans, who ran it, Mike York, Mike McCoy, Ray Mitchell (who's still at the current Dorchester club, same premises but now it's called Tom Brown's)and Greg Schofield (who was a cross channel swimmer.)The Yetties were regular visitors (there were five of them originally) and so were Exeter's Journeymen - Ken Penney, Dave someone and Gerry Higson. I don't remember Paul Simon appearing although his songs were becoming known through Julie Felix and also two lads from Exeter - one was named John Remsbury but I can't remember the other one. I do remember going to the Fountain in Wemouth to see Paul Simon but he'd cancelled the gig. Anyway, as I said in April 2008, 'Dorset is Beautiful' was introduced at Dorchester by The Dumpledores and it was always accepted that one of their number, Bob Gale, had written it. Both the Yetties and ourselves soon picked it up and it became an automatic choice when we were booked to perform at clubs outside of Dorset, i.e. in foreign parts such as Wiltshire and Hampshire. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: bubblyrat Date: 09 Mar 10 - 04:44 PM The Dorchester Folk Club !! That brings back memories ! It was in a pub called "The Chequers" going down towards the bottom end of the high street---it was in a room upstairs,as I recall (1964-66). Of course, the Yetties then were based in the Yeovil Folk Club,which was in Half Moon Street,in the eponymous pub--at least one Yeti, (Bob ??) was a dustman in those days,and could be seen going around Yeovil on the back of the Corporation Dust Cart ! Biggest moment for us was having Paul Simon as guest in ,I think,1965.But I don't recall them singing that song in those days --I asked Tony Rose for the words some time later ,well probably 1968-ish,in Plymouth,and he sent them to me (nice man !). At that time ,also,the Weymouth Folk Club was in the Fountain Hotel,on the seafront, so,what with those three,and The Forge in Sidmouth,where I used to stay at weekends (in The Winter Gardens,corner of Fore Street, now "Brown's Bar" or something weird),we were spoilt for choice ( there was also the "White Post" at Marston Magna, and ANOTHER Folk Club in Exeter). Happy days ! Roger ( "Robin & Roger", 1964--66) !!! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful (Bob Gale) From: GUEST,Elise Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:50 PM We learnt this in primary school. I must have been 9 and still remember at least some of it! Can pass it on to my kids now (although we live in Shropshire now!) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST,bob gale's daughter! Date: 25 Jan 10 - 12:33 PM how strange around the anniversary of my dads death I should look to find the words to sing this song to my daughter and stumble apon a group of people talking about him...as far as I was ever aware my dad wrote this and the yetties sang it after. I will haveto ask my mum if she knows.. I think the words were printed in an old childrens song book mum had too. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Herga Kitty Date: 13 Apr 08 - 03:45 PM Bill S - I remember the Dorset tour, of course, and quite a few of the highlights, but not the details of the verses sung in the Smith's. I suspect some verses from the Thrashing Machine got chucked in the mix though (tinned tomatoes, anyone?) Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST,Terry McDonald Date: 13 Apr 08 - 07:14 AM Hmmm - all I know is that it was a 'new' song c.1965 and the Dumpledores were known tohave written it.They were a quartet that included Bob Gale, but also an older man whose name I can't rtemember but he was a teacher, probably a music teacher, as Beaminster School. I think he had a hand in writing it as well as Bob, but it may well be that, as Wolfhound suggests, it just sort of grew from already existing jokey verses. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Wolfhound person Date: 13 Apr 08 - 04:48 AM Parts of it were written by Jack Pragnell who is my uncle by marriage. When I talked to Bonnie about this at Halsway Manor a few years ago, there was obviously some difficulty about who had actually "written it" - so it may have been a compilation of two sets of words. Paws |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST,Terry McDonald Date: 13 Apr 08 - 04:31 AM As Guest Austin Polard said in 2001, it was written by Bob Gale. He was part of a group from Beaminster called The Dumpledors (Dorset dialect for 'Bumblebee') and he/they would sing it at Dorchester Folk Club (weekly,Thursdays)in the mid 60s. The Yetties were frequent visitors to Dorchester (as were we - their club and ours were both on Fridays) and the song quickly became popular within the county. It didn't take long for it to be exported to other parts. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST,bill S from Perth Date: 12 Apr 08 - 10:22 PM This song came to mind recently, obviously it has disappeared from here for the last 7 years and we basically have just the Yetties' lyrics plus the Grenadier and choirboy which appears in other songs. Casting my mind back to 1975 (easier to remember than yesterday) the Herga Morris toured Dorset and finished each night with a song session, the Oak at Cerne and the Dragon at Piddletrentide stand out but our best night was at the Smiths in Godmanstone, a sad loss to the English pub scene when it closed. But I digress. Inevitably,we sang Dorset is Beautiful and after the verses above, a Dorset drawl said "Oi'll give ee a verse" and then all the locals added a verse, with the landlord adding about three, if my memory is correct, needless to say we couldn't remember them the next day (well, we had been to at least six pubs and a brewery). Herga Kitty was there and may remember (Hi Kitty). Has anyone collected any additional verses from that area? |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DORSET IS BEAUTIFUL^^ From: vectis Date: 03 Dec 01 - 05:17 PM This is the one I got from The Yetties in the '70s and am still singing today. I hope you enjoy singing it as much as I have DORSET IS A'BEAUTIFUL ...Oh! Dorset is a'beautiful wherever you go And the rain in the summer-time makes the wurzle tree grow When you're sitting in the spring-time in the thunder and the hail, With your true love, on a turnip plant, to hear the sweet nightingale... As I was a'walking one morning with a lass, Two Dorsetshire farmers I chanced for to pass. And one said to the other as we went strolling by; "There be more birds in the long grass than there be in the sky" Oh! Nellie is my girlfriend and I loves her so. Her's as big as an haystack and 40 years old. Farmer says hers ginormous and loud do he scoff For you has to leave a chalk mark to show where you left off. Farmer looks at young Gwendoline and he looks at young Ned "What a handsome young couple, they ought to be wed". Farmer says sadly "It's impossible of course For Gwendoline is my daughter and Ned he is my horse". One day as her went milking with Nellie the cow, Her pulled and her tugged but her didn't know how. So after a short while, Nellie turned with a frown, Saying "You hang on tight love and I'll jump up and down". ^^ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: cyder_drinker Date: 01 Dec 01 - 09:35 AM Another verse (maybe not from the original song though) There's a public convenience along the High street ^^ |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Liz the Squeak Date: 30 Nov 01 - 08:05 PM See, I was close - only 3 years out!!! (by the way, in 1972, I was 8......) LTS |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST,Austin Pollard Date: 30 Nov 01 - 08:04 PM Sorry, the date was 1972. Argo ZFB38. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Liz the Squeak Date: 30 Nov 01 - 07:38 PM A date for the sleeve notes would be appreciated, because I remember this from a great deal longer than 7 years ago - more like 27!! LTS |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST,Austin Pollard Date: 30 Nov 01 - 07:33 PM From the sleeve notes: Beaminster lad, Bob Gale, wrote this Dorset National Anthem' about seven years ago and first sang it at our club in Yeovil. Many singers have popularised it and the last verse was added, we believe, by the Blackpool Taverners, We First recorded this song for the BBC Radio Enterprises LP "Folk on Friday" and are very grateful to Radio Enterprises anti Producer Frances Line for allowing us to use it here. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: GUEST Date: 30 Nov 01 - 03:31 PM Gareth, that one was done by fried wetleg,sorry Fred Wedlock but it could well have been found by him |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Jim Dixon Date: 30 Nov 01 - 12:23 PM The second verse of the above song is essentially the same joke as in Hoagy Carmichael's song HUGGIN' AND CHALKIN'. I wonder which came first? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Gareth Date: 19 Sep 01 - 03:58 PM Wether this is a Yetties original, or a snatch half remembered from a rugby playing evening I can't recall.
But :-
" I was a walking in Dorset one day Gareth |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Trevor Date: 19 Sep 01 - 04:27 AM Thanks Kitty - that's the one! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: DORSET IS BEAUTIFUL^^ From: Herga Kitty Date: 18 Sep 01 - 05:47 PM As I recall, the words were on the lines of the following: DORSET IS BEAUTIFUL As I was a walking one day with a lass Some Dorsetshire farmers us happened to pass And one of 'em said loudly as we passed 'un by There be more birds in the long grass than there be in the sky
Now Sarah is me girlfriend and I do love her so
Farmer Brown he looks at Gwendolyn and he looks at young Ned
Oh Gwendolyn went milking with Nelly the cow Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: The Shambles Date: 18 Sep 01 - 03:05 PM I know the chorus.
Dorset is beautiful where ever you go I have never forgiven the Yetties for saying that if Dorset were given an enema, they would stick it in Portland.....Mind you that was 30 years ago! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Sorcha Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:44 AM Looks like you are either going to have to wait for someone who knows the lyrics, or buy the book: The Yetties Songbooks The definitive songbooks from Dorset's superstars. The words to all their popular songs with music notation and guitar chords. Book 1 £10.95 Book 2 £10.95 Available at: http://www.the-music-room.com/system/index.html |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Sorcha Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:35 AM If so, Liz, I can't find it with either SS or Forum search. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Liz the Squeak Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:34 AM I'm sure this has been discussed elsewhere here, try linking with Yetties or Dorset. LTS
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Sorcha Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:34 AM Never mind that one, it just tells which album the song is on. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Sorcha Date: 18 Sep 01 - 11:11 AM I found this page that lists all the Yetties songs as links to view, but it won't let me in. Dorset is Beautiful is listed. |
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Subject: Dorset Is Beautiful From: Trevor Date: 18 Sep 01 - 10:41 AM Would anybody happen to know where I can find the words for 'Dorset Is Beautiful', as sung by The Yetties, please? |
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