Lyr ADD: Goodbye John Joe (Ben Sands)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goodbye John Joe
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 05 - 01:28 AM

Glad to be of help, professor, and keep up the great work you're doing with music and the kids.

BM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goodbye John Joe
From: GUEST,Bryan Kelso Crow
Date: 15 May 05 - 01:17 AM

Many thanks for the fast response Brucie!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goodbye John Joe
From: Peace
Date: 15 May 05 - 01:10 AM

GOODBYE JOHN-JOE
Words & Music Ben Sands Elm Grove Music 1993

Well, I got up today for to go to Rathfriland
To sell the hairy pony and the cow
They were both past their best, good for nothin',
just the way that I'm a-feeling now

CHORUS

Goodbye John-Joe
It's gettin' very late and the morning comes early
Goodbye John-Joe
It's time I was home in my bed

The money that I got sure it wasn't worth countin'
After I had paid a few bills
I still owe the meal man more than a fiver
The grocer's a-waiting for my will

I felt like a drink so I went to Johny Arthur's
To have a quick half'un and a beer
I'd the best of intentions of going home early
But it's well past eleven now and I'm still here

Well, I just have enough for a cure in the morning
If I live to see another day
I'd better tell the wife I had holes in my pockets
For God's sake man, would you let me get away

Google

Artist Profile: Home

or try

www.broadjam.com/artists/artist_playlist_view_ song.asp?artistID=5820&song_id=32596&play_file=5820... - 13k

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goodbye John Joe
From: GUEST,Bryan Kelso Crow
Date: 15 May 05 - 01:04 AM

I'm glad to find information on Goodbye John Joe here. The song popped into my head today and I didn't think it would be in any of my song collections. I remember hearing the Armagh Rhymers do it, I think, back in about 1986 at a festival in Northern Ireland, and I might have a cassette tape of it. If anyone has a more definitive version of the words since Stewie posted the above version, I'd love to have them, since an arrangement also popped into my head for it today, and I'd love to do it with my band, The Dorians. Cheers!

Subject: Lyr Add: GOODBYE JOHN JOE
From: Stewie
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:34 PM

Here is the bulk of it. There are a few words that I cannot decipher -names and terms I'm unfamiliar with. I have put these in square brackets. Should be a start for you.

GOODBYE JOHN JOE
(Ben Sands)

I got up today today for to go to [Rath-?]
And to sell the hairy pony and the cow
They were both past their best, good for nothing
Just the way that I'm a-feelin' now

Chorus:
Goodbye John Joe,
It's gettin' very late and the morning comes early
Goodbye John Joe,
It's time I was home in me bed

The money I got it wasn't worth counting
After I had paid a few bills
I still owe the mailman more than the [? sounds something like 'fifer']
The grocer's a-waitin' for me will

Chorus

I felt like a drink so I went to [? something like McCarthy's]
To have a good [? sounds like it ends with 'in'] and a beer
I had the best of intentions of goin' home early
But it's well past eleven and I'm still here

Chorus

I've just got enough for a cure in the morning
If I live to see another day
I'd better tell the wife I had holes in me pocket
For God's sake man, will you let me get away

Chorus (x2)

Source: transcription from The Sands Family 'After the Morning' EMI (Ireland) LEAF 7012 [1976]

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BALLAD OF JOHN JOE O'REILLY
From: GUEST,jes
Date: 20 Oct 02 - 02:28 PM

hi tommy,

i wonder if this is the song yer lookin for ?

THE BALLAD OF JOHN JOE O'REILLY

In the month of November on a cold stormy day,
I left my own home , into town made my way.
I met with a young man on the road I did go,
And he told me the news of the death of John Joe.

John Joe O'Reilly has left us behind.
He was called by the Lord to the Faithful and Kind,
He called him to heaven,a proud land to show,
A true son of Breffni was the gallant John Joe.

Brave Clan O'Reilly and proud is your name,
You have raised many sons of great honour and fame.
But not even the princes of long long ago,
Could compare with our sportsman, the gallant John Joe.

He led Cavan to victory on that memorable day,
In the final against Kerry in New York far away.
The next year in Croke Park when the boys beat Mayo,
Once again they were led by the gallant John Joe.

His record's a proud one without blemish or stain.
He played his first football with the famed Cornafain.
Now he lies in his cold grave where the wild flowers do grow,
A true son of Breffni was the gallant John Joe.

Every corner of Breffni felt sorrow and pain.
Such a true hearted sportsman we'll ne'er see again.
Young players may come and old players may go,
But there'll not be another like the gallant John Joe.

Ibelieve there may be a second version of this song. This version was sung by Declan Nerny

Jes

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goodbye John Joe
From: GUEST,Tommy Keane
Date: 28 Sep 01 - 11:25 AM

Thanks Sorcha - I also found a site for Ben Sands at www.bensands.co.uk but no lyrics - as you suggest, I'll write him a line!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Goodbye John Joe
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 06:42 PM

Official Sands Family Website Didn't find either but the site has schedule and e mail. You could ask Ben himself....

Subject: Goodbye John Joe
From: GUEST,Tommy Keane
Date: 23 Sep 01 - 05:13 PM

Does anyone have lyrics for a Sands Family song (written by Ben Sands, I think) called Goodbye John Joe? Also, any news of Sands Family plans to play again in USA? - I know they still play widely in Europe.