ADD: Silver Darlings (various)

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: GUEST,Dougal Lee
Date: 13 Aug 24 - 04:17 AM

I was searching for the lyrics of an entirely different song when the title of this thread caught my eye. I have two observations: first, I played Roddy (it would take a while to summarise the plot of Neil Gunn's novel-suffice it to say I was, in effect Kevin McKidd's stepfather) in Wildcat Theatre Company's staging of John McGrath's adaptation of 'The Silver Darlings' back in about 1994. I think I'd be right in saying that John had written a film script, but couldn't get funds, so mounted it as a play in the hope that producers might see its potential as a movie. They didn't. Shame, but we kept ourselves amused touring the show imagining who they'd get to replace us when Hollywood turned up.
Second, might the song which initiated this thread not be Brian McNeill/Dougie Pincock's's 'Silver Darlings' as performed by the Battlefield Band back in the day?:

Between the Beggar's Mantle and the lights of Peterhead
The fisher lads were heroes and the herring was the creed.
The herring paid the factor, the herring fed the wean,
But now the herring's gone, and the fishing's no' the same.

As I recall there are three other verses about how oil riggery has replaced drift fishery, and this thread is so old now the song may need something of a codicil about IT or something.

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: GUEST,Vic at home
Date: 26 Aug 19 - 05:38 PM

Mrrzy, I always thought it cran not grand.

leaps into deep bunker waiting for the manure to hit the windmill.

Vic

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Aug 19 - 07:55 PM

With a hundred grand of the silver darlings that we'd taken from the shoals of herring...

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 24 Aug 19 - 09:07 AM

Last call!
I have checked the LP The World was Born in Scotland. All titles Hulskramer/Halfin published by Minch Music which I think was Bob's own publishing company.
The singer is a fairly light, crooner and the tracks are arranged in a pseudo country and westerns style and no mention of Silver Darlings.
Instantly forgettable (in my opinion).

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 04:47 PM

Peculiar things happen with credits and the late Bob Halfin. My father wrote a typical heather and haggis song called the 'Highland Road', recorded by Dennis Clancy. It was signed by Halfin to Minch Music a company he was involved with, originally correctly credited on record to Stewart Ross.   Then in the 80's it was re-issued on CD by a Canadian Company, and mysteriously wrongly credited to Bob Halfin.. and my father had to phone up various parties to prove he wrote that darned thing.   despite being corrected, more Halfin credits appeared on other re-issues - though it is correct as Ross today. I have a feeling Halfin may have nicked the US and Canadian royalties even though he had no connection to the work. By the late 80' he was dead anyway, but it was weird how his name got attached.

Then of course as I said before - Halfin claimed 50% writing credit of a song (non-existent now), for suggesting the title to my father 'You'll never get used to Uist'. Anyway, 'Silver Darlings' is a beautiful touching melody in its own right which can be played as an instrumental and still sound great. Its nice to know that Jim wrote that element, such a shame Halfin is credited at all.. but that's the way it was back then.. Tin Pan Alley crediting arrangements.

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 08:23 AM

Joe, I think I clarified all there is to know about the writers and composers of this song. I am at the moment trying to find information on the LP " The World was born in Scotland" just in case Bob Halfin was incorrectly credited as the music writer.
The bottom line is that Hulskramer wrote the words and I wrote the music.

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 04:38 AM

Hi, Jim - anything you can add to this thread will be helpful. I want to wrap up the thread and correct and format the songs.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 04:23 AM

" .....CHECK..... ". Too early in the morning!

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 04:20 AM

".... Don't know about the World was born in Scotland but will CHECH on the credits........"

Subject: RE: ADD: Silver Darlings (various)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 22 Aug 19 - 04:15 AM

For the record:
The poem by Andrew Huskramer was given to me in the late 1960s by Bob Halfin and I wrote original music for it.

It was sung for the first time by Alastair McDonald and recorded on an LP NEVR 002, NEVIS RECORDS in 1970.

I produced the LP and gave the following credits:

Silver Darlings. Halfin/Hulskramer/McLean   
Publisher Cinephonic.
It was thus registered with the PRS and MCPS.

I don't know about the LP "The World Was born in Scotland" but will on the credits.

I already explained that Bob claimed a third of the song as he came up with song ... typical Tin Pan Alley tactics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 19 - 06:32 AM

There are 21 registered lyrical works with Andrew Hulskramer's name.. and Bob Halfin associated with the songs.. and in one other case apart from Silver Darlings "THERES MONY A BONNIE BOAT" credited with Jim McLean. An LP was released in 1970 by James John Beveridge on Grampian Records, as per the newspaper story.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 21 Aug 19 - 04:11 AM

Could someone please alter the heading of this thread? Clearly Anddrew Hulskramer was the originator of the work as per the MCPS PRS registration, with the esteemed Jim Mclean mainly setting it to music, as for the dodgy late Bob Halfin's role (?) - ah well he is credited.   Anyway, the publishers have claimed the lion's share of this work, so I hope they are paying the author's estate their dues.. as the guy wasn't a PRS/MCPS member.   But it should be made clear in the thread heading, it is Halfin/McLean/Hulskramer.. not just Halfin and McLean. The guy deserves his tribute.. see above the story I found about him in newspapers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 19 - 03:39 AM

Andrew Huslkramer Scottish amateur poet whose works were set to music, was born in 1913 and died in 1969. This is from Aberdeen Evening Express August 1970 .POET'S DREAM COME TRUE When Aberdeen Corporation adoption officer Mr Andrew Hulskramer died in December he missed by only a few months what would have been the proudest moment, of his life. For to-day a long-playing record of some of Mr Hulskramer’s poems set to music is on sale in an Aberdeen music shop. His wife, Elsie, 28 Deeside Gardens, Aberdeen, told of how her had hoped that he would live long enough to see the issue of the LP that had been his ambition. “My husband had been writing poetry from an early age, and one day he showed some of bis work to a colleague “He thought It marvellous, and advised Andrew to tend some poems to London. Then was told that the poems would make beautiful songs. “The music was written by Mr Bob Halfln, who Is associated with Grampian Records of Wick. “I believe this record; ’The World was Born In Scotland’ — may bethe first of many.” Mr Hulskramer, whose grandfather was Dutch, was born In Buckhaven, Fife, and moved with his wife to Aberdeen in 1965.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Aug 19 - 01:16 PM

Hulskramer!!!! I wrote that last post too quickly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Aug 19 - 10:20 AM

I spent the last couple of days searching through my old notebooks and, Eureka! I found the original scribble from Bob Halfin who gave me the poem and he said the writer was ANDY Halskrimmer who came from Aberdeen and was writing during 1920-30s.
My only excuse for forgetting this is that it was over 50 years ago and I apologise to anyone I may have mislead.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: keberoxu
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 07:46 PM

Actually, where I found "Andy Hulskramer" by name
was not the "discogs" pages.

My online search pulled up,
from the 1930's yet,
some directories of copyright listings.

The song was NOT "silver darlings"
but something called "and now you know,"
don't ask me what that is;
and "Andy" or was it "Andrew" Hulskramer
was named as the author of the lyrics.
1930's, yet!

Fascinating to see how the folk-music process takes over.
It's a wonder his name is recorded anywhere,
he could have been just another of the multitude
covered by the words Anonymous or Traditional.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST,Jim McLean
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 06:22 PM

RunrigFan Alastair McDonald recorded the song many years later and credited ANDY Hulskramer along with Bob and myself. Where he got the name from, I have no idea as I gave HIM the song.
I will as Alastair.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: RunrigFan
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 06:12 PM

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MearnsCoastal/posts/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 06:07 PM

RunrigFan, I didn't know his first name either so I don't know why it's given as Andy.
I am the only source for this poem and only put last names on the credits on the original LP.
I do t understand "keberoxu".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: RunrigFan
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 02:47 PM

I never knew his first name.

hence the link and for keberoxu

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 12 Aug 19 - 04:55 AM

RunrigFan, I don't understand why you are pointing to the Discog page as it only lists recordings of the song and the reference to Hulskramer only applies to the credits on the albums which I have already explained.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: RunrigFan
Date: 11 Aug 19 - 09:14 PM

see link above Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 03:59 PM

I explained already that Bob Halfin gave me a poem he said was written by a man called Hulskramer who was dead. This was around 1964/5. I wrote the music to it and in 1971/2 I recorded Alastair McDonald singing it on my own label NEVIS Records. I wrote a spoken intro performed by Leo McQuire.
Bob worked for a publishing firm called Campbell Connelly and it had a subsidiary company called Cinephonic who then published the song. Bob, by supplying the poem, claimed a third of the song hence the credits reading, Jim McLean, Bob Halfin and Hulskramer ...... I never knew his first name.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: RunrigFan
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 01:58 PM

https://www.discogs.com/artist/5098381-Andy-Hulskramer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 01:07 PM

In an attempt to answer my own question,
my searches have scraped up

"Andrew (Andy) Hulskramer"

and I'll go back to look now, through this thread,
but I don't think
this co-author's full name and correctly spelled surname
have been on this thread previously.
More, if I dig up any.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: keberoxu
Date: 10 Aug 19 - 01:01 PM

What is a Hulskrammer?

Subject: ADD: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: RunrigFan
Date: 09 Aug 19 - 06:37 PM

SILVER DARLINGS
(Andrew Huskramer, Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)

O herrings are harvests that fishermen glean
Where flashes the silver through deep ocean green,
But when herring harvests reach old Aberdeen
They're known as the silver darlings.

CHORUS:
Silver darlings on Aberdeen quay,
Brought by the fisherman home from the sea
To the city that stands 'twixt the Don and the Dee,
The home of the silver darlings.

The boats leave the harbour, their wake spreading wide
And empty they roll, with the swell of the tide.
O soon may their hatches be thrown open wide
For a catch of the silver darlings.

CHORUS:
Silver darlings on Aberdeen quay,
Brought by the fisherman home from the sea
To the city that stands 'twixt the Don and the Dee,
The home of the silver darlings.

With ice in the rigging and death down below,
The gales screaming wild and the glass hanging low,
The wives and the sweethearts are women who know
The price of the silver darlings.


As sung by David Solley

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 03:02 PM

Thanks Guest 16 April 12.55 - that had not occurred to me! I imagine there are many parodies (?) in existence eg for amateur dramatic group pantomimes etc? Folk songs even- - so many borrowed tunes!

As for 'Last Vango in Harris' - it was very specific, about a single event (which did not in the end actually happen)and those that vaguely recall it are not 100% certain it was much more than the title and intro -- tho' I have a gut feeling with that title there must be a mention of camping somewhere?
I might have to head for Tarbert, Harris and start quizzing everybody over a certain age --- think I'll contact the castle too, the estate became a community buyout enabled by the current owner, and the castle a hotel I think, probably employing many locals --

I knew Allan Law who apparently composed the words - but I never heard him sing it in Argyll -- - (or maybe I wisnae there the time(s) he did?!
Think it is like the Ballad of The Torrey Canyon, of its time and place - --
Anyone who has contact with Lewis / Harris 'folkies from the mid '70s please ask! (and let me know---!!!!)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 01:55 PM

Sorry Guest if I misread your post. I do agree that claiming for a title suggestion is cheeky. Some people in Tin Pan Alley did take advantage, I lost out a couple of times due to my näivity.
Bob's greatest line was "Mr Ben Nevis, you're as old as the hills". I don't think that can be beaten!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Apr 18 - 12:55 PM

Jim Maclean - oops! You misread what I said about Bob Halfin. You didn't see the R - it was dodgy contracts - not contacts! Minch Music co. had the old style 100 percent mechanical copyright tie you to them forever small print - whereas now a lot of people now sign contracts with reversionary rights. I found a local press story about Halfin writing a song about the beauty of Tomnahurich Cemetery Inverness, that one died a death. He used to find any novelty angle on music and try and right something about it. But a darned cheek to claim the share of a song just for suggesting the title! I do wonder if my father's tune was any good, sadly even he couldn't remember what he wrote!
(Though the song doesn't now exist so I'll never know how bad it was!)   

Re- Gallus Moll, Last Vango in Harris, your talking about a parody as it's set to someone else's copyright tune, and there are already lyrics set to it - so a lost lyrical parody rather an original compositional copyright work. Interesting though.. I must see if I can find any mention of it elsewhere!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 10:46 AM

Guest-Rossey:
that's interesting re the lost song -- now only a title ! I am currently on the hunt for a lost song (think thread title is Last Vango in Harris)probably composed around 1973/4 in the area of Tarbert, Harris and commenting on the attempt by Sir Hereward the Ladwake (!)who owned Amhuinnsuidhe Castle for about 10 years (late '60s - late '70s) to have the public road that went very close to the front of the castle (wonder which was there first?) bypassed. Sir H was a school friend (Eton?) of the leader of Inverness county council -- I think, someone of influence --- who offered to fund the bypass- - however there was a public outcry and it never happened.
The song I seen (Last Vango in Harris) was set to Chatanooga Choo Choo tune and began:
Pardon me boy, is this the Amhuinnsuide bypass,
Is Sir Hereward in, I've heard a lot about him -- - -
Alas the guy who composed it died a number of years ago so I am trying to to contact people who might have been in sessions or bars or camping etc on Harris / Lewis in the mid -'70s, perhaps recall a phrase or two, so we can build a jigsaw of bits and weave them together -- - - failing which we plan a gathering in Autumn where armed with the facts of the event we shall endeavour to remake the song ourselves!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: keberoxu
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 10:09 AM

It turns out that English cinema snatched up
"The Silver Darlings" and hurried to make a film out of it.
Novelist Neil M. Gunn assisted with the adaptation.
The film can be looked up on the Internet Movie Data Base.
Like the novel, the film was before 1950.

Don't know if the film met with success at the time,
but it seems to have sunk into oblivion since.

Perhaps a fresh attempt at filming it is in order,
working from the stage adaptation?

As for Neil M. Gunn's novel,
there's no shortage of second-hand copies for sale online,
and English publisher Faber & Faber
have since reissued the book in both hardcover and paperback.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 09:38 AM

Bob was an incredible character. He wrote many songs, some good some bad ... I'm a Pink toothbrush, you're a Blue Toothbrush .. for example. I don't think he altered Halskammer's poem, Silver Darlings, but by giving it to put music to it justified a claim on it in Bob's eyes. As you say, he was an old Tin Pan Alley type but I question your statement 'he has dodgy contacts'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 15 Apr 18 - 02:33 AM

Jim Maclean off the topic.. The late Bob Halfin suggested my father should write a song called 'You'll never get used to Uist'. It was probably as bad as it sounds - and is now completely lost -existing only as a song title on a contract.   When the contract came out - it was credited as Halfin/Ross - even though Mr. Halfin only gave the title! Long dead now, Bob Halfin was one of those old tin pan alley types, with cases of lyrics and songs..and dodgy contracts!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 09:56 PM

See Mudcat ThreadId=159358, I would link to it if I wasn't lousy at it.

Just came from a Google search, and had my ignorance... corrected a little.

1941, Neil Gunn published a novel called The Silver Darlings.
Sad to admit, I never before heard of Neil Gunn.
In this novel, protagonist Finn sings a version of The Cambric Shirt,
and it was this lyric which prompted Mudcatter Jack Campin
to starte ThreadId=159358 in search of info about this variation.

Neil Gunn's novel is a historical-fiction rendering
of the era following the Highland Clearances;
the Highlanders who have been evicted, and pushed to the shore,
must now earn their living fishing for herring.
Hence the title.

Since then, playwright John McGrath, he of
The Cheviot, the Stag, and the Black Black Oil,
has adapted Gunn's novel into a stage play of the same name.
It is this adaptation of which I first heard.

And when it was premiered in Glasgow, at the Citizen's Theatre,
young Finn was played by a young fellow in his first big professional stage appearance:
Kevin McKidd, no less.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 09:01 PM

Yes, fellow Guest, this thread is a corker.

Is there not a Scottish play, a theatre piece,
called The Silver Darlings, as well?
Maybe named after the song, maybe just named after the saying.

I seem to recall reading about
Raindogs, the theatre company founded by the likes of Robert Carlyle
in Glasgow,
staging a production years ago of The Silver Darlings.

First I had heard of the term.

I wonder if dimplydoo dimple and nutty are no longer with us.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 08:25 PM

For Dimple -

Iain's Notes:
The first case of foot and mouth disease was diagnosed in February 2001 at an abattoir in Essex.
The source was traced to a farm in Northumberland.
The disease spread rapidly throughout Britain - with Cumbria being the worst affected. In Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway was one of the first areas to be hit. I've written the song from a Scottish perspective, after watching an old farmer break down on television as he explained to a reporter how he had list everything.

Ill Wind Frae Cumberland

chorus:
Its an ill wind blawn frae Cumberland
That is sweeping o'er the Solway sand
Wi' disease and devastation fanned aroon

Noo the pyres burn and fortunes fa'
The length and breadth o' Gallowa
And anger bides in countryside and toon

v1
See the fairmer in ahint his gate
Broken doon in sic a state
While government debate whit should be done

A' his fields and his pastures bare
O' the kye and yowes he'd grazing there
Noo victims o' a scare
And the slaughtering gun

chorus: Its an ill wind blawn frae Cumberland....

v2
There's nae words o' hope can ease the pain
Or mak him want tae stairt again
When a' a lifetimes work in flames
You see.....................??? (oops, my copy is missing this line!)

Aye its hard enough to mak it pay
But when ye ken nae ither way
Whit is lost and gaun this day
Has brought misery

chorus: Its an ill wind blawn frae Cumberland...
    _________________________

Alas tho I have the tune in my head, I have no recording of it so either you'll have to contact Iain or me to have it sung to you! (Iain writes for accompanying himself on guitar -- then I learn some of them to sing traditionally / un-accompanied so -- best to get Iain's own version!!)
There;'s a possibility Jim Jack and John Graham have got this one from Iain, if so you might hear them do it - -- ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 02:23 PM

Fascinated to read first few messages on this combined thread. Appears if someone suggests you say please it is alright to yell at them because you have had some irrelevant bad bad luck.
When you do, people will be nice to you.
Hmmm.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 02:13 PM

Jenny, no problems.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 01:09 PM

Dimple- you might be interested in a song written by Iain Ingram (of Milngavie) called Ill Wind Frae Cumberland at the time of the Foot and Mouth outbreak. (Iain has a holiday home in Dumfries and Galloway, one of the first places in Scotland to be hit after Northumberland and Cumbria.)
I can post the words but have no idea how to share the tune- -
oops, just discovered I can't work out how to copy and paste so -- I shall have to print it off then type it into the 'reply' box!
shall do later - --

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST,Jenny Gunn
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 11:51 AM

Ah thanks Jim. I want to write the words on a physical piece of artwork - I hope the same applies? Warm regards.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 10:07 AM

Dear Jenny,
The credits to the song are given as Jim McLean, Bob Halfin and Halskrimmer. It was published by Cinephonic, London.
I set the words of the poem to music and produced and recorded Alastair McDonald on a NEVIS LP, 002, in 1972.
It has been recorded many times by different artistes so you are free to record it. Good luck

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: GUEST,GUEST Jenny Gunn
Date: 14 Apr 18 - 08:46 AM

Good afternoon. I have no idea if posting on a thread from 2009 is going to get me anywhere! But I absolutely love your song and find it very poignant. I really would love to use the lyrics of Silver Darlings on an artwork. I can’t find anything about copyright and don’t know where to start or who to ask for permission. Thank you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Bob Halfin, Jim McLean)
From: Jim McLean
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 05:16 AM

I wrote this melody to a poem by Halfin and Halskrimmer and produced it for an LP, Nevis 002,Scotland in Song, in 1972 sung by Alastair McDonald. This was the first ever recording.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings (Jim McLean, Bob Halfin)
From: GUEST,jenni R
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 04:33 AM

having a good old scottish knees up on hogmany and my grandad has requested i play this for him but does anyone know the chords for this? would really be appreciated :D

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings on Aberdeen's Quay
From: sfmowl
Date: 09 May 05 - 07:54 PM

I heard Dave Peloquin (of Wickford Express) sing this song 7 years ago and it being pre-mudcat he said HE wasn't even able to track down the credits to the song. I hit gold a couple months ago when I found somebody else who knew the song and had the authors, but not till this search did I get the specifics. Thank you Jim McLean, it's a beautiful song, and thanks Mudcat for making these quests so much easier to satisfy!!

Peace,

S Morse aka sfmowl

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings on Aberdeen's Quay
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Jul 03 - 04:55 AM

Thanks for that Keith - now I can copy out the lyrics so I can join in next time Ronnie sings it.

It's actually surprising to find that the song is relatively new - it sounds as if it goes back a long way - particularly when Ronnie does it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings on Aberdeen's Quay
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Jul 03 - 03:13 AM

Refreshed for Jacqui C.
Told You!

Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWEEL YOU SILVER DARLINS (Roy Gullane
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 05:32 PM

The above song, SILVER DARLINGS by Bob Halfin and Jim McLean, was previously posted here.

There seems to be yet another song called THE SILVER DARLIN'S (click), written by Brian McNeill and Dougie Pincock, and sung by The Battlefield Band (with Alison Kinnaird) on their album "Music in Trust, Volume 1", 1986.

Then there is this song called "Fareweel You Silver Darlins", recorded by The Tannahill Weavers on their album "Leaving St. Kilda", 1996:

(The following lyrics and notes are from The Official Tannahill Weavers Website)

FAREWEEL YOU SILVER DARLINS   
(Roy Gullane)

When this world was younger, I fished the ocean sae deep and wide,
But noo these days are flotsam and washed up wi' the tide.
I sit hame starin' at the fire,
Too young tae gledly be retired,
And mind on a' they guid days before we had tae say:

CHORUS: Fareweel, ye silver darlin's.
Nae mair we'll trawl those North Sea shoals.
We left the auld girl in the harbour,
Nae mair tae feel the ocean's roll.

My faither worked the trawlers. his auld man did the very same.
For a' the fowk in this toon the fishin' was their game.
A way of life grew auld and grey.
The young move oot or waste away.
They've never kenned the guid days before we had tae say: CHORUS

When this world was younger, the hale toon worked on this empty quay.
The fleet streetched oot afore me as faur as I could see.
Noo at the harbour I maun staun,
And count the ships on baith my hauns,
And mind on a' they guid days before we had tae say: CHORUS

Aye noo the harbour's empty, like a' the poackets in this auld toon.
The government will help ye. Aye, we'll a' flee tae the moon!
And noo the streets in front o' me
are deid just like the very sea.
What happened tae the guid days before we had tae say: CHORUS

There's rules and regulations and laws that naebody understands.
They're fishing here frae a'place but we must bide on land.
Some o' us still earn a crust
While other boats just turn tae rust
And mind on a' they guid days before we had tae say: CHORUS

[On a recent holiday to northern Scotland, the author found himself in conversation with a retired trawlerman. He was told that when the fisherman was a youngster, the children would cross the bay by walking over the decks of the trawlers. It was hard to imagine this given the dearth of boats in the bay at the time. The size of the fleet in the 90's is but a mere fraction of what it used to be, and is ever shrinking.

[This song is based on that conversation. The expletives, however, have been removed from the fisherman's references to the government.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Silver Darlings on Aberdeen's Quay
From: ChanteyMatt
Date: 24 Dec 02 - 06:40 PM

Thank you one and all. I've always wanted the lyrics to this lovely song. It's a wonderful Christmas present.

Cheers!