Lyr Req: Shores of Old Blighty (Graeme Miles)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: GUEST,Jenny
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 12:53 PM

Many thanks to you all for your help. I can now get on and learn this song.

By the way, if any of you are ever in the West Kent/East Sussex area on a first or third Thursday in the month let me know. I can direct you to a great pub singaround with The Travelling Folk.

Jenny.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 05:56 AM

The Wilson's recorded version on Horumarye says it is the first recording of original version of the song ("written on board the 'Empire Parkeston'when I embarked for Germany in 1955" - sleeve notes by Graeme Miles), although he believed several recordings of the third version existed.

When I started singing on Teesside in the mid 60s, the usual version (sung mainly by The Teesside Fettlers - this was possibly the third version GM referred to - I must dig out my old TF recordings and see if they recorded it;I can't remember) was only 3 verses (omitting the farewell to the girls from the 4 verse version quoted elsewhere), this was presumably the third version. That verse we got from Graeme himself at some time in the late 60s/early 70s. The tune used differed from that used by the Wilsons in that it was a slow 3-time song without the repeat of the Sergeant bit at the end of the verse and with 'Life on a serviceman's pay' in the chorus.
The very long version quoted elsewhere I have never heard and don't know if this is one of Graeme's later versions of the song or not.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 04:51 AM

Keith A. I believe Graeme Miles was responsible for some of the mutation of this song, himself. I understand that he modified it, at least, twice after it was in the public domain.

A slight variation on the folk process! Author re-process perhaps?

Brian

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:41 PM

How quickly a song mutates into different variants.
Folking process!
Keith.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: nutty
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 07:18 AM

Being pedantic but could we please spell the name properly .
The gentleman in question is GRAEME MILES
The song was written about the start of 2years National Service which Graeme spent in Germany
Supposedly on manouvers but according to Graeme the majority if the time was spent peeling potatoes .. leaving him with lots of opportunities for song writing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 08:16 PM

It can be found a little closer to home, of course, by searching for shores of old blighty through the very useful, and sadly under-used, "Digitrad and Forum Search", which can be found on the main Forum page.  You would find:

ADD: THE SHORES OF OLD BLIGHTY

And, incomplete and uncredited to its author,  Shores of Old Blighty Lyrics

Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHORES OF OLD BLIGHTY (Graeme Miles)
From: mousethief
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:39 PM

THE SHORES OF OLD BLIGHTY
(Graham Miles)
We're two hundred soldiers on a troop carrying ship,
All dressed in our uniforms brown,
We're all bound for Germany on a night trip,
Serving our nation and crown.

CHORUS:
And the shores of old Blighty we're leaving behind,
The dim lights of Harwich are fading away,
When we get to Germany how will we find,
Life on a serviceman's pay, sergeant,
Life on a serviceman's pay.

We're two hundred squaddies all barely but men,
And they've given us numbers instead of our names,
Oh how I wish I was back home again,
Each one is thinking the same.

CHORUS

We're two hundred conscripts asleep down below,
Till the sergeant awakes us at dawn,
And the low lands of Holland by the rising sun show,
And it's down on the quay we must fall.

CHORUS

-------------------------------------------------------

found on Google using "shores of old blighty" as search text.

Alex

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The shores of old blighty we're leav
From: Jim Hancock
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:37 PM

Written by Graham miles, amongst many it's on the Wilsons' album Horumerie (think that's how you spell it but can't be bothered to go and look)

Subject: The shores of old blighty we're leaving
From: GUEST,Jenny Wright
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:31 PM

Can anyone help to provide the words to this song? I don't know the title but I believe the chorus goes something along the lines:

The shores of old blighty we're leaving behind The bright lights of Harwich are fading away When we get to Germany how will we find Life on a few bob a day sergeant?

Its about conscripts on their way to do their service in Germany I think.

Thanks in anticipation.

Jenny