Lyr Req: Green Fields of France^^^

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France^^^
From: ddw
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 10:28 PM

I saw Eric in concert a few weeks ago and he told the story about the Fureys recording "The Green Fields of France," and, when the checks started rolling in, he copyrighted the song under that title too.

david

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France^^^
From: breezy
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 08:38 PM

I think Eric used a piano on his early recording just as June Tabor does but the test is can it stand without any accompaniment and that's what makes the B>P>W>M so special.Discuss.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France^^^
From: GUEST,ParaHandy
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 06:00 PM

Whoops - My sincere apolgoes to all fans of Adam and Eric (As I am)...Forgot to put brain in gear...

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France^^^
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 05:31 PM

Some songs cry out for a parody, but this one definitely doesn't, in my books at least. It's too good and too - yes, serious for such treatment. Well-crafted as Stephen's parody may be, I've always felt it was slightly cheap. Personal opinion, of course!

Subject: Willie McBride's Reply - comment
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 12:35 PM

I agree with the gentle anti-war sentiment of Bogle's "No Man's Land." I'd say that Mudcatter Steve Suffet crafted his Willie McBride's Reply very well - but I'm a pacifist and can't agree with Steve's perspective. Still, I admire what Steve has done with his answer song.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: AKS
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 09:20 AM

Keith, have you looked at (or listened to) Eric's lyrics close enough? He does NOT tell YWMcB that he did not know why, he only wonders whether ALL who died there really knew. And that makes some difference; at least to me 'Willie McBride's Reply' comes out somewhat unfair if compared to the universal anti-war feeling of 'No Man's land'.

peace AKS

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,Maxine
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 08:48 AM

I can't say that I'm over enthralled by it either...I suppose someone thought it would be a good idea for poor Willie McBride to have a say in it all. Probably better that he keep his usual dignified silence!

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,Keith A at work.
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 08:22 AM

Boab, I can't agree. In this case I think a reply is reasonable . The original is a finely crafted and lovely song song but the concept, sitting on a soldier's grave and telling him that he didn't know what he was fighting for, and it was pointless anyway, invites a reply. However, I always condense the reply to 2 verses.
Keith.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,BOAB
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 05:09 AM

Maxine ---I find it "cringe-making". Most parodies are either from the pen of some-one riding on the original talent of a good writer [aye--even worse than copyright infringement--] or from an opportunist who wants to promote an opposing political or moral view. "Willie McBride's Reply" is just such an attempt.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: Maxine
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 03:08 AM

Just out of interest, has anyone heard 'Willie McBrides Reply'? The words to it are on the digitrad.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,chrisj
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 01:47 AM

I agree its a shame how Eric Bogle songs so often get labelled 'trad.', or 'Irish', its inevitable I guess, when they are sung mainly by folk singers, that confusion arises. In a way its a compliment to Bogle but he'd probably rather have the royalties. Malcolm, your comments seem more like 'sarcasm' than 'irony' to me or am I picking up the wrong message?

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 08:37 AM

The Eric Bogle Homepage

and

An Interview With Eric Bogle

where he talks about writing And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda and why he didn't like it.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 05:07 AM

PLease find the Eric Bogle website, and do him the justice of singing the correct words using the correct title and crediting the correct man. However to his credit when asked about it being called "The Green Fields of France" on a Fureys CD he told me it did bother him.............until the royalties started coming in!.............and with a twinkle!

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 03:44 AM

Is that the same para handy that used to ply the puffer in the Firth of Clyde? [g---:-)!!]....[dodging...]

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 09:50 PM

Yes, it's a fine song.  Unfortunately, it's been done to death by people who were too lazy, or self-important, to do the elementary courtesy of crediting it to the person who wrote it, and to bother giving it the title he intended for it.  Sure, they knew better, for wasn't it a traditional Irish song?  (irony)...

Adam McNaughtan, to give him his due, would be mortified by Guest Para Handy's comment.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: Lucy's Mom
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 05:18 PM

I really love this song -- no matter who wrote it or what you want to call it.

Personally, I've always called it "No Man's Land" by Eric Bogle. Hope I don't offend anyone when I ask if you have a chord progression for it -- key irrelevant, I'll transpose (just feeling too lazy to "chord" it myself).

Thanks for any help.

LM

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: nutty
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 04:18 PM

Poor Eric Bogle .... it really makes you mant to weep

He writes all these wonderful songs and nobody knows its him

I hope Adam McNaughtan isn't getting his royalties!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST,Para Handy
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 03:38 PM

Try looking for websites with Adam MacNaugton songs on them - he wrote the song and the similar one, Waltzing Matilda, which tells of the terrible Battle of Gallipoli.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 02:20 PM

Another Lyrics Page which includes an mp3 of June Tabor's version

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: pavane
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 02:08 PM

The original link is closest to the 'correct' words, but is missing a verse which starts: Or are you a just stranger without even a name?

The second version has this verse, but even then the words are wrong. Try to find June Tabor's version.

The song, as we keep pointing out, is properly called No Man's Land.

Subject: RE: Lyrics to Green Fields of France
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 12:29 PM

Click Here

Subject: Lyr. Green Fields of France?
From:
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 12:27 PM

Hi,
im trying to find the lyrics to "The Green Fields of France",can anybody help me? As far as i know thats the correct name, in case its not the song starts like this...
Well how do you do young Willie MacBride...
Thanks,
Robbie

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Click for lyrics in the Digital Tradition