Lyr Req: Spiral Staircase (Ralph McTell)

Subject: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 05:52 PM

I've been searching for ages for the lyrics to Spiral Staircase by Ralph McTell, can anyone help me?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:16 PM

Good luck. I didn't find it on-line, it's probably copyrighted. Perhaps folkmonster has these too; I'll see if I can ask.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:46 PM

Hi folks

Think I might have it. I'll rummage thru my old Ralph McT song books tomorrow n get back to you.

John Collyer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: PaulM
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 06:50 PM

Ralph is notoriously protective of his lyrics, hence very few are on the web.

I'm sorry if this suggestion seems churlish, but why don't you buy a recording and transcribe them for yourself?

It isn't hard...

Paul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:15 PM

Paul, not churlish at all, IMO. Can't blame the man, can we? It's just that is seems most folk can't be bothered to either buy or transcibe if they have bought. It does involve a little effort, after all. Easier to just ask for the work to be done for you. Happens all the time here. I also just noticed that the Requester didn't even post a guest name..........

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: folkmonster
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:20 PM

Sorry, I don't have that one - and the lyrics are quite hard to make out with 100% accuracy.

FM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:41 PM

Thanks, FM, for checking in. Back to the drawing board, it looks like.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:54 PM

I've got it on at least one compilation album. Catchy tune, but I've never really listened to the words (I bought it for the trad stuff - as soon as I hear a guitar my mind switches off).

Things are keeping me busy at the moment, but I might find time to transcribe it over the next week or so, if nobody beats me to it.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: PaulM
Date: 24 Jan 02 - 07:56 PM

well, i've got the record, and i could do it.

I am however going to wait until Guest: i've been searching for ages replies to the thread before spending my time on what might be a whim

Folkmonster: the lyrics are very clear and easy to understand to my ears

Paul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: GUEST,Reeltime
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 12:56 PM

Right, firstly I do have a recording and I have tried to transcribe the lyrics but am stuck on certain lines Secondly, I forgot to Log in before I posted the message, so am not just another guest posting one message then leaving Thirdly and finally, your comments don't bother me, but a new member who was reading them could quite easily think that a lot of people in here aren't interested in helping Anyone other than the other regulars

Right rant over, I would still like the lyrics please

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: PaulM
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 03:28 PM

OK, post the lines you have and I'll fill in the gaps...

Can't say fairer than that...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: SharonA
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:03 PM

Ah, but is there a song called "Ralph McTell" by Spiral Staircase? *BG*

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: GUEST,John Collyer
Date: 27 Jan 02 - 02:14 PM

Hi all

OK, well I have got he words and music in print in a very old songbook of Ralphs. If anyone want to contact me at [e-mail] I'll gladly 'stat the page n send it on

John Collyer

Subject: Lyr Add: SPIRAL STAIRCASE (Ralph McTell)
From: Snuffy
Date: 06 Feb 02 - 04:38 PM

Here's what I make of it by ear, Reeltime. Not guaranteed 100%: any corrections welcomed!

SPIRAL STAIRCASE

(Ralph McTell)

I'm running up a spiral staircase
Still in a hole in the ground
And the staircase is swimming
And my head is spinning
I don't even dare to look round

Cho #1:
And I'm running up a spiral staircase
I can't reach the top
I'm running up a spiral staircase
And I'm too scared to stop.
And there's nothing anybody can do
To stop the staircase like a giant corkscrew
From spinning around
And around, and around

Now in the beginning I only saw you
When the staircase hit your vision line
But now that it's moving round so fast
Well I see you all of the time

Cho #1:

Now in the beginning it was moving so slowly
I didn't notice it at first
But now that it's moving round so fast
I think my poor head is going to burst.

Cho #2:
And I'm running up a spiral staircase
I can't reach the top
I'm running up a spiral staircase
And I'm too scared to stop.
And I believe I'm a-going to shoot through
Unless the staircase like a giant corkscrew
Stops spinning around
And around, and around

Now without a doubt I'm wearing out
And I'm really beginning to tire
And though the staircase is still
It just about feels
As though its going to catch on fire

Cho #2:

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: GUEST,PaulM
Date: 06 Feb 02 - 04:49 PM

Superb job, Snuffy!

Beyond the occasional 'and' I can't offer any corrections at all.

You make me feel very guilty for my grouchiness...

especially as Mrs Adlam's Angels is the next track on the record!

Paul

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Snuffy
Date: 06 Feb 02 - 05:15 PM

Not on mine, it isn't!

On one CD it comes beween 'Streets of London by The Johnstons and 'Bruton Town' by Pentangle; on the other between 'New Street Blues, by Gerry Rafferty and Lennons 'Imagine' by the Spinners!!??!! Birthday presents from well-meaning non-folkie relatives. Bless 'em.

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From:
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 06:52 PM

anyone know chords to spiral staircase

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 05:12 AM

Spiral Staircase

The owner of that website is a Mudcatter, a McTell fan, and no mean singer and guitarist himself.

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: songs2play
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 05:25 AM

Thanks for the link Joan,

BUT you know I don't take complements. - Thanks anyway.

Sorry I missed Thursday night singaround, I was in Chester with my daughter, and time just flew by. I hadn't seen her for a while so we had a lot to catch up on.
Leighton

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph McTell- Spiral Staircase
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 01:56 PM

Leighton, you were missed last Thursday, but that sounds like a good enough reason why.

And you throw enough compliments my way, only returning the favour ;>)

Joan

Subject: Chords Add: SPIRAL STAIRCASE (Ralph McTell)
From: GUEST,Richard
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 04:32 PM

Chords.

G formation then choose your key with a capo! Style is ragtime played with a modified claw hammer finger pick so you can pick out the tune. Good luck

G
I'm running up a spiral staircase
D                      G
Still in a hole in the ground
G
And the staircase is swimming

And my head is spinning
D                      G
I don't even dare to look round

    Cho #1:
       D
    And I'm running up a spiral staircase
    G
    I can't reach the top
    D
    I'm running up a spiral staircase
       G
    And I'm too scared to stop.
                A7
    And there's nothing anybody can do

                C
    To stop the staircase like a giant corkscrew
                  G
    From spinning around
       D          G
    And around, and around