Lyr Req: Down by the Dockyard (David McWilliams)

Subject: Down by the Dockyards
From: GUEST,barry
Date: 17 Feb 02 - 09:00 PM

I have been looking for the words of a David Mc Williams(days of pearly spencer)song called Down by the dockyards,for a long time,Ihave tried all the usual engines and have come up blank.The first line is,DOWN BY THE DOCKYARDS THE WATER LIES STILL,BIG CRANES LIKE TOMBSTONES SURROUND HER.The song is about Belfast where Davy was born.Hope somebody can help. Many Thanks Barry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Down by the Dockyards
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 20 Feb 02 - 06:21 AM

Refreshing this request. I can just about remember Days of Pearly Spencer, but I don't recall hearing this one. It looks interesting, but like Barry I've had no luck with search engines. Surely somebody has some old LPs with this one on it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Down by the Dockyards
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 10:00 PM

"Love Like A Lady"/"Down By The Dockyard" was released as a 45rpm single (Dawn DNS 1044) by David McWilliams in 1973. No luck finding lyrics on the 'Net, but I did find that some oldies record dealers are offering it for sale.

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN BY THE DOCKYARD
From: Fliss
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 05:23 PM

I was having a trawl on Mudcat and on Google for info about David McWillams and came across this thread.

I was wondering what happened to him. He got a lot of airtime on Radio Caroline in the late 60s. A time when I was at teacher training college in Canterbury.

Wonder if the person is still looking for the song below!

DOWN BY THE DOCKYARD (An epitaph for Belfast)

down by the dockyard
the water's lie still
the big cranes like tombstones surround her
down by the dockyard
the water's lie still
dead as the city that bounds her

the old woman
wrapped in her long faded shawl
in the doorway she waits for tomorrow
once there was laughter
behind her old walls
now just the grey face of sorrow
the houses are empty
the neighbours all gone
the stones are still standing
but they're standing alone
as the boat bound for Liverpool
sings her song
the cobble-stones echo the silence

once she stood proud
and she held her head high
'til hate came to rule her
and men told her lies
and father fought son never knowing
the gun became master
and prejudice ruled
a home made for madmen
a haven for fools
still she's built her own wasteland
in her churches and schools
dead as the children she's buried


The song I liked was LADY HELEN OF THE LAUGHING EYES.

Sad to read he died in 2002. http://www.davidmcwilliams.com/

fliss
also retired teacher and layabout...