Wee Dark Engine Room (Harry Robertson)

Subject: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: GUEST,smith
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 05:41 AM

Mudcat database shows Harry Robertson as the author of Wee Dark Engine Room, but I have several other references which credit the song to Eric Bogle. Anyone know for sure?

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 06:02 AM

The wee dark engine room was written by Harry Robertson, it was recoderd by Denis Tracy and Justin Murphy.

Tom

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 06:41 AM

I think you'll find that the title of this song is "Little Pot Stove!" It is as you say, written by Harry Robertson

There is an excellent recording of the song on Nic Jones' album, Penguin Eggs.

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 07:16 AM

Previous thread.

Jon

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Bruce
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 08:09 AM

Thanks for the clarification ... and for link to the previous thread ... great to have that background on a song that I enjoy so much.

Next time I will do an archive search before I ask a question!

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 08:36 AM

The Harry Robertson album "Whale Chasing Men" that introduced that song has be re-released as a CD. Yes, CAMSCO carries it.

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 03:42 AM

The connection is that Eric Bogle has recorded it titled 'Wee pot stove' with several other Robertson songs on the LP 'Down Under'.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Hrothgar
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 06:20 AM

And for those who'd like to send cheques, the copyright of "WEE pot Stove" is owned by Harry's widow, Rita.

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: kendall
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 07:07 AM

It was also recorded on Folk Legacy by Trickett, Bok and Muir.

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 07:09 AM

G'day GUEST Smith,

And I'll be talking to Lyn & Evan Mathieson, later this week at the (Australian) National Folk Festival, about the possibility/progress on a CD of Harry's other songs, from archival sources. Harry was a great writer, had a beautiful Scots feel to his work ... and illuminated his Australian experience with reference to his Scots nature.

A favourite songmaker!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Ringer
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 01:53 PM

Is the Harry Robertson album really titled "Whale Chasing Men", and if so is it designedly ambiguous?

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Marc
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 05:03 PM

Hrothgar, do you have any contact info for Harry's widow. I recorded Little Pot Stove on my own solo recording last year. I gave Harry Robertson credit, however both letters I sent, I believe to a Peter Robertson, asking for permision were never answered. I would like to pay the family their just due.

Subject: RE: Wee Dark Engine Room
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 09:40 PM

G'day,

Marc: Lyn & Evan Mathieson have been in constant contact (insofar as the Mathiesons can ever be found and contacted) with Rita - in trying to get more of Harry's work out as recordings. I should see them this weekend, at the Nationa Folk festival ... so I will raise the question of appropriate contact.

Ringer: I never heard Harry make anything of the possible ambiguity. He was a whale chasing man: and that was part of his life, back then.

However, I just ordered a copy of The journal of the Whaleship Essex ... very much about a whale actively chasing men ... and ships! (And also the major source for the story of Moby Dick. We need a few more of that one's breed stalking the Japanese scientific research team ... scientifically researching how many whales they can get away with killing (and eating) in the name of conservation!

Regards,

Bob Bolton