Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: breezy
Date: 23 Sep 15 - 04:01 PM

Did MCP smile at the spelling

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: 2581
Date: 04 Oct 11 - 05:01 PM

Does anyone know of any cover versions of Roger Watson's "Number Two Top Seam" other than June Tabor's excellent version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 07:41 PM

Got that sorted, thanks to Mick Pearse.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 06:31 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 04:48 AM

Just to let you all know that Roger has a new album out. It's called 'Past & Present' on Wildgoose Records,WGS367CD. I've heard it. It's Good.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:24 PM

Good to hear from the composer - thanks Roger! Can anyone point me to an online source for the tune, please - DT doesn't have it.

Regards

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Number Two Top Seam (Roger Watson)
From: GUEST,Roger Watson
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 12:06 PM

Stumbled across this thread while looking for something else ...

Very interested (and thrilled) to see the variations in lyrics, from my 'original' set c.1965. As a firm believer that one of the distinguishing marks of a folksong is its ability to evolve into numerous personalised versions, I am grateful to Ray for sharing his. The tune is not consciously adapted from a morris tune, but if it sounds like one,that brings a smile to my face, too.

Best of luck

Roger

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: GUEST,Dave (Bridge)
Date: 31 Mar 08 - 09:49 AM

Thanks Ray, I can sing it again now. My version only differed in that it was the clergy who drank claret and burgundy wine.

Thanks again, the wonders of Mudcat eh?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: R. Padgett
Date: 31 Jul 05 - 08:48 AM

Thanks Sapper; Roger was an acquaintance many years ago
Colin Cater I met in 1974 in Chelmsford who adapted the tune for the above song

I was wanting to check whether my set of remembered words were reasonably accurate? any takers?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: sapper82
Date: 31 Jul 05 - 07:49 AM

Got The Pick and The Malt Shovel on "Resident's Night Out", an LP done by the Fo'cstle Folk club in Southampton MANY years ago!
Also had fun as the King John's Morris animal, Piglet, pestering Roger Watson on the stage at Sidmouth.

Subject: Lyr Add: PICK AND THE MALT SHOVEL (Roger Watson)
From: R. Padgett
Date: 31 Jul 05 - 06:34 AM

Pick and The Malt Shovel ~ I was surprised to find this isn't listed I was given the words a long time ago by Eric Presley, Fool with Wath Morris Men and I wanted to check that the oral tradition had not changed the words unduly ~ this is my version, when I resurrect it again!

PICK AND THE MALT SHOVEL
(Roger Watson)

Now the Collier's the lad who puts warm in our homes
With coal for our fires in bad weather
And the Brewers the lad who puts warmth in our hearts
And keeps us all merry together

Chorus
With a Pick and a Malt shovel hand in hand
And a harvest of coal and of barley
Here's a health to the collier the brewer as well
As they rise in the morning so early

O what would the brewer do without a fire
To kindle his brew in the morning
So he praises the collier so hard at his work
For supplying the coal for the burning

The collier is weary at the end of his day
When his shift underground it is over
But he pays to the Union and drinks down his ale
And so soon the evening is over

Now the poor they know little of burgundy wine
While the rich they drink brandy and sherry
But the collier's delight is the juice of the hops
Which keeps him so healthy and merry

So good luck to the collier good luck to his coal
Which keeps us so warm in the winter
And good luck to the brewer good luck to good ale
In a pint pot so fine the year round so

Anybody Know any different??
Tune an adapted Morris one
Ray

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: Harry Basnett
Date: 23 Aug 02 - 05:21 AM

As jonm. quite rightly said in the previous message, Roger Watson (ex Muckram Wakes; Druids and New Victory Band) composed this song...it was recorded on the album 'The Pick and the Malt Shovel' released on the Traditional label in 1974 (TSR 017).

Roger states that the song "does not describe any particular disaster in detail, but is based on events at Hucknall in the late forties."

Apparently, the song was sung to the tune of 'Come all ye tramps and hawkers" until Colin Cater came up with the current tune in 1970.

Hope this helps.........all the best -

Harry Basnett.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: GUEST,jonm
Date: 23 Aug 02 - 03:54 AM

The "Watson" is Roger Watson, songwriter, musician and linguist extraordinaire, formerly of Muckram Wakes (he wrote the Pulling Down Song with John Tams and Salvation Band too, both on Muckram Wakes records). He was also a driving force behind the New Victory Band.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: michaelr
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 08:03 PM

rewind

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: michaelr
Date: 06 Aug 02 - 11:13 PM

C'mon folks -- SOMEONE must know SOMETHING!?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Aug 02 - 03:13 PM

refresh - still lookink for identity of writer Watson, and background story.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: Gareth
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:20 PM

mg, we do, oh yes we do !

I drive past the site of the Merthyr Vale tips every day to and from work. There are trees and flowers growing there now. - And the pit is closed.

Gareth

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: michaelr
Date: 29 Jul 02 - 07:51 PM

Thanks, Masato... my DT search didn't turn it up, for some reason.

Now who is this Watson it's attributed to? And do we know whether it's a true story?

Elementary,
Michael

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 28 Jul 02 - 09:29 PM

Remember that terrible day in Wales when the slag heap came down on a school? mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: masato sakurai
Date: 28 Jul 02 - 08:14 PM

NUMBER TWO TOP SEAM is in the DT.

~Masato

Subject: Mining song: No. 2 Top Seam
From: michaelr
Date: 28 Jul 02 - 06:21 PM

The current mining thread brought this song to mind. It's on "A Cut Above" by June Tabor and Martin Simpson.

Does anyone have the words/chords, or any background info?

Cheers,
Michael