Lyr ADD: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)

Subject: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 09:28 AM

I'm looking for the lyrics for 'I once was a fisherman' by Barry Dransfield. I know it's on his album 'Be Your Own Man'. Help would be appreciated. Helen

Subject: Lyr Add: I ONCE WAS A FISHERMAN (Barry Dransfield)
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 10:19 PM

Here you go:

I ONCE WAS A FISHERMAN
(Barry Dransfield)

There's gold in the channel when the sun lights the sea
But the boats are all pulled up and stranded like me
I once was a fisherman, now come ashore
'Cos they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus:
To the sea anymore,
No they won't let us go to sea anymore

In the old town of Hastings the people can see
Our sheds and our tackle – it puts them at ease
And we make a fine sight from above Rock-A-Nore
But they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus

And isn't it crazy, when we are so strong,
That we can't fight the bullies that are doing us wrong
But you can't fight the faceless, the ghosts of the law
And they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus

Now I have a son and he's nearly sixteen
A fishing family we always have been
And it fills me with sorrow that he'll stay ashore
'Cos they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus

Source: lyric sheet accompanying Barry Dransfield 'Be Your Own Man' Rhiannon RHYD5003 (1994). Copyright Rhiannon Music.

Dransfield's note: 'Restrictions on fishing are forcing people to give up this traditional living. I live in Hastings now and have seen this first hand, prompting me to write this song.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: GUEST,Helen
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 09:43 AM

Thanks Stewie, very quick response I must say!!! Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: Trevor
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 04:46 AM

And I think he repeats the first verse at the end.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: wiggy
Date: 06 Jul 03 - 04:53 AM

thank you for your help.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfi
From: Janet Elizabeth
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 04:57 PM

Barry Dransfield sings "I once was Fisherman" on the 2009 CD "Generosity" with profits going to Folk for MS (FfMS) - visit http://www.folkforms.org/generosity.html or buy your copy from Skippy, Kate, Pete or Denise.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 11:26 PM

Jon Boden chose this song for his A Folk Song a Day project for November 19. He sings the "And isn't it crazy" verse last.
Is there more to tell about the songwriter, and about the background story of this song?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 02:37 AM

Joe - background info on Barry Dransfield on his website . As Stewie pointed out in his 13 August 02 post above, Barry was living in Hastings when he wrote "I once was a fisherman".

I've been lucky enough to see Barry when he was performing with Robin in the 1970s, and solo when we booked him at Herga in the 1990s.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 02:57 PM

And more, including a clip of Barry singing, here.

Johnny Collins sang the song frequently at Herga, because he liked it.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Sian H
Date: 17 Jun 11 - 03:27 PM

And Joe, The background to the song is the ban on fishing which applied strict restrictions on the quota of fish (mainly cod) caught in British waters. It had a detrimental impact on fishermen here in Hastings. People may remember hearing of the 'Cod Wars'around the time the song was written.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 03 Jul 11 - 06:09 AM

The "Cod Wars" were to do with Iceland's unilateral extension of its claims to the grounds on its surrounding continental shelf. The chance of a negotiated settlement to allow continued British fishing presence in those waters was thrown away by the arrogance and stupidity of the supposed diplomats involved.

The quota system which gave rise to this song and the effects it describes came much later, when overfishing by British and other fleets had virtually destroyed stocks in British waters.

Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: breezy
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 07:13 AM

I used to see Barry and Robin when I was in Leeds in the 60s

I met Robin a couple of years back in Padstow he was living in Cornwall, could it have been Liskeard ?

Any updates on either?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 11:54 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMMr7YWUfng

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: GUEST,mandamad
Date: 09 Jan 14 - 12:54 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 10 Jan 14 - 05:45 AM

Eddy Weeks

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 May 20 - 01:47 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: GUEST,Al Henneberry
Date: 14 Nov 21 - 08:02 PM

Does anyone have the chords for this song?