Lyr Req: Rose Bay Willow Herb (Monni Aldous)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 09 Apr 10 - 12:09 PM

Just browsing this old thread as I'm looking for old stuff to revive for this year's festivals.

I've lost touch with Monni over the last 10 years. Any heard of her recently?

I thought this would be a good thread to revive as it is such a magnificent song.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 25 Aug 02 - 04:39 AM

Rhiannon, thanks for posting those lyrics, it's a lovely song. And if anyone can post an ABC, I for one would be very grateful, I'd love to sing it.

Joan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 05:40 PM

Rosebay is known as Fireweed because it very rapidly recolonises land after it has been disturbed e.g. by a fire. It was apparently very apparent on bomb sites following the Blitz during World War 2.
Quack!!
Geoff the Duck!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 23 Aug 02 - 04:13 PM

I've heard Monni sing this for many years, and I've gone over the aqueduct. It should be Llangollen, not Llangothland. And it should be "to you I offer thanks" in the first line of the chorus.

But Rhiannon's right in saying that we missed some of Monni's best songs at Sidmouth this year, including "The electrical plug-in man" and "Clean knickers every day."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 04:31 PM

The willowherb=fireweed=Epilobium angustifolium is widespread in the northern part of the northern hemisphere; "holarctic" distribution the botanists call it. In other words, it is a plant known from the British Isles to Scandanavia to Russia to Manchuria and China to Canada and the USA. It volunteered as a weed in my garden (western Canada) and I let it stay- a tall and airy lovely "weed," not difficult to keep under control, and the wild bees love it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 08:43 PM

Sorry Sorcha - that was careless of me. I just grabbed my OED, but your link would have given me the same name a bit quicker! (but OED did give the date as extra)

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 08:34 PM

Did anybody follow my link above that gave the taxo name? Just curious.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 08:31 PM

Epilobium angustifolium (1671) - OED

Rhiannon says it was called pink spike in the West Riding of Yorkshire in her childhood, but doesn't know if that was a purely local name.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: MMario
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 08:19 PM

I can't remember the botanical name - but it is also known as "fireweed"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 07:17 PM

"rosebay willowherb is the botanical name for something that is called something quite different colloquially" rosebay willow herb is what I always heard colloquially! Quite common in Ireland and Britain. Grows where it can on buildings (usually derelect) as well as in the countryside. A "weed", but very pretty when in bloom. What is the botanical name?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: MMario
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 03:53 PM

VERY nice imagery!

Subject: Lyr Add: ROSE BAY WILLOW HERB (Monni Aldous)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 03:45 PM

I am delighted to be able to give you the words to this lovely, gentle song. Monni Aldous wrote it. She is a very prolific writer, sadly much underrated. I can't do the ABC tune but I am sure MCP will be able to type it in if you need it.

Incidentally, to those of you who know Monni: we met her at Sidmouth and she is recovering from a broken arm, which has stopped her playing the guitar at the moment. It hasn't stopped her voice however and we were treated to some of her spirited rude songs. More please Monni.

Here are the words. Incidentally I have always found it difficult to fit some of the lines to the tune. You might have to do a bit of 'bending'!

ROSE BAY WILLOW HERB by Monni Aldous

CHORUS
To you Mother Nature I'd like offer thanks
For the Rose Bay Willow Herb growing on the banks.

On the waterways of Britain, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide
Winding through the heartland of the rural countryside
Tanned by the sun and the wind on my brow,
I'm helmsman of a narrow boat - Forty foot from stern to prow.

The helmsman must be steady, the crew must be sound
To fend the shallows when the boat runs aground
For some canals are marshy, while others they run deep
The helmsman in his vigil a watchful eye must keep.

On the route to Llangothland stands an aqueduct so high.
It gives the strange sensation of sailing across the sky
Whilst far beneath the cattle are grazing peacefully
In pastureland divided by the wide river Dee.

On all the open verges in Summer there do grow
Whilst flowers in profusion whose names I do not know
With river birds abundant, duck and moorhen, swan and coot
The swallow skims the water, the heron stands aloof.

The working of the locks is a task along the way
And it's hard toil operating 20 in a day
But we moor in the evening, put the kettle on the hob
When the steady diesel engine has ceased its throb.

Great imagery isn't it? Hope that helps.

Rhiannon

Subject: Lyr Add: ROSEBAY WILLOWHERB
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 12:02 PM

Here is a page about Rosebay,
and here are the lyrics I found from http://www.banoffi.com/Albums%20Page/Albums%20Page2.htm#Lyrics Is this the right one?

ROSEBAY WILLOWHERB

Show me sunlight in the morning
Shadows in the spring
Show me ripe corn at the harvest
In the distance stretching home
By the railway bright heads blowing
She`s the wild one keeping wild
Rosebay Willowherb
In the time of passing history
That old train that never comes again
Muckstack Lily on the embankment
Fireweed and rust and rain
It`s a short life but you don`t complain
Every season turns again
Rosebay Willowherb
Smoky autumn and the pink that fades
She can only fade from sight
Covered longings tied with fears and thorns
And buried in the soil again
Where a warplane bombed a bloody world away
Turn this wasted land into bloom

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 11:47 AM

I've been racking my head, trying to recall- rosebay willowherb is the botanical name for something that is called something quite different colloquially. Can't think what it is. Perhaps if that name can be remembered, the song can be found...?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: MMario
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 08:52 AM

I couldn't find anything on Google

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: rosebay willowherb
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 06:06 AM

I think this song is by Monni Aldous of the Romford FC, but I'm not quite sure. I'll get back to you on this later (possibly with the words).

Mick

Subject: rosebay willowherb
From: Old Bones
Date: 21 Aug 02 - 01:30 AM

A friend has asked for the lyrics to a song, the chorus of which she thinks goes:

and her's to you mother nature we'd like to offer thanks to the rosebay willowherb gfrowing on the banks

Any ideas?