Lyr Req: Empty Echoes (Alan Burbidge)

Subject: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: JudeL
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:30 AM

I've been trying to find the lyrics to this song in the dt without any success, probably because I don't know the title.
The chorus (as near as I remember it) is:

Now the harness and horse-collars gather dust upon the wall,
There's no work now for the ploughboy or his team,
There's rust upon the ploughshare, empty echoes in the stalls,
Now the ploughing's done by contract and with steam.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:33 AM

JudeL you should have asked 'em for it on Tuesday!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: JudeL
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 08:40 AM

I know & I meant to I just plain forgot

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: nutty
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 03:28 PM

It's a great song and was written by Alan Burbidge who sadly died last year.
I have the it on tape but I may be some time finding it. I'll see what I can do unless someone beats me to it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: GUEST,Barrie Day
Date: 02 Nov 02 - 10:53 AM

The song is called THE EMPTY ECHOES And there is a great version of it on a cd called Stone By Stone by MIKE NICHOLSON.

In fact the entire cd is absolutely superb. IT can be obtained either by 'phoning Mike on 01798 815366 or email   [e-mail]

If you are unsuccessful with this come back and i will transfer it to tape for you. Sorry no CD writer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: BB
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 02:22 PM

Jude, it's on the 2000 S&A tapes - didn't you have a set? Tape 1a, track 13.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 05:23 PM

Jude

Unless you'd gone down to the bar at the time, you heard Mike Nicholson sing it at Herga 2 weeks ago - and, as far as I can remember, Mike credited it to Alan Burbidge before he sang.

Louise was singing some of Alan's songs at Whitby this year, and said she's intending to put a book together - she was collecting addresses of people whom she thought might like the book when ready.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 05:41 PM

This one will bug me until I see the lyrics. I thougtht it was one I heard Dave Webber sing, but maybe I heard it at Whitby this summer. Can somebody please post the lyrics?

Who's the Louise who was singing it at Whitby?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: JudeL
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 05:49 PM

Barbara : Thank you for reminding me it's there, I do have a set of tapes and I'll hunt it out and listen again. I'd forgotten it was on there. One of these days I'll get round to making a unified list of what's on all the tapes and cds we have. Unfortunately since the joint collection currently stands at more than 600 cds (paul still hasn't finished listing the album titles) and an unspecified number of tapes this is likely to take a while.

Kitty: yes I did hear him sing it which was one of the reasons that triggered me into deciding I wanted the words. It's interesting to hear that Louise is planning on putting a book together as I would love a copy when she's done, and thank you for letting me know. Apart from everything else no matter how careful I am I know that it's far too easy to make mistakes when trying to transcribe the words from listening to a recording of a song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: Willa
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 02:21 PM

Joe,
I think you heard it at Whitby; probably in the Tap & Spile. I remember singing along to it, too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: SussexCarole
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 01:32 PM

It's on Mike Nicholson's CD 'Stone by Stone'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: SussexCarole
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 01:33 PM

OOps just noticed that someone else has already mentioned this.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: Willa
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 01:56 PM

Found this ref on google:
Mike Nicholson - "
Stone by Stone - Cilletune Music 2001-2
This is an album full of lovely material obviously chosen by a man who loves songs. He sings the song not just the tune, and that's not so common as you may think. Roy Harris
Tracks; William Stone, The Empty Echoes, Jeannie C,

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: GUEST,Bon_NS
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 10:55 AM

I have the lyrics on a CD by Keepers Fold. I can post them here , if you like , or email [e-mail]
I happen to be lookingfor the lyrics to "William Stone" right now
I was at Whitby this year for the first time , and I can't a=wait for next year.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: nutty
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 11:21 AM

To answer Joe's question ( 3rd Nov 02) -- Louise is the widow of Alan Burbidge who wrote this wonderful song.

There is indeed a songbook now available and I would encourage everyone to buy it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: ploughing's done by contract
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 03:05 PM

I got my copy from BB - so try PM'ing her if you're interested in getting hold of the songbook.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Empty Echoes (Alan Burbidge)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 06 Apr 21 - 05:29 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt1zM3S69U4

'Empty Echoes' can be heard there. Lyrics clear and easy to understand.