Lyr Req: The Old Flat Rock Hills

Subject: Lyr Req: The Old Flatrock Hills
From: GUEST, GEST
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 05:40 PM

In the DigiTrad Forum, back in 1997, this song was mentioned in passing in a list of lyric requests for Newfoundland Songs. No one seemed to be familiar with it at that time, so I am bringing it back onto the board in the hope someone may yet find the lyrics.

Lara Maynard commented on "The Old Flatrock Hills" in the traditional dance section which she authored on the Heritage Newfoundland site. She said it contained lyrics about river bridge dancing, a traditional place to have a party in days gone by. She quoted the following lyrics:

On the Big River Bridge on an evening in June,
To enjoy the village dancing by the light of the moon;
To hear the sound of happy laughter and an old time quadrille,
In mind I'll still be there on the old Flatrock hills.

Anyone?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Flatrock Hills
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Apr 03 - 06:47 PM

This thread on Maritime Songbooks might be helpful.

Subject: Lyr Add: OLD FLAT ROCK HILLS
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:22 AM

Lyrics copied from http://www27.brinkster.com/recipesnf/htmls/old.html

OLD FLAT ROCK HILLS

In my memories again I am strolling along
Where the birds in the treetops are singing their song
To the land of my birthplace it's valleys and dells
Yes, I'm strolling along on the Old Flat Rock Hills.

Yes, strolling down winegaps along by the shore
There's a church on the hillside and Bowring's grand store
To the base of the river as it in the sea spills
It's nice to be there on the Old Flat Rock Hills.

To that old familiar coast and the valleys and dells
To the gay garden parties on the old Chapel hills
Where the happy boys and girls they turn out for the thrills
Just to roam and to scroll in the Old Flat Rock Hills.

From the Big River bridge on evening in June
To enjoy the village dances by the light of the moon
To the merry sounds of laughter and the old time quadrilles
It's among my happy memories on the Old Flat Rock Hills.

O the scenes they have changed but that old bridge still stands
It's the same as when we strolled right there hand in hand
With it's old stone foundation supporting it still
And the waters still run on the Old Flat Rock Hills.

It's the land of my birthplace; it's my old happy home
Down there, I've got friends who are second to none
May I live once again to see her valleys and dells
And to stroll once again on the Old Flat Rock Hills.

Now your sons and your daughters, they have sailed o'er the sea
In search of some adventure in the land of the free
In the land of America its pleasures and thrills
But their hearts they left behind them on the Old Flat Rock Hills.

[Flat Rock -- actual Newfoundland place name.]

[Recorded by Dick Nolan on "Happy Anniversary Newfoundland," 1974.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Flatrock Hills
From: GUEST, GEST
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 12:42 PM

Thank you, Jim. I shall be adding it to GEST Songs Of Newfoundland And Labrador very shortly. Nice job. :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Flat Rock Hills
From: GUEST,Lara
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 02:46 PM

The complete lyrics for this song appear in a book called "Solomon Gosse's Birthday" compiled by Lara Maynard for Torbay Heritage Committee, Torbay, NF 1998. You can order a copy by contacting the Torbay Museum: Telephone [phone] ext.308, FAX [phone],   
Postal address, Torbay Museum, P.O. Box 1160, Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada A1K 1K4, E-mail [e-mail]. Here's some info on the book:

"Torbay has a heritage distinctly its own, and yet it is closely interwoven with that of neighbouring communities including Flatrock, Bauline, Pouch Cove, Middle Cove, Outer Cove, Logy Bay, St. Philip's and Portugal Cove, not only through close proximity, but by a long history of intermarriage, friendship and a little competition.

The songs and poems in this collection go courting in Logy Bay and to the Regatta to celebrate rowing records, travel through the "Hillsides of Torbay" and past a dance on the bridge in Flatrock, and on to remember the bravery of Pouch Cove residents. They are variously imbued with silliness, humour, tragedy and nostalgia - with the diverse experiences of the people whose stories are sentiments they record.

And since music and food go together for any celebration, whether it's Solomon Gosse's birthday or not, the final section of this collection includes recipes ranging from potato brandy through to moose pie and blueberry desserts."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Flat Rock Hills
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 04:14 PM

How neat. I remember either Flatrock or Torbay having the stations of the cross on a hill above town. Also, I worked in Logy Bay at the Marine Lab..I sure want to go back..when I retire I hope to spend part of theyear there (guess which part). Can the songbook be scanned somewhere? mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Old Flat Rock Hills
From: GEST
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 09:31 PM

During the nearly four years since beginning this thread, research has given up more information about this song. Two variants have been added to GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador. The song mentioned here was arranged by Dick Nolan and titled Old Flat Rock Hills. It was a variant of Flatrock Hills attributed to Jack Dodd (1902-1978) of Torbay, NL, by MacEdward Leach who collected it from Bernard Houlihan who was born in Flatrock ca.1885. :)