Lyr Req: The Chess Club at the York Hotel

Subject: Lyr Req: The Chess Club at the York Hotel
From: GUEST,jackmolly
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 05:20 PM

Hi everyone,

This is a long shot as I have very little information, but here goes nonetheless:

Another musician friend of mine has been seeking the lyrics to a song we believe is called "The Chess Club at the York Hotel". Apparently the story goes that after the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War, members of opposing sides (IRA v Free State as well as British v Irish) used to meet at this York Hotel to play chess.

Don't know anything else beyond that - not even who performed it.

As I say, a real long shot, but if anybody has any information or leads I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks,

Subject: Lyr Add: BOTANIC ENDGAME (Michael Marra)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Jan 04 - 09:25 PM

Is this the one?

Copied from http://www.baillie.net/ics/marra/lyrics/ps/mm_ps_botanic.htm

BOTANIC ENDGAME

Take a cab downtown and meet a man called Seamus.
Shake him by the hand tell him all is well.
Rendezvous with Billy in the bar.
You'll be shown to a room in the York Hotel.

These boys never heard of tentative gambits.
They're more or less nuttin' so you must take care.
They'll all have pieces and they'll all be frowning,
Alarm clock ticking on a beer mat there.

Half-Hearted Henno from the Crumlin Road,
Sweet little Fraoich from the South Armagh,
And the one killed a Bishop crying "No Surrender"
The other hits a Knight and it's "Tiocfaidh Ar La."

Heavies from the Falls and the Shankill Road,
One step forward and one to the side.
There's a big man coming all the way from Derry,
Another who'll be training it from Malahide.

You can rely on Seamus.
He'll make sure all is well,
But your constitution must be strong
For the Chess Club meetin' at the York Hotel.

[As recorded by Michael Marra on his album "Posted Sober," 2000.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Chess Club at the York Hotel
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 19 Jan 04 - 06:10 PM

I suspect that the speculative background assigned to it may be something less than accurate. (See me? See polite?)

From the context and references in the song, it sounds very much drawn from a more recent timeframe.   But, you could always try emailing Michael Marra and asking him. I asked for some background on "Albert White Feather" on the same album, and Mr Marra was very forthcoming and helpful.

[e-mail]

That way, you'll know for sure.

It's a belter of a song. In fact, it's a belter of an album. Chock-full of great songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Chess Club at the York Hotel
From: GUEST,jackmolly
Date: 27 Jan 04 - 06:14 PM

Sorry for the delayin getting back to you, and thank you very much for your help on this! I believe you have cracked it for me! I really appreciate it.

Cheers