Chord Req: Cobb & Co

Subject: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 03:40 AM

Hi,

A mate is chasing the sheet music to a Cobb & Co song for a stage production.

The first line of his variant is: "There's a hustle & a bustle round Buchanan's pub tonight".

Can anyone help. Bob Bolton, are you there?

Cheers, Tony

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 12:48 AM

G'day Tony,

Damn it ... I do remember that from ... somewhere ... (old vinyl ... ?)

I'll see what I can scare up mate!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Hrothgar
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 05:08 AM

Recorded by Lionel Long around 1965, I think. It's not in his book "Favourite Australian Bush Songs," and it's not on either of the two LPs of his that I have.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 06:22 PM

Thanks Bob & Hrothgar,

Someone else up here thought it might be a Lionel Long song. Now, finding the sheet music...!

Cheers, Tony

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 06:09 PM

Errr ... G'day again Tony (and Hrothgar),

I guess the odds aren't too good on my Lional Long LPs ... but I ave heard the song ... it may be on some compilation cassettes of songs I recorded from ABC Folk Programs (strictly for study purposes, of course!).

I'll see if I can find it in that quarter.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 06:34 AM

G'day again Tony,

I thought I had on vinyl ... Dad's old copy of Lionel Long's (c. 1964) Columbia LP Waltzing Matilda (SCXO 7506) … but I had heard it more recently – on a (recently purchased copy of ... !) his 1989 EMI CD compilation of the same name (EMI 7243 4 949022). The song is not in his 1964 songbook Favourite Australian Bush Songs, Comp. by Lionel Long and Graham Jenkins, seal books/Rigby.

I've typed up (almost all) the words, but I haven't tackled the tune – perhaps it is printed somewhere. Ron Edwards's 1988 Bicentenary Catalogue shows it as having been printed in that scurrilous little 'rip-off' volume Australian Folksongs of its Land and Its People, Comp. by The Folklore Council of Australia, Lowden Publishing Co, Kilmore, Victoria, 1974. I never bothered with a copy, since it lacked all honest details of provenance … and I don't think it had tunes.

Best of luck with the words, anyway … I do have it on CD … and can probably find some inexpensive MP3 generator to send you the track … if necessary!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

The Ballad of Cobb & Co
Words (& music … ?) Berryman (Arr. … ?) [Edmond ?] Samuels

There's a hustle and a bustle in the old hotel tonight,
The bar is full to bursting and the lights are gleaming bright.
They're waiting for the horses who's appearing through the night,
And they're waiting for the coach of Cobb & Co.
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co;
And they're waiting for the coach of Cobb & Co.

There's Billy Jones, the jackaroo, still breathless from his ride,
He bought a brand new sulky – and it's standing just outside.
He's waiting for the pretty girl who's going to be his bride
And she's coming on the coach of Cobb & Co.
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co;
And she's coming on the coach of Cobb & Co.

Now the horses's hooves are drumming, in the distance they're coming,
A far off (…?…*) is moving 'cross the plain.
At breakneck speed they're driving – pretty soon they'll be arriving,
They're be lots of cheer when old friends meet again:

('B' tune?)
There's Dan the old prospector; and he's got a bag of gold,
He made a lucky strike – about two thousand pounds, I'm told.
He's off to see the city lights – before he gets too old,
And he's leaving on the coach of Cobb & Co.
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co;
And he's leaving on the coach of Cobb & Co.

Tim Burke is mighty worried 'cause the creeks are running dry,
Unless he gets some money soon, he'll kiss his farm goodbye,
He's written to the bank and now he's waiting their reply,
And he hopes it's on the coach of Cobb & Co.
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co;
And he hopes it's on the coach of Cobb & Co.

The driver's whip's a'cracking and the horses's hooves are clacking,
As across the red and dusty plain they race.
There's a distant light a'burning and the passengers are yearning,
For the comfort of a warm and friendly place.

('B' tune?)
Then someone shouts; "They're coming" and the door is opened wide,
There's a rattle and a clatter – and the coach is there, outside.
With horses hot and steamy, from their long and dusty ride,
With the coach that bears the name of Cobb & Co.

Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co;
With the coach that bears the name of Cobb & Co.

(...?...*) - The bugger does mumble, at times!

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 09:23 PM

Thanks Bob, a valiant effort.

The original enquiry came to me from Mark Both in Cairns; I gather he has to supply sheet music for "real" musicians for a stage play.

I've sent him your information (and Hrothgar's) and suggested he try his local library for assistance.

Cheers, Tony

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 09:56 PM

G'day Tony,

I can't remember ever seeing any Australian Folk Music published in the commercial "Sheet Music" end of the market. A fair amount appears in more arranged forms in collection ... but most only appears a "Music Book" format ... one or two pages, tune with words of first verse and remaining words below.

Hoewever, since Lionel Long seems to have been groomed, at the time -the early "Folk Boom" - as a more 'commercial' (arranged, accompanied by bands, complying with corporate ideas of 'popular music' styling) singer, there is a good chance that his songs appeared, either as standard sheet music publications ... or even in a "Lionel Long Sings ... " folio - probably arranged by Edmond Samuels, who seems to have been the Columbia A&R man for "Folk Music". I guess I need to leaf through the appropriate section of the sheet music bins at somewhere like Da Capo Music!

(I could ... if I were a lot more committed to the particular piece ... do a transcription ... append my ideas of appropriate chords, etc. Even transpose to chosen keys ... - but I fear it would not be quite the same as the Delltones' charts!)

Maybe a "Smart Search" on "Edmond Samuels" (+ music ... ?) could turn up something useful ... ?

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 08:27 PM

Thanks Bob. I sent your set of lyrics to Mark & got this reply:

"Thanks Tony, You're a legend!"

So maybe after all he only needed the words?!?
Anyway, you've increased my kudos in a small corner of Cairns!
Cheers, Tony.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 09:23 PM

G'day Tony,

I'm that what I could find was useful ... I haven't had much luck byond that. All this happened too long ago for to be sitting in someone's web page. I could not find any web/tribute site for Lionel Long ... nor any identifiable sites dealing with (?) Berryman, the composer (& writer ... ?) of the song - or of Edmond Samuels - presumably the A & R man at Columbia Records' local folk section.

The song, as performed by Lionel Long (plus the Delltones!) is more complex than the average folk arrangement. I listened through, with a (slight) thought of transcribing it. It starts off in Dm (more Dorian mode than Æolian Mode/standard "minor key ...?)" - then segues up and down into other keys, ending back in Dm. I'm not enthused by the idea of transcribing it ... not yet, anyway!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 05:56 AM

G'day Bob,

I thought (after doing all that work) you might like to amend your lyrics:

From http://www.mareesalbumlyrics.com/Ballad_Of_CobbAndCo.html
(scroll down to Feb 29)

Cheers, Tony
_______________________

There's a hustle and a bustle in the old hotel tonight
The bar is over-bursting and the lights are gaining bright
They're waiting for the horses who have been through the night
And they're waiting for the coach of Cobb & Co
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And they're waiting for the coach of Cobb & Co

There's Billy Jones the jackeroo still breathless from his ride
He bought a brand new sulky and he's standin' just outside
He's waiting for the pretty girl who's gonna be his bride
And she's coming on the coach of Cobb & Co
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And she's coming on the coach of Cobb & Co

Now the horses hooves are drumming in the distance they're a coming
A far off land is booming, just a plain
The breakneck speed they're driving, pretty soon they'll be arriving
There'll be lots of cheer when old friends meet again

There's Dan the old prospecter and he's got a bag of gold
He made a lucky strike, about two thousand pounds I'm told
He's off to see the city lights before he gets too old
And he's leaving on the coach of Cobb & Co
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And he's leaving on the coach of Cobb & Co

Jim Burke is mighty worried 'cause the drinks are running dry
Unless he gets some money soon he'll kiss his farm goodbye
His written to the bank and now he's waiting their reply
And he hopes it's on the coach of Cobb & Co
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
And he hopes it's on the coach of Cobb & Co

The driver's whips are cracking and the horses hooves are dragging
As across the red and dusty trail they race
There's a distant light a burning and the passengers are yearning
For the comfort of a warm and kindly place

And someone shouts they're coming and the door is open wide
There's a rattle and a clatter and the coach is there outside
With horses hot and steamy from their long and dusty ride
There's the coach that bears the name of Cobb & Co
Cobb & Co, Cobb & Co
With the coach that bears the name of Cobb & Co...

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 18 Mar 04 - 07:50 AM

G'day Tony,

I'll take note of Maree's efforts ... but she's well off the mark - 'though I'll admit:

"A far off (land …?) is moving 'cross the plain." (even if it doesn't make much sense ...)

is the way I hear Lionel ... but the rest does not match my CD!

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 08:10 AM

G'day aagin Tony,

I have finally got back the MP3s of the CD tracks (I don't have an MP3 ripper myself!). If you have a broadband connection, I'll send the MP3 of this track (just under 4 MB) ... from my work connection. That way, your mates can work out what they want to do with the arrangement ... and keys.

You'll need to PM me a suitable address ... I seem to have lost a lot of my addresses when my brand new computer's equally brand new hard disk promptly died ... losing 18 Gb of sound, pictures and address files!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 06:56 PM

G'day again Bob,
I don't have a broadband connection, but Stewie does. Perhaps you could PM the file to him, as I have a practice session at his place on Saturday.
Many thanks Bob.
Cheers, Tony

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 07:32 PM

G'day Tony,

We can't attach anything to a PM ... it runs on essentially the same rules as Mudcat itself. (And you only have access to Personal Page / PM when you come in with your 'cookie' un-crumbled!)

I don't have an identifiable e-mail address for Stewie - but, if you PM one to me (thus keeping Stewie's address otherwise private) I'll sent the MP3 to that address.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 08:34 PM

Hi Tony and Bob,

From memory this was the theme from the very earnest TV show and I reckon that this increases the possibility of locating a printed score. Let me know if you still require the dots and I'll get on my 'wagon' give it a 'shot' (groan!).

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 11:30 PM

G'day John,

What you say is probably right ... it likely was the theme tune for the TV show Cobb & Co. (I think that mostly broadcast back when I was working on top of mountains, building hydro dams - at least, I can't remember ever seeing it!) ... and so, along with Columbia Records' energetic grooming of Lionel Long as the 'show biz" folkie, this must have come out in the sheet music market ... back then ...

But it was all 40 years ago ... and who saves up their old sheet music (apart from us 'folkie' nutters?) ... but don't let me discourage you - maybe the odds are better in Brisbane!

Regard(les)s,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 01:52 AM

All of the East Coast Stae Libraries have excellent collections of Australian sheet music. Melbourne probably has the best bit its cataloguing is not up to date. I'll try Brissie in the first instance - if the need is still there.

Hope to see you and Tony in Canberra at Easter.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 08:03 AM

G'day again John,

All I can do is to get Stewie a copy of the track, as an MP3. That lets Tony's mates have a listen to what Lionel Long / The Delltones / Uncle Tom Cobley and all are doing to the song ... reading (any sort of copy of) the sheet music may be a lot simpler!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 31 Mar 04 - 09:16 PM

Hi John, and thanks for the offer. I've already suggested to Bothy that he check his local library (in Cairns). And I've just mailed him to see if perhaps Bob's super-human efforts to assist are more than is required - he seemed to be over the moon just to get your lyrics, Bob.

Cheers, Tony
PS:   John, are you still coming up in June?

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 01:22 AM

Hi Tony,

I gather that you won't be in Canberra over Easter. I actually WON a ticket for Canberra, (so I'm going) have booked and paid for Top End in Darwin and can't miss Moloney at Maldon in November - fast becoming my favourite festival. And of course I'm firmly wedded to Woodford after Christmas.

I'll be in touch re Top End.

Regards, John

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 01 Apr 04 - 09:13 PM

G'day Tony in Darwin,

All efforts to sent the bloody MP3 via the electronic ether have been foiled! The work broadband has a net nanny that has clogged my intray with messages telling me that MP3s are evil, computer-eating viruses ... and even detects them when I have embedded them in a .zip file!

Then it also bounced all the messages to Stewie telling what had happened because the phrase was in the text (inter alia).

PM me a snail mail addy and I'll post you a CD copy (for private study purposes ... I mean, who listens to Lionel Long for enjoyment, these days?).

Incidentally, this version is on a (more or less) currently-available CD - it's on one of the former double-CD set that EMI (c. 1984 ...?) put out called Songs of Australia (or Songs of My Country ...?) - It's not a great collection (with 4½ renditions of Waltzing Matilda!) and they released a vastly better compilation done by Warren Fahey in 1994 ... briefly for the 2000 Olympics ... then went back to the turgid old set, but stopped packing it as a double CD. (I probably have one or two of both versions in the "stocking stuffer" box at the back of the CD storage area! The Fahey compilation is one I would be prepared to send to overseas friends ... the earlier EMI house compilation might be another story!)

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From:
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 07:53 PM

G'day, Bob, Tony, & John,

Thanks so much for all your efforts on my behalf.
For the moment, the words will suffice, but I'd be interested in hearing a recorded version of the song.

If you'd like to email me directly, I'll give a postal address.
Meanwhile, if you ever come to Cairns / Yungaburra, contact me to catch up in person.
Cheers,
Mark Both

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Cobb & Co
From: GUEST,Audrey in Perth
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 07:57 AM

Hi Guys, found your site by accident as I am recording Lionel Long songs from an old LP of mine (I bought about 30 + years ago). Am looking for photos of him so I can design my labels.   The LP is called Waltzing Matilda, Lionel Long and has The Ballad Of Cobb & Co as the last track. If you are interested (or I may be too late for your event), I could burn you a copy and post it to you if you send me your address by email. My email address is [e-mail], hope I can be of some help.

Regards, Audrey (Aud)