Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)

Subject: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: rich-joy
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 07:24 PM

Hi there.

Does anyone know the background to this Allan Taylor song??

Our a cappella group "Work-in-Progress" is resurrecting it from an earlier singing incarnation we had, but we got it from Barbara Dickson's 1971 LP and have never heard Allan sing it ...
(lyrics are posted on her website)

Cheers!
R-J

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 08:32 PM

R-J

He first recorded it on a 1971 album for United Artists called 'The Lady' (UAS 29275). I have him singing it on a 1983 album of songs re-recorded from earlier deleted albums: Allan Taylor 'Circle Round Again' Black Crow Records CRO 205. I am pretty sure 'Black Crow' is one of the labels in the clutches of the dreaded Bulmer.

BTW, I do have a copy of that Sydney Carter/Bob and Carole Pegg album - it was misfiled. Worth $US350, eh? It is not in good condition, having been played over the years on numerous machines - not to mention Top End mould! Why on earth would anyone pay money like that for a record even if it was pristine - they'd have to be bonkers!

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: rich-joy
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 11:22 PM

Thanks Stewie!

Does it have any notes about why he wrote it - or rather, did he have a particular warfare location in mind or a particular person???

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: s&r
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 03:33 AM

It was either a friend or relative who was slowly dying from emphysema: a very moving song about a man waiting for the release death would bring.

He introduced it with the story some years ago. That's as much as I can remember

Stu

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: s&r
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 05:59 AM

I don't think it was Allan's father. Scold's Bridle (Fleetwood) sing it wonderfully: they would know the story.

Stu

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: s&r
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:02 AM

Scold's Bridle

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: MC Fat
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:15 AM

Think someone has got there songs mixed up the song about emphysimia is actually called 'Roll on the Day' . The song 'The Morning Lies Heavy' is actually (I believe) about his brother in law who was American and had been drafted to fight in the Vietnam War and is basically about his thoughts the day before he joins his unit. Both are fine songs as is my current fave 'Land of the North Wind'

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:18 AM

I'm with you MC - they are not the same song.

btw - my fave AT song is "cold, hard town"

R

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:34 AM

MC FAT is correct; it is regarding his brother-in-law who was drafted
in the Vietnam conflict. He is also correct about it being a fine song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: scouse
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:40 AM

Hi, Just sent an Email off to Allan.He may have time to answer the question himself.....

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: MC Fat
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:43 AM

Perhaps he might need to update it if they bring the draft back for the Iraq conflict

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 09:23 AM

I wrote "The Morning lies Heavy" when my brother in law (I married into an American family) was due to be drafted. This was during the Vietnam war, although, as the Vietnam war is not mentioned in the song, whichever war it is is immaterial - the point is that any young man may experience such feelings before joining his unit, in any war situation.
Note. When Barbara Dickson sang the song she made an important mistake. The first line says:
"The morning lies heavy on me, father"
Barbara sang," The morning lies heavy on my father" - this changes the whole meaning.
The Record company B.G.O. have released "The Lady" on which this song is recorded (it's a double CD, twinned with "Sometimes"). Dave Bulmer has bought the rights to "The Traveller", which he has released on CD and never paid royalties, "Roll on the Day" and Circle Round Again".
Thanks to Scouse for bringing this question to my attention.
Allan Taylor

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: MC Fat
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 10:21 AM

Nice to see you on the Mudcat Allan. You may remember me under my non Mudcat name of Jim McDonald. You played at clubs I ran in Newcastle, Aylesbury and Aspley Guise and stayed at oour house. I'm now in Sheffield can you give me an email address as I have a couple of projects to discuss. Sorry you've been 'Bulmerised' !!!

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Ross
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 10:41 AM

I thought it was about the obesity problem

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: s&r
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 11:41 AM

Sorry for my confusion

#Stu

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: LesB
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 02:39 PM

Thanks for that Alan, I,ve been singing the Barbara Dickson version all these years. Although I knew the story, it's just one of those slips of the tounge that you don't notice till somebody points it out.

Les

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 04:06 AM

Allan or somebody, could the lyrics be posted for us who aren't familiar with the song?
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: s&r
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 07:43 AM

since I got it wrong here they are:


THE MORNING LIES HEAVY ON ME
(Allan Taylor)

The morning lies heavy on my father
The morning lies heavy on me, father
I couldn't find the time to fall asleep
And I couldn't stop from thinking, all the deeper
'Cause the morning lies heavy on me

They said I didn't have to be there 'till tomorrow
And there's friends of mine I've really got to see
But it's not goodbye and only soon to follow
And the morning lies heavy on me

Tell me, who's the one who fights until he's broken
Is it the man to sit in judgement on you all
I wouldn't care if it were their lives they were taking
But they don't listen or even answer to the call

And tomorrow I will be flying from the mainland
And joining in a new company
And some of us will never see our homeland
And the morning lies heavy on me

And what's left for decent people to believe in
It's not a question of to be or not to be
And what's the point, it's only us that we're deceiving
And the morning lies heavy on me

Tell me who's the one who fights until he's broken
Is it the man to sit in judgement on you all
I wouldn't care if it were their lives they were taking
But they don't listen or even answer to the call

The morning lies heavy on my father
I couldn't find the time to fall asleep
And I couldn't stop from thinking all the deeper
'Cause the morning lies heavy on me

Stu

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: rich-joy
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 04:36 AM

Thanks so much for everyone's help - esp your's, Allan!

Cheers!
R-J

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Barbara
Date: 18 Apr 04 - 05:36 PM

Except the mistake is perpetuated in the first line. If you check back to Allan's post, you'll see the first line should be:

"The morning lies heavy on me", father."

At least that's how I read it. Nice song.
Thank you for bringing it here.
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: KeithofChester
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 07:04 AM

The Morning Lies Heavy is one of the tracks Allan has re-recorded for his recently released Old Friends-New Roads CD.

It is probably my favourite Allan Taylor song. The new arrangement is a bit slower than the original (1970?) recording, but is growing on me after several plays.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy - Allan Taylor
From: Rockhen
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 08:18 AM

Love Allan's songwriting. Jimmy's Song is very moving. Allan's song book is a fascinating read. Try to get it, if you are a fan. No...he didn't pay me to say that! It really is a memorable read.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)
From: Folkiedave
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 09:06 AM

And it is on the new "Breabach" record. An excellent version.

I shall be playing it Friday morning on Thank Goodness It's Folk" www.sheffieldlive.org between 10.00 am and 12 noon this Friday. Four or five tracks including this one.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)
From: cptsnapper
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 10:57 PM

I also like " Still He Sings."

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)
From: banjoman
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 09:54 AM

Great song which I first heard many years ago when Barbara Dickson sang it at Liverpool Folk Club in the Mitre Pub. I still sing it although I have used the 3rd verse as a chorus on some occasions as it seems to do the job.
Great to see Alan on Mudcat

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)
From: GUEST,shane garvey.
Date: 20 Feb 10 - 07:39 PM

No co-incedence that everything to do with sharp practice and downright theft in the world of English and Irish folk music over many years ends at the door of the odious Dave Bulmer, and his equally unpleasant sidekick Neil Sharpley of Louth, Lincolshire. When people on this forum wonder as to the decline of folk music, especially in England, they should look for a large part in this direction, these two, between them have stifled the best of the most creative phase of a great folk music revival for no other measure than pure greed, and furthermore continue to do so, with the active support of many on this forum. Many great singers and songwriters have passed on, or are left in penjury, by these two crooks.

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)
From: GUEST,Ciorsdan
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 12:07 AM

as Folkiedave mentioned, fantastic version by Breabach on their new CD. Well worth a listen!

Subject: RE: Origins: Morning Lies Heavy (Allan Taylor)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 11:17 AM

I have Allan's "Circle Round Again" which is a great album purchased from one of his appearances in the Midland folk clubs no doubt, the version of The Morning lies Heavy..." on there is unclutterd with other instruments, basically just Allan guitar and maybe some backing vocals. I would love to learn to play it. Are there any tabs or guidance as to how Allan plays (or at least played) it back in the early 1980's.

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MORNING LIES HEAVY ON ME (A Taylor)
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 11:25 AM

So it seems the lyrics, with the author's correction, are:

THE MORNING LIES HEAVY ON ME
(Allan Taylor)

The morning lies heavy on me, father
I couldn't find the time to fall asleep
And I couldn't stop from thinking, all the deeper
'Cause the morning lies heavy on me

They said I didn't have to be there 'till tomorrow
And there's friends of mine I've really got to see
But it's not goodbye and only soon to follow
And the morning lies heavy on me

Tell me, who's the one who fights until he's broken
Is it the man to sit in judgement on you all
I wouldn't care if it were their lives they were taking
But they don't listen or even answer to the call

And tomorrow I will be flying from the mainland
And joining in a new company
And some of us will never see our homeland
And the morning lies heavy on me

And what's left for decent people to believe in
It's not a question of to be or not to be
And what's the point, it's only us that we're deceiving
And the morning lies heavy on me

Tell me who's the one who fights until he's broken
Is it the man to sit in judgement on you all
I wouldn't care if it were their lives they were taking
But they don't listen or even answer to the call

The morning lies heavy on me, father
I couldn't find the time to fall asleep
And I couldn't stop from thinking all the deeper
'Cause the morning lies heavy on me

(First line of first stanza cleaned up, and first line of final verse, "my" changed to "me, ").