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Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
In Mudcat MIDIs:
The Northern Lights of old Aberdeen (from 'Busking Around The World' posted by John in Brisbane -)
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST,RA Date: 01 Apr 24 - 02:36 PM A very nostalgic song for me, as one of my primary school headteachers (in central Scotland, mid 1980s) Mr Smith was from Aberdeen and when he retired to move back to that 'sophisticated city of glittering granite', all of us bairns sang it for him in morning assembly. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST,Rossey Date: 01 Apr 24 - 02:31 PM COMPOSER of the Granite City anthem “The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen” Mary Webb, who died last year aged 82, is being honoured at James Dun’s House museum in Aberdeen. An exhibition of furniture from her flat, including the piano on which she wrote the tune, is on display at the museum until January 19. The piano was saved by Buchan-born journalist Mr Jack Webster last year when he managed to acquire it for Aberdeen City District Council from Mary’s relatives. The tune, which strikes a chord in the hearts of many Aberdonians, was actually written in London in 1952 for a homesick Aberdonian whom Mary met. The lyrics came from Mary’s husband. Bill. By writing the song, Mary managed to immortalise the fine displays bf the aurora borealis which are often seen lighting up the Northern skies on clear, frosty winter nights". Evening Express 1991 Another article, tells how she met the homesick exiled young lady, Winifred Forgie in 1952 who mentioned how much she missed her Aberdeen home, and how her mother spoke of the northern lights, as "merry dancers in the sky". The song really took off in 1953, after Scottish recording, TV radio and Music Hall star Robert Wilson sang it and of course sheet music was still popular. It's singability, crowd sway along melody and now overfamiliarity leads to people lazily sticking traditional on it, when it is modernish, and has a few decades of copyright left to run. It hacks me off that people can't understand that someone can occasionally come up with an original tune, even though all tunes may have a slight parallel somewhere out there. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST Date: 01 Apr 24 - 12:59 PM When Mary WebB wrote the Nothern LIghts of Old Aberdeen in 1952 the 2 folk songs that she might have heared were There's More Pretty Girls Than 1 a song that Woody Guthrie wrote and sung in the 1940s but the one that is the song that is the idea that Came to her in writing this song was a song called In My Liverpool Home which I think was traditional written back in the 18th century or before. Thank you verry much from what Jim Maclane for the story you sent on meeting up with Mary and all that info from Joe. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST,Rossey Date: 25 May 23 - 01:15 PM The Northern Lights.. is not a traditional song. It's in copyright, but falsely taken as traditional and often nicked in ignorance due to its familiarity. In this case traditional is a misused term. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: John MacKenzie Date: 25 May 23 - 12:51 PM "The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen song is a traditional Scottish song written by Mary Webb for a home sick Aberdonian lass who she worked with in a hospital kitchen. Mary Webb was English and lived in London and had never been to Aberdeen, Scotland. She was born in Leamington Spa and was a concert pianist" I have a friend, a Scots fiddle player who hates this song and refuses to play it :) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST Date: 25 May 23 - 11:11 AM I don't see much resemblance in the tune at all, just one tiny bit of a phrase. All music has coincidental parallels. This one is so different and a different genre. There is no way one person in a different part of the world would likely be aware of its existence. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST Date: 25 May 23 - 06:40 AM The tune of the Northern Lights of Aberdeen is the same tune as My Heart Is Broken in 3. That songIi have no idea of who wrote at all. Slim Whitman recorded it in 1953 but I think the song is older. If folks can help on this that would be great. When Mary Webb wrote the Northern Lights I did not know she was a Londoner if folks know what came first I would like to know. Thanks very much from Joe. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Reinhard Date: 10 Apr 23 - 04:45 PM Iona Fyfe sings The Northern Lights at at Pittodrie Stadium Aberdeen on 29 August 2021 for the Aberdeen v Ross County game. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jim McLean Date: 22 May 12 - 03:21 PM Mary Webb I's dead and if her publisher has gone out of business, then that should be enough for your publisher. Who is going to sue him/her? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST Date: 22 May 12 - 03:03 PM Thanks for your reply! Publisher requires that I have written permission, but it's proving hard to find the copyright holder since I've read that Ms. Webb is deceased and the original music publisher looks to have gone out of business. I'll keep searching; if anyone knows anything else I'd love to hear. Many thanks- Laura |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jim McLean Date: 22 May 12 - 01:27 PM I would imagine all you have to do is give credits to the writers and publisher. I know that's what happens when anyone quotes from my songs. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST,Laura Smith Date: 22 May 12 - 01:18 PM Hello to you all, I am looking for a way to ask permission to quote from this song for a written work in the US. The song will not be preformed, but I would like to use a portion of the lyrics in print. Do you have any advice on how to seek permission? All I know so far is that "The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen" was originally published by James Kerr Publishers in 1952. Written by Mel and Mary Webb. Any help would be much appreciated. Laura |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Tootler Date: 25 Oct 10 - 03:55 PM I found this about the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen song is a traditional Scottish song written by Mary Webb [sic] for a home sick Aberdonian lass who she worked with in a hospital kitchen. Mary Webb was English and lived in London and had never been to Aberdeen, Scotland. She was born in Leamington Spa and was a concert pianist. Her fellow worker was invited to Mary's house for tea and when they were talking about Aberdeen Mary asked if that was where the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, could be seen. Mary Webb composed the words to Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen to cheer up the homesick woman. Mary Webb then sent the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen lyrics to Robert Wilson who was a Scottish tenor. He sang it at the Albert Hall and the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen song grew in popularity. Mary Webb came to Aberdeen and performed the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen at the Tivoli Theatre. Mary Webb died at Charing Cross Hospital in London aged 88 years. By co-incidence the BBC were making a documentary about her and found that her body had remained unclaimed for three weeks. Her ashes were scattered in the grounds of Kaimhill Crematorium. Her John Broadwood piano on which she composed the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen was saved by broadcaster, author and journalist Jack Webster who was working for BBC Scotland and presented to Aberdeen Council. It stayed in storage in Kittybrewster before being put on display in 2009 and unveiled by Lord Provost Peter Stephen, Duncan Hendry the head of HMT (His Majesty's Theatre) and Jack Webster. The piano can now be seen in the Mary Garden room of the Aberdeen Music Hall. The documentary about Mary Webb was shown on BBC Scotland in 1989. Source: http://www.aboutaberdeen.com/northern-lights-of-old-aberdeen.php I was surprised it was composed so recently. I was born in Aberdeen but have not lived there since the age of eight. I moved away in early 1953 and even so the song has somehow been part of the background to my life. Maybe it is the very singable melody which also helped to catch on in the first place. |
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Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN From: GUEST,KC (Connached Bairns, Geneva) from web Date: 03 Sep 10 - 07:30 AM NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN D F#m G D Em A7 D When I was a lad, a tiny wee lad, my mother said to me, D D7 F#m G D Em A7 D Come see the Northern Lights my boy, they're bright as they can be G D D7 G F#m She called them the heavenly dancers, merry dancers in the sky, D F#m G D Em A7 D I'll never forget that wonderful sight, they made the heavens bright. D Bm Em A7 D D7 G A7 D cho: The Northern Lights of old Aberdeen seem home sweet home to me G Em A7 D Bm E7 A7 The Northern Lights of Aberdeen are what I want to see D Bm Em A7 D G D I've been a wand'rer all of my life and many a sight I've seen. G Ddim D Bm E7 A7 D God speed the day when I'm on my way to my home in Aberdeen. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jim McLean Date: 05 May 10 - 05:38 AM Jack Campin is correct, both words and music are copyright but are available freely on the web. It would be nice if the writers were recognised financially so maybe the publishers have made some arrangement. I know some of my material is published on the web and I don't get a penny. The song is number 5. Northern Lights Mel and Mary Webb |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jack Campin Date: 22 Nov 07 - 07:29 PM I thought the tune was composed at the same time as the words? In which cse isn't it copyright? |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jack Campin Date: 16 May 07 - 08:04 AM The song is *well* within copyright, with decades to go yet. Buy a copy. |
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Subject: RE: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST Date: 16 May 07 - 07:48 AM would be grateful for musical notation for accordian |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GEST Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:49 AM Thanks, Jim. It's hard to believe the song has slipped so quickly into traditional status and is thought to be so by so many archivists. At my age, 1952 wasn't that long ago. :-) |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jim McLean Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:13 AM The information has already been posted above, song by Mel and Mary Webb 1952. I spoke with Mary Webb some years ago and, yes, she was English. Another song, Lovely Stornoway, was also written by an Englishman, Bob Halfin. |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GEST Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:07 AM This song is usually said to be traditional but, according to The A to Z of Scottish Places, "the famous song the Northern Lights of Aberdeen was penned by a London woman who had never visited the place." I have, however, been unable to find any other similar reference or a name of such a London woman. Can anyone shed any light on this? |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Jim McLean Date: 11 Apr 04 - 08:33 AM Hi Eddie in Coldingham, if you email me at JawMac@aol.com I'll send tou a jpg scan of a lead sheet with chords. Jim |
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Subject: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: GUEST,Eddie in Coldingham Date: 11 Apr 04 - 06:41 AM HELP! URGENTLY need guitar chords for this - for my Dad's 80th birthday this week! |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: alison Date: 09 Nov 99 - 01:59 AM I don't think alan has received them..... at least he hadn't when I asked yesterday. I think we should still post them here too because some people like to have the ABCs. so I'm doing both.. posting here in MIDItxt and posting a link to the MIDI site.. for people who don't want to "translate" the red writing. didn't alan send you the info.. so you can post them yourself? We'll do it for you .. if you don't want to... feel free to email me some if you want to share the work out. slainte alison |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: John in Brisbane Date: 09 Nov 99 - 01:48 AM Alison, I've been sending them through to Alan over the last couple of days. Should I not post the Miditext/ABC's here at all? Regards, John
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: alison Date: 09 Nov 99 - 12:42 AM John..... please get in touch with alan or I about posting tunes to Mudcat MIDIS then people can hear the tunes without "translating" them. slainte alison |
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Subject: Tune Add: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN From: John in Brisbane Date: 08 Nov 99 - 02:18 AM And here's the tune. (Busking Around The World - Allans Australia) Regards, John MIDI file: aberdeen.mid Timebase: 120 TimeSig: 6/8 12 8 This program is worth the effort of learning it. To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here ABC format: X:1
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Date: 13 Oct 98 - 08:53 PM Again, thanks everyone! SingsIrish Songs |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN From: John in Brisbane Date: 13 Oct 98 - 08:29 PM This is what I have in print - Copyright 1952, Mel and Mary Webb.
Chorus (second last line) 'God speed the day....
Second Verse
I've wandered in many far off lands,
Regards |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Date: 13 Oct 98 - 11:32 AM Thanks to you both! |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN From: Wolfgang Hell Date: 13 Oct 98 - 07:16 AM Thisone?: The Northern Lights
"When I was a lad, a bonnie wee lad,
"The Northern Lights of old Aberdeen, Mean home sweet home tae me,
copied from: Wolfgang |
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Subject: RE: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: Brack& Date: 13 Oct 98 - 07:13 AM I can't be certain of these.......off the top of me head.....
When I was a lad, a bonnie wee lad, Chorus , Regards |
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Subject: Need Lyrics: Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen From: SingsIrish Songs Date: 13 Oct 98 - 12:09 AM Any help with these lyrics would be appreciated. --SingsIrish Songs |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Date: 09 May 97 - 06:37 AM If this is a new song, does it start with drums, then fiddle into, then Jody Adams singing: "The ancient people of the Arctic, used to sing and dance...." I wrote the song and have the lyrics..... write to: articglo@ptialaska.net |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Bert Hansell Date: 14 Apr 97 - 10:45 AM I have been following this thread with interest, hoping that it would turn up another "Northern Lights" Back in the fifties we used to do a square dance of that name. The tune was the one that Oscar Brand used for "You're a Liar". A Fragment of the dance.... Into the igloo by the door you clap your hands you clap all four *clap*, *clap*, *clap*, *clap* and look at the Northern Lights. It was a singing call so I always assumed that there was a song out there somewhere but have never heard it. Anyone got any info? Bert. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: ron k Date: 22 Mar 97 - 07:41 PM Might it be "Alberta Bound" by Gordon Lightfoot?? There is a line that goes "The northern lights are burnin' bright, the chinook wind is a-blowin' in..." |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: jamas@gil.com.au Date: 19 Mar 97 - 01:26 AM Many thanks Teru, Tony Hurley |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Teru Date: 18 Mar 97 - 09:18 PM Sorry. I found a mistake. The first line of the refrain is missed. It should be "The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen mean Home Sweet Home to me," I thought I had written it.... I apologise for any incovenience.
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: dick greenhaus Date: 18 Mar 97 - 07:58 PM Argato, Teru dick |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN From: Teru Date: 18 Mar 97 - 06:57 PM Dear Jamas, Here the (original?) lyrics for THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN. Just ignore the punctuation, which may be wrong. THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN
When I was a lad, a tiny wee lad, my mother said to me,
CHORUS: The northern lights of old Aberdeen mean home sweet home to me.
I've wandered in many far-off lands, and travelled many a mile.
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: jamas Date: 18 Mar 97 - 06:25 AM Yes please! |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Teru Date: 17 Mar 97 - 07:49 PM I have a CD and a songbook, both of which include "The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen". If "The Northern Lights" in this forum is the song I say, I can write the whole lyrics, hopefully tomorrow (because I have not the songbook here.). Is that all right? |
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Subject: Lyr Add: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN From: jamas@gil.com.au Date: 17 Mar 97 - 05:02 PM THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF OLD ABERDEEN
The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen
When I was a lad - a bonny wee lad
-- sorry - I just can't remember the rest - it's gone! |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Pete clansfolk@msn.com Date: 08 Mar 97 - 01:41 PM Do you mean The Northern Lights as sung by Renaissance ? I have a copy on vinyl which I could copy the words off (If I can find it!!!!) "The Northern lights are calling me - I hear the words they say " Brief interlude for part of the chorus - ring any bells? cheers Pete |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: marla Date: 08 Mar 97 - 01:40 PM Could the song "in mind", as it were, possibly be Northern Lights by Don Lange? The chorus is something like: "She was the Northern Lights on a moon bright night, and I was a south bound train." If so I could start to looking it up...somewhere. Let me know... marla |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Date: 04 Mar 97 - 09:11 PM The NOrthern Lights that shine so bright.It's a Newfoundland song but I do not know who sings it. |
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Subject: RE: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Date: 04 Mar 97 - 09:00 PM you sure don't provide much information... |
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Subject: lyrics request:The northern lights From: Date: 04 Mar 97 - 08:54 PM looking for the words to "The Northern Lights".Thanks. |
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