Lyr Req: Lines upon the Water (from Johnny Collins

Subject: Lyrics Please,
From: GUEST,GH
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 02:21 PM

Does anyone have to words/music to a song I heard Johnny Collins sing at Chippenham this year, it goes along the lines of;

How many fishes are in the sea,
not enough for you and me,
blah blah blah!!!(Can't remember this line)
Lines across the water.

It was a lovely song and would love to know who wrote it and where it originated.

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please,
From: Helen
Date: 14 Aug 04 - 07:58 PM

This site shows
Johnny Collins CD's with a track list including a song called "Little Fishes". Don't know if it is the same Johnny Collins.

You could try going to an online CD store which has sample tracks and see if you can listen to it. Amazon, or CD Universe etc?

What sort of song was it? A sea chanty?

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please, Johnny Collins' How many fishes?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 04:06 AM

I think little fishes is another song entirely, This is much newer.
It is the same Johnny though.
The song we're after goes to a tune very similar to "Coulters Candy" ( ""Alli Balli Alli Balli Bee"" )
Chorus something like....

How many fish are in the sea,
Not enough for you and me,
Soon they say there'll have to be,
Lines across the water.
Pretty sure Johnny didn't write it, but I have a feeling it will be spreading.

Andy

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please, Johnny Collins' How many fishes?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 06:20 AM

I'm having a senior moment, but I think it's called "Lines upon the Water", and was written by a lady called Sheila, whose surname I can't for the moment remember. I'll e-mail this thread to Johnny!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please, Johnny Collins' How many fishes?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 12:21 PM

Have re-set my cookie. Have also e-mailed Johnny. IIRC, the writer is Scottish. The song is about EU quotas on fishing - but of course Johnny also sings, "No more fish, no fishermen".

Kitty

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please, Johnny Collins' How many fishes?
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 06:11 PM

It's called 'Lines Upon The Water', and was written by Sheila Douglas of Perth, Scotland. She is a long-time activist on the Scottish folk scene. 'Lines Upon The Water' is the title song of her book of self-written songs published in 1997 by Ossian Publications, PO Box 84, Cork, Ireland. Email [e-mail]    A tape of Sheila singing 17 of the songs may be had from the same address. Burl.

Subject: Lyr Add: LINES UPON THE WATER (Sheila Douglas)
From: GUEST,Johnny Collins
Date: 15 Aug 04 - 08:22 PM

Glad people like the song. Written by Sheila Douglas

I learnt the song from Gaye Anthony and Trish Norman

LINES UPON THE WATER
Sheila Douglas

How many fish are in the sea
No enough for you and me
So they say there'll have to be
Lines upon the water

Oor fishermen say "It must be war"
Their livelihoods they're fighting for
So they drawn a line twelve miles from shore
Lines upon the water

Captain Kent sailed far away
To catch some fish without delay
And showed by making such a play
You cant draw lines on water

Captain Kent sailed ovwer the faim
Tae catch a sprat far frae his hame
And proved by playing sich a game
You can't draw lines on water

The court has fined him thirty grand
They say it is the law of the land
But Captain Kent just waves his hand
And says "It's only money"

Wha' is richt an' wha' is wrang
Wha's tae say the fish belang
Tae them or us? The weak and strang
Are aye in disagreement

Fish canna read an' dinna ken
The unco' ways of fisherman
An' they hev nivver seen the pen
That draws the lines on the water

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please, Johnny Collins' How many fishes
From: Helen
Date: 16 Aug 04 - 02:41 AM

Hey! That's the nice thing about Mudcat! When someone asks a question and the person the question is about pops up with the answer.

Nice to meet you, Johnny. Please come back and visit often.

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyrics Please, Johnny Collins' How many fishes?
From: GUEST,GH
Date: 19 Aug 04 - 02:32 PM

Thank you Johnny, will thank you in person at Bridgenorth.

GH