Lyr Req: Working Man (Terry Conway)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Working Man (Terry Conway)
From: Boab
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:16 PM

Damn' right about Terry---he's a light hidden under a bushel. At the risk of offending fans, it's Terry's own fault! Just a little more modesty would have him living behind drawn curtains! One of my favourites was his "Wellington and Marshall Blucher"--a ballad of Waterloo. His singing of Northumbrian songs is hardly matched any where---not even by the talented Brian Watson, and that's saying something. I'll be in Hexham around Christmas; I'd be a happy man if I could attend a session with Terry around---and Brian Watson too.
[ Can any N.E. catter update me re. Brian's longtime singing pal Geordie Hunter? Last time I saw Geordie was a few years back; he was using a wheelchair then. Another grand singer.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Working Man (Terry Conway)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 07:08 AM

Thanx a bunch Mick - yours was the right one! Another pint I owe yer!
Knew I'd heard Brian Watson sing it, and one of the Keelers does too, and I think I've heard Ken Wilson sing it too.
But hasn't Terry written some grand songs, he deserves to be credited more often.
Cheers
M

Subject: Lyr Add: WORKING MAN (Rita MacNeil)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 07:26 PM

Or is it this one?

It's a workin' man I am
And I've bin down underground
And I swear to God if I ever see the sun
Or for any length of time
I can hold it in my mind
I never again will go down underground


At the age of sixteen years
Oh, he quarrels with his peers
Who vowed they'd never see another one
In the dark recess of the mines
Where you age before your time
And the coal dust lies heavy on your lungs

(Repeat chorus)

At the age of sixty-four
he'll greet you at the door
And gently lead you by the hand
Through the dark recess of the mines
Oh, he'll take you back in time
And he'll tell you of the hardships that were had

(Repeat chorus couple of times)


See this thread thread.cfm?threadid=7629#46191

Subject: Lyr Add: WORKING MAN (Terry Conway)
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 07:18 PM

Here you are then. Brian Watson's version is the one I've heard most, but according to my folder, this set didn't come from him.

For the benefit of overseas readers, Littlewoods was a pools company. These days I usually sing But I've bought a lottery ticket and I'm hoping for the best.

Mick

---

WORKING MAN
(Terry Conway)

Oh it's early in the morning and I'd like to lie the day,
But that's not the way the work gets done, I've heard the old men say.
So I'll up and put me claes on, for it's time to be away.
Oh it's grand to be a working man.
Working man, working man,
Oh it's grand to be a working man.

And there's nowt like digging ditches when the flies is on the go.
What they find that's so beguiling about sweat I'll never know.
But they come around in thousands just to do the heel and toe.
Just to aggravate a working man.
Working man, working man,
Just to aggravate a working man.

When the Centigrades is tumbling and you've slates to patch you find
And the cold has got you floundered, never pay it any mind
For it kills the little microbes other cleansers leave behind:
Oh, it's healthy being a working man.
Working man, working man,
Oh it's healthy being a working man.

And you might do sundry other jobs when all that is required
Is to work a wee bit faster for your muscles to be fired.
But to tell the honest truth I'd sooner go home cold than tired.
Oh, I'se proud to be a working man.
Working man, working man,
Oh, I'se proud to be a working man.

And you hear the politicians talk of freedom by and by
But I shake me head like Soc-a-rates and wink the tother eye
Because freedom's an alarm clock that plays Brahms's lullaby
For the comfort of a working man.
Working man, working man,
For the comfort of a working man.

And they talk of left and right, of up and down and East and West
Of the dignity of labour, and the pride that stands the test
But I've put my trust on Littlewoods, I'm hoping for the best.
Then I'll resign from being a working man.
Working man, working man,
Then I'll resign from being a working man.


Source: Edna Baggaley (sp?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Working Man (Terry Conway)
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 06:52 PM

I'll post it in a little while. I'm surprised it hasn't cropped up already, but a (very) quick look through filter didn't spot it.

Mick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Working Man (Terry Conway)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 06:17 PM

M, can you give us what you know of it? It may help us find the song.
Thanks.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: Lyr Req: Working Man (Terry Conway)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 01 Dec 04 - 06:06 PM

This is a song I seem to have known for ages. I was asked for it the other day, and thought I must have a recording somewhere but when I searched I drew a complete blank, and it doesn't appear in the Digitrad. Someone out there must have it!?
M