songs about building boats/ships?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 24 Feb 16 - 08:44 PM

I thought you were being poetic.
Very 'Dylan Thomas'.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Feb 16 - 11:43 AM

oops I meant to type "rowing our rowboat."

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Feb 16 - 11:39 AM

I'm glad to see this thread. We need more songs to sing while roaring our rowboat.

Here's the URL of the group Hal and Toe singing the shanty 'Marco Polo'. Cap'n Bob provided lyrics for this in December, 2004, upthread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHILa0wEd7A

Subject: Lyr Add: SPRINGTIME AT THE BOATYARD (Jo Bell)
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 24 Feb 16 - 04:56 AM

Not a song but the post and today's sunshine reminded me of a lovely piece of writing here

SPRINGTIME AT THE BOATYARD
Jo Bell

You can keep your cuckoos.
We hear Spring's first song
in the sound of angle-grinders,
brazen as a mating call across the yard:
the saw blades and the welders,
working between weathers
like a nesting bird; and swarf
as bright as daffodils on workshop floors.

You can keep your catkins;
we have rust like pollen on our skins.
We walk between steel shells
and smell the fresh blue boiler suits
of all the coming days,
when warmth will stretch our hulls
and make of summer evenings a shed
for building this year's stories.



Springtime at the boatyard - Jo Bell  

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TARRING OF THE YOLL (George Riddell)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Feb 16 - 07:23 PM

Found it. "101 Scottish Songs" selected by Norman Buchan, 1972 reprint.

THE TARRING OF THE YOLL (George Riddell)

X:1
T:The Tarrin' o' the Yoll
S:Norman Buchan: 101 Scottish Songs, 1972
C:George Riddell
M:4/4
L:1/16
Q:1/4=120
K:DMin
A2|{A}"Dm"d3d d3c "Am"A4 A3A|"Gm"G3G     G3G "Am"A4 A3
w:Ae nicht in Buch-an hav-en, a toon less kent than Lev-en,
 A|{A}"Dm"dd3 d3c "Am"A4 A4 |"Dm"F3G "Am"E3F "Dm"D8   |
w:Young bill-ies sax or sev-en cam' to tar oor yoll.
          D3E F3G     A4 A3A|"Gm"G3G     G3G "Am"A4 A3
w:Jim-mi-kie an' An-dy an' John-ni-kie an' San-dy,
 A|   "Dm"d3d d3c "Am"A4 A3A|"Dm"F3G "Am"E3F "Dm"D4  |]
w:wi' Will-ock-ie the dan-dy, cam' a' to tar oor yoll.

Wi' muckle din an' laughin', wi' skirlin' and chaffin',
The lassies neist cam' daffin', to help to tar the yoll.
Maggie's Jessie's Jeanie, an' fernticklet Teenie,
Wi' little gabblin' Beenie, cam' a' to tar the yoll.

This blyth an' merry meeting set a' their hearts a-beatin'
So while the tar was heatin' they close the-gither stole.
Jimmikie kissed Jeanie, an' Johnnikie squeezed Teenie,,
While Andy kittled Beenie, jist in-ahint the yoll.

The midst o' a' this teasin' an' cuddlin' an' squeezin'
The tar pot went a-bleezin' and nearly brunt the yoll.
Sandy fell ower Jeanie, an' Andy trippit Teenie,
While Jimmikie an' Beenie baith tum'let in a hole.

Noo Jimmikie an' Andy, an' Johnnikie an' Sandy
An' Beenie the wee randy that tum'let in a hole,
Declare it was the teasin' an' cuddlin' an' squeezin'
That set the pot a-bleezin', at the tarrin' o the yoll.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 09:51 AM

check out sally ironmongers    no ships its about the closure of chatham dockyard

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 06:31 PM

> An amazing song!

Unfortunately not, unless someone has put a tune to it. It was one of the monologues that Freddy McKay used to do.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 02:21 PM

An amazing song!

Many thanks!

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: THE DIAGONAL STEAM-TRAP (Crawford Howard)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 06:21 PM

THE DIAGONAL STEAM -TRAP
by
Crawford Howard

Now they built a big ship down in Harland's
She was made for to sell to the Turks-
And they called on the Yard's chief designer
To design all the engines and works.

Now finally the engines was ready
And they screwed in the very last part
An' yer man says `Let's see how she runs, lads!
An' bejasus! the thing wouldn't start!

So they pushed and they worked an' they footered
An' the engineers' faces got red
The designer he stood lookin' stupid
An' scratchin' the back o' his head.

But while they were fiddlin' and workin'
Up danders oul' Jimmie Dalzell
He had worked twenty years in the `Island'
And ten in the `aircraft' as well.

So he pushed and he worked and he muttered
Till he got himself through to the front
And he has a good look roun' the engine
An' he gives a few mutters and grunts,

And then he looks up at the gaffer
An' says he `Mr Smith, d'ye know?
They've left out the Diagonal Steam Trap!
How the hell d'ye think it could go?'

Now the engineer eyed the designer
The designer he looks at the `hat'
And they whispered the one to the other
Diagonal Steam Trap? What's that?'

But the Gaffer, he wouldn't admit, like
To not knowin' what this was about,
So he says `Right enough, we were stupid!
The Diagonal Steam Trap's left out!'

Now in the meantime oul' Jimmie had scarpered
Away down to throw in his boord
And the Gaffer comes up and says `Jimmy!
D'ye think we could have a wee word.

Ye see that Diagonal Steam Trap?
I know it's left out - it's bad luck
But the engine shop's terrible busy
D'ye think ye could knock us one up?'

Now, oul' Jimmy was laughin' his scone off
He had made it all up for a gag
He'd seen what was stoppin' the engine -
The feed-pipe was blocked with a rag!

But he sticks the oul' hands in the pockets
An' he says `Aye, I'll give yez a han'!
I'll knock yes one up in the mornin'
An' the whole bloody thing will be grand!'

So oul' Jim starts to work the next morning
To make what he called a Steam Trap,
An oul' box an' a few bits of tubing
An' a steam gauge stuck up on the top,

An' he welds it all on to the engine
And he says to the wonderin' mob
As long as that gauge is at zero
The Steam Trap is doin' its job!'

Then he pulls the rag outa the feed pipe
An' he gives the oul' engine a try
An' bejasus! she goes like the clappers
An' oul' Jimmy remarks `That's her nye!'

Now the ship was the fastest seen ever
So they sent her away to the Turks
But they toul' them `That Steam Trap's a secret!
We're the only ones knows how it works!

But the Turks they could not keep their mouths shut
An' soon the whole story got roun'
An' the Russians got quite interested...
Them boys has their ears to the groun'!

So they sent a spy dressed as a sailor
To take photies of Jimmy's Steam Trap
And they got them all back to the Kremlin
An' they stood round to look at the snaps.

Then the head spy says `Mr Kosygin!
I'm damned if I see how that works!
So they sent him straight off to Siberia
An' they bought the whole ship from the Turks!

When they found the Steam Trap was a `cod', like,
They couldn't admit they'd been had
So they built a big factory in Moscow
To start makin' Steam Traps like mad!

Then Kosygin rings up Mr Nixon
And he says `Youse'uns thinks yez are great!
But wi' our big new Russian-made Steam Trap
Yez'll find that we've got yez all bate!'

Now oul' Nixon, he nearly went `harpic'
So he thought he'd give Harland's a call
And he dialled the engine-shop number
And of course he got sweet bugger all!

But at last the call came through to Jimmy
In the midst of a terrible hush,
`There's a call for you here, from the White House!'
Says oul' Jim, `That's a shop in Portrush!'

There's a factory outside of Seattle
Where they're turnin' out Steam Traps like Hell
It employs twenty-five thousand workers
And the head of it... Jimmy Dalzell!


from

The Session: Discussions - The fenian record player

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 06:14 PM

I tried again to find "The Tarring of the Yole" which I mentioned up there a bit. Again, nothing from Google. And Bing gives me this helpful suggestion:

Related Searches for +tarring of the yole
    * Riders of the Rohan
    * Uveitis of the Eye
    * Loch of the Lows
    * Amputation of the Leg
    * Virals of the Week
    * Rash of the Skin
    * Angiogram of the Heart
    * Adenomyosis of the Uterus

Nobody here know? I suspect John Watt knows it and may have written it himself.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: framus
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 02:17 PM

Anybody heard The Diagonal Steam Trap, Crawford Howard?
Don't know it all, but it starts,
They built a big ship down at Harland's,
It was built for to sell to the Turks.
And they got all the Yard's chief designers,
To design all the engines and works.

Quite long,quite funny about a fitter who outsmarts the "Hats".

Davy.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 07:46 AM

"So I'm headed out on to them lonesome oceans
In my rubystudded houseboat to roam"

Wow, what an image!

Charley Noble, shivering in his timbers

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: harmonic miner
Date: 24 Feb 11 - 05:16 AM

'The carpenter' by guy clark

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 11:40 PM

did he also say to make it out of hickory bark?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:30 PM

did someone mention god said to noah build me an ark..

Subject: Lyr Add: HEAVENLY HOUSEBOAT BLUES (T. Van Zandt)
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 08:51 PM

I'm building a houseboat in heaven
To sail those deep and holy seas
I'm building a houseboat in heaven
And it's welcome aboard you sweet peace

The bow she is made of solid silver
And the hall she is made of solid gold
She ain't much long the line's a-floating
But she's yours, babe, to have and to hold

I rode my old guitar to heaven
But heaven didn't feel too much like home
So I'm headed out on to them lonesome oceans
In my ruby-studded houseboat to roam

Well that was Townes for ya.

D

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 08:18 PM

"Heavenly houseboat" by townes van zandt? Do tell us more!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 10:40 AM

'Heavenly houseboat' by townes van zandt. 'Boats to build' by guy clark

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 07:57 AM

Eric-

"Jamie Green"? That sail is still a mystery to me but C. Fox Smith mentions it in two other poems. The best I can come up with is that the "Jamie Green" is one of the extra sails a captain would add in the hope of gaining a little more speed. It is not a staysail, a stunsail, topsail, or ringtail. It may be one of the "dainty skysails" or one of the "water sails."

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 05:25 AM

Not quite building, but a bit of a makeover!

The Rosemary

From Ian Hendrie's excellent site Songs of the Inland Waterways

some excellent stuff there, well worth a browse around.

John

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 10:59 PM

OK, Charley. I know all of them except the Jamie Green. What is it?

Subject: Lyr Add: THEY MADE SAILS (C. Fox Smith)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 04:18 PM

There is also a tribute poem by C. Fox Smith for the sailmakers:

THEY MADE SAILS

In the old raftered loft
Where the winds blow
Like thin querulous voices
Out of long ago,
And the cobwebs sway
To and fro, to and fro,
Like the fine top-hamper
Etching out the sky
Of a tall square-rigger
In a time gone by . . .

In the old raftered loft
They made sails . . .

Moonsails, skysails
(To deck a new-built clipper),
Stunsails, trysails
(To suit a racing skipper),
Mainsails, to'gans'ls,
Great sails and small,
In the old raftered loft
They made them all . . .

Yonder where the sun strikes
On the rutted floor,
Old Sails used to sit
Forty years or more,
Like an old bald Buddha,
Squatting on his throne,
Where the girls come with garlands
And the yellow monks intone.
There he'd sit and yarn
Hour by hour
About the Blackwall frigate
Owen Glendower,
Where he learned his trade
A dog watch ago,
Striding down the Tropic
With her tacks boarded
And a wake like snow . . .

In the old raftered loft
He made sails . . .

They drooped in the Doldrums
Dark with tropic dew;
They stooped in the Forties
When the West winds blew;
They flushed like Alps at sunrise
In the dawn's first glow;
They took the last daylight,
Tall towers of snow . . .
When it was "Watch, aloft and furl it"
In the black Horn night;
And "Shake another reef out"
At the first gleam of light;
Give her all she'll carry
Through the Trade Wind foam,
By the great Lord Harry
Crack it on for home . . .

Outer jibs, flying jibs
(Killers of men),
Ringtail and Jamie Green
(They will not come again).
Stunsails, skysails
(To dress a flying clipper),
Every sort of handkercher
To suit a racing skipper . . .

Big sails and little sails
For ships great and small,
In the old raftered loft
They made them all . . .


Notes:

From Punch Magazine, Volume 222, February 21, 1951, pp. 240-241.

There are not many contemporary sailors who could name all these sails, or would know their function.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 03:46 PM

Can't recall if I am repeating myself..but there are songs about sailmakers somewhere..the figurehead carver of course..and Matt Moeller has a great one about the anchor being made. mg

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 03:20 PM

Two songs by John Tams

Hold Back the Tide; written for The Ship in the 1990 European City of Culture Festival in Glasgow.

When the ship meets the river
Men's hearts sail away

All Clouds the Sky; written for The Good Hope, National Theatre, London 2001-2002

And we ride the flood and trust to glory
Some planks of wood no thicker than your thumb

Subject: Lyr Add: THEY BUILT SHIPS (C. Fox Smith)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 02:24 PM

There is a C. Fox Smith poem in tribute to the ship-builders:

THEY BUILT SHIPS

Nigh the mouldering staithe
Where the lads came to bathe,
And the tidal river as it passes
Licks with salty lips
The wiry grasses
Where the cattle graze,
There, in the old days,
They built ships . . .

Staunch little ships they built here,
Craft with coastwise rigs,
Schooners, ketches, brigs,
That sailed many a year
With their homely freights –
Cornish clay, granite, Bethesda slates –
To and fro between Fowey and Falmouth, Runcorn and Wales,
Dipping both rails under in the Channel gales,
Beating up to wind'ard with the sunlight on their sails . . .

There were bustle and noise then,
Voices of boys and men,
And the clean shipyard smells
Of sawdust, paint and tar;
You could hear from far

Late and soon
The anvil's clang,
And the caulkers' mallets as they rang
All in time and tune,
Like a peal of bells . . .

But now it's ended and done;
Thirty years a gone
The last ship left the ways,
With her bunting flying,
And the gulls crying
All around her, and the folks cheering from the riverside
To see her take her tide . . .

And by the rotting staithe,
Where the lads came to bathe,
No stir of life is seen
And over the old slips
Where they used to build ships
The grass grows green . . .

Notes:

From Punch Magazine, Volume 222, January 21, 1951, p. 127.

This was one of the last poems that Smith published before her death in 1954. I don't know if the world really needs another dirge but this poem is certainly a candidate.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 22 Feb 11 - 02:22 PM

The Sally Ironmonger Trio do

No Ships - written to accompany a BBC documentary commemorating the 20th anniversary of the closure of Chatham Dockyard.

Love it!

Here is a tiny little snip

http://www.myspace.com/242542688/music/songs/No-Ships-50615882

Subject: Lyr Add: SOLDER AND WELD(?)
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 04:03 PM

I have one about the welders on the old ships..

See if I can recall it...

Solder and weld solder and weld
I once was a student but I was expelled
I told my old man and he hollered and yelled
Didn't raise you to solder and weld dear Billy
Didn't raise you to solder and weld

I got me a torch I got me a lamp
Got me an ache and I got me a cramp
I hang upside down in the cold and the damp
All day as I solder and weld ---- all day as I solder and weld

I hang upside down in the hull of a ship
And I pray that my fingers will not lose their grip
I know what would happen if they ever should slip
There'd be no more solder and weld for poor Billy
Be no more solder and weld

We breathe in the mold we breathe in the dust
we breathe in asbestos we breath in the rust
there's not any air us welders can trust
all day as we solder and weld how it smelled
all day as we solder and weld

Some day i'll ask the God who made steel
did you think of the heat us poor welders would feel
it makes the hereafter seem a little more real
just don't make me solder and weld for eternity don't make me solder and weld

Subject: Lyr Add: NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 12:01 PM

Oh...sure! I've been singing this one for years:

"The Lord looked down from his window in the sky,
Said "I created man but I don't remember why -
Nothing but fighting since creation day
I'll send a little water and wash them all away."

The Lord came down to look around a spell,
And there was Mr. Noah behaving mighty well
And that is the reason the Scriptures record
That Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

CHORUS:
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord,
And he landed high and dry.

The Lord said "Noah, there's gonna be a flood
There's gonna be some water and there's gonna be some mud
So take off your hat, Noah, take off your coat,
Get Ham, Shem, and Japheth and build yourself a boat.

Noah said, "Lord, I don't believe I could."
The Lord said, "Noah, get some gopher wood,
Never know what you can do till you try,
Build it fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high."

CHORUS

Noah said, "There she is, there she is, Lord!"
The Lord said, "Noah, it's time to get aboard;
Take of each creature a he and a she
And of course Mrs. Noah and your whole family."

Noah said, "Lord, it's getting mighty dark."
The Lord said, "Noah, get those creatures on the Ark."
Noah said, "Lord, it's beginning to pour."
The Lord said, "Noah, hurry up and shut the door."

CHORUS

The Ark rose up on the bosom of the deep,
And after forty days Mr. Noah took a peep;
Said, "We're not moving, Lord, where are we at?"
The Lord said, "You're sitting right on Mount Ararat."

Noah said, "Lord, it's getting mighty dry,"
The Lord said, "Noah, see my rainbow in the sky,
Take all your creatures and people the earth
But be sure you're not more trouble than you're worth."

CHORUS

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: open mike
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 11:56 AM

as per my post from 13 dec 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K00u77GK5Yc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ4I-aXuUeA&feature=related

also there must be songs about Noah...and the (hickory) Ark


Well, well, well, who's that a callin'
Well, well, well, hold my hand...
God said Noah "build me an ark"
"Build it out of hickory bark..
the old ark's a movin'
the water starts to fall...

http://www.mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=8187

see also: this thread http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=1635
and the 5 other links referenced at the beginning fo the thread..

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 10:38 AM

Well, just listened, and that's a fine song, Mark. Too many songs about sailors, and far too few about the men who enable them to BE sailors....

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Pig William
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 06:44 AM

Hi, sorry it took a while (bit of internet trouble at home etc). Here is a link to an MP3 which you can download:

Oak knees and copper nails

Slightly rough demo recording, but it gives an idea of the tune - hope you enjoy it...

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Pig William
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 05:17 PM

Ah, a good question... I'll see if I have an MP3 anywhere, otherwise I'll record one when I get the chance and put up a link. Thanks for asking about it,

Cheers, Mark

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: janemick
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 04:53 PM

"OAK KNEES AND COPPER NAILS
Words and music by Mark Ashworth"

Nice song, can you give us an idea of the tune please?

Subject: Lyr Add: OAK KNEES AND COPPER NAILS
From: Pig William
Date: 11 Aug 10 - 04:11 PM

Some great songs mentioned above. Just to add to the mix, here's one I wrote a few years ago inspired by the title of an exhibition in Whitstable about the history of the local shipbuilding industry - the phrase "Oak knees and copper nails" seemed too good not to be in a song, so I made one up to go with it.

OAK KNEES AND COPPER NAILS
Words and music by Mark Ashworth

The wisest choice I ever made
Was to sign on for the shipwright's trade
I work all day by the salt sea strand
But I sleep each night upon dry land
I learned my trade the best I could
I choose the trees, I shape the wood
With a careful eye and a steady hand
For a hull that will the waves withstand

CHORUS:
Oak knees and copper nails
To build a boat to bear the sails
To carry a crew of Kent-born men
Safely out and home again

My brother works on an oyster smack
He says the dredging damn' near breaks your back
It's hard enough work for little pay
But he seldom sails beyond the bay
While the colliers ply 'neath skies like lead
To keep the fires of London fed
On the cold North Sea far out from shore
From Tyne to Thames and back once more

(CHORUS)

And there's not a family along this shore
But knows the danger sailors do endure
And when their loved ones on the seas must roam
They hope for fair winds to bring them home
So as I labour by the water's side
I watch the sky, the waves and tide
And I pray my work it will not fail
To bring men safe through storm and gale

(CHORUS)

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 11:49 AM

Memory is coming back. Re previous post, it wasn't at Whitby, it was at Edinburgh Folk Festival, and was on a beach down at Leith or somewhere near. I think Bob Pegg probably wrote the songs.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: greg stephens
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 11:46 AM

I remember a play/event called The Shipbuilder, possibly at Whitby Folk Festival a while back(15ish years?). Outside on a bit of a beach somewhere, anyway. Taffy Thomas directing, I think, John Kirkpatrick and various folks on the music. Don't know who wrote the songs, or what they were like: but a certain amount of shipbuilding was involved, as the name would suggest. Ring any bells, anyone?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:51 AM

Many good songs are mentioned here but my favorite is We Built This Old Ship by Jim Stewart and Gordon Bok.

...for they say that a new age soon will beset us,
their engines and boilers will soon rule the day
and the time will arise that time will forget us
like the sawdust around us we'll all blow away..

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 05:35 AM

There is a Scottish song (from East Fife?) "The Tarring of the Yole", in which they throw a party while doing it and get so distracted they set the boat on fire.

Googling "tarring of the yole" doesn't find me any reference to this. But it does produce one of the most mysterious texts I've seen:
http://www.lycaeum.org/mv/ircbot/PARALINGUA2.php?VOLUME=154&ARTICLE=222&PAGE=219&REF=T%E1zoit

Not one word resembles anything I know (no loanwords). Anyone identify the language?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Pasher
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 04:29 AM

"Robert Wyatt's beautiful song" shipbuilding was covered by Elvis Costello"

I'm pretty sure its the other way around - it was written by EC
But its still a beautiful song and one of my 'desert island discs'.

I've got an apacela version somewhere by Notts Alliance

Subject: Lyr Add: ENEZ KOALEN
From: GUEST,janemick
Date: 26 Jul 10 - 03:48 AM

there is a French song, written by Hervé Guillemer of St Brieuc, Brittany, called Enez Koalen. It has become on of those songs that people think is traditional, although it was written 20-odd years ago. It is possible (at a cost) to have a day out in the boat, and it can be seen at most of the fêtes maritimes of Northern Brittany

ENEZ KOALEN

Ecoutez braves gens
Une bien belle histoire
Celle d'Enez Koalen
Homardier d'Loguivy
Tout en bois joli
Il est né près d'ici
Sur les bords du Jaudi
Dans les chantiers Clochet.

Dans tout les bistrots de Loguivy
On parle de grands' voiles de flèches et de trinquettes

Et vous vieil gens
Vous souvenez-vous ?
De ces voiles qui partaient
Affronter le Raz de Sein
Les visages burinés
Par des mois de mer
Et les mains usés
A virer les casiers.

Dans tout les bistrots de Loguivy
On parle de grands' voiles de flèches et de trinquettes

Ils s'appelaient
Le Belec et Guilloux
Marins de Loguivy
De Bréhat de Pleubian
Ils avaient du courage
Et de pauvres moyens
Mais aussi la fierté
D'être de vrais marins.

Dans tout les bistrots de Loguivy
On parle de grands' voiles de flèches et de trinquettes

Enez Koalen               
Tu seras le témoin
Au temps présent
Des voilures d'antan.
Enez Koalen            
Tu seras le témoin   
Au temps présent   
Des voilures d'antan.      

Dans tout les bistrots de Loguivy
On parle de grands' voiles de flèches et de trinquettes

Enez Koalen : c'est l'île du Bois des Renards situé à l'embouchure du Trieux sur la commune de Lanmodez.
Elle a donné son nom à un homardier de Loguivy, construit par le charpentier Yvon Clochet (La Roche Jaune-Tréguier) pour l'Ecole de Mer du Trégor, Association Commune, et lancé lors du Défi des ports de pêche le jeudi 20 avril 1989 à 16 heures
La chanson a été écrite par Hervé Guillemer le lendemain du lancement dans le carré du St Guénolé au mouillage de la Corderie à Bréhat

roughly translated:
Enez Koalen : is the breton name of the island 'woods of the fox' at the mouth of the river Trieux in the commune of Lanmodez.
It gives its name to a lobster boat from Loguivy-de-la-Mer, constructed by the boatyard of Yvon Clochet (of La Roche Jaune-Tréguier)for the association 'the Sea School of Trégor' and launched during the Challenge of the fishing harbours on Thursday, April 20th, 1989 at 4 pm
The song was written by Hervé Guillemer the day after the launching in the square of St Guénolé in the anchorage of the Ropemaking industry in Bréhat.

information about the boat
a recording of the song

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Nick E
Date: 25 Jul 10 - 06:38 PM

Lukey's Boat has a bit about how the boat was constructed.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 11:17 PM

Gary-
you might enjoy Fred Gosbee's "Stone Sloops" from his Ballad of Cappy John album

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Swave N. Deboner
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 10:10 AM

Here's one about the demise of shipbuilding on the Clyde. "The River", from Battlefield Band's "Quiet Day's" album.

To listen, go here:

http://www.battlefieldband.co.uk/olddiscographypages/quietdays.htm

There's an mp3 link to the song in the track listing.

Cheers

SND

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 08:30 AM

Barrie Temple's "River Days" was written about the end of shipbuilding at The Swan Hunter yard on the Tyne. A very nice song indeed.

Ob

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: RobbieWilson
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 07:08 AM

Robert Wyatt's beautiful song" shipbuilding was covered by Elvis Costello but the original is even more powerful. Somebody said that people get filled in for saying that people get killed in the results of this shipbuilding. Saw it on the Old Grey whistle Test and it stuck with me. "Diving for dear life when we could be diving for pearls"

Subject: Lyr Add: BALLAD OF THE Q4 (Matt McGinn)
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 16 Dec 04 - 06:23 AM

No-one so far has mentioned Matt McGinn's "Ballad of the Q4".

Excuse me (and feel free to correct me) if I get any of this wrong. As far as I remember, Q4 was the name given, while under construction, to the vessel that would become the Cunard liner "Queen Elizabeth II".

I can remember, as a boy, sailing Doon the Watter, and seeing the construction on the Q4. I've still got the photos somewhere.

Fom the official Matt McGinn site:

http://mattmcginn.info/Ballad%20of%20Q42.html
(there is a JPG with the melody on that page)


The Ballad Of The Q4
(Matt McGinn)

The Mary and the Lizzie they were made right here
But you'll never see the likes of them I fear.
They were the finest on the silver sea.
They were built by the hands of men like me.

Chorus
Thank you, Dad, for all your skill
But the Clyde is a river that'll no stand still.
You did gey well, but we'll do more.
Make way for the finest of them all, Q4.

We have an order we'll fulfil
With a touch o' the master and a bit more skill.
Now the backroom boys are under way
And the pens will be rolling till the launching day.

There's Big Tom O'Hara with his burning gear
The plumber and the plater and the engineer
There's young Willie Wylie with his welding rod
They're waiting at the ready for the backroom nod.

We'll burn and cut and shape and bend
We'll be welding and riveting and in the end
When the painter's dabbed his final coat
We'll be launching the finest ever ship afloat.

We've worked and sweated and toiled and now
See the expert's hand from stern to bow
She's ready for the torments o' the sea
She's a credit to the Clyde and you and me.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 08:10 PM

Steve Romanoff's "Boats of Stone" on Schooner Fare's OUR MAINE SONGS. A personal favorite of mine mostly because it's a tribute to the New England stonecutting trade in the early 1800's and the early building of the major Northeastern cities. Appeals to me as a structural engineer, unsurprisingly. But there is at least one reference to those who built the boats themselves.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: mg
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 07:30 PM

for Linda Allen..I had the link and lost it..but just google Linda Allen..go to her home page..disocgraphy...she has some full-length Mp3s you can listen to and one is the one about the welders. mg

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 07:14 PM

definitely.
thanks!

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: open mike
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 06:57 PM

here is another recent mention i saw on the subject of boats, ships, building etc...a song by Gram Parsons--i have not heard it but i just ordered the disc, so if anyone is interested i can transcribe it after it arrives by post! the album is called:
Jesus Built a Ship to Sing a Song To: A Tribute To Gram Parsons

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 12:41 PM

... notice that these are mostly 'contemporary' folk?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 12:40 PM

Couldn't find Linda Allen's song. or Les Sullivan's.
Thanks a billion, EBarnacle, I remember you singing that one.
Yes, I'm suprised Connaly didn't write more on the issue, however I have not listened to all of his.
thanks,
mary.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Mingulay
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 05:13 AM

Les Sullivan's CD "Echoes of Mingulay" has on it Wind Upon The Cranes about the demise of the shipyards in the UK, if that is any use to this debate.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: open mike
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 04:55 AM

ok, ok it is not about building boats,
and it is not even a song, though it
begs to become one....anyone???
i rec'd this tid bit of information
today and am passing on here..
Little Known Naval History

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) as a combat
vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her
crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to
last six months of sustained operations at sea. She
carried no evaporators (fresh water distillers).

However, let it be noted that according to her log,
"On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from
Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men,
48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot,
11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of
rum."

Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."

Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of
flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12
November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and
64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England.

In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war
and captured and scuttled 12 English merchantmen, salvaging
only the rum aboard each.

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Never-
theless, and though unarmed, she made a night raid up
the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Her landing party captured
a whiskey distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of
single malt Scotch aboard by dawn.

Then she headed home.

The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February
1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, NO rum,
NO wine, NO whiskey and 38,600 gallons of stagnant water.

GO NAVY!

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 01:41 AM

Let's redo that chorus for pattern and finish the song.

Chorus:
I tell 'em she'll sail by and by-I-I,
I tell 'em she'll sail by and by;
They ask when she'll be in the water,
And I tell 'em she'll sail by and by.

Now, she's back in the water this Summer,
Lookin' good--at least to my eye;
The sails like a gull on the ocean,
And I TOLD you she's sail by and by.

If a Joe clone wishes to combine the posts, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Eric

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 01:36 AM

As long as we are touting our own stuff:

I used to own [or be possessed by] a 50 year old [and very tired] schooner. During the 80's El Nino, it rained every weekend and many of the weeks during '82 and '83.

To the tune and pattern of "Rosin the Beau."

I work on the hull of my schooner,
And all the 'glass boaters go by;
They ask when she'll be in the water,
And I tell them she'll sail by and by.

Cho: I tell 'em she'll sail by and by-I-I

My friends won't come by to help me,
The weather's too cold or not dry;
Then they ask when they're gonna go sailin',
And I tell them they'll sail by and by.

The engine's a hunk of scrap iron,
The sight of it makes strong men cry;
It coughs and it clanks and it wheezes,
But, I tell you she'll hum by and by.

The deck is old and it's rotten,
It leaks if a cloud's in the sky;
From weather it gives no protection,
But, I tell you we'll caulk by and by.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 09:07 PM

yeah, a lot of the time the verse is just an excuse for the chorus.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: mg
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 09:01 PM

Linda Allen also wrote one I think about the women welders in WWII..I think working on ships..but maybe it was airplanes. I am realizing how truly awful I am about knowing what a song is about...I do the chorus and la la la on a couple of verses and am left with a vague impression of what the words are but I confess to not really listening to the words that well..obviously...also what was Andrea Aldridge's Wawona song..did they build it in her song? I can't remember... mg

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 08:21 PM

The Clyde shipyards also get a mention in McColl's version of "Jamie Foyers" but the song is more about the Spanish Civil War.
How about some of John Conolly's songs about thte fishing boats too? And "The collier Brig" - not very complimentary to the ship-builder in this case - "she was built in Roman times, held together with bits of twine"
TB

Subject: Lyr Add: THE LAUNCH OF THE JOHN PATCHETT
From: Padre
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 07:45 PM

"THE LAUNCH OF THE 'JOHN PATCHETT'"

Through the grey mist of dawn all curling around,
The ponderous notes of the shipyard resound;
By fires at which builders are plying their toil,
Loud voices are clashing, and increase the turmoil.

Hark the dock shore is struck and the blue lights appear,
Morning is breaking, the daylight is near,
Ere the gloom that o'er hangs the dark water has fled,
Men with sinewy arms and by friendliness led,

Hand o'er hand they silently climb her tall side,
To help this good ship to the deep rolling tide
Of her future they speak as they move to and fro
Yes they ponder her future, though little they know.

Now she moves, cheer me hearties, she's launched on the tide,
See the waters caress her and rush to her side,
Hurrah and hurrah, the 'John Patchett' is free,
She has found her new home on the dark rolling sea.

Padre

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:47 PM

Hehe, actually, come to think of it that is the song that inspired this question. I just forgot about it. I Know it from a CD; Ye Mariners All with John Roberts, John Rockwell, and Larry Young. What a wonderful song.

Subject: Lyr Add: ON THE BACKSIDE OF NANTUCKET POINT
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:21 PM

Curmudgeon just reminded me of "On the Backside of Nantucket Point" which I sort of sing and is not in the DT. (My Random Access Memory is getting more and more random.)

I learned it from John Roberts who let me tape him singing it back in 1981. He set it to "The Black Joke" morris tune.

Here 'tis --

ON THE BACKSIDE OF NANTUCKET POINT
^^
Uncle Josiah and old Uncle Sam
They built them a sloop in the shape of a clam
      On the backside of Nantucket Point.
They got her caulked up both tight and staunch
And when it was done, she was ready to launch.
      On the backside of Nantucket Point.
Uncle Josiah says he, "Sam, come,
We'll go into town for a runlet of rum."
But one little rum soon turned into another
And before very long they were three sheets together.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.

By launching time they were in for some fun
So down to the beach all the women did run.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.
Nancy and Polly and Prudy and Sue
And a vast many others that none could outdo.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.
Tabitha Bunker and Abigail Pease
Poor Uncle Josiah was weak at the knees.
But mothers and daughters and sweethearts and wives
All hurried out for the time of their lives.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.

The sloop she was launched and got under way
But uncle soon found that the bitch wouldn't stay.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.
They pulled on the helm to wear her around
But when she jibed over, she struck the hard ground.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.
And Uncle Josiah was all in a fret
For fear he'd got taken in old Neptune's net.
Then Uncle Josiah says he to old Sam,
"For a thousand such sloops I'd not give a damn."
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.

But he called out all hands to man the boat
To take out an anchor and heave her afloat
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.
But Uncle Josiah did swamp it and swore
That he wished the darn vessel had rotted ashore
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.
But they got her into the harbor snug
And moored her safe as a bug in a rug.
Old Uncle Josiah then scrambled ashore
Swore he would never build sloops anymore.
    On the backside of Nantucket Point.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: open mike
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 03:45 PM

HALOO BLUES MIKE! WELCOME BACK..LONG TIME NO SEE
NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU...THE BOATS TO BUILD SONG WAS
CO-WRITTEN BY http://www.verlonthompson.com/ AND IS
COMING OUT ON A NEW C.D. BY JIMMY BUFFETT: CALLED
"License to Chill" as a duet with ALAN JACKSON.

HOW ARE YOU, BLUESMIKE, YOU OLD CRAB, YOU!?

Subject: Lyr Add: BANKS OF THE CLYDE
From:
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 02:41 PM

Here's another song about the River Clyde.

I have no idea who wrote it. I learned it at Danny Kyle's festival pub in Edinburgh some years ago.
I've never come across it since

BANKS OF THE CLYDE
^^ (ch)
   There's grass now growin' where an empire stood
   Flowers on the banks o' the Clyde
   Tall trees stand now wi' their leafy boughs
   And there's salmon swimmin' in wi' the tide

A million men a million jobs,
Their hammers ringin' out in the dawn
And the cranes rose high tae the morning sky
Before all the work was gone
The shipyards lined the length o' the toon,
It's fame was known world-wide
For the finest boats on the seas afloat
Were stamped 'Made on the Clyde'

The shipyard barons turned the green tae black
With the sweat of the workers toil
They didn't give a damn that this pleasant land
Was a wealth that they shouldn't spoil
The fish in the river couldn't swim any more,
Pollution was the word that was used
But the blackened slums and the burnt oil drums
Showed a city that had been abused

Aye there she stood, a dear green place,
Before all the industry came,
Then a town of steel and the great pit-wheel,
The circle turns round again
For Glasgow now is a Greenpeace dream
That millions can enjoy
But amongst the hosts you'll find the shipyard ghosts,
The ranks of the unemployed

Jack

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 12:23 PM

Everybody's building
Ships and boats;
Some are building monuments
And others jotting down notes.

~Quinn the Eskimo, Bob Dylan

Sorry, I know this is not truly germaine to the subject at hand, but it's the first thing that came to mind when I read the thread title. Hope it's good for a laugh...

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Barnacle
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 11:55 AM

My favourite shipbuidling song is Alex Glasgow's "All in a Day"

"And come tomorrow, Willie, when the peeping Toms have canned their final pictures
And come tomorrow, Willie, when the cocktail party faces stiffen hard
And come tomorrow, Willie, the same wind will whistle up the river
And come, tomorrow, Willie, I'll meet you seven-thirty in the yard"

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,ConcertinaChap
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 06:27 AM

Bob Pegg wrote an entire song cycle entitled "The Ship Builder". Much underrated LP, I reckon. Somewhat on the fantasy side of things, though, and an awful long way from the Clyde.

Chris

Subject: Lyr Add: PRIDE OF THE PANMURE YARD (Stewart Brown)
From: Cluin
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 03:18 AM

As requested, the lyrics to "Pride of the Panmure Yard":


The Pride of the Panmure Yard
^^ (Stewart Brown)


"Build us a ship", said the men from the south
"A ship we can trust with a crew
In seas of ice, that grip like a vise
And winds that cut a man through"
So the Dundee lads talked to the ships
That sail where whalefish blow
That were built in the time of the oak and the pine
Like the bear and the Eskimo


(chorus:)
So, here's to the lads, the Lads of the Tay
Who built the ships that dared
Here's to Scott's "Discovery"
The pride of the Panmure Yard


For two long years the banks of the Tay
Echoed to the shipwright's din
Till down the slip ran a special ship
With years of skill in her trim
Oaken beams and pine for the mast
A steel-clad deck and bow
The captain bold his fate foretold
"She'll outlast us all, I vow"


(chorus)


Scott steer'd her south to Antactic seas
Down past the whaling grounds
As he strove for his goal, finding routes to the Pole
She froze in McMurdo's Sound
Two whole winters long she lay
In the grip of a stone hard sea
When a rescue failed, the Nova sailed
From Leith to set him free


(chorus)


The Polar heroes' names live on
When bards, their stories tell
Wilson, Bowers, Evans, Oates
And gallant Scott himself
On history's page, they take their place
Yet they all would surely say
"Make our shrine that vessel fine
The ship that led the way"


(chorus)

Subject: Lyr Add: FAIRFIELD CRANE
From: mg
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 10:03 PM

here's the one about the Clyde

The Fairfield Crane
^^ Archie Fisher / Norman Buchan / Bobby Campbell
I was born in the shadow of the Fairfield crane
Where the blast of a freighter's horn
Was the very first sound that reached my ears
On the morning I was born
I lay and I listened to the shipyard sound
Coming out of the great unknown
And was sung to sleep by the mother tongue
That was to be my own

But before I grew to be one year old
I heard the sirens scream
As a city watched in the blacked-out night
A wandering searchlight's beam
And then at last I awoke and rose
To my first day of peace
For I'd learned that the battle to stay alive
Was never going to cease

I sat and I listened to my father tell
Of the days that he once knew
When you either sweated for a measly wage
Or you joined the parish queue
As times grew harder day by day
Along the riverside
I oft-times heard my mother say
It was tears that made the Clyde

Now I've sat in the school from nine till four
And I've dreamed of the world outside
Where the riveter and the plater watch
Their ships slip to the Clyde
I've served my time behind shipyard gates
And I sometimes mourned my lot
But if any man tries to mess me about
I'll fight like my father fought

(as sung by Archie Fisher)


also I remembered that I have one about welding on ships..probably in Bremerton WA.
^^
Solder and weld, solder and weld
I once was a student but I was expelled
I told my old man and he hollered and yelled
Didn't raise you to solder and weld Dear Billy
Didn't raise you to solder and weld

I got me a torch and I got me a lamp
Got me an ache and I got me a cramp
I hang upside down in the cold and the damp
All day as I solder and weld for a living
All day as I solder and weld

We breathe in the mold we breathe in the dust
Breathe in asbestos we breathe in the rust
There's not any air us poor welders can trust
All day as we solder and weld how it smelled
All day as we solder and weld

Someday I'll ask the God who made steel
Did you think of the heat us poor welders might feel
And it makes the hereafter seem a little more real
Just don't make me solder and weld for eternity
Don't make me solder and weld

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Stewie
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 04:42 PM

Another from Bok - dismantling rather than 'building', but a good'un.

Saben the Woodfitter.


--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: BOATS TO BUILD (Guy Clark)
From: beetle cat
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 02:08 PM

Wow, guys, I'm glad you guys are on top of this stuff. And I hope you sing it.
Willie-o, thats a gem.
The Kipling one is odd. He sure did follow the stereotypes.



Bluesmike, that is very much on subject!!
and because i couldn't find it on mudcat..

Guy Clark;
Boats to Build
^^
It's time for a change
I'm tired of that same ol same
The same ol words the same ol lines
The same ol tricks and the same ol rhymes

Days precious days
Roll in and out like waves
I got boards to bend I got planks to nail
I got charts to make I got seas to sail

I'm gonna build me a boat
With these two hands
It'll be a fair curve
From a noble plan
Let the chips fall where they will
Cause I've got boats to build

Sails are just like wings
The wind can make em sing
Songs of life songs of hope
Songs to keep your dreams afloat
I'm gonna build me a boat
With these two hands
It'll be a fair curve
From a noble plan
Let the chips fall where they will
Cause I've got boats to build

Shores distant shores
There's where I'm headed for
Got the stars to guide my way
Sail into the light of day

I'm gonna build me a boat
With these two hands
It'll be a fair curve
From a noble plan
Let the chips fall where they will
Cause I've got boats to build


So many of these songs are not in the DT, and not even in threads. What should I do? Should I post them here, or in seperate threads?

mary

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:54 PM

Harland's yard get's a mention in Matt McGinn's song

'I'm looking for a job with a sky high pay,
A 4 day week and a 2 hour day,
Maybe it's because I'm inclined that way
But I never did like being idle!'
Robyn

Subject: Lyr Add: SHANTYMAN'S HAIL (Fred Gosbee)
From: GUEST,julia
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 11:29 AM

DUH!! Clean forgot about Fred's song "Shantyman's Hail" a tribute to shipbuilding in Bath Maine

Here are lyrics and the link will give MP3

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gosbee1

SHANTYMAN'S HAIL
©1984 Fred Gosbee ^^

CHORUS: Hey, Ho! Roll and go!
Round Cape Horn to San Francisco
Shanteyman sing, boys, pull on the line
And we're back in record time

At Bath down in Maine they built many tall ships
They were faired up and planked, then launched down the slips
The strength of our nation was built on the pine
Of the mast-trees that harnessed the wind
There were schooners and sloops and all kinds of small craft
Warships with cannon both forward and aft
And the queens of the seas, the graceful clippers
Mighty proud men were there skippers

Then the steam-powered ships came along
Their engines replaced the handyman’s song
And men in the hellish heat down in the hold
Spent their watches shoveling coal
First coal, then oil, then nuclear heat
Replaced all the wind-driven ships in the fleet
And skills handed down for hundreds of years
Have all but disappeared

And where went the tall ships that once sailed so free
Under clouds of white canvas across the salt sea
With the wind in their rigging and foam at the bow
Tell me, where are they now?
Well some were scrapped and some can be found
Like the Luther and the Hesper, up the Sheepscot aground
Some were towed out to deep water and sunk
Regarded as no more than junk

We can't live forever on fuel from the ground
The prices go up and no more will be found
If we're still around for the next age of sail
We might hear that shantyman hail

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 11:26 AM

Sorry- slip o' th' digit

Check out Fred Gosbee's "Cappy John's Bride"- about a shy captain who needs a new boat and ends up with more in the bargain!

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gosbee1

Also Frank Gotwals,a lobsterman from Stonington ME wrote a wonderful "Boat Blessing" to be played at launchings

Gordon Bok's "Dark Old Waters " is a classic

I also remember a song called "Boats to Build" by Guy Clark

We have a number of boat-building musicians here in mid-coast Maine-in fact Nick Appollonio (also guitar builder extraordinaire) is upstairs in our recording studio at this very moment! I'll ask him about boat-building songs when he takes a break

cheers- Julia/castlebay

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Julia
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 11:12 AM

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 10:48 AM

a Song around the humour of the men who build ships.

"Uncle Wullie who works for Cunard?"

Subject: Lyr Add: MARCO POLO
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 10:18 AM

There is a different version of "The Marco Polo" than the one in the DT. I have it on tape or cd but can't seem to locate it right now.

MARCO POLO

Where the Marsh Creek waters meet Courtenay Bay
HEAVE HER ROUND AND LET HER FLY
At James Smith's yard her keel did lay
THERE'S NO SHIP HERE CAN MATCH HER
She was launched with a groan and thud
SHE'S LIKE A DEMON SAILING BY
She was stuck two weeks in the Marsh Creek mud
THERE'S NO SHIP HERE CAN CATCH HER   

CHORUS:
Liverpool in fifteen days, the seven seas her name will praise
Wind in her hair and her sails unfurled, she's the fastest
ship in all the world, and her name is Marco Polo

Her keel's all bent, she'll never sail - HEAVE HER ROUND AND LET HER FLY
James Smith's hopes are doomed to fail - THERE'S NO SHIP THAT CAN MATCH HER
She's felt the wrath of jeers and scorn - SHE'S LIKE A DEMON SAILING BY
And through the pain the legend's born - THERE'S NO SHIP HERE CAN CATCH HER    ****THERE IS MORE TO THE SONG BUT I ONLY REMEMBER THE FIRST PART******

Willie-O's Song "The Anna Grace: is a wonderful ship building be sure to check it out.

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Willie-O
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 09:37 AM

Well if one may plug one's own songs...this is in Aine's Mudcat Songbook:


The Anna Grace

W-O

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Boatman
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 09:20 AM

Check the thread below. Just cut and paste in your browser.


http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=48527#731508

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 05:40 AM

How about Kipling - The Shipwwrights - set to music by Pete Bellamy

KYBTTS

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 05:02 AM

Kishmulls Galley possibly, or you could do a quick rewrite of the Skye Boat [Builders] Song.
Giok ;~)

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Bluesmike
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 04:52 AM

Not really on subject but nevertheless a great song- Guy Clark wrote I've got boats to build, just listen to it anyway.OK

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:32 AM

Nasty luck!!

Any more clews on where to find The Ship Building Men, lady Hillary?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:26 AM

Yeah, I sail a Beetle, and a Mystic 20' cat off Prudence Island, in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Its a fun little boat. Wet. Constantly bailing the water that inevitably seeps in, or splashes over. Wouldn't have it any other way. Sanderlings sure are pretty. Never had the pleasure of sailing one. Never too late!

I'm having nasty luck with lyrics today.

Yeah, I suppose thats the thing; shipwrights never had much of an excuse to sing.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Lady Hillary
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 01:06 AM

The same guy who wrote Wee Pot Stove (Robinson) also wrote The Big Dry Dock and The Ship Building Men.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 12:55 AM

Hi Beetle Cat,

Do you sail one?

When I was younger I wanted a Cat Rigged boat some considerable. I always fancied a Sanderling and I still do. Or Charlie Witholtz 20' gunkholer would be OK too.

Most of the boat building songs I am aware of have already been mentioned.

The other "Bluenose" song I have heard by Ryan's Fancy. Ship yrds are mentioned in a Rovers tune, "When The ShipYards Go Back On Full Time".

I will tell you this. When I worked in the boatyards we sand a lot of Country Western and Rock and Roll.

Don

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: GUEST,Barry Finn
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 12:01 AM

"They are building a ship in the Northlands

The Albertina they will call her when she's done, pump away


The Albertina she will serve us, the Albertina will preserve us

The Albertina they will call her when she's done, pump away"


The pump shanty Albertina, collected from George Herbert, Master Rigger & Cape Horner, RIP


Barry

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 09:50 PM

anything with Noah...

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 09:43 PM

Shipbuilding-Elvis Costello.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 09:33 PM

"And can you sing a song my friend,
And can you trim a sail,
Or sing a song on the deck at night
Or hoist a glass of ale?".

That's all remember. I also appologize for not knowing the song's title. But I do believe it was written by Franke. I'm sure (hoping) someone will correct my errors soon and post the words. This song is a delight. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 09:27 PM

technique is a good word.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 09:24 PM

Cluin, do you have the lyrics to The Pride of the Panmure Yard?

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Cluin
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 08:45 PM

There was one an old bandmate introduced to our setlist for a while a few years ago called "The Pride of the Panmure Yard", written by one Stewart Brown. We recorded it and that was the only version of it I ever heard.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: iancarterb
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 08:45 PM

Stan Rogers' Make and Break Harbor mentions in passing "This boat that I built with my father," but it's not about technique, is it.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Cluin
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 08:43 PM

Stan Rogers had a couple: "The Jeannie C.", "The Bluenose", "Man with Blue Dolphin".

And a couple involving salvage: "Wreck of the Athens Queen" and "The Mary Ellen Carter".

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: mg
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 08:20 PM

Gordon Bok and Jim Stewart wrote we built this old boat with ?strength and endeavor...and Gordon Bok wrote dark old waters about fitting out a boat. Beautiful song I think by Ewan MacColl..it was tears that made the Clyde about ship building in WWII. Wasn't something just posted about a sailmaker? mg

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 08:15 PM

wow guys you are suggesting them faster than i can look them up!! no complaints though.

Goik; couldn't find shipyard apprentice in the DT.. but searched on google.. its also called The Fairfield Crane (also not in the dt). awesome lyrics.
The marco polo one is also just the kind. They should get in the DT.

anyway, this makes me feel better.
you guys rock.

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 07:22 PM

"Somos El Barco"

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 07:05 PM

Perfect choice, Micca -- one minor word correction:

While my hands are steady, while my eyes are good,
I will carve the music of the wind into the wood.

Dick Swain found a poem by Hiram Cody of New Brunswick, put it to a tune and wrote the chorus.

I was going to suggest "Lukey's Boat" because Lukey seems to do a lot of remodeling to it in the song.

Linn

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 07:04 PM

The famous Newfoundland song "I's The Boy Who Builds The Boats & I's The Boy Who Sails Them"

                           SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Micca
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 06:56 PM

There is, of course, the Dick Swain setting of the poem about the The "Marco Polo" and the figurehead carver that has the chorus (as best I can remember) which goes

" While my hand is steady, while my eyes are good
I will carve the beauty of the wind into the wood"

I truly moving song and brilliant piece of work about a figurehead carver visualising his work at the bow of the clipper ship leading it home. If it isnt in the DT search the Forum I am sure there has been a thread .

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: Nancy King
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 06:40 PM

Hmmm, the closest I can come is one about cutting the wood that was used to build ships. "Mauling Live Oak" is on The Boarding Party's second album, "Fair Winds and a Following Sea," (Folk-Legacy FSI-109 or C-109), and is about how miserable it was for lumbermen from Maine to go down to the swamps of the South to cut, or "maul" the live oak trees which made the best wood for shipbuilding. The song doesn't get into the actual building of the ships, so might not do for your purposes, but it's kind of a fun song. Alas, I do not find it on the Folk-Legacy web site at this point, but I'll bet if you called F-L, they'd be able to send you a cassette or make you a "custom CD" of it. It's a good album -- lots of great sea songs.

Cheers,
Nancy

Subject: RE: songs about building boats/ships?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 06:32 PM

Bluenose ??? Martin

Shipyard Apprentice Archie Fisher

Giok

Subject: songs about building boats/ships?
From: beetle cat
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 06:03 PM

I can only think of a few songs that even mention or allude to the building of a boat, such as Roll Alabama (the first few verses, and then it is sinks to the bottom of the sea!!), or maybe Lukey's Boat (because he did a bad job).

So does anyone know any songs that credit the shipwrights, ships carpenters, or boat builders as anything besides deceitful murderers (the ship carpenters wife, the cruel ship's carpenter, the ship's carpenter...)

they are really not always that evil.. in fact I know a few very nice ones.. and it is troubling that I cant think of any folk songs praising the work they do, especially since it is such a folkish occupation.

Ideas?