Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade

Subject: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: GUEST,Phil Vickers
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 11:56 AM

Chorus is something like

So alter your ways, or soon we'll see the days
When this traveller's trade won't stay alive
So hunt if you can, with thought o fellow man
And all ....

I believe it's sung to the tune 'The Music of Spey'
I have a recording by Scots duo Shannus, but I can't
make out all the words - my fault, not the singer's !

I have googled and searched DigiTrad but I can't find
them. If anyone could supply the lyrics I'd be most
grateful

Cheers, Phil Vickers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 02:13 PM

Phil, can you post the words you have? It might give us a good start.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 02:48 PM

Pete Clark has also recorded the song, and the track listing at http://www.musicinscotland.com/PeteClark/ seems to imply that it is followed by the tune 'The Music of Spey' (which was written by J Scott Skinner) on his recording, rather than being set to it; but then, I've never heard the song.

Is there no copyright or other information on your recording? That might help. It's presumably a modern song, and not much recorded.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: Drumshanty
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 05:12 PM

I have the Shannus version and this is what I've got from it. The gaps are probably what you're hearing as well, Phil. As you say, not the singer's fault; possibly the recording?

The Travellers' Trade
(Words: Ian MacGregor; Music J Scott Skinner)

O'er hill, glen and moor, you'll witness life's still poor
For the men wha plunder the shell
They'll work till the day has darkened then they'll say
That this way of life just isnae goin well

The reason you'll hear, oor laws(?) just arenae clear
As the search for the pearl murders on
And soon there will be nae fishin left for me
And the skill acquired will never see my son

So alter your way or soon we'll see the day
When this traveller's trade won't stay alive
And hunt if you can wi' thoughts o' fellow man
And all forms of life whose right is tae survive

To know where to find some treasure you should mind
That the mussel shouldnae die for your gain
.....
It's the only way, so listen what I'm sayin'

So alter your way...

This ........., my river soon will die
When the final mussel has been taken from her sand
And traveller though I've been, it's by far the worst I've seen
And it's no' just here, it's rife in other lands

So alter your way...

Ian MacGregor sings the song on Pete Clark's CD "The Birnam Oak" (click here). There is a short MP3 on that page.

I am gnashing my teeth because I know I have this written down somewhere...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 13 Oct 05 - 05:39 PM

Thanks; I had missed the tiny audio symbol on that page. It confirms, at any rate, that the song is set to the Skinner march.

Now, which Ian MacGregor is that?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: GUEST,PhilV
Date: 14 Oct 05 - 02:48 AM

Thank-you Drumshanty ! The gaps in your lyrics more
or less match the gaps in mine. I did know about Birnam
Oak and I've been looking out for a copy. Thanks for your
reply and I hope you can find the missing bits !
-- PhilV

Subject: Lyr Add: TRAVELLERS' TRADE (MacGregor, Skinner)
From: Drumshanty
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 11:43 AM

So there I am, in Coda on the Mound in Embra, birthday vouchers clasped in sticky mitt, when I stumble over "The Birnam Oak". I didn't buy it, but I did get the words. And the CD cover contains a very interesting wee piece written by Ian MacGregor about the history and background to his song.

I've added the lines I found. It has to be said, however, that Shannus's Gillian does not sing the same words to the third line of the third verse. It sounds like she's singing "The skill knaws where tae look, in twist or maybe crook".

The Travellers' Trade
(Words: Ian MacGregor; Music J Scott Skinner)

O'er hill, glen and moor, you'll witness life's still poor
For the men wha plunder the shell
They'll work till the day has darkened then they'll say
That this way of life just isnae goin well

The reason you'll hear, oor laws just arenae clear
As the search for the pearl murders on
And soon there will be nae fishin left for me
And the skill acquired will never see my son

So alter your way or soon we'll see the day
When this traveller's trade won't stay alive
And hunt if you can wi' thoughts o' fellow man
And all forms of life whose right is tae survive

To know where to find some treasure you should mind
That the mussel shouldnae die for your gain
The skill's there to look, for twist, or maybe crook
It's the only way, so listen what I'm sayin'

So alter your way...

This tale here's nae lie, Spey River soon will die
When the final mussel has been taken from her sand
And traveller though I've been, it's by far the worst I've seen
And it's no' just here, it's rife in other lands

So alter your way...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: GUEST,bob stewart
Date: 16 May 07 - 09:23 AM

Hi I was one third of Shannus. The song was written by a friend of mine, Ian Macgregor(Bell Stewart's grandson) If you email me I will forward the lyrics to you and a note about the song.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: Peace
Date: 16 May 07 - 10:43 PM

Refresh.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Traveller's Trade
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jul 13 - 08:58 AM

Thanks I've been looking for these words for years.

Sarah