Songbooks: National Song Book: Copy wanted

Subject: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 12:11 PM

I'm looking for a copy of the National Song Book. This was a fairly common text book used in UK schools for decades, when folk and trad. songs were sung in the classrooms (or inflicted on us). It's probably well out of print though I hope there's a spare copy knocking about that some kind Mudcatter might be glad to sell to me.

The reason I'm after it is because my partner's mother used to be a primary school teacher, and would get the kids to sing all the old songs: The Ash Grove, Men of Harlech, Who Is Sylvie, etc. She's now 90 years of age with dementis and an erratic memory, and communication is a difficulty. She can still sing though - can hold a tune well and remembers many of the words, which is more than we do. So, this book would come in use, especially as it's one she'd remember well.

If anyone has a copy they'd like to get rid of, please contact me off list.

And if it's not been covered in a topic already: What songs did you sing in schools as a kid? Whether the experience has put you off for life is an optionl extra you can comment on if the trauma's not too strong......

Cheers

Norman

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: NormanD
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 12:19 PM

Requesting personal messages ain't a lot of use when you've not logged in. The above was from me, now logged in.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 12:40 PM

Abebooks don't seem to have heard of it, which surprised me.

You might try www.bookfinder.com

If you are anywhere in southwest UK you could try a visit to Hay on Wye, a small town but it is a whole collection of secondhand bookshops, including the country's biggest dealer.

If you can't find it there then there is a conspiracy to cleanse the land of our heritage, both my infant and junior schools seemed to have copies of this in every room and for every child.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 12:46 PM

I have two copies. Might be interested in parting with one.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: Tootler
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 01:41 PM

Hancock and Monks are the second hand music sellers in Hay-on-Wye. I had a quick look at their website and could not see what you are looking for, but it may be worth contacting them.

They have wide variety of books on music of all sorts. I usually have a look when I go to Hay.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 01:57 PM

Email several UK dealers on the off chance that they have one in the pile of unsalables.
Schools in the U. S. and Canada have sent these music books to the landfill. Libraries discard them to make rook for the latest romances and Disney books.
Very few dealers recognize that some odd people (like me) are interested in old school song books, which are tossed into the garbage (dust bin) or recycle box. There should be a handful of these packrat dealers in the UK.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 03:17 PM

Watch for library sales, too. I used to always be able to find old songbooks at those.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 04:12 PM

I have a copy that I'm willing to scan the appropriate song from.... but I won't part with it for anything!

LTS

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: nutty
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 06:11 PM

You should be able to get the book(s) from here

AbeBooks

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: masato sakurai
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 06:49 PM

Search results:

Abebooks

BookFinder

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 08:18 PM

I've got a copy too, but like LTS, I couldn't possibly part with it, sorry! Might be able to copy any songs required though. I also have a copy of "The Oxford Song Book, melody edition Vol 1" - not quite as old, but many good songs in it.
TB

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 02:47 AM

Situation solved. I've arranged to exchange my spare copy with NormanD for some as yet undecided treat. So the houshold will soon be ringing with the Ash Grove,the Minstrel Boy and Tom Bowling.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 03:43 AM

Dunno if anybody's still interested. I used to supply teach at Annie Holgate School in Hucknall, Notts. They lay there unused - two large piles of both editions. I doubt if anybody's got round to chucking them out yet.

I bet they don't know they are in possession of a desirable artefact - lets face it, they don't come up on Bargain Hunt.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:05 AM

In the UK it's always worthwhile logging music book requests with Travis and Emery at Cecil Court in London. They're specialist music book dealers and will keep requests logged for when books come in (That's how I got my old copies of Chappell several years ago - they phoned me about 6 months after I'd made the request to say they had a copy in). I've got several good folk related books from them and always have a look in when I'm in London.

Mick

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:39 AM

Mick Pearce: that's a useful thing to know. Thanks very much.

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: NormanD
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 05:31 AM

Thanks for all your help and suggestions - all gratefully received. Big shout to Greg for agreeing on a swap - still in the process of negotiation.

Back to the second part of my original message, which was:
"What songs did you sing in schools as a kid? Whether the experience has put you off for life is an optionl extra you can comment on if the trauma's not too strong......"

Nobody's commented much on this so far, so I reckon it must still be too traumatic, even now.

I discussed this with an old school friend last night. He reminded me of the time when half our class of teenage boys sang an obscene version of "Where the bee sucks there suck I". The music teacher paraded up and down screaming at us, though wouldn't say why he was angry....

So that's another song to visit again, though I think I'll have to sing "suck" this time to avoid upsetting the old lady.

Norman

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: GUEST,Folkiedave- cookieless
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 05:47 AM

Anyone needing advice on old folk song books can always try me. As a number of people will testify I am not expensive and as a specialist dealer I am always happy to help. I never carry copies of this particular book because to be honest it is generally readily available.

I return to the UK tomorrow until February and will have a stall at the Tradsong Meeting in Gateshead on Nevember 19th.

My website is out of date at the moment, I hope to update in the next few weeks.

Best regards,

Dave Eyre

www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: National Song Book: Copy wanted
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 02:57 PM

I had two spare copies, one of which was falling apart, so was good for photcopying, or transfering loose pages into a personal song book.
I took them both to last year's Miskin Folk Fest and left them on the membership/reception table, with the instruction that they could go to a good home for any reasonable donation.
Walking past 10 minutes later they'd both gone.

Worth bearing in mind for song books you no longer require, don't want the hassle of pricing/selling, and want to go where they'll be appreciated!

CHEERS
Nigel