Lyr Req: 'Oh, dear me, the warld's ill-divided'

Subject: Does anybody know this song?
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 02:55 AM

A song I only ever heard once, sometime in the mid80's.
Contained this (spot on) couplet: "Oh dear me,the world is poor divided,
them that works the hardest are ay the least provided."
Am fairly sure that it is a Glaswegian song & think it may be 19th Century.
Can any kind person lighten my darkness?

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song?
From: Stewie
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:05 AM

The lines are from 'Jute Mill Song'. You can find it in the DT. Use the search box at the top of the page. It came from Mary Brookbank who worked in the Dundee mills.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song?
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:08 AM

Thanks Stewie.
A 20 year old mystery resolved in 10 minutes.How could anybody not love this site?

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song?
From: GUEST,andymac
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:10 AM

The song is called "The Jute Mill Song" and is actually 20th century written by Mary Brooksbank, a millworker from Dundee..
If you look up the name under Digitrad here, you'll find all the lyrics.
Still sung commonly at sessions all over Scotland. it's a fine song by a fascinating woman...apparently when Ewan McColl gave a concert in Dundee he lamented the lack of working class songs from the City. Mary went up at the end of the show and said, "I've written some"...

If you can find it, her book "Sidlaw Brezes" contains some great stuff.
Or alternatively, Birlinn Books from Edinburgh have recetly republished "Coorse and Fine- Songs and Ballads of Dundee" packed full of traditioanl and composed songs from there, including The Jute Mill Song.

Andymac

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song?
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:16 AM

Thanks Andy, it was Rae Fisher I heard sing it at a live performance in Hexham.
She sang it very beautifully indeed.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 02:08 PM

Not being pedantic but it would have been Ray Fisher who sang the song.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 02:25 PM

Not being pedantic either but no definitely Rae.
Incidently,if anyone's interested, she is appearing at Auchtermuchty Festival in August.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST, Ghost
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:41 PM

Cover Art and Track List for Ray Fisher CD with "Jute Mill Song"

Yes, it's Ray, not Rae.

Ghost

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 03:55 PM

I stand corrected.
I was sure that "Rae" was the spelling on the one occasion I saw her perform.
After DaveS's posting I found verification on a different page of exactly the same site you provide a link to.
There's a lesson there somewhere.
One further goof-It was last year's Auchtermuchty festival she headlined.This year's line up has not yet been announced.
    for that one
Mea culpa,mea maxima culpa.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:10 PM

The late Norman Buchan (of '101 Scots Songs' and 'Scottish Folksinger' fame) said that the final verse of the 'Jute Mill Song' (Oh dear me the warld's ill divided, them that wark the hardest are the least provided) was the reason he became a member of parliament.

Jack

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST,scotus
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:14 PM

That last message was me (Scotus)

Jack

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Peace
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:18 PM

"2005 Festival:
Concerts, ceilidhs, dances, competitions, workshops and sessions plus open air events.   Artists appearing include: Hom Bru, Mirk, Fiddle Dee Fiddle Dum, Michael Philip, Brian Miller & Charlie Soane, Sheila Stewart, Rae Fisher Ishbell MacAskill, Jock Duncan, Margaret Bennett"

from the 'Auchtermuchty Festival: 12th - 14th August' site located at

http://www.footstompin.com/articles/festivals/august/auchtermuchty

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Scotus
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:24 PM

Given the circumstances of 'Muchty Festival last year, this is a bit pedantic and distasteful.

Jack

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Peace
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:25 PM

I don't understand.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Scotus
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:46 PM

Citty Finlayson, who had organised 'Muchty Festival since its inception was terminally ill and died during the 2005 event. Some errors in the publicity are understandable.

Jack

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Peace
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:47 PM

I wasn't aware of that Scotus. My apologies to all.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: michaelr
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 01:15 AM

June Tabor recorded this song for the "Hard Cash" album which grew from the soundtrack Richard Thompson and Peter Filleul wrote for the BBC series "Hard Cash" in 1989. A great rendition, and a great album featuring, among others, Martin Carthy, Keith Hancick, and The Watersons (released in US on Green Linnet, 1990).

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 02:58 AM

Scotus,my comments on this subject were intended as an observation and not a criticism.
No offence was intended to anybody at any point.
Apologies to anybody who may have been caused distress.
This leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Can I appeal to the better nature of all 'Catters & ask that this thread be considered closed.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST,DaveS at work
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 03:29 AM

Similar;my initial comments had nothing to do with the festival in question in fact I was not even aware of the event. It was simply concerned with the mis-spelling of Ray's name whch is (understandably)fairly commonplace and it is something about which she has joked throughout the forty years or so that I have known her.
Sorry it went off in this direction.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Compton
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:43 PM

The lovely Lorna Campbell (Ian Campbell Folk Group)was singing this when I were nobbut a lad!

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: LadyJean
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 11:08 PM

You can alsofind the Jute Mill Song on "The New Golden Ring", I think it's the second album, I'm not sure. They're both from "Folk Legacy", "Golden Ring" and "New Golden Ring" are worth having, for many many reasons.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 04 Mar 06 - 07:01 PM

Another slightly pedantic remark: The book 'Songs and Ballads of Dundee' was put together by Nigel Gatherer and is an excellent collection of lyrics and comment indeed!

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST,Abbi
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 01:41 PM

I first heard The Jute Mill Song on a cassette tape I picked up while traveling in Scotland. I believe the cassette was a collection of songs by The Lowcountry Folk. The tape wore out a long time ago but I loved it and would like to find another of the same. Any help would be much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 07:24 PM

Some of the most recent recordings are on Louis Killen's 'The Rose in June' (2001), on Ian Bruce's 'Hodden Grey' (1998) and on Ray Fisher's 'Traditional Songs of Scotland' (1991). All are still available and well worth listening to. I'm sure Dick Greenhaus of Camsco Music will get them for you. (Try button 'Record Shop' at the top of this page.) Or, if you're in Britain you might try The Living Tradition mail order service (www.folkmusic.net/listeningpost).

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 19 Mar 06 - 08:47 PM

If you "listen again" to Radio Scotland's jazz programme, "Bebop to Hip-Hop", for Sunday 19 March 2006, you can hear a very strange performance of the Jute Mill Song by a jazz vocalist and a solo percussionist, towards the end of the second half (an interview with the Scottish drummer and record producer Ken Hyder).

I'd rather hear Gordeanna McCulloch doing it, but rather that jazz version than any number of pub-rock ones.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST,witchcity
Date: 15 Aug 09 - 10:42 PM

I first heard it sung by Liam Clancy. Beautiful rendition. Jute (a plant) was rendered into rope for the rigging of sailing ships in Dundee, Scotland. The mill owners made a fortune. The ten and nine refers to the wages the mill workers received: ten shillings and nine pence for a weeks work. Not sure how many days and hours a week's work was back then.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 04:05 AM

There is a wonderful young singer called Ewan Mclennan who does a lovely version of this song.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: BB
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 07:42 AM

Saw him at Broadstairs - very tasty! And I agree about his rendition of The Jute Mill Song.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 12:52 PM

I'm sure Jackie and Bridie did a version as well.

Subject: RE: Does anybody know this song? (Jute Mill Song)
From: GUEST,Vicki Kelsey
Date: 16 Aug 09 - 10:33 PM

It's also in "Rise Up Singing", which goes to show the publication has some uses.