Lyr Req: Fisherman's Blues (The Waterboys)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fisherman's Blues (The Waterboys)
From: GUEST,aq
Date: 04 Oct 15 - 09:33 AM

Beatin' of the sleepers: it's a reference to the wood "sleepers" under the railroad iron lines, lying in the ground lookin' like sleeping men.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fisherman's Blues (The Waterboys)
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 17 Dec 11 - 05:09 AM

Often lyrics will differ when sung, even by the writer. I have many albums where the printed lyrics on the sleeve/booklet differ slightly from the actual track. I'd guess the written down version is passed to the printers etc, but when recorded things changed a little.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fisherman's Blues (The Waterboys)
From: GUEST,Peadar (formerly) of Portsmouth
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 04:09 PM

Guessing it has to do with the rocking motion of the train as it rolls along the track...and, as I understand it, the railroad ties that contribute to that motion are called 'sleepers' in Europe.

Peter

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fisherman's Blues (The Waterboys)
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 01:35 PM

what is meant by the phrase "beatin' of the sweepers" or is it "beatin of the sleepers"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fisherman's Blues (The Waterboys)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 01:32 PM

anybody know what is meaning og the term "beatin' of the sweepers" or is it "beatin of the sleepers" in the song Fisherman's Blues by the Waterboys?

Subject: Chords Add: FISHERMAN'S BLUES (from The Waterboys)
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 05:42 PM

I love this song! Here's the chords along with the words. (I find it easier to understand that way.)

G F Am C

G F
I wish I was a fisherman, tumbling on the seas
Am C
Far away from dry land, and its bitter memories
G F
Casting you my sweet light with abandonment and love
Am C
No ceiling staring down on me, save the starry sky above


Chorus

G F Am C
With light in my hair, you in my arms, woo woo ooh

G F
I wish I was the brakeman, on a heartland diesel train
Am C
Crashing headlong into the heartland, like a cannon in the rain
G F
With the beating of the sleepers, and the burning of the coal
Am C
Counting towns flashing by me, in a night that's full of soul

Chorus

G F
Oh I know I will be loosened, from bonds that hold me tight
Am C
And the chains all hung around me will fall away at last
G F
And on that fine and fateful day, I will take thee in my arms
Am C
I will ride the night train, and I will be the fisherman

Chorus

chordie.com
Transpose up one semitone down one semitone
Songbook go to songbook
www.chordie.com

The lyrics are a bit different on this one...hmmm...

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: GUEST,Roger Hayes
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 08:41 PM

The Waterboys continue to tour and produce great music. Their live shows sometimes feature a full band and sometimes just a three-piece acoustic version including both Mike Scott and Steve Wickham who wrote Fisherman's Blues. The song is normally a highspot of their live set and always gets a terrific reception. Have a look at the Mike Scott/Waterboys website for more info.

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 08:25 PM

It's on the Cd "Fishermans Blues"-Ensign Records CDP32 1589 2.

It's the theme song to Keith Arthur's fishing programme on TalkSport, 1053AM and sky digital channel 858, broadcast at 6am every saturday and sunday.
I have no interest in fishing wahtsover, but this is one of the best programmes on the radio, and deserves a Sony Award, [Sony Awards are the radio equivalent of the Oscars].

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: moo
Date: 27 Jun 00 - 07:38 AM

I am always looking for music like The waterboys. I have Great Big Sky but was wondering if I could get some advise on who is really good (recordings) in that same celtic sound?

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 06:23 AM

And the chords be:

G F / Am C / repeat over and over and ...

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 02:17 AM

"the other post" being "Lookin for some lyrics"

LEJ

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Jul 99 - 02:16 AM

Refresh- interesting the different interpretation of the lyrics in the other post. Mondegreens at work?

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Rich and Dee (inactive)
Date: 24 Feb 99 - 09:30 AM

Hi,

I can't say with 100% certainty which Waterboys song ends with Caliope (sic) House, but I believe it's A Man Is In Love, from the album after Fisherman's Blues, the name of which I completely forget at the moment.

Sorry for the rank indecision. My records are at home and I access this site from work.

Thanks for the lyrics. I've always liked the song, but some of the lyrics are hard to decipher. I always thought it was a "Heartland beaver train". Never quite knew what emotion could be analagous to such a train.

Regards,

Rich

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Shannon
Date: 23 Feb 99 - 11:33 AM

Thanks very much EJ. I had full intentions of getting along to see "Waking Ned Devine" but missed it at the movies. Guess I'll have to wait till it's out on video! Thanks again. Love Shannon

Subject: Lyr Add: FISHERMAN'S BLUES (from The Waterboys)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 09:19 PM

FISHERMAN'S BLUES
(Mike Scott, Steve Wickham)

I wish I was a fisherman tumblin' on the seas,
Far away from dry land and its bitter memories,
Castin' out my sweet line with abandon, ah my love,
No ceilin' bearin' down on me 'cept the starry sky above,
With light in my head, you in my arms.

I wish I was the brakeman on a hurtlin' fevered train,
Dashin' headlong into the heartland like a cannon in the rain,
With the beatin' of the sleepers and the burnin' of the coal,
Countin' the towns flashin' by in a night that's full of soul,
With light in my head you in my arms.

You know I will be loosened from the bonds that hold me fast;
But when the chains that hang around me will fall away at last,
On that fine and fateful day, I will take thee in my hand.
I will ride upon that train. I will be the fisherman,
With light in my head you in my arms.

This is the tune that kicked off "Waking Ned Divine" with such enthusiasm. I highly recommend the album "Fisherman's Blues". It is filled with gems like this one. The Waterboys are a Scot rock trad band, and recorded this in Ireland.

Subject: RE: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Pete
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 02:19 PM

The tune at the end of this song is 'Calopie house'.

Subject: Fisherman's blues(?) by the Waterboys
From: Shannon
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 11:44 AM

Me again! I think this song is called "Fisherman's blues", anyway, the Waterboys do sing it I've been told. I'm confident it's not in the database so if someone could help me find the lyrics I'ld be very grateful. Thanks, love Shannon.