15 Nov 07 - 03:53 AM (#2194185) Subject: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie I have been creating a web-site about songs of the British Waterway System and it now contains the lyrics for over 70 songs. (moonlightshadow.demon.co.uk). There are already some melodies (on-screen and audio files) but the next task is to add more. Unfortunately my musical skills when it comes to putting tadpoles on telegraph wires are limited. I would be very grateful for any contributions of melodies (any format) and/or chords for any of the canal songs on the web-site or additional song contributions. |
15 Nov 07 - 04:54 AM (#2194206) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Joe Offer Hi, Ian - it looks like a wonderful website. I see you did a very nice job of posting the notation for Birmingham Lads - how'd you do that? I don't know how many of your canal songs will be in our Digital Tradition Folk Song Database, but it's worth checking. You can see the database here at Mudcat, or you can view our notation in various formats at Yet Another Digital Tradition. Good luck to you. -Joe Offer- |
15 Nov 07 - 05:12 AM (#2194212) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Gadaffi Certainly Jon Raven was writing and recording songs in the Black Country in the 1970s. Roy Palmer published some of them, I think. John Kirkpatrick recorded a few more. There was also the Mikron Theatre Company touring the south of England around then, and did a number of albums. I spent a pleasant evening at one of these at the Fox and Hounds at Fleet which backs onto the Basingstoke Canal. Mick Bisiker also wrote a song about the Wey and Arun Canal, but I haven't heard from him for a long time. Try googling for Canal Society trusts. I know the Basingstoke Canal used to have one, possibly still does. |
15 Nov 07 - 06:09 AM (#2194233) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Dave Roberts An excellent site and resource. I was interested to see the 'extra' verses in the story of 'The Rosemary'. It always seemed obvious that part of the story was missing. |
15 Nov 07 - 06:23 AM (#2194242) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Thanks for comments. Notation is created using Harmony Assistant which also produces the sound files. I then cheat a bit by copying the screen, crop it and load it into Xara Xtreme Pro where I add the chords and words before saving it as a gif. |
15 Nov 07 - 08:16 PM (#2194941) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Kenny B (inactive) Try this one when youve had a drink Punters punting on the Union Canal Kenny B |
15 Nov 07 - 10:27 PM (#2195007) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: quantock Don't know if Irish is acceptable, but there is a great song that used to be performed by Seamus Ennis called "The Mary Ann McHugh". I believe I still have it on an old compilation LP called "A Jug of Punch". The song tells the story of a canal barge that went to sea to avoid capture by the police and ended up running aground. It is quite comical. If pressed, I might be able to remember the words. I used to sing it once in a while at Herga 35 or so years ago. |
15 Nov 07 - 10:40 PM (#2195013) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ron Davies Congratulations on that great idea! I've married an English lass who had a canal a few yards from her back door, in Bradford on Avon, and she and I wish you great success. She says she wishes she'd paid more attention to the songs she used to hear on the Kennet and Avon. They called them canal songs and sang in a strong Wiltshire accent. She used to watch birds and listen to the old boys sing. |
16 Nov 07 - 01:14 AM (#2195055) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Charley Noble Pleased to see that you've included "Telford's Bridge" by John Warner. It's a fine song which captures well a canal boat family cruising along in the nineteenth century. Cheerily, Charley Noble, at large in Oz |
16 Nov 07 - 11:00 AM (#2195302) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Graham and Jo There's a nice French tune called 'the Cananl in October' but we don't know of any words to it. |
16 Nov 07 - 12:51 PM (#2195385) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Jack Campin You haven't got "The Crinan Canal's for Me" (googlable, I think). |
16 Nov 07 - 04:32 PM (#2195555) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Thanks Jack, I found 'The Crinan Canals for Me' and it has now been added. |
17 Nov 07 - 04:41 AM (#2195782) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie I have now added the beautiful Chrs While and Julie Matthews song '36 Miles Away from the Sea' nto the web-site. This came from a BBC 2 Radio Documentary called 'Tales from the Towpath'. Does anyone know anything about this or even have a recording? Long shot, I know, but worth a try. |
17 Nov 07 - 04:33 PM (#2196197) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Short Boat Looks like a worthwhile excercise. Do I win any prizes for playing 1-row melodeon on my boat whilst in Wigan Top Lock waiting for it to fill? The acoustics in the lock chamber were certainly interesting.... |
17 Nov 07 - 05:21 PM (#2196228) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Fidjit Great stuff. Been looking for some canal songs as I live near to one of Swedens most famous ones. Dalslands canal, West Sweden. Always enjoyed the Calibar. Didn't know there was three of them. Don't know if you're up for related songs, but Robin Laing has a goody called "Punters" Describes a race along the canal Chas |
17 Nov 07 - 05:45 PM (#2196258) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Thanks Fidjit, 'Punters' has now been added. |
17 Nov 07 - 06:49 PM (#2196311) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Leadfingers One point of interest is that there are NO Traditional Canal songs ! The Boaters worked far to hard to write any , and rarely got together to socialise , so all the 'Old' songs were composed (Like Birmingham Lads ) for a Canal opening , or are recent in the Traditional Idiom (As Jon Raven and David Blagrove) . |
18 Nov 07 - 02:59 AM (#2196509) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST Good point Leadfingers, though 'The Tommy Note' is suggested in many places to be the one and only traditional British Canal song. There were a few that featured on Broadsides or were written a long time ago and could be said to have entered the tradition. I hope to seek out some of these broadside sources when time permits and perhaps include images on the site. There does seem to be a lot of modern canal songs which hark back to the times of canal building and what we imagine boating life to have been and perhaps some over romanticise the boaters' lifestyle. I have little time for modern songs which complain about the effect pleasure boaters have had on canal life. Canals were never going to compete commercially in the modern world. Pleasure boaters are providing much of the finances (thanks to British Waterways aggressive pricing policy) which should be keeping the canals in good condition - but that's another story. By definition, pleasure boaters are enjoying the canals and that is as it should be. I hope to discover more songs about the joys of modern canal boating. |
18 Nov 07 - 07:24 AM (#2196606) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Fidjit Ah. Ok Terry. I am all at sea. Thats why I can't find the buggers. Been looking in the wrong place. Chas ps. Got lots now. |
18 Nov 07 - 11:13 AM (#2196736) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: The Vulgar Boatman So the songs we have now are a more or less modern attempt for whatever reason (including commercial) to set down a bit of otherwise oral history for the entertainment of canal enthusiasts. Isn't that how much of what we regard as folk music came into being? What isn't in doubt, at least from my conversations with ex working boatmen is that quite a number of the boatmen played instruments, melodeon and banjo (oh bugger) being apparent favourites, and what they played, again in the way of folk music, were the popular songs of the day. So when they say they sang "The Moon Shines Bright", forget folk carols and think Charlie Chaplin...I suspect that much of that died when carrying batteries and a wireless became more practicable. Also, they were one of the last bastions of step-dancing, including a combative variant that entailed holding on to opposite corners of a handkerchief and dancing on or near to your opponent's feet until one of you let go. I'm still trying to establish what tunes they used. Quite what pleasure boaters have got to sing about just now is beyond me. |
18 Nov 07 - 02:55 PM (#2196918) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: mg I would like to hear about American ones. I remember one Canadian TV show about the music of the canals. I am just finding out my great grandfather and his brothers worked on the canals, ..I am a bit hazy on details...something to do with West Virginia, definitely Ohio..they might have started in Buffalo...I think a cousin said they might have worked on the Erie but isn't that PA? There is an internet group I get stuff on..mostly the European canals..for genealogy..English I meant. I find it highly unlikely that a group of people would not have composed or altered songs..especially since so many workers in US and probably England as well were Irish... mg |
14 Nov 10 - 01:06 PM (#3031960) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Rather late in the day I'd like to point out that the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' website moved to www.waterwaysongs.co.uk some time ago. It has nearly 200 songs now and contributions or additional information is always welcome. |
14 Nov 10 - 01:42 PM (#3031985) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Charley Noble Ian- Thanks for the update. It's a great website complete with lyrics and some MP3 files. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
14 Nov 10 - 03:15 PM (#3032048) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: acegardener This might be modern but I like hear it sung. NAVIGATOR The canals and the bridges, the embankments and cuts, They blasted and dug with their sweat and their guts They never drank water but whiskey by pints And the shanty towns rang with their songs and their fights. Navigator, navigator rise up and be strong The morning is here and there's work to be done. Take your pick and your shovel and the bold dynamite For to shift a few tons of this earthly delight Yes to shift a few tons of this earthly delight. They died in their hundreds with no sign to mark where Save the brass in the pocket of the entrepreneur. By landslide and rockblast they got buried so deep That in death if not life they'll have peace while they sleep. Navigator, navigator rise up and be strong The morning is here and there's work to be done. Take your pick and your shovel and the bold dynamite For to shift a few tons of this earthly delight Yes to shift a few tons of this earthly delight. Their mark on this land is still seen and still laid The way for a commerce where vast fortunes were made The supply of an empire where the sun never set Which is now deep in darkness, but the railway's there yet. Navigator, navigator rise up and be strong The morning is here and there's work to be done. Take your pick and your shovel and the bold dynamite For to shift a few tons of this earthly delight Yes to shift a few tons of this earthly delight |
14 Nov 10 - 03:54 PM (#3032088) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Steve Gardham I believe there are English variants of the 'Cruise of the Calabar' family of songs. Ray Padgett recently recorded a Sheffield version sung locally in the tradition. There are various broadsides on the same theme of the daft description of a canal boat trip treating it as though it was an epic sea journey. |
14 Nov 10 - 06:42 PM (#3032218) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie I already have 'Navigator' on the web-site but thanks anyway. I also have a few versions of 'Cruise of the Calabar' but would welcome any others, particularly if they differ significantly from those which I already have. |
23 Nov 10 - 06:14 AM (#3038540) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST I'm trying to trace the composer/copyright owner of the Crinal Canal Song - The Crinan Canal for me etc. Can anyone help. Bob Orrell |
23 Nov 10 - 07:19 AM (#3038569) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Desi C There's a very popular song here in The Black country written by a friend of mine Billy Spakemon, who performs as the duo Billy & Lozz, it's called odebury Mon (Oldbury Man) put the name and Title in You Tube to hear it. It's usually done in open tuning, though I do a version in standard tuning. If you like it and want my chords I'll gladly type them out for you, just mail me on crc778@aol.com |
23 Nov 10 - 11:54 AM (#3038732) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST Hi Sorry, Bob I don't know the composer of 'The Crinan Canal Song' but I will try to find out so that I can give them due credit on my web-site. If you find out perhaps you could let me know. I think it's on a CD which may have something to do with the Para Handy TV series but a quick Google didn't find it. I'll try again when I've kicked a few more brain cells into action. Hi Desi, Thanks for info about Odebury Mon which I have tried to look at on YouTube but it won't go further than the first 20secs with me. I'll have another try later. I did also spot 'The Cut Diggers' by Billy and Lozz and listened to it on YouTube but the dialect is so strong I don't think I've much chance of transcribing it by ear. I presume it is canal related. Any help you can give me with the lyrics/music/chords for these songs would be very welcome. I'll e-mail you. Thanks for your offer. |
23 Nov 10 - 11:55 AM (#3038733) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Oops - that last guest was me! |
23 Nov 10 - 04:16 PM (#3038926) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie I now believe 'The Crinan Canal' song to have been written by Alex Mackenzie who wrote a number of songs for the Para Handy crew. They featured on an lp called 'Highland Voyage' which is now released as a CD. |
03 Dec 10 - 09:31 AM (#3045541) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Bob Orrell to Guest and Ian Hendrie Many thanks for your reply to enquiry about composer of the Crinan Canal song. Next question! I need permission of the composer to use a few lines from the song in a book I'm working on. By any miracle have you any idea where Alex MacKenzie might be reached? I have written twice to the publishers of the LP/CD 'Highland Voyage' asking for information about the composer but not had a reply. Regards Bob Orrell |
05 Jan 11 - 02:50 PM (#3067905) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Sorry, I have no knowledge of Alex MacKenzie. A Google search came up with a number of possibilities, at least one, sadly, deceased. |
07 May 17 - 12:11 PM (#3853705) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: keberoxu With a copy of the "Highland Voyage" compact disc in hand, and its info booklet, some information can be reported. Curiously, more than one of the Highland Voyage / Clyde Puffer / Para Handy people passed away rather soon after these recordings were made...but then, some of them were well up in years at that point. "All the songs were written by Alex Mackenzie," says page two of the CD booklet. In fact actor Mackenzie was born in 1885 and died in 1965. The copyright date for the original record, listed on the compact disc, is 1963. Alex Mackenzie was one of the lead actors in "The Maggie," a feature film also distributed and released as "High and Dry." That film is an Ealing Studio film and goes back to the early 1950's. Duncan MacRae's dates are 1905 - 1967. The CD booklet notes are written by Ken Andrew and dated 2003. Andrew remarks on the final page: "It's a sobering thought that I am probably the only person still around who was present at these sessions." From his detailed descriptions it may be guessed that he was part of the production team, as he describes the sound effects and the studio equipment. On the first page of the notes: "The album...is a musical journey aboard a puffer with characters loosely based on those in Neil Munro's Para Handy stories. The album was the brainchild of the late Douglas Gray, the founder and managing director of Park Film Studios in Glasgow, and the driving force behind its subsidiary company, Scottish records, a record label whose catalogue boasts a collection of unique recordings by world-famous Scottish performers, writers, and musicians." |
07 May 17 - 03:31 PM (#3853748) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Gallus Moll I vaguely recall music being used during The Maggie film -- - - can't remember what! Somewhere I have a vinyl album of A Highland Voyage, and I have also seen a (bbc?) tv film of it at least twice -- - probably available as a video? (lots of other very funny songs on it- - most set to existing fiddle etc tunes) - There have also been some more recent live performances of A Highland Voyage at - I think - The Fringe and the like- alas I've not managed to see these. Every series of Para Handy has been soooo funny - sadly I believe the earliest ones featuring Duncan McRae have probably not been kept. But the others are definitely worth seeking out. used to be on video so I hope available as dvd now? It is hard to decide whish is funniest episode - two that have me rolling on the floor are the one where the policeman is trying to guard the cask of whisky on one of the piers on Arran. The other I love is when they take - Sunny Jim? - to A&E at the Arran cottage hospital on a bogie which has no brakes-- so when they start descending the hill road- - -- - - -hahahaha! It is work purchasing Neil Munro's Para Handy book - there is a Neil Munro society based in Inveraray. (He also wrote other excellent literature, not just humour!_ |
07 May 17 - 03:34 PM (#3853749) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Gallus Moll There's another, contemporary. song featuring a canal, probably not an inland one tho- - about a sailor going through the locks before heading off round the world again, adventuring, and kinda patronising the lock keeper for his 'tame' life -- but of the two, the lock keeper is the contented one -- is it called Lock Keeper? |
07 May 17 - 03:35 PM (#3853750) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie I don't visit this site much these days so it was fortuitous that I came across keberoxu's detailed post in reply to a six year old thread. Thanks for the posting keberoxu. I think I might have bought the Highland Voyage CD at sometime so I'll try to find it - or perhaps attempt to buy a copy. |
07 May 17 - 04:09 PM (#3853758) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,keberoxu Gallus Moll, that may be a Stan Rogers song, and the lyrics have been at Mudcat since February 1997 -- a Mudcat search brought them up. Thread 703, MessageID 2012. |
07 May 17 - 07:26 PM (#3853793) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Gallus Moll Thanks Keberoxu -- I've only heard it sung a couple of times, but found it quite haunting -- - must seek it out! |
03 Nov 17 - 11:48 AM (#3886586) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,heriz Does anyone have the words to a canal song 'Waterways' by Vincent Dunn and Manchester folk band 'Rum All In'. |
03 Nov 17 - 12:47 PM (#3886599) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Hi heriz Do you have any parts of the song? When were the band 'Rum All in' active? I've lived near Manchester for many years but haven't heard of them. |
03 Nov 17 - 01:56 PM (#3886608) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: FreddyHeadey hero's, Ian, is this any good for transcribing Waterways "Written and sung by the late Vincent Dunn with the Manchester folk band Rum All In, which featured actor John Henshaw and Ged Collins, David King, Gerard Gyves and Bernard Wilson. Waterways is about the history of the canals around Manchester and Salford. The band was formed in the 1980's" https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pk17dS7cJK0? ~~~~~~~ another few Rum All In tracks on yt. No waterway songs though https://m.youtube.com/results?q=%20By%20Rum%20All%20In%20-%20thefirefire&sm=3? |
03 Nov 17 - 03:43 PM (#3886622) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Thanks 'Freddy'. You certainly seem to be able to find things on t'internet. I suppose I was being a bit idle in not starting a search myself whilst hoping for a few extra clues. The YouTube video is nice and clear and I should be able to transcribe the words from it. I've just recently been putting all of Johnny Handle's canal songs on the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' website and have just one more left to do so it should appear soon. It's strange that the video has never turned up before when I searched for waterway songs. Ian |
03 Nov 17 - 03:44 PM (#3886623) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Steve Gardham Hi Ian Spare Hands latest album is out. The first pressing already sold out. A Dead Bod: Songs of the Humber Waterways. There are 3 Gezz Overington songs on it plus some of our own and a few traditional songs. The texts and notes to the songs are all on our website which you might like to link up to. I'll post the URL when I just check I've got it right, but you can easily Google it just by putting in 'Spare Hands Dead Bod'. |
03 Nov 17 - 04:44 PM (#3886630) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Hi Steve, Thanks for the info which I'll add asap. As for Waterways song, the page on my site is nearing completion. There are just a few words I haven't been able to transcribe yet but I'm working on it. I'm thinking that the Castlefield, Mary Grey and Atilla are names of narrowboats. Can anyone confirm this? Ian |
03 Nov 17 - 05:20 PM (#3886639) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Hi Steve I've made a link between the two websites - the Spare Hands site can be accessed by clicking on the CD image or name on the following page : http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/Ref_Canal_Songs_2.htm I'll have a closer look at the information you have about Gezz Overington songs asap. I've now successfully ordered a CD after a minor hiccup so I hope there is going to be a second pressing. Regards Ian |
03 Nov 17 - 05:59 PM (#3886642) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Steve Gardham Second pressing in progress. Shouldn't take long. Thanks for this. |
04 Nov 17 - 04:28 AM (#3886691) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie To heriz : Waterways song link To anyone else : There's a line in the second verse of this song which I just can't catch to transcribe. It's marked with a ? and the recording (with interesting historic visuals) is available at the bottom of the above (linked) page. Any suggestions? |
04 Nov 17 - 05:29 AM (#3886697) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: FreddyHeadey I wondered if it was So wide the mills Where worked the looms other options... And industry's changed ? And industry's change ? I think it is The old man retired, I thought he was singing about the tiller but the name of a boat would fit the context better. Castlefield could be talking about the area or a boat but not Mary Grey ?. |
04 Nov 17 - 10:12 AM (#3886736) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Steve Gardham Ian If you know which canal they plied on and the nearest large town or city these craft had to be registered and there are in many places surviving registers. For instance I've just been through 3 of these dating from about 1880 to 1900 and there are lots more in our local archives 'The Hull History Centre' They are titled 'Hull and Goole Canal Boats' They give all sorts of info about owners, where and when built, crews, sales, scrapping, dimensions etc, but maddeningly for me they do not state the one piece of information I require, what sort of craft, sloop, keel, billyboy, etc. |
04 Nov 17 - 12:03 PM (#3886758) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Thanks Freddy I think you are right about the 'wide' mills and 'industry's changed'. Thanks for taking the trouble to listen and report these corrections. When transcribing a song it is very easy to get an idea of what you think it is (or what you think it should be) into your head and then you can't see the (correct) alternative. Fresh ears have certainly helped in this case. With regard to the 'boat names' Steve, I'll make further investigations along the line you suggest. I originally thought that these might be names of mills - as they 'still remain' and boats are unlikely to have done so, unless they are preserved by some organisation or loving owner. A preliminary search for mills in Manchester with these names was fruitless. The search continues - thanks all. |
04 Nov 17 - 12:18 PM (#3886762) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Charley Noble Thanks for the updates. Charlie Ipcar |
04 Nov 17 - 12:33 PM (#3886766) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Does anyone have a recording or the lyrics of these two songs by the late Mike Donald? The Boatman's Song Duke's Level They were on an lp entitled 'North by North East'. |
04 Nov 17 - 03:06 PM (#3886784) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Please ignore the previous request. I have a copy of the lp on order from the Discogs website. In a thread related to Mike Donald there was mention of his lps on sale on eBay at very high prices. The prices on Discogs seem very reasonable in comparison. |
04 Nov 17 - 04:21 PM (#3886793) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,henryp I can't recognise any songs from Mikron Theatre Company, who still travel the waterways. They released the following LPs; Last Run - Songs Of The Canals & Waterways Of Great Britain - PBR 5001 1977 I'd Go Back Tomorrow ALLEMANDE - ALP1001 1979 Mud In Your Eye MIKRON - MTC1 1981 Jim Woodland Mkron Songs These two CDs are now available; Ruby Recording CD A sparkling collection of songs recorded live at Marsden Mechanics as part of our ruby celebrations. Live at Standedge CD We brought together cast members from five years of Mikron for this vibrant and beautifully orchestrated collection of songs. |
05 Nov 17 - 04:40 AM (#3886852) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Mr Red tune - Bolinder - written by Tom Kitching - he guested on the CD Red House (Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer) I have the CD There are other tunes - some original in my videos of canal restoration. One song - Legging Boats. |
05 Nov 17 - 05:38 AM (#3886859) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie To henryp At the moment I deliberately haven't included any Mikron songs. I persuaded myself that they might not like them disseminated via my website and haven't bothered to seek the necessary permission. In truth I might have just viewed their inclusion as 'rather a lot of work'. When I started the site I still had a full time job and spare time was short but for the last few years I haven't. Shamefully, I will contact them in the next few days and see what their view is. I'm a great fan of the Mikron Theatre Company and saw them just a few weeks ago. Highly recommended. To Mr Red Leaving aside the fact that the site is 'songs' of the waterways and much as I am a fan (dreadful word) of Tom Kitching, I have a slight problem about including tunes. First of all, how to do it and secondly, how can a tune be about the waterways rather than just given a waterway related titled? If the tune you mention contains the actual sound of a Bolinder then I can see that overcoming my objection. I think I might have revealed my musical illiteracy here. Thanks for the contributions and I'll be looking at your videos Mr Red. |
05 Nov 17 - 06:19 AM (#3886863) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,henryp Ian, It's a great collection. I didn't mean to prompt you into action! Regards, Henry Peacock |
05 Nov 17 - 11:46 AM (#3886907) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie No probs Henry. In truth I think I've been neglecting the site recently. Ian |
05 Nov 17 - 12:55 PM (#3886913) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Steve Gardham **how can a tune be about the waterways** Easily. There are 2 examples on our new album. A Dead Bod: Songs of the Humber Waterways. 'Sobriety on the Humber' is a melodic interpretation of.....well, you can read the notes on the website. It involves Chris Sherburn skippering a Humber keel in a force 8 with passengers on board. By Bill Sowerby, it's also an absolutely cracking tune played on mandolin and whistle. 'The Flying Lock key' is also a melodic interpretation of an outing on a narrow boat. I think you can guess what it depicts. By Dave Hill, it is also a great tune played by Dave on accordeon. |
05 Nov 17 - 06:02 PM (#3886951) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie I look forward to hearing these tracks when my copy of the CD arrives. |
08 Nov 17 - 03:17 PM (#3887588) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie The Boatmans Song by Mike Donald (mentioned in a previous post) has now been transcribed for the Songs of the Inland Waterways website. It was found on an lp entitled 'North by North East'. If there are any more songs about the British Waterways out there I'd be pleased to hear about them. |
09 Nov 17 - 03:34 AM (#3887651) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Mr Red I have quite a few recordings waiting for videos to put on: I recorded Jim Mageean singing "Captains of the Waterways", but it was croweded and he has a powerful voice. His worship & the pig sing a song "On the Cut" the 'Ock 'n Dough Band sing - "Don't keep the company Waiting" Pumpkin Pie "Cotswold Canal Song" "Waterman" sung by Dennis Geere - I can't remember recording it or who he was. "Bolinder" was composed to the rhythm of the eponymous engine. I have even danced to the tune. A rather nice tune it is. Tom owns a tanker narrowboat with such propulsion - emphasis on the pulse! And my favourite is "Canal en Octobre" - I got permission from Frederic Paris to use it. I suspect it is just waiting for someone to put lyrics to it. and a list I found on an ABC site (no record of where) Ardrossan Canal.abc BallyCanally.abc BargeInn.abc CaledoneonCanal.abc DARKEYED canaller.abc ErieCanal Stick Dance.abc FarmingtonCanalSong.abc GrandCanal.abc PaddyOnTheCanal.abc Raging Canal.abc |
09 Nov 17 - 04:52 AM (#3887659) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,henryp Mark Dowding sings Following Olga to Lynn on his CD Brown Photographs I help crew a tank barge, Lizzie's her name, Following Enid, pulled by a stout chain MP3 clip here - http://www.markdowding.co.uk/Following%20Olga.MP3 |
09 Nov 17 - 05:35 AM (#3887669) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Thanks to previous two posters for pointing me in the direction of some songs I need to track down. I only had two of those mentioned already on the site : On the Cut Captains of the Waterways So I'll be hunting down the rest as soon as I've a spare moment. Ian |
09 Nov 17 - 06:38 AM (#3887680) Subject: Waterway Songs v Waterway Tunes From: FreddyHeadey Waterway Songs v Waterway Tunes btw there is an alternative thread for tunes(& songs) /mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=144798#3348229? |
09 Nov 17 - 06:58 AM (#3887682) Subject: RE: . Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Thanks Freddy, Life's complicated enough so I'm going to stick to British waterway/canal songs for the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' website. It does what it says on the tin. No tunes for me and nothing American. No offence intended to USA citizens (bar one). I'd love to see DJ Trump on the back of a narrowboat (temporarily). |
09 Nov 17 - 02:58 PM (#3887738) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Hello it's me again - this time with cookie reinstated thanks to Joe's help. Now I'll be able to spot when there are more postings. I think I must have neglected the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' site in the last year or so as I now have a backlog of songs to add. 'Following Olga to Lynn' will be coming soon. |
14 Nov 17 - 09:17 AM (#3888535) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Ian Hendrie Having recently added a large number of Johnny Handle songs to the Songs of the Inland Waterways website (some are still awaiting tunes from Johnny), he informed me yesterday that he is hoping to send me some canal tunes as well. I have a list of 15 that he has composed. Johnny Handle is such a wonderful man (read his recent biography if you are unfamiliar with all that he has done) that I feel that I would now like to include these tunes on the website (if and when he sends them). Has anyone got any suggestions as to the best way to make tunes available on websites. I have programs which can handle abc files but they are a few years old. Is there anything new that is recommended? Would downloadable pdfs be better? |
16 Nov 17 - 08:38 PM (#3888938) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Tattie Bogle As I just posted in the navvies song thread, I heard Brian McNeill do his song about the Forth and Clyde Canal, correct title "The Boys Who Broke the Ground" tonight at a folk club where he was guest. Unfortunately the YouTube of it is "video not available" but the lyrics were posted in another Mudcat thread some years back: The Boys who Broke the Ground |
17 Nov 17 - 06:32 AM (#3888972) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie Link didn't work for me (Error 404) but I found it by searching the site. Thanks for pointing this out. |
17 Nov 17 - 07:13 AM (#3888978) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie The Boys that Broke the Ground has now been added to the 'Songs of the Inland Waterways' website. It's a lovely song. |
18 Nov 17 - 11:44 AM (#3889138) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Mr Red Has anyone got any suggestions as to the best way to make tunes available on websites. HTML5 handles them natively, but iPhones need a little help (don't ya just love that infalability! Myth, that is.) Or dd I mean obscure help? FWIW if you need my take on audio playing on a website - it involves JavaScript. I can't remember what I did off hand but the simplified version is used on songs.mister.red There is one I wrote about Caggy Jones - famed for using horses in the black country up to at least mid 1970s. I will re-visit i and see if it is up to snuff. PM me and start a conversation.......... |
19 Nov 17 - 08:37 PM (#3889363) Subject: RE: Tune Req: British Canal/Waterway Songs From: Tattie Bogle Thanks Ian: better link than mine! |