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29 Mar 08 - 11:50 AM (#2300404) Subject: Wanted:'Back o' the Northind songbook From: Big Mick I am looking for a copy of Brian McNeil's songbook titled: "Back o' the Northwind. Anyone got one they want to sell? All the best, Mick |
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29 Mar 08 - 02:48 PM (#2300490) Subject: RE: Wanted:'Back o' the Northind songbook From: gnu All the best of luck, Mick. Rare bird for someone to part with. |
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29 Mar 08 - 03:00 PM (#2300500) Subject: RE: Wanted:'Back o' the Northind songbook From: wysiwyg Is that based on the book? If so I believe the lyrics can be found in Project Guternberg.... ~S~ |
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29 Mar 08 - 03:03 PM (#2300503) Subject: RE: Wanted:'Back o' the Northind songbook From: Big Mick It is a songbook based on the album of songs written by Brian McNeil. Mick |
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29 Mar 08 - 03:26 PM (#2300523) Subject: ADD: LITTLE BOY BLUE (At Back of North Wind) From: wysiwyg Yes..... but the title is so similar to a Gutenberg book, that I think that's probably where he got his material. If you know the tunes, the lyrics might be all you need? AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND by George MacDonald.... Here's one of the songs made up by one of the main characters: LITTLE BOY BLUE Little Boy Blue lost his way in a wood. Sing apples and cherries, roses and honey; He said, "I would not go back if I could, It's all so jolly and funny." He sang, "This wood is all my own, Apples and cherries, roses and honey; So here I'll sit, like a king on my throne, All so jolly and funny." A little snake crept out of the tree, Apples and cherries, roses and honey; "Lie down at my feet, little snake," said he, All so jolly and funny. A little bird sang in the tree overhead, Apples and cherries, roses and honey; "Come and sing your song on my finger instead, All so jolly and funny." The snake coiled up; and the bird flew down, And sang him the song of Birdie Brown. Little Boy Blue found it tiresome to sit, And he thought he had better walk on a bit. So up he got, his way to take, And he said, "Come along, little bird and snake." And waves of snake o'er the damp leaves passed, And the snake went first and Birdie Brown last; By Boy Blue's head, with flutter and dart, Flew Birdie Brown with its song in its heart. He came where the apples grew red and sweet: "Tree, drop me an apple down at my feet." He came where the cherries hung plump and red: "Come to my mouth, sweet kisses," he said. And the boughs bow down, and the apples they dapple The grass, too many for him to grapple. And the cheeriest cherries, with never a miss, Fall to his mouth, each a full-grown kiss. He met a little brook singing a song. He said, "Little brook, you are going wrong. "You must follow me, follow me, follow, I say Do as I tell you, and come this way." And the song-singing, sing-songing forest brook Leaped from its bed and after him took, Followed him, followed. And pale and wan, The dead leaves rustled as the water ran. And every bird high up on the bough, And every creature low down below, He called, and the creatures obeyed the call, Took their legs and their wings and followed him all; Squirrels that carried their tails like a sack, Each on his own little humpy brown back; Householder snails, and slugs all tails, And butterflies, flutterbies, ships all sails; And weasels, and ousels, and mice, and larks, And owls, and rere-mice, and harkydarks, All went running, and creeping, and flowing, After the merry boy fluttering and going; The dappled fawns fawning, the fallow-deer following, The swallows and flies, flying and swallowing; Cockchafers, henchafers, cockioli-birds, Cockroaches, henroaches, cuckoos in herds. The spider forgot and followed him spinning, And lost all his thread from end to beginning. The gay wasp forgot his rings and his waist, He never had made such undignified haste. The dragon-flies melted to mist with their hurrying. The mole in his moleskins left his barrowing burrowing. The bees went buzzing, so busy and beesy, And the midges in columns so upright and easy. But Little Boy Blue was not content, Calling for followers still as he went, Blowing his horn, and beating his drum, And crying aloud, "Come all of you, come!" He said to the shadows, "Come after me;" And the shadows began to flicker and flee, And they flew through the wood all flattering and fluttering, Over the dead leaves flickering and muttering. And he said to the wind, "Come, follow; come, follow, With whistle and pipe, and rustle and hollo." And the wind wound round at his desire, As if he had been the gold cock on the spire. And the cock itself flew down from the church, And left the farmers all in the lurch. They run and they fly, they creep and they come, Everything, everything, all and some. The very trees they tugged at their roots, Only their feet were too fast in their boots, After him leaning and straining and bending, As on through their boles he kept walking and wending, Till out of the wood he burst on a lea, Shouting and calling, "Come after me!" And then they rose up with a leafy hiss, And stood as if nothing had been amiss. Little Boy Blue sat down on a stone, And the creatures came round him every one. And he said to the clouds, "I want you there." And down they sank through the thin blue air. And he said to the sunset far in the West, "Come here; I want you; I know best." And the sunset came and stood up on the wold, And burned and glowed in purple and gold. Then Little Boy Blue began to ponder: "What's to be done with them all, I wonder." Then Little Boy Blue, he said, quite low, "What to do with you all I am sure I don't know." Then the clouds clodded down till dismal it grew; The snake sneaked close; round Birdie Brown flew; The brook sat up like a snake on its tail; And the wind came up with a what-will-you wail; And all the creatures sat and stared; The mole opened his very eyes and glared; And for rats and bats and the world and his wife, Little Boy Blue was afraid of his life. Then Birdie Brown began to sing, And what he sang was the very thing: "You have brought us all hither, Little Boy Blue, Pray what do you want us all to do?" "Go away! go away!" said Little Boy Blue; "I'm sure I don't want you -- get away -- do." "No, no; no, no; no, yes, and no, no," Sang Birdie Brown, "it mustn't be so. "We cannot for nothing come here, and away. Give us some work, or else we stay." "Oh dear! and oh dear!" with sob and with sigh, Said Little Boy Blue, and began to cry. But before he got far, he thought of a thing; And up he stood, and spoke like a king. "Why do you hustle and jostle and bother? Off with you all! Take me back to my mother." The sunset stood at the gates of the west. "Follow me, follow me" came from Birdie Brown's breast. "I am going that way as fast as I can," Said the brook, as it sank and turned and ran. Back to the woods fled the shadows like ghosts: "If we stay, we shall all be missed from our posts." Said the wind with a voice that had changed its cheer, "I was just going there, when you brought me here." "That's where I live," said the sack-backed squirrel, And he turned his sack with a swing and a swirl. Said the cock of the spire, "His father's churchwarden." Said the brook running faster, "I run through his garden." Said the mole, "Two hundred worms -- there I caught 'em Last year, and I'm going again next autumn." Said they all, "If that's where you want us to steer for, What in earth or in water did you bring us here for?" "Never you mind," said Little Boy Blue; "That's what I tell you. If that you won't do, "I'll get up at once, and go home without you. I think I will; I begin to doubt you." He rose; and up rose the snake on its tail, And hissed three times, half a hiss, half a wail. Little Boy Blue he tried to go past him; But wherever he turned, sat the snake and faced him. "If you don't get out of my way," he said, "I tell you, snake, I will break your head." The snake he neither would go nor come; So he hit him hard with the stick of his drum. The snake fell down as if he were dead, And Little Boy Blue set his foot on his head. And all the creatures they marched before him, And marshalled him home with a high cockolorum. And Birdie Brown sang Twirrrr twitter twirrrr twee -- Apples and cherries, roses and honey; Little Boy Blue has listened to me -- All so jolly and funny. ~S~ |
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29 Mar 08 - 03:53 PM (#2300539) Subject: RE: Wanted:'Back o' the Northwind songbook From: Jeri Muir and the Master Builder and Ewan and the Gold are on Dick Gaughan's Redwood Cathedrals. It has words, but nothing else. Some songs might already have been posted to Mudcat. Not the songbook, though. Here's Brian's Website The 'back o' the north wind' refers to emmigration from Scotland. The full track listing of Brian MacNeill's Back O' The North Wind: The Back O' The North Wind Strong Women Rule Us All With Their Tears The Rock And The Tide Destitution Road Muir And The Master Builder The Atlantic Reels The Best O' The Barley Ewen And The Gold Drive The Golden Spike/Lang Johnny Moir Steel Man The Bridal Boat |
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29 Mar 08 - 03:56 PM (#2300542) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick Been there already, Jeri. I dropped Brian a line, and we will see what that yields, but I would really like to locate a copy in the meantime. Mick |
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29 Mar 08 - 07:10 PM (#2300680) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Ross Campbell I got the cassette version of "Back o' the North Wind" from Brian at a Folkworks weekend in Darlington about 20 years ago - some brilliant songs on there - and no, there is no connection to George MacDonald's book of the same title. I think the cassette insert may have included the words. I'll have a look (I may be gone some time!) Ross |
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29 Mar 08 - 09:57 PM (#2300763) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: wysiwyg The possible thematic ties between book and Scotland, though, have been on my mind all evening. The book is about a place and a state of mind that is akin to heaven, how one gets there, etc.. ... The North Wind is a character that seems kinda wonderful and kinda terrifying all at the same time-- but in back of the North Wind, all can be wonderful. The songs the protagonist makes up throughout the story are whimsical, as well as what he does with them. I'd love to know more about any way the book and the emigration may relate-- in this sense, is Scotland the vision of "heaven," or is the destination country? ~Susan |
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30 Mar 08 - 01:35 AM (#2300873) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick I have the CD, and the words are pretty easy to pick up. I just would like to have the book for my collection, and for the notes he writes on the songs. I also enjoy seeing the transcriptions as approved by the artist. All the best, Mick |
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30 Mar 08 - 08:13 AM (#2300979) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Susanne (skw) Mick, would a photocopy do for the time being? I don't think Brian has any copies left, unless he's had it reprinted, but I could make you a photocopy, or else send you the notes via eMail. Send me a PM in case. |
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30 Mar 08 - 08:18 AM (#2300984) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Wolfgang I wouldn't sell my copy but as Susanne would xerox it. In case of urgency I could scan somne pages. Wolfgang |
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30 Mar 08 - 04:02 PM (#2301340) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick Susanne and Wolfgang, what a nice offer! I shall take one of you up on it as soon as I here back from Brian. If he doesn't have any available, I am going to ask if I can send him a sum of money in order to allow you to copy it for me. I will be in touch. But in the meantime.....the search goes on. All the best, Mick |
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30 Mar 08 - 06:42 PM (#2301495) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Peace Not the book--but a link to the song (3/4 way down the page). |
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30 Mar 08 - 06:47 PM (#2301500) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Peace This it? |
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30 Mar 08 - 07:21 PM (#2301535) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick That's the CD, Bruce. I am after the book. The CD is dynamite. Muir and The Master Builder is a great song, as is the title cut. Best o' the Barley is another and one I want to do. All the best, Mick |
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30 Mar 08 - 07:24 PM (#2301538) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Peace Dang. OK, back to Mr Google. |
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30 Mar 08 - 07:30 PM (#2301545) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Peace http://www.brianmcneill.co.uk/music.htm Might be good to get in touch a bit more directly. |
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30 Mar 08 - 07:40 PM (#2301556) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick Yep, Bruce, I sent him a PM on his website. You know how those things go. I will hear from him eventually. Wait..... I just had an idea.... Mick |
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30 Mar 08 - 07:50 PM (#2301566) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Jeri We wait with baited breath as Mick calls Jed to get Brian's phone number. It's almost 1 AM in Haggisland... |
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30 Mar 08 - 08:00 PM (#2301574) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Peace Time to wake 'em up. Heck, I understand that if ya wake a Scot at 1:00 AM he talks just like a Canadian. |
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31 Mar 08 - 06:38 AM (#2301850) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: GUEST, Sminky I managed to pick up a copy on Ebay recently - I think I was the only bidder!!! If I can be any help, Mick, you only need to ask. |
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31 Mar 08 - 10:19 AM (#2301993) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick Sminky, you lucky son of a gun! I don't know how I missed it. Yes, Jeri, you guessed it, but I will call him today. Mick |
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31 Mar 08 - 12:36 PM (#2302125) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: GUEST, Sminky Mick, my mistake - I bought it on eBay in April last year, so not that recent! There appears to be a copy for sale on an Oz site. It has been there for a good 12 months, but might be worth a try. |
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31 Mar 08 - 12:45 PM (#2302133) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Big Mick Thanks, Sminky. I have been googling it pretty steady and hadn't come across that one. I am waiting to hear back from another source, in the next couple of days. If that doesn't come through, I will use that link on the Oz site. All the best, Mick |
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31 Mar 08 - 12:56 PM (#2302145) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: GUEST, Sminky Best of luck with that, Mick. If all else fails you're welcome to borrow my copy. |
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31 Mar 08 - 01:43 PM (#2302213) Subject: RE: Wanted: 'Back o' the North Wind' songbook From: Malcolm Douglas The book was published by Matt Seattle's Dragonfly Music in 1991. In 2003, Matt (intending to retire as a publisher) sold his stock-in-trade to Dave Mallinson (Mally's Music of Cleckheaton), whose van, with most of the Dragonfly stock and much of the original artwork still in it, was promptly stolen. I don't know if the books were ever recovered (though I suspect not), nor do I know if Matt's stock of the McNeill book was involved. Mally doesn't list it as available, at all events. There is one listing at amazon.com, which appears to be current: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/187227708X/. The seller is in the USA. |