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02 Aug 18 - 10:21 PM (#3941177) Subject: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Joe Offer received by email: Hi Joe, A planned trip up to Fort Bill this summer brought back many happy memories of many years of holidays under canvas in and around Glencoe, and of the nights in the Clackhaig in the 60s and 70s when old Jimmy was the landlord. You probably don't go back that far, but "organized" folk singing for money did not exist in those days, and anybody with a guitar would keep the place "happy" long into the night. I think Hamish McInnes was the then leader of the Mountain Rescue, and I remember one particular call out when one of his guys put his fathers Renaul Dauphine up a tree when trying too hard on the old road, and had to be rescued himself. Anyway, my query is :- why does there seem to be no mention of the Glencoe climbing song on your site, or any other site that I can find. Sung to the Streets of Laredo I think. Is there only me that remembers it ? Most of the others songs about all things, and the Polaris base, seem to be there, but not that. Regards, Ted, Halifax. |
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02 Aug 18 - 10:24 PM (#3941178) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Joe Offer Hmmmm. Good question. I know of songs about the massacre at Glencoe, but nothing about climbing. It sure was one of the best climbing spots I saw in Scotland. -Joe- |
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03 Aug 18 - 05:43 AM (#3941216) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Gutcher Perhaps the required song would be "The Bar-room Mountaineer" composed by a journalist by the name of Jack Foley. The action in this song takes place in the Clachaig Inn with the only climbing involved being reaching the dizzy heights of a bar stool with the hero wearing his Bonnington Y Fronts. Sorry I do not have the words of this very humourouse song. |
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03 Aug 18 - 11:26 AM (#3941285) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Gallus Moll (away from home!) Hi Gutcher, i believe the composer of The Bar-room Mountaineers was Davey Clark(e?). Jack Foley has written the lovely Lassie O The Mornin' and the great Bottle O The Best - dont know if he's composed any more? Try to find a recording of The Inverscotia Nomads (or Inverscotia Singers) as they had some brilliant songs in their repertoire |
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03 Aug 18 - 11:36 AM (#3941289) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Guest Here is a comic song I found ... but no mention of y-fronts! Barroom Mountaineers Davey Clark In Drymen Square so fair and fine There stands a shop that sells good wine It's full of whisky, wine and beer And so are the barroom mountaineers We're the barroom mountaineers If you hear a tally-ho, tally--ho, tally-ho In the middle of the night, in the middle of the night Don't tremble so, dear hostelite Just close your eyes and have no fear It's only a drunken mountaineer We're the barroom mountaineers We've never ever climbed a great big hill And we hope tae hell we never will For the highest we've climbed is a windae sill We're the barroom mountaineers Don't be afraid to look us over We are very seldom sober And when we've had enough for four You'll never see us on the floor It's up to the bar and yell for mo-o-o-o-ore We're the barroom mountaineers From the shores of Balmaha, from the shores of Balmaha To the hills of Aberfoyle, to the hills of Aberfoyle From Drymen Square to Glasachoile We're famous everywhere we go As a shower of drunken so-and-sos We're the barroom mountaineers ( The tune changes for each verse) As sung by Ewan McVicar |
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03 Aug 18 - 12:12 PM (#3941294) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Guest Hi Joe, Does Ted think the song refers to Glencoe specifically? By virtue of it being a "glen" it might be difficult to climb! Apart from "The Massacre of Glencoe" I cannot think of another song that mentions Glencoe, however a song that does mention other "glens" is the comic song about whisky (Leave Us Our Glens). The only other song I can think of is of Welsh origin I believe, and here it is, sung to the tune of "The Streets of Laredo" ... The Climber's Lament One day when out climbing the steep cliffs of Cloggy, The steep cliffs of Cloggy I wandered one day I met a young climber wrapped up in white linen, Wrapped up in white linen as cold as the clay. He said you're a climber, I see by your outfit That you are a climber as so once was I, So tarry a while while I tell you a story, How I fell from the Bow and I'm going to die. Yes out on those grey slabs I used to go dancing Out on those grey slabs I used to go gay But out on those grey slabs I went once too often And I fell from the Bow and I'm going to die Give me six stalwart climbers to carry my coffin And six pretty maidens to sing me a song Play the drum slowly and play the fife lowly I'm just a young climber who knows he's done wrong Bury me deep by the steep cliffs of Cloggy. Bury me deep where the wild ravens call, And lay me a sod on my head as a tombstone To deaden the screams of my friends as they fall. |
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03 Aug 18 - 01:30 PM (#3941313) Subject: ADD: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Joe Offer It's obviously the same song as Guest posted just above, but the differences are significant. Here's Ted's response: Hi Joe, Attached words as I remember. I vividly remember a guy singing this in the Clackhaig while standing on the table at the left hand end of the bar. Probably 1965, as it my cousins 21 birthday, and we were up there for it. It was not sung often, as its a short but very moving piece, but was a complete bar stopper back then. Made you think. Possibly saved lives, who can say. Anyway, Its time it was put on record somewhere. It is genuine, I cannot claim anything other than the memory. Robin Hall and Jim McGregor, the folk duo, were there occasionally, and if you have any contact with them they may remember it. I think one of them's sister got married in Glencoe about then. Regards, Ted. Glencoe Climbing Song Remembered from the mid 1960s from nights in the Clackhaig hotel. Author unknown. Probably sung to "The Streets of Laredo" As I was climbing the Buchaille one morning As I was climbing the Buachaille one day I spied a poor climber All clad in white linen All clad in white linen, and cold as the clay I see by your outfit that you are a climber These words he did say as I passed on my way Come sit here beside me I'll tell you my story I've fallen today and I know I must die On these rugged red rocks I've climbed since my boyhood I knew every climb on the great Rannock wall But on the great Red Slab I've climbed once too often My foot missed a hold and to the ground I did fall Take heed all you climbers that hear my sad story Make the most of today, for tomorrow you may die Take care on your chimneys And on your traverses Be sure of your hold on the mountain so high. |
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03 Aug 18 - 02:01 PM (#3941318) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Guest Hi Joe, So glad you found the right version of the right song! Well done! I did try Google (and other search engines!) for "Glencoe Climbing" but nothing came up! However, positive outcome ... so happy for you. |
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03 Aug 18 - 03:29 PM (#3941343) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Gallus Moll (away from home!) That streets of laredo sad song is vaguely familiar, tho who knows when the memory will surface?! One point tho...Clachaig and Rannoch...in Scotland we have the 'chchch' sound!! |
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03 Aug 18 - 04:08 PM (#3941354) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Gutcher The Davey Clark song is not the one I remember. The Clachaig Inn was mentioned and the pseudo climber was described as wearing all the "in" climbing gear of the time down to his Bonnington Y Fronts. Never having heard of Bonnington I had to question the reference hence my remembering that part of the song. If Jack did not compose it he certainly sang it. |
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03 Aug 18 - 04:56 PM (#3941363) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: John Moulden There must be mountaineering club song books that contain a, probably, longer version of the Glencoe song. I have a couple, Gestetenered volumes, Queens University Belfast Mountaineering Club and Leeds University Union Mountaineering Club. The latter contains the Clogwyn version given above. I suggest searching the National Library of Scotland catalogue or those of the University Libraries using the terms "Climbing (or Mountaineering)Club song book". I might try it myself. |
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03 Aug 18 - 05:03 PM (#3941365) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,GUEST, Ted. Thanks guys. The similarity to the Welsh version is striking. I did think I had a verse missing, and the fourth verse of the Welsh could just be dropped in. Whatever, I hope you can list it. I would like to think it can now be preserved for another generation. Thanks to all of you. |
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03 Aug 18 - 05:12 PM (#3941373) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,weerover Jack used to sing a song to the tune of "Hot Asphalt" (Mick McGuire), which I believe he wrote, which referred to "bar room mountaineers". I can remember very little except a couple of lines which went something like "the female of the species is more deadly than you think, for at least the men will sometimes buy you back a drink". |
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04 Aug 18 - 06:04 AM (#3941465) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Gutcher I phoned one of my friends, who is on a months climbing holiday in Norway at the moment, yesterday evening. He, like me, is inclined to the opinion that the humourous song "The Bar-room Mountaineer" was composed and sung by Jack Foley. He will be emailing some of the climbing fraternity who may have the words to it. A female cousin of mine has a son who now runs the Clachaig Inn. I will ask her to speak to her son to see if they have a copy of the song at the Inn. |
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04 Aug 18 - 09:59 AM (#3941519) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: John Moulden Some books possibly worth consulting: All in the National Library of Scotland (Try Aberdeen or Glasgow University Libraries?) Edinburgh mountaineering song book. Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club. 1955 GB.1329(27) Available, Special Collections Reading Room: stored in George IV Bridge Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club song book. Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club. 1955 GB.1332(15) Available, Special Collections Reading Room: stored in George IV Bridge St. Andrews University Mountaineering Club song book / compiled by S. Mason and D. Gibson. University of St. Andrews. Mountaineering Club. HP1.84.1504 Available, General Reading Room (stored in George IV Bridge) Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club songbook compiled by Gordon Stewart Other title:The EUMC ding dong book 5th ed Publication details:[Edinburgh] Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club [1980?]Consult in:General Reading Room (stored in George IV Bridge) Shelfmark: HP2.81.4236 Status:Available |
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05 Aug 18 - 03:23 PM (#3941858) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: John Moulden I've drawn blank in British Library, Aberdeen Univ., St Andrew's, Glasgow, Edinburgh and I could have saved myself the trouble because Copac: https://copac.jisc.ac.uk/ gives nothing but what's in NLS. |
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06 Aug 18 - 10:07 AM (#3942005) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Rob Naylor Joe, I have a whole CD full of climbing songs, collected by Dennis Gray and Paul Cherry, Called "The Bar Room Mountaineers". It includes such Tom Patey Classics as "The Ballad Of Joe Brown" and "Onward Christian Bonington (of the BBC, if you name the Mountain, he will name the fee)". There's a chunk about 20 minutes long taken from a cassette recorded in a bothy or bunkhouse, featuring the late great Tom Patey and others, but the quality is poor. |
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06 Aug 18 - 10:17 AM (#3942007) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Rob Naylor This is the one: The Barroom Mountaineers |
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02 Jan 20 - 06:38 PM (#4026027) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Ian McLelland A bit late only 2020. I regularly sang this song with Jack Foley the author. I have all the words if you are looking for them or you could get in touch with the bold Jack himself. This song and Jack,s Battle of the Buachaille are the Best climbing songs ever written in my opinion |
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02 Jan 20 - 07:56 PM (#4026037) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: Joe Offer This thread's only two years old, Ian. We have some threads that are still active after twenty years. Can you post the lyrics you have, or put me in touch with Jack Foley? Thanks. -Joe Offer, Mudcat Music Editor- joe@mudcat.org |
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02 Jan 20 - 08:16 PM (#4026040) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Gallus Moll Hi Joe, Jack Foley has posted on Mudcat fairly recently, think he was seeking info /author of ...The Glasgow Corporation Song? or something like that.... When I have time I will contact him, shall also check some of my songbooks, bothy books.... (Jack's waddin' was on top of a mountain, possibly Ben Nevis - canny mind as I didny go tae that bit! - then the ceilidh was at Kingshouse which I did attend!) |
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15 Feb 23 - 08:34 AM (#4165241) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Glencoe Climbing Song From: GUEST,Jack Foley Only just picked up on this thread today (15/02/2023). The original Bar-Room Mountaineer song WAS written by Davey Clark and I heard it in the late 60s. I didn’t pick up the words and I wasn't keen on its tune, but I loved Davey's concept. I wrote my version in the early 1970s during a spell of bad weather which I spent flitting between my tent and the old Clachaig Bar in Glencoe. (Now a wee dining room off the main ear-splitting hellhole.) I aways give Davy the credit for the idea when I sing my version, which is now a bit dated. Here it is: Tune: Hot Asphalt Oh come all ye Glencoe Tigers if you’ll only lend an ear, I will tell you of a creature called the Bar-room Mountaineer You’ll know him when you see him, when you look him in the teeth For he’s either on the table, but more often underneath He look the part and sings and shouts and boasts of all his stunts In his Joe Brown shirt, his Haston hat and his Bonington Y-Fronts But the climb that he’s most famous for, he’s known both near and far Is his nocturnal traverse of the gantry in the Clachaig public bar On a major expedition, he sets out at 10 o’clock And a couple of dozen sherpas guide him up the Signal Rock He uses fixed ropes, walkie-talkies, all the Himalayan tricks And the exercise is sponsored by Players No 6 He’s well aware high altitude can cause the breath to fail For he read it in The Sunday Times described by Murray Sayle So he carries metal cylinders in case his wind gives out And they’re carefully marked so he can tell the lager from the stout. Now the Bar-room Mountaineer likes all the comforts of his home His three gas rings, his camp bed and his heated shaving foam He like to get up off the ground and climb the Crowberry Tower But he cannae stand bein’ aff the booze for more than half an hour So he’s thought up a wondrous plan and this is what’s in store An instant spray-on Stakis pub on Buachialle Etive Mòr After you come up the chair-lift, you’ll hear the mountains call As you sip your half-pint shandy in the lounge on Rannoch Wall Each Bar-room Mountaineer takes on a different form and shape And the worst is 36-24-38 Aye, the female o’ the species makes you shudder when you think For the men, at least, will sometimes even buy you back a drink She’ll offer you a climbing course, the cost is pretty high Twenty seven Carlsberg Specials and some vodkas on the sly It’s the oddest course you’ll ever see for she has the strangest knack Of teaching all her techniques while she’s lying on her back When the TV men are in the hills with cameras, film and flex Hoping some of their star-studded cast will fall and break their necks You’ll hear one Bar-room Mountaineer describe the vivid scene And speak of all the danger in a place he’s never been And all that he is waiting for is lots and lots of gore To gie him five new viewers and a high TAM rating score One day it’s bound to happen, that’s the thing that really galls And when it does I hope the Bar-room Mountaineer’s the one that falls (Using the second part of the tune) For he cannae get up a ladder, he can only down a glass He tries to climb the social scale and ends up on his arse (Slowly) But meantime in the evening, when the drink goes to his head With a superhuman effort, he climbs intae his bed. |