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15 Dec 00 - 10:41 AM (#357632) Subject: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Shanty Kees I am looking for the words of the song: "If I had a son" by Phil Millichip. I recently heard Vin Garbutt sing this song. It's a song about the mines. Can anyone help me? Thanks in advance. |
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15 Dec 00 - 12:19 PM (#357717) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Mrrzy I can't help, but I don't have a son by Phil Millichip... anyone else? |
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15 Dec 00 - 01:07 PM (#357768) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: nutty I think the chorus goes something like......... If I had a son , he would never go down there To work all his days in a dark dingy hole They can close all the pits from Bedworth to China For they've broken me -- body and soul In search of that dirty black coal not totally accurate but the best I can come up with at present Someone should know the rest--- I t,s a great song |
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15 Dec 00 - 01:53 PM (#357795) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Ebbie LOL, Mrzzy! I thought it might be a wistful recitation. I don't know the song but it sounds like a good one. Ebbie
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16 Dec 00 - 06:07 AM (#358186) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: scouse It's sung beautifully by Vin Garbutt on his Cd "The By-pass Syndrome." you can purchase it at vin's homepage. www.vingarbutt.com |
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06 Aug 01 - 06:00 AM (#521743) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Ringer Words, anyone? |
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06 Aug 01 - 12:32 PM (#521910) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Tig I'm certain that if you contact Vin or Pat on the website they would send you a copy - they're 'Real People'. I just checked and it's not in the new songbook. |
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06 Aug 01 - 01:41 PM (#521954) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: GUEST In the meantime, I did receive the words from "Scouse". If anyone else is interested let me know and I will add the words in this thread. |
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06 Aug 01 - 03:14 PM (#522013) Subject: Lyr Add: IF I HAD A SON (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST IF I HAD A SON (Phil Millichip) When I was a boy, I was ready and willing To act like a man and to work for my pay. So I went underground when the hooter would sound And I worked all my best years away. And I’ve seen men go down and they’ve never come up And I’ve seen men who lived and wished they were dead. When the choice is you eat or go hungry, You see that your children are fed.
And if I had a son he would never go down there
I remember a man who was trapped in the seam
As I walk on the mountains, the memory’s there still,
So I take all the tablets the doctors prescribe,
Excuse spelling punctuation etc., did this very quickly. These words my not be the same as Vin's version, don't know which is more correct. |
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07 Aug 01 - 10:28 AM (#522547) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Ringer Thanks. |
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12 Aug 01 - 12:59 AM (#526007) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Strollin' Johnny I thought it was 'BEDWAS to China'. Isn't Bedwas a former Welsh mining town? |
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12 Aug 01 - 12:50 PM (#526151) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: GUEST,Raggytash Could well be Bedwas, a town in Caerphilly, and the lad who wrote it is Welsh. Bedworth is in Warwickshire.Strollin' Johnny's probably correct. Thanks S J |
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12 Aug 01 - 02:30 PM (#526197) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: McGrath of Harlow Vin Garbutt has now got a songbook out. I haven't seen but yet, but it was due out on August 6th. It doesn't have this one, since it's songs Vin's written as well as recorded. But it's got some good 'uns. Here's an email about it I got from Pat Garbutt:
The long awaited Vin Garbutt Song Book Vol I will be available from August 6th. The book contains a selection of seventeen songs written between 1970 and the year 2000.
The music is quite detailed so that various instruments can be used not just guitar. It is also fairly true to the CD or LP recordings so hopefully this will make the songs easier to follow.
If you are not a musician we think that you would still find the song book of interest, the lyrics alone make inspiring poetry.
We would like to point out that Vin usually travels by train and with the books being quite heavy we cannot guarantee that Vin will have them with him at his concerts, so if you can't wait to get a copy you will be well advised to order by mail from Home Roots Music or through Vin's web site shop at www.vingarbutt.com
Price: £12 plus p&p as follows: U.K. £1.50
The Songs Included Are:
Home Roots Music, PO Box 6, Skelton, Cleveland.TS13 4YT England
Vin's web site: vingarbutt.com<
Vin's Agent:Speaking Volumes:Tel01905 611323 Fax 01905 619958
http://www.speakingvolumes.co.uk |
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12 Aug 01 - 05:37 PM (#526280) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Snuffy Bedworth is also a coal mining area, and I've always heard it sung as Bedworth |
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31 Jan 02 - 08:51 PM (#639682) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Jim Dixon This page and this page say the author's name is Steven Millichip. This page says it's Phil Millichip. This page mentions a folksinger named Phil Millichip. Go figure.
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01 Feb 02 - 04:56 AM (#639887) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Gervase It's Phil Millichip. 'Catter Cllr does a cracking version of this song - it may be worth dropping him a PM to check on the exact words, but the version I have is the same as Raggytash's. |
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01 Feb 02 - 08:00 AM (#639950) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: GUEST,Sooz(at work) I'm sure Vin sings Bedwas - I request this song everytime I see him! |
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02 Feb 02 - 02:45 AM (#640469) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I had a son by Phil Millichi From: Joan from Wigan Bedwas Navigation Colliery, Monmouthshire, South Wales |
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19 Mar 09 - 07:25 PM (#2592977) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Bugsy Great Song. Does anyone have the chords?? Cheers Bugsy |
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22 Mar 09 - 06:27 PM (#2594852) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Bugsy refresh Bugsy |
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10 May 09 - 10:06 AM (#2628271) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,morrisman You can see and hear vin singing this song on Youtube. |
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10 May 09 - 01:12 PM (#2628369) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: breezy It is Bedwas not Bedworth Marilyn Middleton Pollock recorded it on Dolls House and that's well over 20 years ago now She is known as Mary Mellor and lives in the Malvern Hills , originally from Chicago, one hell of a singer. She also helped spread the word about Stan Rogers before Artisan I found her out after hearing her at the Cornwall Fest then again at Tudor, as she was a 'must have ' guest at my folk club where she appeared twice. So get it right, Bedwas to China |
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11 May 09 - 11:59 AM (#2629047) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Two of a Hind It was nice to see Phil on the weekend at the Tredergar House festival in Newport, I'm sure he would have sung it for you if you had asked. he's there every year. |
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28 Mar 11 - 05:56 PM (#3123694) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,Here's to reviving dead threads On Phil's own website, it's Bedworth. And since he first wrote the song, that's what he.......wrote. Sing it however you like. Nationalize it if you will, it's quite common in folk, especially with mining songs. |
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28 Mar 11 - 06:14 PM (#3123700) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Herga Kitty Thanks guest, htrdt - and here's the song on Phil's site . Kitty |
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06 Jun 12 - 06:58 AM (#3359919) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,Chris On Phil's site now it certainly reads "Bedwas" to China and I asked him yesterday outside Asda whether it was Bedwas or Bedworth, he said "Bedwas"! Listening to Vin Garbutt as I type it is Bedwas! |
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06 Jun 12 - 07:17 PM (#3360221) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,Bill the sound It has been recorded by Phil Millichip Vin Garbutt Marilyn Middleton Pollock and Broadside from Giwern Phil has also got a website Good hunting Bill |
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06 Jun 12 - 11:11 PM (#3360329) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Bugsy Chords anyone??? CHeers Bugsy |
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07 Jan 14 - 06:22 PM (#3589871) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST |
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08 Jan 14 - 02:52 PM (#3590122) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,the troll formally known as concerened Now listen!! , countless people have asked for the chords for this excellent song.. No one is trying to be clever.. no one is trying to be out of order..no one wants to have a history lesson.. we do know the difference between bed worth and bed was, all we want is CHORDS... do you not get it? you pretentious name dropping clowns, we don't want to hear how many people who have recorded it..... I think even the thickos on this site can work that out.. What we do want,is... CHORDS? CHORDS!!!!!!!! |
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08 Jan 14 - 02:56 PM (#3590124) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,the troll formally known as concerened thank you..in hopes? |
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08 Jan 14 - 03:21 PM (#3590132) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,giovanni There's a guy called Raymond Crooke sings it on YouTube. I don't know what it's like but you can at least see clearly which chords he is playing - it may point you in the right direction at least. But are you absolutely sure you don't want any more of the history/other versions/personal reminiscences for which this site is famous? g |
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08 Jan 14 - 03:39 PM (#3590138) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: breezy I know the chords I play it using the G chord as the tonic 'When I[D7th] was a now try and work out the melody and see which chords fit The G family includes C D D7th Em at least You may need a capo to fit your voice range Meanwhile I'll watch TV and annoy the spouse while I revise the song Best source version by Marilyn Middleton Mellor |
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14 Jan 14 - 02:02 PM (#3592051) Subject: Lyr Add: IF I HAD A SON (from Vin Garbutt) From: Jim Dixon I have listened carefully to this song on Spotify, and I find that several words are different from those posted by Raggytash above. (However, I think the words Raggytash posted are closer to those that appear on Phil Millichip's website.) IF I HAD A SON As sung by Vin Garbutt on "The By-Pass Syndrome" (1999) 1. When I was a boy, I was ready and willin' To act like a man and to work for my pay. So I went underground when the hooter did sound And I worked all my best years away. And I've seen men go down there who never returned And I've seen men who lived but had wished they were dead. When the choice is you eat or go hungry, You see that your children are fed. CHORUS: And if I had a son he would never go down there To work all his days in a damp dingy hole. You* can close ev'ry pit from Bedwas to China. [* possibly "they"] They've broken me body and soul In search of the dirty black coal. 2. I remember the man who was trapped in the seam With two ton of coal on his head. As I lay in the dark to the beat of my heart, I remember the words [that] I said: If I ever get out of this hellhole alive, I'll turn my back on the blackness and pain, But what else could I do? Tell me, where could I go? So I put on me pit boots again. 3. As I walk o'er the mountain, the mem'ry's there still, Though they've covered the scars of the land The grass that grows over the desolate waste And nature has given a hand. They can't put new breath in my body, Nor heal all the scars they can find, Nor bring back my friends who are dead and gone on Nor lay them to rest in my mind. 4. Now I take all the tablets [the] doctors prescribe, And I rest when I'm climbing the stairs, And I curse ev'ry day of my youth thrown away, And I wonder if anyone cares. When I look at the child in the faded old photos And I feel what is left of the man, I remember a dream that was crushed in the seam, Digging coal in the bowels of the land. |
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14 Jan 14 - 02:35 PM (#3592065) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Jim Dixon I've just checked the lyrics at Phil Millichip's web site against the lyrics that were posted by Raggytash above, and the only difference (apart from formatting) is that the website has Bedwas, not Bedworth. Which means either that our Guest's remark here, was mistaken, or the website has been changed since 2011. Did Millichip change his mind about what he ought to have written? Beats me. |
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15 Jan 14 - 04:29 AM (#3592225) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Sooz They are exactly the words I sing, Jim. Although I have been known to substitute Gedling (the pit where my dad worked for 47 years) for Bedwas. In the 80's Dad used to tell his teenaged Grandsons that when he was their age he grovelled in the bowels of the earth for a living. |
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15 Jan 14 - 04:15 PM (#3592414) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: breezy desecration Sue me dear , its a song from Wales Diolch I have the version recorded by the fantastic Mary Mellor aka M Middleton who is available for bookings and puts on one hell of a show. She lives in Gt Malvern She kept to Phil's text word for word She also gives singing lessons When I ran the club in St Albans I searched her out and boy was she good. If you aint seen and heard her she is well worth searching out |
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16 Jan 14 - 09:30 AM (#3592609) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,the troll formally known as concerened still living in hopes for the chords...please..? |
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16 Jan 14 - 12:53 PM (#3592697) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Sooz Hey, Mr Breeze - I can assure you that the song works just as well for the Nottinghamshire coal field! |
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17 Jan 14 - 07:16 AM (#3592901) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,concerened chords...pretty pink please? |
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17 Jan 14 - 07:35 AM (#3592903) Subject: RE: Chords Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: maeve Regarding chords- breezy has already given a good start that could allow one to work out the chords: "I play it using the G chord as the tonic 'When I[D7th] was a' now try and work out the melody and see which chords fit The G family includes C D D7th Em at least You may need a capo to fit your voice range" For those for whom working out chords is a daunting task, you might try the chords listed at the following link: Raymond's Folk Song Page If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) A When I was a boy, I was ready and willin' ........................................................... E7 To act like a man and to work for me pay ........................... A So I went underground when the hooter did sound ........... D ...................................... E7 And I worked all me best years away. A I've seen men go down there who never returned .......................................................................................... E7 And I've seen men who lived but had wished they were dead ........................................ A When the choice is you eat or go hungry ........ D .................................... E7 You see that your children are fed. ***************** Does any of the above help? |
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18 Jan 14 - 12:54 AM (#3593152) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Bugsy Thakis for all the help folks.. I sussed the chords out earlier in the week and am now happily playing the song. ( though - Perhaps happily is the wrong word considering the subject matter) \ Cheers Bugsy |
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25 Feb 17 - 06:27 PM (#3841576) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: Noreen From the horse's mouth: Phil Millichip - If I Had A Son |
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24 Jan 20 - 05:56 AM (#4029889) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If I Had a Son (Phil Millichip) From: GUEST,George Papavgeris, aka El Greco Thanks, mondegreen #3549 resolved - Bedwas, not Bedworth! I must have sung that chorus wrong a thousand times :-) |