Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay)

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Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian

29 Mar 01 - 09:22 AM (#428326)
Subject: Lyr Add: SUVLA BAY / SUDA BAY
From: Bob Bolton

G'day, I mentioned this song in the trench Songs of WWI thread. Frank Harte asked for the words, which I posted, then the tune. Frank had the chorus, but not the verse tune - which is a different length - the verse lines are 8 bars and the chorus lines 6 bars.

I am not sure I agree with Bill's tune. His second and fourth lines (as well as the last line of the chorus) seem to go higher than the variant I know ... but i don't sing it, so i won't transcribe my memory of the tune (the NSW vs the Queensland vwersion?).

These words are the WWI version. The song was recycled in WWII to refer to Suda Bay, in Crete instead of Suvla Bay at Gallipoli.

Suvla Bay

In an old Australian homestead with roses round the door,
A girl received a letter, just newly from the war.
With her mother's arm around her she gave way to sobs and sighs,
For when she read that letter, the tears came to her eyes.
Chorus:
Why do I weep? Why do I sigh?
My love's asleep so far away.
He played his part that April day
And left my heart in Suvla Bay.

She joined a band of nurses underneath the cross of red
And swore to do her duty to the soldier who lay dead.
Many soldiers came to woo her but were sadly turned away
As to them she told the story of the grave at Suvla Bay,
Chorus:
Why do I weep? Why do I sigh?
My love's asleep so far away.
He played his part that August day
And left my heart in Suvla Bay.

Bill Scott, in The Second Penguin Australian Songbook, says he learned the WWII version ("Suda Bay" and "August day") from an RN sailor in a Navy wet canteen in Brisbane in 1944. He says many older people, including his mother, knew the WWI version.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

29 Mar 01 - 02:27 PM (#428597)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: MMario

so what is Bill's tune??

29 Mar 01 - 03:02 PM (#428621)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Les from Hull

There's a WW2 Royal Naval version of this song, about HMS Jervis Bay, an Armed Merchant Cruiser (a liner with guns added) which was sunk in a gallant action with a German 'pocket battleship' the Admiral Sheer. By ordering the convoy to scatter she saved many merchant ships, and the Commanding Officer Captain Fegen was awarded a postumous VC. The words are available if you look in old threads for Jervis Bay.

The song was very popular in the Royal Navy, even after the war.

Les

30 Mar 01 - 02:00 PM (#429401)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Les from Hull

Perhaps someone could explain the Australian fascination for Suvla Bay? When the troops (New Army Battallions from Britain) landed at Suvla Bay the Aussies and Kiwis were already there at Anzac Cove. Was it all called Suvla Bay at the time and the south-western cove only renamed later? There was fighting to link the two bridgeheads, of course.

That thing about 'Johnny Turk he was ready, he'd primed himself well' doesn't really apply at Suvla Bay, either. The whole point was that the Turks only had three batallions there. Unfortunately, the British had their usual atrotious commanders and failed to push on inland. By the time they did, Johnny Turk was ready.

Les

01 Apr 01 - 08:08 AM (#430478)
Subject: Tune Add: SUVLA BAY / SUDA BAY
From: Bob Bolton

G'day MMario,

... Oops I thought I had included the MIDItext in that file ...

Here it is:

MIDI file: suvlabay.mid

Timebase: 240

TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Tempo: 120 (500000 microsec/crotchet)
Tempo: 109 (545455 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0360 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 65 080 0192 0 65 064 0048 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0096 0 72 064 0024 1 74 080 0096 0 74 064 0024 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 77 080 0384 0 77 064 0096 1 77 080 0192 0 77 064 0048 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 73 080 0192 0 73 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 72 080 0912 0 72 064 0288 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 65 080 0120 1 67 080 0072 0 65 064 0312 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0096 0 72 064 0024 1 74 080 0096 0 74 064 0024 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 77 080 0384 0 77 064 0096 1 77 080 0192 0 77 064 0048 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 73 080 0192 0 73 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 72 080 0912 0 72 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0912 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 72 080 0384 0 72 064 0096 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0912 0 71 064 0288 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0945 0 67 064 0255 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0912 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 71 080 0384 0 71 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 77 080 0912 0 77 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 72 080 0945 0 72 064
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:3/4
Q:1/4=109
K:C
E4F2|G4G2|A4G2|E2G4|-G4cd|e4e2|d4c2|A6|-A4e2|
f4f2|e4d2|d2G4|-G4G2|d4^c2|d4e2|c6|-c4EF|
G4G2|A4G2|E2G4|-G4cd|e4e2|d4c2|A6|-A4e2|f4f2|
e4d2|d2G4|-G4G2|d4^c2|d4e2|c6|-c4G2|A4E2|
G6|-G4c2|d4c2|A6|-A4c2|c4A2|B6|-B4B2|A4E2|
G6|-G4G2|A4E2|G6|-G4c2|d4c2|A6|-A4c2|B4c2|
f6|-f4G2|d4c2|c6|-c2||

Regards,

Bob Bolton

01 Apr 01 - 11:35 PM (#430914)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day MMario,

If you are transcribing this from the MIDItext, please note that here is a deliberate slowing (~8%) in the last bars of the last line. not quite the old folk "spoken last bar" but a deliberate, dramatic effect.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

02 Apr 01 - 08:58 AM (#431127)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: MMario

Thanks Bob!

03 Apr 01 - 07:28 PM (#432569)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,Frank Harte

Bob Bolton,

Thanks for the trouble of putting down the tune, I look forward to hearing it, however with my limited knowlege of computer bits, I'll wait until i can get my son to download the Midi file and play it for me. hen i hear it I will get back on to you.

Thanks again for taking the time.

.....Frank Harte.

03 Apr 01 - 11:38 PM (#432708)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Frank,

If you click on the blue "click here" (aka "blue clicky") you can download a simple DOS-based program (written for Mudcat by "Alan of Oz") that reconstructs the MIDI file from all that text. Then your computer will, most likely, have a MIDI player built in, these days, and you can hear the tune.

That said, there are a few steps that come easier to computer-savvy youngsters than some of the regulars ... so nag your son!

BTW: I should really get down the version of the tune that I know (basically, a rather flatter range, more suitable to average voices). When I do, I will post that to this thread.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

04 Apr 01 - 06:23 PM (#433328)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,Frank Harte.

Thanks Bob,

How well you understand my nervousness regarding the computer....if I touch anything that I am not absolutely certain of I am sure that the whole thing will explode.

The nagging of my son has already started.

Slan.........Frank

06 Apr 01 - 08:28 AM (#434537)
Subject: Tune Add: SUVLA BAY / SUDA BAY
From: Bob Bolton

G'day,

I did promise to put down the tune I remembered for Suvla Bay, but I kept straying into other tunes – not to mention Bill Scott's tune for Suda Bay- whenever I tried to transcribe it. I looked in John Meredith's authoritative Folk Songs of Australia and the men and women who sang them - and, in vol. 2, I found the Kurtz Family, of Gulgong, version of Suvla Bay. This is pretty much the tune I remember, so I have included the MIDItext below.

Les from Hull: Meredith spends some time writing about the débâcle of the second landing, at Suvla Bay ... but doesn't justify Australian interest in it. I think it just rhymes more easily than Gallipoli! I note that there is a third song – a naval one about the sinking of the Jervis Bay. This would also attract Australian attention, since Jervis Bay is in Australia – on the south coast of New South Wales – and is an RAN base, so the ship would be noticed by Australian sailors, even if she were operated by the RN.

He also remarks that the month in the third line of the chorus should be "August", not the "April" I sing (probably because the date of the Gallipoli landing is engraved in stone ... we don't think that this is about another landing entirely). He also remarks that "August" in Bill's Suda Bay song is wrong ... it should me May (Crete, 1941)! It seems we Australians are not terribly good at getting dates right.

MIDI file: suvlabay.mid

Timebase: 240

TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Tempo: 120 (500000 microsec/crotchet)
Tempo: 109 (545455 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0240 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 65 080 0192 0 65 064 0048 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0096 0 72 064 0024 1 74 080 0096 0 74 064 0024 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0384 0 71 064 0096 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0384 0 71 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 71 080 0672 0 71 064 0288 1 71 080 0113 0 71 064 0007 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0113 0 67 064 0007 1 67 080 0504 0 67 064 0096 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0576 0 67 064 0384 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 65 080 0192 0 65 064 0048 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0336 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0384 0 71 064 0096 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0384 0 71 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 71 080 0672 0 71 064 0288 1 71 080 0113 0 71 064 0007 1 69 080 0096 0 69 064 0024 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 72 080 0912 0 72 064 0528 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0225 0 69 064 0015 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 1170 0 67 064 0270 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0225 0 74 064 0015 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 69 080 1170 0 69 064 0270 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 72 080 0225 0 72 064 0015 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 1170 0 71 064 0270 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0225 0 69 064 0015 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 1170 0 67 064 0270 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0225 0 69 064 0015 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 1170 0 67 064 0270 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0225 0 74 064 0015 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 69 080 1170 0 69 064 0270 1 74 080 0225 0 74 064 0015 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0945 0 71 064 0255 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 76 080 0450 0 76 064 0030 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 72 080 0945 0 72 064
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:3/4
Q:1/4=109
K:C
E4F2|G4G2|A4G2|E2G4|-G4cd|e4e2|d4c2|A6|-A4A2|
B4A2|B4c2|d2B4|-B4BA|GG5|A4E2|G6|-G2E2F2|
G4G2|A4G2|E2G4|-G2c2d2|e4e2|d4c2|A6|-A4A2|
B4A2|B4c2|d2B4|-B4BA|G4G2|e4d2|c6|-c6|G6|
-G2A2E2|G6|-G6|c6|-c2d2e2|A6|-A6|d6|-d2c2A2|
B6|-B6|B6|-B2A2E2|G6|-G6|G6|-G2A2E2|G6|-G6|
c6|-c2d2d2|A6|-A6|d6|-d2c2A2|B6|-B4G2|e4d2|
c6|-c2||

I also noticed an error in my version of Suda Bay (only one rest of the wrong duration) and this is the corrected filed:

MIDI file: Suda_Bay.mid

Timebase: 240

TimeSig: 3/4 24 8
Tempo: 120 (500000 microsec/crotchet)
Tempo: 109 (545455 microsec/crotchet)
Start
0360 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 65 080 0192 0 65 064 0048 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0096 0 72 064 0024 1 74 080 0096 0 74 064 0024 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 77 080 0384 0 77 064 0096 1 77 080 0192 0 77 064 0048 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 73 080 0192 0 73 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 72 080 0912 0 72 064 0168 1 64 080 0096 0 64 064 0024 1 65 080 0192 0 65 064 0048 1 67 080 0384 0 67 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0096 0 72 064 0024 1 74 080 0096 0 74 064 0024 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 77 080 0384 0 77 064 0096 1 77 080 0192 0 77 064 0048 1 76 080 0384 0 76 064 0096 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 74 080 0192 0 74 064 0048 1 67 080 0672 0 67 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 73 080 0192 0 73 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 76 080 0192 0 76 064 0048 1 72 080 0912 0 72 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0912 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 72 080 0384 0 72 064 0096 1 69 080 0192 0 69 064 0048 1 71 080 0912 0 71 064 0288 1 71 080 0192 0 71 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0945 0 67 064 0255 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 69 080 0384 0 69 064 0096 1 64 080 0192 0 64 064 0048 1 67 080 0912 0 67 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 69 080 0912 0 69 064 0288 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 71 080 0384 0 71 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 77 080 0912 0 77 064 0288 1 67 080 0192 0 67 064 0048 1 74 080 0384 0 74 064 0096 1 72 080 0192 0 72 064 0048 1 72 080 0945 0 72 064
End

This program is worth the effort of learning it.

To download the March 10 MIDItext 98 software and get instructions on how to use it click here

ABC format:

X:1
T:
M:3/4
Q:1/4=109
K:C
E4F2|G4G2|A4G2|E2G4|-G4cd|e4e2|d4c2|A6|-A4e2|
f4f2|e4d2|d2G4|-G4G2|d4^c2|d4e2|c6|-c3EF2|
G4G2|A4G2|E2G4|-G4cd|e4e2|d4c2|A6|-A4e2|f4f2|
e4d2|d2G4|-G4G2|d4^c2|d4e2|c6|-c4G2|A4E2|
G6|-G4c2|d4c2|A6|-A4c2|c4A2|B6|-B4B2|A4E2|
G6|-G4G2|A4E2|G6|-G4c2|d4c2|A6|-A4c2|B4c2|
f6|-f4G2|d4c2|c6|-c2||

Regards,

Bob Bolton

06 Apr 01 - 12:35 PM (#434693)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Naemanson

I have heard of Turkey's Suvla Bay and spent (too much) time in Crete's Suda Bay. I didn't know there was a Suda Bay in Turkey.

Can someone please explain the difference between Suvla and Suda Bay?

07 Apr 01 - 09:33 PM (#435520)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Naemanson,

As I wrote in the first post:
"These words are the WWI version. The song was recycled in WWII to refer to Suda Bay, in Crete instead of Suvla Bay at Gallipoli."

You will also note above that Les from Hull mentions:
".. a WW2 Royal Naval version of this song, about HMS Jervis Bay, an Armed Merchant Cruiser...".

Folk songs are reborn constantly to reflect current events and concerns - you will never pickle them in formalin.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

13 Apr 01 - 04:01 PM (#439975)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,Frank Harte

Dear Bob,

This is franks nagging son. Who has now become the nagged son, and now (though I hate to admit it) we need help.

We have downloaded the miditxt software and converted the text on this page (using the instructions) to a midi file. However when we double click the file it says that it will take over 36 minutes to play the midi file and it only plays one note every 30 seconds. Is there a simple way to make the file play faster by altering any of the text in notepad before saving as a txt and converting to a midi file.

Any assistace would be greatly apprciated.

Regards

Cian Harte

22 Nov 04 - 06:19 AM (#1335113)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,guest

Ian from Newcastle Australia.
Suvla Bay was originally sung as Dunkirk Bay in the ist world war by scottish soldiers and by the 2nd world war it got changed some how to suvla bay, Alberts Music of London hold the rights to the music and A bloke under the non de plume of Jack Spade is credited with writing it. I was told 3 English pop muso's wrote it in the late 30's early 40's. I have been trying to find out more about Jack Spade
A number of Top Australian Country singers have recorded the song.also research suggest that Suvla Bay was the bay that Dunkirk was in. if anyone can help I would be grateful

22 Nov 04 - 06:28 AM (#1335118)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: freda underhill

Suvla Bay was a world war 1 song. in, i think, the first penguin australian songbook, it says that it was illegal to sing it during the war, as it was considered bad for morale.

if anyone wants a copy of the tune, i have an mp3 of jennyo and I singing it. pm me your email and I'll forward it on to you.

best wishes

freda

22 Nov 04 - 11:10 PM (#1336052)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day freda,

Way back in another place (the top post of this thread) ... if not quite another century ... I did say:

"Bill Scott, in The Second Penguin Australian Songbook, says he learned the WWII version ("Suda Bay" and "August day") from an RN sailor in a Navy wet canteen in Brisbane in 1944. He says many older people, including his mother, knew the WWI version.

Which tune do you and Jenny sing ... Bill's mum's (Aus. Penguin Bk 2) or the more general (and less testing) version heard around the traps?

Regards

Bob

22 Nov 04 - 11:49 PM (#1336101)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: freda underhill

hi Bob,

yes, i saw that post. I had the other penguin songbook, which had the other comment about the song being illegal. the version i sing is Suvla Bay, the one my father taught me! John from Forbes recorded me singing it at Gulgong a couple of years back, + i have the mp3 that my neighbour recorded earlier in the year, with jennyo singing a harmony. I would like to hear this other version - i couldnt say the one i do is not testing, the second last note is way up there with the angels.

fredalina

23 Nov 04 - 07:56 AM (#1336360)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Freda,

Suvla / Suda Bay is not in John Manifold's (first) Penguin Australian Song Book ... and Bill does discuss the ban on singing such songs ... "detrimental to morale" ... in his Second Penguin Australian Song Book. I posted both tunes ... back then ... but Alan of Australia's MIDItext converter no longer works!

Like most of the Australian songs I have posted, neither version has yet made it into the Digital Tradition, so I can't refer you to those MIDI files. I'll see if I can dig out workable MIDIs for you ... after I put Mulga Wire, December 2005 to bed!

Please pop off your mp3 to my home e-mail - so I can hear which version you sing!

Regards,

Bob

24 Nov 04 - 04:55 AM (#1337396)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: freda underhill

it's on its way, Bob!

18 Sep 05 - 09:23 AM (#1565961)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,Sally Johnson

My grandfather died on Friday evening and his funeral is on Tuesday 20th September 2005. If someone has a mp3 or something with Suda Bay on it, I would really appreciate if I could get it so we can play it as he is lowered into his grave. It was his favourite song and one that his entire family love dearly because of him.

my email address is goosesal@hotmail.com

Thanking you in advance.

18 Sep 05 - 10:26 AM (#1565995)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,Dale

I have it and have replied to Sally's request.

08 Oct 05 - 05:08 AM (#1578656)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: alanmc1

hi there is there any chance that I can have that mp3 sent to me as well? It's my nanas favourite tune. thanks

alanmcpherson@optusnet.com.au

08 Oct 05 - 06:40 AM (#1578693)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: ard mhacha

My brother Jim [RIP]always sang Suvla Bay in pub, club, and sing-song, a good old number, brings back happy memories.

08 Oct 05 - 07:40 AM (#1578719)
Subject: Lyr Add: DUNKIRK BAY
From: Tradsinger

I recorded Wiggy Smith singing Dunkirk Bay, Here are the words he sang

It's an old Australian homestead, with the ivy round the door
A girl received a letter, from her boy who's in the war
With her mother's love and kisses, she give way to tears and sighs
But as she wrote this letter, sure, the tears fell from her eyes.

Why should I weep, why should I pray?
My love's asleep, so far away,
But (And) he played his part that Autumn day
And left my heart on Dunkirk Bay.

Sure, she joined a band of nurses, underneath the cross of red
She swore to do her duty, for her loved one who were dead
Many boys they came to woo her, and she turned them all away
And this was her sad story, to the brave on Dunkirk Bay.

Why should I weep, why should I pray ...

You can read all about it on http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/smith.htm

I had always assumed that it was a 'garble' for Suvla Bay, but the posting above makes it clear that Dunkirk Bay is the older version.

I find it quite a poignant song but have never heard it sung in the folk clubs or at festival, only by source singers.

Gwilym

08 Oct 05 - 04:04 PM (#1579015)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST

I heard an old first world war veteran singing it , it was always a popular song in Ireland.

09 Oct 05 - 09:59 AM (#1579345)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Jim McLean

My parents sang this a lot, to the first melody posted by Bob. I ran it through the Concertina program but I hear the chorus somewhat different. The verses were sung in a slow waltz time but the chorus changed to something akin to 8/4 tempo. Imagine that the first three words 'Why do I' are the 6,7 and eighth beat of the intro, then 'weep' would be the first beat then count '2,3,4,5' Why do I 'Sigh'(2,3,4,5) My love's a- Sleep (2,3,4,5) so far a Way (2,3,4,5)
In other words, 'weep', 'sigh', 'sleep' and 'way' are the first beats in each bar and very measured. Hope this makes sense ..I can still hear them singing together.

11 Feb 11 - 11:07 PM (#3093697)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST,Linda Grippi

The lyrics that I remember my mother singing were slightly different from what has been written here. Here goes:

1. In an old Australian homestead with the roses round the door,
A girl received a letter from a far off distant shore.
With her mother's arms around her, she gave way to sobs and sighs,
And as she read the letter, the tears fell from her eyes.

CHORUS: Why do I weep? why do I cry?
My loves asleep, so far away.
He gave his life one April day,
And now he sleeps on Suvla Bay.

2. She joined a band of angels, underneath a cross of red,
To do her noble duty, to her lover who now lays dead.
There were many came to woo her, but were sadly turned away,
When she told them her sad story, of her love on Suvla Bay. CHORUS

12 Feb 11 - 09:02 AM (#3093756)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: goatfell

during the WW1 you could be sent to prison for singing this song

14 Feb 11 - 06:22 PM (#3095349)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day goatfell,

The authorities' desire to suppress singing of all songs held to be "detrimental to morale" is mentioned in several of the posts above ... over, very nearly, the last decade!

I don't know that anyone was actually imprisoned for singing this one ... but it was discouraged!

Regards,

Bob

17 Nov 12 - 07:49 AM (#3437757)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: GUEST

Hello, Has any body worked out the chords to Suvla Bay?
I f so I would really like you to post them for me.
Thanks
Janet

17 Nov 12 - 01:54 PM (#3437870)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Steve Gardham

The following contradictory piece may throw some light on the situation.
From The Sunday Herald, June 23 1949.

London songwriters are mystified about an Australian song 'Suvla Bay', which has suddenly become the rage of Britain.

Sheet music copies credit both the melody and the lyric to 'Jack Spade'.

But Jack Spade cannot be found. There is some doubt whether he is even an Australian.

The BBC has made the song the hit tune of the month. Every 'pop' singer and dance band leader is asking 'Who is Jack Spade?'

The copywriters (sic) of the song are the Irwin-Music Company. They claim that 'the Jack of Spades' (a name often given in the profession to an unidentified composer) is alive and lives in England, but will give no other details.

Other London songwriters claim 'Suvla Bay' is a 1914-1918 tune 'pepped-up' for present day audiences. ('Suvla Bay' was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the Gallipoli campaign).

Mr Sonny Cox, director of Box and Cox, heard the lilting tune last year, secured the publication rights and reworded some of the Australian phrases which, he felt, were too strong for English digestion.

Last week he secured the English rights of 'The Road to Gundagai' and is now looking for more Australian tunes.

>>>>>>>This is either poor journalism or something is not quite right here. I got this from apparently a replica copy of the newspaper page online. Firstly it says they won't reveal the composer and then seem to be saying the writer is Sonny Cox himself. Secondly the dates don't quite fit. My copy of the sheet music gives copyright arrangement as 1944 and 1948. If it was recomposed in 1944 how can Cox have heard it only in 1948?. In my sheet music it is copyrighted to The Irwin Dash Music Co. Ltd., Publication rights for all countries except Australasia assigned Box and Cox (Publications) Ltd.

Incidentally the sheet music only gives one verse and the chorus.
The song was very popular in the RN just after the war but I think this was the sheet music version. The copy I have in front of me has Charlie Chester as the broadcaster but I have other copies somewhere.

19 Nov 12 - 12:04 AM (#3438469)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Suvla Bay (Suda Bay) - Australian
From: Bob Bolton

G'day Steve,

I'll have a look to see just how many Suvla Bay and Suda Bay variants are lurking in the local song books. (I notice that I have MIDI files for both on the portable hard drive with me ... so I should have been working up "song sheets" for one, the other ... or both - long enough for me to have forgotten about it - all right - that mightn't be too long ago ...)

Regard(les)s,

Bob