Lyr Add: Basil Brooke

04 Jul 01 - 07:23 AM (#498135)
Subject: Lyr Add: BASIL BROOKE
From: Aidan Crossey

I have memories of my da roaring this one out in the Slievemore Hotel in Achill Island, with his arm round my Uncle Patsy's neck. Both of them the worse for drink, red of face and rivering sweat, but still standing (though not standing still).

The song concerns Basil Brooke - the patrician, long-serving 3rd Prime Minister of Northern Ireland - later Viscount Brookeborough. A folk-devil to nationalists in Northern Ireland.

Although the air is really well-known, I can't for the life of me think of another, more well-known, song that the air has been used for. If I do ... or if anyone else knows the song and can help ... then I'll post it here.

BASIL BROOKE
Basil Brooke it is me name
With me Orange Sash I came
To bate me drum on the 12th day of July
And the English queen and crown
I will never let them down
Up the Border, keep the Border is me cry

Though born in Ireland
I'm sure you'll understand
That we all like to be English when we die
Even Heaven would be dull
If it hadn't got John Bull
Up the Border, keep the Border is me cry

Says the wife to me one year
"Now then, Basil, be a dear
To paper up the kitchen we must try"
So I got some sticky glue
And put up red, white and blue
Up the Border, keep the Border is me cry

I've got some empty bags
I'll fill them up with fags
I'll buy them down in Dublin on the sly
And the Customs men I'll hook
For me name is Basil Brooke
Up the Border, keep the Border is me cry

If Sinn Fein get me expelled
Then Belfast can go to hell
And the Border can be blown up to the sky

---

04 Jul 01 - 08:36 AM (#498188)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: Stiofáin

I provide information about the tune or additional lyrics, but you might be interested to know that this brilliant little song was recorded by the Wolfe Tones and released on a very early album (approx. 1972/73?).

I also forgot the name of the album, but someone else might know; other album tracks were Four Strong Winds, Peeler & The Goat, Biddy McGhee (spelling?) and The Boys From Wexford. It should still be on sale somewhere.

Stiofáin

---

04 Jul 01 - 08:37 AM (#498189)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: Stiofáin

Oops it should read I CANNOT PROVIDE. Sorry.

---

04 Jul 01 - 08:50 AM (#498196)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: ard mhacha

Derrymacash, I have within the archives, a Francie Brolly recording of " Up the Border" I think that is the name of the song. I think Brolly wrote this, its his type of song. Air sounds like "Ashdown Road" the rebel song. Slan Ard Macha.

---

04 Jul 01 - 09:56 AM (#498239)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: Aidan Crossey

Actually ... the song I was thinking of which shares an air with Basil Brooke was "The Bright Silvery Light Of The Moon".

And as I thought of it, a barely-remembered song popped into my head which I'd like some help with. See here

---

05 Jul 01 - 01:30 AM (#498717)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: Seamus Kennedy

Derrymacash is correct. The Tune is "By The Bright Silvery Light of The Moon." I believe I heard the McPeakes sing this one in St. Mary's Hall in Belfast quite a few years ago.

All the best.

Seamus

---

15 Oct 13 - 11:23 AM (#3567101)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: GUEST

did it not contain a verse like   far across in usa you no longer hear them say for president no papist need apply but in Belfast there is no hope for the man they call the pope up the border ect

---

13 Mar 16 - 09:32 AM (#3778501)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Basil Brooke
From: GUEST,Guest

Yes that verse about the Pope is definitely part of it.

I have been singing that line since about 1965.

---