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Follow me 'ome

10 Jun 02 - 12:03 PM (#726992)
Subject: Follow me 'ome Kipling/Bellamy
From: Trevor

I've been trying to work out what 'finish up your swipes...' means.

Any ideas?

10 Jun 02 - 12:25 PM (#727024)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: nutty

'Swipes' I understand, was a name for a type of ale/beer that was issued to soldiers. No doubt others will be able to fill in the details.

10 Jun 02 - 04:02 PM (#727111)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: McGrath of Harlow

Hee's a link to the words, for anyone reading the thread who hasn't come across the song.

10 Jun 02 - 04:44 PM (#727133)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: GUEST

Now that we're on this subject -- I can imagine buddies getting into fights, but why about a dog?

10 Jun 02 - 05:33 PM (#727151)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: Herga Kitty

I have a suspicion that swipes wasn't the best beer, but also that if you drink enough you can fight about anything, including a dog.

McGrath - I tried your link and it didn't work for me...

Kitty

10 Jun 02 - 05:36 PM (#727152)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: nutty

This site gives more info on "swipes"

CLICK

10 Jun 02 - 05:38 PM (#727156)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: The Walrus

IIRC "Swipes" is an insulting reference to cheap beer, I seem to remember reading that it's the stuff that's returned to the brewery (for whatever purpose the brewer used it) as being unsaleable (spillages, brew gone off etc.), the inference being that the wet canteen would sell the otherwise unsellable (see also the veiled reference in "The Sergeant's Wedding"). So "Finish up your swipes" = "Finish your drinks".

Why fight about a dog? Why not? Who owns a local champion ratter/racer/courser? Who owned the mutt that chewed a trouser leg/parade polished boot/ peed in a bed space? All causes for a swung puch when the owner of said trousers/boot/bed space stands to suffer CB & loss of pay for it.

Walrus

10 Jun 02 - 05:44 PM (#727162)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: Noreen

Here's a link to the words

10 Jun 02 - 06:16 PM (#727190)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: Noreen

If it's not already posted on the forum /DT anywhere, I think the lyrics should be included here.

11 Jun 02 - 09:34 AM (#727495)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: Trevor

Thanks all. I heard this being sung at Upton and was pointed in the right direction for the words by Snuffy. I also found the Peter Bellamy track and was knocked out by it. I know that if I ever get around to singing it somebody's bound to ask - so now I know, don't I!

Cheers.

11 Jun 02 - 09:43 AM (#727503)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: MMario

if anyone could post/send me the tune then I will submit.

11 Jun 02 - 09:46 AM (#727505)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: MMario

lyrics from Noreen's link:

FOLLOW ME' OME
(Lyrics: Rudyard Kipling/ Arrang.: Peter Bellamy)

There was no one like 'im, 'Orse or Foot,
Nor any o' the Guns I knew;
An' because it was so, why, o' course 'e went an' died,
Which is just what the best men do.


So it's knock out your pipes an' follow me!
An' it's finish up your swipes an' follow me!
Oh, 'ark to the big drum callin',
Follow me -- follow me 'ome!


'Is mare she neighs the 'ole day long,
She paws the 'ole night through,
An' she won't take 'er feed 'cause o' waitin' for 'is step,
Which is just what a beast would do.


'Is girl she goes with a bombardier
Before 'er month is through;
An' the banns are up in church, for she's got the beggar
hooked,
Which is just what a girl would do.


We fought 'bout a dog -- last week it were --
No more than a round or two;
But I strook 'im cruel 'ard, an' I wish I 'adn't now,
Which is just what a man can't do.


'E was all that I 'ad in the way of a friend,
An' I've 'ad to find one new;
But I'd give my pay an' stripe for to get the beggar back,
Which it's just too late to do.


So it's knock out your pipes an' follow me!
An' it's finish off your swipes an' follow me!
Oh, 'ark to the fifes a-crawlin'!
Follow me -- follow me 'ome!


Take 'im away! 'E's gone where the best men go.
Take 'im away! An' the gun-wheels turnin' slow.
Take 'im away! There's more from the place 'e come.
Take 'im away, with the limber an' the drum.


For it's "Three rounds blank" an' follow me,
An' it's "Thirteen rank" an' follow me;
Oh, passin' the love o' women,
Follow me -- follow me 'ome!

11 Jun 02 - 11:37 AM (#727579)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: breezy

Cockersdale's 'been around for years' c.d. from fellside, then you'll get the tune proper.

11 Jun 02 - 11:45 AM (#727586)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: GUEST,MCP. Tune Add

Tune as requested:

Mick

FOLLOW ME 'OME
(Kipling/Bellamy)


There was no one like 'im, 'Orse or Foot,
Nor an-y o' the Guns I knew;
An' be-cause it was so, why, o' course 'e went an' died,
Which is just what the best men do.

Chorus:
So it's knock out your pipes an' fol-low me!
An' it's fi-nish up your swipes an' fol-low me!
Oh, 'ark to the big drum call-in',
Fol-low me -- fol-low me 'ome!


Take 'im a-way! 'E's gone where the best men go.
Take 'im a-way! An' the gun-wheels turn-in' slow.
Take 'im a-way! There's more from the place 'e come.
Take 'im a-way, with the limb-er an' the drum.



X: 1
T:Follow Me 'Ome
M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=105
C:Kipling/Bellamy
P:ABABABABABCB
K:G
P:A
G>A|B2 (B>A) G2 E2|D2 (E>F) G3
A|B>BB>A G2 D2|A6
c>c|B2 B>A G2 G>F|E>DC>E D2
B,>C|D2 G>B c2 F2|G6||
P:B
F>G|A4 A3 B|A>GF>G A2
A>A|A3 B A3 B|A>GF>E D2
c2|B2 B>A G2 D2|E4 D2
G>A|B6 (3ABA|G6||
P:C
Q:1/4=95
z2|
B B2 A G3 E|D2 D>E D2 B,2|D8|
B B2 A G3 E/E/|D2 D2 G2 B2|(A4 c4)|
B B2 A G3 D|E2 E>F G2 E2|D8|
D A2 A A3 A/A/|A2 G2 B2 A2|G4 ||

11 Jun 02 - 12:16 PM (#727610)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: MMario

sent to Joe Offer! Mick - if I haven't mentioned it recently - thanks for hanging aroung the 'cat!

11 Jun 02 - 05:40 PM (#727882)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: The Walrus

OK, I sing this rarely, and then only with friends (I'm not one of nature's "performers"), but I've found it effective to sing the verse "Take 'im away..." to the tune of "The Dead March", breaking back to the regular tune at a quick march pace for the final chorus. Just a suggestion.

Walrus

11 Jun 02 - 07:58 PM (#727983)
Subject: RE: Follow me 'ome
From: Wotcha

Come down to the Royal Mile Pub chantey sings in Wheaton, MD: one of our regulars has started to belt it out ...
Cheers,
Brian