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Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)

11 Aug 02 - 05:36 AM (#763295)
Subject: Looking for the lyrics to greek lightnin
From: GUEST,Terry Gildert (TGildert@aol.com)

I listened to Bob Fox at Warwick festival singing "Greek Lightening" and thought "I must find the words to that one" but I missed who it was by. I think Vin Garbut was mentioned. Can anyone help. Thanks Terry

11 Aug 02 - 06:56 AM (#763316)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for the lyrics to greek lightnin
From: GUEST,MCP

Jez Lowe I think.

Mick

11 Aug 02 - 07:01 AM (#763318)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for the lyrics to greek lightnin
From: GUEST,MCP

Yes it was Jez Lowe. Lyrics are available at: Greek Lightning

Mick

11 Aug 02 - 09:12 PM (#763601)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for the lyrics to greek lightnin
From: Charley Noble

One fine song for lovers.

Charley Noble

11 Aug 02 - 09:20 PM (#763608)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for the lyrics to greek lightnin
From: Nigel Parsons

And there was me thinking it was going to be a parody on "Greased Lightning" from "Grease"

Nigel

14 Aug 02 - 01:10 AM (#764947)
Subject: Lyr Add: GREEK LIGHTNING (Jez Lowe)
From: Jim Dixon

Lyrics copied from http://www.tantobie.com/LYRICS/DISCTWO/GREEKLIG.TXT

GREEK LIGHTNING
(Jez Lowe)

I promised to show you Greek lightning,
Oh and your heart it was easily won,
Away from the drinking and fighting,
With nights in the taverns and days in the sun,
We could leave drunken Saturday nights,
And them cold, damp Wednesday sign-ons,
And see new skies lit up with Greek lightning.

You promised to show me Greek lightning,
Oh and my heart it was easily won,
Your words had a way so exciting,
Just like they always do, I should've known,
But time staggered on and I watched as you fell,
Into booze, bloody bad temper and hell,
But you always just managed to win me with talk of Greek lightning,

And dreams let you down; they just let you down,
But they never leave you.

At the wettest of Durham Big Meetings,
Oh how your heart it is easily won,
I shouted for tunes by The Beatles,
Not that fat man from Athens they kept putting on,
But the beer got me singing to his serenade,
While you laughed all embarrassed in your lemonade,
And I told you that one day I'd light up your sky with Greek lightning.

Many big meetings and chances have happened,
Oh since my heart it was easily won,
My hopes have grown slim as you've fattened,
On six pints a night, 'til your dole-money's gone,
Then you weep drunkard's tears all over my hand,
Sometimes call me a cow, then you think I'm your mam,
And I watch you look up for that flash in the pan for Greek lightning.

So we always make do for a week and a day,
With the hot sands of Roker or Whitley Bay,
And look to that high Northern Sky for a flash of Greek lightning.

[Recorded by Jez Lowe with the Bad Pennies on "Bede Weeps," Fellside FECD94, 1993; and on "Live at the Davy Lamp," Tantobie CD #100, 2001.]

14 Aug 02 - 09:17 AM (#765079)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Looking for the lyrics to greek lightnin
From: Charley Noble

And what is "Greek Lightning"?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

23 Jul 09 - 01:37 AM (#2685746)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)
From: 2581

Why is this considered a coal mining song? Do the references to "big meetings" mean union meetings?

23 Jul 09 - 01:44 AM (#2685749)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)
From: Darlodave

It's obvious 2581 that you don't come from the North East of England. The big meeting refers to the yearly Durham Miners Gala, the 125th this year held in Durham. If you want a good day out this is one to experience. The song lyrics penned by Jez Lowe from the North East is about I imagine a miner and his promises to his wife of overseas holidays that never happen.

23 Jul 09 - 03:14 AM (#2685765)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)
From: Georgiansilver

Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies on Youtube.. singing Greek Lightening

24 Oct 09 - 09:45 AM (#2751652)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)
From: GUEST,2581

Thanks for the explanation, Darlodave. Yeah, I'm from the USA - Kentucky to be exact. Never been to Durham...

24 Oct 09 - 12:32 PM (#2751723)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)
From: Edthefolkie

2581, you must see Durham one day, it's a wonderful city. The cathedral is absolutely amazing - we were fortunate enough to attend our daughter's graduation ceremony there and everyone processed all the way down the nave to Bede's tomb and back. Only time in my life I've been gawped at by tourists!

The ironic thing about the Durham Miners' Gala (pronounced GAYLA) is that I don't think there are any pits left in Durham now.

Back to Greek Lightning - one definition is a cocktail. Shot glass, half and half Bacardi and bourbon, ice to taste. Wheeeeeee!

25 Oct 09 - 04:56 AM (#2752188)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Greek Lightning (Jez Lowe)
From: breezy

Shame the you tube picture quality is so poor, there is a visual aspect that only a live show can produce !

Jez is the latterday champion composer of songs reflecting life and times in the North East of England.

Every self respecting folk-singer will probably have at least one song of his in their repertoire, I would imagine.

A career spanning over 40 years and he has has remained true to his roots.

Deserves a gong for contribution to English folk culture

Get his 'Northern Echoes' at least