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Lyr ADD: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)

13 Aug 02 - 09:28 AM (#764359)
Subject: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: GUEST,Helen

I'm looking for the lyrics for 'I once was a fisherman' by Barry Dransfield. I know it's on his album 'Be Your Own Man'. Help would be appreciated. Helen

13 Aug 02 - 10:19 PM (#764890)
Subject: Lyr Add: I ONCE WAS A FISHERMAN (Barry Dransfield)
From: Stewie

Here you go:

I ONCE WAS A FISHERMAN
(Barry Dransfield)

There's gold in the channel when the sun lights the sea
But the boats are all pulled up and stranded like me
I once was a fisherman, now come ashore
'Cos they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus:
To the sea anymore,
No they won't let us go to sea anymore

In the old town of Hastings the people can see
Our sheds and our tackle – it puts them at ease
And we make a fine sight from above Rock-A-Nore
But they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus

And isn't it crazy, when we are so strong,
That we can't fight the bullies that are doing us wrong
But you can't fight the faceless, the ghosts of the law
And they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus

Now I have a son and he's nearly sixteen
A fishing family we always have been
And it fills me with sorrow that he'll stay ashore
'Cos they won't let us go to sea anymore

Chorus

Source: lyric sheet accompanying Barry Dransfield 'Be Your Own Man' Rhiannon RHYD5003 (1994). Copyright Rhiannon Music.

Dransfield's note: 'Restrictions on fishing are forcing people to give up this traditional living. I live in Hastings now and have seen this first hand, prompting me to write this song.

--Stewie.

14 Aug 02 - 09:43 AM (#765090)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: GUEST,Helen

Thanks Stewie, very quick response I must say!!! Helen

15 Aug 02 - 04:46 AM (#765676)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: Trevor

And I think he repeats the first verse at the end.

06 Jul 03 - 04:53 AM (#977670)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman, Barry Dransfield
From: wiggy

thank you for your help.

09 Jun 10 - 04:57 PM (#2924155)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfi
From: Janet Elizabeth

Barry Dransfield sings "I once was Fisherman" on the 2009 CD "Generosity" with profits going to Folk for MS (FfMS) - visit http://www.folkforms.org/generosity.html or buy your copy from Skippy, Kate, Pete or Denise.

18 Nov 10 - 11:26 PM (#3035637)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Joe Offer

Jon Boden chose this song for his A Folk Song a Day project for November 19. He sings the "And isn't it crazy" verse last.
Is there more to tell about the songwriter, and about the background story of this song?

-Joe-

19 Nov 10 - 02:37 AM (#3035704)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Herga Kitty

Joe - background info on Barry Dransfield on his website . As Stewie pointed out in his 13 August 02 post above, Barry was living in Hastings when he wrote "I once was a fisherman".

I've been lucky enough to see Barry when he was performing with Robin in the 1970s, and solo when we booked him at Herga in the 1990s.

Kitty

19 Nov 10 - 02:57 PM (#3036145)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Herga Kitty

And more, including a clip of Barry singing, here.

Johnny Collins sang the song frequently at Herga, because he liked it.

Kitty

17 Jun 11 - 03:27 PM (#3172024)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Sian H

And Joe, The background to the song is the ban on fishing which applied strict restrictions on the quota of fish (mainly cod) caught in British waters. It had a detrimental impact on fishermen here in Hastings. People may remember hearing of the 'Cod Wars'around the time the song was written.

03 Jul 11 - 06:09 AM (#3180606)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Ross Campbell

The "Cod Wars" were to do with Iceland's unilateral extension of its claims to the grounds on its surrounding continental shelf. The chance of a negotiated settlement to allow continued British fishing presence in those waters was thrown away by the arrogance and stupidity of the supposed diplomats involved.

The quota system which gave rise to this song and the effects it describes came much later, when overfishing by British and other fleets had virtually destroyed stocks in British waters.

Ross

09 Jan 14 - 07:13 AM (#3590328)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: breezy

I used to see Barry and Robin when I was in Leeds in the 60s

I met Robin a couple of years back in Padstow he was living in Cornwall, could it have been Liskeard ?

Any updates on either?

09 Jan 14 - 11:54 AM (#3590397)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: GUEST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMMr7YWUfng

09 Jan 14 - 12:54 PM (#3590426)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: GUEST,mandamad

10 Jan 14 - 05:45 AM (#3590598)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Leadfingers

Eddy Weeks

25 May 20 - 01:47 AM (#4054989)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: Joe Offer

refresh

14 Nov 21 - 08:02 PM (#4126192)
Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: I Once Was a Fisherman (Barry Dransfield)
From: GUEST,Al Henneberry

Does anyone have the chords for this song?