To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=84692
6 messages

Lyr Req: Drift from the Land (Graeme Miles)

15 Sep 05 - 04:44 PM (#1564545)
Subject: Lyr Add: DRIFT FROM THE LAND (Graeme Miles)
From: GUEST,Shanty Kees

From the recording by Martin Wyndham-Read I have the following words for "Drift from the Land" by Graeme Miles. As English is not my native tongue I am not sure if these lyrics are correct and in the 3rd verse I don't know which name is used. I would appreciate it if anyone can check this for me. Thanks.

DRIFT FROM THE LAND – GRAEME MILES

All the young fellows have gone to the factories,
To learn a new trade making iron and steel,
When they pickup their wages they wonder how ever,
They managed on the money they made in the field.

And it's all the young fellows have gone to the city,
All the young fellows have gone to the town,
Where they'll be earning nearly double the money,
They'll ever earn at the harrow and plough.

Down in the valley the sound of a tractor,
Young Jimmy Dickinson sat at the wheel,
But this time next week he'll be in some hot foundry,
Pasting the iron or rolling the steel.

Well down in the hedgerow Billy ……. is working,
Laid off his sickle glints in the bright sun,
But in less than an hour he'll pack up his gear,
His last day of working the land will be done.

Well you can't blame young hands throwing the towel in,
They'll be much better of making iron and steel,
But the drift from the land it will always continue,
Till the money gets better for the man in the field.


16 Sep 05 - 07:11 PM (#1565155)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Drift from the Land - Graeme Miles
From: Commander Crabbe

Shanty Kees

Mostly right except for the following (If I remember correctly!)

Young Jimmy Dickinson sits at the wheel.

Casting the Iron or rolling the steel.

Well down in the hedgerow Billy Dowson is working.

The blade of his sickle glints in the bright sun.

Well you can't blame the young men for throwing the towel in.



Tis a good song


17 Sep 05 - 09:31 AM (#1565484)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Drift from the Land - Graeme Miles
From: GUEST,Shanty Kees

Commander Crabbe, thank you very much for your corrections. This really makes more sense. All the best.

Kees


11 May 20 - 09:23 PM (#4051894)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Drift from the Land (Graeme Miles)
From: Joe Offer

I heard this sung as the chorus - is that the usual way to sing it?

And it's all the young fellows have gone to the city,
All the young fellows have gone to the town,
Where they'll be earning nearly double the money,
They'll ever earn at the harrow and plough.


12 May 20 - 09:12 AM (#4052007)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Drift from the Land (Graeme Miles)
From: JHW

When I hear the song or indeed see it written I almost picture the slides of fields in Graeme and Robin Dale's slide and music show. Yes that verse 'all the young fellows' is sung as chorus.


15 May 20 - 09:22 AM (#4052598)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Drift from the Land (Graeme Miles)
From: GUEST,Kees

An excellent version of this song by Martyn Wyndham-Read you can find on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmQghGprIkU