Tuesday 30 November 2010
John Earlybird
John Earlybird see how the grasses have grown
The meadow lies fallow like never was mown
The teasle and dock flourish wild at the wall
in the sunshine at dawn when the shadows stand tall.
The plough and the harrow are rusted and brown
where the steel once shone bright as the grain was once sown
No barley will roll like the waves on the sea
The scythes lay unwhetted The Clydesdales graze free.
John Earlybird watch at the crook of the lane
to see me return when the autumn leaves flame
Yet the road stands deserted save for the grey fog
As you walk home alone with your gun and your dog.
Our paths now have parted no more will we stray
Throught mornings reflections as stars fade away
As sun burns pastel mist from the fringe of the night
I am led to a forest of green dappled light.
John Earlybird Take up the plough and the rake
return to the garden that I must forsake.
let the warmth of the sunlight remind you of me
Like the wandering greylags my spirit flies free.©
Composed by MPL.
The meadow lies fallow like never was mown
The teasle and dock flourish wild at the wall
in the sunshine at dawn when the shadows stand tall.
The plough and the harrow are rusted and brown
where the steel once shone bright as the grain was once sown
No barley will roll like the waves on the sea
The scythes lay unwhetted The Clydesdales graze free.
John Earlybird watch at the crook of the lane
to see me return when the autumn leaves flame
Yet the road stands deserted save for the grey fog
As you walk home alone with your gun and your dog.
Our paths now have parted no more will we stray
Throught mornings reflections as stars fade away
As sun burns pastel mist from the fringe of the night
I am led to a forest of green dappled light.
John Earlybird Take up the plough and the rake
return to the garden that I must forsake.
let the warmth of the sunlight remind you of me
Like the wandering greylags my spirit flies free.©
Composed by MPL.
Monday 29 November 2010
Sunday 28 November 2010
Thursday 25 November 2010
Tuesday 23 November 2010
The days of the duck
As I wandered down Rayrig one new years day morning To see the low sun on the the Langdales high flanks
I was called from the road by a brown coated traveller Twas the Cravendale Parson fat Jack from West banks.
From Crosshills by Steeton By toll roads and bridleways roamed the bold Parson with ferns in his boots.
His shiny red countenance told of the weather With wind batterd cheeks and a head like a coots
Wilt tha walk along wi me he asked in good humour , to view the broad lake from the top of yon hill?
Well head to Cocks corner and wait for some companyThen seek some fortune and go where we will.
We sat in the bracken and looked over Lowwood and saw the white swans as the flew down the mere,
The grebe and the mallard went ducking and dabbling whilst down in the coppices browsed the dun deer.
We came to Cocks corner the cross in the toll road and sat and considered the which way to take,
up to high Kirkston to hear the bold preacher or Down into Ecclerigg shore by the lake.
As we sat debating along hie'd two characters Benjamin Buckmaster bearded and bright ,
in a weskit of satin in multiple colours and britches of leather as black as the night.
Donald the woodcutter his brave companion was dressed up in moleskin the rustic's attire,
He carried a billhook thrust into his belt And now where st tha bound off to they both did inquire.
We follow the road in the quest for good fortune on this new years day at the start of the year,
And the way that things go when good friends come together would seem to suggest that we call for some beer!
The Parson produced a fat purse made of leather which jingled with coin as the fat rascal spoke,
Tis my last collection from all the sad sinners absolving their guilt with the purse and the poke.
Now what better reason to satisfy treason with this guilty money from letchers and rogues,
And so to my thinking well pray while were drinking and heaven will smile on us yet I suppose.
Amen to that said bold Benjamin piously bowing his head and removing his hat,
Amen cried good Donald ,Hosanna I shouted The Parson concluded well that settles that!
So with coin and good humour we took to the bridleway, houses were shuttered below and above,
Sez Ben Ive the thirst o yon Methodist preacher me tongue it resembles a cowdrovers glove!
Sez,I have recollection of last years collection of hunters and topers all trying their luck
at an inn up at Barngates by humouous incident comes to be known as the old Drunken Duck.
So we quickened our pace and headed to Skelwith crossed over the brig and climbed up past the spout
as we came to Bull close apprehended the clamour of drinkers and revelers in a fine rout
A bonfire was roaring and smoke it was pouring and people were singing the songs of the day
The Parson hacked up with four tankards of ale now remember my friends we must drink while we pray!!
We sent invocations to heaven in plenty they rose with the smoke and the songs and the cheer
The angels smiled down on our own bit of heaven Benedictions did flow till we ran out of beer.
The new year was young but the evening grew older on this the first day at the dawn of the year.
As we wended our way to find somewhere to slumber in hayloft or byre with the cows for warm cheer!©mike locke
I was called from the road by a brown coated traveller Twas the Cravendale Parson fat Jack from West banks.
From Crosshills by Steeton By toll roads and bridleways roamed the bold Parson with ferns in his boots.
His shiny red countenance told of the weather With wind batterd cheeks and a head like a coots
Wilt tha walk along wi me he asked in good humour , to view the broad lake from the top of yon hill?
Well head to Cocks corner and wait for some companyThen seek some fortune and go where we will.
We sat in the bracken and looked over Lowwood and saw the white swans as the flew down the mere,
The grebe and the mallard went ducking and dabbling whilst down in the coppices browsed the dun deer.
We came to Cocks corner the cross in the toll road and sat and considered the which way to take,
up to high Kirkston to hear the bold preacher or Down into Ecclerigg shore by the lake.
As we sat debating along hie'd two characters Benjamin Buckmaster bearded and bright ,
in a weskit of satin in multiple colours and britches of leather as black as the night.
Donald the woodcutter his brave companion was dressed up in moleskin the rustic's attire,
He carried a billhook thrust into his belt And now where st tha bound off to they both did inquire.
We follow the road in the quest for good fortune on this new years day at the start of the year,
And the way that things go when good friends come together would seem to suggest that we call for some beer!
The Parson produced a fat purse made of leather which jingled with coin as the fat rascal spoke,
Tis my last collection from all the sad sinners absolving their guilt with the purse and the poke.
Now what better reason to satisfy treason with this guilty money from letchers and rogues,
And so to my thinking well pray while were drinking and heaven will smile on us yet I suppose.
Amen to that said bold Benjamin piously bowing his head and removing his hat,
Amen cried good Donald ,Hosanna I shouted The Parson concluded well that settles that!
So with coin and good humour we took to the bridleway, houses were shuttered below and above,
Sez Ben Ive the thirst o yon Methodist preacher me tongue it resembles a cowdrovers glove!
Sez,I have recollection of last years collection of hunters and topers all trying their luck
at an inn up at Barngates by humouous incident comes to be known as the old Drunken Duck.
So we quickened our pace and headed to Skelwith crossed over the brig and climbed up past the spout
as we came to Bull close apprehended the clamour of drinkers and revelers in a fine rout
A bonfire was roaring and smoke it was pouring and people were singing the songs of the day
The Parson hacked up with four tankards of ale now remember my friends we must drink while we pray!!
We sent invocations to heaven in plenty they rose with the smoke and the songs and the cheer
The angels smiled down on our own bit of heaven Benedictions did flow till we ran out of beer.
The new year was young but the evening grew older on this the first day at the dawn of the year.
As we wended our way to find somewhere to slumber in hayloft or byre with the cows for warm cheer!©mike locke
Sunday 21 November 2010
Ukelele dreams! George Harrison kept a uke in every room (Alegedly) in case he was taken by the inspiration to compose another tune
Heres Jake--He would have made Old George Formby look twice??
Friday 19 November 2010
Saturday 13 November 2010
Friday 12 November 2010
Thursday 11 November 2010
Tenor banjo anybody?
Gerry O'Connor--"The lads of bluehill" Also heard it called The lads of the green hill"
Whatever ---A fine rendition!!!
Whatever ---A fine rendition!!!
In the "Trawler"
The Trawler was an old pub even then --Then being 1964, The fixtures and fittings were robust out of necessity as it was subjected to vigourous treatment and the facilities were haphazard!
The bar accepted all known currencies as it was a thriving dockland environment and all nationalities passed through the ever open doors.
There were a few good "Waterholes" along the dock road with names that put todays attempts at quirkyness in the shade . There was the "Bramley moore" "Oily joes" "Dominic Reagans" "The Baltic fleet" "The seven steps" and "Fat Annies" To name but a few! All busy and all affordable. A pint was about 2/6--12.5 P
A visit to the toilet in the Trawler could be a chancy business as the flushing pipe from the overhead cistern was truncated halfway down and the water spurted out over the line of relieved patrons "Presenting arms" at the grimy slate. It was considered to be a fine prank to give the lever a tug as you departed to set the flushing mechanism in motion and sprint through the crowded bar pursued by several soaking sailors hell bent on revenge!!
The music was random and the cachophony was woeful until all the players latched on to the same tune and then the party started in earnest. I can honestly say that I have never heard anything so spontaneously good before or since even allowing for the rosy glow that time tends to impart!.
This sort of informal and impromptu session was not uncommon and players and singers from all walks of life were united in the commonallity of the event and the rich spirit of the musical comunity.
The bar accepted all known currencies as it was a thriving dockland environment and all nationalities passed through the ever open doors.
There were a few good "Waterholes" along the dock road with names that put todays attempts at quirkyness in the shade . There was the "Bramley moore" "Oily joes" "Dominic Reagans" "The Baltic fleet" "The seven steps" and "Fat Annies" To name but a few! All busy and all affordable. A pint was about 2/6--12.5 P
A visit to the toilet in the Trawler could be a chancy business as the flushing pipe from the overhead cistern was truncated halfway down and the water spurted out over the line of relieved patrons "Presenting arms" at the grimy slate. It was considered to be a fine prank to give the lever a tug as you departed to set the flushing mechanism in motion and sprint through the crowded bar pursued by several soaking sailors hell bent on revenge!!
The music was random and the cachophony was woeful until all the players latched on to the same tune and then the party started in earnest. I can honestly say that I have never heard anything so spontaneously good before or since even allowing for the rosy glow that time tends to impart!.
This sort of informal and impromptu session was not uncommon and players and singers from all walks of life were united in the commonallity of the event and the rich spirit of the musical comunity.
John Martyn! Great artist. really good stuff especially with Danny Thompson. RIP John
Evocative tunes from the 60/70 era that still make me ---Lift the lid and listen!!
Dubliners!
The first Irish band I heard --The Dubliners!--with the original line up with Bobby lynch . Luke was still guesting for them a bit like Tommy Makem and the Clancy's The other band to come roaring out of Erins green sod! The late Ronnie Drews corncrake vocals were superb and Lukes balladeering power vocals were a superb counter! --I heard some of Barneys tenor banjo reels and jigs and that was it--Hooked! I bought "Finnegan wakes" Recorded at the gate theatre Dublin and played it over again--By this time I was boring all my friends to death with this exciting 'new' music and a few of them liked it and came along for the ride!! We learned "Chief O'niells favourite" The first hornpipe in O'Neills tunes--We played it to death.
We took up residence in the "Court house" pub in Commutation Row at the bottom of London road. the pub was run by Danny English who was a well known Liverpool landlord . His son Jimmy hosted a singers night on Saturday night and A host of Characters from Gerrards crescent nearby contributied to the raffish atmosphere! The Liverpool "Writers" of the day came to call frequently and Frank Shaw the
author of "Lern yerself scouse" used to come along with Glyn Hughes Who wrote "Whiskey on a Sunday"
We took up residence in the "Court house" pub in Commutation Row at the bottom of London road. the pub was run by Danny English who was a well known Liverpool landlord . His son Jimmy hosted a singers night on Saturday night and A host of Characters from Gerrards crescent nearby contributied to the raffish atmosphere! The Liverpool "Writers" of the day came to call frequently and Frank Shaw the
author of "Lern yerself scouse" used to come along with Glyn Hughes Who wrote "Whiskey on a Sunday"
History
I started playing in 1963 when I was a member of Edge hill BR. Band, Flugel horn!-- Fine instrument but I always wanted to play strings!-- No cash and no idea No instrument!! I bought a bowl back mandolin from an old Kitchen porter for £2 It was by "Fratelli Hasserman " Napoli. Re strings done at Frank Hessy in Liverpool!
The ghosts of the Beatles were still lurking in the area!!! I just wanted to play folk!-- The late great Jim Gretty re strung it for me for 12/6!!--62.5P Ha!! The times they were a changin And I dicovered the "Green Moose" coffee bar. Bohemian and fascinating peopled by the Liverpool folk set and I was overawed!! I was working in the city centre as a chef in a department store and when the shop shut I used to go and sit in the ruins of the Albert dock and wait for the crowd to start filling "Dominic Reagans"--The Trawler Public house opposite the dock --What a night!! What a din!! What fun!!
The ghosts of the Beatles were still lurking in the area!!! I just wanted to play folk!-- The late great Jim Gretty re strung it for me for 12/6!!--62.5P Ha!! The times they were a changin And I dicovered the "Green Moose" coffee bar. Bohemian and fascinating peopled by the Liverpool folk set and I was overawed!! I was working in the city centre as a chef in a department store and when the shop shut I used to go and sit in the ruins of the Albert dock and wait for the crowd to start filling "Dominic Reagans"--The Trawler Public house opposite the dock --What a night!! What a din!! What fun!!
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