Happy new year!!

2013 is coming to a close and another new year begins in this calendar! All the best to my friends and the good people of the traditional music community ! The shanty singers and the balladeers who have given me so much pleasure down the years .
I am looking forward to the next dates in 2014 starting with The Belvedere on the 02 and the Baltic on the 04 , A flying start methinks!!
Easter weekend heralds the Ellesmere port Shanty festival (Not to be missed) and another gathering of musicians and storytellers in Dent in March , the date yet to be confirmed , but Mick at Conder farm is prepping up for a beer tent again , the last one was flattened by some interesting weather systems!! Oh well , thats Dent for ya!! Diddnt stop us from having a great time and producing some top class music!!

Peter Coyle Hijacked/Christmas In Liverpool | Music | Liverpool Confidential

Peter Coyle Hijacked/Christmas In Liverpool | Music | Liverpool Confidential

First Saturday at the Baltic fleet coming up people! The last session was another cracker and the musicians and players are begining to queue to perform! The place is getting full and the atmosphere is great.
Trim rig and a Doxy the resident band and the Liverpool shanty crew have the "Baltic" as their "Mothership"
Liverpool is the home of the Sea Shanty and there is an international interest developing with guest shanty singers from the "Low Countries" visiting and giving us the delights of their great vocal skills.
Watch this space for the next guest performances.

The Belvedere singers and tunes session is a great afternoon session and Kelly has started lighting the log fire in the snug where we meet!
This is a traditional Victorian delight of a "Pub" in the truest sense of the word , No ersatz fittings or dusty hops hanging off the walls Just the original fittings and atmosphere.
This is the home of Liverpool Gin and a vast gin Menu exists for our pleasure expertly served and presented with Juniper berries and lemon!! This and an afternoon of traditional music is great!! Come along  give us a song and have a huge pork pie for lunch??

Barrets privateers By the legendary Stan Rogers.

Liverpool history and the notable ships , Here's a sea song about the controversial ship "Enrica" that became the Alabama down in the Azores.

Kevin Dempsey and Robbie Sherratt - Going Down To Georgia & The Mason's ...

Alistair Anderson, Richard Thompson & Kathryn Tickell

Slieve Gallion braes by Tommy Makem.

I was reminded of this by the singing of Kevin McDermott Visiting the Belvedere singers club in Liverpool.
Thanks Kevin and thanks Tommy. RIP. I remember chatting to him in "Ma Egertons" in Pudsey St. Liverpool in th late 60's , A nice Man and a great singer!!

At the Maritime museum in the Albert Dock in Liverpool , "Trim rig and a Doxy" entertain!

Liverpool shanty crew and a whole lot more.

Liverpool maritime museum at the Albert dock hosts a weekend of shanty singing on the 5&6 of October.
On Saturday the 5th there will be a feast of songs to keep our rich maritime tradition alive and well , these songs of chants and replies were sung to keep a rhythm for the sailors working on sails and ropes to keep in time to and were essential to the smooth running of a sailing boat .
Now then. If you sail across to the "Baltic Fleet" in Wapping (Just opposite the Wapping dock) there will be a great shanty session hosted by "Trim rig and a Doxy" with the "Liverpool shanty crew" and other outfits to entertain. The prizewinning beer is brewed on the premises and is renowned for getting in your mouth!!!http://www.balticfleetpubliverpool.com/

Shanty UK. Check out this site for a feast of maritime music and links!

http://www.shanty.co.uk/

Here's a link to some interesting stuff for all you shantymen out there which was sent to me by my fellow bandmember Sean. --Enjoy!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-23035692

http://www.sea-cadets.org/liverpoolcity/home.aspx

http://www.liverpoolnavalclub.co.uk/

Belvedere Session John Routledge on the Northumbrian pipes Mike Locke on the octave mandolin. 19 Sept.

The voyage of the Western Rose

We heard the gun sound one o clock

the gulls flew from the shore

we rolled across the harbour bar

and sailed for Baltimore

the days were fair the seas were calm

we made good speed to West

 we scanned the seas for privateers

so we could never rest

*

Our lookout on the masthead stood

and called to us below

I fear I spy a pirate barque

Black colours does it show.

They put a shot across our bows

they ordered us to stand

surrender now your ship to me 

 you'll never more see  land

*

Our captain cried stand fast me lads

make ready for the fray

we'll win the day and take the prize

 to fair Americay.

were armed and strong we know no fear

we've taken ships before

so sharpen up your cutlasses

the sea will roll with gore

*

We fired our big guns first

 and saw the chainshot rake their decks

the screaming of the wounded

made the hair rise on our necks.

they fired next and carnage wrought

among our steady crew

 the seas rocked floating corpses

of the sailors that they slew.

*

Then hand to hand the battle raged

with pistol knife and sword

till our bosun slit their captains throat

and threw him overboard

we took the crew at musket point

and made their barque secure

we worked them with a longtail lash

right down to  Baltimore.

*

The pirate crew were took in irons

their barque as booty sold

we shared the prize so dearly won

in bags of Yankee gold

we rigged the ship and bent on sails

and slipped our ropes at dawn

and shipping oil and indigo

set off around cape horn.

*

In battles fray our brave lads killed

will rock in Neptunes arms

and with the seabirds follow us

to save us all from harm

the spirits of our comrades slain

will ever watch their ship

through hells hot fire and battle grim

until the final trip.

*

We rolled her home to Liverpool

with baccy rum and sugar

and back to shore we rowed ourselves

in Brasser Murphys lugger

the bonny girls came down in flocks

both doxy tart and whore

 they'll get a little Yankee gold

till its off to sea once more.

©mike locke.

A year in the dales , As I remember the routines and work and now understand them better , the dialect was rich curious and laden with the remnants of old Norse

When 't suns up bright 'a cares 'f nowt else.
Things that diverted me in 't cowd days o winter
are nobbut a dark shadda now.
Blossoms hum wi a choir o bees
chickens lay ruddy eggs agin.

See 't fust candlestick flowers ont owd chestnut
and travellers pluck catkins of pussy willow
and tie em in bunches t' sell 'f luck 't t gulls
on  doorsteps o some far smokey town.

Grease 't grindstone pivot and mak ready 'f time o plenty
lambs are out and lil fishes come up fra deep pools
Gittin fat on skimming flees on the peaty beck water
 turnin silver bellies as they roll 'n slither back.

Kine graze low in 't pasture agin
fleshing their coat rack winter bones wi pullin at 't new grass
and fillin wi cream rich milk
't owd silage smells sweet mulching new strawberry rows and spring chicks scrat in t garden f't  fust slugs.

Arm thick rhubarb stalks wave green umberella leaves in 't breeze
 damsons peep out from the browning blossoms
pink wary chaffinches pull beaks of dry moss 't line the cuplike cozy nest
Wagtails scuttle int gill after larvae /t feed twittering grumpy looking beaks.

Shippon stands daylight dark and empty
and swallows nests cling high in t dark cobweb corners
awaiting t first returning birds twittering fra ower 't sea
as they skim widdershins ower 't pools roun' irises 'n rushes.

Wild strawberries feed the bustling ouzel
and 't chicks get fat in 't nest under 't waterfall
hidden fra feist 'n fox behind 't wet curtain o 't crashing gill
as it runs pourin ower 't slippery mossy rocks into 'th hungry beck

Hot sun beams down on 't flower drippin meadows
 sharp singin' scythes flash as they sweep swathes of lush grass
 heavy with the sweet smell of green as it dries 'n browns in long rows
Quivverin osses flick long tails at t clegs
as they stand waitin' to pull full sleds away.

Hogs get fatter in 't sty and root in the paddocks dark mud
Sow lies still while pink grubby piglets squabble and squeal
fighting for 't best juicyest tit 'ft suck warm rich milk
Hams and bacon in plenty soon hanging fra beams
Goin amber 'n dryin in 't dark tarry walled smokehouse

Waste no time as the dark days are coming too soon
Lay in dry logs and fill 't buttery wi cheeses and rhubarb jam
ta store the  rays of the summer sun 't see us through dark winter days knowing that as the days grow longer
the rich bounty will return and feed us another year.

.

Baltic Bash!!

The "First Saturday" Provided us with some great music again with players and singers from around the area (And some from further) contributing to a another night to remember with "Trimrig and a Doxy" hosting and Julia running the floor . Nick Caffrey ad Ed Mc Gurk gave us two delightful sets , Bernie Davies did four songs and the "Liverpool shanty crew" did two sets in their "Mother ship" , Yesterdays men , Harry and Arthur were in great form and of course Derek and Julia , hosting , did some great sets! Matthew Edwards was in and Jack Coutts led a couple of fine shanties as only he can! The "Liverpool shanty kings" did  a set before moving on to their next venue and I look forward to their return next month.
 There were some fine young floor singers this time and it was great to have their excellent contributions and I hope they enjoyed the atmosphere and music enough to return and sing again next month.
Look out for the 19th October when a "pop up" session pays tribute to Liverpool's Irish links at the end of the Irish culture week with a night of jigs reels and hornpipes (singing and dancing too) ! Don't miss this one!!!

The scything boys.

Down from the high moors we return every year
the rake and the pitchfork the tools of our trade
We live off the land and sleep under the sky
not knowing the morn where to sleep we may lie
On hilltop or green woodland glade.
*
We travel by stars and we work by the day
to help in the hayfields to bring in the crop
paid with fell farmers money hard earned and hard parted
the years seasons cycles nere ending once started
ere the warm summer rain starts to drop.
*
The rich flowery crop yields in swathes to our scythes
as we sweep a fast arc laying low the sweet grass
the summer sun browns the long rows that we turn
our long wooden rakes comb the sedges and fern
We watch the dark clouds  as they pass.
*
The horses lead sleds with their trembling stacks
to  the fieldbarns dark window high in the stone  wall
The pitchforks bright tines toss the clumps of sweet hay
 the sun blazes down at the height of the day
as the raven croaks out his harsh call
*
The scampering children up tramping the moo
like dust powdered urchins will tumble and play
then  home to their beds with a bread crust or two
with their ears full of dust and their hair full of hay
While we gather our pitchforks to go.
*
Whilst we wait in a line for to sign for our pay
The farmer stands watching with long leather purse
a florin a drink and a basket of food
A couple of rabbits we shot in the wood
then away for to find work the new day

©mpl

 

With thanks to Matthew Edwards 

Add caption

Trimrig and a Doxy! AKA Derek and Julia Batters.   Just before we struck the rocks!!! and the Liverpool shanty crew !!!

Some of the singers and players in the Baltic Fleet in full flight!

Ellesmere port boat museum.

Visited this fine facility yesterday to sing with with the rest of the lads from "Liverpool shanty crew" A new and fresh traditional sea shanty group with songs celebrating Liverpool's rich shanty tradition with a repertoire of songs old and newer , some of the old faves as you would expect and some less well known but equally rousing with great 'join in' choruses .
This is the venue for the springtime "Shanty festival" organised by Julia and Derek Batters of "Trim rig and a Doxy" . This is a development of the old Lancaster shanty festival set in the lovely surroundings of the Ship museum on the banks of the Mersey overlooking the Manchester ship canal  http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum
Go and check it out!

The life of the liverpool sailor.

17/03/2013 LIFE OF THE LIVERPOOL SAILOR.

ITS TEN LONG YEARS SINCE I LEFT THE SEA
IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY
SO UNTIL OLD NEPTUNE CALLS ME HOME
MY SQUEEZEBOX I WILL PLAY. CH.

IVE STOOD THE MIDDLE WATCH AND SAW
THE GREEN FIRE AT OUR BOWS
IVE STEERED BY THE STARS BOTH SWIFT AND SURE
RIGHT DOWN TO THE AZORES
IVE WATCHED THE DOLPHINS LEAD US ON
AND MAKE THEM FISHES FLY
AND SCATTER ON OUR QUARTER DECK
 LIKE MANNA FROM THE SKY.

SOME NIGHTS I CUT ME SCRIMSHAW WORK
ON THE NARWALS SHINING HORN
SOMETIMES I WORKED ME SPANISH BLADE
RIGHT TO THE CRACK OF DAWN
THEN LIT THE BOILER MADE THE GRUEL
AND FED THE HUNGRY CREW
WITH TASTY WANGS OF SALTY HAM
AND BOWLS OF HOT BURGOUT

I SAILED ALONG DAHOMEYS COAST
AND TIED UP TO A TREE
AND HUNTED FOR THE GAVIAL
WITH MUD UP TO ME KNEE
THE FEVERS TOOK A LOT OF TARS
THEY DIED OF YELLOWJACK
SO WE TOOK ABOARD THE NATIVE LADS
TO HELP US SAIL HER BACK

IVE CRACKED ALONG AT 40 KNOTS
ON SLEEK AND SPEEDY CLIPPERS
IVE HAULED IN CAPECOD LOBSTER POTS
 AND WORKED FOR BUMBOAT SKIPPERS
IVE FROZE ON GREENLAND WHALING BOATS
AND SAILED AROUND THE HORN
WHERE I SAW THE FLASHING TOUGUES OF FLAME
LIGHT UP THE GLOWING DAWN

WELL NOW IM OLD AND MY BEARD IS WHITE
WHERE ONCE WAS BLACK BEFORE
 I WATCH THE STEAMERS STANDING OUT
FROM THE PERCH ROCK AT THE SHORE
 I TAKE ME STICK AND WANDER HOME
AND CLOSE ME COTTAGE DOOR
THEN POUR A RUM AND WISH THAT I
 COULD GO TO SEA ONCE MORE . ©mike locke

Dentdale music and beer festival.

Started in the Sun Inn on Wednesday night  arriving before the crowds. the session in progress was the best of the weekend with some excellent players and singers with instrumentalists and vocalists complimenting each other and adding to the atmosphere as a good folk session should be!!!!!.
 My own best tune of the evening was "The Dimming of the day" by RT. sung and delightfully delivered by Mary , the fiddling and squeezebox work was great and Kens mandola playing cool and mellow.
The pub became a lot busier over the following days but the sessions continued in both the pubs and the artists from the program were joining in with gusto .
A great time and the weather was not too bad . A bit of rain and a bit of very hot sun . The worst bit was the midges that decended in droves to reduce the blood count of all and sundry with ruthless efficiency and starting the "Scratchfest" . The air was heavy with citronella and Autan spray which seems to attract them like a pheromone !!! Amazingly I seem to be unattractive to them now and I was largely unscathed , unlike in the past when I have emerged covered in lumps and hives and things .
 I heard that the Elephant man was prepared to pay to see me at one point!!--------- Every cloud Eh???

Add caption

Love history

Heres a link to a Liverpool history outfit with a difference.

http://lovehistory.co.uk/

Breakfast time in the folk world! No porridge for me thanks.

Heres the "Full English"
http://www.vwml.org.uk/browse/browse-collections-full-english

Fantastic resource and its free!!!

Kathleen and May , Tall ships in the Mersey.

Thanks to Derek and Julia Batters (Trim rig and a Doxy) for the opportunity to sing shanties on the Good ship Kathleen and May in the company of Hughie Jones late of the Spinners John Coleman and Pete Hoskin of "Nine tenths below" We sailed out of Canning half tide dock and off up the Mersey to make a film about the role of shanties in the daily work of running a sailing ship . We were cheered off by the happy crowd lining the dockside and Hartley bridge as we sang "The leaving of Liverpool" and set off up the Mersey
A great ship and a great crew who showed us pretend sailors "The Ropes" in the most literal sense !! We worked hard hoisting sails an weighing the anchor and singing shanty choruses while Hughie called the verses . We were joined by Ade Edmonson who was making an episode of his series "Ade at sea" who joined in the hauling and singing with gusto!!
We were shown the finest hospitality by Cindy , the ships agent , and the Skipper ran it like a homebound tea clipper!!
A memorable day with good company , good food and the opportunity to sing shanties! Cant beat that!!

L to R Derek . Pete . John.

Hughie Jones L. Ade Edmonson R.

L to R. Mike. Derek. Pete.

My heart will go on!!

Pete and Derek.

Mike learning the ropes from  Graham (A real sailor) :)

Shanty UK.

Heres a link to a great organisation promoting the tradition of maritime music with a big song resource and festival information.
 More from "Trimrig and a Doxy" on the first Saturday (Except July 2013 when it is the second Saturday) of each month!
 A great night with great music , singing and good beer , What more diversion could anybody desire??

http://shanty.org.uk/home.html

Banjo time again!

My search for a nice tenor has been rewarded! I found a nice little example on Saturday .
Now to get back into the ways of the tenor ! I have one that I picked up in 70 and the first tune I played on it was "The Lincolnshire poacher" So when I tuned this one up and found the right plec. I played the "Poacher" again for OTS.
Its a little beauty and has a nice provenance and it has made me very happy!! Cant speak for the "Breadknife" though!! A bit apprehensive about the volume ;-)

Q---Whats the difference between a banjo and an onion?---A--- Nobody cries when you chop up a banjo#!?
I would weep if this little beauty got chopped up

 "Step away from 'D banjo!!!!"

Sellotape song from Mathew Edwards!!

Matthew Edwards I've been drinking in the Belvedere for fifty years or more,
But such a motley crew as this I've never heard before;
O indeed I haven't,
Don't you know I haven't?
To my ri falooral addie, 
O indeed I haven't!

They were resurrecting folk songs that were dead for many years,
They were boozing and carousing, and supping up strange beers. 
O indeed they were,
Don't you know they were?
To my ri falooral addie,
O indeed they were.

Now if I had some sellotape, I would stick them to the wall,
And cover up their cakeholes so they couldn't sing at all;
O indeed I would,
Don't you know I would?
To my ri falooral addie,
O indeed I would.

Sure but when they come unstuck again, they'll call loudly for more beers,
And they'll be fathoming the bowl for another fifty years;
O indeed they will,
Don't you know they will?
To my ri falooral addie,
Yes indeed they will.

Great stuff Mathew------ got to sing it now!!!!

Belvedere session assailed!!

Another good afternoon at the Belvedere! Quite a lot of humour and a visit from an outraged gentleman who was rather discommoded because he clearly regarded us as the usurpers on his territory . After upbraiding Fred , he proceeded to inform us that he had been "drinking in this pub for 50 years" !!! and then retreated to the bar--- for another 50 year stint perhaps??
It was alleged that he "Bound musical instruments in sellotape" seemingly to prevent them being played??? (This is getting very strange now) So Jim and I played a little set that I largely made up as I went along and called it the "Sellotape hornpipe" ---Well--it amused me anyway!!--- Gary declared that the name would stick ! ----- Colin logged it as "Tunes" with a wry grin :-)
 I still like the comment branding the session as "The graveyard of English folk" Quite an accolade methinks!! Although I have only been attending for a few months (49 yrs. to go) I am happy to announce the one year anniversary of the inception of this "charnel house" of folk music where I have been fortunate enough to have met some of the nicest zombies stiffs and ghouls on the folk circuit!

The Elderflower beer from Liverpool organic was a lovely refreshing libation and I would have drank more if I hadn't been laughing so much!!!

Ferrier magic!

She had a voice to make your hair rise! She sang many "Folk" songs but her perfect enunciation and timing was deemed less attractive in the folk idiom.
She went  far too soon and had a lot more to offer but what she left us is a treasure trove !
Heres "The Keel Row"

Caledonia!!!

Great stuff!! Beer has triumphed over "Mamon" for the first time in history! The celebrations look to have been great and I am sorry to have missed them but good luck to all concerned and the well orchestrated campaign that saved this great waterhole .
 The army of dissenters should be knitted together as a mobile force against an further attempts to rob us of our heritage and beer , We have already lost too much !

Belvedere session

Another great session on the 16th! Lovely harmony from Helen and Jane and some good stuff from Fred whom we have missed for a few weeks! Jim and I worked out a few instrumentals with guitar and mandolin which have potential and which I really enjoyed!!
The parking problem is a bit of a bugger as all hands have to rush in at the stroke of two and rush off on the stroke of four to elude the predatory wardens who seek to fill the councils coffers at the expense of the poor harassed citizen!
We got along fine without two Mayors all these years , now if the council is short of money dis-establish the latest new post and save all the cash required to keep this appointee and the burgeoning entourage that is developing! That or another of the legion of parasitic panjandrums that we seem to be keeping!

Why do we need highly paid consultants??? The council , after all these hundreds of years don't seem to have got the hang of it even yet!!

Anyway , It looks like the "Caledonia" issue has been passed by the holding company to the prospective purchaser sold as a going concern but apparently without commitment to its current status so the decision is now to be made by the developing company , I am told .
Remember people , "BEER BEFORE MAMMON" !!!!! The "developers" tried to murder the city in the '60s Don't let them start again!!!
In the final analysis-------You cant eat money!!!!!

The Belvedere session.

This continues to provide a nice venue for singers and players to spend a couple of hours joining in an informal sing/play around with some well researched songs on the menu from the singers present.
Good beers as always and a good selection too , Liverpool organic's Pale was the star of the show with its nice hoppy flavour and a back of the palate bitter twist in the tail !
Colin Batho is publishing a list of songs and singers at each session now and its on his facebook page , well worth checking out! Seldom the same song heard twice . Sometimes a similar song or different version !
There's always a ready prompt for those who "Dry up" It happens to us all sometimes ;-)

Helen Mirren.

It is reported that Helen was playing the queen in the Geilgud when the performance was compromised by the appearance of a  drum band giving it plenty outside . The feisty Dame did no less than (still in character as her majesty) bound down the stairs and allegedly tell the alleged offenders to "shut the 'f up and 'f off ! " Was she right or was she overstepping it?? Who knows but I would have loved to see it!!!

A bit of order there people!!

Baltic Fleet session

Another good session in the Baltic on Saturday night , Would have been more enjoyable if the crowd had given a bit of order to the performers! The musicians create the atmosphere that brings them in but the noise detracts from the enjoyment , ah well!
The last half hour brought an impromptu jam session with all players joining in with a few jigs reels and hornpipes , Great stuff! loved it!!!
Perhaps a bank of 60 watt Marshalls would solve the problem??????????

O'Hooley and Tidow

Saw them in concert last night and quite enjoyed it . Belinda is a great pianist and the Steinway mod 3 grand was a fine instrument to display her talents upon .
They do what they do very well and the harmonies are tight and well conceived with beautiful little discords and wistful minor keys dotted about like bitter cherries in a sweet trifle .
 A nice concert even though they don't believe in "Leaving them laughing" as the final encore was quite a "Thoughtful" number but there was a standing 'O from the crowd and I enjoyed the well thought out production . "Jack the lad/lass" would have been the closing number for me !

Post-diluvian problems

Its been an odd week with the flood damage restoration and stuff causing me to miss a few sessions and having to re jig things at the last minute and all that kind of stuff. Apologies to the Belvedere warblers Danny and Colin in particular for missing our appointment , Sorry lads!

Belvedere session

Another good afternoon at the Belvedere with nine warblers in attendance with the usual eclectic mix of old and contemporary songs . I like the way the songs develop a theme/thread from one to the next using either a topic or artist as the link , What a great way to get a session rolling along Colin gave us "A rosebud in June" a particular fave of mine even though I always laugh at "Jolly Jolly sheep" (Never seen one) even with the smell of mint sauce hanging heavy in the June air!! Fat oxen are a reassuring sight though! John did a song my naughty granddad taught me as a nipper , O Reilly;s daughter---He brought it and a number of other unmentionable songs back from the Somme!
Dannys "Up Camborn hill coming down" was a great blast from the past! and Jack sang us Penny Evans and Martin gave us an alternative Spencer the rover , never heard that melody line before . Jim gave us an old Ronnie Drew fave weilla waillia ?? which prompted The Auld triangle from me --Got the verses mixed up as usual but hey!! Colin did the great North wall , Great stuff.
 Trappers hat for me , a lovely hoppy number from the Brimstage brewery .

Heres a rhyme about the plight of the pi-irate bold. It was when I was watching a re-enactment of the days of the swashbuckling buccaneers I noticed health and safety tape and non slip coating on the "Plank" they were walking!

THE GOOD SHIP ELFNSAFTY

 WAS A PRIVATEER BY TRADE

SHE WAS TIED UP DOWN IN LIVERPOOL

WHILE THE CREW DRANK LEMONADE

THE WHORES AND RUNNERS FLOCKED AROUND

TO CHEER THE BUCKANEERS

BUT THEY HAS TO WEAR  DEFENDERS

TO PROTECT THEIR "LITTLE" EARS.

WE CAST OF FORE WE CAST OFF AFT

BUT THEN THERE WAS A PANIC

WHILE THE ROPES WERE CHECKED

TO SEE IF THEY WERE HYPOALLERGENIC

THEY WERE OF HEMP THE CAPTAIN SAID

WELL SEND THEM FOR A TEST

THE RIGGING TOO WILL HAVE TO GO

LIKEWISE THE BOSUN'S VEST.

TIME CAME TO BEND ON BRAND NEW SAILS

TO CATCH THE BLUSTERY BREEZE

BUT THE CREW LOOKED RATHER NOVEL

AS THEY ALL BENT AT THE KNEES

AND THEN OUR WOES COMPOUNDED

AS WE REALISED OUR PLIGHT

WE WERE'NT ALLOWED TO HOIST THE SAILS

ONE INCH ABOVE HAND HEIGHT.

WELL NEVER MIND CRIED SHANGHAI JACK

ITS TIME FOR OUR RUM RATION

BUT THEN THEY FOUND THAT BOOZING TIME

HAD LOST A LOT OF PASSION

THE SIGN UPON THE BARREL HEAD

WHICH SURELY WAS A JOKE

 READ "PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY"

AND THEY'D FILLED IT UP WITH COKE.

THE CABIN BOY WAS ALL DONE UP

IN THE BEST HI VIZ APAREL

BUT HE LOST HIS HI VIZ TROUSERS

IT WAS HIS TURN IN THE BARREL

THE CREW ALL TOOK A TICKET

AND LOITERED IN A ROW

WHILE THE LEADING HAND GOT ALCOHOL

AND SPRAYED THEM DOWN BELOW.

SO WE HEADED OFF TO RAID AROUND

THE BURNING HOT EQUATOR

WHERE THE BOSUN'S FACE GOT SCORCHED

JUST LIKE THE SKIN OF AN ALLIGATOR

THEY TIED HIM UP AND SCRUBBED HIM DOWN

TILL HE COULD'NT BE NO CLEANER

THEN LARDED HIM LIKE A ROASTED HOG

WITH A TUB OF NEUTROGENA.

WE HAD TO DISCIPLINE THE MATE

HE WAS BOUND FOR DAVY JONES

BUT THEY SAID THE GNASHING OF THE SHARKS

WAS BAD FOR BRITTLE BONES

SO WE HEADED UP TO NEWFOUNDLAND

AND REACHED THE DOGGER BANK

HE WAS SUCKED TO DEATH BY A SHOAL OF COD

WHEN HE WALKED THE NON SLIP PLANK.

THE CAPTAIN WAS A BRUTAL MAN

WHO USED TO BE A WHALER

BUT HE WAS SOON ARRESTED

 AND THEN BUSTED DOWN TO SAILOR

HE FACED THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL

AND HE COULD'NT HAVE BEEN SORRIER

BUT THEY MADE HIM SHIP AS A CABIN BOY

ABOARD THE THE RAINBOW WARRIOR.

SO WE SAILED BACK INTO PORT

WITHOUT NO SACKING RAPE OR PLUNDER

BUT THE WHORES HAD ALL BEEN CHASED AWAY

AND THE PUBS HAD ALL GONE UNDER

SO WE DONNED OUR HI-VIZ SEA BOOTS

AND WITHOUT A BACKWARDS LOOK

WE SIGNED ABOARD WITH THAT PRIVATEER

WHO'S KNOWN AS THOMAS COOK.

Baltic Shanty session.

The day of the Grand National co-incided with the first Saturday of the month and town was very lively with racegoers either celebrating or drowning their sorrows. I did not think the revelers would have found the Baltic but the place was full and there was little chance of any meaningful attempts at singing or playing as the cacophony was merciless! Quite a nice atmosphere though and a few songs got through even with Derek nursing a bad chest , Nontheless He carried it off like Bonnie Tyler in true shanty tradition with Julia's buttonbox melodies cutting through the babble.
 I enjoyed the night and will look forward to next month's "First Saturday"

Another good session

The Belvedere was very enjoyable yesterday with Nine in attendance generating 30 plus songs which was a remarkable production!! Enough for a concert methinks. Not all serious either! there were a few humorous numbers which enlivened the afternoon and a good time was had by all.

Bugger the bankers

John Doyle Mike Mc Goldrick

Easter Bunny-- the myxamatosis threat

The initial alarm about the health of the Easter bunny has been exaggerated ! The swollen head and red eyes are the result of a long session in Wetherspoons with a couple of stoats and a visiting badger! The libations of "Trappers hat" had a marked effect on it and we hope recovery is complete before the egg delivery commences.

Sam sherry's waltz

I remember watching Sam at the Milnthorpe civic hall in '70. Went with the inimitable Ray Parsons and we then adjourned to the 'Bull for a few jars before going home to HH. Where I straightway commissioned Charlie Brown to make me a pair of clogs! Charlie was one of the last lakeland clogmakers , his was the last shop in Hawkeshead village, The Queens head still displays the "Hawkeshead Girt clog" which belonged to the local ratcatcher who had a bad foot. No good for dancing but great for stamping on rats??
I  recall that Sam also sang "I must go where the wild goose goes"

Set of jigs from one of my my Mexican friends

Another good afternoon session

The Belvedere session had ten yesterday, a nice mix of shanties and hunting songs and a couple of nice ballads , Good to hear and its a very rare occurrence that you hear the same song twice! The vast repertoire of the gathered congregation ensures that there are always new-- new numbers and new -- old numbers.
 A treasure trove of knowledge and talent combined with great humour and--oh yes ,  the usual slander and vituperative that makes it such a relaxed session . As Keith remarked , it gives all of us and excuse to hang around the pub in the afternoon—as if we needed one before Fine fun and a song collectors dream!!

Beer duty reduced!!!!

Well , I would have been quick to comment if the ill conceived beer duty escalator had been deployed So-Well done George Osborn on reducing  , even if only by a penny the suicidal tax levies that are threatening our national drink ,( the fine traditionally brewed beers ales and ciders that is , for those who think I mean tea or fizzy lager)
 Keep it up George and give the breweries and drinkers a break, here's to you!!!

2012 Irish festival at the docks

Some of the street theater girls singing at the quayside.

Belvedere session

A cozy little session today with six stalwarts in attendance.  Nice to be able to fit in a little conversation and a few anecdotes . Saying that we are here to sing and sing we did! Colin kicking of with "Drink old England dry" and Helen backing my mandolin manglings  with her Bodrhan .  we had some fine compositions from Helen and Jane and The Rose of Allendale from Colin on the second round and then a beautiful rendition of "The banks of the sweet primroses" From two Helens and a Jane . A lovely rendition with tight harmony , a haunting melody . Sooo good!!
 Jack gave us "Twa Corbies" and a good "Sailing down to old Maui" a good old whaling song .
Looking forward to next week when I think there might be a fight for seats , get there early!
The beers were good with "White monk" ; Organic's Pale and Brimstages "Trappers hat" , All good and well served by Kelly.

Ingleton Folk weekend.

The Ingleton folk weekend coming up in October is always worth a visit and the have had some great acts on in the past.
I enjoy the pub sessions best and the one at the Hill inn at Ribblehead is usually a good one with a free bus to get you to and from Ingleton! Heres a link.

http://www.ingletonfolk.co.uk/

Ned the carter.

Ned the carter.

When first I went a Carting
from the villages departing down the rough and rocky roads of Westmoreland
I'd drive me team of horses
past the rowan trees and gorses
watching  sunlight gleam on Morecambe's Silver sand .
*
You forget about your  trouble
where the curlews softly bubble near the rushes and the springs up on the tops
with the forelocks softly bobbin'
on the brows of Roan and Dobbin
and the crunching of the wheels down mountain tracks.
*
We would grind through rain and mud
down wet lanes and through the wood with me oilskin buckled tight up to me neck
while the rain ran of in courses
down the flanks of both me horses
as we splashed along beside the swollen beck.
*
In the market we stand waiting
 while the wool is sold and taken off to mills in Lancashire for ready cash
then its to the inn for drinking
With the horses bridles clinking
as they wait outside and munch their steaming mash.
*
On the sacks and bits of lumber
in the cart I lie a slumber as the fuming whiskey round me head does roam
but I lie there safely sleeping
to the waggon's gentle creaking
Cos' the tired old horses know their own way home
*

Now the carting days are gone
for the motor car has come and me horses went to pull haytiming rakes
And up against the wall
lies the cart and shafts and all
and the wheels adorn a townies cottage gates
*
Now I'm old and failing
and the lost days i'm bewailing as I think on how the old ways used to be
In my head I wander back
to the winding mountain track
with the curlews on the breezes flying free. ©mike locke


This is a song about Uncle Ned Bentham a carter/carrier from Helks in Dent. He also had the White Hart , Dents 'Lost' pub which was behind Sedgewick's memorial. There are many anecdotes about Ned and his quirky ways which will follow in the form of tall tales and ribald rhyme!

Baltic fleet songs of the sea.

Another good session with Derek giving powerful and theatrical renditions of some great songs and also some old favourites with Julia's button box accompaniments . Harry and Arthur with concertina athletics and some super versions of some familiar songs nicely arranged and delivered and a few from the "Shanty kings"
Wapping brewery's "Summer ale" was my "Beer of the Session"  the rest were excellent too ,
 Its just that they tend to get in your mouth ;-)

Belvedere session still growing.

The singers/players afternoon session is going from strength to strength and yesterday brought a room full of artists and there were some great songs sung ." Twelve good persons and true" from all around the area all anxious to contribute and have a laugh!
This is one of the best humored folk gatherings I have ever  experienced with an atmosphere of pleasant bonhomie prevailing throughout . Good beer , good company and good music . Songs from all the nations of these septic isles delivered both melodiously and with humor. What more could anybody want??

Song about the wandering harvest workers from the Dales

The scything boys.

Down from the high moors we return every year
the rake and the pitchfork the tools of our trade
We live off the land and sleep under the sky
not knowing the morn where for sleep we may lie
On hilltop or green woodland glade
*
We travel by stars and we work by the day
to work in the hayfields to bring in the crop
for the fell farmers money hard earned and hard parted
the years seasons cycles nere ending once started
ere the warm summer rain starts to drop.
*
The rich flowery crop yields in swathes to our scythes
as we sweep a fast arc laying low the sweet grass
the summer sun browns the long rows that we turn
our long wooden rakes comb the sedges and fern
We watch the dark clouds  as they pass.
*
The horses lead sleds with their trembling stacks
to  the fieldbarns dark window high in the stone  wall
The pitchforks bright tines toss the clumps of sweet hay
 the sun blazes down at the height of the day
as the raven croaks out his harsh call
*
The scampering children up tramping the moo
like dust powdered urchins will tumble and play
then  home to their beds with a bread crust or two
with their ears full of dust and their hair full of hay
While we gather our pitchforks to go.
*
Whilst we wait in a line for to sign for our pay
The farmer stands watching with long leather purse
a florin a drink and a basket of food
A couple of rabbits we shot in the wood
then away for to find work the new day

©

We survived without "Inhalers" and the H/S man hadnt been born. We were immunised against various "Poxes" by being rubbed on a cows udder at an early age.  Hmmmmm! That could account for a lot??? Ah well.

Many farm hands and drovers left the dales to come to Liverpool to find work and settled in Toxteth . My G.G Grandfather was a cowkeeper and also opened a grocery shop in Liffey St , He lived in a" Yorkshire" community in Cleveden terrace at the top of Upper Parliament st. Until he returned to Dentdale , unfortunately carrying TB which soon killed both him and his wife. He should have stayed in the Dales and kept away from the fever haunted streets and alleys , they left seven orphans who were brought back to Dentdale to the surviving relatives.

Baltic fleet shanty nights

"Trim rig and a Doxy" host this great evening and here's a link to the site ! I love this session it's great!

http://www.trimrigdoxy.com/offthestarboardbow/index.html

Songs from the near past

A Jolly shot from the summer of 06

Without the morris we are all doomed!!

Excerpt from the New City Songster

I found this recently and I remember the occasion now , Ewan Mc Coll and Peggy Seeger came to the Low wood folk club near Ambleside and Did a few numbers . Ewan sang "The Molecatcher" ;" Hello Friend" ; "The Manchester Rambler"And another couple which elude my memory , Peggy did the Derby Ram and another couple with a 5 string banjo (Does that sound right??) Anyway , I remember talking to Rab Noakes at the bar , Alas he didd'nt sing that night but we had a few songs at a little impromptu session later in the week.
 It was a great night and great memories.

Spring approaches and this misty moisty morning the blackbird was singing on my chimneypot for the first time this year. Across on the arable the partridges were skriking in the mist . they always do when its cold and frosty! I think they must have cold arses or something , or they've lost each other in the mist! no matter--- they are a bit stupid  ( but delicious!!)
Here's an interesting little link to the history street theatre guys in Liverpools fair port.

http://lovehistory.co.uk/ They did a superb play down in the Albert dock this summer on the ship and around the dock area 

Sorry about the wobbles but I was struggling for position (It was hell in there)
I had to move as a guy was standing on my foot or it would have been longer ;-)

Belvedere L.T.S. Growing

The little room in the Belvedere is becoming cosier an cosier as the following grows and the potential is becoming apparent.
There were thirteen singers yesterday --Valentines day     , and Mathew gave a song about a bunch of Valentine flowers which were ill received , never heard it before and it was sooo funny in both content and delivery, Yvonne's song about a sheep rustler of yore was a great number which I would love to learn! Perhaps she would let me have the lyrics if i'm nice to her??
Liverpool organic brewery's delicious "Stygian" was for me  , beer of the day and I had a few.
Colin gave us the " Errant apprentice" a rhyme/song which is liberally larded with clever and hilarious word play and unlikely pairings about a jealous suitor's fight with a usurping Turkish gentleman. We all have experience of that condition!!?
I tried a song lurking in the one of the murkier cupboards of my memory and with the help of the gathered congregation managed to stumble through it with clouds of dust flying about my ears!
Danny gave a couple of shanties and a Liverpool special set great singalong stuff. and John did "Here's to you my rambling boy" Very evocative!
We are going to do a little rehearsal with guitar , mandolin and whistle next week to see what breaks cover! I'm looking forward to that , I hate playing alone on the Mandy , it seems so hollow when you could have the guitar to bounce off and vice versa. Most of the stuff will probably be in 'G or 'D no surprises there Eh??
See you next week??

Baltic Fleet.

The BalticFleet sessions. ran back to back in Jan/Feb as the day changes from the last Saturday of the month to the first. I enjoyed the first Saturday and joined in with my octave mandola! the first time it has had an airing in the Baltic and I joined with Keith with his fiddle for a couple of sets. It is really a shanty session so I tried to keep it to hornpipes and nautical themed stuff , No hardship for ME as I prefer hornpipes , they are a little less diddlydee than the jigs and reels , They are OK but are a little repetitious after a while.Derek and Julia kept the singers and players rotating nicely and we had a great selection of music from all concerned.

Her's a picture of the Baltic in the 60/70's by the looks of things.