Come live love and laugh with me
Except in some cases very little….
This popped up in a social media feed – from one of those Then & Now sites
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Isaac
I’ve never been to Cornwall but seeing the name Port Isaac had me trying to remember why it was familiar
Of course…..home to the Fisherman’s Friend group – the one who sing all those lovely sea shanties
Lots of views of the little town plus some great music by the band
I’ll admit to not knowing that Maggie Smith had a ‘voice’ and in her younger days ‘used it’. There are lots of clips online of her and Carol Burnett (because comedy was her thing as well) – these two are favourites
Sunny dry windy mornings sees a hurried procession of dirty washing carrying campers making their way up to the laundry room. Even though many travellers (Grey Nomads) in vans are now taking small washing machines with them on the road they tend to use the park’s amenities for large items- sheets and bedding especially.
The ‘Laundry Room’ is more than that.
Yes, there are washers and dryers and (if you’re really fussy) ironing boards but there’s also the ‘drop and swap’ book exchange and a very large notice board. News and Views and What’s on Where – specials at various shops in town – as well which campers are offering what services….from what I’ve heard there’s a motor mechanic and a hairdresser/barber spending the winter here (both are doing a roaring trade – no need to go into town, cheaper prices, bits of gossip from on the road).
Anyway for years it would be ‘a ladies world’ in there but things are slowly changing (for the better some might say….others mutter about ‘not doing it right) and this season more men are ‘helping out’ with the washing.
So sometimes there are different conversations going on….stuff that used to be confined to over a beer or wine at Happy Hour – like lots of joshing about various football teams and possible results of upcoming games (various states = various codes) also the price of fuel that seems to crop up now and again.
Men don’t talk quietly so you can’t help but overhear – “geez, you’re looking a bit off this morning ”….”yeah mate, I’m a bit worried….” Lots of loud laughter from his ‘mate’ followed by a line from a song some of us of a certain age knew well. Corny as it sounds, the ‘worried man’ joined in singing, his mate said something about “the kettle being on” and they wandered off back to wherever.
Guess I’ll never know what he was worried about- from his mate’s reaction it couldn’t have been that bad😊
It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worried_Man_Blues
(Like all folk songs there are variations – hopefully the one you’re familiar with is here)
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Sharing with Wednesday words and Whimsy
The Golfer’s friend was an Irishman.
A lover of life, of people, of warm weather and travel plus golf …just some of things they shared in common.
He was also a lover of music – especially ‘Folk Music’ – which he described as a different form of storytelling.
He once told me being able to compere festivals – the National Folk Fest and Port Fairy being a couple – presenting musicians/artists to the ‘world’ was an honour
As was being a broadcaster with Radio Adelaide’s Folk Show for many many years
He was a great believer in community radio as you can hear in this small clip from a longer interview
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It was a quiet funeral, simple not overstated. No ‘readings’ just some words from family and friends – music was a little bit of soft fiddle during the photo slide show and……
This song (sung by Ceol – an Irish folk band) played at the end as people were leaving….
……there’s a session in the corner……I don’t want to leave…..I don’t want to go…..can’t stay here and I can’t go home…….one more tune, one more tune is all we want….…give me one more for the road…..
David would’ve loved it
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‘Bring your Scottish music next week’ we were told as the choir was packing up a couple of weeks ago. ‘We have been invited again’
This brought lots of cheers and laughter
This little choir I’ve returned to after a years break is for people who enjoy singing for pleasure. Mainly songs well known to the age group (retired!), like musicals, 40s/50s/60s pop,- as well as folk of all sorts but it is also known for the leader’s interest in Scottish, Irish as well as some Welsh songs.
So on the years it’s being held the choir is sent an invitation to perform at the local Highland Games and Celtic Festival .
Hearing this sung (and others in the same vein) will certainly draw a crowd of onlookers…misty eyed long time expats as well as those who wander over to the music tent to find out what all that noise is about.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Skye_Boat_Song
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing
Onward! The sailors cry
Carry the lad that’s born to be King
Over the sea to Skye
Loud the wind howls, loud the waves roar
Thunderclaps rend the air
Baffled our foes, stand on the shore
Follow, they will not dare
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing
Onward! The sailors cry
Carry the lad that’s born to be King
Over the sea to Skye
Many’s the lad fought on that day
Well, the claymore did wield
When the night came, silently lain
Dead on Culloden field
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing
Onward! The sailors cry
Carry the lad that’s born to be King
Over the sea to Skye
Though the waves leap, soft will ye sleep
Ocean’s a royal bed
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head
Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing
Onward! The sailors cry
Carry the lad that’s born to be King
Over the sea to Skye
Hearing those recognisable opening bars
the beats that still have you gyrating (or trying to)
in ways you’d forgotten were possible
The words you really wish you could understand
Then along comes the chorus and the little bit after it and you smile. .
Gitchi gitchi ya ya da da
Gitchi gitchi ya ya here
Mocha chocolata, ya ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?
Lady Marmalade by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan.
Sung here by LaBelle – Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash
Learn more about the song and the meaning of the lyrics.
https://genius.com/Labelle-lady-marmalade-lyrics.
https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-lyrics-of-lady-marmalade-patti-labelle/.
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_LaBelle
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labelle
Over the years there have been/were rumblings about Australia wanting/needing a new national anthem’.
God save the King (Queen) had been used since Federation in 1901.
The Australian National Anthem and Flag Quests Committee, a non-government body, launched a competition for a new national flag and anthem in August 1971. By Australia Day 1972 over 400 hundred entries had been received.
source
Different ‘songs’ were put forward at different times and it took many more years before Advance Australia Fair was decided on.
One of the earlier candidates was called God bless Australia.
God Bless Australia was a proposed 1961 Australian national anthem by Australian songwriter Jack O’Hagan who provided patriotic lyrics to the traditional tune of Waltzing Matilda. source
This is it – a very emotive, nationalistic, tugging at the heartstrings song that dare I say, in certain ways it sounds very similar to a song associated with another country!
Happy Australia Day everyone- enjoy today January 26th 2024
Three weeks of the New Year gone and I haven’t done much. . .
A bit of reading – some knitting- some ‘water walking – a little gardening- sorted the inside of my car out – watched some cricket- watched some tennis. . .
I’ve been a real Lazybones
But then that’s what these days are all about. .
And the weather – well, that’s something we all share worldwide isn’t it
Not sure what yours has been like but over this past three weeks let’s just say ours here in Victoria has been ‘changeable’. Changing from this to that almost at the drop of a hat
Dry sunny pleasant, hot humid, stormy, wet enough to flood plus cool enough to ‘put a jumper on’ – those were some of the days. We had hot humid nights needing maybe just a sheet and definitely the overhead fan as well as ones cool (cold!) enough for pjs not cotton nightie, pull all the blankets up and bring out the hot water bottle for my toes.
On one of those cool wet ones I even resorted to an afternoon delight
Forget Bed Book and Candle – it’s Bath Book and Coffee for me 😊
And a little edit here to think about our friends and bloggers in Far North Queensland who are wondering which part of their coastline Cyclone Kirrily will hit. Anywhere between Cardwell and Mackay is what’s forecast.
Anyway, I heard this the other day – Joe Brown with daughter Sam
A different take on an old Hoagy Carmichael song -Lazy Bones (1933)
This is the pace of summer I like – slow and easy
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About Lazy Bones – https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26968949/Hoagy+Carmichael
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoagy_Carmichael
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Brown_(musician)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Brown_(singer)
Sharing with Min’s Wednesday Words and Whimsy linkup found HERE
Jingle Bells – not a carol but probably one of the most well known pieces of music worldwide…..composed by J Pierpont….it began life as “The One Horse Open Sleigh” in the 1850s….. possibly intended as a drinking song, it didn’t become a Christmas song until decades after it was first performed. source
Love it or loathe it I don’t think it’ll be going away anytime soon – – hear the introduction and I bet your head starts nodding and the words just roll out of your mouth – – or stay inside your head all day😊
Recorded by so many different artists - I’m sure you’d be surprised at who has wanted to get in on the act!.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingle_Bells
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Just before you go – Aussie Jingle Bells is just that – a version of the song tailored for Australians who celebrate Christmas when it’s summertime and hot. . The clip is possibly a bit on the Ocker side for some but all good fun. . and the kids love it
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Dashing Through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute (pickup truck)
Kicking up the dust
Esky (A food cooler) in the boot (the Trunk)
Kelpie (cattle dog) by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s summer time and I am in my singlet,
Shorts and thongs!
Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a Scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute!
Engine’s getting hot
Dodge the Kangaroos
Swaggie climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the fam-I-Iy is there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbeque!
Oh, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a Scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute!
Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and Uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take a family snap (photo)
Then pack the car and all shoot through (go home)
Before the washing up.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Colin Keith Robert Buchanan/Greg Champion
You certainly need stamina to get to the end of this carol. . . It’s one to give the voice (and the lungs) a workout. Often sung near to the end of a carol service but sometimes as the processional hymn as the clergy make their way into the church. It is a carol that can be interpreted in many different ways…..
If you have time come and watch. . .
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O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!
God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb
Very God
Begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God
All glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatonix
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetshakers
https://latterdaysaintmusicians.com/artists/the-five-strings
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_mob
Although it’s classed as a Christmas carol, I saw three ships has a very different sound – I don’t remember it actually being sung at a church carol service but certainly at a large Christmas Carol concert.
Anyway I hope you enjoy these very different versions I found online. . .
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The modern lyrics are from an 1833 version by the English lawyer and antiquarian William Sandys, and consist of nine verses. Source
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning.
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
Pray whither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Saw_Three_Ships
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacle_Choir
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Faithfull
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chieftains
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman’s_Friends
This is one Christmas carol that never fails to please – always thought of as a children’s carol (or lullaby) it’s probably the first one most of us learnt.
Known worldwide, and sung to two different tunes/melodies it’s one that usually isn’t ‘messed around with’ .
This link will explain the claims about different verses as well as the different melodies – https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/occasions/christmas/away-in-a-manger-lyrics-history-carol/.
There are so many versions to be found online – I’ve included a….
Mind you, I think most would agree this is a carol for the youngest of us all. . the last video is from a nativity play performed at an unknown school.. . smile – watch for the teachers prompting hand gestures (and see how much Mary loves that baby!
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Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with thee there.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Away_in_a_Manger
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Sharing with Wednesdays Words and Whimsy hosted by Min – HERE
Of all the Christmas carols this is one that can sound marvellous- or a bit off
Ding Dong Merrily On High – a bright breezy ‘modern’ number (first published in 1924) that can have us all belting it out if sung at too fast a tempo. . and then struggling for breath when we get to the ‘Gloria’ refrain at the end of each verse.
I tend to think it has a special sound of its own when sung in a church (personal POV) like the young choristers do each year in their Carols from Kings (Kings College, Cambridge) presentation. . but here are some other versions….
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Ding dong, merrily on high!
In heav’n the bells are ringing;
ding dong, verily the sky
is riv’n with angel singing.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
E’en so here below, below,
let steeple bells be swungen,
And io, io, io,
by priest and people sungen.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Pray ye dutifully prime
your matin chime, ye ringers;
may ye beautifully rhyme
your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Source: Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #148
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It’s ’consult the calendar‘ time again.
Time to think about next year’s activities.
This year’s choir (a half hour drive away) is minus a leader – my previous one (ten minutes down the road) the one that was in abeyance is now going to resume rehearsals on the same day as before.
I dislike not knowing what’s going to happen- will they secure a new conductor- do I sign up again and then be disappointed when the class is cancelled or go with the known option, return to a very ‘happy’ casual group who delight in singing without pressure on them to ‘get it right’.
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One of those little things that had me smiling and feeling good at the end of sessions with the local group was the leader/conductor saying “Away you go and have fun” and then the accompanist ‘playing us out’.
She’d play a little medley while we packed up, always finishing with a cheerful rendition of Marie’s Wedding aka Lewis Bridal Song ( which of course had everyone singing along) – then almost skipping out the door.
Such a jolly toe tapping tune with words that make you smile – thinking about the person they are off to see and all the gifts (real and imaginary) they have for her.
It’s been recorded by so many individuals and groups ( there’s even a Wiggles version😊 ) – – each makes it ‘their own’.
I know I’ve added quite a few here – obviously you don’t have to watch all
But it’s good to compare – and enjoy
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mairi%27s_Wedding
Lyrics by: Hugh Robertson
Chorus:
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm in arm and row and row
All for Mairi’ s wedding
Over hill-way up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the shieling through the town
All for Mairi’s wedding
Chorus
Plenty herring plenty meal
Plenty peat tae fill her creel
Plenty bonny bairns as weel
That’s the toast for Mairi
Chorus
Cheeks as bright as rowans are
Brighter far than any star
Fairest of them all by far
is my darling Mairi
Chorus
Over hill-ways up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the sheiling through the town
All for sake of Mairi
If it’s sung by Male or Female
Indoors or out
House or hall.
With or without a musical accompaniment
Have a listen of these different versions of a favourite of mine
A tale of a young man who just didn’t listen
Down by the salley gardens
my love and I did meet;
She passed the salley gardens
with little snow-white feet.
She bid me take love easy
as the leaves grow on the tree;
But I, being young and foolish
with her would not agree.
In a field by the river
my love and I did stand,
And on my leaning shoulder
she laid her snow-white hand.
She bid me take life easy
as the grass grows on the weirs;
But I was young and foolish
and now am full of tears.
Source
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_by_the_Salley_Gardens
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With a forecast like this for next week – I think there’s going to be a couple of stay at home and listen to the band days. . .
Had a little note from a choir ‘friend’ telling me this is what we (girls) will be rehearsing next term. Quite a haunting tune and we’ll be singing it in its original language (hopefully sounding a little like these singers).
Song of the Beach (seashore) – Japanese folk song.
Sung by KRAJA – a Swedish group
The Song of the Seashore (English translation)
If I wander about ashore this morning
It will bring me back to good ol’ times
The sound of the wind, the way clouds change.
Waves breaking in, the colour of the shells
If I roam about ashore this evening
My beloved will bring me back then
Waves breaking in and waning back
The colour of the moon, the light of the stars
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It’s Monday and we’re about to start our journey home, today we’ll begin making our way south down the east coast on the Bruce, 500+kms to Rockhampton.
Then there’s another 2,000 km after that 😊😎
I said to The Golfer I thought now was right time to go home, it really has become a bit on the warm side and humid as well…yes Melbourne can become hot and have its humid days but they’re not normally continuous one after the other. We’ll just have to see what summer brings won’t we😎
Anyway guess what I’ll be missing during the six hour drive??
I’ll be back sometime soon – will have a wee break after we get home
Bye for now.
Cathy xx
It was my cousin mentioning something about a concert we went as young teenagers (when my family was visiting them in Belfast March 1958) something that started me thinking about someone I hadn’t thought about for a good many years.
Lonnie Donegan.
Unlike most of my friends, I really enjoyed his early folky music…before he turned to ‘comedy tunes’.
Tunes like ‘Did your chewing gum lose its flavour on the bed post overnight’ 🙁
I was also a fan of trad jazz – yes I knew all the pop singers of the time and the words to their songs but wasn’t that interested in them. They didn’t hold my attention the way folk and jazz (plus big band) did so my friends tended to think that as far as music was concerned I was a bit strange.
When Gordon Lightfoot died early this month I thought (wrongly) didn’t he share the stage with Lonnie Donegan at one time?
No, it was Terry Lightfoot – jazz musician with Chris Barber (who LD had played with in early 1950s) .
Age might do weird things to your memory but when Willie Nelson turned 90 late this April just gone I definitely remembered another concert
One I (and The Golfer) went to
It was the night The Highwaymen came to town.
(Yes you can add country and western to my my list of likes as well😊)
Willie, Waylon, Cash and Kristoffersen – The National Tennis Centre Melbourne.
(Now known as Rod Laver Arena)
32 years ago today – May 22 1991
This video isn’t from that concert- but it might just as well have been
Filmed March 1990
I know most of you aren’t in this age bracket but here are links that might bring back memories for some of you – and let others know what it was all about – and how it was an inspiration for many who have come afterwards
https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/famous-british-singers-of-the-1950s/
https://lonniedoneganscrapbook.webs.com/tourappearanceguide.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/nov/05/guardianobituaries.arts
Me…..I’m on the sunny side
Here’s two different live versions for you to enjoy
I’ve a feeling I might have posted this before but I couldn’t let today go by without a rerun. Be patient, read my little joke and I’ll tell you what ‘today is’ at the end
A tourist in Vienna is going through a graveyard and all of a sudden he hears music.
No one is around, so he starts searching for the source.
He finally locates the origin and finds it is coming from a grave with a headstone that reads: “Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770- 1827”.
Then he realizes that the music is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and it is being played backwards
Puzzled, he leaves the graveyard and persuades a friend to return with him.
By the time they arrive back at the grave the music has changed.
This time it is the Seventh Symphony, and like the previous piece, it is being played backwards.
Curious, the men agree to consult a music scholar.
When they return with the expert, the Fifth Symphony is playing – backwards.
The expert notices that the symphonies are being played in the reverse order in which they were composed,
The 9th, then the 7th, then the 5th.
By the next day the word has spread, and a crowd has gathered around the grave.
They are all listening to the Second Symphony being played backward.
Just then the graveyard’s caretaker ambles up to the group.
Someone in the group asks him if he has an explanation for the music.
“I would have thought it was obvious,” the caretaker says.
“He’s decomposing.”
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Interesting article about Ludwig van Beethoven
Born this day 16 December 1770 – Ludwig van Beethoven
Fun Friday – the day you forget the worries of the week.
Our song – do you have one?
Old I know – but then so are we😊
❤️❤️❤️
Still Waters 