This song, made famous by Luke Kelly & The Dubliners, though written by Ewan MacColl (father of the late singer/songwriter Kirsty MacColl) has been rattling around in my head for quite a while now.
It brings to mind images and thoughts of when my Da had worked in England in the 1950's.
I tried singing it with guitar, and with piano, but I was never happy with it.
Tonight I tried it without music, and here's the result.
(I've never sung this in public, or privately, to anyone!)
World exclusive premier!
England's Motorway-Come me Little Son (CLICK TO LISTEN.)
I love this, Map. Thank you, kind sir.
ReplyDeleteMany a night spent in digs and rundown caravan atop the black with this song in a mans head. Before the gravy came blisters and tough times just to keep the coats on the beds of the weans. Silk shirts and Pat Cox finest upon my feet play no more a part in keeping a man firmly fixed to his roots. Still the Friday comes and a man can be found amongst those who work the black and take home the quid to those who still sit as one around the coddle pot.
ReplyDeleteMemories of times harder make a man smile and thankful to the wans who make the music and sing songs with proud voices. The hat is off to yis and atop the oaken bar a pint awaits above an empty stool. I raise my final glass of the night to you Marteen, to you.
What a gift you have!
ReplyDeleteThat last album Kristy MacColl made is a masterpiece. To this day, I still put it on when many like it have faded from my memory.
Who is this Seamus? The style sounds familiar.
Hearing you sing always puts a smile on my face. Thank you!
ReplyDeletei am so glad i know you, bubba! ;~) xoxoxoxoox
ReplyDeletebeautifully done, map - powerfully and intensely sung - brilliant - thanks so much for sharing -
ReplyDeletedebra; No, thank you! :¬)
ReplyDeleteSeamus; A pint from yersel and this singing wan will be happy to sing for the night! Praise from such as ye keeps a lad joyful.
ReplyDelete(Mise, tusa, agus an feár 'plumber' i bParadise óiche amháin?) :¬)
UB; Pfffft! I sing to keep MY spirits high, if it raises others then it is I who have truly received gifts!
ReplyDeleteAs for this 'Seamus' (pronounced 'shaymus'), I wonder!! :¬)
hope; And hearing THAT puts a smile on MY face! WIN/WIN!! :¬)
xxx
sav; Ah missus, there ya go making me blush again! :¬)
ReplyDeletexoxoxox
GYPSYWOMAN; I was hoping YOU would approve! :¬)
xxx
What a strong, beautiful voice you have, Map. Makes me feel nostalgic...
ReplyDeletePearl
Pearl; Thank you so much! :¬)
ReplyDeletexxx
As you've probably guessed I'm a hip hop fan but I'm also a fan of any good music, and your rendition of this song is beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteJoey; Thank you so much! :¬)
ReplyDeleteHere's something else to sing about methinks.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=9528
Paddy's Friend; Now now! My Ma always said we musn't mock the afflicted. I'm having a mass said for them in your name, sure they'll like that.
ReplyDeleteA mass now is it? I'm thinking along the immortal lines of... "get it up yis" just for starters. Speak to Faither Tommy about lighting a candle for me, a man green through and through beneath the blackness of the crow.
ReplyDeleteAway aft the sun the neet for an extended break, keep an eye on Fat Sally's Govan mob will yis? If Castle Greyskull accidently burns down it wasnae me, reet?
sláinte mhaith!
Seamus; Well isn't it well for ye to be aft the sun, and not just a break, no, an entended feckin' break! And me left to 'keep an eye', and all on me own too!
ReplyDeleteDo me a favour and pass me card to any good entertainment venues will ya? There's only so much singing in the rain a wee man can put up with!
I hope yis have left the famous white Speedos at home this time, I still can't get the mantra of 'Yellow to the front, brown to the back' out me heid from the times we were getting ready for a wee dip on the last trip!
Enjoy pal, and if ye can't bring the sunshine home then maybe something Golden from the duty-free will be payment enough for minding the shop eh? :¬)
Thanks Map. And I loved the song too:)
ReplyDeletePat; :¬)
ReplyDeletexxx